MARCH 30 - APRIL 13, 2005
TOP O' THE NEWS
- Mobile phones/PDAs becoming the wireless Internet access vehicle of choice
The convergence of cell phones, PDAs and mobile computing is highlighted by a new study by Ipsos-Insight on wireless Internet access, which reports that an estimated 171 million people, or 44% of all Internet users, have accessed the Internet wirelessly, a number which grew by 29% in 2004. The Face of the Web survey covered 12 global markets, and showed that wireless population growth is largely driven by the U.S. and Japan, which accounted for 69% of the increase. Other key growth areas were Western Europe, South Korea, and Urban China.
But laptops aren’t leading this growth – mobile phones and PDAs are. In Japan, for example, twice as many adults (59%) access the Internet through a mobile device than via a wireless laptop connection (28%), a trend also seen in markets outside of North America, Germany, and Urban Mexico. In the 12 markets analyzed, close to half of the mobile phone handsets in use now have email or Internet browsing capability. Text messaging may have fueled this growth, but Internet-based applications seem poised to drive it forward, as shown by other statistics reported by the survey:
· One in three mobile phone households has exchanged email via the mobile phone
· One in four has browsed the Internet
· One in four has exchanged digital image/video
· One in five has conducted Instant Messaging
· One in five has played a video game
SMS and ring tone download activity actually slowed last year, but wireless e-mail usage grew by 21% and exchanging pictures/videos and browsing the Internet saw more than double that growth. Mobile commerce, while still a small percentage, saw the biggest increase, as the number of wireless online purchasers grew by 100% and of wireless online bankers by 60%, year-over-year. As 3G service reaches more markets in 2005, this trend can only grow.
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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
- Margaret Legum joins Northwind as Senior Solutions Consultant
- Keith Watson joins IDeaS as UK-based Sales Manager
- Hugo Chavez hired by Safemark Systems as Sales Director, Mexico City
Margaret Legum has joined Northwind as a Senior Solutions Consultant, based in Northwind’s Virginia office. Ms. Legum brings 18 years of hospitality software experience, principally in a series of executive positions with Visual One, after beginning her career in hospitality by operating a bed and breakfast property.
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Keith Watson has joined IDeaS as its new UK-based Sales Manager. Mr. Watson was most recently European Business Development Manager at WorldRes Europe Ltd., and had earlier worked with PMS vendors HIS and Ramesys.
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Hugo Chavez has been hired by Safemark Systems as Sales Director, based in Mexico City and charged with developing distributor accounts in South America. Sr. Chavez had earlier held sales positions for TESA, VingCard-Elsafe and BTV.
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PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
- Ramesys now distributing Kx sales & event software in North America, integrated w/entirety
- Gubse completes interface between its SIHOT PMS and IDeaS
- Stein Eriksen Lodge, Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club both order Northwind Maestro
- Horseshoe Resort, Ontario, selects Enablez’ ResortSuite
- Grand Casino Mille Lacs, Grand Casino Hinckley order Agilysys’ LMS
- Las Vegas Hilton orders Agilysys’ LMS with ShowGate and ShowNet modules
- RDP to integrate its PMS with Expedia’s direct connect technology
- Windmill Point Resort and Yacht Harbor to install PAR Springer-Miller software and hardware
- ARAMARK Harrison Lodging to install OPERA Xpress in most locations by 2007
- Joie de Vivre picks MICROS OPERA PMS, S&C and MICROS 3700 POS for Hotel Vitale
Ramesys is now distributing and implementing Kx, Kinetic Solutions’ Windows-based sales & event application, in North America as it has done in the UK since 2002. Kx has two key modules on a single database, Event Management and Sales & Marketing, and is integrated with Ramesys entirety PMS. (www.us.ramesys.com)
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German-based PMS vendor Gubse announced that it has completed an interface between its SIHOT PMS and IDeaS Revenue Optimization. Joint clients of the two vendors include Sol Melia. (www.gubse.com, www.ideas.com)
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The 175-room Stein Eriksen Lodge, Utah’s only Triple-A Five Diamond hotel, has ordered Northwind’s Maestro Front Office, Sales & Catering, two-way GDS interface and the ResEze Web booking engine.
The 146-room Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, named for Washington Duke, noted industrialist and benefactor of Duke University where the property is situated, is installing Northwind’s Maestro Front Office, with two-way GDS interface and Internet booking engine.
(www.steinlodge.com, www.washingtondukeinn.com, www.maestropms.com)
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The Horseshoe Resort, in Ontario's Horseshoe Valley, selected ResortSuite from Enablez to manage its full-service, four-season operation. (www.horseshoeresort.com, www.enablez.com)
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The Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia, MN and Grand Casino Hinckley in Hinckley, MN have selected Agilysys’ Lodging Management System (LMS), as well as modules LMS ResNet and LMS Guest Express kiosks. Both properties are owned and managed by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.
The 3,000-room Las Vegas Hilton has ordered Agilysys’ Lodging Management System (LMS), along with its LMS ShowGate and LMS ShowNet modules to provide integrated theater, stadium and attraction ticketing services for the 1,638-seat Hilton Theater and the 300-seat Shimmer Cabaret.
(www.grandcasinomn.com, www.lvhilton.com, www.agilysys.com)
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Resort Data Processing (RDP) is working with Expedia to integrate Expedia’s direct connect technology with Resort Data Processing’s Property Management Software. (www.resortdata.com)
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The 52-room Windmill Point Resort and Yacht Harbor, located in White Stone, VA and due to open this month, is the first property to install PAR Springer-Miller software and hardware, and to use PAR’s 's lifecycle support services. Systems installed include the SMS|Host PMS (with SMS|Retail Point-of-Sale, Owner Fulfillment, Membership Management, Multi-Property Management, Activities Management, Spa/Resort Scheduling, SMS|Tickets, and SMS|World for internet booking), plus PAR POS hardware platforms in the hotel's retail outlets. The Resort includes a 160-slip marina, 2 restaurants, a resort club, lodge, amphitheater and condominium development on a 55-acre island. (www.windmillpointresort.com, www.springermiller.com)
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ARAMARK Harrison Lodging has ordered MICROS OPERA Xpress Property Management System (PMS), to be installed in most of its locations by 2007. ARAMARK operates more than 50 conference centers, corporate training centers and specialty hotels in educational environments, and is a long-time user of Micros-Fidelio products.
Joie de Vivre (JDV) Hospitality has selected the MICROS OPERA Property Management System (PMS), OPERA Sales & Catering Systems (S&C), and MICROS 3700 Point-of-Sale System (POS) for the Hotel Vitale, its latest location in San Francisco. This is JdV’s third OPERA installation; three other JDV properties continue to use Fidelio Version 6.
(www.aramarkharrisonlodging.com, www.jdvhospitality.com, www.micros.com)
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RESERVATIONS
- Pegasus Solutions exploring strategic alternatives including possible sale or merger
- Americas Best Value Inn (ABVI) switches to GenaRes’ CRS
- Genesis launching proprietary travel distribution system in the US
- Sabre Holdings acquires on-line travel journal/photo site IgoUgo.com
- Breckenridge Central Reservations picks Sterling Valley Systems’ InntopiaCRS
Pegasus Solutions announced that it is exploring various strategic alternatives including joint ventures, divestitures, alliances with strategic partners, taking the company private, selling the company to a third party, or merging with another company. (www.pegs.com)
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Americas Best Value Inn (ABVI) has switched to GenaRes’ central reservations system (CRS), and is now using GenaRes for all of its GDS, Internet and voice reservations. GenaRes was launched last year by ex-Lexington founders Michael Wilkins, Ricky Wilkins and Eugene Harris after Lexington was purchased by VIP International in 2003. (www.americasbestvalueinn.com, www.genares.com)
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Genesis is launching its proprietary travel distribution system, managed by the global travel agency community, in the US on 2 May, following its earlier release in Canada. The XML/open-architecture systems includes the FareSpider low fare search and booking tool. (www.genesistds.com)
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Sabre Holdings has acquired IgoUgo.com, which has more than 350,000 members who communicate by writing and posting travel journals and photos of their experiences, and has launched what it calls the industry’s first travel key word search engine on the site.
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Breckenridge Central Reservations has selected Sterling Valley Systems’ InntopiaCRS for its reservation center, with installation to take place early this summer. Breckenridge has used the Inntopia Web site Booking engine for several months. This will be the first InntopiaCRS installation to include the dynamic packaging module InntopiaAir, which offers integrated air bookings for both published and negotiated fares. (www.gobreck.com, www.inntopia.com)
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MARKETING / MANAGEMENT
- HSMAI forms Travel Internet Marketing Organization umbrella group
- Brilliant Hotelsoftware launches WEBPRO Content Management System
The Americas region of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has formed the Travel Internet Marketing Organization (TIMO) as an umbrella organization and advisory board covering its Hotel Internet Marketing and Cruise Internet Marketing Special Interest Groups (SIGs), which were created in 2003 and 2004 respectively. (www.travelinternetmarketing.org)
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Brilliant Hotelsoftware has launched its WEBPRO Content Management System, which allows a hotel to maintain its website without the use of a web designer, includes online reservations and interfaces directly with the Brilliant PMPRO PMS. (www.mybrilliant.net)
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REVENUE MANAGEMENT
- IDeaS completes interface with German-based vendor Gubse’s SIHOT PMS
- Accor selects TravelCLICK’s ChannelManager for 16 of its North American properties
- Revenue Source One launches Web-based Rate and Competition Analysis Pricing Model
IDeaS announced that it has completed an interface with German-based vendor Gubse’s SIHOT PMS. Joint clients of the two vendors include Sol Melia. (www.gubse.com, www.ideas.com)
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Accor Hotels has selected TravelCLICK’s ChannelManager as the online third-party distribution management tool for 16 of its North American properties. (www.accor-na.com, www.travelclick.net)
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Revenue Source One has launched its Web-based Rate and Competition Analysis Pricing Model, run directly from its Web site. The site provides a real time custom quote for any hotel inquiring about the cost of the Rate and Competition Analysis Pricing Model service, and also provides an estimate of additional rooms revenue, new profit and the Return On Investment (R.O.I.). (www.revenuesourceone.com)
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SALES & CATERING, MEETING PLANNING
- Ramesys now distributing Kx S&C software in North America
- Joie de Vivre selects OPERA S&C, PMS and MICROS 3700 POS for Hotel Vitale
Ramesys is now distributing and implementing Kx, Kinetic Solutions’ Windows-based sales & event application, in North America as it has done in the UK since 2002. Kx has two key modules on a single database, Event Management and Sales & Marketing, and is integrated with Ramesys entirety PMS. (www.us.ramesys.com)
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Joie de Vivre (JDV) Hospitality has selected the MICROS OPERA OPERA Sales & Catering Systems (S&C), Property Management System (PMS), and MICROS 3700 Point-of-Sale System (POS) for the Hotel Vitale, its latest location in San Francisco. This is JdV’s third OPERA installation; three other JDV properties continue to use Fidelio Version 6.
(www.aramarkharrisonlodging.com, www.jdvhospitality.com, www.micros.com)
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F&B/POINT OF SALE
- Hooters’ franchisee RMD Corp installs MICROS RES 3000, mymicros.net in 41 sites
Hooters’ largest franchisee, RMD Corp., has installed MICROS Restaurant Enterprise Series (RES) 3000, with an Enterprise management module for system-wide database management, in all 41 of its Hooters locations in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. Its mymicros.net Internet portal is combined with satellite broadband to provide managers with access to hosted applications for point-of-sale, data warehousing, business intelligence and other applications. (www.hooters.com, www.micros.com)
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GUEST SERVICES
- InterContinental Mark Hopkins installs wired/wireless Internet access from StayOnline
- Seneca Hotel and Suites in Chicago installs wireless HSIA from RoomLinX
- RoomLinX signs letter of intent to acquire wireless HSIA vendor SuiteSpeed
- Mandarin Oriental installs GoConcierge in six Asian hotels
- Bartech signs Hospitality Systems as agent for Canada
- Hilton rolling out nearly 250,000 new guestroom alarm clock/radios of its own design
The InterContinental Mark Hopkins in San Francisco has installed wired and wireless Internet access from StayOnline throughout the public areas and guestrooms, and plans to leverage this network to provide wireless voice-over-IP services to support operations. (www.san-francisco.intercontinental.com, www.stayonline.net)
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The Seneca Hotel and Suites in Chicago has installed high-speed wireless services in common areas and private rooms from RoomLinX.
RoomLinX has signed a letter of intent to acquire wireless HSIA vendor SuiteSpeed.
(www.senecahotel.com, www.suitespeed.com, www.roomlinx.com)
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Mandarin Oriental has installed GoConcierge in six of its Asian hotels: Hong Kong (2), Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Singapore and Bangkok. GoConcierge is now is use by more than 200 clients around the world. (www.mandarin-oriental.com, www.goconcierge.net)
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Bartech Systems has signed Hospitality Systems Ltd. as its agent for the Canadian market. Hospitality Systems will represent Bartech's full line of minibar products and services in the Ontario, Quebec, West, and Atlantic regions of Canada. (www.bartech.com)
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Hilton is rolling out nearly 250,000 new guestroom alarm clock/radios of its own design to all Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations Club, and Homewood Suites guest rooms by July 15, 2005. In addition to what is claimed to be a simple-to-set alarm with an automatic daily reset (to prevent a previous guest’s alarm setting from repeating), the unit includes four pre-set buttons for local radio stations designated by a graphic of the music type, a connection cable for use with a guest's personal MP3 player, portable CD player, laptop or other entertainment device, and built-in stereo speakers for radio or connected devices. (www.hilton.com)
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INVENTORY/PURCHASING
- Adaco announces 25 new hotel clients in the U.S. and Canada
Adaco Services announced several new hotel clients in the U.S. and Canada, including JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort (Tucson, AZ0, Inter-Continental The Barclay (New York, NY), Four Seasons Resort & Club (Irving, TX), Tiburon Hospitality Management and the Carefree Resort (Carefree, AZ), Ocean Place (Long Branch, NJ), Daufuskie Island Club & Resort (Hilton Head Island, SC), Marriott Detroit Renaissance Center (Detroit, MI), The Jefferson Hotel (Washington, DC) and seventeen Loews Hotels in the USA and Canada. (www.adacoservices.com)
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