NOVEMBER 16 - DECEMBER 6, 2005
TOP O' THE NEWS
- Lodging IT survey reports strong support for investment in guest-facing technology, but finds many really old property management systems.
- Starwood selected as a finalist for InfoWorld magazine’s Project of the Year
How old is your PMS? Emphasizing a problem familiar to many of us and actually putting some numbers around it, a survey of Lodging IT by Hospitality Technology magazine reports that 24% of the properties covered are using a Property Management System that’s between five and ten years old, and a scary 17% more use one that’s over ten years old.
In a world where guest profile tracking, GDS/Internet connectivity and flexible reporting are essential to staying competitive – areas where older PMSs are badly handicapped - it’s fortunate that 21% plan to replace their systems within a year, and another 42% within two years. But I wonder if that includes all the properties with the oldest systems? Or will some hang on grimly until the servers die, regardless of the handicap to their operations and profitability?
The survey covered 134 lodging executives, collectively responsible for over 24,000 hotels. Other findings include:
- Systems integration is by far the most significant IT challenge, at 50% of responses.
- IT spending as a percent of sales averages 2.8%, but with a wide spread as shown by the 21% spending 5% or more. By 2007 the average is expected to rise to 3.23%.
- Key factors driving IT investment are equally split between generating increased revenue and improving productivity/efficiency, at 33% each.
- Over 65% of full-service properties are committed to implementing self-service check-in, either through kiosks or on-line.
- High-speed Internet access rules: 63% of respondents provide wired access in every guestroom, and 42% provide wireless access in every guestroom. Overall, 90% either have or are committed to implementing wired access, and 94% to wireless.
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Starwood Hotels and Resorts has been selected as one of twenty finalists for InfoWorld magazine’s Project of the Year award, for its Valhalla reservations and loyalty system. Valhalla is a five-year project to migrate Starwood’s core business applications to a services-oriented architecture using Unix and Linux platforms.
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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
- Scott Berman takes over from Bjorn Hanson as advisory practice leader of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ US hospitality and leisure group
- Harri Gabrielsson and Pål Byberg become Vice Presidents at OTRUM
- Amit Khurana joins IDeaS as India-based Sales Manager
Scott Berman has been promoted to advisory practice leader of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ US hospitality and leisure group, replacing Bjorn Hanson who will now focus on the development of research and thought leadership for the firm. Mr. Berman joined PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1992 and became a partner in 1999; most recently he led the H&L practice's resort, vacation ownership, sports, convention and leisure specialties, and coordinated advisory services for PwC in the Caribbean and Latin America.
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Harri Gabrielsson and Pål Byberg have become Vice Presidents at OTRUM, based in OTRUM’s head office in Oslo, Norway.
Harri Gabrielsson has been promoted to Vice President of Sales, having been Country Manager for OTRUM Finland since 2003. Prior to joining OTRUM Mr. Gabrielsson was Quadriga’s sales manager for Finland, following a twelve-year career selling cable TV and satellite systems in Finland.
Pål Byberg has been hired as Vice President International Accounts. Mr. Byberg was most recently a Marketing Director for Sony, responsible for the launch of the Sony PlayStation in the Nordic region. He had earlier worked in an advertising agency and spent five years as a management consultant focusing on CRM.
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Amit Khurana has joined IDeaS as its new India-based Sales Manager. Mr. Khurana was most recently a Business Manager for Micros-Fidelio in India, and has several years earlier experience in hotel operations.
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PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
- SoftBrands appoints Harwood Consulting as Medallion distributor
- Four Pillars Group orders Visual One’s PMS suite for its five hotels
SoftBrands has appointed Harwood Consulting as a distributor for its Medallion PMS, principally in the south-east USA. Based in Tampa, Florida, Harwood will provide reselling, customization and support services. (www.harwood1.com, www.softbrands.com)
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The Four Pillars Group has ordered Visual One’s PMS suite for its five hotels in south central England. Modules being implemented include PMS, Sales and Catering, Point of Sale, Web Bookings, and Spa Management. (www.four-pillars.co.uk, www.v1s.com)
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RESERVATIONS
- Percentage of Internet users booking on-line still growing, per new TIA survey
- Sceptre switches to SynXis’ RedX for 165 properties
- AirDepartment.com introduces True Dynamic Packaging online booking tool
- Hilton International to list Internet rates and availability with SideStep
- GenaRes appoints India-based Spectra Hospitality as exclusive regional distributor
- Vincci Hotels selects Pegasus Solutions’ Web services for its 30 hotels
While the total number of Americans using the Internet appears to have reached a plateau, the number planning and booking trips online continues to expand rapidly, according to the 2005 Edition of the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) survey, Travelers’ Use of the Internet.
The survey reports that 82 percent of travelers who plan their trips online now also book reservations online, up from 70 percent in 2004. Other findings:
* Over 90% used the Internet to plan a personal trip last year, while 25% planned business trips online;
* The most popular travel planning Web sites are online agency Web sites such as Expedia, Travelocity and Priceline (67%), search engine sites such as Google or Yahoo! (64%), and own-brand sites for airlines and hotels (54%);
* Almost half use destination Web sites to plan trips, and 30% check one or more Web sites and then call a toll-free number for more information;
* Planning through travel agents has fallen from 39% to 31%;
* 34% of online travel bookers claim to make all of their travel purchases online, and 78% use the Internet for at least half of all their travel booking.
* Airline tickets, lodging and rental cars are still the top three travel items booked online, but there is significant growth in bookings for cultural events, theme/amusement parks, travel packages and sporting events.
* Leisure travelers spent an average of $1,288 when booking their most recent trip online in 2005; business travelers spent an average of $1,357.
* When it comes to leisure travel, women are more likely to be online travel planners (56%) and bookers (55%).
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Sceptre has switched to SynXis’ RedX Distribution Management System for all channels including GDS, IDS, Web site booking engine and direct voice reservations for its 165 chain and independent properties. (www.esceptre.com, www.synxis.co)
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AirDepartment.com has introduced its True Dynamic Packaging online booking tool, to help lodging Web sites also offer airfare, car rentals and activities in a single booking transaction. Using EzRez Software’s dynamic packaging engine, AirDepartment.com presents live rates (published or net rates) and availability either through a link to Pegasus via a hotel’s existing CRS, or via an extranet or online revenue management tools such as EzYield and RateTiger’s RTAllocator. EzRez is also the bridge between AirDepartment.com’s fulfillment operation and their GDS, Amadeus, for airfare and rental cars. (www.ezrez.com, www.airdepartment.com)
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Hilton International has agreed to list its Internet rates and availability with SideStep, following the recent similar agreement with Hilton Hotels Corp. Hilton has introduced caching software to minimize the impact of search activities on its Web site response times. (www.hilton.com, www.sidestep.com)
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GenaRes has appointed Spectra Hospitality Pvt Ltd as its exclusive provider of reservations services in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Bhutan and Pakistan. Spectra is a consulting and services company focused on the hotel, restaurant, convention, gaming, and leisure industries in India. (www.spectrahotels.com, www.genares.com)
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Vincci Hotels has selected Pegasus Solutions’ Web services to expand and promote the hotel chain’s online presence. The Madrid-based chain operates 30 four- and five-star hotels in Spain, Tunisia, Lisbon and New York City; the Vincci Avalon hotel in New York City has been pilot-testing the services. (www.vincci-hotels.com, www.pegs.com)
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MARKETING / MANAGEMENT
- SECURE-RES introduces SEO Super Reporter search engine optimizer
- Trisept Solutions selects ICE Portal for Internet image management
- UniFocus and Stromberg release integrated workforce optimization system
- UniFocus adds 32 new client properties in last quarter
- Casino of Arizona completes implementation of Unifocus’ Watson, R.M. at two locations
- Syntryx releases Domain Dossier Web site analysis tool
- Blue Square Studios wins two Web Marketing Association awards
- Carlson completes implementation of Leonardo’s Digital Asset Management platform
- Pegasus signs Leonardo to improve images in Online Distribution Database (ODD)
Online marketing vendor SECURE-RES has introduced its SEO Super Reporter, a search engine optimizer which is run monthly to set benchmarks, quantify specific keyword popularity fluctuations and provide reporting metrics to guide Website modifications. (www.secure-res.com)
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Web-based leisure travel distributor Trisept Solutions has selected ICE Portal to provide Internet image management, hosting and distribution for its tour operator, hotelier and airline clients. Trisept currently supports over 20 consumer Web sites and the VAX VacationAccess travel agent Web portal. (www.triseptsolutions.com, www.iceportal.com)
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UniFocus and Stromberg have released an integrated workforce optimization system for the hospitality, casino and resort industries, combining Unifocus’ knowledge base for planning with Stromberg’s time and attendance systems for significant time reductions in schedule creation, streamlined payroll cycles, real-time performance reporting and profitability evaluation. The integrated solution was recently adopted by Lakes Entertainment, Inc.
UniFocus announced 32 new client properties added during the past three months. New clients for its GUESTScope customer survey product include Callaway Gardens, L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, and Sundance Resort. MEETINGScope meeting planner relationship management software was adopted by 18 facilities, including additional Destination Hotels & Resorts sites.
Casino of Arizona completed implementation of Unifocus’ Watson, R.M. labor management systems at both its locations in the Scottsdale, Ariz. area.
(www.stromberg.com, www.unifocus.com)
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Syntryx has released its Domain Dossier analysis tool, providing detailed information on multiple aspects of a Website's reach, impact and influence. Parameters covered include branding, advertising venues, public relations, affiliates, geotarget markets, and media-technology investments. (www.syntryx.com)
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Blue Square Studios won The Web Marketing Association’s “Outstanding Website WebAward” in the Hotel and Lodging category for the Portola Plaza Hotel site, and, in the Extranet category, the “Standard of Excellence Web Award” for the “Flavors of Hilton” extranet for the Hilton Hotels Food & Beverage Division. (www.portolaplazahotel.com, www.bluesqstudios.com)
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Carlson Hotels Worldwide has completed implementation of Leonardo Media’s Digital Asset Management platform.
Pegasus Solutions has contracted with Leonardo Media to improve the quality and quantity of the more than 200,000 images in Pegasus’ Online Distribution Database (ODD) as the first step in its property content database redesign. In addition, Utell and Unirez properties will be able to manage and distribute their images not only to ODD but also to other distribution channels in Leonardo’s channel network, including the four Global Distribution Systems, Yahoo! and Opodo.
(www.carlson.com, www.pegs.com, www.leonardo.com)
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REVENUE MANAGEMENT
- TravelCLICK releases enhanced version of ChannelManager
- Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur selects Optims.Hotel
- Jacksonville Sea Turtle Inn implements EzRMS, interfaced to Springer Miller Systems PMS
TravelCLICK released an enhanced version of its ChannelManager platform to allow for multiple distribution models, including merchant sites, retail sites and traditional wholesalers, and allowing the user to choose which sites to update and which sites to hold in parity from a single Web-based platform. The system provides dynamic parity grouping defined by the user; parity updates to pricing are made through a calendar with the ability to “quick fill” dates, allowing grouped sites can be updated quickly. (www.travelclick.net)
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Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur has selected the Optims.Hotel revenue management system. Recently renovated, the hotel has 207 rooms including 107 suites. (www.hotelmaya.com.my, www.optims.com)
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The 190-room Jacksonville Sea Turtle Inn has implemented Easy (Ez) Revenue Management Solutions’ EzRMS suite, with a two-way interface to the oceanfront property’s PAR Springer Miller Systems PMS. (www.seaturtle.com, www.easyrms.com)
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SALES & CATERING, MEETING PLANNING
- MGM MIRAGE deploying Daylight enterprise at five additional properties, from Mandalay
- Passkey completes full reservations integration with Visual One Systems
- Spain’s Dolce Sitges is fifth European Dolce site to install Newmarket’s Delphi
MGM MIRAGE is deploying Daylight enterprise at five additional properties, following its recent acquisition of the Mandalay Resort Group. The investment includes conversions from existing systems at Mandalay Bay and Monte Carlo and first-time automation of the operations at Excalibur, Luxor and Circus Circus Las Vegas. (www.mgmmirage.com, www.daylightsoftware.com)
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Passkey has completed full reservations integration with Visual One Systems. The integration provides full automation of group reservations, providing hotel staff with 24/7 access to accurate attendee and event data, and decreasing the costs and time associated with manually entering and managing group reservations. (www.passkey.com, www.visualonesystems.com)
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Dolce International has installed Newmarket International’s Delphi at its newest property, Dolce Sitges, located in Sitges, Spain, near Barcelona. The property, with 263 guest rooms and 37 meeting rooms, is the fifth Dolce International property in Europe to install Delphi. (www.dolce.com, www.newmarketinc.com)
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F&B/POINT OF SALE
- Hilton designates MICROS as a preferred POS vendor for both MICROS and HSI products
- HSI releases StarSat video surveillance package for Profit Series POS
Hilton Hotels Corp. has designated MICROS Systems as a preferred POS vendor, covering both the MICROS and Hospitality Solutions International (HSI) product ranges; these are currently installed at5 over 500 Hilton brand family hotel sites.
HSI announced that a video surveillance package from StarSat is now available for its Profit Series Point-of-Sale (POS) system. The surveillance video is matched with corresponding data, such as a receipt, open door, or customized triggers, and is then flagged for review by the assigned StarSat Account Manager.
(www.hilton.com, www.hsi-solutions.com, www.micros.com)
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GUEST SERVICES
- New brand TWELVE Hotels and Residences announces technology focus
- Scandic Hotels, OTRUM and Philips ITV certify Philips TVs for eco-friendly Swan label
- Guest Tek passes two million user logins/month milestone
- Guest-Tek acquires Sigpro, plans family of hospitality-focused VoIP products
- Holiday Inn Melbourne deploys AscenLink intelligent WAN load balancing appliance
- Eleven Wireless announces ElevenBC business center unit for both Windows and Mac users
- Dometic releases Ambient Basket accessory for Grapevine refreshment centers
TWELVE Hotels and Residences announced a technology focus for its condominium/101-suite hotel properties, the first of which is due to open in February 2006 in midtown Atlanta. A GHOST (Guest Hotel Operating System Terminal, a flat-screen monitor and keyboard) unit will be standard in every suite for guests to order room service, place housekeeping requests, contact the concierge, request their car from the valet, order laundry/dry cleaning, and provide Internet access both in itself and for guests’ own laptops. Wireless Internet access will also be provided, in every suite and throughout the property. Suites will have a VoIP telephone system and flat-panel High-Definition IPTV televisions in both the living area and the bedroom. The rooms will also feature intelligent energy management thermostats. The lobby will feature self-service kiosks and a virtual art gallery, featuring works of art from local galleries digitally displayed on flat-screen monitors on the lobby walls. (www.twelvehotels.com)
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Scandic Hotels and OTRUM have worked with Philips ITV to ensure that their newly installed 21-inch Philips TVs bear the Swan label, the official Nordic label for environmentally friendly products. Scandic uses Philips’ ESP (Energy Saving Programmability) model which powers the television off after a specified time period, selectable from 0-99 hours. OTRUM and Philips ITV were also required to demonstrate that the TV and its OTRUM interactive module comply with stringent safety measures, are made from eco-friendly materials, are produced in an eco-friendly way, reduce energy consumption and are recyclable. (www.scandic-hotels.com, www.otrum.com)
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Guest Tek passed a milestone of two million user logins/month in October, due both to an increase in Guest-Tek's high-speed Internet access ("HSIA") room base and to increased usage. Over the last year Guest-Tek tripled its room base to over 435,000 rooms; usage rates have risen from 11% to 15%.
Guest-Tek has acquired Sigpro, a vendor of voice over Internet protocol ("VoIP") products and systems, and will create a family of hospitality-focused VoIP products including handsets, gateways and IP private branch exchanges ("IP-PBX"). Guest-Tek customers will be able to use these products with the OneView technology platform to provide each guest with a personalized communication and entertainment system.
(www.guest-tek.com)
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The Holiday Inn Melbourne has deployed an AscenLink intelligent WAN load balancing appliance from ReiverNet to aggregate two Internet connections, effectively doubling its data allowance and the bandwidth available for guests whilst eliminating the cost of excess bandwidth charges. (www.holidayinn.melbourne.ichotelsgroup.com, www.ascenvision.com)
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Eleven Wireless announced its ElevenBC lobby and business center unit for public access to e-mail, applications and the Internet, claimed to be the first business center solution that caters to both Windows and Mac users. Based on an Apple 20” iMac G5, ElevenBC runs both Mac OS X and Windows XP Professional; users can switch between the operating systems while in a paid session. Software applications available for use with both operating systems include Microsoft Office, games and other entertainment programs. The offering includes an HP 2550 color laser printer, available to use for a fee on a per-printed-page basis. Guests pay for computer use and printing by swiping their credit card. (www.elevenwireless.com)
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Dometic has released its Ambient Basket accessory for the Grapevine and GrapevinePro guestroom refreshment centers, to house additional products at room temperature while monitoring usage. The unit features wicker baskets and a clear-view acrylic door; opening the door signals the central computer to generate a usage/restocking report. Any Dometic refreshment center can be retrofitted with the unit, which communicates through the hotel's existing AC electrical wiring. (www.dometicusa.com)
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BACK OFFICE
- Peppermill Casinos picks Agilysys’ DataMagine document management software
- Shield Hotel Management selects Data Plus’ back office accounting
Peppermill Casinos in Reno, NV, has selected Agilysys’ DataMagine document management software for the accounting, human resources and revenue audit departments at four of its properties, one in Reno and three in Wendover, NV. (www.peppermillreno.com, www.agilysys.com)
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Shield Hotel Management has selected Data Plus’ back office accounting application for portfolio of limited services hotels throughout New England. Shield is installing a multi-property database with a selection of Data Plus modules including an ADP Payroll Interface. (www.dunfeyhospitalitygroup.com, www.dphs.com)
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COMMUNICATIONS
- Guest-Tek acquires Sigpro, plans family of hospitality-focused VoIP products
Guest-Tek has acquired Sigpro, a vendor of voice over Internet protocol ("VoIP") products and systems, and will create a family of hospitality-focused VoIP products including VoIP handsets, VoIP gateways and IP private branch exchanges ("IP-PBX"). Guest-Tek customers will be able to use these products with the OneView technology platform to provide each guest with a personalized communication and entertainment system. (www.guest-tek.com)
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SECURITY
- Dometic launches MDD 400 ProSafe with laptop-sized sliding drawer
- Marriott International chooses Signature by VingCard electronic locks and Elsafe safes for Courtyard throughout Europe
- Tarsadia Hotels orders Signature by VingCard electronic locks for six new properties
Dometic Corp has launched its MDD 400 ProSafe, an electronic locking unit with a sliding drawer sized for most laptops. The unit includes a low battery indicator and can be linked to an optional web-based remote opening system. (www.dometicusa.com)
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Marriott International has chosen VingCard Elsafe’s Signature by VingCard electronic-locking system and Elsafe in-room safes for its Courtyard by Marriott brand throughout Europe. (www.marriott.com, www.vingcard.com)
Tarsadia Hotels has ordered Signature by VingCard electronic locks for six new properties, four to open in early 2006 and the other two in September.
(www.tarsadiahotels.com, www.vingcard.com)
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