JUNE 1 - 27, 2006
TOP O' THE NEWS
- An excellent HITEC, and kudos to Minneapolis
- HTNG demonstrates six new systems integration links
- Need for technology catch-up identified as one of four transformative issues facing hospitality industry
Another excellent HITEC has ended, with slightly lower attendance overall but with many vendors reporting a higher quality of visitors and a good percentage of serious buyers. Every educational session I attended was packed, indicating outstanding work by the planning committee in targeting the right topics, and as always the networking opportunities were unparalleled.
Minneapolis itself deserves a mention. Not the most obvious choice for an international convention, it proved just about ideal, with good conference facilities (especially F&B), a compact city center with most hotels within walking distance of the show, perfect weather without the rumored bird-sized mosquitoes, and a friendly, welcoming attitude that encouraged many to wish the show could be held there every year. How about it, HFTP?
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Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) demonstrated several new systems integration links at HITEC, including:
- A single guest itinerary with PMS, spa, activity, and dining reservation systems producing a single, definitive version of the guest’s schedule during a hotel stay.
- An IP telephony system with roaming guest extensions via an 802.11 wireless network, voice messaging and PMS-based text messaging, plus itinerary display on an IP phone or television.
- An IP television showing a privately produced high-definition channel, encoded in real time and beamed via satellite to the convention center, delivered as an IP stream to the television.
- A docking pod for guest mobile devices which can work with any compatible entertainment system.
- Processing of cashless charging, comps, tender post and check-zoom capabilities between property management and point-of-sale systems.
- Implementation by several central reservation system, property management system, and revenue management system vendors of the now-completed message specification for reservation delivery and availability controls.
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The need to catch up with technology was one of four transformative issues identified in "Hospitality 2010," a report by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management at New York University. These factors are expected to be key success drivers over the next three to five years.
The driving need to catch-up with technology was shown both by the increased demand for on-line booking and more personalized service, and by the industry’s historic record of being in the lowest quartile of technology spending within the consumer businesses. All executives interviewed foresaw increased IT investments, particularly in reservations, distribution, loyalty programs, and customer relationship management.
The remaining three transformative issues were:
- Brand is expected to surpass location as the deciding factor in hotel choices
- Substantial growth in travel within and to China, India and the Gulf States
- Aging consumers will change the game as their population grows along with their continued desire to travel.
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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
- Clive Taylor joins EasyRMS as Director of Sales & Operations
- Kimberly Enright hired as Marketing Director at Certain Software
- Bill Oates named to Passkey’s Board of Directors
Clive Taylor has joined EasyRMS as Director of Sales & Operations. Mr. Taylor has over 10 years in the hospitality industry, serving most recently as CIO for Extended Stay Hotels and in various IT oversight roles for the Blackstone Group’s other properties, including the Boca Resorts. He was earlier IT Director with The Savoy Group, in London.
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Kimberly Enright has been hired as Marketing Director at Certain Software. Ms. Enright brings more than 20 years of experience in enterprise sales, marketing and business development, most recently in developing marketing programs for top Silicon Valley technology companies. She had earlier managed global alliances and product marketing at Siemens, served as Vice President, Marketing and Alliance Development at Zacson Corp., and held several positions within IBM’s sales and marketing departments.
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Bill Oates has been named to Passkey’s Board of Directors and head of its Technology Committee. The former senior vice president and chief information officer of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Mr. Oates held a number of posts at ITT Sheraton and Starwood as he progressed through the Information Technology organizations during his 25 years of experience as an IT professional.
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PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
- Inn-Client Server Systems (ICSS) unveils “atrium” PMS
- OSIB Operations Holdings orders AltiusPAR’s software suite for Europe-based hotels
- AltiusPAR announces RFID-based products for data collection and analysis
- Riptide Software releases Web-based Resort Management System
- SoftBrands adds Web Booking Engine to its Medallion PMS
- SoftBrands integrates Serenata @mail e-mail correspondence product with all four PMSs
- SoftBrands adds UK-sourced Cerenity Spa system to product range
- SoftBrands claims one PMS sold each working day, worldwide, for six months
- MSI releases Web-booking engine for WinPM system
- MSI releases Place Point touch-screen point-of-sale system
- MSI releases Pocket Concierge remote check-in/check-out handheld PDA
- MSI updates WinPM interface to NCR’s Express check-in/check-out kiosks
- MSI to use Pegasus’ Scottsdale Data Center as hosting facility for ASP-based systems
- MSI celebrates its 15th year in business
- Louvre Hotels to deploy centralized MICROS OPERA and 3700 POS in 210 hotels
- Pestana implements MICROS’ OPERA PMS at 23 properties in Portugal
- TWELVE Hotels and Residences selects OPERA, first system installed in Atlantic Station
- MICROS Systems ranked in three magazine’s Fastest-Growing lists
- Hotel Concepts announces Smart Client .net 2.0 version of Web-based Enterprise System
- Hotel Concepts awarded Gold Certified Partner status by Microsoft
- Festival Inns selects centralized HIS epitome.NET and core for nine Edinburgh properties
- base2stay selects centralized HIS’ epitome.NET and core for London properties
- HIS and Newmarket enhancing integration between epitome and Delphi
- HIS and Squirrel partner for seamless integration of PMS and POS systems
- HIS’ distributor for Eastern Europe, Russia and the CIS announces new implementations
- HIS establishes direct office in New Delhi, India
- REMco Software releases two-way interface with InnLink’s CRS
- UK’s Warren House orders Visual One’s integrated Front Office, Sales & Catering Systems
- Visual One announces Visual One DB graphical dashboard add-on for PMS
Inn-Client Server Systems (ICSS) unveiled its atrium PMS. Claimed to offer more configurable parameters and business rules than other systems, atrium is being positioned as a revenue management-focused system offering increased control of the sales process, enforced rate management, seasonal minimums, rate code availability and yield levels. (www.atriumpms.com)
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Dutch hotelier OSIB Operations Holdings has ordered AltiusPAR’s full suite of software applications for its Europe-based hotels. OSIB plans to open two hotels in Amsterdam in early 2007, followed by rapid expansion into other regions of Europe. AltiusPAR will provide its Central Inventory System, Revenue Management, Internet Booking Engine, Global Distribution Connectivity, Sales and Catering and Property Management Systems, including its new RFID-based technology.
AltiusPAR announced RFID-based products to collect both to collect information such as check-in and check-out data, food and beverage purchases, luggage tracking and housekeeping records, plus software to analyze and manage it. Areas covered include:
- Customer loyalty cards that can speed self check-in/out at kiosks, open room and office doors to interface with energy saving and security systems, and identify frequent customers as they enter hotels and restaurants.
- Luggage tags for tracking in hotels, airports and other transportation hubs.
- Housekeeping controls for status updates, work order/out-of-order set-up and access security logs.
(www.altiuspar.com)
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Riptide Software, a developer of government, aerospace, banking and creative services software, has released its Web-based Resort Management System (Riptide RMS) targeted at the Condo Hotel and Timeshare markets. Functionality includes unit sales management (including purchase benefits and sales commissions), property composition, property calendar, legal registration, general management, and detailed reports at multiple levels. (www.riptidesoftware.com)
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SoftBrands has added an integrated Web Booking Engine to its Medallion PMS, and has signed a worldwide distribution contract with Serenata for its @mail HTML-driven email correspondence product. @mail is already integrated with its Medallion, PORTfolio, LANmark and IGS PMSs.
SoftBrands also added the Cerenity Spa system to its product range, a version of the UK-based Premier Spa system used by more than 1,300 clients.
SoftBrands stated that over two strong quarters from October 2005 to April 2006, it sold an average of one PMS every working day worldwide, bringing its customer base to over 1,800.
(www.softbrands.com)
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Multi-Systems Inc. (MSI) has released a Web-booking engine for its WinPM system, permitting individual booking, corporate booking, group booking, and group inquiry.
MSI released Place Point, a touch-screen point-of-sale system with a highly visual user interface and with Retail, Self-Service and Mobile (on Pocket PC devices) applications, and Pocket Concierge, a remote check-in/check-out handheld PDA. Pocket Concierge can be used to create guest room keys, print registration cards and folios and retrieve guest messages. Maintenance and housekeeping staff can also use it to update room status and to take rooms off-market for repairs.
MSI has updated its WinPM interface to NCR’s Express check-in/check-out hotel kiosks. The kiosk dispenses guestroom keys and a confirmation receipt upon check-in; at check-out, guests can return their room keys and receive a detailed receipt of their stay. They can also add participating frequent flyer numbers and guest loyalty program numbers, with participating brands showing the guests their total accumulated loyalty points.
MSI has contracted with Pegasus Systems to use the Pegasus Scottsdale Data Center (SDC) as the hosting facility for its ASP-based PMS (EnterprisePM), WinPM Web booking engine and their supporting databases. MSI’s ASP-based Corporate Services solution will eventually also be hosted by the Pegasus SDC.
MSI celebrated its 15th year in business at HITEC.
(www.msisolutions.com, www.pegs.com)
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Louvre Hotels will deploy MICROS Systems’ OPERA PMS, Reservation System (ORS), MICROS 3700 Point of Sale/Enterprise Management, and mymicros.net in all its 210 company owned hotels by the end of September 2006. Louvre also designated MICROS as preferred vendor solution for the entire chain, which represents approximately 750 budget hotels in France (806 including the rest of Europe) under the Kyriad, Campanile, and Premiere Classe brands. All systems will be centrally hosted at MICROS-Fidelio’s Data Center in Frankfurt, Germany.
Pestana Hotels and Resorts has implemented MICROS’ OPERA Property Management System at 23 properties in Portugal, hosted in three data centres, one of which is located within The Pestana Group infrastructure. The OPERA Customer Information System will next be implemented for centralized profile management and support of the Pestana Elite Card membership program.
TWELVE Hotels and Residences has selected OPERA as its technology platform, centrally hosted in a multi-property configuration. The first property, TWELVE Atlantic Station, has deployed the OPERA PMS, Sales & Catering, Web Services and Vision BI, and will shortly deploy the OPERA Revenue Management System. The second property will open in the Centennial Park district near downtown Atlanta in mid 2007. OPERA is integrated to TWELVE’s GHOST (Guest Hotel Operating System Terminal) in-room concierge services unit.
MICROS Systems has been ranked #87 on BusinessWeek magazine’s Hot Growth Companies list, #72 on Business 2.0 magazine’s 100 Fastest-Growing Tech Companies list and #75 on VARBusiness Magazine’s VARBusiness 500 list.
(www.louvrehotels.com, www.pestana.com, www.twelvehotels.com, www.micros.com)
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Hotel Concepts announced the Smart Client version of its Web-based Hospitality Enterprise Solution, using a .net 2.0 framework to provide CRS, PMS and CRM modules. All are slated for full release before the end of 2006.
Hotel Concepts has been awarded Gold Certified Partner status by Microsoft, the highest level of Microsoft's Partner Program status available for independent software vendors. The award recognizes the company's advanced competency in providing custom build software and services.
(www.hotelconcepts.com)
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Festival Inns has selected Hotel Information Systems’ epitome.NET Property Management System and core Reservation Portal solution for its nine Edinburgh properties, operating on a centralized system.
base2stay has selected HIS’ epitome.NET Property Management System and core Reservation Portal for its 67-room property in Kensington, London. HIS’ .NET-based centralized system was selected to support the planned expansion of base2stay; as new properties are added the server will be moved from its initial hotel location into a central hosting facility. All properties will also be connected to the HIS Reservation Portal for real time web bookings.
Libra International, HIS’ distributor for Eastern Europe, Russia and the CIS, announced several new implementations.
Suncani Hvar Hotels in Croatia implemented HIS core and epitome in the first months of 2006 to provide the backbone for the group’s central reservations, distribution channel management and property operations.
Heliopark Hotels Group added 6 new properties over the last 6 months. Heliopark centralizes all of its operations in Moscow using HIS core Central Reservations, Channel Management and epitome Property Management systems.
Newly formed Russian hotel group Orange Ring Hotels opened three hotels and a centralized reservation facility, all on HIS systems. Orange Ring also offers representation services based on HIS core to independent Russian hotels under the brand-name Optima.
World Luxury Hotels also standardized on HIS systems for several business-class hotels it is scheduled to open later this year in Moscow.
Libra states that it is installing an average of thee new properties a month on epitome PMS and POS systems.
HIS and Newmarket International are enhancing the integration between the epitome Property Management System and Delphi Sales & Catering system for real-time synchronization of inventory and availability data. This will ensure accurate non-group future consumption in Delphi, synchronized group blocks between Delphi and epitome and better access to key information for sales managers.
HIS and Squirrel Systems have partnered to provide more seamless integration between their PMS and POS systems, under the somewhat cumbersome name of epitome Food and Beverage Management System Powered by Squirrel Systems. The eFBMSPSS includes the SquirrelOne POS with IP connectivity to HIS’ epitome PMS, under a common user interface that allows users to access both PMS and POS features seamlessly at any time. HIS’ service team will provide support for both systems.
HIS has integrated Ennoview, Inc.’s Envision Spa Management System and Active Golf Solutions golf and activity software into the epitome PMS, so that reservation agents can book spa, golf and other activities while making a room or package reservation. All bookings are added to the guest’s itinerary and can be e-mailed; cancellations in one system notify users if linked bookings exist in the others.
HIS has established a direct office in New Delhi, India for better management of its customers in the region and to address new business opportunities.
(www.festival-inns.co.uk, www.base2stay.com, www.libra-russia.com, www.newmarketinc.com, www.squirrelsystems.com, www.ennoview.com, www.activegolfsolutions.com, www.hotelinfosys.com)
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REMco Software has released a two-way interface with InnLink’s CRS. InnLink reservations can now be processed and downloaded automatically into the REMco PMS system; inventory allocations are automatically sent from REMco to InnLink. (www.innlink.com, www.remcosoftware.com)
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The UK’s Warren House, a 45-guestroom conference and training centre situated in a country house in Kingston, near London, has ordered Visual One’s integrated Front Office, Sales & Catering Systems.
Visual One Systems announced its Visual One DB dashboard add-on for its PMS, a group of four 'gauges' each chosen to fit the data being displayed. Each gauge is a graphical display of the numeric result from any SQL query which can be written as required, such as this week's occupancy levels, the takings in a POS outlet or average debtor days.
(www.warrenhouse.com, www.v1s.com)
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RESERVATIONS
- TravelCLICK introduces iStay, upgraded version of OneScreen web booking engine
- TravelCLICK introduces RateADVISOR rate recommendation tool
- West Paces Hotel Group to implement TravelCLICK’s iHotelier CRS
- Kahala Hotel and Resort in Honolulu, Hawaii, selects TravelCLICK’s iHotelier CRS
- Dorchester Group orders Serenata link between Voyager CRS and Fidelio PMSs
- Trust.Wizcom implements Web services interface between Voyager CRS and IDeaS RMS
- InnLink CRS announces multiple enhancements
- LeisureLink selects Eydeas’ Connect system to link to vacation rental property companies
- Booking Booster to release online portal for managing multiple extranet partners
- SynXis partners with Nirvana Technology for single itinerary booking of rooms and activities
- SynXis releases version 5.0 of RedX Distribution Management System
- SynXis announces Property Connect and Channel Connect integration products
TravelCLICK has introduced iStay, an upgraded version of its OneScreen web booking engine that includes hotel packages and enhanced stay options on the same screen as room reservations.
TravelCLICK has introduced its RateADVISOR rate recommendation tool, developed in collaboration with IDeaS. Incorporated into TravelCLICK's RateVIEW shopping solution, RateADVISOR suggests a range of optimal rates of the day for various hotel occupancy levels.
The West Paces Hotel Group, founded by Horst Schulze and other former Ritz-Carlton executives, is implementing TravelCLICK’s iHotelier CRS for website and GDS reservations, as well as market intelligence and marketing systems for decision support and demand growth for seven managed properties in the USA and Germany and three Solís brand hotels.
The 345-room Kahala Hotel and Resort in Honolulu, Hawaii, has selected the iHotelier central reservation system. The property also uses TravelCLICK's market intelligence solutions.
(www.westpaceshotels.com, www.kahalaresort.com, www.ideas.com, www.travelclick.net)
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The Dorchester Group has ordered Serenata’s Voyager CRS Integration to automate the reservation flow from Trust.Wizcom’s Voyager CRS and all connected channels to the Micros-Fidelio PMSs at the respective hotels. A second implementation phase is planned to implement NetHotel Central Profile to ensure automatic profile synchronization between the PMSs and the Voyager CRS.
Trust.Wizcom has implemented a Web services interface between its Voyager Central Reservation System (CRS) and IDeaS’ revenue management solution.
(www.dorchestergrouphotels.com, www.serenata.com, www.wizcom.com)
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InnLink CRS announced enhancements to its channel distribution management tool for increased flexibility in both horizontal and vertical distribution channels. New features include an improved RESmatrix graphical customer data management tool, revASSIST Competitive Rate Shopping for up to 7 competitive hotels, enhanced Length of Stay "sell-through" and "no-arrival" controls, Online Invoicing and Dispute Resolution, Online Training, High Occupancy vs. Room-Type Displays, a Base Rate Modifier, vLINK Voice Services, callASSIST periodic call forwarding, enhanced Group/Tour Desk, improved iLINK Booking Engine, an Alternate Property Display, eLINK electronic reservation services and new Package Handling Solutions. (www.innlink.com)
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LeisureLink has selected Eydeas Technology’s Connect system to link vacation rental property and timeshare companies to LeisureLink’s electronic marketplace for booking vacation rental properties. In addition to established connections to First Resort Software and Springer Miller Systems, Eydeas will add new connections to other property management systems that serve this market. LeisureLink currently links vacation rental suppliers with over 180,000 travel agencies and with 26 million consumers worldwide. (www.leisurelink.com, www.eydeas.net)
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Booking Booster announced the impending release of its online portal for managing multiple extranet partners. Add-on applications include a hotel website with real-time room availability, search-engine optimized and with an integrated Pay Per Click (PPC) web marketing campaign, with Google as partner. (www.bookingbooster.com)
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SynXis has partnered with Nirvana Technology to allow travelers to book activity-based reservations (spa services, dining, transportation, golf, fitness, tennis, etc.) in conjunction with guest rooms in a single itinerary.
SynXis released version 5.0 of its RedX Distribution Management System with enhancements for quicker and easier navigation, more efficient revenue management capabilities and faster system response times.
SynXis announced its Property Connect and Channel Connect integration products. Property Connect integrates reservations from RedX to a property’s PMS, Yield Management, CRM and Spa/Golf reservation functions. Channel Connect links RedX directly to third party travel sites such as Travelocity and Groople, as well as custom-built booking engines.
(www.nirvana-technology.com, www.synxis.com)
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MARKETING / MANAGEMENT
- Agilysys announces Cognos-based Hospitality Business Intelligence system
- BDL Hotel Group implementing Serenata’s NetHotel and @mail
- TravelCLICK announces paid search with continuously optimize key word selection
- Grand Heritage Hotel Group implementing Clairvoyix’ database marketing application
- Clairvoyix upgrades its Knowledge Factory (CKF) and Hospitality Solution (CHS)
- Ginn Club and Resorts installs Datavision at all clubs and resorts and the corporate office
- Great Wolf Resorts installs Datavision at all locations
- Meyer Jabara Hotels orders Cendyn eConnectivity middleware for 24 hotels plus call center
- Peabody Hotels implements UniFocus’ GUESTScope at three properties
- Cultuzz GmbH contracts with Leonardo for rich media content for hotels on eBay Travel
Agilysys announced its Hospitality Business Intelligence system, based on Cognos 8, to integrate and analyze data from its Lodging Management System (LMS) and Materials Management System (MMS). The system also provides customized executive dashboards. (www.agilysys.com)
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The UK-based BDL Hotel Group is implementing Serenata’s NetHotel product suite and Serenata @mail in all newly opened Ramada hotels in the United Kingdom and Ireland, interfaced with Brilliant Hotelsoftware’s PMPro PMS. (www.bdlmanagement.co.uk, www.myhotelsoftware.com, www.serenata.com)
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TravelCLICK announced new paid search technology to continuously optimize key word selection in Internet marketing campaigns for the hotel industry. Customers receive trackable measurement of all on-line and off-line (call center reservation) activity generated directly from paid search campaigns. Enhanced tracking metrics gauge actual room revenue generated by paid Internet search marketing campaigns implemented by TravelCLICK.
(www.travelclick.net)
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The Grand Heritage Hotel Group is implementing Clairvoyix’ database marketing application to focus its marketing effort by identifying its best guests and their spending habits. Grand Heritage was introduced to Clairvoyix by Digital Alchemy, which already provides them with e-marketing and customer-relationship management tools, under a June 2005 alliance to cross-market their products. All Grand Heritage properties currently use Digital Alchemy’s e-marketing and CRM tools, and will all shortly be live with the Clairvoyix Hospitality Solution.
Clairvoyix has released upgrades for its Clairvoyix Knowledge Factory (CKF) and Clairvoyix Hospitality Solution (CHS). CKF Version 4.0 includes a new option for importing validated data by specific request, such as email only or phone number only, if a physical address is not present, and enables multiple data fields to be updated via the normal import processing. CHS Version 3.8.1 now allows hoteliers to access past guest data rapidly using intuitive search engine triggers, exclude offers going to guests who already have a reservation, and preview e-blast creative prior to campaign execution and send a test e-mail. CHS also runs on the most current version of Microsoft’s .Net development platform.
(www.grandheritageinternational.com, www.data2gold.com, www.clairvoyix.com)
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Ginn Club and Resorts has installed Datavision Technologies’ DVEnterprise suite of products for use at all Ginn clubs and resorts and at the corporate office. DVEnterprise collects and warehouses data from on-property systems such as the PMS, golf, spa, point-of-sale, sales & catering and the payroll, and allows consolidated viewing in one integrated platform via Excel spreadsheets, browser based reports and highly graphical dashboards.
Great Wolf Resorts in Madison, WI has installed Datavision’ DVEnterprise suite to collect and warehouse data from systems such as PMS, POS, Spa, Central Res and Back Office. Data is collected from all systems at the local level and used in a data warehouse at the head office.
(www.ginncompany.com, www.greatwolfresortsinc.com, www.datavisiontech.com)
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Meyer Jabara Hotels has ordered Cendyn’s eConnectivity middleware platform for its 24 hotel properties and call center in the US. eConnectivity integrates Cendyn products with a hotel’s PMS, S&C, CRS, web booking engines, back office, reporting and other systems, to push system data and important events proactively to an intelligent messaging system. (www.meyerjabarahotels.com, www.cendyn.com)
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Peabody Hotels has implemented UniFocus’ GUESTScope guest satisfaction measurement and reporting service at its three properties in Orlando, Memphis and Little Rock. (www.peabodyhotelgroup.com, www.unifocus.com)
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Cultuzz GmbH, a seller of accommodation content on eBay, has contracted with Leonardo Media for customized delivery of rich media content for hotels featured within the eBay travel category. (www.cultuzz.com, www.leonardo.com)
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REVENUE MANAGEMENT
- TravelCLICK introduces RateADVISOR rate recommendation tool in collaboration with IDeaS
- IDeaS releases version 3.0 of Revenue Optimization system
- IDeaS implements Web services interface with Trust.Wizcom Voyager CRS
- Manugistics rolls out Unconstrained Demand Forecasting pricing optimization tool
- Manugistics acquired by JDA Software Group
- Dorchester Group Hotels implement EzRMS at three properties
- Ritz London implements EzRMS’ Internet Product Suite
- Coral Beach Hotel & Resort becomes EzRMS’ first client in Cyprus
- Intrawest deploying HBSI’s Demand Management at 11 resort properties
- SynXis offering revenue management services to RedX customers
- Xotels launches Online Revenue Management Community and Forum
TravelCLICK has introduced its RateADVISOR rate recommendation tool, developed in collaboration with IDeaS. Incorporated into TravelCLICK's RateVIEW shopping solution, RateADVISOR suggests a range of optimal rates of the day for various hotel occupancy levels.
IDeaS has released version 3.0 of its Revenue Optimization system. Enhancements include three new modules: IDeaS Budgeting Module to evaluate a hotel’s performance throughout the year, Managing Group Business for an improved evaluation of various dates and ancillary revenue streams from potential group business, and IDeaS Learning System for V5, a convenient, highly customizable e-learning system for scalable product training and ongoing support.
IDeaS has implemented a Web Services interface between its revenue management system and TRUST.WIZCOM’s Voyager Central Reservation System, to transmit IDeaS pricing and revenue information automatically to Voyager.
(www.travelclick.net, www.wizcom.com, www.ideas.com,)
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Manugistics Group announced the roll out of its Unconstrained Demand Forecasting pricing optimization tool for the hospitality and travel industries. The new application predicts forecasted demand more accurately to allow hotel and travel companies to set limits on lower-value customer segments to increase RevPAR.
JDA Software Group has acquired the Manugistics Group. JDA currently offers a range of advertising, pricing and promotion management solutions to retail and consumer goods companies, and will roll Manugistics’ price optimization capabilities into those arenas. JDA will continue to work with Manugistics on revenue management systems for the Travel, Transportation, Hospitality and Entertainment industries; Manugistics’ current hospitality clients include Harrah's Entertainment.
(www.manugistics.com, www.jda.com)
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The Dorchester Group Hotels, London has implemented EzRMS’ Internet Product Suite at its properties in London, Paris, & Milan. The Beverly Hills property will cut over in July, and a second Paris property later this year.
The Ritz London has implemented EzRMS’ Internet Product Suite at its property London’s Mayfair district, interfaced with its Micros-Fidelio Opera PMS system.
The 421-room Coral Beach Hotel & Resort has implemented EzRMS’ Core Module & Ez-QUOTE and Ez-COMPETE modules at the property in Coral Bay in Cyprus. This is EasyRMS’ first client in Cyprus.
(www.dorchestergrouphotels.com, www.theritzlondon.com, www.coral.com.cy, www.easyrms.com)
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Intrawest Corp is deploying Hotel Booking Solutions Incorporated’s (HBSI’s) Demand Management technologies and services at its 11 resort properties, with a single interface through the Demand Gateway for the real-time exchange of availability, rates and restrictions. Intrawest will incorporate 16 channels in the first phase of the initiative, representing a substantial portion of its demand generators. (www.intrawest.com, www.hotelbookingsolutions.com)
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SynXis is offering revenue management services to customers who would like more assistance in leveraging SynXis’ distribution network. Services range from brief focused projects to broader long term engagements, and cover advice on using ecommerce programs effectively, analyzing distribution strategies and channel management processes, and performing all revenue management functions. (www.synxis.com)
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Xotels has launched an Online Revenue Management Community and Forum operated by wiwih.com (Who Is Who In Hospitality), a community platform for the hotel and travel industry operated by HSyndicate.org. The Forum is an interactive platform to discuss Revenue Management market trends, ideas and best practices, and will feature job vacancies, audioblogs, related industry news and resources such as books and publications. (www.xotels.com, www.wiwih.com)
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SALES & CATERING, MEETING PLANNING
- iBAHN launches wireless Conference PC
- Wolfgang Puck selects ReServe Interactive as Preferred Catering and Events software vendor
- Carlson goes live with Newmarket’s MeetingBroker web-based lead management system
- Newmarket and HIS enhance integration between Delphi and epitome
- Warren House orders Visual One’s integrated Front Office, Sales & Catering Systems
- Competitive Marketing Exchange launches online version of Readerboard
- Certain Software releases Version 4.6 of its Register123 meeting management system
iBAHN has launched its Conference PC, a wireless version of its Lobby PC product designed for Internet café-style use in conference spaces or outside of meetings. The Conference PC provides a “clean PC” environment cleared of all session information (cookies, passwords, site history, etc.) between users, and includes standard office applications as well as an Internet browser. (www.ibahn.com)
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Wolfgang Puck Catering has selected ReServe Interactive as a Preferred Catering and Events software vendor for catering operations nationwide. ReServe added custom features such as an interface to Microsoft Outlook, to attach incoming e-mails to ReServe events, and synchronize appointments with Outlook Calendar and traces with Outlook Tasks. (www.wolfgangpuck.com, www.reserveinteractive.com)
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Carlson Hotels Worldwide has gone live with Newmarket International’s MeetingBroker web-based lead management system. Inquiries received through a hotel’s website or other on-line channel are automatically integrated into the Delphi sales and catering system.
Newmarket International and HIS are enhancing the integration between the Delphi Sales & Catering system and epitome Property Management System for real-time synchronization of inventory and availability data. This will ensure accurate non-group future consumption in Delphi, synchronized group blocks between Delphi and epitome and better access to key information for sales managers.
(www.carlson.com, www.newmarketinc.com, www.hotelinfosys.com)
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The UK’s Warren House, a 45-guestroom conference and training centre sited in a country house in Kingston, near London, has ordered Visual One’s integrated Front Office, Sales & Catering Systems. (www.warrenhouse.com, www.v1s.com)
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Competitive Marketing Exchange has launched its online Readerboard Report Management Application. CMX has for many years provided competitive hospitality marketing intelligence by gathering and reporting Readerboard data identifying details of groups who have met at a competitor’s property. The new Web-based interface now provides access to competitive data online, as well as filter and query tools to identify potential business opportunities. (www.readerboard.com)
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Certain Software has released Version 4.6 of its Register123 meeting management system. New features include PCI compliance and increased credit card transaction security, as well as enhanced financial report types and other reporting features. (www.certain.com)
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F&B/POINT OF SALE
- Louvre Hotels to deploy MICROS 3700, mymicros.net and OPERA in 210 hotels
- Squirrel and HIS to provide more seamless integration between POS and PMS systems
- Treasure Island chooses Capton’s Beverage Tracker system for all casino bars
- Capton partners with Lone Tree Technology, releases POS Integration Module
- Peabody Hotel Group upgrades HSI Profit Series POS at properties in Memphis and Orlando
Louvre Hotels will deploy MICROS Systems’ 3700 Point of Sale/Enterprise Management, mymicros.net and OPERA PMS and Reservation System (ORS) in all its 210 company owned hotels by the end of September 2006. Louvre also designated MICROS as preferred vendor solution for the entire chain, which represents approximately 750 budget hotels in France (806 including the rest of Europe) under the Kyriad, Campanile, and Premiere Classe brands. All systems will be centrally hosted at MICROS-Fidelio’s Data Center in Frankfurt, Germany. (www.louvrehotels.com, www.micros.com)
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Squirrel Systems and Hotel Information Systems have partnered to provide more seamless integration between their PMS and POS systems, under the somewhat cumbersome name of epitome Food and Beverage Management System Powered by Squirrel Systems. The eFBMSPSS includes the SquirrelOne POS with IP connectivity to HIS’ epitome PMS, under a common user interface that allows users to access both PMS and POS features seamlessly at any time. HIS’ service team will provide support for both systems. (www.squirrelsystems.com, www.hotelinfosys.com)
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Treasure Island (TI) Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, has chosen Capton’s RFID-based Beverage Tracker system to monitor beverage operations in its casino bars, following a 30-day pilot installation in one bar. Beverage Tracker is a spout-based RFID device that accurately measures what brand was poured and how many ounces go into every drink.
Capton announced a partnership with Lone Tree Technology, a consulting, integration and software development firm, and the release of a POS Integration Module developed as a joint venture between the companies. The POS Integration Module combines Capton’s liquor pouring information with item sales information from standard POS solutions to allow clients to define drink recipes and monitor common liquor shrinkage problems such as substitutions and free drinks.
(www.treasureisland.com, www.captoninc.com)
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The Peabody Hotel Group (PHG) has upgraded the Hospitality Solutions International (HSI) Profit Series POS software at its properties in Memphis, Tennessee and Orlando, Florida, and has begun upgrades at franchised locations. (www.peabodyhotelgroup.com, www.hsi-solutions.com)
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SPA/GOLF/LEISURE
- Nirvana partners with SynXis to let travelers book activities in conjunction with guest rooms
- SoftBrands adds Cerenity Spa system to product range
- HIS integrates Envision Spa Management and Active Golf Solutions software into epitome PMS for single-itinerary booking with guestrooms
Nirvana Technology has partnered with SynXis to allow travelers to book activity-based reservations (spa services, dining, transportation, golf, fitness, tennis, etc.) in conjunction with guest rooms in a single itinerary. (www.nirvana-technology.com, www.synxis.com)
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SoftBrands has added the Cerenity Spa system to its product range, a version of the UK-based Premier Spa system used by more than 1,300 clients. (www.softbrands.com)
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Hotel Information Systems has integrated Ennoview, Inc.’s Envision Spa Management System and Active Golf Solutions golf and activity software into the epitome PMS, so that reservation agents can book spa, golf and other activities while making a room or package reservation. All bookings are added to the guest’s itinerary and can be e-mailed; cancellations in one system notify users if linked bookings exist in the others. (www.ennoview.com, www.activegolfsolutions.com, www.hotelinfosys.com)
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GUEST SERVICES
- Asoka USA releases 85Mbps Powerline Network system
- Peninsula Hotels select Tangerine Global for HDTV entertainment services
- Mandarin Oriental expands Tangerine Global service to include three more hotels
- LodgeNet launches 'Easy HD' program to help hotels transition to HD TV systems
- LodgeNet launches Entertainment 2Go service for fast, legal movie downloads to guest PCs
- LodgeNet developing guest connectivity center to link portable media devices to HD displays
- Four Seasons Hotel in Miami installs Tiare’s intelliChaise Personal Ordering System
- GBCblue partners with IKON and Canon to offer COPIERblue self-service digital copy/fax units
Asoka USA Corp has released its 85Mbps Powerline Network system, allowing hotels to add two Ethernet ports at any power outlet. The PlugLAN 8750 SmarTAP also provides two AC power outlets to substitute for those used in the connection. (www.asokausa.com)
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The Peninsula Hotels has selected Tangerine Global to provide HDTV entertainment services to its hotels, starting this summer.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is expanding its HDTV service with Tangerine Global to include the properties in Tokyo, San Francisco and Miami. Mandarin Oriental’s newly refurbished flagship property in Hong Kong, due to re-open later this summer, will also include Tangerine’s HDTV service delivered entirely via Internet protocol (IP).
(www.peninsula.com, www.mohg.com, www.tangerineglobal.com)
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LodgeNet has launched its 'Easy HD' program to help hotels transition to HD TV systems. The program includes network optimization to assess (and if necessary, upgrade) the hotel's infrastructure, consulting assistance regarding selection of a cost-effective, cross-compatible HDTV display options, and in-room integration services including installation of the HD displays, in room wiring/cabling and other peripherals.
LodgeNet launched its Entertainment 2Go service, which enables guests to download movies from an on-site digital server to their laptops quickly, easily and legally in as little as five minutes per movie.
LodgeNet is developing a guest connectivity center (GCC) to provide an easy interface between high-definition displays and many portable media devices, plus an HSIA connection for laptop users. It is also testing a prototype Digital Lifestyle Outfitters 'RoomDock' iPod docking station, designed for hotel rooms and letting guests re-charge their iPods and play music and videos through the guest room TV, without cords or cables, and using the LodgeNet remote control to navigate the iPod menus.
(www.lodgenet.com)
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The Four Seasons Hotel in Miami, Fla., has installed Tiare Technology’s intelliChaise Personal Ordering System, a wireless touch screen device designed to be fixed to guests’ poolside or beach chaises so that they can place orders directly into the hotel’s POS system or into Tiare’s software. The server unit stores guests’ orders and purchasing information, guest-service information such as what time a guest ordered his or her last beverage and how he or she likes to have it prepared, notifies staff when an order is ready for pickup and provides information on the chaise’s location. Customers can also simply press the ’Call Server’ button on the unit. (www.fourseasons.com, www.tiaretech.com)
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GBCblue has partnered with IKON and Canon U.S.A. to offer the GBCblue COPIERblue series of self-service digital copy/fax units. COPIERblue uses a Canon imageRUNNER fax/copier and allows GBCblue to monitor the status of the unit constantly. Enhancements scheduled for the third quarter of this year include network printing to support PrinterON applications and scan-to-e-mail feature allowing users to scan and send hard copy documents. (www.gbcblue.com)
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BACK OFFICE
- Aptech updates Web-based Data Manager multi-property data consolidator
Aptech Computer Systems has released an update of its Web-based Data Manager application, which streamlines data gathering from properties with various front office and back office systems that do not interface with their chain or corporation financial application. Data Manager uses Web templates to capture each property’s daily operating information, regardless of the front office system, then transfers the data to the back office system for posting. Interfaces have been written for third-party systems such as J.D. Edwards, Epicor and other non-Aptech applications. (www.aptech-inc.com)
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ENGINEERING
- Loews to install Mintek’s WinTrack PM preventive maintenance system in 18 properties
Loews Hotels has contracted with Mintek to install the WinTrack PM preventive maintenance (PM) system in 18 of its properties in the United States and Canada. (www.loewshotels.com, www.mintek.com)
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SECURITY
- Safemark named a preferred vendor of guest room safes for Loews Hotels
- Onity announces new ADVANCE by Onity locking system, a two-piece design
Safemark Systems has been named a preferred vendor of guest room safes for Loews Hotels throughout the U.S. and Canada. (www.loewshotels.com, www.safemark.com)
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Onity announced its new ADVANCE by Onity locking system, a two-piece design that minimizes hardware on the guestroom door. The ADVANCE units include dual upgradeable technology to allow future advances in security technology to be retrofitted affordably. (www.onity.com)
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