Jon Inge, CHTP, ISHC

What is my process?
First, I work with you to assess your business needs - what situation you are looking to improve, or what new direction you want to take, what benefits you expect, and the approximate budget you have in mind. I refine these overall goals in discussions with the principal members of your staff involved in implementing and managing systems, to determine the details of the operating environment.
Having set the boundaries for the project, I then research possible solutions, ensuring at each stage that they are still compatible with the business need. We live in a fast-changing industry; both a company's business priorities and the technology available to help meet them will often change during the life of a project, and it's vital to ensure that the two are kept in step.
The final recommendation is determined in discussions with your own project staff; it includes cost/benefit information and a suggested implementation plan. If desired, I then take project management ownership of the implementation phase.

How will we both benefit?
You get the benefit of tapping into a wide base of industry and system knowledge, filtered by someone skilled in interpreting business needs and with a gift for business/technology translation. You also get a hard-working, creative resource committed to working with you to define the best possible solution. I get paid. I also get to enjoy working on innovative solutions with people as dedicated as I am to this fascinating industry.

What's my background?
A Masters in Engineering at Oxford, obtained during a seven-year period with Britain's major aircraft manufacturer. This was followed by five years in London successfully establishing and managing European/Middle East/Far East sales/installation/support distributors for PMS pioneer Micor, Inc. I expanded these operations worldwide when I moved to Micor's head office in Phoenix, then took on full responsibility for installations, training, customer support and marketing support for Micor's successor, Galler Hospitality Systems.
In 1984 I joined NCR Corp. as project manager on a two year, multi-million dollar development program for custom hotel systems.
Then, with Westin at its Corporate office in Seattle, I successfully managed the hotel systems planning and implementation functions worldwide, a role which routinely required me to act as a systems consultant to hotel ownership, management and staff. I was able to play a key role in determining Westin's future systems strategy, guiding it towards more modern, better-integrated systems, and negotiating contracts with the principal vendor. I also made significant improvements to the clarity and scope of Westin's technology communications, and managed vendor relations with the providers of third-party systems.
I established Jon Inge & Associates as an independent consulting company in 1996, working with hotels of all sizes both domestically and overseas on all aspects of their technology.

What's my track record?
One of consistent expansion of the companies I have worked with, of clarification of their goals, internal procedures, standards and communications, of successful project management and of identifying the best new directions and systems for business needs. I have worked with hotels from 8 to 2,100 rooms, with vendors, with owners, with hotel chains, management companies and individual properties. I compile a bi-weekly e-newsletter on hospitality technology, and my articles have been published regularly in the trade press since 1996. I am a regular speaker at industry trade conferences, a founder member of the HTNG initiative, and a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants. In June 2006 I was deeply honored to be inducted into HFTP's International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame.

What's my insight into your situation?
The pace of technology change is both fascinating in the promise it holds, and overwhelming in the choices available. You may have a firm idea of how you want to use it to move ahead with a new strategy; I can help you validate and, if desired, implement that strategy. Or you may be unsure as to whether you should update or replace your existing systems; I can help you determine how well they meet your current needs, how long they can continue to do so, and how to plan for their replacement. I don't pretend to have all the answers. But I do know that between us, we can find the right solution for your needs. Call me.

Jon Inge, CHTP, ISHC