HITEC 2001 Conference And Product Preview

By Rebecca Oliva, Technology Editor -- HOTELS Magazine, 5/1/2001

Bringing the technology revolution to reality is the message emerging for HITEC 2001, which takes place at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, June 26-28. More than 6,000 attendees and exhibitors are expected to participate in the show, and a record 750 exhibitor booths will showcase the latest "must-haves" for the hospitality industry. Visitors will be able to view product demonstrations and get hands-on knowledge of the hospitality technology available in today's market.

Seminars conducted by industry professionals are scheduled throughout the conference with topics including in-room Internet access, sales automation, IT recruiting and staffing, among many others. A special presentation of the results of a global survey conducted by the HFTP entitled Hospitality E-Business: The Future also will be given at the conference.

Here HOTELS presents a sneak peak at the products to be showcased at HITEC 2001.

Property Mgmt./Central Reservations

AremisSoft will present its AREMIS enterprise system, which includes central reservations and property management, and can now be integrated with Rio Hospitality Suite, a resort management system that includes spa management, golf/tennis scheduling and a point-of-sale system.

Comtrol Corporation launches the latest edition of Lodging Link III, which provides the same interfacing technology that Protocol Technologies, now Comtrol's hospitality products division, offers. This model can provide an Internet ASP Gateway for PMSs requiring access to onsite systems, including in-room movie, telephone and POS to record transactions to the guest folio.

CSS Hotel Systems launches Inntegrityä with CSS Dynamic Rate Tiering, a built-in yield management tool. Based on availability of particular room types per night, this module automatically increases rates quoted by a reservationist. It is a cost-effective solution to utilizing yield management principles with minimal intervention by hotel personnel.

Hotel Data Systems Inc. introduces a new feature to its Xenon CRS that now can be implemented using "super" thin clients located in each hotel or sales office. All users will be able to access a single database, using the networking power of the Internet. Offering Xenon CRS in an ASP mode lowers the price threshold for companies looking to set up a reservations call center.

HotelTools Inc. showcases Internet Enterprise Software, which centralizes all aspects of multi-property hotel operations, enabling real-time property reservations and relationship management. The system unites owners and operators in real time with their customers, staff, suppliers and travel professionals, bringing one-entry guest transactions to the enterprise.

MICROS Systems Inc. showcases OPERA Enterprise Series (OES), a fully integrated suite of products consisting of modules that can be easily added or expanded allowing easy deployment for smaller operations to global multi-branded chains. The OES solution offers products for a hotel chain's corporate office, including central reservation systems for centralized guestroom and function space sales.

Multi-Systems Inc. launches WinPM Wireless Check-in/-out to develop enhanced Hand-Held Front Desk Technology. The combination of Symbol's mobile computing devices and MSI's Windows-based Property Management System has created a state-of-the-art environment that will launch the hotel front desk into the 21st century.

Northwind's Maestro, ResEze and Maestro Entreprise offer complete online, real-time and Web-enabled suites of PMS, Sales & Catering, Web reservations, club/spa management and centralized corporate solutions designed to handle any size hotel, resort, meeting/conference center and corporate entreprise.

Passkey.com Inc., providers of integrated Web-based housing, showcases Hotel Direct for single property group reservations management, an online tool that provides shared instant data and accurate reporting for hotels and planners. It enhances revenues and creates efficiencies, reducing costs by automating manual processes, which ultimately improves CRM.

Pegasus Solutions Inc. introduces a Web-based property-level system and associated services. The system includes a full-property suite of Internet-delivered applications, interactive online training modules, centralized data center and system monitoring 24 hours a day.

Ramesys Inc. rolls out Chain Management Solution (CMS), which offers a single inventory base, a Web browser-based front desk solution, central reservations system and customer relationship management system. CMS helps increase revenue by offering groups the ability to sell all rooms from one inventory and rate management database.

Yield Management

IdeaS Inc. rolls out Contract Evaluation Module, which helps hotels evaluate the impact of contracts offered by corporate business, aircrews, tour series and wholesalers. Integrated with the e-yield Revenue Management Solution, it provides information that enables hotels to make optimal decisions on whether to accept a contract of a specific size, scope and duration.

NetWORKS Hospitality Revenue Optimizer by Manugistics is an enterprise application that forecasts, optimizes and reports and can be implemented ASP-fashion or on a client's equipment. It incorporates customer value beyond room prices.

Sales And Catering

OPTIMUM SETTINGS ii by CEO Software Inc. quickly produces detailed seating setups for any type of space. The system automatically draws a room's maximum seating capacity while recognizing pillars, doors and walls. It also sends drawings and associated inventory reports by e-mail and assigns guests to tables and seats and keeps tracks of food orders.

Back Office

Scala Hospitality showcases Integrated Management Information Solutions (IMIS), a fully integrated solution including back office accounting, inventory management and real-time reporting. IMIS improves resource allocation, management efficiency and bottomline performance through centralized accounting system installation, business intelligence tools application and expert consultation by industry veterans.

Point-Of-Sale

Burrard Technologies Corp. introduces TicketWIZ, which facilitates ticket sales in no-host bars. This device sells standard or custom tickets easily and quickly, completing up to two transactions per minute. Wireless technology facilitates convenient placement anywhere in your facility.

InfoGenesis showcases Revelation, which combines the performance of Microsoft Windows NT with the flexibility of a Microsoft SQL Server for a powerful POS, scalable for hospitality operations of all sizes. Revelation POS features include color touch screens, handheld terminals, hotel (PMS) interfaces, F&B inventory interfaces and retail POS.

Telecommunications

ComTelco/InnOvation rolls out InnLite and InnLite Express. These two voice-messaging systems are designed to appeal to smaller properties, with 75 or 125 rooms or less, respectively. The systems add automation, going beyond a simple messaging system, by combining voice mail, an automated attendant and wake-up calls into one system.

Qwest Global Operator Services is a comprehensive package of specialized communications solutions designed specifically for the hospitality industry. An international complement to domestic operator service, Qwest offers several features including toll-free access, multilingual operator support, online reporting and high-paying commissions.

Scitec Inc. debuts new features on its Aegis telephones with the Aegis 600 speakerphone models designed to meet emerging telephone technology requirements. Phones are equipped with breakthrough voice/data technologies, including patent-pending SIT touch, UnaLight and RSDP.

Teledex introduces its CL1106 and CL111 1.8 GHz digital cordless phones for guestrooms that support hoteliers' global standard initiatives by providing a cordless solution that can be deployed worldwide. The new Teledex phones are consistent with the established look and feel of the CL2900 series.

Telematrix will feature its sleek new 2800 Seriesä and 3000 Seriesä body styles, as well as its latest innovative technologies: SteelTrapä memory, which eliminates the need for batteries, and "soft keys" for auto/primary line selection and conference capabilities.

Security Systems

Ilco Unican Inc. showcases SolitaireSMART stand-alone electronic locks equipped with the flexibility of contact smart card and magnetic-stripe reader technologies and offered in a variety of finishes. The lock provides managers with the ability to audit the last 100 transactions. It now has an optional deadbolt feature.

Omen Systems launches Safe Place override handheld, developed to protect hotel liability. It combines the highest security features with simplicity and ease of use. It requires two-person access using a personal ID and a magnetic card. The audit report shows the last 160 operations by user ID, type of operation, date, time and room number. Advanced reprogramming features protect the hotel staff from turnover, loss or theft.

SAFLOK showcases the SAFLOK MT system, designed specifically to meet the individual property's needs. Magnetic stripe keycards can be used for guestroom access and smart cards for hotel staff and any elected amenity programs. The SAFLOK 6000 Windows system provides simple point-and-click operations requiring front desk staff training.

Security Innovations Inc. debuts Sensor-Lock latch technology that alerts management when doors are left or forced open and keeps unlimited detailed records at a central computer. It keeps hotel guests, employees and supplies safe. This feature comes standard with the re-designed Access-Plus On-Line Security System.

TESA Entry Systems showcases its HT28 Smart Electronic Locking System and Guestroom Safe. The HT28 Smart has a wireless smart card based locking system that offers 90% of the power and efficiency of an online system at 1/5 of the cost. TESA's guestroom safes are available in four sizes and are designed with convenience and security in mind.

VingCard Inc. introduces its kiosk that can completely automate the guest registration check-in and checkout process. The VingCard/NCR Kiosk can work independently or interface directly with the property management system. Featuring user-friendly touch screen technology and Windows-based modular system software, the kiosk is capable of issuing guestroom keycards in less than ten seconds.

In-Room Systems

Bartech Systems Corp. introduces its software version Winbart 1.3.8 (OS: Win95/98/NT). Available in four languages, the easy-to-use and sophisticated software provides more detailed refilling information and enhanced revenue reports with the option to export data.

LodgeNet Entertainment Corp. showcases its interactive digital system that integrates the latest Internet, satellite and cable technologies to enable new in-room services and add more personal control to familiar ones.

Mitsubishi's Commercial Media Systems Division showcases its new DiamondGuest television series (25" and 27"). The series features high-resolution picture quality, two high-performance audio speakers, V-chip lock, built-in closed-caption decoding, smart plug connector for maximum connectivity, spill-proof cabinet enclosures and a flexibility of up to 125 channels.

On Command Corp.'s interactive television platform powers the hotel industry's most robust in-room business and entertainment system. It features digital-quality first-run movies, @Hotel TV high-speed Internet access, Sony PlayStation games, Music OnCommand, fitness and lifestyle programming such as the On Command Golf Academy and iTV, integrating relevant Internet connect with hotelier-friendly onscreen guest menus.

Internet Everything

EWD Solutions LLC launches the streaming video feature of its Digital Cinematography that allows Web site visitors to view elements of a hotel's property during a two- to three-minute video with scripted narrative. The video allows sales people to show off features of the hotel without requiring an actual site visit.

Digital Global Internet LLC introduces RoomHost, which provides a complete solution for high-speed Internet access. The RoomHost in-room workstation utilizes state-of-the-art technology and the comprehensive in-room, point-of-sale eliminates any necessity for burdensome hotel staff involvement.

GoCo-op Inc. works closely with its with customers to design and develop simpler e-Procurement solutions. It's showcasing the Instant Order Mode feature, which simplifies operations and leverages the limited number of products the customers need to run their business.

Guest-Tek launches new features on GlobalSuite(tm) that make available wireless access, hotel-controlled billing and a thin-client integrated solution. The new GlobalForum(tm) offers similar features for conference and convention centers.

HotelView Corp. produces compelling two- to four-minute hotel videos for the Internet that take viewers on an interactive video tour. A sales aid for the travel and meeting planning professionals, a marketing tool for hoteliers and a travel resource for consumers, the videos are strategically distributed through a network of prominent travel-, leisure- and business-related sites.

NEC America Inc. showcases its NEC NEAX 2400 IPX, Internet Protocol sXchange that empowers properties to deploy a proven TDM-based system with IP-enabled configurations. It provides up to 24,576 ports, while using a full hospitality package of features that interface to the major PMS systems.

iNEThotel by sentr@NET brings free high-speed Internet access to hotel rooms using iNEThotel Internet appliances. The product improves travelers' access to information, entertainment and communication while delivering a new way for hotels to add value and increase guest satisfaction and loyalty.

STSN showcases its high-speed Internet access and broadband services for hotels and convention centers. STSN's plug-and-play solution delivers a secure, dedicated broadband connection at speeds dramatically faster than dial-up access. STSN's high-speed access allows a guest to use the Internet as a resource for work or entertainment at the hotel.

Unisys Corp. showcases e-@ction InRoom Connect Solution, a complete in-room Ethernet jack connectivity and/or in-room PC solution offering high-speed Internet access to a customized portal developed exclusively for each hotel. This custom portal significantly builds brand loyalty, while offering guests a personalized experience with limitless access to games, entertainment, productivity tools and the World Wide Web.

Wayport launches its high-speed wired and wireless Internet access with new features that include tiered pricing and network printing. Travelers accessing Wayport's networks through wired and wireless Ethernet connections get consistent, convenient access to the Internet, e-mail and company networks at speeds of 50 to 200 times faster than traditional dial-up services.

Webvertising Inc. is a full-service provider of customized Web-based solutions. Its flagship product iHotelier offers a fully customizable system designed to optimize a hotel's Internet marketing efforts, with emphasis on both client acquisition and retention.

Tech Briefs

Supply Line

• Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida, chose Phoenix-based Pegasus Solutions Inc. to provide its application services including Internet, central reservation systems and global distribution systems
• MeriStar Hotels and Resorts, Washington, D.C., selected SynXis Corp., McLean, Virginia, to provide Synxis Agent reservation management and distribution systems to all its properties
• CopperWynd Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona, chose Springer-Miller Systems, Stowe, Vermont, to provide its guest-centered property management system (PMS)
• The Hotel Berlin, selected IDeaS, Minneapolis, to install e-yield, its revenue management solution
• Benchmark Hospitality, The Woodlands, Texas, chose Ramesys Inc., Edison, New Jersey, to provide two of its properties with Maestro, a Web-based reservation entreprise-wide property management system
• Starhotels, Florence, Italy, selected MICROS Systems, Inc., Columbia, Maryland, to provide the MICROS-Fidelio suite of hospitality management applications in 21 of its properties
• Doubletree Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, chose FMG Technologies Inc., Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, to provide hospitality management software
• Hospitality Solutions International, Scottsdale, Arizona, was selected to provide its property management system in eight Prestige Inns-Hotels & Resorts, British Columbia
• Don Landry has joined John Russell to serve on the Board of Directors at Atlanta-based HotelTools Inc., makers of technology solutions for the hospitality industry.