INTERNATIONAL REPORT—In the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak, hotels are looking for ways to generate revenue and streamline operations all while keeping guests feeling safe and at ease. Here’s a look at some of the companies utilizing tech to make this happen, as well as the ways tech companies are bolstering their offerings.
Google, Volara Enable Voice-Based Contactless Guest Engagement, Touchless Room Controls
A partnership between Google and Volara is enabling hotels across the globe to deploy the best of Google, including a contactless guest engagement and touchless room controls solution that facilitates private, automated and live, conversational interactions between hotel guests and staff. Running on the Google Nest Hub, guests may ask the voice assistant to make calls, play music, watch shows, request amenities, book services, turn on/off TVs, increase the room temperature, adjust the lights, set alarms and more without ever lifting a finger.
Revenue Analytics Launches N2Pricing
Revenue Analytics has launched N2Pricing, a revenue management system (RMS) designed for lean hospitality revenue management teams and hotel general managers. N2Pricing helps hotels grow RevPAR despite the reductions in staff, budget and time, according to the company. With enterprise-level analytics, a budget-friendly price tag and time-saving innovations like near-total automation, multiproperty management made easy, and full mobility, N2Pricing is designed for hotels needing to do more with less, the company reports.
McDreams Optimizes Revenue Management with Infor
Infor, a company specializing in business cloud software specialized by industry, is equipping the family-owned McDreams hotel group with Infor EzRMS, Infor’s cloud-based revenue management solution. Infor EzRMS uses deep-learning AI to provide enhanced revenue management functionalities and help to improve guest service. With Infor EzRMS, McDreams is able to automate its revenue management, optimize its room occupancy and independently analyze market data. The solution identifies the special wishes of guests by their behavior. As a result, hoteliers can address individual needs and provide a highly personalized experience.
Granduca Hospitality Services Implements Aptech’s PVNG
Aptech Computer Systems has revealed that Granduca Hospitality Services LLC installed the PVNG Enterprise Back Office Accounting System to upgrade its financial processes. Granduca’s hotel accounting software evaluation was triggered when its previous system proved not flexible or scalable enough for its needs. PVNG is an enterprise hotel accounting system that supports one property or large multi-brand, multi-property portfolios. It uses the most current technology incorporating AP, GL, A/R, statistics, financials and bank reconciliation with easy to use browser navigation. Aptech is an IBM Premier Solution Provider and Prophix Premier Business Partner offering web-enabled business intelligence, budgeting and hotel accounting software. Granduca Hotels runs a complex full-service multiproperty operation that requires a standardized GL for all its properties with robust, drill-down reporting.
Porter & Sail Acquires Competitor FutureKey
Porter & Sail has acquired competitor FutureKey for an undisclosed amount. According to Porter & Sail CEO Caitlin Zaino von During, the opportunity to acquire FutureKey is an important driver for both hotel partners and travelers as the industry moves into a new era. In addition to traveler benefits, Zaino von During believes the acquisition may be an even more important development for hoteliers reevaluating traditional distribution models. Like Hotel Credits by Porter & Sail, FutureKey was born in response to COVID-19 and both companies are equally focused on using this new platform to sustain the hotel industry and the professionals who work in it.
Knowland Launches Prospector, a Solution to Help Select-Service and Boutique Hotels
Knowland, a company specializing in group hospitality analytics for hotels, convention and visitor bureaus, conference centers and other meeting venues, has launched Knowland Prospector, a prospecting solution designed for select-service and boutique hotels to increase occupancy and meeting room revenue in today’s highly constrained market. Knowland Prospector provides a way for time-constricted executives to search, find and convert group business that is critical to their return to profitability. With Prospector, hotels can target small group business using filters for distance from their property, meeting size and previous booking history by hotel class or brand. It gives smaller hotels an advantage to compete and win meeting business they may have overlooked in the past.
The Mayfair and Edwardian Group Select Hudini’s IPTV Solution
Hudini, a digital transformation platform for the hospitality industry, has released its smart IPTV solution for immediate deployment. With Hudini’s IPTV solution, hotels will no longer need expensive, difficult-to-maintain hardware such as set-top boxes in the guestrooms. The Hudini software solution is a fast and cost-effective way to bring IPTV to properties. The first group of hotels to go live with the Hudini IPTV will be the Edwardian group in London including its flagship Mayfair Hotel. In addition, the upcoming Londoner Hotel is expanding the Hudini-based digital transformation currently underway at Edwardian Hotels, London.
