This week’s Partner News is highlighted by BWH Hotel Group making Oracle OPERA Cloud available to all hotels; Optii Solutions launching a standalone hotel operations solution; Cendyn naming two new leaders to its international e-commerce team; and more.
BWH Hotel Group makes Oracle OPERA Cloud available to all hotels
BWH Hotel Group is the first hotel company to integrate its central reservation system (CRS) with Oracle Hospitality OPERA Cloud property management system (PMS) through the Oracle Hospitality Integration Platform. This makes it easy for any hotel within the BWH Hotel Group portfolio—including Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotel Group properties—to adopt OPERA Cloud to simplify and improve operations while delivering great guest service. The Best Western Plus Alfa Aeropuerto in Spain is already live and benefiting from this offering.
“Innovation has always been a priority at BWH Hotel Group, and in today’s world as guest expectations are changing and hoteliers are forced to adapt to new ways of working, our focus on innovation is more important than ever before,” said Greg Adams, SVP/chief digital officer, BWH Hotel Group. “We are committed to helping all our properties by offering access to the latest technologies, so we are proud to partner with Oracle. Together with Oracle, we were the first global hotel chain to complete a native integration between our proprietary central reservation system and OPERA Cloud. With this integration, our hotel owners will be able to easily adopt the modern cloud-based PMS to better manage their operations, boost revenue, and alleviate strain on their staff.”
Built on the Oracle Hospitality Integration Platform (OHIP), the connection between BWH Hotel Group’s CRS and OPERA Cloud now allows member hotels to connect all hotel operation information on a single platform. With configurable workflows, OPERA Cloud helps hotels operate with greater efficiency, reduce operating expenses and optimize staffing. And, as OPERA Cloud is mobile-enabled to run on tablets and smartphones, members and hotel staff can access it anywhere.
Optii Solutions launches standalone hotel operations solution
Optii Solutions has launched a standalone hotel operations solution that does not require a PMS integration. This will allow hotels globally to take advantage of the many productivity gains that Optii’s platform provides, and leave pen and paper behind.
The new, standalone solution will provide hoteliers many of the same benefits as the PMS-connected platform, such as offering real-time visibility into a property’s housekeeping operations and better connecting the front desk and back-of-house teams. This allows any hotel to improve productivity, manage team performance, maintain or raise standards and streamline communication, within a matter of weeks. Additionally, with a labor shortage in most markets, hoteliers can now extend technology tools to their teams and address several pain points their team members experience.
This technology expands the availability of Optii’s platform to virtually any hotelier, regardless of PMS, size, brand and location. Select-service hotels can acquire the solution without the cost or management of integration. Branded hotels with older or closed systems can likewise benefit from a more efficient operation. The standalone version also puts hotel operations tools within reach and use for smaller hotels that have not been able to, or had no desire to manage an integrated tech stack.
Cendyn names two new leaders to international e-commerce team
Cendyn has appointed Kelly Snyder as VP of customer success, e-commerce and Sumit Sethi as regional VP of e-commerce in India.
Based out of Texas, Snyder will lead a global team of customer success professionals at Cendyn. In her role, she is responsible for the entire customer lifecycle, along with establishing new and trusted relationships with Cendyn customers while driving direct revenue and productivity for the hotel portfolio she oversees. Prior to Cendyn, she held high-level marketing and e-commerce roles throughout the hospitality industry, including Auberge Resorts Collection and properties with KSL Resorts.
Based out of Gurgaon, India, Sethi will oversee the regional e-commerce practice in India and will work with the broader e-commerce leadership team to ensure the scalability and optimal performance of defined global e-commerce programs. Prior to joining Cendyn, he held leadership positions at hospitality companies including Etraveli Group, Expedia Group and Carlson Wagonlit Travel and MakeMyTrip.
First Hospitality relocates to downtown Chicago office
First Hospitality has moved its headquarters from the Chicagoland suburbs to a space in downtown Chicago to accommodate the company’s growing dynamic hybrid workforce.
The company will leverage its new office space to support its portfolio and offer the increased efficiencies the central downtown location provides. The new offices provide First Hospitality employees with facilities, equipment, technology and amenities that will enhance productivity, growth and collaboration, according to the company.
“We could not be more excited to relocate to our new office space in downtown Chicago,” said David Duncan, president/CEO, First Hospitality. “This move is reflective of our overall portfolio growth and commitment to providing the best service and experience for our associates and clients.”
The new office building, commonly known as “The Franklin,” offers employees an array of amenities including a tenant-only sky bar and five different in-house food options including a food hall.
Tyme Global introduces Skye virtual agent
Tyme Global has launched its virtual agent, Skye, an addition to its menu of remote staffing services.
Skye uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to understand conversational language and recognize intent. As a result, guests can interact naturally with Skye as if speaking with a human operator. Calls, texts and emails are answered immediately with no wait time.
Skye fields frequently asked questions and basic requests so that on-site staff can focus on in-person interactions. For example, if a caller needs the check-in time, directions or more towels, Skye can handle the requests easily, bypassing the front desk. The system can add entries into ticketing systems such as housekeeping or maintenance dispatch to fulfill each request. Further, calls can be augmented by sending appropriate links to a guest’s cellphone, such as maps and directions or restaurant reservation portals. If a guest wishes to speak to a live person, Skye transfers the call to an in-house or off-site agent.
Equipped with a variety of voices and accents, Skye is customized to match the client’s brand. Additionally, each property can add as many localized elements as they wish. Like a concierge, Skye can provide information such as the nearest pharmacy (with a map), where to find a good slice of pizza and how to get tickets for a show.
