News Briefs

AMIT Wireless, a provider of Industrial IoT (IIoT) gateway solutions, and Actility, a provider of IoT connectivity solutions, announce a strategic partnership to facilitate deployment of CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) IoT use cases for backhauling LoRaWAN gateway traffic.

CBRS, launched in the USA in 2020 by the FCC (Federal communications Commission), is a dynamic sharing system in the 3550-3700 MHz band. This band, also known as the innovation band, will allow for the expansion of coverage and capacity of operators’ LTE services, but also the implementation of new mobile uses (5G and IoT). This band is currently also used by the US Navy, the Department of Defense and satellite communication service providers.

The partners agreed on technical and business cooperation and mutual promotion of the AMIT Wireless CBRS products as a backhaul for LoRaWAN gateways using Actility’s ThingPark IoT platform. With the recent launch of CBRS in the US, this collaboration opens a range of use cases to allow the deployment of private Cellular network in CBRS bands.

One of the main challenges for IIoT LoRaWAN deployments in rural or remote areas is backhaul connectivity. CBRS private Cellular offers the perfect match for this need. The initial use case will be to use AMIT Wireless CBRS LTE devices to carry the backhaul traffic of  LoRaWAN gateways. Private cellular networks are privately owned, customizable cellular networks comprised of various components such as radio hardware and network orchestration software. These networks can significantly enhance connectivity and address the limitations of traditional Wi-Fi networks in industrial IoT deployments in remote areas. Public cellular networks, in contrast, provide limited control over service quality and risk data security.

Until recently, building a private mobile network was not possible due to technological constraints and lack of available RF spectrum. However, with the advent of new technologies and the FCC’s decision to allocate more spectrum for business use, enterprises can now construct and operate their own private LTE or 5G networks, tailored to their unique needs.

The Actility’s ThingPark Market platform presents a trial kit to demonstrate the capabilities of private LTE CBRS networks. With a unique feature, this kit enables roaming over CBRS and public networks using a single ThingPark global SIM card, thanks to global agreements with public network operators. 

This kit illustrates a typical CBRS use case: providing backhaul for LoRaWAN gateways in rural or industrial networks, which traditionally rely on public SIMs, Ethernet, or satellite connectivity. Besides, the kit can be utilized to explore other CBRS use cases. Combined with AMIT Wireless CBRS gateway solutions, it extends more possibilities by cellular connections and makes users’ deployment easier than ever in a more secure and reliable way.

Shiji, a global hospitality technology innovator, has partnered with IPORT, an award-winning manufacturer known for enhancing the usability of iPads and iPhones, to introduce an all-in-one software solution for hotel restaurants. This collaboration will provide hoteliers with a seamless combination of a tablet and payment device to maximize their F&B operations.

The integrated iOS and payment device solution simplifies guest service for hotel restaurant servers, providing them with an effortless tool to cater to their guests' needs. As a certified Apple partner, Shiji and IPORT guarantee exceptional performance and reliability. Hoteliers can choose from multiple device options, including iPad Pro, iPad Mini, and iPhone, ensuring flexibility and compatibility with their operations.

“IPORT products are built around modularity and flexibility that empower our hospitality customers to do more with the iOS platform. We are thrilled to partner with a leading iPad and iPhone cloud PMS and POS platform provider like Shiji,” said Chris Lawson, Head of Partnerships, IPORT. “We look forward to innovating with Shiji in disrupting legacy, monolithic providers who have limited the industry from harnessing the power of iOS and mobility. The future is bright, and the possibilities are endless with IPORT, iOS, and Shiji.”

"The partnership with IPORT is a significant milestone for Shiji in our commitment to provide innovative technology solutions for the hospitality industry," said Ryan King, Senior Vice President of Shiji in the Americas. "By combining our expertise with IPORT’s hardware solutions, we empower hoteliers to streamline restaurant operations and deliver exceptional guest experiences. This collaboration represents another step forward in our dedication to driving success in the Americas, and globally."

The tablet and payment device solution seamlessly integrates with multiple payment gateways, allowing hoteliers to choose the system that best suits their needs. By simplifying the payment process, it reduces operational complexities, minimizes errors, and saves valuable time and resources for hoteliers.

Cvent, a meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider and Sabre Corporation , a software and technology provider that powers the global travel industry, have expanded their partnership to provide two new integrations. The integrations aim to elevate and streamline group booking capabilities for thousands of event organizers and independent properties and chains worldwide.

Cvent has integrated its Cvent Instant Book (for small/simple meetings) and Cvent Passkey (room block management) tools with Sabre Hospitality’s SynXis Central Reservation System (CRS). These integrations enable a seamless journey from venue sourcing and booking, to guest room fulfillment on Cvent’s unified platform, providing a streamlined experience for hotels, event organizers, and guests. By combining Sabre's expertise in hotel reservation systems with Cvent's best-in-class event and hospitality technology, the announcement highlights both companies’ dedication to raising the industry standard for the group booking and guest experience.

“We are committed to enabling hotels to expand their revenue opportunities beyond the room,” said Tom Murray, vice president of product management & partner organization at Sabre Hospitality. “Through these integrations with Cvent Instant Book and Cvent Passkey, hotels can target both large and smaller groups with exclusive conference and event rates to increase revenue. By leveraging the strengths of Sabre’s comprehensive SynXis Central Reservation platform and Cvent's technology, hospitality businesses can optimize their operations, streamline guest engagement, and deliver personalized experiences."

“We’re excited to announce these integrations with SynXis as it further expands our platform functionality in a way that benefits both the hotelier and the event organizer,” said Janine Alsalam, vice president of sales at Cvent. “85% of planners say they would be more likely to book a property that has direct instant booking capabilities, and we’re proud to bring this capability to Sabre’s hotel clients. We continue to work with our industry partners, like Sabre, to broaden our platform functionality and integrate with the systems hoteliers and event organizers use every day. This announcement further illustrates the valuable role technology plays in optimizing hotel operations and delivering incredible guest and attendee experiences.”

The joint efforts of Cvent and Sabre Hospitality signify a shared commitment to revolutionizing the hospitality industry through best-in-class technology and robust integrations. With this strategic partnership, both companies are poised to shape the future of guest and group experiences, setting new industry benchmarks for customer satisfaction and operational excellence.

Steak n Shake will offer PopID Check In and PopPay on its self-ordering kiosks in select locations in the Orlando market, with plans to expand to more than 300 corporate locations. PopID Check In is an opt-in service that enables consumers to scan their face to automatically sign into their loyalty reward account and see their past orders, making the ordering process as convenient as possible. When a guest checks in with PopID, they also have the option to use PopPay to automatically complete their payment.

• 57% of respondents say enabling new payment options is a  top business driver impacting POS upgrade decisions, according to HT’s2 2023 POS Software Trends Report.

“Our partnership with PopID is a key part of our effort to provide guests with a fast and seamless ordering experience," said Keith Correia, Chief Information Officer. "When using PopID Check In, a guest does not need to use their phone or take out their wallet as part of the ordering process. They will automatically be checked in for loyalty rewards, and they can choose to make an automated payment with PopPay. A guest can even see their past orders and quickly reorder their favorite menu items. Ordering at Steak n Shake has never been easier or more convenient.”

In addition to enhancing the guest experience and improving order throughput, PopPay helps to reduce fraud and offers lower payment processing fees.

Key Digital®, an award-winning developer and manufacturer of leading-edge digital video processing and video signal distribution solutions, announces the release of the first plug-in resulting from joining the Q-SYS Technology Partner Program. This program enables software and hardware technology partners to create market-ready solutions that integrate seamlessly with the Q-SYS cloud-manageable audio, video and control platform.

As part of the program, Key Digital has worked closely with Q-SYS, who has fully vetted and endorsed the Key Digital KD-WP8-2 Plugin (developed with Q-SYS and supported by Key Digital and Q-SYS) with a Q-SYS Certified badge. The plugin makes Key Digital’s KD-WP8-2 8 Button Programmable IP, RS-232, IR Control Keypad natively compatible with Q-SYS.

Jonathon Ferry, VP of Product Education & Experience at Key Digital, says, “The recently updated POE-powered single-gang keypad, KD-WP8-2, offers a host of sophisticated, programmable control capabilities. With this plugin, those capabilities are now available to Q-SYS users, and we are delighted to deliver our existing customers a direct control portal into the Q-SYS environment.”

“We are proud to have Key Digital join our program and work collaboratively with us on a plugin integration that will enable elevated experiences across our shared customers,” says Geno Zaharie, Principal, Alliances & Ecosystem, Q-SYS.

Sabre Corporation, a software and technology provider powering the global travel industry, announced the availability of Lodging AI, marking the introduction of its Sabre Travel AI™ capabilities in the lodging sector and enhancing the power of Content Services for Lodging. 

Lodging AI can help travel agencies improve hotel attachment rates, creating additional revenue opportunities and providing travelers with more personalized lodging options. Using Sabre Travel AI™ machine learning models, the new lodging capability analyzes property attributes, customer trip segmentation, and traveler and agency preferences to generate custom lodging options and serve up properties that are most likely to be booked.

“Artificial intelligence combined with data and insights, such as profiles and preferences, is a very powerful tool in removing friction from the travel booking process,” said Sabre Chief Product Officer Garry Wiseman. “As the next evolution of intelligent retailing capabilities supported through our strategic partnership with Google, Lodging AI brings more personalized results to enable agents to be more efficient in their workflows and to ensure travelers obtain the most relevant options available.”

The first two micro-services of Lodging AI are now available, with additional use cases to be added in the future.

• Alternate properties: During the shopping phase, if a specifically requested property is not available, this micro-service of Lodging AI facilitates lodging bookings by presenting up to 20 relevant options with similar characteristics.​
• Cross-sell: This micro-service identifies appropriate air bookings or itineraries with no lodging attached and presents suitable lodging options to complete the trip.

Available via Content Services for Lodging APIs and Sabre Red 360, Lodging AI will help enable Sabre customers increase traveler value by offering relevant lodging options to accompany the air travel booking and help drive profitability by capturing a greater share of wallet. Corporate travel managers may also see improved duty of care and reporting with more trip components inside a PNR. Travelers can benefit through access to more customized options based on their needs and preferences.

"Ultragroup acknowledges Sabre as a leading partner in travel technology. Their consistent drive for innovation has been instrumental in transforming our company and the services we offer,” said CEO and Co-Founder of Ultra Group Andres Pelaez. “In our ongoing collaboration with Sabre, we are gearing up to introduce new AI integrations and we are implementing hotel suggestions based on flight itineraries for a cross-selling experience. Furthermore, we will present alternative accommodation suggestions based on user search parameters and preferences when certain accommodations are unavailable. These AI-driven tools are poised to substantially enhance efficiency and the customer experience across all our business platforms.”

Created by Sabre and utilizing Google technology as part of the two companies’ 10-year strategic partnership, Sabre Travel AI™ leverages state-of-the-art AI technology and advanced machine-learning capabilities. Sabre is integrating this proprietary intelligent technology into existing and new solutions to help customers to deliver highly relevant and personalized content more quickly and create expanded revenue and growth opportunities.