Latest Bulletins | Hospitality Technology

February 2020

Feb

Kronos and Ultimate Software Merge

The combined company will have enhanced scale and an even stronger position in the fast-growing HCM marketplace.

Feb

Cisco Annual Internet Report Forecasts 5G to Support More Than 10% of Global Mobile Connections by 2023

The average 5G speed will be 575 megabits per second, or 13x faster than the average mobile connection, allowing for autonomous cars, smart cities, and more.

Feb

Nutanix to Power Black Fire Innovation Hub

The Nutanix solution at Black Fire will provide the power and flexibility it needs to test disparate technology innovations.

Feb

Accor, Visa Partner to Enhance Accor’s Loyalty Program

Accor loyalty members will be able to earn more loyalty points when using the ALL Visa card to stay at Accor properties, make purchases.

Feb

Posiflex to Showcase Compact and Modular Kiosk and Enterprise IoT Platform for POS at MURTEC

Posiflex will unveil brand new solutions for Point of Sale, Self‐Service, and IoT for POS at MURTEC 2020.

Feb

Taco John’s Hires Kelly Hopper as CFO

Industry vet previously worked at Yum Brands and Pizza Hut.

Feb

Mohegan Sun Updates Its Digital Commerce Platform for On-Demand Food and Drink Service

Guests can order, pay for concession items via app, weblink, QR code or text; choose their desired pick-up/delivery location and time, and pay/tip via Venmo, Apple Pay or credit card.

Feb

ProfitSword Launches Advanced BI Solution: ProfitAbility

Tool uses AI machine-learning abilities to automatically identify and report anomalies in business performance.

Feb

Posiflex Will Showcase Compact and Modular Kiosk and Its Enterprise IoT Platform for POS at MURTEC

Posiflex will unveil brand new solutions for Point of Sale, Self‐Service, and IoT for POS at MURTEC 2020.

Feb

Shift4 Payments Adds Order-at-the-Table Functionality

SkyTab offers Order- and Pay-at-the-Table solution, including customer engagement and marketing tools.

Feb

Toast Raises $400M in Series F Funding

Funds will be used to invest in developing tech to streamline the guest experience and improve the employee experience.

Feb

Ready’s Split Check Feature Recognized for Top UX

For guests, Ready allows them to use their phone to split and pay their check whenever they’re ready,

Feb

AHLA Names Matt Carrier Vice President of Innovation Policy & Research

Carrier is charged with leading the hotel industry’s technology and distribution policy agenda to meet member needs.

Feb

PAR Technology Announces New API Integration with Bite and Brink POS Software

Bite software is powered by AI allowing it to make suggestions to a guest’s order based on time of day, guest preferences, past orders, and more.

Feb

IDeaS and Silverbyte Partner to Provide Two-Way Data Integration

Two-way data integration between RMS and PMS will provide enhanced automated forecasting, room-type pricing and inventory controls.

Feb

Five Guys, Ruby Tuesday Launch Staff Retention App

Both operators piloted ShiftOne in January and have decided to roll out the platform nationally after seeing positive results.

Feb

Digital Concierge Service Tock Time Launches

Reservation, guest, and table management system, Tock expands offerings.

Feb

HEDNA Honors Tom Bruno of Marriott with 2020 Award of Excellence

Bruno honored for his contribution to the advancement of hotel distribution.

Feb

50 Best Restaurant Websites Named

POS USA lists the websites it says have the best designs.

Feb

Clover Adds Scan to Pay Feature

Scan to Pay does not require the download of an additional app; Guests can pay using their iPhone and Apple Pay.

Feb

Unified Office Enters Hospitality Market with Business Communication Tool

Tool integrates with hotel management and messaging services to provide full customer visit, bookings and preference details with each incoming call.

Feb

Concord Hospitality Awarded Three Certificates of Excellence from Marriott’s GPNS Program

Hotel development and management company recognized in first place for overall performance, guest satisfaction and customer retention in 2019.

Feb

CENTEGIX CrisisAlert Expands into Hospitality

Company has adapted its technology – previously used in the education K-12 sector – for hotel operators.

Feb

INNsight's ADA Shield Program Used to Defend Hotel in ADA Accessibility Lawsuit

Law firm dismisses case after software provider's technology offers evidence of compliance.

Feb

Provenance Hotels Introduces Mobile Tipping

New mobile app technology allows guests to tip hotel staff with a swipe of their finger.

Feb

Operto Integrates with Cloudbeds

Hotels will be able to operate more efficiently and elevate the guest experience via smart home technology integrations.

Feb

Nuvola Partners with Shiji’s StayNTouch

Nuvola’s platform and StayNTouch’s PMS will work cohesively as a digital assistant for staff to manage daily tasks and provide guests with better overall service.

Feb

Restaurant Tech Firm Raises $5M

OneDine says its tech can reduce restaurant staff by 20%.

Feb

Pyramid Hotel Group Saves More Than 10% on Accounting Costs by Partnering with M3

Hotel management companies with a large fluctuation in properties benefit from professional accounting services that minimize disruption.

Feb

Cloud File Service Provider Nasuni Available in AWS Marketplace

Hospitality companies such as Wyndham Hotels & Resorts can leverage Nasuni’s cloud-based file services platform for consolidated billing, license management, and more.

Feb

Lightspeed Launches New Integrated Payment Capabilities in North America

Lightspeed Payments simplifies business management for hospitality merchants in the U.S. and retailers in Canada.

Feb

Eureka Casinos Expands Relationship with Agilysys

Eureka Casinos’ The Brook will be its fourth property to use InfoGenesis POS.

Feb

Twenty Four Seven Hotels Updates Accounting Software at 23 Properties

Cloud-based enterprise back office puts allows operator to manage, review financial processes from anywhere on a mobile device.

Feb

Macorva’s Debuts CX Customer Feedback Platform

Tool delivers simple surveys via SMS to make CX rating easy and measurable.

Feb

Koch Industries Agrees to Acquire All of Infor

Remaining equity stake will be purchased from Golden Gate Capital.

Feb

Coakley & Williams Converts Multiple Hotel Properties to STS Cloud Sales and Catering System

STS Cloud works on any mobile device allowing the sales team access to property and meeting room availability when they are meeting with clients.

Feb

OZ Introduces New Solution Accelerators to Digitally Transform Customer Experience in Travel and Hospitality

Solutions help operators recognize patrons and their emotions for quickly resolving issues, guestroom automation for personalizing the guest experience as well as AI, AR and VR applications.

Feb

PayFacto Buys Posera, Resto Finances

The deals include Posera's Maitre’D POS, KDS and SecureTablePay as well as Resto Finances, including its flagship Veloce POS system.

Feb

Forter Launches Loyalty Program Protection Solution to Help Merchants Tackle Increased Attacks on Loyalty Programs

Loyalty program fraud rose 89% YOY driven by the increased number of data breaches.

Feb

Residence Inn Panama City Implements RFID Mobile Access-Ready Locks

Extended stay hotel wanted to provide guests with peace of mind knowing they are protected using the latest encryption technology.

Feb

Linx Buys Restaurant Delivery Platform Neemo

The company offers delivery management solutions with products related to financial services from the fintech Linx Pay Hub.

Feb

Guests Can Now Book Meeting Rooms Online Directly via Nordic Choice Hotels’ Website

Replaces previous process of calling, e-mailing or using RFP correspondence to determine meeting space availability and pricing.

Feb

Choice Hotels Ups Loyalty Program Ante with “Golf by Choice”

Members of Choice Privileges can earn, redeem points at select golf courses across the U.S.

Feb

Adyen Launches Card Issuing Offering

Cards can be used online, in-app, in-store, and can be integrated into mobile wallets.

January 2020

Jan

Yumpingo Raises $10M

Funding will support company’s global expansion and guest engagement platform development.

Jan

Remarkable Hotels Sees 19 Percent Uplift in Rooms Revenue

The 73-room property also increased overall sales by 15 percent and average occupancy by 12.5 percent in a competitive local market.

Jan

Faena Hotel Deploys New High-Speed, Broadband Cellular Network & CBRS Tech

DAS and private LTE network improve coverage in preparation for football’s biggest game.

Jan

xtraCHEF Adds Recipe Management & Plate Costing to Back of House Business Suite

The cloud-based restaurant management platform allows customers to build recipes and monitor margins in real-time.

Jan

Compeat Names Bob Looney as Chief Technical Officer

During his 10 years at Ctuit, he developed operations reporting, inventory, schedule, and the On the Fly mobile app.

Jan

Coushatta Casino Resort Selects Orion for Hospitality Voice Services

Casino will use Orion’s voice-enabled platform for real-time workforce communication, collaboration.

Jan

MustHaveMenus Releases Major Software Update

Version 3 makes restaurant marketing design easier with drag-and-drop editing, rapid formatting, instant resizing across designs, new templates, and more

Jan

Zenput Buys Dashboard Advantage

Deal extends Zenput's reach into c-stores and the broader foodservice industry.

Jan

2020 Outlook Improves for North American Hoteliers

New data shows committed occupancy growth of 2% for the upcoming 12 months.

Jan

Posera Launches a Software-as-a-Service Subscription

A subscription-based offering, The Maitre'D TOTAL Experience is a suite of software tools and services developed to support and optimize every aspect of a restaurateur's business operations and management.

Jan

Research Reveals the Rise of an Increasingly Tech-Savvy Independent Hotelier

Marketing and distribution strategies in particular are on their radar.

Jan

myDevices Introduces No Dead Zone Panic Button Technology

myDevices combines cellular, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LoRaWAN to enable panic buttons to operate in “dead zones” where cellular and Wi-Fi signals are typically unavailable.

Jan

HP Launches Cloud Services for Restaurants, Hospitality

HP's cloud services enable hospitality operators to securely and remotely manage their fleet of devices and apps.

Jan

Infor Broadens Relationship with Accor

New agreement expands Infor EzRMS functionality and service options throughout the Accor portfolio.

Jan

Power Knot BioDigester Recognized for Sustainability Impact

Power Knot LFC biodigester recognized helps restaurants implement eco-friendly practices to meet sustainability goals.

Jan

New Revenue Opportunity: Daycation Guests

Hotels and resorts of all types see big profits by inviting guests looking for wellness, relaxation, bleisure, romance, and family-friendly day experiences using property amenities without staying overnight.

Jan

Miso Robotics Debuts Robotic Kitchen Assistant

Flippy's zero-footprint kitchen robot will be available by the end of the year.

Jan

Hotel Internet Services Becomes Choice Hotels Qualified Vendor

Provider of internet-based solutions certified to provide Choice Hotels properties with advanced in-room entertainment and casting functionality.

Jan

eDreams ODIGEO Acquires Hotel Booking Platform Waylo

The purchase provides eDreams with AI-driven technology to further grow its hotel business.

Jan

Real Hospitality Group Adopts Full Suite of ProfitSword Business Intelligence and Data Management Solutions

Hotel management company implements ProfitSage, ProfitPlan, ProfitPace and ProfitWizard to maximize business strategy efficiency and ability to achieve even greater organizational growth.

Jan

Barceló Hotel Group Selects Nor1 AI Platform to Drive Growth and Guest Experience

New partnership with all four of Barceló’s brands to expand Nor1’s footprint in the Spanish and Latin American markets.

Jan

Restaurant Revolution Technologies Hires Tarek Dimachkie to Lead Product Development

Former Splick-it COO is charged with developing product feature enhancements and administration tools for Order One.

Jan

OYO Hotels & Homes Selects Sabre as Its Long-Term Strategic Partner

OYO will be connected to almost 900,000 travel agents globally, through the GDS connectivity solution powered by Sabre.

Jan

Too Busy to Text? Beekeeper Rolls Out Voice Messaging for Chats at ALIS 2020

New push-to-talk feature for chats is designed for hoteliers who are too busy to spend time manually typing out messages to their teams.

Jan

WorldHotels Introduces WorldHotels Crafted Collection

Curated collection of immersive hotels and resorts to be added to WorldHotels Portfolio

Jan

Justin Jabara Named President of Meyer Jabara Hotels

Forty-three-year-old hotel ownership and management company is staying in the family with third-generation hotelier at the helm.

Jan

Grubhub Integrates with Brink POS Software

Integrating Grubhub’s API with PAR’s Brink POS software allows a seamless ordering experience with increased accuracy and lower costs.

Jan

Beekeeper to Unveil New ‘Voice Messaging’ Feature at ALIS

Rather than using less secure consumer apps to record, share and receive voice messages, the new feature will enable hotel management and staff to communicate quickly, efficiently while on-the-go.

Jan

Revinate Launches Guest Data Platform

Cloud-based integrated system uses advanced machine learning technology to deliver for a clean, robust, single view of the guest.

Jan

Campground Reservation Software Adds Reward Points Feature

New feature expected to increase guest loyalty and encourage repeat visits.

Jan

App for Hotel Industry Helps Turn Guests into Loyal Fans

App allows travelers to connect with local restaurants, order groceries, meet up with fellow travelers and more while using gamification to motivate app use.

Jan

7shifts Opens U.S. Office

Labor management platform plans to ramp up expansion across North America.

Jan

Marina MacDonald, CMO at Red Roof Appointed Chair, HSMAI

Marina MacDonald has been CMO of Red Roof for more than ten years.

Jan

Paycor Announces New Scheduling Solutions

Paycor expands its time and attendance product offerings.

Jan

Duetto’s David Woolenberg Promoted to CEO

Since 2018, Woolenberg has held the positions of Chief Revenue Officer, COO and President at Duetto.

Jan

Manquehue Hotels Expands Properties, Personalizes Guest Experiences with Oracle

OPERA allows Hotel Manquehue to create in-depth customer profiles so the hotel can make personalized suggestions to guests; this personal touch has already helped the group increase customer loyalty.

Jan

Sabre, Accor to Create a Unified Technology Platform for the Global Hospitality Industry

Full service property management capability will combine with Sabre's existing hospitality solutions to serve hotels of all sizes.

Jan

FOUND Hotels Implements Advanced Wi-Fi Network

Hotel brand catering to millennial travelers offers guests fast, reliable and secure Wi-Fi.

Jan

More Than 40% of eCommerce Digital Transformation Fails Due to Digital Fraud

Report from Kount and Javelin Research finds the top 3 fraud threats for restaurants are stolen card fraud, account takeover, and fraudulent new accounts.

Jan

React Mobile Introduces Sidekick Bluetooth 5.0

Easily paired with company-issued mobile devices, the new version is small, lightweight and has a life expectancy that far exceeds standard Bluetooth devices.

Jan

The J Collection Boosts Business with Lead Sharing Across Portfolio of 19 Properties

STS Cloud System automates lead sharing, records referral activity. reporting analytics show ‘lead to booking’ revenue generation.

Jan

Hostmark Hospitality Names Alison Bybee VP of Restaurants

Her responsibilities include being intimately involved in the development of new restaurant concepts, as well as managing recent restaurant concepts.

Jan

Radpay Earns Patent for Blockchain Payment & Loyalty Platform

Solution unites distributed ledger technology with POS systems and personal devices.

Jan

Sabre Forges 10-Year Partnership with Google Cloud

Google Cloud becomes Sabre’s preferred cloud provider to accelerate its digital transformation.

Jan

Concord Hospitality Named No. 1 Service Provider within Marriott’s GPNS Program

The program’s stringent standards create a consistent, high-quality online guest experience across all Marriott brands in the Americas for high-speed internet access.

Jan

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Creates New Department Focused on Environmental, Social and Governance Strategy

The department will be led by Andrea DeMarco, SVP, ESG, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications.

Jan

The Current Hotel Updates Its POS for F&B Operations

New POS combines a terminal with tablet touchscreen applications, offers rich configuration options and strong reporting/analysis features.

Jan

Spectrum Gaming Hospitality Group Appoints Sherry Amos to VP of Marketing

Amos is a hospitality/gaming veteran with more than 28 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Jan

Pechanga Resort Casino Drives Automation and Visibility with New Integrated System

Casino will now connect previously siloed applications and will reduce manual processes.

Jan

TraknProtect Announces New Partnership With Intello Technologies

Partnership allows TraknProtect to extend its footprint across the border to Canada.

Jan

Omnivore Appoints Chief Operating Officer

Dan Singer brings operations and finance experience to digital platform.

Jan

Vacasa Promotes Jeff Flitton to Chief Technology Officer

Former Vice President of Engineering Will Lead the Company’s Technology Division of 200+ Employees

Jan

AHLA Announces 2020 Officers, Board, Executive Committee Amid Record Membership

Choice Hotels joins AHLA; 10 largest hotel companies now represented.

Jan

NRF 2020 NEWS: WorkJam Launches Next Gen Task Management Platform

WorkJam introduces new tools for market execution, audits, and tasks to deliver consistent real-time results.

Jan

Consumer Fraud Could Hamper Booming Global Tourism Industry

The rate of chargebacks is increasing by 20% per year.

Jan

California Pizza Kitchen Partners with Yumpingo to Harness the Power of Instant Guest Feedback

A successful Yumpingo pilot fast-tracks the rollout of its unique restaurant intelligence platform to CPK’s U.S. locations.

Jan

NRF 2020: Epson Introduces Flexible Thermal Label Printer

Versatile printer is designed for efficient operations in QSR, fast casual and hospitality industries.

Jan

Aruba Advances Digital Retail Experiences with SD-Branch Innovations

SD-Branch Pioneer Extends Zero Trust Security and New Cloud-native Management Capabilities to Enable Non-stop Retail Operations at Scale.

Jan

NRF 2020: Star Micronics Launches SteadyLANTM for iOS

Solution provides power and network access to iPad POS through one Lightning cable connection.

Jan

NRF 2020 NEWS: Medallia Announces Three New Capabilities for Improving Guest Experiences

Medallia can now help restaurants and hotels better understand what guests are saying on review sites, drive repeat business and mine data to uncover new customer insights.

Jan

Littlejohn Capital Announces Sale of Hospitality Staffing Solutions

Kellermeyer Bergensons Services purchases HSS, a provider of supplemental staffing services such as housekeeping, food service, laundry and groundskeeping to resorts, hotels and casinos and more.

Jan

M3, Paymerang Announce New Partnership

Hospitality accounting solution to offer electronic payables solution.

Jan

NRF 2020 NEWS: Industry Leaders Work with Flooid's Flexible and Resilient Basket Platform Technology

Flooid releases newest version of its App Suite which offers customers Mobile POS, endless aisle, self-checkout and convertible lane, follow-me basket, cash office, maintenance and management tools.

Jan

NRF 2020: New Toshiba Receipt Printers Enhance Hospitality Point-of-Sale Customer Experience

Rugged, splash-resistant printers simplify transactions within high-volume bars, restaurants and hotels.

Jan

NRF 2020 NEWS: Ingenico iCON Case Helps Restaurants Design More Creative Mobile Checkout Experiences

Restaurants can create new opportunities for line-busting and more flexible mobile experiences for consumers.

Jan

NRF 2020 NEWS: Cybera to Showcase CyberaONE Platform

At booth 6028, Cybera will demo how restaurants and retailers can deploy breakthrough apps and services that deliver optimum CX, ensure cybersecurity and regulations compliance, and lower costs.

Jan

NRF 2020 NEWS: Apex Streamlines Off-Premise Dining with its Self-Serve Order Pick-Up Lockers

Apex shares strategies for building a sustainable off-premise dining experience.

Jan

NRF 2020 NEWS: KIOSK Information Systems Features Next Gen Self-Service Solutions

KIOSK Information Systems and parent company, Posiflex, are demonstrating a full array of self-service solutions at NRF 2020 - Retail’s Big Show at Booth 5800. New hardware platforms are paired with innovative software applications and technologies from the growing global partner ecosystem of the Posiflex Group. To meet the increasing demand in quick service restaurant (QSR) ordering automation, KIOSK is featuring several models for self-service ordering.

Jan

TDN2K Rebrands to Black Box Intelligence

Formerly known as TDn2K, the company is the creator of People Report, Black Box Intelligence and White Box Social Intelligence.

Jan

Improving Employee Productivity is a Top Priority for Restaurants

Zenput and Technomic's research reveal operations execution hurdles facing restaurant chains.

Jan

NRF 2020 NEWS: Advantech to Launch Outdoor Self-Service Kiosk

UTK-932 Outdoor Self-Service Kiosk is for QSRs and features design-to-order services.

Jan

NRF 2020 NEWS: HP Launches Cloud Services for Retail and Hospitality Markets at NRF 2020

Cloud services empower retailers and hospitality operators to securely and remotely manage their fleet of devices and apps.

Jan

Meredith Lodging Implements New All-In-One PMS, CRM and Contact Center Software Solution

Software from TravelNet Solutions will help lodging company manage its more than 800 properties in Oregon.

Jan

Google Assistant’s Interpreter Mode Helps International Hotel Guests Translate Across 29 Languages

New solution from the Google Assistant, deployed by Volara and announced at CES 2020, provides real-time, fully managed, and hassle-free live language translation for hotels.

Jan

Honeywell Helps Hotels Quantify Guest Comfort and Staff Productivity

Two new upgrades helps give hoteliers insight into all properties from a single dashboard and provides quantifiable ways to measure guest comfort.

Jan

RLH Corporation Joins TravelClick’s Demand360® Network

More than 1,300 RLH properties will contribute data to TravelClick’s business intelligence solution.

Jan

CES: PuduTech Showcases 3 Delivery Robots

There are more than 5,000 PuduBots working at over 2,000 restaurants in 200-plus cities in more than 20 countries.

Jan

Wingstop Promotes From Within to Fill COO Slot

Mahesh Sadarangani was previously Wingstop’s Senior Vice President of Channel Strategy.

Jan

Sojern's Digital Marketing Platform Built to Reduce Reliance on OTAs for Hotels of All Sizes, Now Available as a Subscription

Serving 10,000 customers in 140 countries, Sojern offers hotels real-time access to travel data and holistic digital media solutions.

Jan

Lightspeed POS Inc. Buys German Cloud Provider

With the Gastrofix acquisition, Lightspeed now has the capacity to offer solutions for restauranteurs across Europe.

Jan

Ambassador Hotel Wichita Maximizes Guest Connectivity and Convenience with Voice Control and Enhanced Wi-Fi

Autograph Collection property provides each guest with latest in content casting abilities and voice-activated amenity control while ensuring a seamless Wi-Fi connection.

Jan

A-1 Hospitality Group Implements Sales and Catering Software System

Software offers A-1 remote access to all hotels from one screen.

Jan

VTrips Sees 600% Growth After Partnering with NextPax

Vtrips also improved 35% overall in content scores.

Jan

Agilence Integrates with Brink POS Software

ParTech, Inc (PAR), a provider of point of sale (POS) software and integrated technical solutions, added Agilence to its Brink integration ecosystem. Agilence, Inc. develops the industry-leading data analytics and reporting platform that allows multi-unit restaurant operators to manage operational resources and revenue streams in one place.

Jan