News Briefs

DISH Business launches EVOLVE M1, a Google Certified Android  Set-Back-Box (SBB) purpose-built for commercial deployments. Leveraging a user-centric feature set and powerful hardware, the EVOLVE M1 provides a great in-room entertainment experience. This new SBB seamlessly integrates with the existing suite of DISH Business entertainment solutions.

OnStream, the live linear video delivery service, developed by DISH Business, is delivered to the EVOLVE M1’s processor and AndroidTV firmware on board. The anti-microbial voice remote returns with upgraded Bluetooth functionality and an onboard microphone, enabling guests to find their content fast. The EVOLVE M1 easily allows hoteliers to restrict the user interface and prevent guests from tampering with crucial settings, thus reducing troubleshooting from on-site staff. Guests can easily access their favorite streaming applications, via the OnStream user interface, allowing hoteliers to deliver on modern demands. It automatically clears user credentials from third-party apps.

Versatility in EVOLVE M1 allows for deployments with a wide variety of cable plants and property infrastructures. The sleek, low-profile design conceals unsightly LEDs and the VESA-compatible mounting bracket can hide the device altogether. The EVOLVE M1 embraces a seamless, distraction-free design, both physically and on-screen.

Midland, a provider of two-way radio communication technology, introduces BizTalk BR180 On-Site Business Radio.

Ideal for restaurant and hospitality, the BR180 offers an affordable, ready-to-use solution that improves operational efficiency for better customer experiences and output.  

After speaking with business customers, Midland reimagined the business radio to meet business-specific needs, including:  

• Comfortable to Wear for Long Periods – The lightweight BR180 comes equipped with a belt clip and holster with a rotating hinge and a comfortable headset
• Easy to Use
• Long Battery Life – The BR180 holds a charge for 14 hours. 
• Two-year Warranty 

“Efficiency is a make-or-break metric for an outstanding guest experience at a restaurant like Jack Stack BBQ,” said Nick Beffer, general manager at Jack Stack BBQ in Kansas City. “We run a high-volume restaurant that demands exceptional customer service, and without the BR180 we would struggle to quickly communicate between different functions, address customer complaints or seamlessly turn tables. Since we adopted the radio, we’ve seen an immediate improvement in these areas and many others, we consider it a critical tool.”  

In addition to adding efficiencies, the BR180 also acts as a key safety device in case of emergencies since it’s equipped with NOAA Weather Alerts and doesn’t require cell phone or internet service to communicate with others. 

For more information visit www.midlandradio.com .  

Virdee, a provider of guest experience technology and check-in automation,  has raised $12.4 million in an oversubscribed Series A funding round. Virdee will use this funding to further the company’s technological innovation with expanded product features and functionality, while growing its workforce, and deepening its presence in the hospitality sector. 

The investment follows previous Series Seed financing. Virdee’s total funding has now surpassed $21 million.

Founded in 2020 by Nadav Cornberg and Branigan Mulcahy, Virdee has seen expansion over the past two years, registering nearly 600% revenue growth in 2022 with similar expectations for 2023. Virdee’s platform connects guests and hotels via digital applications and AI, seamlessly automating all front desk transactions. Everyone from large hotel brands to boutique properties can plug Virdee’s solution into their existing digital experience – elevating the guest experience, eliminating lines, and turning front desk staff into guest relationship managers. Virdee’s installation base includes four of the largest casino hotels in Las Vegas and several other major hotel brands. 

VAI Resort, the upcoming largest hotel and entertainment destination in Arizona, is gearing up to open its doors in 2024 with the support of Oracle Cloud. With Oracle’s OPERA Cloud hospitality management platform combined with Oracle NetSuite, VAI will be able to unify its core data and operations on a single, secure infrastructure. This will empower VAI with the tools and intelligence it needs to keep its operation running smoothly while delivering unforgettable guest experiences.

VAI will also be using Oracle MICROS Simphony Cloud POS to manage all its restaurants and bars and Oracle Nor1 to deliver more impactful upgrade offers for guests and boost incremental revenue.

“VAI is the manifestation of a dream to create the world’s most iconic resort,” said Howard Weiss, Vice President of Entertainment, VAI Resort. “Our mission is to deliver the best luxury hospitality and entertainment experience in Arizona—and that requires the best technology. From room availability to drinks to our back-office operations, the combined power of Oracle’s Hospitality and NetSuite’s unified platform and real-time analytics and reporting will give us a constant view into our performance which will help us continually evolve how we serve and delight our guests.”

Creating an Oasis with Oracle

The new $1 billion 60-acre resort oasis destination, VAI Resort will consist of 1,100 rooms across four hotel towers with 12 dining establishments, 10 unique bars, and a man-made party island. Additionally, the property will include a two-story nightclub, a state-of-the-art 360-degree concert stage, a five-acre swimming oasis surrounded by white sand beaches, luxury retail, and a Spa and Wellness Center, all right next door to the world’s first Mattel Adventure Park.

Oracle Hospitality OPERA Cloud Platform and MICROS Simphony will enable VAI to seamlessly manage its entire hotel and dining operations including securely managing guest data and preferences, room availability and rates, food waste, and more. With an open architecture, built-in integration services, and open APIs, OPERA Cloud will also enable VAI to accelerate innovation to continually redefine the guest experience. Together with the Oracle Nor1, staff will also be equipped to deliver real-time offers to hotel guests, helping increase revenue.

In addition to Oracle Cloud, VAI will also use NetSuite enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to automate financial processes and improve business visibility across its operations. With a unified view of its business performance, VAI will be able to make more informed, data-driven decisions to improve guests’ experiences and grow its business.

“VAI Resort is creating a truly unique resort and an entertainment destination, all in one stunning package,” said Alex Alt, executive vice president and general manager of Oracle Hospitality. “With Oracle Cloud, VAI will have the ability to unify data across its operations, which will enable them to curate unforgettable experiences for guests, while efficiently managing all of the rooms, restaurants, and amenities those experiences require.”

Interface Systems, a leading managed service provider of business security, actionable insights, and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses, announced the integration of  DMP alarm panels into its interactive Security Operations Centers (iSOCs). This underscores Interface’s mission to extend the capabilities of its iSOCs by seamlessly integrating leading business security solutions with the iSOC remote video monitoring technology.

The incorporation of DMP panels into Interface Systems' iSOCs opens up new possibilities for businesses that have either implemented DMP panels or plan on upgrading to DMP for their security needs.

With this latest integration, customers will have access to add-on interactive services that go beyond traditional alarm monitoring and standalone video surveillance. Customers can easily upgrade to video-verified alarm services and leverage Interface’s virtual guard solutions with interactive monitoring capabilities. Interface can deploy microphones, speaker units, discreet emergency activation hubs, and advanced security cameras to allow its intervention specialists at iSOCs to see, hear and directly speak to employees at the locations being monitored. This two-way communication capability enhances security, response times, and situational awareness, ultimately adding new layers of safety and protection to businesses.

The integration offers customers the flexibility to choose from a wide range of add-on services such as virtual walkthroughs, voice-downs, opening and closing security escorts, and compliance audits.

“We are thrilled to have our intrusion control panels integrated into the Interface Systems iSOC. The Interface iSOC is widely regarded as one of the very best state-of-the-art interactive video monitoring centers, and we are very excited to be working closely with them and look forward to growing our partnership with Interface,” said Mark Hillenburg, VP Industry Relations, DMP

"As a leading managed service provider in business security, Interface Systems is committed to staying at the forefront of technology to meet the evolving needs of our customers,” said Brian Garavuso, Chief Technology Officer at Interface Systems. “This latest integration reinforces Interface Systems' dedication to empowering consumer-facing, multi-location businesses with comprehensive security solutions designed to tackle prevailing and emerging security threats.”

UrVenue, pioneer of the hospitality industry’s first Property Experience Management System (PXMS), has teamed up with Book4Time, a cloud-based spa, wellness, and leisure-activity management software company, to incorporate spa experiences into UrVenue’s UV Enterprise platform. Now hotel and resort guests can seamlessly book and manage spa treatments alongside other property experiences in a singular itinerary, unifying the booking process in the pre-arrival and in-stay journey.

“If there is one thing today’s hotel guests crave, it’s convenience,” said Tracee Nalewak, UrVenue Chief Growth Officer. “UrVenue ensures a cohesive booking journey for all non-room, experience-based inventory, from making reservations for restaurants and recreational activities (such as hikes, private tours, bike rentals, etc.) to reserving seating at nightclubs, day clubs, lounges, pools, resort beaches, sportsbooks, and more. Now through our integration with Book4Time, guests and employees can book spa treatments within our itinerary builder and manager. This functionality will enable experiential properties to drive incremental revenue by more easily upselling and cross-selling spa experiences with the rest of their non-room inventory.”

UV Enterprise is a full-stack technology platform that drives commerce, manages operations, and enhances the guest experience in a single, cohesive booking journey across a hotel or resort’s direct booking channels.  UV Enterprise also features Guest Experience, a recently launched system capability, which includes two key products – Guest Portal and Guest Services. Guest Portal provides guests with a personalized, self-service interface for easy exploration and booking of property experiences and the ability to view and manage their digital itineraries. Guest Services enables employees (call center, concierge, front desk, etc.) to book experiences and manage itineraries on behalf of the guest.  The Book4Time integration enables spa reservations and other activities and experiences to be booked in the same unified booking journey and managed within the same digital itineraries.

As a SaaS technology in the hospitality wellness industry, Book4Time is the spa platform used by international hotels, resorts, casinos, golf and private member clubs in more than 100 countries worldwide. It has been voted the most innovative company by the International Spa Association and was a finalist in the Hotel Tech Report Awards. The company has existing integration partnerships with more than 100 of the industry’s leading technology providers, such as property-management, club and membership-management, and guest experience systems.

“We have watched UrVenue’s growth over the past few years and are proud to be working with them to connect the end-to-end booking journey for our mutual hotel and resort customers,” said Roger Sholanki, Book4Time CEO. “With this integration, their success is our success.”