HCN Tech Offers In-Room Revenue Stream

Ottawa-based Hotel Communication Network (HCN) has introduced patented in-room technology for hotels and convention planners. Having successfully installed it in two major Chicago convention hotels, HCN is now offering the technology, industry wide, to hotel operators and convention managers.

 

HCN's technology gives hoteliers a competitive edge while offering them a number of business benefits. Hoteliers can expect an increase in revenue per available room (RevPar) and revenue per available customer (RevPac) through a variety of revenue streams, reductions in costs through improvements in productivity and greater guest satisfaction leading to higher occupancy rates.

 

In addition, HCN's business model helps hoteliers keep installation costs down. The technology incorporates several features that produce revenue streams for the hotel, helping the hotel pay for the installation of HCN’s Navigator in every room. The installations are subsidized and HCN does all of the work and shares the proceeds with the hotelier, helping to reduce and, potentially, to completely eliminate the cost of the system.

 

For guests, the in-room amenity is accessible four ways: via HCN’s Navigator, via in-room television, or via the guest’s own laptop computer or mobile device. The network gives guests direct interactive access to hotel services. Using HCN, guests can order room service, browse current in-hotel restaurant menus and make reservations, talk with hotel staff, and arrange for other hotel services. The technology goes even farther, giving guests a complete business center right in their room, as well as direct access to citywide dining, nightlife, shopping, cultural events and attractions. The guest can make a reservation or buy a ticket, right from the system.

 

For guests who are in town for a meeting or convention, HCN allows them to be part of a real-time online convention community developed especially for them by their convention managers.

 

HCN’s first installations—at the Hilton Chicago (1550 rooms since August 2010) and the InterContinental Hotel Chicago (800 rooms since January 2011)—are clear successes. More than 65 percent of the guests at the Hilton have used the technology and an overwhelming majority of them (85 percent in an HCN/Hilton survey) said they would prefer to stay in a hotel room with it.

 

“HCN is a breakthrough for the hotelier,” says John Wells, general manager of the Hilton Chicago. “For the first time I can directly reach every guest in every room with instant personal communication, with the ability to customize Hotel service offerings, including our room service menu. Customers today want information that is current, fast and accessible. With the Navigator in all of my guest rooms, I have increased guest satisfaction and have a competitive advantage in my marketplace.”