News Briefs

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.

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.

Zucchetti North America - the North American outpost of the Italian-based Zucchetti Group – offers an all-in-one, fully integrated tech stack for hotels and lodging accommodations of all sizes and types, designed to streamline business operations and enhance guests’ experience – and the newest features and functionalities on the various solutions provide hoteliers with even more ways to increase revenue.

“In today’s highly competitive and challenging marketplace, where hoteliers are expected to do more, with less staff, and as uncertainty in demand continues, hoteliers need a high-quality tech stack that prioritizes boosting their bottom line,” said Mark Lewis-Brown, CEO & President of Zucchetti North America. “Our all-in-one suite of solutions is perfect for hoteliers who are looking for ways to drive more direct bookings and boost revenue, and with these new features and functionalities, we can now offer even more ROI for our clients.”

Vertical Booking CRS & Booking Engine

Vertical Booking’s CRS and integrated booking engine have many new built-in upselling features and functionalities that support the entire booking cycle to optimize booking conversion and revenue. 

OTA Rate Comparison

The OTA Rate Comparison tool displays the rates for the same room (on your direct site), wherever it is listed on all the top OTAs, reassuring potential guests that they are getting the best rate.

Persuasive Messaging

Persuasive messaging is very important because it uses psychology to convince your looker to become bookers. Persuasive messages can include letting the potential guest know how many people have booked the room recently or by letting them know when there is low inventory on a room.

Room Upgrade Functionality

You are losing out on valuable ancillary revenue opportunities if you are not offering a room upgrade option in your booking engine, which prompts customers who are completing the check-out process to upgrade for a small fee to a nicer room or one with a better view. 

Lodgical Solution PMS 

Lodgical Solution PMS can be used to manage both traditional and non-traditional properties, including hotels that offer on-property theme parks or water parks, which makes the PMS a highly lucrative addition to a property’s tech stack. The PMS offers the same reservation, payment and inventory management functionality for these amenities, optimizing the booking and payment processes automatically, facilitating guest communications, and collecting and organizing guest information – all of which can be accessed by both the hotel management and the amenities management team, from a single solution. In addition, Lodgical Solution PMS enables mobile check-in, with many upgrade options available to help increase incremental revenue, including room upgrades, late check-out, etc.

RateBoard RMS

RateBoard RMS helps hoteliers drive bookings and revenue through all online channels, taking into consideration the actual booking situation, historical data, competitor data, market demand, guest reviews, events and holidays to optimize rates based on the ever-changing market and boost revenue by up to 20%. 

RoomRaccoon, a hotel management solution for independent hotels, has announced its strategic partnership with The Hotels Network (THN), a full-stack direct growth platform for hotels, to optimise hotel direct booking strategy, and enhance the guest experience.

The two-way integration between RoomRaccoon’s hotel management software and THN’s technology will empower hoteliers with advanced tools and real-time direct channel insights that map out guest booking behaviour and help create a seamless and personalised booking experience for online users to increase conversion on the hotel’s website.

Steven Reffin, Head of Partnerships at RoomRaccoon, shares: “We are thrilled to partner with The Hotels Network. This integration aligns perfectly with our mission to empower hoteliers with user-friendly technology that enables them to thrive in today's competitive hospitality landscape. By combining our expertise in hotel management software with THN's advanced tools, we are confident that our customers will see significant improvements in their direct bookings and guest satisfaction."

Juanjo Rodriguez, CEO of The Hotels Network, shares:  "THN and RoomRaccoons's partnership offers a uniquely comprehensive solution that leverages the power of machine learning technology to strengthen hotels' direct booking channels. By personalizing the online booking journey and improving conversion rates, we're able to elevate the guest experience while boosting revenue for client hotels. The platforms form an ideal combination, with the new alliance delivering substantial added value to customers globally.”

RoomRaccoon and The Hotels Network integration is now available to hoteliers worldwide.

INTELITY^®, provider of a guest experience and staff management platform, has announced a new partnership with The Hazelton Hotel in Toronto. The luxury boutique hotel has implemented the INTELITY platform to offer its guests a digital and modern, smart-room experience, as well as leverage INTELITY’s GEMS^® staff-facing tools to streamline its back-of-house operations.

Located in Toronto’s Yorkville neighborhood, the epicenter of style and culture in the city, The Hazelton Hotel boasts 62 spacious rooms and 15 elegantly designed suites, which evoke grandeur with a splash of 1940s-inspired Hollywood glamor. The Hazelton Hotel property is part of The Leading Hotels of the World, the first and only Forbes Five-Star boutique hotel in Canada and the number one hotel on Tripadvisor (Traveler’s Choice) in Toronto for seven consecutive years.

“We are committed to providing exceptional services to our guests which includes offering an enhanced digital experience through INTELITY,” said Gaurav Dutta, The Hazelton Hotel’s General Manager. “At the Hazelton Hotel, we strive for excellence every single day through our products and service. Our aim is to create lasting memories for our guests, and through this integration with INTELITY, we can offer bespoke and seamless experiences. Our team has worked in tandem with INTELITY to ensure each smart room tablet screen presents every amenity in a style that complements our design. By incorporating INTELITY’s GEMS and smart room tablets, we have taken another step towards utilizing AI technology to automate and ease operations for our team, while elevating our guest interactions.”

As part of the partnership, The Hazelton Hotel will feature the INTELITY platform delivered on smart room tablets, which will enrich the guest experience by allowing guests to order in-room dining, adjust room temperature and lighting controls, review spa treatments, request valet services, liaise with the Les Clefs d’Or Concierge team, and more. Offering a digital experience also aligns with The Hazelton Hotel’s sustainability goals and vision such as through the Press Reader functionality where guests can enjoy multiple media outlets, completely paperless. 

With the INTELITY staff-facing Guest Experience Management System, GEMS, and integrations to the property’s existing tech stack, The Hazelton Hotel’s team can manage, track, and complete all service requests and issue accompanying work orders. Additionally, GEMS ticketing functionality will optimize operational workflows for the team and increase engagement and productivity — creating an overall seamless digital experience.

“We are delighted to add The Hazelton Hotel to our family of luxury hotels, including some of the world’s most iconic properties, looking to enhance their guest’s experience through technology,” said Robert Stevenson, INTELITY CEO. “This partnership with The Hazelton Hotel builds on INTELITY’s existing relationship with The Leading Hotels of the World. As part of the collection of Forbes Travel Guide brands, we at INTELITY are continuing to see the luxury market adopt technology at a rapid rate as more five-star properties turn to technology to improve their guest experience, just like The Hazelton Hotel.”

To experience the INTELITY platform and learn more about the Hazelton Hotel partnership at HITEC Toronto 2023 firsthand, visit booth #2106. For more information on the INTELITY platform or to request a demo, please visit www.intelity.com/demo. For more information on The Hazelton Hotel, please visit www.thehazeltonhotel.com.

Smokey Bones has elevated its Chief Operating Officer and industry veteran, Hal Lawlor, to the newly created role of President and COO. Lawlor takes the reins following the departure of CEO James O’Reilly, who led the brand for four years. 

Earlier this month O' Reilly left Smokey Bones to serve as CEO at Ascent Hospitality Management, a multi-brand restaurant company with a portfolio of nearly 600 Huddle House and Perkins Restaurant & Bakery locations. O'Reilly replaces Michael Abt,  served as Chief Executive since 2012.

With over 25 years in the restaurant industry as a high-performing executive, Lawlor brings with him to the role invaluable insights into restaurant operations, customer preferences, off-premise programs, and market trends.

Lawlor has served as Chief Operating Officer at Smokey Bones since 2019 and has been instrumental in the revitalization of the brand. He has helped implement processes to increase efficiency, enhance the guest experience, and optimize the company’s cost structure. Under Lawlor’s leadership, Smokey Bones has been implementing AI machine learning to assist in operations, including table management and labor scheduling. 

Before joining Smokey Bones, he held several leadership roles at Red Lobster, including Vice President of Operations, and served as Regional Vice President at PF Chang’s.