News Briefs

03/17/2023

Dynamic Yield Launches Element, Bringing the Power of Mastercard to Personalization

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Dynamic Yield, a Mastercard company, unveiled Element, a suite of Mastercard applications and extensions integrated into Dynamic Yield’s Experience OS.

As consumer demand for personalization continues to grow, brands must differentiate their approach to providing relevant experiences at scale. Mastercard’s proprietary prediction models and aggregated consumer spend insights will allow customers across verticals – from retailers to brands  and beyond – to deliver greater personalization on any digital channel.

According to McKinsey research, 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions, and 76% get frustrated when those demands aren’t met1. And companies are noticing – 98% of organizations believe in the benefits of personalization and plan to invest further2.

Element directly links select Mastercard services within Experience OS, the company’s operating system that organizes applications in an open, modular, and fully customizable core framework. 

Within Element, subscribed customers will be able to:

  • Reach new audiences using actionable, geographic spend insights based on aggregated and anonymized transaction data.
  • Apply Mastercard’s propensity modeling techniques to help issuers dynamically curate relevant offers, products, and content for existing cardholders within their personal banking platform.
  • Use Mastercard SpendingPulse to uncover regional spending trends and identify macroeconomic indicators of retail sales to power personalization at the local level3.
  • Identify relationships between products, locations, and product attributes with Market Basket Analyzer and use these insights to drive smarter personalization decisions.

“...Companies can now hyper-personalize the consumer experience in entirely new ways,” said Ori Bauer, CEO of Dynamic Yield. “For example, by looking at consumer spending in one category, you can now analyze how it will drive usage in another, and then deliver tailored offers online or in an app based on those unique insights.”

Mastercard acquired Dynamic Yield in 2022 from McDonald's to strengthen its suite of consumer engagement and loyalty services, helping brands deliver more effective and trusted experiences across channels.

 

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03/16/2023

New Professional Organization for Women in Restaurant and Hospitality Tech Announced

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female tech leaders at MURTEC 2023

Women in restaurants, hospitality and technology are joining together to create a professional women's organization aimed at mentorship, support, and empowerment. Women of Restaurants, Technology and Hospitality (WORTH) launched March 7, 2023, at the Multi-Unit Restaurant Technology Conference (MURTEC).

Founded by Brittany Amerson (Farmers Restaurant Group), Cristal Ghitman (SynergySuite), Deena McKinley (Papa Gino’s), Kim DeCarolis (Fat Brands), Lauren Selman (IFBTA), Suzanne Stopp (IPConfigure), and Tammy K Billings (Aben), WORTH aims to provide a safe space for women to ask questions, share and gain insight into personal and professional challenges in these industries.

"We recognized the conversations we often have between women about our experiences in this industry should have a larger platform, to leverage our commonalities and provide representation, visibility and safety for both industry veterans and women just entering hospitality," said Ghitman, WORTH cofounder and Director of Strategic Partnerships at SynergySuite. "WORTH is a decentralized group that aims to connect and support women in all areas, from mentorship to advocacy to friendship."

WORTH has launched an online community through LinkedIn and plans to organize meetups, webinars, conference events, and other opportunities for engagement soon. To get involved in WORTH, please contact the group through their LinkedIn page.

03/16/2023

Think Simplicity Releases No-Cost Plan for Pure-IP Hotels

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Think Simplicity, a cloud communication technology provider of all-inclusive voice and chat solutions for the hospitality industry, announced today a program designed to help both hoteliers that are switching from analog wiring to ethernet cable or new build hotels. The plan provides no-cost phone system equipment for “Pure IP” hoteliers that meet certain conditions.

The bulk of existing hotels today have analog wiring throughout the building and therefore use analog telephones in guest rooms. These legacy systems are dependent on old copper wiring, but many will be tasked with replacing this wiring with ethernet cabling in the near future.

New build hotels that are running ethernet cabling to guest rooms for telephone connections and utilizing IP telephones in those rooms will need a reliable vendor to take advantage of today’s cloud communication innovations. Regardless of the scenario, beginning April 1, 2023, hotels with a Pure IP setup can take advantage of Think Simplicity’s No Cost Phone System, for a limited time. 

Joseph De Ciantis, co-founder of Think Simplicity, said: “As the sunsetting of traditional copper-based landlines begins to impact older properties there will be a larger need to migrate to a digital system. Our goal is to help older hotels that are updating their wiring to IP/Ethernet or newer hotels that have a pure IP setup make the transition to cloud communications systems quickly, easily, and affordably.”

 

This offer is based on certain configurations and specific conditions must be met. Phones and onsite installation are not included.

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03/16/2023

Wyndham Teams with Groups360 for Instant Multi-Room Booking Solution

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Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, a hotel franchisor with approximately 9,100 hotels spanning more than 95 countries, announced a new agreement with Groups360 to bring instant online multi-room bookings to Wyndham hotels in 2023.

Powered by GroupSync™, a direct booking solution, Wyndham hotels will have the opportunity to seamlessly integrate the platform with their hotel reservation systems, providing travel planners—from groups and events to those managing infrastructure, logistics and corporate accounts—the ability to view best available rates and availability as well instantly book rooms online.

"Over the last three years, Wyndham has invested over $100 million in major technology initiatives, giving our franchisees access to best-in-class offerings that unlock new efficiencies while helping to grow their bottom line," said Lisa Checchio, chief marketing officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. "Bringing franchisees access to GroupSync is just the latest example and one we believe offers incredible opportunity for franchisees, particularly those in the economy segment, where such technology is an industry first."

Hotel companies that publish live inventory and rates within the GroupSync Marketplace save travel planners valuable time by allowing them to search, shop and book blocks of rooms. Whether it's short one-to-two-night group events like youth sports, weddings and family reunions or multi-week infrastructure or logistics project like commercial construction, bridge repair or highway expansion, GroupSync empowers planners to quickly and easily book their preferred hotel instantly online or through a Smart RFP.

"Wyndham is a major player in the hospitality industry with offerings that span every segment of the industry," said Tim Flors, chief customer officer, Groups360. "Travel planners increasingly expect their hotel purchase experience to be seamless, instantaneous, and online. Wyndham's deployment on GroupSync Marketplace does just that, all while saving hotels time and helping them better serve their guests."

Planners can already book guest rooms and meeting spaces using Wyndham's global properties via GroupSync's Smart RFP and group guest rooms are expected to start being available in GroupSync for instant, online booking later this year. All are a part of Wyndham's innovative Wyndham Business program, which through a suite of tools and resources, aims to simplify business travel bookings. To learn more about Groups360 and GroupSync Marketplace, visit www.groups360.com. To learn more about Wyndham Business, visit www.wyndhambusiness.com.

03/15/2023

Curator Hotel & Resort Collection Selects ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions as Official Security and Accessibility Provider

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Curator Hotel & Resort Collection (“Curator”) is announcing its naming of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions as a preferred provider to supply its member hotels with RFID door locks and access solutions. This new alliance will ensure that member hotels have access to the most innovative security solutions at favorable industry pricing.

“Across the industry, we are still seeing many supply issues that make it difficult to track the delivery of products and the installation process can be inefficient and frustrating,” said Austin Segal, Vice President of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection. “Through our agreement with ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, we are able to ensure a smooth and efficient solution for our members—allowing them to track their security and door lock systems, take advantage of reduced costs for hardware and services, in addition to receiving these in a timely manner. This strategic relationship is key in guaranteeing that when guests visit a Curator property, they’ll enjoy a safe stay thanks to a convenient, user-friendly, and innovative technology.”

With this new association with ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, Curator members will also have access to an industry-leading support model to help keep projects delivered on time and on budget.

“This collaboration is a direct reflection of the hard work and high standards put forth by both companies,” said Michael Beery, Regional Sales Manager at ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions. “Curator seeks out only the latest in security technology for its hotel members, which we have been honored to provide through our advanced solutions such as VingCard door locks and Mobile Access. As Curator's trusted security solutions provider, we look forward to further strengthening our relationships with each of their property stakeholders by ensuring that they have the advanced tools needed to deliver a guest stay experience that always exceeds expectations.”

03/15/2023

eviivo Launches Recognition Collection for Independent Accommodations Worldwide

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 eviivo, a hospitality software company known for its property management system, eviivo Suite, and mobile app, eviivo Mobile, announces the launch of eviivo Collective to recognize unique, notable and luxury independent properties worldwide. As part of eviivo’s 10-year anniversary milestone of eviivo Suite, the original ‘all-in-one’ cloud booking system, eviivo Collective is designed to celebrate, support and raise awareness for independently owned properties, as well as boutique hoteliers, hosts and owners who work in the independent accommodation sector. 

“For over a decade, our mission has always focused on prioritizing and supporting the hardworking hoteliers, hosts and owners of independent properties, and today, we’re incredibly proud to launch eviivo Collective, one of the most groundbreaking programs in our company’s history,” says eviivo CEO Michele Fitzpatrick. “Our vision with eviivo Collective is to shine light on our incredible properties — many that speak for themselves as award winners or deemed the best in their region — and to go above and beyond with our commitment to the independent accommodation sector. Most importantly, we consider all our properties part of the eviivo family, so we’re thrilled to give them recognition they deserve in such a competitive landscape.”

This is the first time in history a travel tech company has launched a program designed to promote and advocate the independent accommodation sector, working with its partners — such as online travel agencies (OTAs) and other hospitality brands — to showcase its over 20,000 independently owned properties, many that are considered among the best in the world.

“Eviivo is more than just the best software,” says eviivo CEO Eric White. “We’ve truly championed the independent accommodation sector from day one, whether through our Stay For Heroes initiative to establish free rooms for frontline workers during Covid-19 or our renowned eviivo Awards. With eviivo Collective, like-minded, independent property owners can feel proud as part of a community and be recognized for their commitment to the industry — and their resilience, especially after three challenging years of the pandemic. We’re stronger together, and eviivo Collective offers a sense of belonging and empowerment.”  

From historic Airbnbs designed by famous architects in the US to The New York Times-recognized castles in Scotland to award-winning destination resorts in France, eviivo properties have more leverage to capture repeat business, ensure quality and trust and add value for their customers with eviivo Collective. This is the world’s first software vendor designed to advocate distinctive properties across all segments: a luxury vacation rental or an urban Airbnb can be part of the same collection as an award-winning boutique hotel.

To celebrate eviivo Suite’s 10-year anniversary, the company is taking its commitment to the independent accommodation sector further by officially registering a global "Independent Accommodations Day.” First launched in 2018, Independent Accommodations Day was part of eviivo’s renowned “International Week of the Host,” where properties ran flash sales and celebrated through promotions and social media . IWOTH also included eviivo Awards — dubbed “the Oscars of independent accommodations” by Daily Mail — which honored the best in the industry.

Independent Accommodations Day, a day of recognition, occurs globally and annually every March 24 — a day everyone is invited to participate and recognize independently-owned properties and their workforce worldwide. #HappyIADay

“With eviivo Collective, we’re extending considerable support beyond customer service to our property owners, hosts and hoteliers as they continue to rise above from the impact of the pandemic,” says Melanie Wexler, Head of Global Services. “All of our property owners have an incredible story to tell, and we offer them a well-deserved platform.”