Nomadix^® Inc​., a technology provider in the hospitality and multi-tenant industries, announced a partnership with Wide Computer Systems, one of the Middle East’s solution and service providers for hospitality. This partnership will bring significant benefits to both existing and new customers, combining Nomadix's high-quality product portfolio with Wide Computer Systems’ expertise in customer support, quality management and hotel operations.

The Middle East is one of the fastest and strongest developing markets in the world. Wide Computer Systems will capitalize on the increasing regional demand for technologies to enhance global digital experiences, as well as employee safety by offering Nomadix Alerts – a 2-in-1 staff safety and productivity solution and Angie Voice Assistants – the multilingual digital concierge for hospitality.

“Wide Computer Systems is one of the most experienced and reputable solution and service providers in the Middle East. Kamal and his team have a proven track-record of delivering outstanding results, having served more than 500 customers over the past 24 years,” said Hauke Lenthe, managing director, EMEA and APAC at Nomadix.

Lenthe continued “We’re honored to partner with them to continue to expand further in the region, and we believe the Wide Computer Systems team complements both of our efforts for implementing secure, reliable and quality technology that creates better, more connected experiences.”

“Development and growth are strong across the region, and we have seen continuous demand for new cutting-edge technologies,” said Kamal Bhatia, managing director of Wide Computer Systems.

Bhatia continued “Nomadix has a well-established history in the Middle East, and we are very excited to partner with them to offer their world-class solutions across the region. Through our partnership we will introduce new and innovative solutions to our customers from one trusted, expert provider.”

 Sabre Corporation, a software and technology provider that powers the global travel industry, has announced an enhanced agreement with Kempinski Hotels, the Europe’s oldest luxury hotel company, to enable the luxury hotel chain to upgrade its customer booking experience.

Kempinski Hotels, which celebrated its 125^th anniversary in 2022, launched a contemporary new website, powered by Sabre’s state-of-the-art SynXis Custom Booking Engine. Through this innovative solution, Kempinski Hotels has been able to create its own bespoke user design and experience, with features including soft date availability search, upsell capability, and the ability to engage and convert shoppers to bookers using modern ecommerce features such as price comparison and alternate availability.

“We hugely appreciate our ongoing strategic collaboration with Sabre, who we have been working with for over five years,” said Riko van Santen, Chief Information Officer, Kempinski Hotels. “Sabre’s advanced technology solutions continue to support our business goals as we enter into our 126^th year, by allowing us to streamline operations and improve the guest booking experience.”

Additionally, through the use of Sabre’s Data Warehouse solution, Kempinski is able to connect its CRS directly with its Guest Intelligence System, thereby enabling the best-in-class technology solutions to work seamlessly together and allowing Kempinski to build its own internal reports based on the data received.

“Today’s guests expect a seamless experience across devices and touchpoints,” said Frank Trampert, senior vice president, global managing director – commercial, Sabre Hospitality. “By utilizing Sabre’s technology-leading hospitality solutions, Kempinski Hotels is able to differentiate itself through a more modern booking experience, allowing it to increase conversions and enhance its offering to guests through greater personalization.”

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux is making its largest technological investment in brand history.

Walk-On’s is implementing a systemwide aggregator to consolidate third party orders, partnering with Lunchbox to upgrade its online ordering platform and guest loyalty program, and introducing a partnership with Toast to level up its POS management system.

71% say the ability to integrate with other systems is driving their POS purchase decisions, according to HT’s2 2023 POS Software Trends Report.

Walk-On’s new loyalty program and app, designed by Lunchbox, are scheduled to launch in the first half of 2023 with an improved interface and back-end integration that will create a more seamless user experience for guests and operators alike. 

Continuing with marked enhancements to the guest experience, Walk-On’s is also partnering with BOWEN to modernize the brand’s website presence and streamline the online ordering experience. 

In addition to the upgraded Toast POS system, Walk-On’s is installing Toast Kitchen Display System, and rolling out Toast Go 2 mobile handheld POS devices for tableside and curbside use at current and future locations. 

Walk-On’s will implement a phased rollout across all current locations throughout 2023 and begin immediate implementation at all new restaurants in their development pipeline. 

Comprehensive restaurant ordering platform Tyme and biometrics fintech company PopID, which is part of The Cali Group, have formed a partnership.

PopID is bringing its face verification platform, called PopPay, to Tyme self-checkout kiosks. The new integration will allow consumers to use face verification to check in and receive personalized order recommendations and also pay on Tyme kiosks. This update, paired with the kiosk's ability to accept traditional payment forms, will enhance the customer experience by giving them flexibility in how they order and pay.

71% say the ability to integrate with other systems is driving their POS purchase decisions, according to HT’s 2023 POS Software Trends Report.

The new integration moves biometrics from its rapidly expanding usage in airports to restaurants and retail stores.  A customer that enrolls in the service can choose to "check in" with a face scan, and the customer sees his or her favorite orders from that particular location, including their their favorite modifications and order add-ons.

How it Works

• A customer submits a selfie when enrolling with PopID's PopPay and links a credit / debit card or bank account to their account.
• When the customer checks in with PopPay on a Time kiosk, the machine scans their face and shows their favorite orders. 
• When the customer goes to check out on a Tyme kiosk, the machine scans their face again and recognizes the payment information linked to their account.

UK hotel technology company Journey Hospitality has announced the launch of its first Consultancy division, dedicated to helping hoteliers digitally transform their business and the industry as a whole. 

As part of the company’s mission to revolutionise hotel ecommerce, the new Consulting division is headed by Strategic Director Simon Kaye and Susanne Williams as Commercial Director - Consulting. 

Kaye joins Journey from his role as VP Services and Client Delivery for Alliants. HIs technology background, paired with commercial nous, sees Kaye act as a surrogate CIO for hospitality companies, identifying gaps in technology stacks and providing solutions to ensure businesses are performing well today and in the future. 

Williams returns to Journey Hospitality from Alliants to deliver strategies that drive growth in the commercial and technology space for hotels. Her expertise in driving profitability across all revenue streams with commercial frameworks that deliver business change at board level will provide Journey’s clients with unique analyses and recommendations to improve performance. 

Simon Bullingham, founder and CEO of Journey Hospitality, said: “It’s important to us that we engage with our partners and customers to drive wider change in hotel ecommerce - and a more profitable future for the industry. The launch of our Consultancy division allows Journey Hospitality to further extend support to the industry, helping investors, owners and operators identify opportunities to improve both today and tomorrow.”

Williams said: “Returning to Journey was an easy choice. I know how much value they add to their clients and how customer relationships are integral to the way they do business. The new Consultancy division will build upon that ethos in an area of the industry that Journey has previously not explored - working closely with investors, owners and operators to identify transformational opportunities for growth.”

Kaye said: “With our proven track record of delivering strategies that drive growth in both the commercial and back-of-house for hotel groups and individual properties, I’m excited to lead this new chapter for Journey Hospitality along with Susanne. I look forward to helping companies through digital transformation and improving their operational effectiveness whilst keeping guests at their heart.”

Journey’s new consultancy team has experience in reinvigorating hospitality companies, including leading brands such as Four Seasons, Warner Leisure and Soho House’s venture Mollie’s Motel and Diners. 

In March 2022, Journey Hospitality launched its revolutionary all-in-one ecommerce platform, onejourney® servicing over 130 luxury hotels and resorts worldwide, facilitating multi-product shopping baskets, and driving sales of non-accommodation facilities and services, and ancillary revenue streams. 

ShiftPixy Inc. announced the development of ordering apps designed to elevate customer engagement with Digital Food Brands (DFBs) – online-only restaurants that deliver to the customer doorstep.

The ShiftPixy Labs apps will be uniquely branded for each DFB, and customers can easily browse menus, customize orders, add special instructions, track their delivery status in real time, pay for their meals and earn loyalty points all from their mobile devices. The new apps will be available for download on both iOS and Android devices.

“What sets our apps apart from the competition is the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to personalize the customer experience,” said ShiftPixy Co-Founder and CEO, Scott Absher. “By analyzing past ordering history and preferences, and through a short chat with our brand characters within the app, the AI bot will present a few suggested menu items tailored specifically to each individual customer along with available deals with each order.”

Each DFB’s individual app will have its own unique brand identity and harness a loyalty program, such that each time a customer places an order, a portal to a “mini game” will be activated for 40 minutes, allowing the customer to play and earn loyalty points that can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, such as discounts on future orders, free menu items, early access to new menu items and promotions, and merchandise.

ShiftPixy Labs Digital Food Brands will embrace first-party delivery to make certain the entire cycle of customer engagement is protected and consistent, and customers will be able to reach ShiftPixy’s support team via the chatbot at any time after an order has been placed.

"...We believe that our new food ordering apps will engage customers through a personal digital experience that will keep them brand connected,” said Absher.