News Briefs

Visit Group, a hospitality and travel tech provider, has partnered strategically with Atomize, a global hotel revenue management software frontrunner. This collaboration aims to create a next-generation and full-service AI-driven technology platform catering to the travel and hospitality sector worldwide. 

Bringing together a wealth of experience spanning 30 years in hospitality and travel technology, Visit Group and Atomize are exceptionally positioned to address the evolving needs of the travel industry. This partnership combines Visit Group’s extensive e-commerce, packaging, and distribution solutions with Atomize’s advanced revenue optimization platform, which includes real-time price automation and demand forecasting.

A hallmark of this alliance is the integration and technical setup with ESS Group, a leading hotel group in the Nordics and the initiative’s first beneficiary. This collaboration highlights both technology providers’ platform’s vast potential to transform operations, guest experiences, and profitability across various hospitality industry sectors.

“We are excited to embark on this strategic partnership with Visit Group, this partnership is not just about enhancing operational efficiencies; it’s about redefining the guest experience and setting new benchmarks in revenue management through AI-driven solutions. Together, we are committed to empowering the global hospitality and tourism sector to exceed their potential in an ever-evolving market landscape,” says Alexander Edström, CEO at Atomize. 

This partnership extends beyond the merger of two complementary technologies; it seeks to establish a unified digital ecosystem that covers all facets of the digital travel service spectrum. From personalized booking systems to post-departure customer engagement, and from maximizing revenue to boosting operational efficiency, the collaboration between Visit Group and Atomize is designed to offer an unparalleled platform for the travel and tourism industry. This strategic initiative is supported by a total of 250 dedicated employees, servicing 3000 hotels and travel operators worldwide, and is equipped to meet the ambitious goals of today’s travel service providers.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Atomize to unveil a solution eagerly anticipated by the broader travel industry.  Leveraging Atomize’s deep and extensive AI expertise, our partnership is not merely about addressing current needs but is a forward-looking endeavor poised to anticipate and shape the future of the travel sector.Together, our combined expertise and resources are set to revolutionize what hotel and travel operators can achieve, with ESS Group pioneering as the first to experience the benefits of this strategic partnership”, stated James Dixon, CEO at Visit Group.

This strategic partnership is poised to redefine standards of innovation, efficiency, and profitability for the industry, promising a future where cutting-edge technology seamlessly enhances customer experiences.

PopID and Steak n Shake announced today that all Steak n Shake locations in the United States now accept PopID Check In (to review favorite orders and loyalty points) and PopPay for checkout. With more than 300 locations, Steak n Shake is the first national restaurant brand in the United States to adopt biometric check-in and checkout nationwide. PopID’s biometric check-in feature makes kiosk ordering faster, easier, and more personalized.

The implementation of PopID in every Steak n Shake location was accomplished rapidly and at low cost through a partnership between PopID and ACRELEC, a leading supplier of kiosk-ordering hardware and drive-through products. Cameras were shipped to every restaurant for attachment to the existing ACRELEC kiosks. “As explained in our recent publication, ACRELEC believes that our integrated biometric solution provides various benefits to restaurant operators related to throughput, ticket size, and loyalty engagement,” says Bruno Lo-Re, President of ACRELEC America.

“We are thrilled about our partnership with PopID and to be on the edge of biometric technology for the benefit of our customers. Our guests now have the option to use biometrics for a faster and more seamless experience,” says Sardar Biglari, Chairman of Biglari Holdings, the parent company of Steak n Shake.

Now that biometrics are enabled for all ordering and payment inside Steak n Shake restaurants, PopID and Steak n Shake will begin implementing biometric check-in and checkout at the restaurant’s drive-through units. “Similar to the kiosks, biometric check in can increase loyalty participation and revenue at the drive thru while also reducing payment processing costs,” says John Miller, CEO of PopID and Chairman of Cali Group. “Additionally, biometric payment at the order confirmation screen enables staff members to work on tasks other than taking payments by card and phone at the order pick-up window.”

CallTek, Inc., a provider of white-label technical support services, is excited to announce its new Technology as a Service (TaaS) program. This innovative offering delivers a comprehensive technology solution, including third-party financing for on-site implementation, 24/7 remote support, and essential professional services. Covering infrastructure, licensing, and a diverse array of IT and medical devices, TaaS represents a significant advancement in technology integration.

TaaS will make its debut at two major technology events for the hospitality industry: the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) and the Technology Investment Conference, hosted by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, during the week of June 24 in Charlotte, NC.

"CallTek’s TaaS approach offers technology integrators a competitive edge by providing immediate access to innovative solutions through a streamlined financial model. This method not only conserves working capital but also boosts operational efficiency," said Tony Espinoza, CEO of CallTek. "The TaaS model ensures integrators receive vital installation and support services, and state-of-the-art equipment, all bundled into a single finance package without any initial capital outlay. Our program is designed to help integrators secure more business while enabling hotels and businesses to meet their technology needs and obligations to guests and customers."

This program is available to technology integrators and operators across North America, including the hospitality, healthcare, education, and multi-family dwelling sectors

SoundHound AI, Inc., a provider of voice artificial intelligence, announced the acquisition of key assets from Allset, an online ordering platform that connects restaurants and local customers. As part of the acquisition, Allset’s team will be joining SoundHound, further strengthening the company’s capabilities and commitment to innovation.

The closing of the acquisition will bring additional restaurant relationships, engineering skills, and marketplace know-how to SoundHound AI as it builds towards its vision of a voice commerce ecosystem that enables consumers to access goods and services through natural conversation. This includes plans to facilitate voice-enabled food and drink ordering across millions of cars, TVs, and smart devices.

Founded in 2015, Allset is a food ordering platform designed for local pick-up, providing a seamless, cost-effective dining experience that allows both consumers and restaurants to bypass the high fees charged by delivery apps. The business received backing from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, and has amassed nearly 7,000 restaurant partners nationwide, including Joe & The Juice and Charleys Cheesesteaks.

Alongside continuing the services provided by Allset, all of the platform’s current restaurant partners – as well as all new signups to Allset – will now have full access to a suite of SoundHound’s voice AI products to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and drive sales.

The Allset leadership team, including Co-Founders Stas Matviyenko and Anna Polishchuk, will also apply their extensive marketplace experience to accelerating SoundHound’s first-of-its-kind voice monetization platform. The move mobilizes a key part of the company’s growth strategy, enabling consumers to use conversational voice AI to effortlessly order food from their vehicles or a voice-enabled device, like a TV.

Today, SoundHound is a market leader for restaurant voice AI solutions, working with over 10,000 restaurant locations. The company’s fast, accurate voice ordering technology can be deployed across multiple channels, including via phone, drive-thru, kiosk, and mobile app. The system can seamlessly pick-up customer orders, understand speech in a range of major languages, learn any restaurant’s menu, process orders directly to the POS, answer customer FAQs, and even upsell add-ons and offer special promotions.

SoundHound also works with world class clients across a range of other sectors, including smart devices, TVs, and automotive – where SoundHound’s solutions are in millions of units around the world today.

“As a business, Allset will help SoundHound bring voice AI solutions to even more restaurants looking to improve operational efficiency. At the same time, the Allset team brings a wealth of marketplace experience and knowledge that will make our bigger vision of a voice commerce ecosystem a reality,” said Keyvan Mohajer, CEO and Co-Founder of SoundHound AI. “Together, we plan to provide dynamic and convenient ways for people to order food and complete a range of other transactions just by speaking naturally.”

"We are thrilled to join forces with SoundHound to combine our established partnerships and marketplace expertise with SoundHound’s class-leading voice AI solutions and capabilities," said Stas Matviyenko, CEO and Co-Founder of Allset. "From the beginning, we realized that we share the same vision for the voice commerce ecosystem that elevates the consumer experience. This team-up will accelerate our progress toward the next exciting phase of AI-powered ordering convenience."

Learn more about SoundHound AI’s vision for a voice commerce ecosystem here.

Onity, a provider of electronic locks and mobile access solutions, is thrilled to  announce the enhanced DirectKey™ 3.0 system and an advancement in IoT-based hospitality security.  The company is set to showcase its expanded connected capabilities for electronic locks and mobile  access solutions at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC), from June  24-27 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Onity is part of Honeywell, a leading provider of solutions and services  that improve the occupant experience and are used in more than 10 million buildings worldwide. 

DirectKey 3.0 

Onity is proud to present the latest iteration of its flagship DirectKey mobile access technology. Onity’s  DirectKey technology allows guests to unlock doors upon approach using their mobile device - enabling  seamless entries across the property from parking garage, to elevators, guest rooms and beyond. Key  enhancements include: 

• Updated DirectKey ecosystem: Faster update times for firmware and data transfers as well as  lower power consumption for improved battery life.  

• Security and Enhanced Performance: Utilizing 128-bit AES data encryption to provide an  additional layer of security, complementing existing user access permissions and audit trails.  Designed to deliver faster open times and support quick connection to multiple users in common  areas such as elevators. 

• Soft Broker Technology: Enabling DirectKey/DirectKey Firmware capabilities on third-party  hardware platforms without the need for a DirectKey/DirectKey module. 

IoT Transformation for Enhanced Hotel Management 

Onity’s new 1-way and 2-way connected solutions will set the stage for future developments, offering  significant benefits to hoteliers: 

• Enhanced Front Desk Monitoring & Control: Allows front desk staff to monitor battery levels,  receive live alarms for forced door openings or doors held open, and remotely lock down  individual doors. 

• Improved Maintenance Capabilities: Features such as remote time setting adjustments for  daylight savings, lower staff costs, remote audits, and elimination of lock re-programming after  battery replacement. 

• Outstanding Guest Experience: Enables seamless room moves or extended stays, enhancing  the overall guest experience. 

New connected capabilities redefine property management and guest interaction:

• CloudConnect™: A cloud-based property management software (PMS) interface that eliminates  the need for on-premise hardware and wiring. It provides a single endpoint for PMS collaborators,  allowing seamless creation of key cards or digital keys. 

• Serene™ Wall Reader: A complete and connected solution offering flexible access to elevators,  parking garages, and common areas. 

• IoT Gateway: A scalable IoT mesh network infrastructure for properties with online locks,  facilitating remote access control for Onity connected locks. 

• Integrations: Collaborations with Wi-Fi access points and room management systems (RMS),  such as Inncom by Honeywell, enabling 2-way communication with Onity locks. 

"Providing connected capabilities for our customers highlights our dedication to enhancing experiences  for both hotel staff and guests," said Fayyad Sbaihat, President of Onity. "The future is promising as Onity  will soon launch a comprehensive dashboard for property owners and operators, offering valuable  analytics and insights into the operation and performance of their mobile credentialing and electronic  locking systems." 

For more information, visit Onity booth #3040 on June 25-27 at HITEC or visit www.onity.com.