What You Missed from the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show
Last week the 94th annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show blew into New York City's Jacob K. Javits Center from November 7-10, and the team from Hospitality Technology was on hand to learn about the latest product releases to hit the market. For those industry executives not in attendance at this year's show, Hospitality Technology offers this roundup of the top stories that you may have missed.
NEXTEP Debuts Self Check-In/Out Solution
NEXTEP's Self Check-In/Out solution for hospitality management systems offers a seamless
experience for guests, and improved efficiency and customer service for management. Designed to simplify the hotel stay experience and guest travel, NEXTEP's Self Check-In/Out offers several innovative features to reduce total guest time spent at the front desk including a touch-screen kiosk that invites guests to: check in/out within 30 seconds or less, encode their room keys, upgrade and change rooms, and more.VingCard Showcases its RF-Online Wireless Locking System
VingCard Elsafe, a leading hospitality security provider and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, showcased its wireless RF-online system, VISIONLINE by VingCard. VISIONLINE by VingCard was introduced and commercialized to the market in 2006 as one of the first wireless online systems based on ZigBee technology, a secured wireless open platform. The product offers a cost-effective solution for properties to facilitate reliable two-way wireless online communication from standalone electronic door locks to their host security and PMS systems.
VingCard Elsafe, a leading hospitality security provider and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, showcased its wireless RF-online system, VISIONLINE by VingCard. VISIONLINE by VingCard was introduced and commercialized to the market in 2006 as one of the first wireless online systems based on ZigBee technology, a secured wireless open platform. The product offers a cost-effective solution for properties to facilitate reliable two-way wireless online communication from standalone electronic door locks to their host security and PMS systems.
Energy-Saving LCDs and Plasma HDTVs Top Latest LG Electronics Offerings
As properties seek ways to become more environmentally-friendly, LG has developed commercial-grade televisions with a host of features designed to reduce energy consumption, and offer cost savings on a per-room basis. LG is also leading the way in sustainability in the hospitality space by announcing a recycling program for obsolete hotel TVs and monitors. Together with Waste Management, LG is planning to offer hotel operators the opportunity to responsibly dispose of outdated TVs and computer monitors. LG's Commercial Air Conditioning division also showcased a range of HVAC solutions that deliver energy efficiency and guest comfort.
As properties seek ways to become more environmentally-friendly, LG has developed commercial-grade televisions with a host of features designed to reduce energy consumption, and offer cost savings on a per-room basis. LG is also leading the way in sustainability in the hospitality space by announcing a recycling program for obsolete hotel TVs and monitors. Together with Waste Management, LG is planning to offer hotel operators the opportunity to responsibly dispose of outdated TVs and computer monitors. LG's Commercial Air Conditioning division also showcased a range of HVAC solutions that deliver energy efficiency and guest comfort.
SAFLOK, Control4 Partnership Brings Guestrooms to Life at the Click of a Lock
SAFLOK has integrated some of its best-selling Messenger technology on the Control4 Suite Systems for "smart rooms" at hotel properties. The SAFLOK lock essentially becomes part of an online virtual network that uses the ZigBee mesh to communicate with Control4 Suite Systems' in-room controllers. With the SAFLOK software inside the Control4 hubs, properties will utilize one communications backbone and maximize the benefits of a single infrastructure. As the "gateway," the lock maintains a key role in communicating access information to the in-room coordinators, which in turn determine how the in-room appliances such as lamps, thermostats, or the TV will respond. This leveraging of technology is expected to provide properties with an improved bottom line.
SAFLOK has integrated some of its best-selling Messenger technology on the Control4 Suite Systems for "smart rooms" at hotel properties. The SAFLOK lock essentially becomes part of an online virtual network that uses the ZigBee mesh to communicate with Control4 Suite Systems' in-room controllers. With the SAFLOK software inside the Control4 hubs, properties will utilize one communications backbone and maximize the benefits of a single infrastructure. As the "gateway," the lock maintains a key role in communicating access information to the in-room coordinators, which in turn determine how the in-room appliances such as lamps, thermostats, or the TV will respond. This leveraging of technology is expected to provide properties with an improved bottom line.
TeleAdapt Offers New Ways for Hotel Guests to Use their iPod/iPhone in the Hotel Room
TeleAdapt, a global supplier of hotel products designed to keep hotel guests connected, unveiled a new way for hotels to offer iPod and iPhone connectivity in their guestrooms. The new Audio / Video Pull-Through connects iPods and iPhones to the in-room TV so guests can watch their downloaded video and movies in high quality on the flat screen TV, as well as listen to their own music through the in-room TV speakers.
Bittel's UNO Takes Home Multiple Honors from the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show
Less than two weeks after its introduction, Bittel Electronics' new UNO product line received the award for "Best New Product: Technology," as well as the Kenneth F. Hines "Best in Show" award, as selected by an independent panel of editors from the leading hospitality industry trade publications. Bittel UNO combines a full-featured hotel room phone, an alarm clock/radio, and an iPod/iPhone/mp3 player audio interface.
Less than two weeks after its introduction, Bittel Electronics' new UNO product line received the award for "Best New Product: Technology," as well as the Kenneth F. Hines "Best in Show" award, as selected by an independent panel of editors from the leading hospitality industry trade publications. Bittel UNO combines a full-featured hotel room phone, an alarm clock/radio, and an iPod/iPhone/mp3 player audio interface.
OpenWays Integrates with MICROS OPERA to Offer World Class Guest Services via Mobile Phones
OpenWays, a global developer of mobile-based access-management and guest-service solutions for the hospitality industry, has joined forces with MICROS Systems, Inc, to better respond to the exploding demand by hoteliers for leveraging cell phone technology and its related infrastructure to offer better service to their guests. This alliance allows hotels to offer a continuum of mobile services before, during, and after the stay of a guest.