HITEC Dallas 2021 is underway at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, from September 27 through September 30, 2021. Many exhibiting companies are generating buzz by releasing new products and software at or directly ahead of the event. Some are demonstrating products released earlier this year, and even others are partnering together to create new platforms that bring innovation to the hotel industry.
LODGING is attending HITEC and updating releases throughout the event; Most recently updated October 5, 2021.
aavgo—Virtual Front Desk
Contactless front desk solution aavgo’s Virtual Front Desk feature includes contactless check-in, a digital app for in-house guests to order room service and request amenities, digital workforce management tools to reduce operating costs, and a back-of-house smart platform. The aavgo company focuses on the digitization of hotel processes like operations, guest experiences, and revenue generation.
Agilysys—InfoGenesis POS via IG 12UX
Agilysys has made enhancements to InfoGenesis POS via the IG 12UX client to include the ability for hospitality operations to select from a range of approved fixed terminals and mobile devices across multiple operating systems depending on specific business needs and the preference of customers. Each certified point of sale device can operate on a common software platform for operations to flow.
Agilysys also released the new completely modernized Agilysys Visual One PMS Version 12. The new release offers cloud and on-premise installation options, a browser-based application with modern user experiences, broad mobile device support, multi-property feature sets, and seamless integration with other Agilysys third-party solutions, providing an enterprise-wide integrated solution for full-service resorts and hotels.
Amadeus—Partnerships
Amadeus rolled out several recent integrated solutions. In addition to the partnership with React Mobile (see below), Amadeus and Expedia Group are teaming up to expand access to mobility content. And Amadeus and Cvent have expanded their already existing partnership to further support and expand Cvent’s small meetings solutions.
Cloud5 Communications—Internet and Voice Solutions & Visual One PMS
Cloud5 introduced a range of services for the hospitality industry to maximize hotel resources, reduce costs, drive new revenue streams, and engage guests. In addition, Cloud5 is also showing its conference services, showing how operators can support their customers’ meeting needs for in-person and hybrid events. And the Saba guest enablement suite combines self-service food and beverage ordering and a chatbot functionality linked to Cloud5’s contact center services.
DISH Business—SMARTBOX 2
The DISH Business SMARTBOX 2 delivers up to 192 channels of HD TV while saving space and energy. The next generation of SMARTBOX makes entertainment experiences for the changing needs of guests accessible for properties of a variety of types and sizes. SMARTBOX 2 offers customizable solutions that can be tailored to each property’s needs, and it powers entertainment like EVOLVE, OnStream, and more while reducing power consumption by up to 50 percent. SMARTBOX 2 is also 40 percent smaller than the original.
IDeaS—Profit Optimization for G3 RMS
IDeaS Revenue Solutions announced Profit Optimization for G3 Revenue Management System. Profit Optimization is an enhancement to the G3 RMS revenue science engine that enables it to capture the most valuable business while considering the total contribution for each guest. This allows hoteliers to evaluate total revenues, profit margins for each revenue stream, and the costs associated with acquiring and servicing guest stays in real-time while determining metrics like profit per available room (ProPAR).
Infor—New Technology Solutions
Infor’s new technology solutions, as part of Infor’s Hospitality product portfolio, include two new guest self-service portals and mobile capabilities. Specifically, the announcements include upselling functionality to help hoteliers provide an enhanced experience at check-in and self-service online event booking functionality, which allows guests to reserve all details around an event including dates, location, and catering services without the engagement of a salesperson.
M3—M3 Labor
M3 Labor is a comprehensive mobile application supporting the company’s Labor Management tool. As the hospitality industry embraces mobile technology, M3 developed a cloud-based solution designed to give more time and flexibility to hoteliers through data-driven workforce management tools delivered to their smartphones. M3 Labor offers all labor management customers access to M3’s cloud-based reporting system.
Nuvola—5.0 Platform
Nuvola announced the launch of the 5.0 platform designed to further enhance the guest experience, ease daily task management for staff, and speak to the current needs of the hospitality industry. The complete system-wide upgrade includes a new user interface and experience to increase practicality and intuitive functionality. Shortcuts and advanced search filters are now available to create more direct access to information through minimized clicks.
OTA Insight—Market Insight
OTA Insight’s Market Insight is a predictive market intelligence platform and an analytical solution that eliminates the uncertainty of historical performance analysis. It provides real-time metrics into future market demand projections. Market Insight takes data from a range of funnel sources and helps hotels determine guests’ intent and monitor the progress of the industry’s COVID-19 recovery by region.
Overproof—BarInsights
Overproof—a business intelligence company that offers brand management and field execution tools for the beverage, alcohol, and hospitality industries—has launched BarInsights, a platform that empowers brands and restaurants to monetize their existing POS sales data and give supplies insight into their on premise performance and return on investments. Overproof integrates directly with the merchant’s POS system.
Phonesuite Direct and Curator Hotel & Resort Collection—Partnership
Phonesuite Direct, a provider of hospitality communications and a subsidiary of Phonesuite, has been named a preferred Hosted PBX and On-Premise PBX provider for Curator Hotel & Resort Collection. Phonesuite works with hoteliers who want a direct-to-the-manufacturer relationship and serves the needs of its end-user consumers including independent hotels, management companies, and brands.
PPDS—Philips MediaSuite 4K UHD pro TV
PPDS launched the 4K UHD Philips MediaSuite 75” connected to pro TV. The newest and biggest addition to the Philips MediaSuite range brings the movie theater experience to the hotel room, offering extensive entertainment choice and capabilities—including Netflix, Chromecast built-in, and thousands of apps.
React Mobile and Amadeus—Employee Safety Devices
Together, React Mobile and Amadeus are making it easier for hoteliers to adopt and implement municipal and state-mandated employee safety devices. Integration between the Amadeus HotSOS Housekeeping platform and the React Mobile panic button solution is aiding hoteliers in creating safer work environments by leveraging technology.
ROAR for Good—Secures Patent Approval
ROAR for Good has been approved for U.S. Patent No. 11,28,987, which recognizes the uniqueness of and protects the significant technological advancement of ROAR for Good’s Bluetooth low energy mesh network system, which has applicability across numerous industries. The innovation was created in an effort to eliminate “drops,” blind spots, or downed coverage for network security systems and was developed and tested by a team of ROAR for Good engineers over the course of several years.
Samsung—Hospitality TVs
Samsung introduced its new series of Hospitality TVs. The sleek and easy to mount Q60A and Q50A combine Samsung’s Quantum Dot processors with 4K resolution, Quantum HDR, and Smart TV features, meaning guests can enjoy home entertainment. The Q60A is compatible with Samsung LYNK Cloud for easier device and content management and business analytics. LYNK Cloud can be used as a targeted marketing solution for incremental revenue generation.
SONIFI—SORA, STAYCAST, and more
SONIFI is showing its interactive SORA platform, which offers personalized experiences for guests with minimal onsite hardware and customizable promotion opportunities. SONIFI is also showing its OTT solution—STAYCAST—and its guest internet solutions that are customized in a variety of infrastructure to offer reliable WiFi connections. SONIFI is also showing its third-party systems, safety buttons, voice assistants, smart room controls, and more.
Upkeeply—Progressive Web Application
The Upkeeply company is launching at HITEC and provides technology that can improve guest satisfaction and hotel maintenance. The software is an app that replaces multiple applications within its communication tools across one application. The app’s integrated messaging option enables guests to chat directly with the hotel from their mobile devices through WhatsApp.
Virdee and Cendyn—Whitepaper
Virdee and Cendyn released a whitepaper focused on the convergence of technologies empowering hoteliers to provide guests with real-time, personalized experiences all along the guest journey, including at check-in. Virdee recently integrated its virtual reception with Cendyn’s CRM platform to help hoteliers drive ancillary revenue while creating moments for their valued guests.
Visual Matrix—VM Mobile
Visual Matrix is demonstrating how hoteliers can streamline a property’s operations through VM Mobile, which provides intuitive access to PMS functions that are vital to the hotel business. The software is available through an app. Visual Matrix is also showing its VM staff productivity feature, which allows staff to determine what daily tasks have been assigned to them through their mobile device.
World Cinema and Four Winds Interactive—Partnership
World Cinema, a hospitality technology service provider, announced a partnership with Four Winds Interactive to bring purpose-built digital signage solutions to hotel and multifamily properties nationwide. Digital signage allows properties to promote their services, attractions, special features, and offers in an easy-to-read format.
Zoox Smart Data—Zoox Smart Data Platform
The Zoox Smart Data platform is a data solution that helps hoteliers manage their revenue by enhancing guest WiFi monetization strategies. It leverages the existing WiFi network and collects guest demographics and analytics like name, income, and occupation. This allows hoteliers to create targeted surveys, advertisements, and more. Guest data is continuously aggregated to create an up-to-date guest profile.
