Hilversum, The Netherlands – NEC Philips together with its local business partner Destiny Electronics has obtained a significant order from the African Sun, Crowne Plaza Monomatapa, Harare in Zimbabwe, to provide the hotel with a UNIVERGE SV8100 communication server fully integrated with the hotel’s Property Management System. The system will comprise the latest range of telephone terminals including NEC’s sophisticated digital DT330 models, and is expected to be expanded with wireless solutions and networking capabilities in the near future.

In the initial phase, the system provided will complete the hotels requirements for the 180 hotel rooms, whilst expansion is expected in the course of 2010 towards integrating the Head Office into the same unified solution.  This will include wireless telephony and networking features. 

“We are extremely pleased being selected by this leading hotel to provide our hotel communications solution” , says Marc Heijnen, Channel manager for Central Africa at NEC Philips Unified Solutions. “It is a further recognition of the appeal and capabilities of our new SV8000 range of systems we have recently introduced.”

Modularity and flexibility determined the solution of choice

One of the key factors determining the choice for Destiny and NEC Philips’ UNIVERGE SV8100 platform was the system’s modular structure, making it easily expandable to cater for additional extensions, wireless solutions as well as its ability for networking. With the advent of the World Cup 2010 and the possibility of increased room occupancy, the Crowne Plaza Monomatapa required an IP system to cater for current needs and future networking options to enable VoIP communications between the Groups Hotels and Lodges country wide

Standing proudly against the Harare skyline, the Crowne Plaza’s unique concave shape reflects all the splendour of the ancient Royal Munhumutapa Kingdom. Overlooking the city, its mix of twin rooms, king leisure rooms and luxurious suites enjoy panoramic views of Harare. Conference and banqueting facilities are a speciality of this hotel with its large and well-trained staff ready to arrange everything from a small business meeting to a conference or reception for 250 people in one of the seven suites dedicated to this service. Crowne Plaza epitomises the hotel’s global links and standards as part of the Intercontinental Hotels stable.

“After a smooth installation and commissioning we look forward to future expansions to include the company’s network between headquarters and the various African Sun group of hotels and lodges”, concludes Marc Heijnen.