Hilversum, 30 September 2010 – The 5-star Hotel Okura Amsterdam has selected NEC as strategic partner for Hospitality Communications and commissioned the delivery of a fully integrated Hospitality Communications System. The system, which is based completely on IP technology, comprises sophisticated communications facilities to enhance the guest experience, increase hotel staff efficiency and drive profits.
Service to guests will be optimised by deploying NEC’s wireless IP-DECT mobility solution and a messaging solution that is integrated with a rapid response system. The hotel’s entire security system will also be directly connected to the communications system, giving it the strategic value of a fully integrated security platform.
‘‘It’s partly due to NEC’s in-depth knowledge of the hotel industry, its dedicated team and their huge experience with communications systems in 5-star hotels that we decided to replace our current system with NEC’s Hospitality Communications System. In NEC we found the trusted partner we were looking for,” says Ms. Emmy Stoel, Deputy General Manager of the Hotel Okura Amsterdam. “Our existing system was based on dated technology and did not offer integration of voice and data, needed for the messaging solution we require. The separate sub-systems were inefficient to manage and resulted in high operating costs”.
“We’re extremely proud of the fact that a 5-star hotel like Hotel Okura Amsterdam, with its prominent place on the list of Leading Hotels of the World and its multiple restaurants which in total have been honoured with 3 Michelin stars, should opt for our Hospitality communication solution,” says Kees van Donk, Directory Hospitality EMEA at NEC. “This strengthens us in our vision and our objectives for this sector: to provide communications solutions that increase efficiency, lower costs and optimise service to the guests. The benefits of mobile communications throughout the entire hotel are clear for both employees and guests. Guests will be better served thanks to short response times and the increased efficiency of the personnel will lead to lower costs for the hotel”.
IP terminals are used by staff at the front- and back-office, while the guest rooms are equipped with Teledex terminals. Besides the IP voice platform, the Hospitality Communication Solution comprises a messaging solution which integrates with the Fire-alarm server and the Building management system, as well as the HotSOS rapid response system for enhanced guest services. Integration with the hotel’s Property Management System is provided by the Tiger application which also takes care of call accounting while the UC application Business ConneCT Operator Attendant ensures fast call handling and a more efficient use of the front desk staff.