November 20, 2008
Siegel Sez
by: Richard Siegel
I am in Las Vegas at the Global Gaming Exposition, commonly referred to as G2E. I was doing the cocktail party thing Tuesday night and overheard a group in a lively discussion about the merits of Michael Schubach’s most recent article in Hospitality Upgrade. They didn’t know me and I wasn’t in their discussion, but how cool was it to overhear them discussing an article in our magazine? It was very cool. This was the second time in a week something like this happened. After the conclusion of IH/M&RS in New York I was on the 5 p.m. flight from LaGuardia to Atlanta. I was in an aisle seat and there was a guy on the other side of the aisle a row ahead of me working. The problem with people working on a plane is that everyone can see what you are doing. He was checking e-mail and what does he do open? The daily e-mail from Hotel Online and then he clicked through and read an article. Again, I didn’t talk to him, but it was just a high point to see somebody reading Hotel Online right in front of me. I know I can be nutty at times, but I just thought it was so neat to actually see somebody reading something we create. With me it is probably the little things that I enjoy most.
Speaking of the New York Show, we must thank George Little Management who produces the show, for moving our Technology Pavilion to a more central location. Attendance was off this year as it has been at most events, but the one place you could be sure to find the folks of technology was at our pavilion. It was a fun group. Thanks to the 45 people who attended our dinner on Monday night. We had a great turnout and a lot of fun. We have posted some pictures from the dinner on our Web site, http://www.hospitalityupgrade.com/_cool_new_stuff/2008_IH_M_RS.aspx.
The majority of those at our dinner were our customers, the vendors of technology. Even though they compete in the marketplace, this is a social event and the conversations are personal in nature. On a much larger scale we are entering our fourth year of the Executive Vendor Summit. Limited to presidents and C-level executives for those who provide technology, the conversations that go on at this two-day event are amazing. It is a very unique event and has grown every year and is expected to grow again this year. We will be holding the summit April 14-17 in San Antonio, Texas, at the beautiful Hotel Contessa on the River Walk. If you would like information about attending, please e-mail Sharon in our office at mailto:sharon@hospitalityupgrade.com.
After the conclusion of G2E then I will be off to HEDNA in New Orleans on Dec. 8 (http://www.hedna.org/networking/new_orleans_2008.cfm). HEDNA will be the last conference for me in 2008. It sure has been an interesting year for the industry with many highs and lows. Remember next month Jon Inge will be putting together his year in review which we all look forward to. I imagine he will have some interesting comments and observations to share. I can’t wait.
This is our last Siegel Sez before Thanksgiving so take a moment to be thankful for the things you have and not worry about the things you wish you had. Of course, if I could figure out a way to take my own advice I would be home free.
And finally, wish us luck on Sunday. Our 2-year-old undefeated colt Backbackbackgone, who has won all three of his races, is running farther than he ever has against the fastest horses he has ever competed against. This is his first graded stakes race at Hollywood Park in the Prevue Stakes. I must tell you, when they load the horses in the gate and your horse is in the race your heart beats a mile a minute. It is so exciting. Yes, the dream remains alive.
Here now is the real reason we are here, Jon Inge’s technology review of the last two weeks. I will see you at the end with this week’s attempt at “you-know-what.”
Rich@hospitalityupgrade.com
Technology NEWSSTAND
by: Jon Inge
Systems News in Plain English from Jon Inge
TOP O' THE NEWS
- Technology prominent at New York IH/M&RS
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Talk about getting pervasive: technology products won several categories of the Editors' Choice Awards at the recent International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York, and not just under the technology heading itself. As usual, there were five awards each in the regular and green categories, plus an overall Best of Show award. The 2008 winners are:
- Luxury and Kenneth F. Hine Best of Show - LG Electronics’ ART COOL Picture air conditioner.
- Décor - LG Electronics’ Stretch Screen digital signage monitor.
- Essentials – MJSI’s HydroClean Toilet Fill Valve.
- Restaurant - Rubbermaid Commercial Products’ Safe Ice Handling System.
- Technology – Earlex’s Raycop Anti-bacterial Handheld Vacuum with UVC technology.
- Green Décor – Cintas’ Eco-friendly Suiting Collection, using 100 percent recycled polyester.
- Green Essentials - The Sugar Cane Paper Company’s Biodegradable Standard Roll Toilet Tissue.
- Green Luxury - Valley Forge Fabrics’ LIVING FRESH high thread count bedding blend of eucalyptus and cotton fibers.
- Green Restaurant - The Sugar Cane Paper Company’s Premium Dinner Napkins (100 percent recycled materials).
- Green Technology – BioHitech’s GohBio 1001 high-speed food waste decomposition system.
**
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
- New England Vacation Management buys SPI's Orange Systems ResortSuite for two projects
- MICROS donates OPERA Enterprise to University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Czech Inn of West becomes first hotel to deploy MICROS’ Operetta
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For more on Property Management Systems for 11/20/08
REVENUE MANAGEMENT
- Rainmaker looks to bring Microsoft’s SQL Server Analytics and Business Intelligence reporting to revolution
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The Rainmaker Group has announced deepening ties with Microsoft to bring Microsoft’s SQL Server Analytics and Business Intelligence reporting functionality to its revolution Profit Optimization Suite. Rainmaker released its revolution Profit Optimization Suites on Microsoft’s .NET framework platform in June.
http://www.letitrain.com **
SALES & CATERING, MEETING PLANNING
- IACC publishes "Design for Great Technology" reference document
- Newmarket announces Delphi in the Classroom program
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The International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) has published its "Design for Great Technology" reference document, which outlines various levels of conference technology for different sizes and types of meeting rooms. IACC's board of directors also approved 11 new universal criteria standards and several new recommended guidelines. The "Design for Great Technology" details recommendations for basic, medium and high levels of conference technology; the base level requirements were incorporated into the universal criteria and will be part of member audits beginning in 2009.
http://www.iacconline.org **
Newmarket International has announced a program to provide its Delphi sales and catering system to universities at no cost under its Delphi in the Classroom program. The program provides access to Newmarket's eLearning courses, including New Employee and Power BEO (Banquet Event Order).
http://www.newmarketinc.com **
F&B/POINT OF SALE
- ReServe Interactive offers TableScout Table Status Alert System
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ReServe Interactive now offers HME Wireless’ TableScout Table Status Alert System, a hand-held unit that allows restaurant employees to update table status in ReServe Interactive's Table Management software directly from the dining room.
http://www.hmewireless.com,
http://www.reserveinteractive.com **
ENGINEERING
- INNCOM adds lighting set-back control to customizable in-room control unit
- INNCOM appoints Brantas International Technology its New Zealand dealer
- INNCOM named to Connecticut’s fastest growing tech companies list
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For more on Engineering for 11/20/08
SECURITY
- TimeLox passes 20,000-room milestone for DC-One ONLINE electronic locking system
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TimeLox now has over 20,000 hotel guestrooms operating on its wireless radio frequency (RF) DC-One ONLINE electronic locking system, with the completion of a 3,186-room installation at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
http://www.mandalaybay.com,
http://www.timelox.com **
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
- John F. Davis III joins Birch Street Systems as chief executive officer
- Expedia promotes Eric Grosse, David Roche and Henrik Kjellberg
- Michael LeMoine hired as vice president of operations at Safemark Systems
- Belinda Raymond joins System Concepts, Inc. sales and consulting team
- Jason Geall joins GetThere as director for EAME
- Jeff Thomas appointed to vice president global distribution at VFM Leonardo
- Richard Dunbar hired as director of Web site relations at EZYield.com
- Bradley Bolton joins Onity as global IT director
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For more on People on the Move for 11/20/08
RESERVATIONS
- Millennium and Copthorne adds EAME properties to Orbitz distribution agreement
- Marriott International signs new multiyear agreement with Expedia
- Expedia re-structures teams on worldwide brand basis
- Supranational Hotels signs with Pegasus Solutions for full distribution services
- Orient-Express signs with TravelCLICK for 41 hotels
- Open Hospitality introduces QuickStart portfolio of over 20 ten-page Web site designs
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For more on Reservations for 11/20/08
MARKETING/MANAGEMENT
- TravelCLICK wins 10 awards for Web site design excellence in 2008 W3 Awards competition
- Milestone Internet Marketing wins Silver Award in 2008 W3 Awards
- Hospitality eBusiness Strategies (HeBS) wins six W3 Silver Awards
- VIZERGY announces three new products
- VIZERGY awarded seven Adrian Awards for Web site design
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For more on Marketing/Management for 11/20/08
GUEST SERVICES
- Mondrian South Beach supplies TiVo recorders in all guestrooms
- Accor installing E-GuideTV in 625 corporately owned Motel 6 and Studio 6
- Guest-Tek joins Avaya’s DevConnect program
- Intelity announces Interactive Customer Experience (ICE) in-room concierge system
- PGA National Resort & Spa installs Flyte Systems’ FlyteBoard
- TeleAdapt passes one million pull-through Internet access points milestone
- INNCOM’s guestroom technologies now accessible over LodgeNet’s Interactive TV platform
- LodgeNet and LG Electronics developing interactive electronic program guide for Pro:Centric standard
- ZVOX announces Z-Base 550 HSD high-performance simulated surround sound system
- AT&T acquires Wi-Fi provider Wayport
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For more on Guest Services for 11/20/08
INVENTORY/PURCHASING
- Agilysys releases version 8.0 of Stratton Warren System
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Agilysys has released version 8.0 of its Stratton Warren System (SWS). Enhancements include electronic invoicing, budget tracking, USDA nutritional database upgrade, SWS Analytics for custom reports and dashboards, purchase summary analytical inquiry (including total spend by supplier, items purchased, trend analysis and change percentages) and improved security. SWS 8.0 also includes a new graphical user interface (GUI), store and forward enhancements and external document attachment functionality.
http://www.agilysys.com
**
You-Know-What
And now for you-know-what…
A lady is having a bad day at the roulette tables in Vegas. Down to her last $100, completely exasperated, she says, "What rotten luck. What in the world should I do now?"
A man next to her, trying to calm her down a bit, suggests, "Why don't you play another number, maybe something like your age."
She decides that trying a new number might be a good idea and thanks him. The man decides to try a new game and walks over to a black jack table across the aisle. Moments later, his he is intrigued to hear a great commotion back at the roulette table, thinking maybe she has won.
Rushing back to the table and pushing his way through the crowd, he is stunned to see the lady lying limp on the floor, with the table operator kneeling over her.
He asks, "What happened? Is she all right?"
The operator replies, "I don't know, buddy. She put all her money on 39. When 46 came up, she fainted."