HTA - Tech Trends in 2009
Speaking to HTA at Accuvia.com, Ashley Mudoch explains trends to generate revenues through technology
by Jason Jefferys – speaking to Accuvia.com
Jason Jefferys, MD of iRiS Software
Solutions, thinks that technology is going to
be perceived differently after the current
economic crisis, and that iRiS is seeing more
polarized thinking.
He thinks hotels are looking to find ways to generate more loyalty, and
are seeking added value in the solutions they are buying, with ROI
opportunities becoming more important.
Operators need to make their dollars go further and so solutions that
add value tick the right boxes, says Jefferys, telling how in a time
where hoteliers are investing more carefully, iRiS Personal Valet
represents real value to them by delivering on many levels such as
revenue generation, communication, IP functionality, and room control
- and the multi-solution can also replace many standalone guestroom
products.
A trend Jefferys is seeing is that clients are maximizing their
investments to get more rounded solutions in the rooms. Increasingly
focused on ROI, they are spending right to maximize the return. iRiS
personal Valet encourages cross-selling and up-selling and offers an
opportunity to run ads, which all generate revenues; it also improves
the quality of the guests experience of the city they are staying in.
This is a solution that makes sense financially. You get more bang for
your buck, says the MD. We deliver tangible value, not buzz-word
rhetoric.
Jefferys sees operators are taking a little step back and exercising
more prudence. Theyre not stopping investment just maximizing the
money they spend, which benefits iRiS due to what they can offer
hoteliers. The company is currently
in negotiations with various properties in U.A.E., UK and US.
We then discuss convergence, and how increasingly operators
want more solutions through one medium. iRiS makes it easy for
guests to access and use hotel amenities, helped by the fact that
the system is multilingual and interactive. Guests can communicate
directly with hotel staff in their own language which encourages
them to spend more money.
Another trend Jefferys notes relates to the desired physicality of
technology. People want touch-responsive, wireless, portable,
ease of use and this is seen in tech trends across the board, from
kids games to telecom systems. We should look at how these
trends are moving forward, he says.
According to Jefferys, one iRiS customer in The UAE sees buying
the latest technology as a way to remain competitive. It is his
driving strategy moving forward, as he can deliver what his guests
want.
Jefferys feels it is an exciting time for companies who can deliver
technology with interfaces that guests expect for example the
iPhone. This he feels is driving many consumers purchasing
decisions and hotels need to do the same.
To generate further loyalty, which in turn creates greater income,
hoteliers need to embrace the tech expectations of their guests;
iRiS delivers this on many levels.
Jason Jefferys, MD
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