Business-class hotel saves significant time and money turning to 1 low-cost provider of Wired and Wireless High Speed Internet Access, PBX, Call Accounting, Voice Mail, CCTV and Digital TV solutions
SOUTH LAKE, TEXAS / FORT WORTH, TEXAS (Nov. 10, 2003) — Ken Masters, owner/operator of the 68-room Country Inn & Suites by Carlson – Fort Worth, said ConnectedHotel has helped bring dozens and dozens of guests back to his property by bringing true Southern hospitality back to the hotel technology arena.
“Sad but true, technology all too often gets in the way of hoteliers doing their jobs — which at its core really is helping travelers feel at home and as comfortable as possible,” Master said. “Just think, for example, about how hotels’ so-called automated systems often cost staff and guests valuable time during reservations and at check-in and check-out.
“Right or wrong, there’s a common perception out there that hotels are slow to adopt technology that already has been embraced in our workplaces and homes — and that when lodging properties finally do make the move, all too often they know little about their numerous technology suppliers, nevertheless the solutions they’re supposed to be able to support. With ConnectedHotel, we have partnered with The Single SourceSM for all of our broadband technology needs — capturing a key competitive advantage while bolstering occupancies, revenues, repeat business and referrals.”
Masters said ConnectedHotel’s people, products and pricing can’t be beat. The Country Inn & Suites by Carlson – Fort Worth has an arsenal of ConnectedHotel technology tools in its hands:
• ConnectedHotel hard-wired High Speed Internet Access at 25% to 40% the industry’s average cost;
• ConnectedHotSpotSM wireless connectivity solutions for lobbies, meeting rooms, and even guestrooms and outdoor facilities if so desired;
• ConnectedEyesSM analog and digital Controlled Circuit Television (CCTV) systems;
• ConnectedTelecommunicationsSM PBX, call accounting, voice mail and music-on-hold solutions; and
• ConnectedTVSM digital television solutions for expanded programming and state-of-the-art picture quality.
The only ConnectedHotel solution not being deployed by the property is the ConnectedStationSM portable mini-business center (PC, printer, fax) for lobbies and meeting rooms. The property already had a business center, as outlined by brand guidelines, when it opened several years ago.
“Now, thanks to ConnectedHotel, properties can make one call and acquire affordable, state-of-the-art broadband technology for improved amenities, revenues, occupancies and safety and security,” Masters said. “ConnectedHotel is large enough to handle all of our broadband technology needs quickly, efficiently and professionally, yet also small enough to consistently deliver high personalized, proactive service and support.”
A developer and owner/operator of several hotels himself, Jags Patel, President & CEO of ConnectedHotel, has long recognized the need for both small stepping stones and significant paradigm shifts. In an effort to truly differentiate ConnectedHotel from others that are more product-oriented and singular in vision, Patel has taken great time and care to up the value proposition through expanded broadband services and solution offerings.
“At the request of almost every single one of our valued customers, ConnectedHotel over the past year or so has evolved into a true one-stop broadband technology shop that delivers next-generation service standards and a host of innovative solutions,” Patel said. “Two-and-a-half years ago, we were simply a provider of wired and wireless High Speed Internet Access (HSIA). Today, ConnectedHotel is known from coast to coast as The Single SourceSM for HSIA, PBX, Call Accounting, Voice Mail, CCTV and Digital TV solutions within the hospitality industry.”
Patel said ConnectedHotel is turning on hotels to unparalleled convenience and time and cost savings.
“As The Single SourceSM for broadband hotel technology, ConnectedHotel is committed to simplifying clients’ purchasing and payables functions, while providing single-source accountability,” Patel said. “Our ever-expanding breadth of products and services also works to streamline clients’ communications needs and bolsters Return On Investment across the board.
“The fact is that when a company such as ours offers a full range of broadband solutions, it naturally conducts more business with each client. As each party now has more vested in the other, an expanded partnership blossoms,” he said. “Together, as true partners, ConnectedHotel and its clients are uniquely positioned to work together to take service and product development and delivery to levels only before dreamed of.”
Patel said ConnectedHotel’s business model and broadband technologies allow the firm to offer state-of-the-art connectivity solutions that are priced at just 25 to 40 percent of the industry average.
“Properties quickly recoup their investment through more satisfied guests bringing our clients back their business, along with that of their families, friends and co-workers,” he said “Our clients average occupancy gains of 10 to 25 percent within 12 to 18 months.”
ConnectedHotel promotes clients through www.connectedhotel.com, which details members through an interactive map with links to individual property Web sites. Helping guests plan their stays and fill their “need for speed” in connectivity, ConnectedHotel essentially is a technology brand within a hotel brand.
Patel attributes the company’s string of installation successes to a winning business model tested and proven to benefit hotel operators and guests alike.
“From the beginning, we set our sights on delivering a unique value proposition to guests — knowing the ROI would quickly follow with improved guest experiences driving recognition, repeat business and referrals,” he said.
Over the past few decades, Patel has had a hand in the development of some 50 new hotels and he continues to hold stakes in properties throughout the U.S. Patel said his owner/operator position has given ConnectedHotel and its customers a leg up on competitors regarding the deployment of broadband hotel technology.
“Every broadband solution, business model and technical and marketing support process we have in place today was rigorously tested and tweaked over the past two years at a few of the hotels I have stakes in,” Patel said. “Rather than join the others in the early technology land grab, we took our time to do it right — and we did it on the backs of my hotels so the learning curve couldn’t come back to bite us, our valued hotel customers or their guests.”
John E. Schackmann, ConnectedHotel’s Vice President of Operations, attributed much of the company’s success to the experience and dedication of its team.
“ConnectedHotel truly knows the precious value of human capital,” Schackmann said. “Each player on the ConnectedHotel team plays a pivotal role in our solutions and service delivery, and each fully understands the demands of the hospitality industry.
“ConnectedHotel’s staff treats its growing family of hotel clients with the same respect and care that these properties in turn provide to their guests,” he said. “Our rare combination of hospitality technology expertise and world-class customer care helps ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty for ConnectedHotel and for each one of our clients.”
The 68-room Country Inn and Suites Fort Worth, Texas, located at 2200 Mercado Drive. This comfortable hotel features a French Countryside decor and is located less than five miles from all Fort Worth attractions, including the Stockyards Historic District, the Convention Center and the downtown Sundance Square District. In-room amenities include: cable TV, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, dataports, movies on demand, wake-up service and voice mail. Additional features include: complimentary morning newspaper and breakfast, valet or self parking, laundry, multi-lingual staff, fitness center, spa, whirlpool, pool, air-conditioning, interior corridors and 24-hour security. Opened in 1999, this property offers access for patrons with disabilities. For more information about the hotel, please call 817-831-9200.
ConnectedHotel is a subsidiary of Southlake, Texas-based NanuCom L.L.C., which also markets an array of telecom and e-commerce/Web development solutions to the hospitality industry, as well as develops, owns and operates lodging properties throughout the U.S. Nearly 50 properties of all sizes, types and national brand flags have taken the ConnectedHotel High-Speed Highway to Guest Loyalty, effectively creating a Broadband Technology Brand Within a Brand. For more information on the company and its unique solutions, services and business model, please visit www.connectedhotel.com, or contact Jags Patel at 866-359-6268, 817-287-6200, or jags@connectedhotel.com.
Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
