GBCBLUE AND OMNI HOTELS LAUNCH REVOLUTIONARY ONLINE GUEST SERVICES PROGRAM
VANCOUVER, WA and IRVING, TX (January 22, 2008) -- GBCblue, a provider of secure guest technology utilized in public areas, business centers and guest rooms, has partnered with Omni Hotels to be the first to pilot the GBCblue ORION system at the Omni Mandalay Hotel in the D/FW metroplex. The ORION system enables the hotel to provide a variety of online services ranging from room service ordering to valet service, baggage retrieval, housekeeping and virtually any other guest request. Phase I, launched late last year, was the deployment of the online room service ordering system.
“Since we were already working with GBCblue to successfully operate our business centers, it was natural for us to consider the ORION system. The system is the perfect tool to extend Omni’s renowned services standards in a virtual environment, enabling guests to custom design their stay to fit their personal needs online,” said Lesli Reynolds, vice president of operations for Omni Hotels.
When a guest enters the system, it will create a virtual services environment where guests have instant access to online room service, fill out electronic comment cards, electronically chat with associates throughout the hotel, have their room cleaned, request changes and much more.
“We are excited to pilot the ORION system with Omni given their progressive use of technology to truly enhance the guest experience,” stated Victor Alikin, CEO of GBCblue. Omni’s guests will now have the choice of accessing the ORION system via their personal laptop, the GBCblue business centers and soon, the guest’s in-room television.”
“The majority of our guests travel with laptops, so it was natural to offer the services through this technology,” said Kerry Kennedy, director of e-commerce for Omni Hotels. “The ORION system not only gives our guests instant access to hotel associates and numerous services, but the platform offers a web-based content management system. This enables us to modify the information instantly to ensure the most up to date information for guests. Our associates can add or remove daily room service specials or we can extend seasonal offers.”
By piloting this program, Omni Hotels reaffirms its commitment to improving the guest experience through technological enhancements. Omni was an industry leader last June with the brand-wide launch of an innovative online check-in program which enables guests to complete the check-in process up to 48 hours prior to arrival. With the recent introduction of Omni Hotel’s new mobile website, time-conscious travelers can now check-in from any web-enabled device.
About GBCblue™
GBCblue, based in Vancouver, WA offers the most comprehensive PC amenity solution on the market, featuring fully managed software, hardware and revenue solutions designed with both the hotel and the hotel’s guests in mind. GBCblue™ understands the importance of being a leader in quality assurance and customer satisfaction in the hospitality industry. To this end, the company has established strong business relationships with other industry-defining companies such as DELL, MPC, Canon, Lexmark and Microsoft, which consistently deliver the highest quality products and services to their end users. For more information, visit the company’s Web site,www.gbcblue.com, or call 1-888 GBC-BLUE