Tech Stars of the Year 2017

This year has been a big one for technology in the hospitality sector. The industry seems to slowly be moving away from the human touch it is known for, and begun to implement the use of digitised software and products across the board. These products have proposed to make the lives of hoteliers and hotel staff easier with swift, fail-proof operations as well as giving the customer the fuss-free service they desire.

For our Tech Stars of the Year 2017 feature, we have rounded up some of the companies which have come out with some of this year’s most innovative developments in an attempt to push the industry forward in a modernised society.

Avon Data

Avon Data’s property management system (PMS), Hotel Executive improves efficiency, increases direct bookings and maximises the profitability of every single room.

Hotel Executive, which can be installed onsite or cloud hosted, helps manage every aspect of hotels and integrates with useful add-ons including an EPOS system, sales channel management, online bookings and event management. It streamlines front of house and back office operations so that staff can focus on looking after customers. 

The last 12 months have seen a number of exciting developments at Avon Data including:

• The launch of a hosted version which has dramatically reduced IT glitches by removing reliance on hotel servers and provides stability and security.
• The completion of a new integrated payment gateway, HE Secure, which enables hoteliers to take guests’ credit card details while remaining PCI compliant and automatically process payments.
• Securing contracts with dozens of great hotel and pub brands including Butcombe Brewing Company and Brakspear. 

INFO: +44 (0)330 2231456 or sales@avondata.co.uk

Avvio – Power up your direct bookings

2017 saw the launch of Allora, the world’s first artificial intelligence powered booking engine.

Developed by leading hotel technology company, Avvio, the next generation of booking engine uses AI tools to maximise direct bookings. This includes intelligent Learning Models – bringing together insights from every online interaction through your website, and determines how best to optimise your own property website for conversion. Allora explores the vast amount of data to understand individual booker behaviour and patterns through powerful Machine Learning.

And when it comes to building a positive customer experience, few things are as powerful as the right message at the right time. Allora’s Recommender Engine delivers relevant messaging in real time, improving the experience and outcome for every customer interaction to create a great guest experience from the start.

It’s an exciting development as AI becomes more integrated into everyday hotel technology. Arrange a demo and learn more at our website.

INFO: www.allora.ai

Chantry Digital

Chantry Digital Ltd is a UK based Hospitality TV specialist, renting, sales and leasing TVs to the hotel trade. Our clients in 2017 include Hilton, Accor, Best Western, Choice Hotels and many bespoke hotels, including Lucknam Park, Faversham Arms and Ricoh Arena.

INFO: sales@chantrydigital.co.uk

Kitchen CUT

Kitchen CUT is aptly named; at the cutting edge of back of house technology, delivering intuitive yet comprehensive software.

While the industry is awash with innovation in technology for the front of house, Kitchen’s CUT’s focus has always been the back office.  The full Purchase-to-Pay system includes features such as Supplier Management, Allergen Tracking, Nutritional Analysis, Recipe Costing & Menu Planning, Stock Control, Wastage Tracking and Buffet Analysis among many others. The system helps transform every element of an F&B business allowing control with access from any device. Kitchen CUT combines an understanding of operational pressures with insightful and detailed financial performance reporting, whatever the size of your business.

INFO: www.kitchencut.com or +44 (0) 330 1130050

Rointe

2017 has been a busy but electrifying year for Rointe with the introduction of new and improved features.
During this year, Rointe have improved the efficiency of their products to exceed the upcoming LOT20 regulations and have transformed the Rointe Connect app. It now includes real time consumption reports along with the ability to configure different kWh prices for each hour of the day. Meaning customers have complete control of their efficiency anytime, anywhere. Moreover, with the new self-learning system, the D-SERIES now learns patterns of use and adapts its programming to the consumer lifestyle. 
The KYROS towel rail has a new straight bar design to suit any bathroom. In addition, the entire KYROS range now includes smart energy software with four lifestyle programs already installed.
Rointe have also launched their brand new underfloor heating solutions – ATRIA Ultra-thin, MILOS PVC and ERKO foil. This innovative range uses BEAB approved ultra-thin heating elements to meet the growing demand for space-saving alternatives to radiators.

INFO: www.rointe.co.uk or sales@rointe.co.uk or 0203 321 5928

Wi-Q

Mobile ordering is the buzzword on everyone’s lips, and 2017 was a pivotal year for Wi-Q Technologies. Not only was it the year that Mi-Room, an online ordering solution for hotel guest services was launched, but it was also the year that Wi-Q Technologies successfully entered the UAE market. The iconic Dubai resort, The Atlantis, The Palm, introduced Wi-Q, a queue-busting, online ordering solution, to its pool and beach areas. The resort’s guests can now instantly order refreshments to their sun lounger via the Internet browser on their own mobile device – without downloading an app. The solution even allows guests to charge the bill to their room. It has revolutionised the guest experience in these outdoor areas and in October 2017, the solution won Atlantis, The Palm and Wi-Q Technologies the Best Use of Technology Award at the Middle East Hospitality Awards.

INFO: www.wi-q.com or info@wi-q.com or 0203 637 2808