Theory of Hotel Evolution - iPhone, iTouch, and touch screens beyond

 

One can argue that we are still far behind the rest of the world in cell phone technology. But I think that we have been making leaps and bounds in catching up. With all these new generation of touch screen technology cell phones come out, we are also seeing a variety of interesting applications that companies are customizing for these phones. One such techonology has caught my attention, and is slowly starting to catch other people’s as well.

Hotel Evolution™ was just launched earlier this summer by a Los Angeles based development company, runtriz. The application takes hotel service to the next level, bringing the power of every service/experience a world class city has to offer right to the palm of your hand. This is the way it works:

• Access to the application from your device is provided once you check into a hotel that has licensed from runtriz.
• From your phone you will view a touch screen menu and able to access:
  • Room Service Menu (Room Service)
  • Valet/Bell Desk (To call your car/bell boy)
  • Housekeeping
  • Concierge
  • Transportation (book limo, taxi, rental car)
  • Hotel Spa/Salon
  • Nightlife (view list of venues in local area with reviews, photos, directions)
    
  • Restaurants (view list of restaurants in local area with reviews, photos, directions)
  • Messages (from hotel guest services)
  • Wake-up Call
  • Shopping (Purchase Hotel item, in room item, and online shopping (i.e. amazon.com)

From your phone you can order room service, make reservations at local restaurants around town, find out where the hottest club is and reserve table service, order transportation, set a wake-up call, or shop online.  All in the palm of your hand and from any location that has Wi-Fi service while you are a guest at a hotel.  It eliminates having to physically call from your room or go to the concierge desk.  So while relaxing at the hotel pool you can plan your evening without having to lift more than a finger.

The application is currently exclusive on the iTouch or iPhone. If a guest does not have either, hotels are loaning an iTouch devices for the guest to use during their stay (which can be bought by the guest if they want at retail price). If a guest has a iPhone, they are given an access code and can download the app free of charge from the runtriz website.  The technology is currently in place for Google’s G1 phone just released, and for the upcoming release of the Blackberry Storm (Touch Screen phone).  These will be integrated into Hotel Evolution^TM once the demand is significant enough.

What is unique about runtriz’s approach to this touch screen technology in comparison to other companies like DinerWare, is that runtriz brands the application experience completely around the hotel that is licensing the technology.  So an iTouch you use as a loaner from Malibu Beach Inn (just launch Hotel Evolution^TM Oct. ‘08) has skins with the Malibu Beach Inn logo and colors and the loading screens and menu screens have the logo on it, giving you the true experience of the hotel you are staying at.  Malibu Beach Inn takes it even further by offering custom concierge services to their repeat guest.  Via Hotel Evolution, you can have the hotel book your flight, transportation from the airport, and any reservations at restaurants you like so you’re trip requires nothing more than you showing up.  Furthermore, based on your previous stay, Malibu Beach Inn will have all your favorites already setup for you in your room; if you like to read US Weekly, a red wine from Pasa Robles, and dark chocolates, you room will have that already stocked when you arrive.

Recently, KCAL (local Los Angeles TV station) covered the launch event for Hotel Evolution^TM at the Malibu Beach Inn. 

You can check that out at: http://cbs2.com/video/?id=79004@kcbs.dayport.com. 

After the airing of the story, there was an unexpected, yet positive response among the hearing impaired community.  In a blog entry (www.jaredlog.com/?p=835) about the application, there were numerous comments with questions and praises on the advancement in service quality that people of the hearing impaired community can now get in hotels that have this system in place.

I am currently working with runtriz distributing this system to hotels around the globe.  If you have any questions, you can contact me at luisg@runtriz.com .

Comments

[Murree Hotels]

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