Solution Provider News Archives | https://hoteltechnologynews.com/category/solution-provider-news/ Stay Smart, Keep Current Tue, 05 Mar 2024 22:05:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://hoteltechnologynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/cropped-HTN-fav-32x32.png Solution Provider News Archives | https://hoteltechnologynews.com/category/solution-provider-news/ 32 32 134523673 Mews Secures $110 Million in Latest Funding Round to Fuel Global Expansion of Its Hospitality Technology Solutions https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2024/03/mews-secures-110-million-in-latest-funding-round-to-fuel-global-expansion-of-its-hospitality-technology-solutions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mews-secures-110-million-in-latest-funding-round-to-fuel-global-expansion-of-its-hospitality-technology-solutions&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mews-secures-110-million-in-latest-funding-round-to-fuel-global-expansion-of-its-hospitality-technology-solutions Tue, 05 Mar 2024 22:05:20 +0000 https://hoteltechnologynews.com/?p=11230 Mews, a leading provider of cloud technology solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced a new funding round of $110 million. This round is led by Kinnevik, with participation from Revaia, Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Notion [...]

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Mews, a leading provider of cloud technology solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced a new funding round of $110 million. This round is led by Kinnevik, with participation from Revaia, Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Notion Capital, and new investor LGVP, bringing the company’s valuation to $1.2 billion.

The large funding round is a testament to Mews’ growth, including a more than 60% increase in revenue year-on-year, surpassing $100 million in annualized net revenue. Additionally, the company has reportedly seen a considerable rise in Gross Payment Volume, reaching over $8 billion, and has facilitated over 16 million annual check-ins at hotels worldwide. Mews has also expanded its marketplace to include over 1,000 integrations with leading technology solutions in hospitality.

The company’s growth strategy includes global expansion, research and development, and further acquisitions. Mews aims to empower innovative hospitality organizations to expedite their digital transformation. Founded in 2012 by Richard Valtr, a former hotelier, Mews seeks to revolutionize hotel operations through its cloud-based system that integrates with a wide array of tech solutions. Currently, Mews manages over 350,000 hospitality spaces across 5,000 customers globally, including notable names like Strawberry Hotels, The Social Hub, and Airelles.

In a company press statement, Valtr highlighted the industry’s shift towards digital transformation and Mews’ role in reshaping hospitality interactions. CEO Matt Welle emphasized the opportunity to assist hoteliers in streamlining operations and enhancing guest experiences through modern technology.

This latest funding round follows a $185 million investment in December 2022, led by Kinnevik and Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s Growth Equity business. Mews’ Hospitality Cloud serves customers in over 85 countries, including Accor and Generator-Freehand, with offices in Europe, the United States, and Australia.

In January, Mews announced the acquisition of Frontdesk Anywhere, marking its third acquisition in North America in less than a year. Frontdesk Anywhere, known for its cloud-based property management system, aligns with Mews’ mission to automate operations for hoteliers. This acquisition follows a successful year for Mews, with the company surpassing 5,000 customers worldwide and processing over $5 billion through Mews Payments. This acquisition is part of Mews Ventures’ strategy, marking its eighth acquisition, including HotelPerfect, Cenium, Bizzon, Hotello, and Nomi.

Mews has achieved a number of impressive milestones in the past year, including a $185 million Series C funding round, expanding its North American operations, and accelerating AI guest experiences and personalization. The company has seen a 115% increase in customers across more than 85 countries and a nearly 60% growth in its North America team.

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Frontdesk Anywhere Joins Mews’ Portfolio of Hotel Techology Solutions in Latest Acquisition https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2024/01/frontdesk-anywhere-joins-mews-portfolio-of-hotel-techology-solutions-in-latest-acquisition/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=frontdesk-anywhere-joins-mews-portfolio-of-hotel-techology-solutions-in-latest-acquisition&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=frontdesk-anywhere-joins-mews-portfolio-of-hotel-techology-solutions-in-latest-acquisition Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:22:46 +0000 https://hoteltechnologynews.com/?p=11093 Hospitality cloud provider Mews has announced the acquisition of Frontdesk Anywhere, a cloud-based hotel management software company based in San Francisco. The acquisition was facilitated by Mews Ventures, marking its third acquisition in North America in [...]

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Hospitality cloud provider Mews has announced the acquisition of Frontdesk Anywhere, a cloud-based hotel management software company based in San Francisco. The acquisition was facilitated by Mews Ventures, marking its third acquisition in North America in less than a year. This move signifies Mews’ continued investment and growth in the region. The terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

Frontdesk Anywhere, founded in Silicon Valley in 2009, is known for its award-winning cloud-based property management system. The system is designed for independent hotels and management groups, providing a platform that streamlines operations, increases revenue, and enhances guest experiences.

The acquisition of Frontdesk Anywhere comes on the heels of a successful year for Mews. In 2023, the company surpassed 5,000 customers worldwide and processed over $5 billion through Mews Payments. With the addition of Frontdesk Anywhere, Mews aims to further automate operations for modern hoteliers, allowing them to focus more on their guests.

Joe Kiernan, CEO and founder of Frontdesk Anywhere, noted that Frontdesk Anywhere has been committed to transforming hospitality by working with some of the world’s most innovative hotel brands and companies. Kiernan believes that the merger with Mews will allow the Frontdesk Anywhere team, customers, and partners to continue revolutionizing the way hoteliers deliver exceptional guest experiences through technology and software.

Incorporating Frontdesk Anywhere into Mews’ portfolio should help further strengthen the company’s offerings and advance its growth in North America.

This acquisition marks the eighth for Mews Ventures. Previous acquisitions include HotelPerfect in 2021, Cenium and Bizzon in 2022, and Hotello and Nomi in 2023.

Mews is recognized as a leading platform in the hospitality industry. With 5,000 customers across more than 85 countries, Mews Hospitality Cloud is designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience, and create more profitable businesses. Mews’ customers include Accor, Generator-Freehand, The Strawberry Group, The Social Hub, Life House, and Les Airelles.

In the past year, Mews has achieved several key milestones. These include the completion of a $185 million Series C funding round, the acquisition of Hotello and Nomi to expand North American operations and accelerate AI guest experiences and personalization, a 115% increase in customers across more than 85 countries, and a nearly 60% growth in the North America team. The company also reported that one in five hotels in North America are diversifying their revenue by monetizing additional spaces, marking a nearly 50% increase year over year.

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Lokalee Raises $5.6 Million to Expand its Hotel Digital Concierge Solution https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2024/01/lokalee-raises-5-6-million-to-expand-its-hotel-digital-concierge-solution/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lokalee-raises-5-6-million-to-expand-its-hotel-digital-concierge-solution&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lokalee-raises-5-6-million-to-expand-its-hotel-digital-concierge-solution Mon, 08 Jan 2024 16:54:00 +0000 https://hoteltechnologynews.com/?p=10960 Dubai-based Lokalee, an AI-powered content platform for hotels, has secured $5.6 million in pre-series A funding. This financial boost, led by Crown Private Fund and supported by three other strategic investors with backgrounds in hotel [...]

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Dubai-based Lokalee, an AI-powered content platform for hotels, has secured $5.6 million in pre-series A funding. This financial boost, led by Crown Private Fund and supported by three other strategic investors with backgrounds in hotel and technology, will propel Lokalee’s product development and expansion into European markets.

Lokalee’s growth is evident in its expanding customer portfolio, with 250 hotels currently utilizing its solution. The company plans to extend its reach this year into Austria, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. The immediate development plan includes the launch of a trip planner that combines AI technology with human-curated data, offering an optimal blend of both elements.

Lokalee “digital concierge” platform is designed to enhance guest interactions, streamline operations, and increase potential revenue for hotels. This customizable white-label platform allows guests to browse and book everything a property and its destination has to offer. The platform’s offerings are sourced by Lokal Curators and supported by global partners.

Lokalee’s platform has already been implemented by over 200 brands across 20 countries, including leading hotel groups such as Movenpick, Sheraton, Rotana, Sofitel, Hilton, and Millennium. According to the company’s CEO, Samir Abi Frem,the new funding will accelerate the company’s ambitious expansion to optimize the digitization of the guest journey for its customers.

Lokalee is designed to provide hotel guests with personalized recommendations for events, attractions, restaurants, galleries, activities, transportation, and lifestyle services based on their geo-location, purpose of visit, preferences, and availability. The platform eliminates the need for in-house teams to search, write, and update destination content, as it is a fully-integrated solution that covers all guest needs.

The Lokalee app allows guests to access unique local content about both the hotel and the city they’re visiting. The app is interactive, enabling hotels to connect directly with their guests from pre-arrival to post-departure. It also offers the potential for additional revenue generation through in-app purchases.

Lokalee was created by Advanced Digital Technology DWC-LLC, headquartered in Dubai. The app is currently available across cities in the Middle East and Europe, with potential to become a leading lifestyle travel app for business travelers, leisure guests, and local residents across major cities worldwide.

The platform offers a great deal of flexibility to hotels, allowing them to customize the visual features of the app to match their brand’s colors and add their logo. Hotels can also highlight their key features and promote their own offers and promotions. The ‘Explore the hotel’ page enables hotels to promote special services, including offers and promotions, in-house dining, transportation services, and facilities.

Hotel administrators have access to Lokalee’s content management system to make necessary edits and updates to the aforementioned features. They also have access to detailed booking and traffic reports.

By analyzing guest behaviors, Lokalee’s AI-powered technology can provide hyper-personalized recommendations to users, based on their geo-location, purpose of visit, available time, and personal preferences. The pre-series A funding round should  go a long way in fueling product development and market growth as the company looks to expand its market presence and grow its hotel customer portfolio.

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Smartpricing Raises $14 Million for Its Hotel Revenue Management Software https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2024/01/smartpricing-raises-14-million-for-its-hotel-revenue-management-software/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=smartpricing-raises-14-million-for-its-hotel-revenue-management-software&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=smartpricing-raises-14-million-for-its-hotel-revenue-management-software Mon, 08 Jan 2024 05:11:26 +0000 https://hoteltechnologynews.com/?p=10954 Smartpricing, an Italy-based software provider specializing in revenue management for the hotel and apartment sector, has raised $14 million in funding. The round, which included $12 million in equity and $2.5 million in bank credit [...]

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Smartpricing, an Italy-based software provider specializing in revenue management for the hotel and apartment sector, has raised $14 million in funding. The round, which included $12 million in equity and $2.5 million in bank credit lines, was led by technology investment firm Partech. Other participants included Techshop’s Gianluca D’Agostino, Azimut Digitech Fund, supported by FNDX, and the founders of Bending Spoons.

Founded in 2020 by Luca Rodella, Eugenio Bancaro, and Tommaso Centonze, Smartpricing offers revenue management software for both hotels and apartments. The software uses a proprietary algorithm to process various types of data, including those related to the market, saturation, price trends in a specific geographic area, and the hotel’s history, to propose the best possible price to improve the performance of hospitality structures. The company plans to use the funds to expand its team, launch new products, and further consolidate its position in the software and fintech vertical for the hospitality sector.

The company’s software uses artificial intelligence and machine learning models to analyze and optimize pricing strategies for hospitality businesses. According to the company, it performs several key functions. Firstly, it analyzes an accommodation’s performance and location trends multiple times a day. It cross-references historical data with market data to provide a comprehensive overview of the business’s performance and the wider market conditions.

Secondly, Smartpricing’s proprietary algorithm processes the collected data and automatically calculates and suggests the most profitable price for rooms. This calculation takes into account any rules and price limits set by the user, ensuring that the suggested prices align with the business’s pricing strategy.

Thirdly, the software continuously learns and improves. Through user interactions with the platform and by evaluating sales trends, the system continuously updates its knowledge base. This means that the prices suggested by the software become increasingly accurate and effective over time.

Finally, Smartpricing integrates with a business’s Property Management System (PMS) and Channel Manager. This allows the software to automatically and in real time publish price updates. As a result, online listings are always updated with the best prices, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring that potential customers always see the most competitive rates.

The funds will be used to expand the company’s staff and launch new products. This comes as other travel-sector companies, such as Airbnb and Accor, are also investing in AI. Airbnb recently acquired startup GamePlanner.AI for $200 million, while Accor launched an AI-powered travel assistant in partnership with Amazon Web Services.

Smartpricing’s proprietary algorithm processes data on market, price, and hotel historic data to help hoteliers increase turnover. In just three years, the company has managed 2 million bookings for over 3,000 hotels and other travel accommodations, increasing their turnover by an average of 30%.

The funding for Smartpricing was Partech’s first from its latest fund totaling $393 million. The fund plans to invest across four themes including B2B and B2B2C vertical platforms and application software. Partech’s latest fund, Partech Venture, is focusing on the same areas as its predecessor, Partech International Ventures VII, which is backing mission-critical software companies powering the digital transformation of Enterprises and SMBs.

Partech has backed global category leaders including ABTasty, Agicap, Akeneo, Bitrise, Compte Nickel, Fresha, Guardicore, Kantox, ManoMano, Medigate, Memfault, Odaseva, Papernest, Platform.sh, and Shippeo. Since the end of 2021, Partech has realized 11 exits generating at least a 3x multiple on invested capital, including 6 from the venture portfolio.

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Stayntouch Lands $48 Million Investment to Enhance Its Hotel Technology Solutions and Grow Its Market Presence https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2023/12/stayntouch-lands-48-million-investment-to-enhance-its-hotel-technology-solutions-and-grow-its-market-presence/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=stayntouch-lands-48-million-investment-to-enhance-its-hotel-technology-solutions-and-grow-its-market-presence&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=stayntouch-lands-48-million-investment-to-enhance-its-hotel-technology-solutions-and-grow-its-market-presence Fri, 15 Dec 2023 03:13:59 +0000 https://hoteltechnologynews.com/?p=10890 Stayntouch, a prominent player in the hotel property management systems (PMS) sector, has secured $48 million in a strategic growth equity investment. The financing round was spearheaded by Sixth Street Growth, the technology growth investing [...]

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Stayntouch, a prominent player in the hotel property management systems (PMS) sector, has secured $48 million in a strategic growth equity investment. The financing round was spearheaded by Sixth Street Growth, the technology growth investing division of Sixth Street.

Established in 2012 and later acquired by MCR in 2020, Stayntouch provides a user-friendly cloud PMS that enables hotels to streamline operations and integrate front and back office functions. These functions encompass reservations, front desk operations, payments, revenue management, reporting, and multi-property management. In October 2022, Stayntouch 2.0 was launched, enhancing its technology suite to include an end-to-end payments platform, a customizable booking engine, a channel manager, and comprehensive chain management capabilities.

The newly acquired capital will be utilized to expand Stayntouch’s PMS software and payment offerings, expedite customer acquisition, and continue providing superior customer service to independent hotels, management companies, and hotel chains worldwide. Since its inception, Stayntouch has received over $200 million in investments towards its growth and the development of its cloud-based software products.

As part of the investment deal, Michael Bauer from Sixth Street Growth will join Stayntouch’s board to support the company’s next growth phase.

Stayntouch’s cloud-native PMS offers a fully mobile guest-centric experience with a comprehensive library of over 1100+ best-in-class integrations. Their newly expanded PMS platform, Stayntouch 2.0, launched last year, further simplifies hotel operations, enabling hotels to streamline and accelerate direct bookings, process payments easily, and simplify integrations, thereby enhancing the guest experience.

The integrated technology suite features an amplified version of its flagship cloud PMS and guest kiosk. The new technology suite also includes a secure payment gateway, a customizable booking engine, and an easy-to-use channel manager, enabling hotel companies to expand their online distribution and booking capabilities, simplify payments, and streamline multi-property management. According to the company, Stayntouch 2.0 is the culmination of two years of work and $15 million of investment in development.

The company reported a 53% revenue growth in 2023 compared to the previous year, driven by hotel groups, property management companies, and independent hotels. The funding will be used to expand in the U.S. and Europe, particularly Germany, the U.K., and France. Additionally, Stayntouch is considering acquisitions of other property management systems or hotel tech products, according to Jacob Messina, who assumed the role of CEO in September 2022.

Stayntouch’s client roster includes industry-leading management companies such as Sage Hospitality, HEI Hotels & Resorts, EOS Hospitality, and Stoney Creek Hotels, innovative independent brands like Village Hotels, Pod Hotels, and First Hotels, and iconic independent properties such as the TWA Hotel and Zoku Amsterdam.

Stayntouch faces competition from other cloud-based property management systems, including Oracle Hospitality, which has been promoting its own version of the cloud-based product released over four years ago. Other competitors include startups like Mews and Cloudbeds, which raised $185 million and $150 million respectively in recent years.

Despite the competition, Stayntouch remains focused on adding more clients with multiple complex properties, leveraging tech capabilities released over the past year. The company’s cloud-based systems offer user-friendly interfaces, cost-effective implementation, and easy connections to third-party tech products that hotels may use. Stayntouch can currently connect with more than 1,100 other products, a number that is expected to increase.

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INTELITY Fuels Expansion with $5 Million Strategic Growth Investment and New Leadership https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2023/12/intelity-fuels-expansion-with-5-million-strategic-growth-investment-and-new-leadership/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=intelity-fuels-expansion-with-5-million-strategic-growth-investment-and-new-leadership&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=intelity-fuels-expansion-with-5-million-strategic-growth-investment-and-new-leadership Fri, 15 Dec 2023 01:02:10 +0000 https://hoteltechnologynews.com/?p=10883 Hospitality technology solution provider INTELITY has secured $5 million in strategic growth capital. The funding includes contributions from LLR Partners and SaaS industry veterans Steve Proctor and Tim Stafford. Proctor, who brings over 25 years [...]

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Hospitality technology solution provider INTELITY has secured $5 million in strategic growth capital. The funding includes contributions from LLR Partners and SaaS industry veterans Steve Proctor and Tim Stafford. Proctor, who brings over 25 years of software industry experience, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of INTELITY. His focus will be on further innovating the company’s hotel tech platform.

In 2019, INTELITY raised $44 million to expand its cloud services to more hotels, allowing them to manage staff and facilitate guest room service orders via tablets or smartphones. The funding was provided by Philadelphia-based private equity firm LLR Partners. INTELITY’s aim is to offer customers the most direct and advanced connection to their guests while also supporting back-of-house operations and business intelligence.

Steve Proctor, the new Chief Executive Officer of INTELITY

Proctor’s previous roles include executive positions at Oracle and Edgenet. As CEO of Edgenet, he led the company out of bankruptcy and within four years, it was strategically acquired by Syndigo for $100 million. Proctor attributes this success to a focus on customer obsession, product quality, and the connection between the two to create customer value.

As CEO of INTELITY, Proctor will lead a team of seasoned hospitality and technology professionals to drive the company’s growth. The INTELITY platform offers a wide range of guest experience features. These include branded mobile apps with full mobile check-in, mobile check-out, ID, health and safety, payments, and keyless entry capabilities, as well as smart-room tablets. The platform also provides staff with robust ticketing and operations tooling through GEMS, INTELITY’s back office Guest Experience Management System, and over 100 integrations with other leading hospitality tech providers.

In June, for example, INTELITY announced a partnership and live integration with FreshBed, the world’s first bed featuring its own full control climate capabilities. The combined offering provides guests with the ability to adjust their complete sleep environment directly from a bedside smart room tablet or mobile app powered by the INTELITY platform.

Proctor emphasized the importance of technology in enhancing the hospitality experience, stating that INTELITY is committed to treating the host and guest experience as sacred. He added that the company will use the additional investments to strengthen the reach and durability of the INTELITY platform.

INTELITY is a global leader in guest experience technology, integrating mobile, in-room, and operational tools into one fully-integrated hospitality platform. The company’s Guest Experience Management System, GEMS, offers a full operations hub for staff to manage all back-of-house logistics. The Los Angeles, California-based company has been designated Forbes Travel Guide’s “Official Guest Engagement and Staff Management Platform Provider” and is utilized in more than 70 countries across six continents.

Founded by leaders with deep backgrounds in both hospitality and platform technologies, the company has built successive tech iterations around key elements of the digital traveler’s journey. These include many firsts such as the first lobby guest-facing tablet system, the first digitized in-room service request system, the first hardware-agnostic Bluetooth mobile key solution, and the first out-of-the-box mobile app scalable to hotels of all shapes, sizes, and standards.

INTELITY’s stated mission is to provide its customers with the most advanced guest experience platform available. The platform offers a direct digital connection to guests, residents, and other end-users, while also supporting a suite of back-of-house workflow capabilities like ticketing, service recovery, and data intelligence. The platform offers a range of key products and features, including mobile apps, mobile check-in/out, mobile key, service requests, digital compendium, mobile dining, messaging & notifications, amenity & service booking, digital retail, and guest folio.

INTELITY has been recognized as the industry leader in guest experience technology by Forbes Travel Guide, Inc., HTNG, Magellan, Hotel Tech Report, Built-in LA, Travel Weekly, and the World Travel Tech Awards for its innovation in the space.

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Amazon One Enterprise’s Palm Recognition Technology is Poised to Change the Game for Hotel Access Control https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2023/12/amazon-one-enterprises-palm-recognition-technology-is-poised-to-change-the-game-for-hotel-access-control/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=amazon-one-enterprises-palm-recognition-technology-is-poised-to-change-the-game-for-hotel-access-control&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=amazon-one-enterprises-palm-recognition-technology-is-poised-to-change-the-game-for-hotel-access-control Sun, 03 Dec 2023 17:32:39 +0000 https://hoteltechnologynews.com/?p=10823 At the recent AWS re:Invent, Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc., unveiled Amazon One Enterprise, a palm-based identity service designed to enhance organizational security and prevent costly security breaches. This new [...]

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At the recent AWS re:Invent, Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc., unveiled Amazon One Enterprise, a palm-based identity service designed to enhance organizational security and prevent costly security breaches. This new service is set to revolutionize the hotel industry by providing a fast, convenient, and contactless experience for guests and staff to access physical locations such as hotels and resorts, as well as digital assets like restricted software resources.

Traditional methods of authentication, such as badges, PINs, and passwords, have long been used by hotels to grant access to buildings and software resources. However, these methods have common security vulnerabilities. Badges can be lost, shared, cloned, or stolen, while PINs and passwords are easily forgotten, guessable, or shared. Amazon One Enterprise aims to eliminate these issues, reducing operational overhead associated with the management of traditional authentication methods.

Amazon One Enterprise is a fully managed service that provides highly accurate and secure access control through an easy-to-use biometric identification device. The service combines palm and vein imagery for biometric matching and reportedly delivers an accuracy rate of 99.9999%, exceeding the accuracy of other biometric alternatives. The palm-recognition technology uses advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning to create a palm signature that is associated with identification credentials like a badge, employee ID, or PIN.

The introduction of Amazon One Enterprise into the hotel industry could significantly enhance the guest experience. It replaces the need for multiple authentication methods, allowing guests and staff to use their palm to access physical spaces and digital assets. To begin, a user can enroll by hovering their palm over an Amazon One enrollment device and associating their palm with their organization’s preferred ID—such as badges, PINs, and passwords—and this can be done in less than a minute.

Protecting the privacy of these users is a foundational element of Amazon One Enterprise. The new service is designed to ensure palm images, user credentials, and other metadata are immediately encrypted, using industry-leading encryption technology, and sent to a dedicated Amazon One Enterprise service account in the AWS Cloud, with all of the security and isolation features of AWS.

Amazon One Enterprise is currently available in preview in the United States and hospitality organizations are expressing keen interest, viewing the technology as a more secure, efficient way to manage authentication and access their systems. Among them is IHG Hotels & Resorts, the global hospitality company with over 6,000 hotels in more than 100 countries, which will begin piloting the technology next year.

“We are excited to work with Amazon One Enterprise for a more secure, efficient way to manage authentication and access our systems,” said Nick Krieble, global head of Identity and Access Management, IHG, in a press statement. “With Amazon One Enterprise, our goal is to offer employees a new and convenient way to identify themselves and gain access to our software systems by hovering their palm over the Amazon One device. This approach will streamline the way we authenticate, give staff access to the tools they need, and make access easier than ever for them.”

Boon Edam, a leading manufacturer of revolving doors, security doors, and security turnstiles, sees Amazon One Enterprise as a way to offer authorized entrances using innovative palm biometric technology that raises their security bar and delivers a convenient workplace experience. Paznic, a security company that specializes in technology that simplifies and modernizes the way financial institutions manage access control and safety deposit boxes, is also looking forward to launching Amazon One Enterprise across their locations.

Amazon One Enterprise represents a potentially large shift in how hotels manage access control. By replacing traditional authentication methods with a highly accurate and secure biometric identification device, hotels can enhance the guest experience, improve security, and reduce operational overhead. As the service is rolled out, the industry will be watching closely to see how it is adopted and what impact it has on the hospitality industry.

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Virdee Secures $12.4 Million to Expand Its Hotel Check-In Automation and Guest Experience Management Capabilities https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2023/11/virdee-secures-12-4-million-to-expand-its-hotel-check-in-automation-and-guest-experience-management-capabilities/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=virdee-secures-12-4-million-to-expand-its-hotel-check-in-automation-and-guest-experience-management-capabilities&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=virdee-secures-12-4-million-to-expand-its-hotel-check-in-automation-and-guest-experience-management-capabilities Sat, 18 Nov 2023 04:00:52 +0000 https://hoteltechnologynews.com/?p=10772 Virdee, a Texas-based solution provider specializing in guest experience technology and check-in automation for the hospitality industry, has secured $12.4 million in Series A funding. The funding round was led by Moneta Ventures, with contributions [...]

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Virdee, a Texas-based solution provider specializing in guest experience technology and check-in automation for the hospitality industry, has secured $12.4 million in Series A funding. The funding round was led by Moneta Ventures, with contributions from Silverton Partners, Koch Real Estate Investments, Alumni Ventures, DJR Advisors, Capital Factory, and other partners. As part of the funding agreement, Brent Kelton, a partner at Moneta Ventures, has joined Virdee’s board.

This latest investment brings Virdee’s total funding to $21 million. This follows a seed financing round led by Silverton Partners in February 2022 and a 2020 angel investment led by Rajiv Trivedi, the former President of La Quinta Inns & Suites.

Virdee reportedly plans to use the new funds to further its technological innovation by expanding product features and functionality. The company also intends to grow its workforce and increase its presence in the hospitality sector.

Virdee was founded in 2020 by Branigan Mulcahy and Nadav Cornberg. The company provides a software platform that automates guest check-ins and enhances the overall guest experience. The platform, which can be accessed via web, app, kiosk, and SDK options, connects guests and hotels through digital applications and AI. This allows for the automation of all front desk transactions, transforming front desk staff into guest relationship managers.

The company’s contactless hotel check-in experience is compatible with any system, whether it is web-, app-, or kiosk-based. All features, including Virdee Identity, upgrades and upsells, and Remote Assistance, support 100% of guest check-ins. Virdee’s platform is used by four of the largest casino hotels in Las Vegas, among other major hotel brands.

Since its inception in 2020, Virdee has experienced significant growth, with nearly 600% revenue growth reported in 2022. The company expects similar growth rates for 2023. Virdee’s Virtual Reception offers a fully contactless check-in experience, allowing all hotel guests to check in via a mobile device or kiosk, receive a digital or physical key, and proceed directly to their room without waiting in line at the front desk.

The company’s solution can be integrated into the existing digital experience of any hotel, from large brands to boutique properties. This integration enhances the guest experience by eliminating lines and enabling front desk staff to focus on managing guest relationships. Virdee’s platform is currently used by four of the largest casino hotels in Las Vegas and several other major hotel brands.

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Mews Expands Its Hotel Technology Portfolio with Latest Acquisition https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2023/10/mews-expands-its-technology-portfolio-and-goal-of-helping-hoteliers-enhance-the-guest-experience-with-latest-acquisition/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mews-expands-its-technology-portfolio-and-goal-of-helping-hoteliers-enhance-the-guest-experience-with-latest-acquisition&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mews-expands-its-technology-portfolio-and-goal-of-helping-hoteliers-enhance-the-guest-experience-with-latest-acquisition Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:13:59 +0000 https://hoteltechnologynews.com/?p=10636 Hospitality technology solution provider Mews has acquired Nomi Travel, a Nashville-based hospitality startup, as part of its mission to improve the quality of the hotel  guest experiences. The acquisition, completed earlier this month, was managed [...]

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Hospitality technology solution provider Mews has acquired Nomi Travel, a Nashville-based hospitality startup, as part of its mission to improve the quality of the hotel  guest experiences. The acquisition, completed earlier this month, was managed by Mews Ventures, the company’s venture and investment arm, which was launched in 2022 to fuel growth and innovation. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Nomi marks Prague-based Mews’ seventh acquisition, following companies such as Hotel Perfect in 2021, Cenium and Bizzon in 2022. Most recently, in April, Mews acquired Hotello, a Montreal-headquartered cloud PMS solution for hotel properties. Founded in 2001, Hotello focuses on delivering an exceptional user experience and unlimited integrations. Its technology stack is designed to facilitate seamless communication between systems, people, and environments to make user and customer experiences simple and efficient. The technology solution provider has over 500 customers in Canada and the United States, with a team that has deep experience in technology enablement for hotel operations.

The Hotello acquisition came on the heels of the company’s strong growth and momentum throughout 2022. Before Hotello joined Mews, the company had reportedly surpassed 400,000 beds in operation across 3,500 customers, with $2.8 billion processed via Mews Payments. The Mews Hospitality Cloud boasted more than 70,000 active monthly users.

Last December, as reported here, Mews raised $185 million in a Series C funding round led by Kinnevik and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. This impressive amount far surpassed the typical venture capital fundraising in the hotel tech industry and sets Mews’s valuation at $860 million, according to the company’s founder, Richard Valtr. The Series C fundraising brought the total amount raised to date by Mews to over $225 million.

Mews offers a comprehensive property management system designed to streamline and automate all operations for modern hoteliers and their guests. From booking to check-out, front desk to revenue management, every process is made more efficient, quicker, and better connected with Mews. The company’s integrated Mews Payments ecosystem aims to ensure secure and smooth transactions.

Mews caters to a range of customers, from large chains like Accor and the Youth Hostel Association, to smaller groups and independent hoteliers. These customers rely on Mews for a variety of tools to manage reservations, payments, guest services, analytics, and shifts for hotel workers. Mews also offers a marketplace of 600 apps, allowing users to create one-stop dashboards that integrate with any other apps that a hotel may be using in its operations. The company serves hotels of all star ratings, from luxury to budget accommodations.

Nomi, founded in 2021, has developed a local tour guide for travelers that utilizes predictive analytics and AI to respond to users’ requests for recommendations. The product is designed to help hotels deliver personalized recommendations based on the data that guests provide about their needs and interests. It also provides real-time customer insights to help hotels better understand their guests and make data-informed operational decisions.

According to the company, integrating Nomi’s intellectual property into Mews Guest Journey will empower hoteliers to provide a hyper-personalized experience for their guests. By leveraging Nomi’s technology, hotels can offer tailored recommendations and enhance the overall guest experience.

Tim Drisdelle, co-founder of Nomi and former Apple engineer who worked on Siri, will now lead the Guest Experience engineering team at Mews.

According to the company, Mews Hospitality Cloud currently powers over 3,500 properties across more than 80 countries. Some of Mews’ notable customers include Accor, Generator-Freehand, The Strawberry Group, The Social Hub, Life House, and Airelles.

The acquisition of Nomi by Mews Ventures is part of the company’s strategy to accelerate the technological transformation of the hospitality industry. By integrating innovative solutions like Nomi into its platform, Mews aims to continue enabling remarkable guest experiences and staying at the forefront of the evolving hospitality landscape.

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MeetingPackage Secures $4.6 Million to Expand Its Hotel Meetings and Events Booking Solution Into North America https://hoteltechnologynews.com/2023/10/meetingpackage-secures-4-6-million-to-expand-its-hotel-meetings-and-events-booking-solution-into-north-america/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=meetingpackage-secures-4-6-million-to-expand-its-hotel-meetings-and-events-booking-solution-into-north-america&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=meetingpackage-secures-4-6-million-to-expand-its-hotel-meetings-and-events-booking-solution-into-north-america Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:47:31 +0000 https://hoteltechnologynews.com/?p=10528 MeetingPackage, an all-in-one sales automation software specializing in venue and group bookings, has successfully secured a $4.6 million Series A funding round led by Scale Capital. The additional funding will reportedly be utilized to expedite [...]

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MeetingPackage, an all-in-one sales automation software specializing in venue and group bookings, has successfully secured a $4.6 million Series A funding round led by Scale Capital. The additional funding will reportedly be utilized to expedite growth in Europe and facilitate expansion into the North American market. The funding will also enable MeetingPackage to enhance its product suite to accommodate online bedroom bookings for groups and extend its integrations to multiple Sales and Catering and Property Management Systems.

MeetingPackage is a Finnish software company that allows hotels and event venues to sell, operate, and manage their Meetings & Events spaces. Launched in 2014, the company integrates with venues’ existing Property Management, Sales & Catering, and back-office solutions while delivering products to all customer-facing channels. Products include Venue & Sales Management Software, an online Booking Engine, and a Meetings & Events specific Channel Manager. The self-service software is ready for use in minutes and features twelve different language versions.

The software is the driving force behind the online booking experiences of over 6000 properties, ranging from independent hotels to global brands. With the new funding and product enhancements, MeetingPackage anticipates serving an even larger customer base, covering direct, indirect, online, and offline channel sales for groups and meetings & events.

MeetingPackage’s vision is to make meeting & event services bookable everywhere. The company continues to innovate its product offerings to meet the evolving needs of the hospitality industry. According to the company, the team is currently preparing to unveil a series of new features to streamline operations and elevate customer experience.

The expansion into the North American market signifies a key milestone in the growth of MeetingPackage, representing not just a geographical expansion, but also a strategic initiative to foster collaborative relationships with local industry players, thereby cultivating a rich ecosystem.

Recently, Event Temple, the award-winning hotel and venue management solution, and MeetingPackage announced a strategic partnership and integration. This collaboration aims to redefine the landscape of the event booking and management process by offering a comprehensive, connected, and easy-to-use solution for hoteliers and venues worldwide. The integration will empower sales directors, venue managers, and event professionals worldwide to streamline their meeting space selling and booking processes, enhance customer experiences, and optimize their revenue streams.

In April, Amadeus announced it would offer MeetingPackage’s Venue Sales Management (VSM) solution as an additional offering on top of Amadeus’ current industry-leading sales & catering software suite. In January, Cvent and MeetingPackage, two leading travel and hospitality technology companies, announced their partnership to give Cvent customers the ability to instantly book simple and small meetings with hotels and venues that are leveraging MeetingPackage, allowing Cvent Supplier Network customers to book participating MeetingPackage hotels and venues globally directly on the Cvent platform.

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