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Hotel Commonwealth Revolutionizes Guest Communications With Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise and OmniSwitch Network
Voice/data convergence solution and advanced IP phones at the heart of innovative guest relations at Boston's newest luxury hotel
Calabasas, Calif - July 8, 2003 - Alcatel (NSYE: ALA) announced today that Hotel Commonwealth, the newest luxury hotel in downtown Boston, chose the Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise and OmniSwitches to deliver radically new guest-centric services and streamline hotel operations. IP convergence enables the hotel to easily manage voice and data from the same network and explore new revenue streams through interactive communications. Hotel Commonwealth's converged network incorporates all aspects of Alcatel's IP communications technology: the OmniPCX Enterprise IP-PBX with IP and PWT wireless phones run over a data network composed of OmniSwitch 7000 series of data infrastructure switches and OmniStack 6124 workgroup switches. Built on an open architecture and industry standards, the Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise provides Hotel Commonwealth with traditional phone features while supporting advanced IP phones from Pingtel and hospitality applications. "At Hotel Commonwealth we want a solution that offers more than business-class functionalities - a solution that can revolutionize hotel operations. Personal touch can make a critical difference in guest experience and ultimately affect customer loyalty and any hotelier's bottom-line," said Timothy Kirwan, general manager, Hotel Commonwealth. "Alcatel's IP communications offering embodies a perfect blend of functionality and innovation, allowing us to be creative in how we use the technology to extend personalized customer service." The Alcatel switches ensure wire-speed delivery of guest services such as IP telephony, Wireless LAN (WLAN), and High-Speed Internet Access (HSIA), along with back office systems and front office applications. Hotel Commonwealth is working with Guest-Tek, a leading provider of broadband Internet access and other value-added services, to provide guests with complimentary WLAN and HSIA service throughout the hotel property across the OmniSwitch infrastructure. Built with a highly available switching fabric, the OmniSwitch can enable the Hotel to effectively handle sudden surges in bandwidth demand like a live video press conference without negatively impacting overall network performance. Hotel Commonwealth uses the Alcatel OmniVista network management platform to manage bandwidth and traffic prioritization that is essential for the performance of real-time applications like IP telephony. Alcatel's "OneTouch Manageability" delivers an industry leading ease-of-use capability that automates otherwise complex configurations of quality of service, VLANs, and security across the network. Furthermore, OmniVista utilizes a common graphical user interface, simplifying management of all Alcatel voice and data devices. As a result of Alcatel's long history with hospitality customers, the Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise offers a rich set of embedded features specifically tailored to hospitality needs. The Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise's open architecture makes it easy to integrate third-party applications like the MICROS OPERA property management system with OPERA Revenue Management powered by OPUS 2, the ISI call accounting solution, and the Innovation voice messaging system that Hotel Commonwealth uses. The added support of Internet standards, specifically the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for IP communications, allows Hotel Commonwealth to develop customized content that execute on the SIP-based Pingtel xpressa phones, which are currently being rolled out in the guestrooms and lobby area. Hotel Commonwealth guests can obtain location-based information at their fingertips via the Pingtel phones. Acting as a virtual concierge, this large screen phone - first of its kind to be installed in a hotel - displays up-to-date information on anything from baseball tickets to local weather. Guests will also be able to browse DVD titles and rent directly through the Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise. The hotel will be able to sell advertising space on the Pingtel phone's LCD screen to suppliers such as the DVD rental store in place of obtrusive tent cards in the hotel room. "The Alcatel OmniSwitch family and OmniPCX Enterprise reflect Alcatel's commitment in developing highly reliable, standards-based IP communications products to help enterprise businesses take advantage of convergence without being locked into a proprietary solution," said Tom Wilburn, general manager, Alcatel North America enterprise business. "Given the flexibility of our IP communications portfolio, we can work continually with Hotel Commonwealth to develop applications providing new capabilities." To further improve customer service and employee response time, Hotel Commonwealth has deployed a wireless system that can be used by guests and staff within the hotel property. The Alcatel 4073 PWT Wireless telephones allow guests to use the hotel's restaurants, gym or conference rooms without the worry of missing a call. Hotel employees are also able to take calls wirelessly within the hotel property. Alcatel's in-building wireless solution helps ensure maximum uptime for hotel guests by providing access to the public-switched network even if an unforeseen data network outage should occur. NextiraOne, a solutions provider specializing in the delivery of superior voice, data and converged technologies for customers, including the hospitality industry, provided the operational expertise to install and test the Hotel Commonweath's new network. "Our relationship with Alcatel enables NextiraOne to provide hospitality clients with cutting-edge technology that fits their business needs, enabling clients to support the communications requirements of their guests," said Mark Davis, vice president, North America sales for NextiraOne. About Hotel Commonwealth About Alcatel enterprise networking solutions About Alcatel Headquartered in Houston and Paris, NextiraOne is a leading provider of network solutions and services. NextiraOne delivers world-class solutions and LifeCycleSM services from planning and design, through the implementation, support, and management of voice, data, and converged communications networks. As a global service organization that carries an extensive portfolio of certifications and product expertise, NextiraOne provides best-in-class technologies from leading partners, such as Nortel Networks, Cisco Systems, and Alcatel. NextiraOne offers consultation and solutions development ranging from contact center applications to network infrastructure outsourcing. NextiraOne is owned by Platinum Equity (www.peh.com), a global organization specializing in the acquisition and strategic management of mission-critical companies. For more information, please visit www.NextiraOne.com. About Platinum Equity Platinum Equity (www.peh.com) is a global acquisition firm uniquely specialized in the operation of mission-critical technology companies. Since its founding in 1995, Platinum has completed 40 privately funded transactions, leveraging a multi-billion-dollar revenue base derived from the continued growth of its portfolio. With an established infrastructure in North America, Europe, Asia and South America, Platinum employs a workforce of more than 15,000 serving over 500,000 customers worldwide. Product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. Hotel Commonwealth Press Contact Alcatel Press Contacts Ed Essa For NextiraOne: |
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