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HOTEL IPTV True Unified Communications for Hotels

by

AndrewSpence

HOSPITALITY IPTV True Unified Communications for Hotels

IPTV is the new buzz word in the hospitality sector and with good reason as it opens up a whole new world of interactivity and endless possibilities, which ultimately increases guest satisfaction and if designed correctly, will increase hotel revenue. However according to Wowtels managing director, Pietro Casoar, (www.wowtel-dreamwise.com), the Dreamwise IP unified communications system can provide much more than just TV to hotels. In this article we shall explore some critical elements that can dramatically benefit hotel operators by implementing the Wowtel Dreamwise system.

Lets take a look at some of the key points regarding the current conventional technology used in vast majority of hotels today. Conventional TV systems (Hotel MATV) consist of 2 main features:

A limited number of Live TV channels due to the coaxial cable networks installed

NVOD or Near Video On Demand

the technology falls short of providing any additional information and interactive services that may provide any real benefit to the guest and hotel at the same time. NVOD in itself is quite limited and is more than an inconvenience to guests as it requires them to wait for the movie to start, rather than immediately viewing the movie once the movie purchase has been made, says Mr. Casoar.

Standard MATV Technology

The overwhelming majority of hotels currently use standard MATV systems to provide TV to their guests via RF (radio frequency) equipment and cable called coaxial cable which was invented by Oliver Heaviside way back in 1929. Although the cable is widely used in most hotels and is a legacy technology, it is utilized to provide TV channels, NVOD movies and some promotional media. However according to Mr. Casoar, MATV systems fall short of giving any real interactivity or depth to the hotels communications network. What most people dont realise with current hotel MATV systems is that even though the channels come from a digital source, in 99% of cases the channels are actually converted and broadcast in analogue, thus greatly reducing picture quality, adding probability of interference which most of the time results in snow, thus, amongst so many other factors, basically resulting in a sub-standard service compared to todays high standards. Whereas our Wowtel Dreamwise system works on full digital IP technology, bad picture quality doesnt exist in our systems, says Mr. Casoar.

Conventional TV system shortcomings:

Channels are broadcast in Analogue and in standard definition

No High Definition Channels are possible using analogue

Poor picture quality TV channels

Susceptibility to Interference

Lack of personalization for guests

Limitation of the number of TV channels offered

Incapacity to provide interactive features to guests

No capacity to provide interactive e-commerce or marketing

Why use IPTV over the current analogue Hotel MATV Systems?

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a system which Television Channels and Movie content is converted into data and transported through an IP network (a LAN) using either the hotels existing standard copper telephone cables thus eliminating the need for re-cabling or with Fibre Optic or Category 6 cables in new hotels. The digital data is then transported through the IP infrastructure, directly to each room via an IP Set Top Box or IP Television Set and guests can simply access the TV channels and other content using a standard TV remote control. For more advanced usage such as writing documents, emails etc… a wireless keyboard can be used.

What this means is that not only can the hotel now provide 1080p high definition Television and real Video On Demand (VOD), but other technologies such as IP Telephony, Internet and fully interactive promotional services can now be provided to each guest using the same single I.P. network infrastructure thus resulting in reduced cabling and labour costs whilst significantly adding value to the hotels communications system.

What are the highlights that make Wowtel-Dreamwise IP System the best choice?

No limitations on the number of TV channels that can be provided to guests

Provide a comprehensive local and international TV and radio channel line up

True Video On Demand (VOD) with full Play/Pause/Rewind/Fast Forward capabilities

On Demand free movie trailers to encourage movie purchase

Additional local and international Radio Channels (Via satellite and Internet)

Music On Demand (Inc. Music Video) with literally thousands of music titles

Fully customized guest interface and Middleware

Private messaging from front desk to guest

E-commerce and in-house shopping from TV screen

Targeted Direct marketing and Promotions

Full Interactive capability

Personalization services

Online bookings via the TV screen/remote control

Real time weather reports, flight information and other information services

Guests can view their bill before checkout

Full PMS integration for single billing solutions on guest checkout

What are some other services that can be added to the Wowtel-Dreamwise system?

Real time automated IP Security and Monitoring

Hacker detection, Anti-Hacker response and guest protection

24/7 Quality control

IP Telephony and VoIP Communications (including Skype Connectivity)

IP CCTV Security Video Cameras (Including PTZ)

IP Public Address (for security and mood creation requirements)

IP Access Control

IP Intercom

Secure and Encrypted Remote Access

Business applications and Video Games

What are the main benefits for Hotels?

Additional and Increased Revenue Generation

Improved Customer Satisfaction

Immediate Customer Service Response

Interactive Advertising and Promotional Vehicles

Better Market and Hotel Performance Intelligence

Greatly Reduce Printing, Stationary and Operational costs

About the Author:

Andrew Spence is a hotel specialist communications consultant and freelance journalist, with over 35 years experience providing sound advice to the global hospitality / lodging industry.

About Wowtel

Pietro Casoar is the Managing Director of Wowtel and an engineer, who has over 16 years of global experience in the RF and IT industries. He is also the author of several technical papers and presentations relating to RF and IP communications systems. Mr. Casoar is also one of the founders of Wowtel Pty Limited and the Wowtel-Dreamwise system, together with Mr. Vincent Fitzpatrick.

Pietros linkedin profile: http://au.linkedin.com/pub/pietro-casoar/7/165/a61

Wowtel are a manufacturer and provider of full turn-key unified IP communications to hotels, resorts, mining villages, hospitals, retirement villages, serviced apartments, ocean liners, housing estates, government and most major projects. Wowtel operate in the Asian, European and Oceania markets.

Andrew Spence is the editor of www.hotelconsultancy.org a website that provides free and realistic consulting services to the hospitality / lodging industry. Each page has easy to understand advice that specifically target the communications and entertainment areas.Pietro Casoar is MD of Wowtel Pty Limited – www.wowtel-dreamwise.com – Wowtel provide unified IP communications and entertainment to the hospitality / lodgement industry.

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