Free email access with iConnect from Universal Concepts

Dubai distributor offers hotels the option to provide free email access to guests and still make a profit

Dubai, 03 June 2007: Universal Concepts, the leading IT solutions providers for the hospitality industry, is promoting its iConnect in-room internet access systems in association with Pronto Networks at The Hotel Show.

The revolutionary new system enables hotels to offer guests free access to low bandwidth usage such as email accounts, while charging for higher bandwidth usage such as file downloads or VoIP calls.

"So many hotels are struggling with the decision of whether or not to charge for internet access. iConnect provides an ideal solution, both for the hotel manager and for the guest. Our system can differentiate between various usages and charge the guest accordingly. For example, checking emails can be free of charge, web browsing may have a minimal charge, while hotels can charge full rate on downloads or VoIP calls," said Abhishek, general manager, Universal Concepts.

"iConnect helps the hotel optimize on its internet revenue. The system is easy to install, and with revenue-share or maintenance fee payment models is easily affordable," Bose added.

Universal Concepts and Pronto Networks offer brandable point-of-sale prompts, centralized authentication and billing and flexible service plans. In addition, the iConnect system can be integrated to Micros-Fidelio property management systems, as well as connected to hotel loyalty programmes.

"Wireless, high-speed Internet access is quickly becoming a service business travellers as well as consumers are expecting at hotels, convention centres, and other hospitality establishments. Hospitality management is also looking at broadband wireless access as a way to maximize occupancy, increase customer satisfaction, and improve the overall customer experience," said Jasbir Singh, CEO of Pronto Networks.

"The iConnect system is a solution tailored for the hospitality market. Pronto's solution offers a customizable, flexible platform that enables hotel IT staff to quickly and easily modify the service based on guest demands," he added.

Pronto Networks provides carrier-class Operations Support Systems (OSS) that enables network operators to deploy and manage large public hot spot networks. The company's software handles provisioning, configuration, authentication, access control, security, pre-paid and post-paid billing, and roaming settlement for large public WLAN networks, in addition to remotely managing and updating multi-vendor hardware and Wi-Fi switches.

Universal Concepts is exhibiting at The Hotel Show stand 1B111, taking place June 3-5 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.

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NOTES FOR THE EDITOR
Universal Concepts is a distributor and manufacturer of high quality consumer electronic products, as well as being an end-to-end solutions provider for the hospitality industry. With its headquarters in the UK, and regional offices in Dubai, UAE and New South Wales, Australia, Universal Concepts has a team of creative designers, product developers and testing groups to ensure that it provides highly innovative and profitable products.

For high resolution images please visit www.universalconcepts.co.uk and follow the download links.

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