Cisco converged IP network and telephony solutions gives Holiday Inn access to new business services and benefits

Dubai, 28th December, 2005 - Cisco Systems has announced that the new Holiday Inn Downtown Kuwait has implemented Cisco's converged IP network solutions, to offer a new level of interactive service to guests . The move will equip the hotel with a fully-fledged converged network that that will allow combined voice and data hospitality services.

Laurent Rigaud, the newly appointed General Manager of the Holiday Inn Downtown Kuwait, said: "Our guests are increasingly seeking a personalized, interactive experience throughout their stay at our hotel, and communications play an important part of how we provide this experience. Cisco's flexible, scalable and easy to deploy state-of-the-art communication infrastructure enables us to provide our guests with real-time services at their fingertips. With the collaboration of Cisco Systems, I think we have managed to put in place a key differentiator. The implementation of a solution based on Cisco IP will equip us with the most sophisticated networking solutions, thereby enriching the overall guest experience for years to come."

The Holiday Inn solution is based on the Cisco Connected Real Estate (CCRE) platform, a set of technologies to bring new communications capabilities to managed buildings such as hotels, schools, shopping malls and offices. Holiday Inn will use the CCRE to create innovative new services for guests including interactive services that are accessed through Cisco colour screen IP telephones in the rooms. Guests staying in suites will also be able to use these services anywhere in the hotel, by using Cisco wireless phones. The solution will also include resources for staff to help improve efficiency and customer service.

The Cisco infrastructure will run hospitality applications developed and deployed by software developers Nevotek. The Nevotek V/IP Suite will provide a wide range of services including weather updates, room information, hotel facilities, unified messages, bill information, channel information, wake-up call and email services.

"The large, colourful LCD displays of Cisco's IP phones enable guests to use many additional services through Nevotek's V/IP Suite.For example, without having to have access to a PC, hotel guests using the Cisco phone can directly  record their messages and send their voice message recording as an email attachment. The state of the art, cutting edge converged architecture provides an excellent base for new generation hospitality services," explained Alburak Ucer, Nevoteks' Regional Sales Manager.

Holiday Inn Downtown Kuwait is the first hotel in the Middle East to deploy the new Cisco IP telephones, which feature large full colour touch screens which enable guests to access services.

"Converging data, voice and video communications on a common IP network infrastructure will dramatically help Holiday Inn Downtown Kuwait reduce the cost of communication, infrastructure building and management while expanding the hotel's overall capabilities and ultimately delivering personalized services to their guests. The decision to integrate will unify voice, email, and conferencing facilities on a common integrated communications platform bringing in a host of new guest experiences at the property. The CCRE solution provides an ideal platform for next generation interactive experiences by providing an unmatched real-time interaction interface between the guests and their environment," said Samer Alkharrat, General Manager of Cisco Systems Gulf Region and Pakistan

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Cisco Systems Contact         
Allen Mgaieth
PR Manager - Middle East
Cisco Systems Middle East
+971(4)3907777

© Press Release 2005