Cisco Systems makes an impact in UAE's hospitality industry with Capital Towers Hotel Dubai

The Cisco infrastructure will run hospitality applications that 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.

"Leveraging on the company's experiences in Kuwait, the Levant and in EMEA, and working closely with the consultants, the project managers, the hotel chain and partners, we succeeded in creating the framework of the next generation hotel, and planted the seed for major future successes in the UAE's booming hospitality sector," said Samer Alkharrat, General Manager, Cisco Systems, and Gulf Region.

The Capital Towers Hotel solution is based on the Cisco Connected Real Estate (CCRE) platform, a set of technologies to bring new communications capabilities to manage buildings such as hotels, schools, shopping malls and offices. The Capital Towers Hotel 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 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 devices will also provide Room Automation services including controlling light switches , air conditioning and curtains within the guest rooms.

"The challenge at hand was to deploy easily manageable and cost effective network at Capital Towers Hotel in order to gain competitive advantage and to differentiate through technology. Cisco was able to prove the robustness of its technology and related applications through reference sites and technical workshop, and by showing the return on investment of the proposed solution," added Mr. Alkharrat.

Having automation run on the IP telephone will allow the guest to control his lighting, air-conditioning and drapes from any point in the room through a user friendly always-on device that is easy to use. For the operator, this is a very convenient, flexible and cost effective solution for advanced room automation without the need to place expensive portable screens that can be damaged, lost or run out of battery.

Commenting on the project, Usman Bhatti, Principal of PMK International, Capital Towers Hotel' consultancy firm, said, "Convergence is a cornerstone in the design and consultation strategy of PMK International, and plays prominently in virtually every project in the region including Capital Towers Hotels. The design for Capital Towers Hotels was critically important to address issues such as the optimal sizing of the edge switch up-links, quality of service requirements, IP telephony reliability, prioritization of data from internet access to building access control and the coordination for delivery of appropriate power and air conditioning to all the distribution spaces.

'This level of detail and coordination is paramount to the successful implementation of a Converged Network. Without it, developers and owners may not reap the full financial and operational benefits."

"The Hospitality industry has embraced the concept of Convergence, as their needs extend beyond the traditional "back-of-house" systems (Voice/Data/Video) to that of enhancing the guest experience through convenience, reducing operating costs, and increasing additional service revenues," said William Neilson, Senior Consultant, PMK International.

"The Converged Network System for Capital Towers Hotel included Building Access Control, Closed Circuit Television interface, Telephony, Guestroom Automation, Internet Access, HITV (Hotel Interactive Television), Digital Signage, Hotel Operating System, as well as integration of peer to peer communications with other building systems such as the Building Management System."