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October 28, 2008
Hotel in Dubai to Feature In-Room Luxuries Based on Nortel UC Platform
By Mae Kowalke, TMCnet Senior Editor
Providing incentives that get customers to choose one product or service over another can be challenging, and in today’s economic climate is more so than usual. Some companies are tightening their belts by returning to basics, while others are adding new, cutting-edge features that they hope will pay off in the long run.
In the latter category is Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers-Dubai, a five-star hotel that will open this December in the United Arab Emirates. Guests at the hotel — whether staying for business or pleasure — will be pampered with a variety of luxuries.
Among the incentives the hotel will offer guests is sophisticated bedside control of various in-room features, including temperature, TV channels and opening/shutting of the door and the drapes. These functionalities are possible because Bonnington created a robust hospitality solution based on Nortel’s (News - Alert) unified communications platform. The solution integrates various conveniences using an IP network for data and wireless communications and telephony services. The goal is two-fold: enhance guest experiences, and enable the hotel to operate more efficiently.
Alpha Data, a Nortel channel partner, was tapped to help build this hospitality solution, and deploy it at the Bonnington Tower 40-story hotel in 208 rooms and suites. The solution will also be installed in 272 apartments, conference rooms, bars and restaurants housed in the building. This includes an 11th-floor leisure deck open on three sides to the outdoors, featuring a swimming pool, stream rooms and saunas, a gym, and a Jacuzzi.
Ramin Attari, vice president and managing director of Nortel’s Middle East division, said unified communications technology can help hotels increase revenues by attracting more guests and streamlining business operations.
Attari added: “Nortel technology is highly energy-efficient, offering added benefits in lower costs and reduced environmental impact.”
The backbone of the hospitality suite at Bonnington Tower is built on three Nortel products: Ethernet Routing Switch 8600, Ethernet Switch 470 (for voice services, both TDM and VoIP), and Communication Server 1000. Further, Nortel’s Wireless LAN 2300 Series is being used for wireless Internet access and voice services. This means that staff will be available via a single number, allowing them to be more responsive and to provider more personalized attention to guests. Staff will use Nortel Meridian 3900 series digital phones and WLAN Handset 6120 devices for mobility on premises.
“We’re building from the ground up with integrated communications technology we expect to help us set new standards of luxury for our guests,” said Alan Bostock, general manager at Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers-Dubai, in a statement.
Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.
Mae Kowalke is senior editor for TMCnet, covering VoIP, CRM, call center and wireless technologies. To read more of Mae's articles, please visit her columnist page. She also blogs for TMCnet here.
Edited by Mae Kowalke
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