Kensington Crowne Plaza

KENSINGTON CROWNE PLAZA INVESTS IN NEW TRIPLE PLAY SOLUTION FROM NEC PHILIPS

-NEC implements wireless communications, high speed internet and 120 LCD TVs to enhance staff mobility and guest service-

The Crowne Plaza Kensington, part of the Intercontinental Hotels Group, is implementing a ‘Triple Play’ solution from NEC Unified Solutions, valued in the region of £250,000, which provides high speed internet access, television and telephony services over a single broadband connection. The order also includes fully integrated IP DECT handsets which enable staff to keep in touch with each other wherever they are in the building. The new system, which is part of the hotel’s upgrade from a Holiday Inn, will facilitate better service to guests which will match the luxury associated with the Crowne Plaza brand.

The Crowne Plaza Kensington selected the NEC system on the premise that the NEC technology is proven, reliable and secure, combined with the fact that NEC has a long-standing relationship with the Intercontinental Hotels Group. A primary requirement for the new Triple Play system was the ability to integrate with the hotel’s other IT systems including the Property Management System (PMS) and the fire alarm system.

The IP DECT handsets from NEC are fully integrated with the switchboard operator as well as the ADT fire alarm panel, providing constant communication between the fire investigation team and the front office. In the event of a fire alarm, members of the fire investigation team are alerted by text message which will specify the location of activation and an investigation can then be carried out into the source of the alarm enabling the hotel to act appropriately, calling for further help or resetting the alarm.

Isabelle Ramillon, Front of House Manager, explains, “We work hard to ensure that every aspect of the hotel is perceived to match the luxury and style of the Crowne Plaza brand, from sumptuous furnishings, fragrant hand soaps and the communications solutions we use for both our customer-facing and internal processes. We honestly aim to make every gorgeous guest as comfortable as possible, and with the introduction of the Triple Play solution from NEC we believe we can offer the ultimate technology experience – this is for both our guests and the fabulous staff that look after them. The new system has allowed for improved communication using wireless IP DECT telephones; this allows staff to stay in contact with each other throughout the building. This speeds up our service and responses to guest requests – a great example would be a guest calling reception to ask for extra pillows. It is now a simple task for reception to call the housekeeper on an IP DECT telephone and relay the request – this certainly speeds up our response time, and in turn improves the guest experience. It also helps greatly with productivity, saving time and money – imagine the housekeeper having to report to reception every time a guest made a request? The IP DECT system deals with all these situations effectively.”