| Atlanta, GA � May 3, 2004
� A successful single hotel install led to eleven more in 2003, and will
culminate with an entire group in 2004 for StayOnline of Atlanta, GA.
Pineapple Management Services has inked a deal which makes StayOnline its
sole provider of wireless high speed Internet access.
�StayOnline has been willing to work with us in designing a system that meets Marriott specifications and our own pricing structure,� said Glenn Pedersen, President of Pineapple Management Services. �In addition, their account team has been exceptional in service, responding quickly and effectively every time we had an issue.� �We view the relationship as a partnership,� adds Antonio DiMilia, President of StayOnline. �We have been impressed with the level of knowledge of the Pineapple management team, as well as their commitment to providing a high quality product for their hotel guests.� Pineapple Management Services has a portfolio of 17 hotels in eight states with 15 of those a part of the Marriott brand. In addition to in-room collateral provided by StayOnline, Pedersen adds the HSIA is promoted well via a trained front desk staff, advertising, and listings on its Marriott website. And, he says, the impact is measurable. �In many markets we are the only provider of high speed access throughout the hotel,� says Pedersen. �We�re removing share out of a competitive set that does not offer this service.� Pedersen adds that the business model of offering high speed Internet access has changed significantly over the past year. Only 12 months ago, a hard-wired solution was the norm and involved a significant capital investment, which had to be offset by charging the guest. Today, wireless solutions are less expensive, and make it possible for hotels to provide the service/amenity for free. Pedersen says they still have many guests with older laptops, unequipped for Wi-Fi, but it�s a challenge that is easy to fix during the guest�s stay, thanks to StayOnline�s software-free EZAirsm device, and one that is disappearing quickly as laptops today are more and more being built with Wi-Fi in the chip set. And, adds DiMilia, the wireless industry is still
young.
About Pineapple Management Services Based in Gulfport, Mississippi, Pineapple Management Services is one of the largest Marriott franchisees of limited services hotels with properties throughout the southeastern US. Pineapple is owned by Encore Enterprises and led by Chairman and CEO Bharat Sangani, MD. Marriott has recognized the company as one if its best developers and hotel operators with several national awards. In addition, Pineapple�s portfolio includes other leading national brands, such as Wingate Inn and Best Western. |
