Hotel Online  Special Report

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Unisys and KoolConnect Partner to Offer Digital Video-on-Demand Services for Hotel Guests New
Solution Includes Revenue Sharing Business Model
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BLUE BELL, Pa.  and NEW YORK, N.Y., May 6, 2004 - Unisys Corporation and KoolConnect Technologies have formed a strategic alliance to provide advanced video-on-demand (VoD) and interactive television services to the hospitality industry.   This alliance joins leading enterprises in hospitality technology and services and allows hotels to offer guests VoD services that are considered the next "must have" amenity.

The joint Unisys/KoolConnect solution is being offered to qualified hotels with a no-expense, revenue-sharing business model that includes no up-front or ongoing subscription and support costs to the hotel.  Key features include fully digital streaming video, DVD/VCR-like functionality, a wide range of content including some of Hollywood's biggest movie hits from the top studios, and custom branding where the host property may apply its own branding to the system.

"We were very impressed with KoolConnect's technology and felt that having the system supported by a company like Unisys was a real winning combination due to their experience and ability to deliver the high level of service that our guests expect," said Jack Stere, vice president of Operations for Capitol Hotel Group. "In today's competitive lodging market, it's important to stay ahead of the curve in terms of services and technology and we feel that this new VOD system will be extremely valuable to our guests."

Under this alliance, Unisys, a technology services company with a 50-year history of successfully serving companies in the travel and hospitality industries, will provide network design, deployment and support services for the new solution.  KoolConnect, a leader in developing and providing futuristic streaming video technologies to the hospitality industry, will deliver application, architecture and content services.

Prior to formally introducing the new services at the June Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) show, KoolConnect has already signed several properties for the new solution, including the 900-room Boston Park Plaza and two properties owned and operated by Capitol Hotel Group.  These properties join previous KoolConnect clients, the W San Diego and Westin Detroit Airport, who have been upgraded to the new technology platform and enrolled under Unisys support services.

Unisys and KoolConnect will be demonstrating their new Video on Demand/Interactive Television solution at the HITEC, June 22-24 at the Dallas Convention Center, Booths 636-638, in Dallas, Texas.

About KoolConnect
KoolConnect Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of compelling multi- media solutions and system integrations to the Hospitality Industry. Our innovative platform provides interactive media services over digital IP networks and offers a host of scalable turnkey solutions and products. Video- On- Demand, virtual concierge, state-of-the-art equipment and targeted marketing services are all a part of the KoolConnect Integrated System (KIS).  To learn more about KoolConnect, visit www.koolconnect.com.

About Unisys
Unisys is a worldwide information technology services and solutions company. Our people combine expertise in consulting, systems integration, outsourcing, infrastructure and server technology with precision thinking and relentless execution to help clients, in more than 100 countries, quickly and efficiently achieve competitive advantage. For more information, visit www.unisys.com.

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Contact:

Gail Ferrari Marold
Unisys, 919-468-2844
[email protected]
www.unisys.com

  
Tracy Donalson
Weber Shandwick Worldwide for Unisys
972-830-2526
[email protected]
  
Ilana Walden
KoolConnect Technologies
212-261-0470
[email protected]
www.koolconnect.com

 

 


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