"Wyndham hired an independent consulting firm to evaluate available PM systems before selecting Mintek�s solution," says Richard Senechal, AIA, senior vice president, design and construction for Dallas-based Wyndham. "We believe Mintek�s WinTrack PM was the best option for us in that it will provide a significant savings in unplanned capital spending."

"We are honored that WinTrack PM has been selected by a company so respected in the lodging industry," says Mark Sokol, director of product marketing for Mintek Mobile Data Solutions, Dunedin, Fla. "WinTrack PM will enable Wyndham�s engineers to more efficiently schedule, monitor and analyze preventative maintenance, perform rounds and preserve and extend the life of each property�s most valuable assets."

WinTrack PM Standardizes PM Process

According to Bill McCleave, vice president of engineering at Wyndham, engineers at some of the company�s hotels have been using manual card type systems while others have implemented computerized ones. 

"We have always recognized the need to implement an automated preventative maintenance system as part of our standard operating procedures," McCleave says. "Using Mintek�s solution, we expect our operational efficiency to improve and anticipate a reduction in capital costs for equipment failures due to improper preventative maintenance."

Each Wyndham property will implement Mintek�s solution that incorporates easy-to-use handheld devices and barcodes. In preparation for WinTrack PM�s implementation, engineers at each hotel will place barcodes on equipment or other items needing evaluation on a regular basis. When the system is up and running, an engineer will simply scan the barcode with the handheld device. WinTrack PM will prompt the user to answer previously determined questions about a piece of equipment. After it is checked, the barcode will be scanned again. Each step will be recorded within WinTrack PM. 

McCleave says WinTrack PM initially will be used to monitor equipment but will eventually be used to perform guest room PMs. 

As part of the rollout of the new system, Wyndham will implement WinTrack PM�s Management Portal. The Web-based solution will give Wyndham�s chief engineers and other upper level managers the ability to monitor each hotel�s PM progress anytime, anywhere. Specifically, the Management Portal will enable a manager to produce reports that show outstanding work orders, completed and uncompleted rounds, and how long certain tasks took to accomplish.

WinTrack PM also will add accountability to the PM process because engineers must physically be at a piece of equipment or in a guestroom to scan a barcode. Chief engineers at each Wyndham property will know exactly when an engineer conducted PMs or rounds and what was recorded during those checks. 

WinTrack PM Passes First Test

WinTrack PM was first tested at the Wyndham New Orleans at Canal Place. Prior to implementing the system earlier this year, engineers at the New Orleans property used a paper-based filing system to record equipment and guest room PMs. 

"WinTrack PM helps us ensure that our room inspections are being handled in an appropriate and timely manner," says Johnnie Martin, director of engineering at the Wyndham New Orleans. "After completing PMs, we experience a reduction in guest complaint calls and an increase in our guest satisfaction scores."

"We anticipate that over time Wyndham will realize the same benefits our other customers are experiencing: a better guest experience, increased profitability and accountability, labor savings, extended asset life, lower energy costs and a safer work environment," says Sokol, who expects WinTrack PM to be in more than 250 hotel properties by the end of this year.

About Wyndham International Inc.:

Based in Dallas, Wyndham International Inc. offers upscale and luxury hotel and resort accommodations through proprietary lodging brands and a management services division. Wyndham owns, leases manages and franchises hotels and resorts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe, and guarantees that the best rates for its properties will be found on its proprietary website. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.wyndham.com or call 800-WYNDHAM. Wyndham is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (www.globalhotelalliance.com), a worldwide union of hospitality companies that provides guest with unique, personalized guest services.

About Mintek Mobile Data Solutions:

Mintek Mobile Data Solutions, based in Dunedin, Fla., is the developer and maker of WinTrack® PM, a mobile property maintenance solution for lodging engineers. WinTrack PM uses barcodes for equipment identification and mobile, handheld devices for data collection. WinTrack PM, now used by more than 100 hotel properties in the United States, automates data capture for recurring maintenance, rounds, unscheduled work and room inspections. The Wintrack PM Management Portal provides managers online access to property maintenance data. For more information, call Mark Sokol, director of product marketing, at (727) 734-9175, or go to: www.mintek.com.

WinTrack is a registered trademark of Mintek Corp. Third party product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.