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VSi�s New Interactive FlightMate Allows Guests to Check,
Search, Change Flights on the Fly
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FlightMate� flight-status-checking stations give business travelers the ability to
check on flight status, make new reservations, or change existing itineraries
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SUNNYVALE, CALIF. � JUNE 11, 2008 � Vertical Systems, Inc. (VSi), a global leader in guest-services technology for hotels across the country and around the world, is now offering FlightMate�, a product that will allow guests to quickly and conveniently check their flight status from the hotel lobby�and to find and book alternative flights if need be.

Sunnyvale-based VSi already offers the BoardEZ� boarding-pass-printing system for guests� convenience. Now, VSi�s roll-out of FlightMate� takes BoardEZ a step further, said Saeed Kazmi, VSi President. 

�As guests increasingly rely on boarding-pass printing at hotels, such as our BoardEZ system, VSi is looking ahead at travelers� needs and is now offering FlightMate�,� he said. �FlightMate allows guests and travelers, from the convenience of the hotel lobby, to check and see if their flight is on time or delayed. Taken alone, this is not a new technology � a lot of companies besides VSi offer this capability.

�But here�s the point of differentiation�it�s the FlightMate� system�s interactivity,� Kazmi said. �With FlightMate�, guests not only can see if their flight is late or on time, they can actually search alternate flights to other close regional airports, and then can change their flight or make new reservations on the fly�no pun intended.�

For example, if a guest is flying from Cincinnati to San Francisco and she checks and sees her flight has been cancelled, FlightMate� has options that give alternate flights not only from the main Cincinnati airport, but from other airports nearby offering air service by all carriers to San Francisco or destinations close to San Francisco.

�So not only can hotels offer their guests a way to check on their flights, but with FlightMate� can offer them a way to search for and change to alternative flights before they even get to the airport,� Kazmi said. �Only with FlightMate can a hotel guest do this so quickly and easily. For the hotel, it means better guest service. A guest can check flight arrival and departure status before leaving the hotel, so there�s no need for him to rush to the airport only to find that his flight has been delayed. Thus, guests will stay longer at the hotel to conduct their business, especially when long flight delays or cancellations occur�and longer stays results in additional hotel revenues.�

Features of the FlightMate� flight-status station include:

  • Constantly updated flight arrival/departure information, the same as shown at the local airport
  • Multiple local-area airport�s flight information 
  • Customized display that can be coordinated for hotel-branding needs
  • Landscape or portrait monitor positions
  • 24/7 remote system monitoring to ensure system integrity.
�And for those hotels that have VSi�s BoardEZ� or another board pass printing station, combining it with FlightMate� offers a complete solution for busy business travelers,� Kazmi said. �Also, VSi offers complete 24/7 live toll-free customer support, 24/7 remote system monitoring and full maintenance and warranty coverage for equipment that we provide.

�This is a true win-win service for all concerned,� Kazmi added. 

For information on more of VSi�s wide variety of products and services, visit the VSi Web site at www.ver-sys.com.  
 
 

About Vertical Systems Inc (VSi)
Vertical Systems, Inc. (VSi) is the worldwide leader in providing guest services technology and solutions to the hospitality industry. Its products, which are aimed at serving the growing needs of business travelers and mobile users, include automated business centers, Wi-Fi hotspots, kiosks and in-room technology. VSi's products are sold through channel partners that include major hotel chains, broadband and wireless service providers, audio-visual service providers and large system integrators. For more information, please visit our website at www.ver-sys.com. VSi contact: [email protected]. VSi is a privately held corporation based in Sunnyvale, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. The company's revolutionary software and system architecture uses FreshStart� (proprietary technology developed at VSi) to create computers ideal for multiple users and remote situations. VSi solutions are backed up by 24/7 tech support.  Automated Business Center operators can provide reliable, virus-free, state-of-the-art computer systems to customers with zero maintenance.

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Contact:

Barb Worcester
President/Principal
PRPRO
Tel: (440) 930-5770
[email protected]

Shaukat  Anjarwala
Marketing Manager
Vertical Systems Inc.
Tel: (408) 752-8100 x106
[email protected]

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Also See: Leading Silicon Valley Business Hotel Implements VSi's BusinessClub�; Recent addition of VSi's customized solution boosts guest-satisfaction levels and doubles business-center revenues for the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara / June 2008
Desire to Enhance Guest Services Spurs Companies' Choice of VSi BoardEZ� System; Two Florida hospitality groups planning to install additional airline boarding-pass printing stations following highly positive feedback from guests / April 2008
Two More Top-Flight Business Hotels Now Offering VSi Business Centers; D.C.-area Marriott and Miami-area Hyatt already seeing increased levels of revenue and guest satisfaction after recent installation of VSi Automated Business Center / April 2008
VSi Offers Business Center Packages to Mirror Brand's Budget, Design and Standards Needs; Individual Hotels and Brands alike can now select from Silver, Gold, or Platinum Automated Business Center packages complete with hardware, software, HSIA and furnishings / November 2007
Introducing BusinessClub� at HITEC, VSi's Solution to Lobbies that Leave You Wanting More; Vertical Systems, Inc. can transform the traditional lobby with its innovative BusinessClub�, a multifunctional space where business travelers can work, socialize, and relax / June 2007
VSi Prepaid Cards Proving Convenient for Hoteliers as well as Guests; VSi's variety of prepaid-card programs helps hotels streamline the billing process while offering guests a convenient, secure way to access business-center services / May 2007
VSi Rolling Out iPOP�, Revolutionary Revenue-Generating Guest-Service Amenity; Global leader in guest-services technology will launch the industry's first Internet kiosks and Self-Service Business Centers that offer a combination of fee-based and free-to-guest services on the same system / March 2007
Aspen Kiosks Offer Attractive Option to Harried Travelers Tired of Long Lines; VSi's stylish computer-access kiosks help improve guest service and increase guest satisfaction by offering quick access to boarding-pass printing, Internet use / February 2007
Vertical Systems� FreshStart� Technology Spells Peace of Mind for Hotel PC Users / February 2007
VSi Automated Business Centers: Giving Guests, Owners a Truly Happy New Year; Hoteliers say outsourcing Business Center operations to Vertical Systems Inc. increases guest satisfaction, reduces operational stress and boosts incremental revenues / January 2007
VSi Retrofits Payphones with Internet Kiosks to Ring in Revenues, Enhance Guest Service for Hotels / December 2006
VSi Adds Hyatt Hotels & Resorts to its Airline Boarding Pass Printing Service; BoardEZ� solution also enables guests to make changes to their flight schedules, book new flights and make future hotel reservations / October 2006
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