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Carlson Hospitality Worldwide Introduces New Generation Central Reservation System; 
"Curtis-C" Sets New Industry Standards in Technology Sophistication
 
OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 20, 1999 -  Continuing to set new standards and cut new ground with innovative technology, Carlson Hospitality Worldwide today introduced a new generation central reservation system, "Curtis-C" (pronounced "Courtesy"), at its worldwide reservation headquarters in Omaha, Neb. Named in honor of Curtis L. Carlson, founder and chairman of parent company Carlson Companies, Inc., Curtis-C was a three-year journey that re-invented Carlson's system into one of the most sophisticated in the hotel industry and was completed without disruption of reservation services.

Curtis-C is built upon a three-tier client server architecture, relational database and global data network utilizing the most advanced systems methodologies to harvest business and manage operations of Carlson's brands on a real time basis worldwide. The system serves Carlson's hotel and cruise ship operations including Regent International Hotels, Radisson Hotels Worldwide, Country Inns Suites By Carlson and Radisson Seven Seas Cruises.

Joining in the dedication of the new Curtis-C system were Curtis Nelson, president and CEO of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide; Eric Danziger, president of Carlson Hotels Worldwide and Scott Heintzeman, vice president of Knowledge Technologies for Carlson Hospitality Worldwide. "The new Curtis-C system is truly a breakthrough," said Nelson. "It is a technology showcase which distinguishes us from the competition and sets new global standards for our industry. It is also a vital cornerstone in achieving the customer-focused strategic vision of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide for the next millenium," added Nelson.

"The project was completed in 'chunks' and was designed to integrate all of our worldwide systems, preparing us for massive future growth, and enables us to better focus on the individual preferences of our customers," said Heintzeman. "The capabilities of this system will allow us to not just take reservations, but to better manage our business and build fuller relationships with our customers."

In addition to taking reservations through toll-free telephone, the Global Distribution System (GDS), and the Internet, Curtis-C also interfaces with the company's more than 550 hotels worldwide via HARMONY, the company's property management system and the CustomerKARE system -- or Customer Knowledge And Relationship Enabling system.

In addition to HARMONY and CustomerKARE, the company systems that interface with Curtis-C include the Harmony Database Manager which provides access to hotel inventory along with the ability to deliver reservations through several distribution systems; the Guest Communication Manager, a system which manages guest satisfaction information; and KnowledgeNet, an Intranet system that will provide hotels easy access to valuable company information. All of these components provide numerous business benefits such as creating and distributing products worldwide in seconds; making information easily accessible to customize the customer experience; allowing for synergies between applications and reducing resource requirements; and adapting to changing markets and technologies. "Curtis-C is the platform upon which we are building our customer-focused future," added Heintzeman.

Following is an overview of the core applications.

HARMONY DATABASE MANAGER

The HARMONY Database Manager (HDBM) is a powerful software platform. Developed by Carlson Hospitality, the HDBM provides a hotel with PC access to electronically update rates, availability, and stay controls in the following distribution systems: Curtis-C; HARMONY; the GDS; and Internet distribution systems. "Through the HDBM, revenue management controls are literally placed in the properties' hands, thus increasing efficiency and sales effectiveness," explained Heintzeman. "Each hotel now has the ability to react immediately to a rapidly changing market. Within seconds, new rate products can be placed on the shelf, existing products modified, new selling strategies implemented and availability controls adjusted."

GUEST COMMUNICATION MANAGER

The Guest Communication Manager system supports the company's 100 percent guest satisfaction strategy. With this system, the company is able to monitor the history of service problems that occur for any individual guest and for any specific hotel. The system also allows Carlson to minimize problems by scanning for trends and patterns. "We can see if there is a common problem that continues to present itself or a specific hotel or group of hotels that need attention. The system helps us identify service problems so issues can be properly addressed," said Heintzeman.

KNOWLEDGENET

Because Carlson Hospitality is a global company, it is important for all hotels to have access to company information on any day, at any time. KnowledgeNet contains a wealth of information such as corporate policies; forms; reports; hotel procedures; and newsletters. In addition, KnowledgeNet eliminates the monthly printing of hotel reports and distribution to the properties. "For a company that works in a team environment, this system allows us to be more cross-functional which in turn produces a more successful bottom line," explained Heintzeman. "Managing knowledge and making that information available to the right people at the right time is the goal of every IT department, and KnowledgeNet represents the future of information management systems."

Carlson Hospitality Worldwide is a global leader in hospitality services, encompassing nearly 1,100 hotel, resort, restaurant and cruise ship operations. Specific brands include: Regent International Hotels; Radisson Hotels Worldwide; Country Inns Suites By Carlson; Carlson Lifestyle Living (Carlson Park); Carlson Vacation Ownership; Radisson Seven Seas Cruises; T.G.I. Friday's; Friday's Front Row Sports Grill; Friday's American Bar; Italianni's; AquaKnox; Star Canyon; Timpano Italian Chophouse; Samba Room and Provisions. Carlson Hospitality Worldwide is one of the major operating groups of Carlson Companies, Inc., headquartered in
Minneapolis, Minn. Other Carlson Companies groups include Carlson Marketing Group, a worldwide marketing services company operating in 17 countries; Carlson Leisure Group, responsible for leisure travel ventures around the globe; and Carlson Wagonlit Travel, a world leader in business travel management.

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Contact:
Betsy Day, 402-498-5000, [email protected]
or Kristi Arndt, 612-212-5626, 
[email protected],
both of Carlson Hospitality
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