Orders for the fully automated systems from RSi under the new Placement Program (which requires no capital outlay), have been increasing dramatically. Hotel Lusso in Spokane with 48 rooms, the Lodge at Running Y Ranch Resort at Klamath Falls, Idaho with 83 rooms, Palm Beach Ramada Resort with 125 rooms, Hampton Inn with 104 rooms, and Best Western Kelowna in Canada with 130 rooms are just five of the many smaller properties to place orders recently with RSi. 

Until now, smaller properties could not afford the higher technology being installed by the large hotel chains.  �We designed the new Placement Program with the idea of helping any property use the latest-technology Refreshment Centers and safes without requiring up-front money,� said Sunyich. �Smaller size properties are just beginning to realize they too can afford the latest technology (previously offered only by four and five-star properties).  They don�t need a lot of money to enhance their personalized service - in fact, they don�t need money. Under the Placement Program, all of the equipment is provided free.  Smaller hotels can now include low prices from the minibars. 

�Previously, the high labor costs associated with supporting an �honor bar� in any size property has resulted in $5 Cokes and $3 candy bars. The RSi fully automated Convenience Center (refreshment center and safe combination) was designed to eliminate high costs and bring prices back in line,� said Sunyich. Without a creative lease program, smaller properties were unable to share in these technological advances and either had to stay with lower-priced honor bars  (and contend with higher labor costs, write-offs & shrinkage, and customer disputes). Or be unable to offer this amenity at all.

The Placement Program offered by RSi allows small properties to acquire this technology without any investment, or obligation to sell a required number of products from the Refreshment Center. Product prices for Coke and Snickers, for example, will be closer to  the average, thereby bringing this guest amenity back to a point that allows the guest to enjoy it. The size of the property is no longer important. By meeting a few qualifications based on occupancy and guest demographics, smaller properties can soon be offering in-room refreshments at reasonable prices. 

RSi is a private, full-service company which designs, manufactures, installs, services, and finances high-tech, in-room products including fully-computerized Refreshment Centers, electronic safes, on-demand movies, cash advance, and long-distance telephone billing.