STRATEGIC PARTNERS
February 21, 2002
DAYTON, Ohio - Looking for ways to ease the burden on travelers, NCR Corp. (NYSE:NCR) has introduced a new self-service kiosk application for hotel guests that will allow them to bypass check-in desks.
The Xpress Hotel Check-in kiosk, which debuted at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show Nov. 10-13 in New York, was developed in partnership with hospitality technology provider VingCard Elsafe Inc.
When guests arrive at a hotel, they can activate the kiosk by inserting a credit card. The kiosk processes the card, confirms reservation details, and parcels out room keys. Travelers that charge rooms to their credit cards can also use the kiosks at check-out time to process room charges and print out bills.
Hotel officials can also use the kiosks to promote particular aspects of their facility, including restaurants and shopping options. Advertisements can also run on the kiosks.
NCR officials said the kiosks could offer travelers convenience at a time when extra security measures at airports - a direct result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks - are adding to travel times nationwide.
"Travel is becoming increasingly arduous," Nelson Gomez, NCR vice president and general manager for Web kiosks, said in a news release. "By the time travelers reach their hotel, the last thing they want to do is wait in another line."
