PORTALS PROJECT PROFILE

PRODUCT LAUNCH :: InnHanse International, providers of hospitality technology, had developed a database-driven hotel portal to provide a value-added amenity to it's clients' hotel guests as a way to gain marketshare and press. >> more >>

IMAGE MAGIC WEB SERVICES :: Custom development consisted of researching the hotel's corporate standards, market position, target market, local area information, and property specific information, then populate the portal with customized text and image content per property. >> more >>

MARKETING STRATEGY :: The QuickSilver Hotel Portal becomes a standard in-room feature selected for Hyatt International Hotels. >> more >>

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT :: Image Magic transforms the Portal from a value-added amenity into a viable ROI resource in terms of savings, sales, and in-room marketing features. >> more >>

Accessed through a dedicated network, these information portals were developed for hotels, resorts and convention facilities as a value-added amenity to boost market share, and were a primary part of the InnHanse International total solutions technology package which included an infrastructure network of QuickSilver high speed cabling with Internet access ports, Sun Systems SunRay Interface Appliance with "Smart Card" functionality, and the QuickSilver Hospitality Portal. See PDF (425KB)

QuickSilver Information Architecture

Information presented through the QuickSilver Hotel Portal could be accessed at various levels:

• WORLDWIDE WEB: eMail, News, Weather, Stocks, Sports, Maps, Specials
• LOCAL: Around Town
• PROPERTY SPECIFIC: Facilities, Restaurants, Room Service, Recreation, Transportation

"Around Town" Locals Info

Each Hotel Portal was customized per property according to corporate standards, hotel features and amenities, as well as categorized locals information via "Around Town", which acquainted hotel guests with local venues, customs, events, and other areas of target market interest. Categories would vary depending on the community profile.

Using the Windom Rose Hall Resort and Country Club as a sample, "AROUND TOWN" features would be:

• Attractions
• Beaches
• Events
• Local Services
• Night Life
• Recreation
• Restaurants
• Shopping
• Transportation

The "ATTRACTIONS" would be organized in sub-categories:

• Ammusement Parks
• Educational Exhibits
• Landmarks
• Museums & Exhibits
• Parks & Gardens
• Wildlife & Zoos

Considerable press and media attention was drawn toward this particular portal asset due to it's patented uniqueness and level of value-added quality added to the guest experience.

Image Magic provided the research to populate the portal's "Around Town" database and made content decisions.

QuickSilver Applications Development

Specialized web-based applications were developed for both business and leisure travelers:

• Shopping
• Travel Plans
• Virtual Office

WEB SERVICES :: IMAGE MAGIC
Portal Content Development & Customer Service

Information Architecture, GUI, Applications Development and Database Structure had been established by the NetSoft development team when Image Magic owner, Christine Peacock assumed Project Management of the portal, which included the following:

• Sales Support, Client Development, and Customer Service
• Content "Needs Assessment" and Customized Content Development Per Property
• Photo, Image and Text Content Acquisition, Organization, Development, Optimization
• Copywriter :: Editor :: Coordinator of DataBase Editors Team in India
• "Look & Feel" Per Product, Custom Graphic Design
• Production, DataBase Implementation, Publishing, and Portal Maintenance.

Four hotel portals were developed for high profile Hyatt properties with progressive improvements made throughout the development process of each portal project completed in terms of appearance, functionality and marketing savvy. A conference portal was developed to acquaint Hyatt General Managers with the proposed technology to be added to the chain on an International basis.

MARKETING SUCCESS :: PORTAL AN IN-ROOM STANDARD
Hyatt International GM Conference 2000

As Featured Technology at the Hyatt International GM Conference 2000, the QuickSilver Hotel Portal was an overwhelming success. Each attending Hyatt GM was given personalized Sun Systems "Smart Cards" for the Portal Kiosks that were set up on the conference floor. The Conference Portal, designed by Image Magic, provided an event agenda, Keynote speaker comments, and an online PowerPoint Presentation outlining the featured technology of the QuickSilver Portal.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT :: AMENITY>ROI>REVENUE
Image Magic Transforms Portal

As Client Liaison attending to Client Development and Customer Service, Image Magic was able to research and learn client needs, goals, and trends and used this valuable input to progressively develop the portal from it's initial status as a value-added amenity to a viable ROI resource and revenue stream for the property. Not only were incurred expenses saved, but targeted in-room marketing and eCommerce opportunities were fulfilled.