Advanced Television

Acentic’s HSIA offering provides integrated TV and Internet services for next generation in-room hotel entertainment

May 1, 2013

As part of its strategy to provide leading-edge technology and specialist solutions to the hospitality industry, Acentic, the leading global integrator of hotel in-room entertainment systems, has announced plans to launch a new HSIA product later this year which will support hoteliers in providing solutions to the ever-increasing bandwidth demands and expectations in the digital age. The new offering comes as a result of the on-going research and development programme that Acentic launched following the acquisition and successful integration of high-speed internet access (HSIA) provider, Rieo, into its portfolio of products and solutions.

Rieo who are synonymous with providing quality HSIA solutions and support to major hotel brands across Europe, and Acentic, have worked together to deliver combined HSIA and in-room entertainment solutions to over 100 sites managed by some of the world’s most renowned hotel chains including over 50 hotels within two major German hotel groups.

Hoteliers are currently faced with a difficult challenge – how to address the ever-increasing demand for more bandwidth by their guests. Guests expect superior hi-speed access and are also now travelling with an increased number of bandwidth-intensive applications (BYOD’s); smartphones, tablets, mobile devices are no longer using hotel internet simply to check emails but to download music, stream films and share files. Even with greater levels of bandwidth, a hotel’s entire allocation can often be consumed by just a few individuals using applications that are programmed to automatically adjust to consume as much bandwidth as is available.

Acentic’s latest version of its integrated HSIA platform, launching later this year, combines a robust platform and engine which links to a hotel’s property management system and provides visibility of which guests are using Wi-Fi and where – in bedrooms, conference facilities or public areas and on which devices. The solution allows hoteliers to monitor access and provides flexible pricing models and options resulting in new revenue opportunities.

The Rieo in-house developed HSIA platform has historically allowed the partnership to provide hotels with high levels of support, customised solutions and cost models, rather than off the shelf systems. The new HSIA platform architecture will be completely agnostic, meaning hoteliers are not restricted by mandatory periphery equipment but can be supported by a bespoke technology system that fully supports their requirements.

Through the new product offering, Acentic is able to deliver an end-to-end HSIA solution, covering conferencing, public area and in-room requirements, immediate issue identification and resolution. The multi-lingual, UK based 24/7 support that is also provided includes both 1st line (for simple diagnostic) and 2nd line (for more technical problems). The support desk has detailed knowledge of HSIA as well as all Acentic products and systems, covering territories such as UK, US, Central Europe, Asia, Middle East, Australia and Africa with a greater focus on customer needs and demands.

Mark Teasdale, CTO at Acentic and former Managing Director at Rieo, comments: “The integration of Rieo into Acentic brings together the heritage of two established technology solutions organisations, creating a research and development hub with a team of knowledgeable professionals, who collectively possess decades of delivery experience in the hospitality market. Acentic’s new formed capability is focused on continuously developing new products to meet the market’s ever-growing needs, and delivering solutions that allows guests complete flexibility over connectivity and choice of media.”

Richard Robinson, Chief Executive at Acentic, adds: “Our integration with Rieo was more than a typical business merger – it is about Acentic’s investment in technology development in the hospitality industry. Already, the analysis and work that the new team has completed has provided us with a great deal of insight into what guests expect in their hotel environment, allowing us to provide access to those services and more. Our integration activity in this area has been a great success so far. In today’s world – where guests expect so much more – an unsatisfactory technology experience can mean a guest will not return to a hotel. Acentic is committed to providing hoteliers with cutting-edge technology solutions, and transforming business and leisure traveller communications and enhancing their in-room entertainment experience.”

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