The Big Picture 2018

HOTEL TV SYSTEMS – NETWORKS – IPTV – WIFI – SIGNAGE – CONTENT

BIG Picture 2018

THE

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Generation Z

5.5 inch lives - pg10

Hotel Information Systems Inform, communicate, engage with your guests - pg12

Five Star Service

Airwave’s five-star performance - pg24

SEE THE

DIFFERENCE Want to improve guest reviews by 50%?

Next to staff friendliness and rooms being ready on time, poor WiFi is the biggest cause of bad reviews.

Boutique guest house or international chain, Airwave can provide you with world-class internet connection: • Fast, reliable connection • Secure system • Installation and maintenance • Easy-to-use • 24/7 customer support • Range of service and financial options

Take the first step to boosting your reviews.

See the impact for yourself. Call us today on:

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WELCOME

It’s a strange thing that in a digital world, we are still producing an old fashioned analogue paper magazine to cover the latest developments in technology, or is it? Of course, once in a while it is a joy to glance away from the electronic screens, to flick through a publication with glossy images and thought-provoking headlines. Whatever the medium, content is king and that will remain so.

As we look forward to the future therefore, the challenge is to understand the emerging technologies through which the content will be consumed. The last few years have seen the smart phone, the tablet, the laptop and the TV all battling for our attention. Being human, means that we will normally go with what is easy, intuitive and a pleasure to use.

Together we head towards an age of technological convergence in our industry, we hope we can assist as you make those important investment decisions.

At Airwave, our unique multi-branded approach enables us to select the right solution for your business from the multitude of available options. Once again, we trust that this year’s edition of the Big Picture will be as inspirational as it is informative.

Tim Worrall, MD Airwave Europe Limited

HOTEL TECH

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CONTENTS 03 08 10 12 14 16 18 19 20 22 24 26 27 28 30

Hotel Tech Megatrends Airwave at Work – Hotels Generation Z – 5.5 Inch Lives Hotel Information Systems Introducing Sky Select Digital Signage Solutions DOCSIS Technology Explained Samsung Display Solutions Airwave Services Content Across the Continents Five Star Case Studies Healthcare, Student Accommodation & Prisons Airtime Movie Streaming App Philips Hospitality TV and Signage LG Electronics TV and Signage

MEGATRENDS

The ongoing charge of technology is relentless: be it the launch of the latest iPhone X, with a raft of new features; the launch of an innovative range of OLED Ultra HD TV screens promising sharper and brighter images than ever before, through to the acceptance in our daily lives of a voice-activated guru, known as Alexa to tell us whether an umbrella will be required later in the afternoon. The hospitality business is not an island, but at the centre of these revolutionary changes and the challenge we all face is to meet the expectations of our guests with widely different needs. Predicting the future in hotel technology is a mixture of art and science, but by applying some logical thought, the best course of action becomes obvious.

TV TRENDS – SMART, OLED, 4K AND UHD

There must be a natural limit to the size of the TV in a room: the surface area of the wall. In the future, TVs will not be the traditional units we know today, but will probably be ‘wallpapered’ onto the wall, providing communication, information and entertainment in an immersive

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TRENDING IN 2018 • • • • • • • • • •

Chrome Streaming – using Staycast™ Airtime™ – Latest movies on Samsung, LG, Philips TVs Voice recognition – Forever growing in hospitality Instant Wi-Fi – Fast, reliable and secure Docsis TVs – IP over coax TV’s – Smart and Large with OLED and UHD Systems – Reach, Pro-centric, Android, AirMedia, Otrum Digital Signage – informing and driving revenue Room Automation – Keyless access and Room controls Going Green – 5 year warranty/service cover

LG’s OLED wallpaper TV

environment. As city centre rooms get smaller, there is a trend to use technology to add more value and enhance the experience. Indeed the technology is already here today in the form of LG’s OLED ‘wallpaper’ TV. At the moment the only size is 55 inch and you need a deep wallet, however as production volumes increase and the technology is perfected, prices will inevitably fall.

The trend we see today is hotels installing 55 inch screens so long as there’s space and 49 or 43 inch in smaller rooms. Naturally, these larger screen TVs also come with SMART functionality inbuilt, allowing content rich APPs such as BBC

iPlayer and Airtime to easily deliver catch-up TV and the latest movies directly on screen, without the need to connect other devices.

As the lifespan of a typical hotel TV is 5-7 years, it is prudent - where budget allows - to ensure the TVs are Ultra High Definition (UHD), which is sometimes known as 4K (there are subtle differences). These screens have four times the definition of HD and as the availability of UHD content increases, so will the demands on the bandwidth to the property and within it.

Samsung is upping their game with the next series of Smart hospitality screens for 2018 as they

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to bespoke design, can opt for AirMedia, with a very user friendly cloud-based control console enabling hotels to easily make changes to text and graphics. In cases where more complex PMS interfaces are required and when the gathering of analytic data is important, sophisticated systems such as Otrum are the natural choice.

Airwave operate a spares and repair service

Airtime movie streaming APP

switch onto the new Tizen platform, with faster processing power and the promise that they’ll have Netflix™ available to download directly onto the screen. We believe that both Netflix™ and Airtime™ are great APPs for hospitality screens.

Netflix™, because many existing subscribers can catch up with the latest TV series when they’re away, Airtime™, because it’s available to 100% of guests, can show movies in the special early hospitality window and can be utilised as part of a guest’s stay or on a pay-per-day basis. Airtime™ is cloud-based, available in 188 countries and is already on the hospitality platforms for Samsung, Philips, and LG* (* in beta test).

Of course, these brilliant new screens need content and it’s fair to say that hotels have been lagging behind in the delivery of quality HD sports content to the screen in the room. For instance, the only way to guarantee Sky HD in a hotel is to install a Digibox in every room. Well, this is no longer the case following the launch of Sky Select, which delivers quality HD content from a central location to multiple TVs in a hotel, courtesy of the new Sky Bright Box. Ideally suited for hotels with more than 50 rooms, it incorporates a welcome message and

also manages all the Freeview and international satellite content into one simple solution.

Crucially, it is compatible with both IP and Coaxial distribution networks. This type of distribution has been enjoyed in the US for many years and is already installed in thousands of hotels - so should also be a hit in the UK.

INFRASTRUCTURE COMES FIRST

Believe it or not, decisions for hotels are becoming easier when it comes to in-room TV systems, as there are a plethora of competitive system options that work on the same basic infrastructure.

Generally that entails an IP network to the TV point in the room, plus a coaxial point for added resilience and lower ongoing costs. For all but the most basic of systems, the TV should be a smart hospitality version from Samsung, LG or Philips (note companies like Loewe and B&O, sometimes have suitable TVs, but specifications must be fully verified and choice is limited). Most system integrator solutions work on the platforms from the big three manufacturers, so as long as the Headend, network and Smart hospitality TV is in place, then the hotel is in the driving seat as systems can be changed (at little cost) if they don’t deliver. Bespoke hardware in these cases is on the way out, which is good news all round.

PICK THE RIGHT SYSTEM

Samsung, LG and Philips all have their own ‘house system’ to cater for hotels which require little more than just a TV and want to provide information via the biggest screen possible. They normally come with minimal cost and can be a very attractive solution for many mid-range hotels. So Samsung’s LYNK-REACH, LG’s Pro-Centric and Philips’ CMND systems are essential basics for efficient control and communications in many hotels. Those wanting more style and movement when it comes

Sky Bright Box

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BE GREEN AND FIX IT!

Whilst we all rush to obtain the latest ismart phone and quickly dispose of the old one, hotels cannot make such easy decisions when it comes to TVs. Normally they are already part of a system, or a feature of the room and part of the original design or refurbishment. If we assume asset life of 5-6 years, then it is important that maintenance agreements are in place, which extend beyond the normal 2 year warranty period. Having to buy a new model TV halfway through an assets life can be a major headache. For 17 years now, Airwave have been conscious of this issue and currently maintain around 100,000 hospitality screens in the UK. Spare parts are stocked and this service ensures that wherever possible, TVs are repaired and returned to site until the day comes to replace them.

TALK TO YOUR ROOM

Steve Wynn knows a few things about hospitality and equipped the 4,748 rooms and suites at Wynn, Las Vegas with an obedient electronic butler in the form of Amazon Echo. This allows guests to not only summon up their favourite song, but also to control the air con, lights, curtains and TV using Alexa voice recognition technology. Of

Amazon Echo at the Las Vegas Wynn

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course, this global software is continually learning different languages, accents, slang, words and even nuances every second of every day, so is becoming a very intelligent butler.

Similarly, over at Starwood (now owned by Marriott), they have been testing the water within the Aloft brand at two properties in the USA, this time using Siri voice activated software from Apple, running on an IPad. This allows guests to adjust lighting, control room temperature, play music and even explore local attractions in the city.

Last year, the Clarion Hotel Amaranten in Stockholm installed their own in-room assistant also thanks to Alexa. They partnered with U.S. tech firm Edge DNA, and enabled voice-controlled features such as the ordering of taxis, room service, searching online for information and researching hotel opening hours.

Watch a video here: Hilton, with the help of IBM, have gone one step further and are testing a robotic concierge in the form of Connie powered by Watson software, to man the busy lobby at one of their hotels in Virginia. Connie has a white spaceman like body, with eyes that light up and has more the feel of an ongoing experiment, than of a finished solution. Of course, as we all become much more confident about using voice activated technology in our daily lives (many cars have had such features for some years now), the usage in a hospitality environment where the same questions and repeat tasks are performed every day, can only increase.

Connie, the robot concierge

Clearly, voice activated systems will be incorporated into hotels in the future in a number of ways, however, before you go charging into installing voice activated devices into every new build, consider the privacy implications it presents.

Whilst voice activated technology has already

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A glimpse into the future at Chicago’s Peninsula Hotel

found its way into cars, mobile phones, smart TVs, toys and other web-connected devices, installing such a device into a hospitality environment, where the guest trusts the hotel to maintain privacy is not a decision to be taken lightly. Most of the technologies work by relaying the spoken word to remote servers, which decode against a vast database of stored digital audio profiles, to translate the phrase into a command. Usually, these devices rely on a specific ‘wake word’, which kicks the device into action and full listening mode.

To do this the device is constantly monitoring the audio environment waiting for the ‘wake word’.

There are some basic questions that need to be asked before installing such technology, regarding the recording, storage and access to the audio data. Are just commands being recorded and transmitted, or all conversations? Each country has different laws regarding personally identifiable information and it is important that legal advice is sought beforehand. It may then be necessary to communicate certain things to the guest prior to them using the services.

Over at the luxury 5 star Peninsula Hotel in Chicago, they have managed to marry in-room control technology with voice recognition software in the form of a human being at the other end of the line. The rooms are fitted with an elegantly designed in-room tablet, where full control of all room functions is just a touch away, enabling easy control of guest room lighting, room temperature controls, restaurant menus, hotel services, city information and attractions and TV channels.

LED touch-screen wall panels offer weather details, language and privacy options. In addition to the recently launched 24-hour check-in for web bookings, all guests now have access to a new Mobile Concierge service, which provides instant guest service support by text message, directly to cell phones. Additionally, all national and international calls made from the guest room phone are complimentary via VOIP. It goes without saying that, the new rooms feature all essential functions, entertainment and guest services are

available in 11 languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese).

CHROME IS THE NEW GOLD

For a number of years now, the holy grail as far as hotel technology goes, has been the easy streaming of content from the phone or tablet onto the large screen TV. The challenge of course is that guests arrive with a variety of smartphones and tablets, and hotels often have different brands of TVs of differing ages and screen sizes - but both guest and hotel want a simple seamless solution.

Well, the good news is that some very robust solutions, which address most issues are now coming to market. Take STAYCAST™ from Sonifi, the American based company and largest hotel TV provider in the World, which is now being enjoyed in over 50,000 rooms. STAYCAST™ is powered by Google Chromecast and Sonifi have an agreement with Google to develop and install the product. It works with both Apple (iOS) and Android devices allowing them to stream thousands of different APPs onto the TV, such as Netflix, YouTube, BBC iPlayer etc. Multiple devices can be connected to the same TV and they automatically disconnect at checkout. Furthermore, simple onscreen instructions enable the guest to securely connect without the need for them to download yet another APP onto their own device. Many guests

Staycast’s monitoring functionality

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of Things (IoT), whereby room devices such and lighting, aircon, entry systems, security sensors, TV, Access points etc require a fast and immediate connectivity for optimal performance.

DOCSIS, RE-ENERGISES COAX

Delivering IP connectivity into properties with legacy infrastructure is a challenge, but there is already a cable network in place in most locations which can be re-energised, the lowly coax cable network. Physically thick, this cable is capable of being upgraded through DOCSIS 3 technology to carry a fully IP network to the room. Indeed it is even possible to hook on wireless Access points and provide IP to the room. Samsung has even produced a dedicated hospitality 694 series range with the technology inbuilt, meaning the coaxial cable just connects to the TV. There is even a network port out allowing further connectivity within the room such as apple TV, google chromecast and traditional wireless access points.

A simple DOCSIS headend unit can run up to 400 rooms simultaneously. This solution is perfect for large holiday camps, historic and protected buildings or hotels where data just has not been run yet - or is just too costly. This technology has enabled companies like Virgin Media to upgrade some of their existing coaxial networks, within the need to re-run cable. It’s a very neat solution.

EMBRACE CHANGE AND SUCCEED are familiar with this technology at home, so are already along the learning curve. The system also benefits from advanced monitoring and reporting functionality, as well as 24/7 guest support. To ensure such a system is fully compliant and secure requires specific configurations of the network.

With STAYCAST™, the Google chrome dongle is housed in a special security unit behind the TV and works on most TVs with an HDMI input. Of course, it performs far better when that TV is a hospitality version.

THE NEED FOR SPEED

Who can remember plugging in a phone cable to your computer and hearing a strange electronic handshake when accessing email at the blistering speed of 128kps/second? Well, we all know times have changed and fast WiFi connectivity is as important as a roof to many guests today. I may jest, but given the choice between ‘no hot water’ and ‘no internet’ I wonder how many would choose the former? It is therefore preferable that contracts are agreed with ISPs to deliver fibre to the property, with the ability to either throttle up or throttle down bandwidth based on usage. In 2018, there are around 8.5 billion connected devices throughout the world, which is expected to quadruple by 2021, boosted by wearables such as smart watches, fitness trackers, smart clothing as well as smart phones, smart TVs, tablets and PCs. In essence, demand for bandwidth is huge and ever increasing. Rules of thumbs are always dangerous, but for a hotelier in 2018 wishing to estimate the bandwidth required, we can assume 1Mb per guest as a workable number. For a 100 room hotel, this equates to approx. 200Mb, (if

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we assume 2 guests per room). This allows for contingency and the various types of content being accessed.

The pipe to the site however, is only one side of the equation and the design, equipment specification and management of the network must also be optimal. Typical WiFi contracts are 3 years in length and there is a good reason for this as the demands on these networks is such that continued upgrade is necessary. Indeed in the USA (which is often a good barometer for the future elsewhere), some hotels are being designed with fibre to the room. Indeed it is only a matter of time before fibre to the room becomes a standard for new build. Fibre benefits over copper include faster ‘always on’ connectivity, thinner cable, easier to install and up to 300 times greater distance distribution. Furthermore, driving this whole issue is the demand for bandwidth created by the Internet

Let’s face it technology is great fun. It helps brands define themselves and it enables us all to live better lives in an increasingly fast-moving and complex world. It is clear that the large players in the market such as Marriott and Hilton can see this revolution happening and are keen to test new ideas and concepts through some of their ‘tech forward integrator brands’. Not all technical developments will add real value, so they are carefully monitoring each initiative to understand the technology which will delight the guest at a reasonable cost. The in-room technology investment cycle continues to reduce, so it is more important than ever to ensure the hotel infrastructure is as future proof as possible, with open standards wherever possible. Ease of use and reliability are still the most important factor however, but as ever hotels also need to embrace change to exceed guest expectations and remain competitive.

Airwave’s European Headquarters in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

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Guests can stream entertainment from 1000+ apps to the hotel room TV

PROVEN FOR HOSPITALITY. PROVEN FOR GUESTS. . Only requires a Google Chromecast device + TV in the room* . Integrates with your existing linear TV or iTV system (Including 3rd party platforms) . No app login required through the TV . 500+ unique apps have been streamed to date . Guests stream an average of 4x per stay for around 1 hour per time . Increase guest satisfaction to drive repeat stays

www.airwave.tv | 0845 555 1212 | info@airwave.tv Copyright Š 2017 SONIFI Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. SONIFI and STAYCAST are trademarks or registered trademarks of SONIFI Solutions, Inc. Google Chromecast is a trademark of Google Inc. All other trademarks used are the property of their respective owner. *In-room Internet access required (wireless or wired). Subscriptions may be required to access certain content. Usage and rooms installed are based on internal SONIFI data. Information deemed accurate as of 090817. Contact SONIFI for details. Some exclusions may apply.

EASY HOTELS BIRMINGHAM, SOUTH KENSINGTON AND MANCHESTER

FOUR SEASONS, HAMPSHIRE The Four Seasons brand strive to be the world’s premier hospitality company and the Hampshire property is no different. Situated in a historic Georgian manor in the quintessential Hampshire countryside, the hotel approached Airwave to supply and install a hotel TV system to cater for its discerning customers.

“With this in mind, we proposed a series of high-end TV solutions to ensure the guest-room technology was in parallel with the hotel’s five star offering” said Key Account Manager, Barrie O’Neill.

Airwave supplied LG UHD screens, desk-mounting 160 x 55” UW761H and 2 x 65” UV761H TVs. In each of the 23 suites, Airwave integrated an Apple settop box, providing seamless content sharing for owners of Apple devices.

LG’s ultra-high definition SMART screens offer a world-class viewing experience, combining the ultimate in picture quality with an intuitive and powerful smart platform.

The easyHotel chain operates in the “super budget” hotel segment, offering value-driven accommodation in clean, comfortable and safe locations. The customer proposition mirrors cousin easyJet’s model of low pricing but charges for extra services – on this occasion, terrestrial television channels.

The provision of a pay-to-watch TV system requires a distinct level of expertise and as such, Airwave was approached to supply a suitable system for several easyHotel properties.

Airwave recommended the Philips EasySuite range, wall-mounting 234 x 24” and 32” HFL3010T screens at hotels in South Kensington, Birmingham and Manchester.

In order to facilitate a pay-to-watch TV system across channels, Airwave designed and deployed a Philips CMND system paired with Philips Mychoice at each hotel.

Mychoice offers a simple and low-cost method of providing pay-towatch content, supplying hotels with additional revenue streams; the Philips CMND information system facilitates the simple, intuitive creation and distribution of interactive hotel web pages on the guest-room TV screen.

Airwave At Work

AIRWAVE AND OTRUM AT THE RADISSON BLU, CARDIFF The Radison Blu, Cardiff is an upscale property boasting an enviable location in Cardiff’s city centre. 21 storeys tall, guests are treated to expansive views of Wales’ capital city.

With this in mind, a world class television system was needed to ensure guests are also distracted by the view inside the room. Otrum and preferred partner, Airwave Europe, were tasked to provide a system offering customers a truly top-drawer media experience.

Airwave installed 230 x 48” and 55” Samsung 690 series SMART hospitality TVs, integrated with the Otrum Enterprise solution. Otrum’s state-of-the-art system incorporates an intuitive interface, providing stress-free navigation through the myriad of features.

Ian Tait, Account Manager at Airwave: “We wanted to provide a system that would enable the hotel and guest to communicate in a seamless manner. This way, the hotel can keep the guest informed throughout their stay whilst also enabling the guest to communicate with the hotel – very useful for requests such as room service”.

In order to create the increasingly expected “home from home” experience, Airwave also installed an Apple TV in every room and provided “Airtime”, the ground-breaking video-on-demand system.

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1 IN 3 HOTELS CHOOSE AIRWAVE 1 in 3 of Tripadvisor’s “Top 100 London Hotels” have chosen Airwave to supply hospitality technology.

From world-renowned luxury establishments to value-driven properties in iconic locations, each of the top 100 share a common theme – five star reviews and delighted guests!

Tripadvisor is the world’s leading travel review website, receiving 38 million monthly visitors and firmly establishing itself as the go-to place for travel information. As such, it’s a valuable barometer of what’s hot and what’s not in the hospitality industry, “as a result of this, we’re delighted to have such a strong presence in the best hotels in one of the world’s leading cities” said Sales Director, Paul Chambers.

However, Tripadvisor is more than just a tool to flatter Airwave’s success: “By simply adding TV as a search term, we’re able to find out exactly what guests think of the in-room technology we’ve installed. This forms part of our 360-degree review process, helping us understand trends, highlighting issues but most importantly, ensuring we have full visibility of all feedback, whether positive or negative” said Operations Director, Toby Hart.

All feedback is infinitely valuable because like London’s best hotels, Airwave’s overriding ethos is the delivery of five-star customer service and the exceeding of guest expectations.

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THE SKY’S THE LIMIT AT THE LEVIN HOTEL

THE HOXTON, PARIS The Hoxton brand epitomises cool. Located in trendy neighbourhoods in London, Amsterdam, Paris and New York, each of the Hoxton’s hotels work on a simple ethos: style must not be compromised for value and honest pricing.

Hoxton’s latest hotel, located on the Rue Du Sentier in Paris, is no exception.

Featuring quirky boutique bedrooms of all shapes and sizes, a sleek and modern technology offering was needed to mirror each room’s sexy aesthetic.

Airwave duly delivered, recommending Samsung’s HGEE690 series; the 690’s slim, stylish design adds ambience to a hotel room whilst maintaining the guest’s focus on the screen. 7 x 32” and 165 x 40” screens were installed into the guest-rooms, with most being keyhole bracket wall-mounted to ensure as low a footprint as possible.

Further aiding a premium guest experience, Airwave deployed a Samsung REACH system, enabling the seamless management and maintenance of the hotel’s TVs. “We’re delighted to have worked with Airwave to supply TVs to this fantastic hotel” said Samsung Hospitality Manager, Phil Edwardes “the 690 series has a perfect balance of style and substance and we’re sure the Hoxton’s guests will be delighted with their TV system”.

It’s no secret that Airwave have lofty ambitions, but one particular assignment propelled the install team to dizzy new heights.

Situated a stone’s throw from the iconic Harrods, Hyde Park and London’s West End, The Levin Hotel, Knightsbridge is one of London’s top boutique hotels and a ‘home from home’ for guests looking for personality and charm. With a renowned in-house restaurant, 12 luxury rooms and very high standards, the Levin’s requirements are meticulous and exacting.

Exacting standards require an exemplary service and with this in mind, Airwave was tasked to provide an in-room Sky TV offering to the Levin’s bedrooms.

Having previously installed Sky into the Levin’s sister property, The Capital Hotel, a straightforward site survey and install was anticipated. This wasn’t quite the case.

“It soon became clear that the nature of the necessary cabling upgrade required some extra thought” said installation manager, Tim Mitchell “in order to provide the best possible solution, we had to do much of our work outside the building.

No easy task when it’s five storeys high!”.

“No tall order” said Operations Director, Toby Hart “we’ll abseil down the side of the building”. After a number of conversations and a rigorous study of health and safety legislation, Airwave donned helmets, high-visibility jackets and set to work.

The result? A seamless Sky in-room service, a happy customer and a few unconventional pictures for the Airwave photo album.

PARK PLAZA WATERLOO The Park Plaza London Waterloo is located in the heart of the capital, a short walk to the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Waterloo bridge.

Spanning over 13 floors, London’s newest Park Plaza features a restaurant, on-site fitness centre, spa and indoor pool.

Airwave was tasked to provide a guest-room entertainment service for the hotel’s 494 rooms and recommended Samsung’s 48ED690 SMART TV platform. The HD690 solution has a number of features such as smart connectivity, screen mirroring and an easy-to-use interface. Satisfying the design-led concept of the rooms, each of the 500 televisions supplied and installed were flushmounted to the bedroom wall. To further enhance the aesthetics of the technology, the 690 series has a narrow bezel and boasts one of the thinnest panels in the market.

Airwave also installed a Sky In-room service in each bedroom alongside an international channel list, catering for the hotel’s multinational clientele.

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GENERATION Z 5.5 INCH LIVES Much has been said and written about millennials, these ultra-connected and technology-savvy generation of people, but there’s a new generation of hotel guests that need to be catered for and that is the Generation Z. If you thought millennials were complicated wait until a “Gen Z” comes into your property - this future generation is here, here to stay and as an industry we must get ready to cater for their needs.

So, who exactly are these people? There are many versions but I’d like to go with anyone born after 2001. We may be talking about teenagers who are not your current target market, but In the near future they will be, and they currently have a huge influence on their parents who they travel with.

So, what makes this generation of future travellers special? Many things, but if we were to do a highlevel comparison with millennials it would be a case of “we need to enhance the technology for our millennial guests”, whilst for Gen Z “technology IS the experience” - they are the most connected, technological and social generation ever. They are also the most educated and have never experienced life without the internet and Google.

Gen Z use smartphones as a remote control but interestingly, only 4% use their device to actually “call” someone - yet 11% admit to using their phone in the shower! Other research shows that 70% watch over 3 hours of mobile video a day, 2 out of 3 purchase online, 64% say images seen online will influence product purchases and incredibly, 3 in 10 admit to texting people who they’re physically with!

Other stats show a different usage of technology.

There are 41 million Facebook users in the UK who are 18+, for gen Z that number is just 1.8 million however 84% of teenagers in the UK are on Snapchat - if you look at Snapchat’s global figures it’s incredible. 166 million daily users, 10 billion video views a day and 9000 shared photos

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per second - all of this from a smartphone. We are moving into a mobile world. Avvio research states that as of august 2016, 44% of total web traffic comes from mobile; Hitwise research has shown that 60% of google searches are now done on a smartphone and crazily, WhatsApp handles 200 million voice messages a day.

Gen Z is growing up with robotics as a reality and voice recognition as a norm. Chatbots , AI and blockchain technology all will become common place and of course it’s all about the mobile phone, this is the generation that sees “Online as Oxygen”.

With all of these trends, numbers and stats, what does it mean for hoteliers?

First and foremost - the hotel Wi-Fi system. This has to be best in class, available throughout the property and fast enough to avoid buffering.

Hoteliers should take advantage of the new 802.11 AC Wi-Fi norms. This technology utilises the 5 GHz band to provide much faster connectivity over previous versions. And in the future it’s not just about download speed (which for me should be 10 MB per guest) but also upload speed. From WhatsApp, dropbox saves to movie streaming, users are hungrier than ever for fast upload speeds - and don’t even think about asking them to pay for this!

In room connectivity will also be vital and power should be available throughout the room, ideally with 2.5 amp USB faceplates enabling faster charging to support tablets.

Also the ability to connect devices to the inroom TV will increase and being able to watch Netflix on a big screen via your own device will be important. People have discussed allowing guests to sign in to personal accounts on a smart TV but security fears have so far discouraged this - technology such as miracast and Apple Airplay should be more prevalent in hotel rooms. As for how hotels will communicate to these guests, texting applications or in-room tablets will be the most widely used way for these people to stay in contact with a hotel.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The author of numerous hospitality technology articles, Ian Millar’s expertise in hospitality and information technology sets him at the forefront of the international hospitality industry.

He is a Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (the first European to receive this qualification) and serves at an advisory level for various hospitality technology companies.

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ENSURE YOUR GUESTS WAKE UP RECHARGED KUBE ESSENTIALS™ PHONE, TABLET, LAPTOP, CHARGER | ALARM CLOCK The new Kube ‘Essentials’ is a sleek and elegant alarm clock featuring high-speed charging for up to 6 devices at once, including your laptop via a top-mounted AC power outlet.

HPA BBC 1.2_ads 20/09/2017 11:17 Page 1

The option of a Qi Wireless Charging Pad allows guests to ‘drop and charge’ enabled smartphones while built-in charging cables are completely upgradeable to ensure compatibility with next generation charging technologies.

Displayed with optional Qi Wireless Charging Pad sold as an accessory.

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Hotel Information Systems Airwave design, supply, install and manage a full range of interactive information systems, providing a branded, customisable solution for guest-room televisions.

In recent years, the hotel industry has veered away from video-on-demand television systems - an increase in portable devices and content streaming services such as Netflix has rendered the pay-per-view format as outdated and unnecessarily expensive.

However, a TV information system remains a vital communication and branding tool and as such, Airwave’s portfolio of customisable systems provides an efficient and affordable way of communicating with your guests. Systems can be tailored to suit a multitude of situations, from small boutique hotels to centrally-managed multi-site chains and can be commissioned on an IP network or existing RF (coaxial) infrastructure. Airwave are also able to deliver an IP system over a coaxial network using DOCSIS technology (see page 18).

Airwave offer a number of options, ranging from the simple supply of an information channel to a designed and commissioned, fully-managed interactive system.

AIRINFO

regional weather conditions or local traffic RSS feeds.

AIRMEDIA

AirMedia is a low cost, innovative and flexible solution delivering information and interactivity to TV screens over coaxial RF or smart IP TV networks.

AirMedia RF is based on the same interactive technology used by broadcasters worldwide and is already built into most TVs manufactured over the last 5 years. As a consequence, the service doesn’t require a settop box, reducing a room’s technology footprint.

AirMedia provides an interactive interface, giving guests access to a series of navigable information screens. These can be managed and updated remotely and can include hotel services & facilities, restaurant menus, hotel promotions etc.

Revenue streams can also be generated by the advertising of local businesses.

AirMedia IP can be utilised on a SMART hospitality TV system, extending features and utilising an HTML browser which can add dynamic content such as news and weather feeds. Other features include SMART apps, catch-up services and content sharing services such as Chromecast and Apple TV.

AIRINFO

AirInfo is a value-driven solution, consisting of a dynamically changing, single page of content that can include editable text, videos, images and RSS feeds. Flexible and adaptable, AirInfo will work on all digital ready TVs (it’s simply received as a channel) and can be programmed as the switch-on channel on all hospitality TVs .

AirInfo is particularly useful for hotels looking for a cost-effective branding solution and simple features such as an on-screen clock,

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AIRMEDIA

0845 555 1212

SAMSUNG REACH

OTRUM

OTRUM

Otrum Enterprise built on a HTML foundation, Otrum’s software works across multiple platforms and delivers a seamless user experience across TVs, tablets and smart phones.

Typically implemented within four and five star properties, Otrum’s premium solution offers a host of advanced features such as PMS integration, maintenance reporting, guest analytics and screen-mirroring.

Otrum also offer a powerful revenue generation tool, facilitating the purchase of services such as spa treatments, baby sitter services or room service via the television or connected device.

Optimising room management, Otrum’s system can work in conjunction with housekeepers to report broken l ightbulb and fixtures and can also provide room status, allowing faster turnaround of rooms.

Each hospitality TV manufacturer provide an information system designed to work in conjunction with its television range.

SAMSUNG REACH

Samsung Reach is Samsung’s dedicated information system, available as both a RF and IP service and compatible on all Samsung hospitality televisions.

PHILIPS CMND

Philips CMND is a system specific to Philips and available as both an RF and IP system.

The CMND software is fully integrable between all Philips hospitality TVs, digital signage and healthcare TV.

LG: PRO:CENTRIC AND PRO: CENTRIC DIRECT

Lg: Pro:centric and Pro: Centric Direct information systems are compatible with LG hospitality TV screens and are run on RF and IP networks respectively.

LG PRO:CENTRIC DIRECT

Information System FAQ I’M CONFUSED, WHAT SYSTEM WOULD WORK BEST FOR MY HOTEL?

In short, this depends on your budget and your specific circumstances. Key to this choice however is the existing network infrastructure at your hotel. Information systems can be categorised into two types: RF(coaxial) and IP (Ethernet).

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RF AND IP?

RF systems work on coaxial networks that typically exist in most properties. Whilst these tend to be simpler and less featurerich than their IP counterparts, they are still a compelling option, especially amongst the one to three-star market.

IP systems work on ethernet infrastructure and benefit from the added functionality provided by a SMART TV system.

HOW DO I CHOOSE BETWEEN SIMILAR SYSTEMS?

Good question! Many of the systems offer similar features at a comparable price. A final decision is often made as a matter of personal taste based on the look and feel of a system. To assist this final choice, Airwave are on hand to talk you through the merits and compatibilities of the various systems.

Product agnostic, Airwave are in a position to supply a number of options to satisfy a diverse range of situations.

PHILIPS CMND

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info@airwave.tv

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INTRODUCING

Sky Select is the new, simple way for hoteliers to give their guests unmissable HD content in all of their hotel rooms. Powered by the Sky Bright Box, an innovative and scalable solution that delivers HD quality content to multiple TVs in a hotel from a centralised location. It completes Sky’s HD portfolio, bringing quality, choice and flexibility for hotels in room and in bar.

THE NEW SERVICE, SKY SELECT IS:

The first and only centralised distribution system available in the UK that allows hoteliers to tailor a selection of Sky HD channels to distribute in HD across their hotel. ❚ Ideally suited to hotels with more than 50 rooms, giving hoteliers the flexibility of changing their channels without any additional hardware or installation costs. ❚ Offers a welcome channel, seamlessly integrating into the on-screen guide for a better guest experience.

Whether it’s the drama of the Premier League on Sky Sports, a highly-anticipated US series like Game of Thrones on Sky Atlantic, or box-office hits like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on Sky Cinema, ❚

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Sky Select gives hoteliers an unrivalled choice of Sky’s HD channels for all of their hotel rooms while also incorporating their guests’ favourite Freeview and foreign channels. In addition, hoteliers have the flexibility to easily swap existing channels or add more at any time.

The Sky Bright Box has been designed as a dedicated commercial solution to enhance the TV entertainment experience hotels offer their guests. With an integrated installation, hoteliers can incorporate a tailored welcome channel to greet

their guests, alongside Sky’s familiar EPG with channel synopsis information for an outstanding guest experience. Compatible with both coaxial and IP network cabling and offering 24/7 remote monitoring, the Sky Bright Box delivers the flexibility to suit the needs of every hotel.

Damian Saunders, Strategy & Commercial Director at Sky Business, comments: “With guests demanding and expecting more from their inroom TV viewing, it is important for hoteliers to offer an entertainment experience that matches what their guests enjoy in their own homes.

Sky Select provides the opportunity for hotels to exceed guests’ expectations, by delivering a breadth of unmissable content in stunning high definition, with the flexibility to suit their business needs”.

“At Sky we are committed to helping hotels create the best possible experiences for their guests with innovative new solutions and services, and Sky Select is one more way for them to do that”.

Sky Select is coming soon. To find out more and register your interest visit business.sky.com/ hotels/sky-select

0845 555 1212

Check in Sky Select.

Check out more satisfied guests.

One small box, a hotel full of HD entertainment Sky Select is the new, simple way to deliver unmissable HD content in all of your hotel rooms.

You’ll benefit from more bookings, more revenue and top reviews, while your guests enjoy an unrivalled choice of the latest blockbusters, award-winning dramas and world-class sport, all in stunning HD.

NEW

for hotels

For more information visit

business.sky.com/hotels T&Cs: Minimum term applies. You must take Sky TV in 100% of your Hotel Rooms. Compatible HD ready TVs required. Sky WiFi availability subject to your premises’ location. Further terms apply.

The Deuce ©2017 Home Box Office, Inc. All rights reserved. HBO® and all related programs are the property of Home Box Office, Inc. Supergirl ©Warner Brothers. Sing © Universal Pictures.

T2: Trainspotting © 2016 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. THE F1 LOGO, F1, FORMULA 1®, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX AND RELATED MARKS ARE TRADE MARKS OF FORMULA ONE LICENSING BV, A FORMULA ONE GROUP COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Correct at time of supply: 24/08/17.

DIGITAL

SIGNAGE

Digital Signage technology is fast becoming a mandatory requirement for organisations looking to streamline services and maximise revenue streams. Airwave’s list of accredited partners provides full access to a selection of signage solutions and software. Our portfolio includes OLED, interactive touchscreens, transparent displays, video walls, mirror TV, ultrastretch screens and outdoor LED signage.

OTRUM SIGNAGE SOFTWARE

CONTENT IS KING

Airwave provide a portfolio of content design and management services and have a dedicated content management department, serviced by graphic designers and HTML developers. Our services include turning your static images into interactive video content, creating standard templates for you to populate specific zones, or developing a full content strategy for multiple sites.

We are set up to provide service for single, regional, and international screen networks.

Our team of designers will create dynamic content to engage customers, maximising return on investment and increasing revenue stream opportunities. We currently provide content to a diverse range of clients and work with all leading software platforms including AirSign, Otrum, Signagelive, Onelan, SmartSign, Samsung Magic Info, LG Supersign, Philips CMND, All See Technologies and MDM (Mobile Device Management).

Airwave is a certified partner and representative of Otrum digital signage, a software development company with a history of producing software platforms for the hospitality sector.

Otrum is a premium solutions provider and has the flexibility to develop bespoke features for specific, premium clients. Its cloud-based signage solution is installed in over 600 sites across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia and works with both media players and system on chip platforms.

KEY FEATURES INCLUDE: ❚

❚

VIDEO WALLS

Video Wall displays enable the customisation of content across a tile layout, providing users with a number of display options (single feed vs a multitude of concurrent running displays). Typically deployed in large spaces, video walls remain one of the most exciting methods of displaying dynamic content to multiple users.

Furthermore, video wall displays accept feeds from multiple sources (media player, TV, PC, CCTV etc) at the same time - this is a critical feature in command centres, education and corporate spaces where different types of content are consumed simultaneously.

Airwave’s standard range of displays come in 47”, 49” and 55” inch panels however bespoke options and configurations can be arranged to meet specific or unusual requirements.

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❚

❚ ❚

❚

Remote access to content management Upload, manage and schedule your images, text and videos online, from wherever you are.

Unlimited logins Invite colleagues, suppliers or external partners to publish their content on your screens.

Unlimited storage Unlimited storage with a cloud-based platform.

Secure connection and hosting Highly secure and stable service.

Support Professional online support included throughout Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia All future software updates All future software updates are installed automatically.

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NEW VIDEO WALL TREND

The “SCATTER WALL” is a new type of solution in which the display and the content draw attention.

The screens are mounted in a “scattered” format incorporating a non-uniform variety of portrait, landscape and diagonal mounts – yet still able to display a single feed or multiple feeds in a single format. The result? Exciting, innovative and engaging content guaranteed to leave an impression on your customers.

SMALLDISPLAY SIGNAGE

Small screen signage solutions offer versatility, enabling them to be placed in intimate and tighter locations, providing close-up, individualised messages. The result is a deeper, differentiated in-store experience through proximate, interactive communication that boosts sales performance.

Why not simply use cheaper consumer tablets? Consumer-grade displays are not designed for continuous and rugged usage, which is an important factor when considering the commercial use of any digital display.

OUTDOOR SIGNAGE

Outdoor digital signage displays are built to withstand the variable conditions of an outdoor climate - extremes of heat, cold, wind, dust and rain are remedied with toughened glass, durable casing and internal temperature control. As a consequence, all of Airwave's outdoor signage portfolio is guaranteed as weatherproof in even the harshest of climates.

Typically, outdoor signage has a number of additional features to suit a changeable and exposed outdoor environment; ambient light sensors can adjust a screen's display according to lighting conditions and anti-reflective glass optimises viewing conditions in bright sunlight. High intrusion protection ratings stop the entry of dust and foreign objects and toughened glass prevents vandalism.

RED BULL

Airwave’s signage team are renowned for their energy so were delighted to be awarded a contract to supply LG 49” transparent digital coolers across Europe.

LG’s innovative solution allows the display of content on a transparent screen in the cooler door; this maximises the effectiveness of in-store POS and provides a tangible return on hardware investment.

Airwave are Red Bull’s exclusive distributor across Europe and to date, have supplied 17 coolers to retail space in garage forecourts across Poland, Austria, Germany and Russia.

TOBY CARVERY

The Toby Carvery chain of restaurants pride themselves on being the “Home of the Roast” and serve over 21 million meals in the UK each year.

Looking for a simple signage system to display offers, special events and campaigns, Airwave was approached to supply a costeffective solution.

Airwave recommended the Philips “Q-Line” BDL4330QL screen, installing 2 x 43” screens across the Toby Carvery’s 160 restaurants.

www.airwave.tv

PREMIER INN

Airwave was tasked to deliver a “remote concierge” service to the newly refurbished reception at Premier Inn flagship property, King’s Cross.

Airwave floor-mounted six Samsung tablets in bounce-pads, locking each tablet down to prevent unrestricted surfing or the tampering of settings. The app list includes Google Maps, Trainline, Tripadvisor and BBC news, sport and weather. Angry Birds and Solitaire complete the line-up, providing a bit of light relief. Completing the app set-up is links to hotel information, the food and drinks menu and a list of frequently asked questions.

Complementing the reception’s technology set-up are two synchronised Philips 49BDL4050D D-Line signage screens and televisions in the reception’s “work area” providing a monitor set-up for business travellers.

info@airwave.tv

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DOCSIS

Technology Explained Want a SMART TV system but don’t have ethernet? Step forward DOCSIS. Today’s digitally savvy guests are becoming more and more demanding, a Smart TV is no longer seen as a luxury but as standard. Until recently however, a significant barrier has prevented many hotels upgrading to a smart TV system.

Smart TVs require wired Ethernet; the subsequent installation of this and the replacement of existing coaxial cabling (that runs throughout the majority of hotels) is expensive and disruptive. Step forward DOCSIS technology:

cable. Simply speaking, this allows the distribution of a smart service without having to upgrade existing coaxial infrastructure.

WHAT IS IT?

A DOCSIS enabled television is a little more expensive than a similar sized SMART TV, however this differential is likely to be dwarfed by the cost-saving against an ethernet cabling installation.

DOCSIS (data over cable service interface specification) is an international telecommunications standard enabling the delivery of an IP service over coaxial

WHY IS IT USEFUL?

The upgrade of a hotel's network infrastructure to incorporate a CAT 5/6 (ethernet) system is not always possible. Typical barriers include a lack of funding, concerns about guest disruption or complicated building regulations. DOCSIS provides another option.

IS IT EXPENSIVE?

SAMSUNG HE694 DOCSIS RANGE ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚

Benefit from a simple, low-cost IP migration solution Offer a high-quality IPTV without significant equipment investment Give guests a range of entertainment and information options Offer more entertainment options than on standard displays

DOCSIS AT WATERLOO APARTMENTS

Airwave install DOCSIS, LYNK SINC and Samsung HE694 into Birmingham's Waterloo St Apartments

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT

DOCSIS TECHNOLOGY

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Situated in a grade II-listed building in Birmingham’s Colmore Business District, 7-8 Waterloo Street features 32 one and two-bedroom serviced apartments.

With extensive experience integrating technology into the serviced apartment market, Airwave was tasked to supply and install a DOCSIS system into the development.

DOCSIS enables the delivery of Internet over a property’s coaxial network, offering smart TV, smart applications and streaming services without the need for CAT 5 cabling. The Internet connection provided, supported the integration of Samsung’s LYNK SINC content management solution, allowing Airwave to create a customised user interface and remotely manage each TV. In keeping with Waterloo Street’s modern, minimalist styling, Airwave recommended the Samsung HE694 series smart TV range, wall-mounting 3 x 32”, 6 x 40” and 23 x 49” screens and supplying 8 Sky and 155 freeview channels.

Adding further flexibility to each apartment, Airwave securely mounted Apple TV boxes to the back of all televisions.

Samsung’s Business Development Executive Phil Edwardes: “We’re delighted to be working with Airwave for this exciting install and encouraged to see that DOCSIS systems are becoming affordable and a credible option for hotels and apartments”.

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Airwave Services

Airwave offer a one-stop-shop service, ensuring continuity of communication and the provision of industry-leading prices.

SITE SURVEYS

To assure the integrity of each quotation, Airwave will commission an engineer to undertake a full site survey. This will form the basis of a comprehensive report, detailing current infrastructure, future requirements and the listing of software, hardware and network options.

Typically, an engineer will propose a “good, better, best” solution in order to give our customers full transparency and clarity ahead of a purchasing decision.

Whenever possible, Airwave will look to utilise a property’s existing infrastructure – reducing cost and minimising guest disruption.

INSTALLATION

The project management team’s ethos is simple: each project must run flawlessly, within an agreed time schedule and with minimal disruption to a property’s guests and staff.

Recognising that poor project management can result in reduced room occupancy, we work closely with each property’s management team to agree a project’s schedule.

Airwave are experts in the installation of the following services: ❚ Guest-room television and audio systems ❚ Digital Signage networks ❚ High Speed Internet Access and Wifi ❚ Terrestrial, satellite and cable channels and networks ❚ IPTV solutions ❚ Premium content and video-on-demand systems ❚ Head-end to guest-room distribution ❚ Coaxial and CAT 5 cabling infrastructure ❚ TV and hardware mounting and casing solutions

SERVICE AND SUPPORT Airwave complete a detailed site survey ahead of each proposal

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The diverse nature of hotels, hospitals and commercial buildings demands a flexible approach to a service and support offering.

As such, and in parallel with Airwave’s one-stopshop service, we can bespoke and tailor service

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packages in as much detail as required. These can be as simple as a free-of-charge two-year television warranty to an eight-year service level agreement across an estate of hotels.

The provision of technology and a maintenance package to The Premier Inn’s 750+ hotel estate underpins infrastructure for a nationwide team of engineers and technicians, enabling a fast response to all issues.

REPAIR AND SPARES SERVICE

A room without a working television cannot be sold, with this in mind, Airwave offer 24/7/365 support and a same-day despatch service.

Airwave are the UK’s only authorised Samsung HTV repair centre and are qualified to repair all hospitality television screens and related equipment.

Our repair technicians are highly-skilled and able to fix TVs to PCB level, enabling our

Otrum Enterprise information system

customers to save money on the purchase of new screens.

We also hold a full inventory of spare parts and run a salvage scheme supporting the service of legacy products.

INFORMATION CHANNELS

Airwave's design engineers provide design, build and content management services, enabling hotels to communicate to guests via customised graphical interfaces on the

television. Typical pages include restaurant menus, local attractions and weather but a platform can be as simple or as complicated as required.

All systems are completely customisable and as such, can be used as an effective branding tool. Features might include hotel directories (no more untidy in-room literature), promotional videos and dedicated branding channels.

More comprehensive smart solutions can include connect your own device functionality, dynamic advertising and a room service portal.

CONTENT, VIDEO-ON-DEMAND AND MOVIES

Airwave provide movie and programme content to a global network of partners in more than 50 countries, entertaining 5 million hotel guests each year.

Longstanding partnerships with studios such as Paramount, Universal, Disney, StudioCanal, eOne and the BBC enable the tailoring of packages to suit a property's specific requirements. International channels can also be provided as part of an individual or tailored service and Airwave is also a Sky In-Room preferred partner.

Airwave are also proud suppliers of Airtime, the revolutionary cloud-based movie streaming service, providing video-on-demand without the associated costs of traditional server-based systems (see page 27).

FINANCE PACKAGES

Airwave provide 24/7/365 customer support.

www.airwave.tv

Catering for a variety of different budgets, Airwave offer rental, loan and purchase schemes. In keeping with all other aspects of our service offering, these schemes can be tailored to suit specific requirements.

Airwave’s size, scope and buying power allow us to offer industry-leading prices. And subject to certain conditions, we offer a price matching service.

info@airwave.tv

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Content Across the

Continents

Airwave provide content to a global network of partners in 50 + countries and over 5 million hotel guests each year. Whatever your requirements, we can assist with full internet delivery, technical support and access to our vast content portfolio. Our cloud-based movie-streaming service, Airtime (pg 27), has revolutionised hotel movie delivery and is available in over 188 countries.

CONSTANCE MOOFUSHI, THE MALDIVES

The Constance Moofushi is set on its own secluded island in the Indian Ocean; a dazzling combination of luxury and simplicity, the all-inclusive resort features 110 villas situated on white sand beaches and stilts in the sea.

Lucky guests can explore the South Ari Atoll diving sites, fish for big game and search for dolphins before returning to luxurious rooms with world-class movie content.

Airwave provided a catalogue of 98 movies on a video-on-demand platform run

by Apple mac minis and will update with approximately 48 new movies each year.

Each film has multi-language support, covering 10 of the world’s most widely spoken languages.

HOLIDAY INN ACCRA AIRPORT – ACCRA, GHANA

The Holiday Inn at Accra Airport provides a luxurious respite for guests arriving and leaving Ghana’s capital city. Animal carvings, stonework etchings and wild animal murals bring an African touch to the hotel and 400 kilometres of white sandy beaches reward a 10-minute drive south.

Catering for business and leisure guests, the hotel offers a business centre, complimentary high-speed internet, a minigym, swimming pool and beauty salon.

Airwave was tasked to provide a video-ondemand movie service to the hotel’s 168 rooms and implemented a multi-language package of latest release movies, updated on a monthly basis and incorporating Hollywood’s latest offerings.

“The African sub-continent is a priority growth area for us” said Product Manager Richard Excell “and as such, we’re delighted to have provided a portfolio of content to the Holiday Inn in Ghana”.

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0845 555 1212

CROWNE PLAZA GENEVA – GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

The Crowne Plaza Geneva is located In Geneva’s Aéroport commercial zone, next to the airport and with convenient transport links to Switzerland’s capital city. Geneva’s worldfamous lake and historic old town are a 15-minute drive away as is a vibrant commercial centre providing visitors with a multitude of options.

Largely catering for business travellers, the 375-room hotel features modern business facilities, a 24-hour business centre, 18 function rooms and a spacious events centre.

“We were asked to provide a catalogue of content that would give both business and leisure travellers a menu of universal programming and movie content” said Content Director Dennis Garrison, “we recommended a collection of movies and BBC programming to satisfy the majority of interests”.

Airwave provided video-on-demand featuring blockbuster movies, adult channels and BBC programmes including the much loved Fawlty Towers, Sherlock Holmes and Top Gear.

POSH ARCADIA, OFFSHORE SUPPORT VESSEL

Singapore’s PACC Offshore Services Holdings (POSH) is a semi-submersible accommodation vessel providing support for various offshore activities. Designed for deep waters and harsh conditions, the vessel provides a premium standard of living for its crew.

With a 750-bed capacity and 400 berths, the ship looks to provide as pleasant a living environment as possible for staff living away from friends and family. A fitness and recreation centre provide options to unwind and includes a gym, sports room, library, lounge and cinema.

“We were tasked to provide a multi-language, updateable catalogue of movies for the ship’s crew” said Product Manager Richard Excell “we always look to provide world-class movie content but on this occasion, were especially mindful of the captive audience!”.

Airwave implemented a portfolio of 72 movies, consisting of the latest Hollywood films and modernday classics, all refreshed on a monthly basis and offering blockbuster content to fill the crew’s downtime.

CLUB MED, PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

OBEROI BANGALORE, INDIA The Oberoi Bangalore is located on the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi road in the heart of the business and shopping districts of Bangalore.

Based on a concept of understated luxury, the hotel offers 160 rooms overlooking landscaped gardens and the beauty and tranquillity of a tropical setting.

Three international restaurants, a spa, 24hour butler service and a fitness suite further provide the Oberoi’s guests with a top-notch guest experience.

A top guest experience requires a top library of movie and programming content.

Airwave delivered with the provision of highend, latest release movies and a catalogue of BBC video-on-demand content.

www.airwave.tv

Situated alongside a turquoise lagoon in the Dominican Republic, Club Med Punta Cana’s 600-metre stretch of beach and coconut grove provide an idyllic location for its guests.

Activity junkies can enjoy archery, windsurfing, golf, waterpolo, yogo, kayaking, snorkelling, big game fishing and a multitude of other activities.

“Punta Cana seems to have an almost limitless list of activities to keep guests busy” said Content Director, Dennis Garrison “however the resort was conscious that tired guests would appreciate a choice of movies in the peace and quiet of their room”.

With this in mind, Airwave provided a portfolio of content into the resort’s 110 rooms, including 20 BBC on-demand programmes and a comprehensive library of blockbuster movies.

info@airwave.tv

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FIVE STAR Service

As technology evolves and becomes an increasingly crucial part of our lives, hotels looking for a truly world class guest experience must embrace this in their service.

Guests looking for a five-star, luxury stay will demand integrated and seamless technology, not just in the bedroom but across the hotel.

Airwave’s long-standing expertise in the hospitality market guarantees cutting-edge, future-proof and intuitive systems and technology.

Equally at home providing hospitality TV systems, tech-enabled meeting spaces, cloud-based movie content or a fast, robust WiFi and Internet service, Airwave are the five-star choice for the five-star market.

THE RED CARNATION HOTEL COLLECTION Got a few hours to kill? Why not take a look at the Red Carnation’s incredible list of awards? 24-hour butler service, a 2 staff to 1 guest ratio, world iconic locations – Red Carnation hotels represent the very pinnacle of luxury.

With this in mind, Airwave was tasked to provide top drawer technology across five of the hotel’s London properties 450 rooms and suites.

“The key challenge was the provision of a similar premium service across a portfolio of hotels with very different existing infrastructures and technology solutions” said Installation Manager, Tim Mitchell “for example, we had to redesign cabling networks and reinstate coaxial feeds to provide a five-star solution”.

The redesign of network infrastructures enabled the provision of a Sky In-room service and improved television reception.

Airwave wall and desk-mounted a series of Samsung hospitality TVs, ranging from 24” to 65” screens to suit the varying room sizes and styles. Samsung’s LYNK SINC and REACH systems were designed and installed at each hotel, providing guests with individually branded welcome screens and information pages.

THE LANDMARK LONDON The Landmark London ranks amongst the finest of the capital’s luxury hotels; striving to offer the ultimate service, the Landmark looks to reflect the beauty of its building with the consistent exceeding of guest expectations. With this in mind, a first-class in-room entertainment system was essential.

Having previously supplied 55” Samsung smart TVs and a LYNK SINC solution to the Landmark’s suites, Airwave was tasked to supply and install a top-drawer entertainment system into the hotel’s remaining rooms.

Airwave commissioned a Sky TV service into each room and recommended Samsung smart TVs, installing 273 x 49” and 70 x 55” Samsung HE690s.

Catering for the Landmark’s multinational clientele, further work was completed at the hotel’s headend, enabling the provision of 35+ international channels.

As with many large properties, the project wasn’t as straightforward as first anticipated, a planned upgrade of the Landmark’s ethernet network presented a challenge: “We’ll always recommend future-proof technology but in this instance, this requirement was much more immediate” said Key Account Manager Wayne Bowring “we recommended TVs that couldn’t be used to their full potential for the first few months – however as soon as the hotel's CAT-5 network is upgraded, guests can start enjoying the benefits of smart TV”.

A smart TV might meet expectations, but subject to the Landmark’s desire to exceed, Airwave are primed to install Samsung’s LYNK SINC interactive TV system across all the hotel’s rooms.

LYNK SINC provides an individually customisable user interface and includes features such as screen mirroring, smart apps and weather information.

Remote management of the property’s TVs enable staff to update information seamlessly, push room specific messages and identify any service issues.

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TEN TRINITY SQUARE

The Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square is situated in a historic building, a stone’s throw from the Tower of London and St.Paul’s cathedral.

Steeped in history, the Beaux arts structure with its great tower and grand Portland stone rotunda was built as the new headquarters of the Port of London Authority and at the time, was one of the city’s tallest buildings.

Recognising the cultural and historical significance of the building, the current owners have undertaken a comprehensive restoration and upgrade of the existing structure and facilities. With this in mind, Airwave was approached to recommend and supply hospitality televisions.

Airwave supplied Samsung SMART TVs: 19 x 46EC890, 40 x 55ED890 and 76 x 55ED890 were installed across the property's 100 guest rooms and 41 luxury residences.

“We’re honoured to have been chosen as supplier of inroom technology to this stunning property” said Key Account Manager Barrie O’Neill “we've supplied modern technology into a building that can tell a thousand stories, it's been a humbling and enjoyable project".

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HPA loewe_ads 20/09/2017 11:20 Page 1

Loewe bild 5 OLED TV. Sensual. Individual. Design.

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PRISONS G4S G4S is the largest secure outsourcing company in the UK and Ireland, providing 10,000 customers with a safe and secure way to deliver their services.

Airwave are delighted to partner with G4S in the supply and installation of institutional television screens across secure environments and catering for over 5,000 inmates.

Airwave supplied 22 inch Samsung and Philips institutional TVs to HMP Winson Green, HMP Oakwood, HMP Rye Hill, HMP Parc, HMP Altcourse and the secure training centre at Oakhill, Milton Keynes.

“Secure environments require a different type of television” said Jes Redgard, head of public sector sales “as a consequence, we proposed dedicated prison television hardware”.

Prison TVs are specifically manufactured for secure site environments and offer relevant features:

HEALTHCARE GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL

Transparent housing - prevents inmates hiding weapons and contraband inside the television. ❚ Prison mode - prevents unauthorised communication to, from and between inmates by allowing the control and locking of features such as Teletext, EPG, subtitles and USB ports. ❚ Advanced volume control - volume levels on the television can be limited to prevent noise disturbances.

Ahead of delivery to site, Airwave preprogrammed each television into secure mode, ensuring that the TVs were ready to be “plug-and-played”. ❚

Airwave is a long-term supplier, installer and service provider to the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) for its critically important patient entertainment, supporting the site from infrastructure to bedside.

Throughout 2017 Airwave continued to deliver and maintain diverse solutions across the site including Philips digital signage and Samsung HTV. Projects included the installation of TVs into the Premier Inn Clinical Building (PICB), a new state-of-the-art medical wing. The PICB is part of the hospital’s ongoing programme to redevelop some of its oldest buildings with new cutting-edge facilities. These wards give children and their families greater space and privacy during what is inevitably a stressful and traumatic time.

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION AIRWAVE ENTERTAIN TOMORROW’S GENERATION Airwave is delighted to have supplied and installed technology into the Foundry Courtyard student accommodation on Kennedy Street, Glasgow.

The newly developed property is situated on the east side of Glasgow and has 536 bedrooms located around a central courtyard of self-contained studios and cluster flats. The new student accommodation includes premium indoor and outdoor amenity spaces for students in addition to a retail unit on the grounds.

Airwave was approached to supply and install entertainment technology into the property’s communal areas and recommended 32 and 48 inch Philips HFL5010 SMART hospitality TVs. Jes Redgard, Head of Public Sector Sales “the TV’s SmartInfo feature enables

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the design of a series of branded, interactive information pages that sit on the TV. This enables the property’s management to communicate with the students, keeping them up to date with all the latest campus developments and providing relevant local information. It’s a great facility that is perfect for the student accommodation market”.

Other features on the Philips “MediaSuite” TV range include smart TV apps, Miracast and DirectShare, enabling the sharing or mirroring of audio and content on the TVs. To further satisfy the students thirst for media and technology, Airwave also supplied and installed a Cello 75” 4K SMART screen, an 80 watt Samsung sound bar, and Microsoft Xbox One and Playstation 4 gaming equipment.

LED WALL AT ROYAL LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Liverpool’s new £335m, 646-bed, 12-storey hospital is set to become a stunning new addition to the North West landscape.

With corridors measuring more than 4.5km (over four times the distance between Anfield and Goodison Park!) a terraced restaurant and landscaped gardens within the site, patients are provided with a modern and innovative hospital experience.

Looking to provide an unforgettable impression for patients entering the hospital’s stunning atrium, Airwave was tasked to provide equally stunning technology.

Airwave proposed the supply and installation of a truly unforgettable video wall solution; partnering with electronic giants Samsung, Airwave will install a 9m x 5.2m LED wall – satisfying the hospital’s vision to not only provide a world-leading hospital environment, but to be one of the most digitally enabled hospitals in the country.

Airwave Sales Director, Paul Chambers “We’re proud to be a part of this incredible hospital’s design process and excited to provide technology that will provide a significant WOW factor and be a talking point for all that see it”.

Samsung’s LED wall is not just a pretty face, it also provides an instantaneously updateable content platform, enabling the hospital to engage, communicate and inform patients with a richly diverse range of video, image and text content – it’s also believed to be the first of its kind in the NHS.

0845 555 1212

© Disney

AIRTIME CLOUD CONTENT APP -

Game-Changing Video on Demand for Hotels

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

Airtime is a hospitality exclusive streaming service, providing movies from major Hollywood Studios and premium BBC dramas and documentaries.

With a library of over 100 titles, there’s something for everyone, your guests just enter their payment details through a safe and secure gateway and content will stream straight to the television.

WHY IS IT SPECIAL?

Simply speaking, Airtime offers hoteliers a chance to add a real value-added experience for their guests at a next to nothing cost.

And whilst it’s true that more and more guests watch content on portable devices, watching a movie on a FHD television is a much more inclusive, relaxing and luxurious experience.

TELL ME ABOUT THE CONTENT?

HOW DOES IT WORK?

IS IT SAFE?

Airtime uses cloud-based technology, enabling the hotelier to save on expensive headend equipment, inroom set-top boxes and all the associated support, maintenance and contract costs.

Also, there’s no requirement to sign up to long, rigid contracts as is usually the case with hotel video on demand systems.

CAMERON CLUB LODGES, LOCH LOMOND Cameron Club Lodges offer luxury accommodation in lodges and cottages on the shore of the stunning Loch Lomond. Looking to mirror a world-class location with a world-class guest entertainment package, the property’s management tasked Airwave to provide a free-toguest movie and content package.

“Having previously supplied Cameron Lodges with a SMART TV system, we were well aware of the need to provide top drawer video-on-demand” said Key Account Manager, David Taylor “and in keeping with an unrelenting focus on customer service, we were asked to provide a free-to-guest system.”

Airwave’s initial deployment of Airtime services in 29 lounges across the Cameron Lodge estate was so successful that a further 72 were installed in the property bedrooms, “that’s the perfect endorsement of a great solution!” said Airtime Product Manager, Richard Excell.

www.airwave.tv

Airtime release movies weeks ahead of popular consumer services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Naturally, a library of older content and movie “classics” is also available.

Absolutely, Airtime is PCI-DSS Level One compliant - no guest details are stored on the television.

www.airtime.cloud

K WEST, LONDON

Relinquishing themselves from the financial burden of a previous video-ondemand system, London’s K West Hotel & Spa deployed Airtime and continued to provide a five-star movie and content service for its customers.

“The K West prides itself on providing a rock and roll swagger and urban cool vibe” said Airwave Product Manager Richard Excell “as a consequence, a credible movie system was high on their agenda”.

Airwave delivered, rolling out an Airtime service to satisfy their predominantly leisure-based clientele.

info@airwave.tv

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Philips Android TV™ – powerfully smart...

Philips Professional Display Solutions has been the European market leader for hospitality TV products and services for nearly 40 years. In that time, the company has built an outstanding reputation for providing exceptional service plus truly innovative technical solutions via Philips branded Smart TVs. Typical of that innovative approach is the company’s unique implementation of the Android TV OS. Philips implementation of Android offers a faster, richer, guest interface plus access to the world’s largest

development platform, offering a huge selection of dedicated hospitality services and applications.

The integration of the Android OS provides both an easier to use and more reliable service while it also opens the opportunity for almost an unlimited customisation thanks to the easy access to the vast and growing selection of Apps, games and services already on the platform plus the potential of direct connectivity to a huge range of personal devices.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR PHILIPS’ ANDROID TV IS ALSO EQUALLY COMPELLING. The Android OS provides a wealth of diagnostic and analytic information to help business’s fine tune their service allowing them to precisely match their customer’s interests and expectations.

Sophisticated and easy also extends to the installation, management and maintenance of any professional TV, monitor or display thanks to the Android OS neatly integrating with Philips innovative CMND display management system to offer remote update and management from any location.

The CMND system includes a serverbased CMND&Control solution that gives managers the ability to control all of their individual professional TVs from one centrally managed system. It completely eliminates the hassle and cost of having personnel go from room-to-room or site-to-site to perform

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maintenance, implement channel or content updates, update information and content or generally have to reconfigure settings.

Innovation also extends to the performance of the sets with Philips ensuring that all models feature both superb PQ and sound performance and the best of European design and craftmanship.

High-end features include the use of real materials, bezel free designs and, at the top of the range, the unique Ambilight system which casts a subtle halo of coloured light onto the wall behind the set to give a more immersive viewing experience.

Thanks to Philips and its implementation of the Android TV OS, customers will enjoy an

in-room entertainment experience that is both easy, familiar and intuitive while at the same time sophisticated, modern and engaging.

0845 555 1212

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Programmed into the management system, intuitive and stylish templates are easy to edit and have fully customisable content – presenting the guest with branded content on welcome screens. As well as fill page content, Pro:Centric Direct enables options for ad banner, messages and tickets on screen.

Interactive functions enable the hotel to activate a 1-Click service to improve guest comfort and management efficiency. Whether that's booking room service or organising a late check-out, on screen controls can enable the guest to conveniently request a variety of services that the hotel provides.

Pro:Centric Direct’s ability to quickly and easily add or update information presents a personal approach to each guest and adds options to improve the The hotel team can provide a customised channel customer experience. service through the Room Grouping Channel custom-ised to the guest's visit.

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SEE THE

IMPACT Transform your business with digital signage.

Every walk-by is potential profit lost. Don’t let them pass. Pull them in with the best digital signage out there.

Whether single unit or multi-site, Airwave can provide you with cutting-edge digital signage to make customers stop in their tracks: • Industry-leading prices • In-house design team • Create extra revenue streams • Samsung, LG & Philips direct partner

7.5 billion people in the world.

Make yourself seen.

See the impact for yourself. Call us today on:

0845 555 1212 or email info@airwave.tv

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