News

Ecast and Walsh Vision announce SmartConcierge unit

November 7, 2011

Ecast, a provider of interactive touchscreen media solutions, and Walsh Vision, a systems integrator focusing on cellular wireless solutions, today announced an enterprise-level, touchscreen software solution providing a mobile, interactive and customizable concierge service for hotels.

According to the announcement, the new service, called SmartConcierge, leverages 4G wireless connectivity in an advanced digital signage platform to create a plug-and-play concierge solution for the hospitality industry.

The solution supplements existing concierge services during high traffic- and off-hours, as well as functions as a standalone concierge service for establishments that do not currently have a concierge department, the announcement said.

"Ecast is thrilled to introduce this solution to the hospitality industry," said John Taylor, CEO of Ecast. "We designed SmartConcierge to help hotels drive increased use of their amenities and ensure every guest receives consistently exceptional concierge services."

Among its features, SmartConcierge provides a user-friendly touchscreen that lets guests explore on-property amenities, provides wayfinding capabilities and even lets guests make reservations with hotel services and have reminders sent to their mobile devices.

Addtionally, SmartConcierge has modules that provides directions to nearby restaurants and attractions and interfaces with popular social media sites like Twitter and Facebook.

When not being accessed by a hotel guest, the SmartConcierge unit serves as a digital sign.

"This is the first truly affordable and practical 'virtual concierge' solution on the market today," said Christopher Ezell, Director of Business Development for Walsh Vision.

Ezell said that hotels previously had to look at expensive and lengthy infrastructure build-ons to get this level of advanced and customized digital content.

"It's as simple as hanging the unit on the wall and plugging it in," Ezell said.

Ecast and Walsh Vision will display the SmartConcierge solution at CETW at the Javits Center, in New York, NY on November 9-10, 2011 in booth 627.