Entiretec Collaborates with Cisco to Deploy Next Generation Technology Platform for UAE Hospitality Brand

DUBAI, UAE, (RPRN) 6/19/2009– Seven Tides, an independent UAE holding company, announced it will be deploying a fully-converged centralized Cisco® Connected Hotel solution to deliver superior personalized guest experiences across its four hotels and future planned developments. The platform will also help increase employee productivity and reduce operational expenditures. Seven Tides, through their consultant ENTIRETEC, chose Cisco as the platform for the project to integrate wireless, security, data, voice and video solutions, and to connect multiple developments.

The flexible and scalable Internet Protocol (IP) network will be deployed across Seven Tides’ current Dubai developments – the Royal Amwaj and Oceana on the Palm Jumeirah, Ibn Battuta Gate and Movenpick Deira. Future developments will also be accommodated on the same platform linking all front and back office property-to-property operations.

Mike Scully, managing director for hospitality at Seven Tides, said: “These five-star multiuse developments have been designed to offer a sophisticated lifestyle for both business and leisure guests. Providing a superior quality experience on this level requires a flexible, reliable, cost-effective and sustainable technology platform which Cisco offers.”

Traditionally, hotels under development continue to adopt a silo approach, with multiple proprietary networks that support separate systems for IPTV, high-speed Internet access, wireless, closed-circuit television, and access controls for air conditioning, lighting, fire and safety. This lack of integration makes properties complex to operate, with high installation and maintenance costs and substandard functionality.

“By adopting Cisco’s Connected Hotel solution, the disparate networks and systems will be converged over a single IP network that allows all applications to be monitored and managed centrally. The integration will help enable Seven Tides to reduce installation and maintenance costs, provide a personalised guest experience, and improve operational efficiency,” commented Scully.

Seven Tides appointed ENTIRETEC, a global information technology consulting company, to implement the technology design, tendering, procurement and project management into the property development process.

Julian Kraft, managing director, ENTIRETEC Middle East, said: “Seven Tides understands that any technology infrastructure must be examined in the planning stages for it to have an optimum impact on a development’s functionality and play an integral role in delivering a superior guest experience. By running all the technology under a central, next- generation fully converged central platform, Seven Tides will set a global benchmark with its technology and centralised approach.”

The Cisco Connected Hotel is a comprehensive suite of solutions that address the industry’s key challenges: employee productivity, complicated and outdated communications systems, and energy costs, as well as lost revenue streams and fractured guest services. The network foundation will allow Seven Tides’ properties to integrate communications, security, services and building systems over one IP-based network. Data, voice, video and critical applications can be managed and monitored over a single network that will grow to accommodate all of Seven Tides property needs in the future

“In the service-oriented world of hospitality, connectivity, network reliability, accessibility and flexibility are essential to maintaining five-star service 365 days a year,” stated Scully.

Mazen Jabri, general manager, Cisco Dubai said: “With four hotels running on a single network, there is clear impact on the total cost of ownership, reliability, ease of installation and maintenance. Seven Tides is redefining technology leadership in the hospitality industry and we are excited to be part of their efforts to deliver premium guest services and operational efficiency.”

About Seven Tides

Based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, privately-owned Seven Tides is an internationally oriented holding company established in 2004. Currently focusing on hospitality and real estate sectors, Seven Tides thinks progressively, works creatively, partners strategically and acts quickly. The result is a current portfolio of offerings from landmark hospitality acquisitions and commercial buildings to residential towers and multi-use complexes in the gateway cities of London and Dubai. For more information about Seven Seas please visit www.seventides.com

About ENTIRETEC

‘Where innovation meets inspiration’

As an international technology supplier and service-oriented IT service provider we deliver up-to-the-minute network and communication technologies for the operation of client-owned IT infrastructures with an emphasis on high availability and security. We take the client company as it is and go from there – whether acting as a consultant and planner, system integrator or managed service provider.

Through the use of ENTIRETEC MANAGED SERVICES we develop, implement and operate complex network technologies based on ALL ENTIRETEC service and solution packages. Individual services are monitored centrally by our data center and provided locally via our MULTI-SERVICE NETWORK. Their modular structure makes them easily adaptable to industry-specific requirements. For more information about Entiretec log on to www.entiretec.com