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Update: Success for Canada's First Wireless and Cashless
Vending Machine Trial
Bell Canada and the Ambassador Conference Resort
recently completed a wireless technology trial that
introduced a state of the art cashless vending system to
the hospitality industry.
The cashless vending machine technology trial began in
March 2005 and concluded this past June. This trial was
the first in Canada to combine both mobile phone and
card key technologies over a wireless network in the
same trial period.
A truly guest centric hospitality service, Ambassador
guests were able to either swipe their hotel room key
card through the vending machine's card reader or use
their mobile phone to directly purchase a variety of
Coca-Cola beverages from waters and 100 per cent juices
to soft drinks, juice drinks and ice teas. Guests that
participated in the cashless vending machine technology
trial had applicable charges appear on their invoice at
final check-out.
A Resounding Success: Overwhelming results included an
increase in sales, no instances of attempted vandalism
to the machines and most significantly, improved guest
experience.
Additionally:
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customer experience and feedback extremely positive
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Proprietor feedback 100% - guest service and
experience
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System reliability 99.9% (environmental factors make
up the remaining 0.1%)
"The owners, management and staff of the Ambassador are
absolutely delighted with the cashless vending program
and we want to keep it forever. The ease of use, the
convenience for our guests, the absolute elimination of
attempted vandalism to these vending machines, the
increase in usage... this is definitely a WIN, WIN, WIN,
WIN solution. We are indeed privileged and fortunate to
have been considered as the test pilot for this
exciting, innovative technology advance."
- Venicio Rebelo, General Manager, Ambassador Conference
Resort -
This solution was delivered by Bell Canada and
achievable through strategic partnerships, industry
expertise and technology collaboration with the
following companies:
Coca-Cola Bottling Company - a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Coca-Cola Enterprises, Coca-Cola Bottling Company is
a recognized leader in innovation for the beverage
industry and is committed to finding new a progressive
solutions to meet the needs of consumers.
cStar Technologies - A global provider of wireless
(LAN/WAN) data communication solutions for M2M
(Machine-to-Machine/Men)and mobile commerce
applications. Protected by multiple patents, its core
solutions include cashless, wireless vending
complemented with remote data management tools and RFID
Invisible Tags for cross-border security management.
URL:
www.cstartech.com
Kaba Ilco Inc. - Kaba Lodging Systems, a member of the
Kaba Group, provides guest and staff access control at
the Ambassador Conference Resort and used its new ATLAS
web based system to interface with the RSI property
management system, remotely hosted 3,000 miles (5,000KM)
away.
RSI International Systems Inc. - RSI web-based software
solution handles the vending transaction from credit
authorization to transaction billing to hotel guest's
room folio. URL
www.rsiintl.com
The Cashless Vending System continues in operation at
the Ambassador Conference Resort while Bell Canada and
partners review potential future applications.
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