CASE STUDY
SEAMLESS TECHNOLOGY IS SUCCESS WITHIN ITSELF AS WE WANT
TO ADDRESS ALL OF THE CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS OF OUR GUESTS
AND ASSOCIATES .
• ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions for automating access and identity controls with door locks and enabling contactless check-in , allowing guests to use their smartphones to gain secure room access
• React Mobile to create a safe working environment for their staff with an enterprise class Employee Safety Device platform , as required by local or union regulations
• Skyfii for improving hotel operations and the visitor experience
The secure Aruba infrastructure also supports the hotel ’ s mobile Point-of-Sale and Property Management Systems which are critical to addressing guests ’ needs , regardless of where they are located on the property .
For example , guests will be able to check in or out of the property , or access concierge services , without having to visit the front desk or lobby area .
As Nobu continues to add new services and applications to streamline operations and enhance its guest experience , and expand its global footprint , Linville says that the IT team will continue to rely heavily on its Aruba network infrastructure and will evaluate additional Aruba solutions such as Aruba Central and SD-Branch .
Intelligent CIO caught up with Rodney Linville , Global Corporate Director of IT for Nobu Hospitality , to find out more about the Aruba solution and its benefits .
Please can you give an overview of the company and your role in the business ?
Nobu Hotels is a global lifestyle brand that is synonymous with minimalistic , instinctive design , fine ingredients , a powerful energy and an innate passion for service . With over 25 years of success in the hospitality industry , Nobu Hotels was founded in 2009 by Nobu Matsuhisa , Robert De Niro and Meir Teper , with the first Nobu Hotel opening in 2013 in Caesars Palace , Las Vegas . With 12 hotels already open , the company is currently on a rapid development track with plans to open seven new hotels , spanning five continents .
As the Global Corporate Director of IT for Nobu Hospitality , I oversee all aspects of the company ’ s global IT infrastructure .
What were Nobu ’ s main objectives when searching for a vendor and why did Aruba fit the bill ?
In our search for a stable and manageable infrastructure , we required a few key factors that were critical for the future success of our hotels , guests and our associates . When making the switch with our wireless , IoT integrations , security , innovation , cloud management and performance were all key considerations . Aruba met all of these criteria while being a fraction of the cost of other manufacturers .
Can you explain in more detail how Aruba Edge Services Platform ( ESP ) will enable a superior guest experience ?
This infrastructure allows us to easily layer on services and add various applications that will deliver the world-class customer experience that our guests and associates are seeking . Aruba ESP delivers an all-in-one platform that will optimise and secure our networks and help us plan accordingly for our future infrastructure needs .
How do you think the solution has improved the guest experience on a long-term scale and how is it unique ?
We have to consider not only our requirements today at its full usage , but also where the demand of service will be in future years .
Seamless technology is success within itself as we want to address all of the current and future needs of our guests and associates .
How scalable was the solution and how has it enabled you to futureproof operations ?
We have to be serious about scalability as wireless is no longer just a valuable feature – it ’ s a must-have and it ’ s got to work – and our guests and associates expect a seamless experience . With technology changing rapidly , we needed to choose a solution that would grow with us and be flexible in order to support the future needs of our hotels . • www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO
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