Selection Services plc : World First - Selection Services Deliver IPTV Solution

Selection Services are in the process of rolling out a brand new TV solution, based on Apple iMAC’s, for the City Inn group of hotels in:

The new solution will allow each hotel to offer their guests an unrivalled “In – Room” experience. As with many hotels City Inn offered a good standard of entertainment in their rooms but it was delivered across a multitude of devices; an LCD screen, separate DVD and CD players and finally a stereo and radio.

Now all of this is offered in 1 single device that also delivers PC functionality and the cool, innovative impression created by the Apple brand. All in all an amazing “Wow” factor as soon as the guest enters the room which continues through out their stay.

The solution has been designed with a portal and menu system via Direct Streams to ensure a simple and easy experience for each and every guest even if they have never used an Apple device before, the feedback has been extremely positive and guests now enjoy the opportunity to play with new technology and applications that they have perhaps never had the chance to do before.

In addition to delivering over 30 TV channels from across the globe (Sky and terrestrial) and over 20 radio stations the solution offers guests an interactive opportunity

to view “What’s on in the area” a “Guest Services Portal” where in – room dining, laundry and even the guests bill can be viewed at the touch of a button. Despite all the functionality the simple Apple Remote control, which only has 6 buttons, ensures that the usability and navigation is simple and intuitive.

iPods, MP3 players, USB sticks, cameras, PDA’s etc can all be plugged in and used with the simple, driverless, plug and play technology and then altered, stored and/or emailed via the iMAC to friends, family or important business contacts even if the guest has not brought their own laptop.

Selection Services have designed the network infrastructure running behind the solution to ensure seamless integration and a resilient and robust delivery of what is without question a mission critical part of a hotel’s offering. The on – going project management minimises guest disturbance, being a 24 hour operation only certain rooms are available at certain times and the wishes of the hotel and guests alike must be respected.
Upon completion of the roll – out Selection Services will support all the sites 24x7x365 for both Hardware and telephone support for the hotel’s staff and the guests directly. With the mission critical nature of the solution hot swap kit is kept at all sites to help support the guaranteed 2 hour response and then the guaranteed 2 hour fix or replace.

Selection Services have now agreed a deal to exclusively distribute the solution in the UK and Ireland, however, the appeal is global as are the interest and prospects created and being the only company so far to deliver this solution perhaps there may be a global opportunity for Selection Services…

City Inn is a new and developing independent brand of modern, stylish city centre hotels.
The company was co-founded in 1995 by Sandy Orr, Executive Chairman, Donald MacDonald, Vice Chairman, and David Orr, Chief Executive, with Bill Crerar and was set up as a joint venture with the Bank of Scotland.

David Orr led the detailed design and development of the City Inn concept through extensive research into the requirements of business travellers. This led to the creation of City Inn as a new brand of city centre hotels, all new buildings with excellent air conditioning, acoustic integrity, state of the art facilities and an exceptional new restaurant brand, City Café.

Opening initially in Bristol in May 1999, new hotels have now been established in Glasgow in May 2000, Birmingham March 2001 and the flagship City Inn Westminster which opened in September 2003. City Inn Westminster is London's biggest new build hotel in 30 years and has won several major awards since its opening.