| i know it is not bricks-and-mortar stye of architecture,
| exactly but the language minus the 'we believe(s)'
| can we speak like this about architectural programmes
| as well? how far are we from designing (planner-free)
| open standards in architectural programming?
|
http://www.htng.org
HTNG Workgroup To Develop Open Standards Architecture For Hospitality
Industry
CHICAGO (October 17, 2005) -- Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG)
today announced the charter members of a new workgroup that will put
forward the first open standards based architecture guidelines for the
hospitality industry. This workgroup – the initial sponsors of which
are Agilysys, Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, IBM, SAS, Sea Island
Company, SSA Global/Infinium, and Station Casinos – will work together
to develop and define a hospitality-specific systems architecture that
can support customer-centric, product-rich solutions from multiple
technology providers.
"Hotels face the challenge of delivering consistent customer service
while using disparate systems from multiple technology providers.
Interoperability is the key to unlocking this obstacle. Our goal is to
address this challenge by introducing new design guidelines that can
substantially reduce the barriers to integration,” said Bradford S.
Iverson, Segment Executive of IBM Travel Related Services.
"HTNG's vision for the future is one where hotel systems can seamlessly
work together to serve the customer," said Douglas C. Rice, Executive
Director of HTNG. "We believe that this vision can be achieved by
taking concrete steps to move the hotel community and its technology
partners toward a common vision. It is no longer necessary to sacrifice
these objectives in order to buy the best available technology for each
business need. We simply need some 'rules of engagement' for all
platforms to enable consistency across architecture for applications,
data services, integration, and solutions."
In addition to the seven sponsors, applications from other hotel
companies and technology providers will be accepted through November 9,
with a maximum of 20 companies. These organizations will provide a
balance of insights from a variety of organizations serving the
hospitality ecosystem.
The goal of the workgroup is to define the architecture and for members
of the workgroup to successfully incorporate the recommendations into
existing product(s) over the next 18 months. Workgroups typically set
interim deliverables goals every six months to ensure concrete and
continual progress. Specifications are released to HTNG members as they
are created and placed in the public domain once the workgroup has
completed its work.
The functional scope could include the following areas, with the actual
scope to be determined based on the final selection and interests of
participating companies:
* Reservations (rooms/condos/cabins, tickets, activities, etc.)
* Distribution (GDS, intermediaries, internet, etc.)
* Property Management (front desk, maintenance, housekeeping, etc.)
* Activities Management (golf, dining, excursions, etc.)
* Group Sales, Catering, Event Management
* Inventory Management (single image of inventory)
* Guest Recognition (single image of the guest)
* Reporting, Planning and Analytics
Since the focus of this group will be on the architectural design rather
than functional specifications, it will where appropriate work with
other HTNG workgroups that are implementing interoperability in these
functional areas.
About HTNG Workgroups
HTNG workgroups provide a forum for a small but representative group of
customers to work with a cross-disciplinary set of vendors to solve
problems. Highly focused and structured, the workgroups are charged
with identifying and building specific solutions that will deliver value
to hotels, that no one vendor can deliver on their own, and that can be
accomplished in about six months. Because customers drive the
requirements, vendors have a ready market for the things they build, and
customers no longer have to buy multiple systems piecemeal and integrate
them themselves.
HTNG specifications are released to the public domain when the workgroup
that produces them disbands, usually after no more than eighteen months.
HTNG members, both hotels and technology vendors, can propose and
sponsor new workgroups, and can apply to participate in workgroups
sponsored by other members.
Workgroup Applications
Applications to participate in this workgroup will be accepted through
November 9, 2006 from current or newly joining HTNG members.
Information on the application process can be found at
http://www.htng.org/WG_Arch.htm. HTNG's selection criteria, as well as
the application process, are described at
http://www.htng.org/workgroup_policies.htm. Applicants not selected to
participate initially can apply to the workgroup after it is formed, and
in any case will still have full opportunity to view proceedings and
intermediate work product from the workgroup, as well as final
specifications. Member technology vendors can develop product to those
specifications and participate in HTNG-supported demonstrations.
Applications for HTNG membership can be processed online at
http://www.htng.org/JoinHTNG.htm.
About Hotel Technology Next Generation
The premier technology solutions association in the hospitality
industry, HTNG is a self-funded, non-profit organization with members
from hotel and hospitality companies, technology vendors to hospitality,
and other industry members including consultants, media, and academic
experts. HTNG’s members participate in focused workgroups to bring open
solution-sets addressing specific business problems to the hospitality
market.
Membership in HTNG is open to hotel and hospitality companies,
technology vendors to hospitality, consultants, academics, press and
others. Currently more than 250 companies and individuals from across
this spectrum are active HTNG members. Workgroup proceedings, drafts,
and specifications are published for all HTNG members as soon as they
are created, encouraging rapid and broad adoption. Specifications are
released to the public domain when the workgroup has completed its work,
typically after no more than 18 months. For more information, visit
www.htng.org.
* * *
Source: Hotel Technology Next Generation
Contact: Douglas Rice
Exec.Director@xxxxxxxx
+1 847 348 1148
+44 (0) 20 7101 9358