A Dayton, Ohio-based technology company that deals in customer services today announced that it’s designed a new modular hotel check-in kiosk.

 

NCR Corporation officials say their new “XpressPort” kiosks are designed to meet increasing consumer demand for “self-service convenience in a high-touch environment.”

 

According to Lance Marrin, corporate director of rooms for the Hyatt Hotels Corporation, the product has seen increasing us – about a 30 percent increase – within its first two weeks.

 

“Since then we’ve seen a direct correlation between our properties with multiple kiosks and guest service scores,” Marrin said. “Clearly the growing consumer expectation for self-service options, combined with the integrated design, has proved to be a winning combination for Hyatt.”

 

NCR officials point to a recent study by Buzzback Market Research to support their product.

 

According to the firm, 86 percent of U.S. and Canadian consumers are more likely to do business with a company that offers the flexibility to interact using self-service. The survey also found that 66 percent of respondents say the availability of self-service technologies creates a more positive perception of the deployer’s brand.

 

The NCR XpressPort includes a 17-inch touchscreen interface and capture module that’s designed to facilitate transactions during a guest’s stay, according to the company.

 

“Its simple-to-use, modular design can be either freestanding or configured to complement any hotel lobby layout,” NCR officials say.

 

NCR officials say the new kiosks are on display this week at the 2008 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference in Austin, Texas. They say the self-service solution that allows guests to check in and out, print room keys, locate and modify reservations and view and print messages. To make it easier for guests to locate amenities around a hotel property, such as identifying the best route to a guest room, pool, hotel restaurant or other services, company officials say, the NCR Xpress Hotel has an interactive “wayfinding” tool.

 

According to NCR’s vice president of travel industry marketing, Tania Ladic, the kiosk’s self-service features are key.

 

“Studies show that increasingly, consumers are expecting the convenience of self-service as part of their travel experience,” Ladic said. “Hotels and resorts that incorporate self-service options as part of their high-touch strategy will be best prepared to satisfy their guests.”

Michael Dinan is a TMCNet Editor. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.