WestCoast Hospitality Corporation has received an IT Project of the Year Edge Award from Hospitality Technology magazine. The Edge Award recognizes the joint efforts of WestCoast Hospitality Corporation, representing Red Lion and WestCoast Hotels in the United States and Canada, and technology partner MICROS Systems, Inc. to deploy a new state-of-the-art central reservation system for WestCoast. The award-winning MICROS OPERA Reservations System (“ORS”) is based on new technology, designed specifically, in the words of Hospitality Technology, “to scale well beyond the current needs of the company, deliver seamless GDS/ADS connectivity, superior distribution, and deep reporting capabilities.”

When WestCoast purchased the Red Lion Hotel chain from Hilton, the acquisition doubled the number of properties previously served by the WestCoast central reservations system. This acquisition gave WestCoast the opportunity to deploy an enhanced central reservation system to support the combined portfolio. Through an RFP process in 2002, WestCoast selected the MICROS Opera Reservation System and became the launch customer for ORS in 2003.

The tools delivered by ORS enable WestCoast to manage all rates and availability in ORS without having to manage data in any external databases. The new system is the foundation of WestCoast’s recently-announced ability to provide next generation connectivity to every GDS channel. Automated rate create and rate update are also available for every GDS and most ADS channels. The central MICROS OPERA Enterprise Solution also supports fully-integrated property management systems and sales and catering systems, eliminating the future need for interfaces.

“This is a great example of the rewards that can be derived from a ‘partnership’ philosophy,” said David Barbieri, WestCoast Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “Launching a new product is a tough project; but both the MICROS and WestCoast teams came through and it’s paying dividends in performance and recognition for both of our companies.” In announcing the award, Hospitality Technology editor Reid Paul cited the commitment of WestCoast to pursuing a visionary technology solution in implementing ORS.
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