In today's ultra-competitive hotel environment, every dollar counts. Any competitive edge that translates into a stronger bottom line is sought out, and every piece of hotel business is evaluated to determine its true worth. With rising costs associated with acquiring new guests through third-party platforms, hotels are rightly considering their most effective booking channels and looking to maximize business from owned assets like their own website.

EAST, Miami, the first hotel venture in North America from Swire Hotels' EAST brand, is adding cutting-edge innovations to its new hotel location, situated on top of Brickell City Centre in Miami, with the implementation of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality's New VingCard Essence door locks and Visionline locking solution. ASSA ABLOY Hospitality officially announced the launch of its New VingCard Essence door lock in December of last year.

Few roles in the hotel have been as affected by technology as that of the concierge. Mobile internet and apps have decreased the reliance of most guests on the concierge, while at the same time changing the relationship concierges have with their own workplace tools.

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands, has selected Sabre Hospitality Solutions as an alternative distribution provider for its members. Under the landmark agreement, GHA's 35 hotel brands, representing over 550 hotels, resorts, palaces and spas, now have the option to choose the Sabre SynXis Central Reservations (CR) as their distribution solution while still enjoying the benefits of GHA's multi-brand DISCOVERY loyalty program.

Guestline welcome Abacus Hotels as the latest hotel group to select the company's leading cloud hosted property management and channel distribution solutions; installation is now complete at three of the group's Best Western properties across Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

FCS Computer Systems (FCS), a leading comprehensive hospitality solutions and services provider, has announced the opening of its newest office location in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Situated at 46 Dach Bang 2 Street on the first floor of the Kicotrans building, the new office will be tasked with supplying regional hospitality professionals with industry leading solutions designed to streamline backend operations and maximize guest satisfaction.

SALTO JustIN Mobile access technology simplifies the staff and guest key management process of users in a hotel. Receiving a key generated electronically on their smartphone, previously identified and authorized by the system, they can unlock their room doors or access other amenities with the JustIN Mobile app, by selecting the appropriate key.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, has taken an important step in its global expansion plans by signing a new agreement with leading technology provider Sabre Hospitality Solutions.

Speeron and Otrum are delighted to announce that Nordic Choice Hotels have chosen to implement Otrum's interactive software to hotels across the Nordic region. Speeron have secured this frame agreement just weeks after being appointed as an Otrum Platinum Partner. Nordic Choice Hotels have chosen Otrum Enterprise to be their in-room communication portal, with the first 27 hotels expected to be installed within the first half of 2017.

Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that the company will exhibit at ICE Totally Gaming 2017, continuing to demonstrate its leadership position in hospitality solutions for gaming hotels and resorts. The annual B2B exhibition, which brings together the worldwide online and offline gaming sectors, will be held Feb. 7-9, at ExCeL London.