The Leeds-based IT and telecoms company has secured a contract to provide integrated communications solutions to Aston’s independent chain of ’concept’ hotels, which are designed to deliver executive class accommodation at affordable prices.
Already the contract has earned Applegarth £100,000 from installing systems at the group’s two existing hotel and conference centres in Darlington and Dumfries (opened October 2006).
But the total win will be in the region of £200,000, with two more new hotels scheduled to open in Sheffield and Neath in 2007, followed by a further six hotels over the next three to five years.
Applegarth‘s managing director David Marsden said: “This is a fantastic contract for us, coming just a year after the launch of our IT division, which has enabled us to provide integrated IT and telecoms services for clients.
“We are delighted to be associated with Aston Hotels and have really bought into their concept. My work involves a great deal of travel across the UK and I have never before found accommodation of such a high standard at such value-for-money prices.”
Applegarth has supplied Aston Hotels with all data and telephone cabling, the complete IT infrastructure, front-of-house and back office computers systems. Plus all telephone systems required throughout the hotel from the front desk to bedrooms and support services such as housing keeping and maintenance.
The wireless telecoms network and touch screen Windows-based computer technology are all backed by Applegarth’s central IT and telecoms support function.
In addition, reception, front-of-house and night porters have been equipped with cordless phones, enabling them to deliver immediate response to guests and ensure efficient running of the hotels as a whole.
The technology, which allows for future planned expansion, also provides for each hotel to be linked via Voice Over Internet Protocols (VOIP) in order to secure maximum savings on call charges and to enable the Darlington HQ to maintain central control.
Paresh Kotecha, managing director of Aston Hotels, said: “Attention to detail is paramount to our business, with IT and telecoms playing a vital role in ensuring its smooth running.
“We feel confident that we have found the right partner in Applegarth, their combined telecoms and IT capabilities really set them apart from the competition. We look forward to working with them in building our vision for hotels that combine accessibility, comfort, practicality, affordability, and absolute relaxation which others can only aspire to.”