Phoenix, AZ April 26, 2013
Choice Hotels International Inc. (NYSE: CHH) has launched SkyTouch Technology® in Phoenix to market its cloud-based software to other hotels to improve their efficiency and profitability.
The SkyTouch Hotel Operating System®, a combined property and rate management software, has been used by Choice-branded hotels for 10 years under the ChoiceAdvantage name. Now, the company is offering it to other hotels and has hired 40 employees in Phoenix to help with the new technology division.
«We love that we’re able to come out with something that’s very forward looking, extremely easy to use, and easy to train because of the high turnover at hotels,» said Ric Leutwyler, president of SkyTouch Technology®, who has been working since October to set up the organization and prepare the products and services for other hotels.
The SkyTouch service is a property management system able to handle reservations, guest stays and rates on any device with an Internet connection.
Leutwyler, who brings decades of experience in the hospitality and technology industries, was hired from Choice Hotels to launch a website earlier this month, transition about 75 Choice Hotel employees to support the SkyTouch division and hire 40 employees to expand and support the new technology division.
«We’re coming to the marketplace with this very robust starting point, which is kind of a dream from an entrepreneurial starting point,» said Leutwyler, a Scottsdale resident.
SkyTouch is Web-based, meaning hotels don’t have to set up servers and can save money on equipment and licensing, Leutwyler said.
«All we need is some device that has an Internet browser,» he said. «That makes it easier to upgrade. It also gives the hotel mobility. With a cloud-based system, general managers can check in on their properties from home or vacation. It provides a level of flexibility and mobility.»
Choice Hotels has spent the past 10 years enhancing the service and evolving the technology to provide more capability, Leutwyler said.
«We’re hoping to help people understand that we are coming into the marketplace as a startup with a strong point,» Leutwyler said. «We’re able to help hotels with any size and type. The most fun thing to me is seeing we had this unique opportunity to build a new business but on the back of what’s been with Choice all these years.»