Press Release Source: Xybernaut Corp.
Waldorf=Astoria Enhances Luxury Hotel Experience With Xybernaut Wearable Computers
Wednesday November 6, 8:50 am ET
Xybernaut MA(R) V Wearable Computers Used for Check-in, Data Gathering and Variety of Customer Services
NEW YORK & FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2002-- Xybernaut® Corporation (Nasdaq:XYBR - News) and The Waldorf=Astoria®, a Hilton Hotels Corporation property, today announced the purchase and initial deployment of Xybernaut wearable computers for a variety of customer service functions.
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The technology enhancements at the Waldorf=Astoria are part of a previously announced relationship between Xybernaut and Hilton Hotels whereby Hilton properties are able to acquire Xybernaut wearable computers that are pre-configured to work with Hilton back-office programs and front-line applications.
The Waldorf=Astoria launch marks the second Hilton property to incorporate the MA V into front desk and customer service operations in North America.
The effort spear-heads an initiative to employ innovative technologies to extend the reputation of the Waldorf=Astoria as one of New York City's and the nation's premier luxury hotels. Beginning in January 2002, Hilton's corporate IT staff evaluated the Xybernaut solution during a three month evaluation at the Hilton Hawaiian Village®.
Waldorf=Astoria check-in personnel, concierge and customer service representatives will use Xybernaut Mobile Assistant® V (MA® V) wearable computers as the basis for a wireless/mobile check-in system to augment existing registration desks at properties located in North America and many international markets.
"Although we are listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, our business operations need to be on the cutting-edge," stated Eric Long, general manager for The Waldorf=Astoria. "Our primary objective is to make the guest feel welcome as soon as possible. Convenience and efficiency are two of the key metrics by which our patrons evaluate our staff. We initially noticed an opportunity for our customer service representatives to employ wearable computers as a means to speed up the process of check-in/registration upon arrival. We plan to expand the deployment to build affinity amongst our valued customers," added Long.
"We believe our trials with Hilton and deployment with The Waldorf=Astoria will be a strong foundation upon which we can add similar successes with other organizations throughout the travel, leisure and hospitality markets," said Edward G. Newman, chairman, president and CEO of Xybernaut.
The solution allows customer service representatives to use Xybernaut equipment to cut down on long lines (or queues) that can quickly form as guests arrive and move through the welcome and registration process. It works by equipping customer service representatives with a full function PC-equivalent wearable computer configured with wireless network connectivity.
The Xybernaut wearable computers are equipped with a touch screen enabled flat panel display (FPD), body-worn printer, mobile credit card processing equipment, room key encoder, and direct integration with an organization's proprietary or off-the-shelf databases/applications. This integration with critical corporate data provides instant access to information at the point of need.
The Waldorf sees several potential benefits driving their interest in wearable and related technologies.
A few goals include: 1) building affinity amongst patrons; 2) quickly reducing long lines; 3) speeding up the check-in process for each individual; 4) answering specific questions such as restaurant or entertainment recommendations; 5) supporting peak demand instances such as large group arrivals; and 6) booking future/additional reservations.
About Xybernaut Corporation
Xybernaut Corporation is the leading provider of wearable/mobile computing hardware, software and services, bringing communications and full-function computing power in a hands-free design to people when and where they need it. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, Xybernaut has offices and subsidiaries in Europe (Germany) and Asia (Japan). Visit Xybernaut's Web site at www.xybernaut.com.
Xybernaut, the Xybernaut logo and Mobile Assistant® V (MA® V) are trademarks or registered trademarks of Xybernaut Corporation in the USA and other countries. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words "plan," "confident that," "believe," "scheduled," "expect," or "intend to," and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any of the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, the availability of components and successful production of the Company's products, general acceptance of the Company's products and technologies, competitive factors, timing, and other risks described in the Company's SEC reports and filings.
Third party statements contained herein and information contained on any third party website are not endorsed by or adopted by Xybernaut, nor has their accuracy been verified by Xybernaut.
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Contact:
Xybernaut Corp., Fairfax
Michael Binko, 703/631-6925
mbinko@xybernaut.com
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Source: Xybernaut Corp. |
