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Alice, a relatively new start-up which sells operations software to hotels, had a significant investment from Expedia in the previous round of funding. Alice has become a software that provides "the first unified platform for a hotel to run its entire back end operations, such as housekeeping and customer service communication". The system allows guests to send a text message with a request for more pillows or towels, for example, which will be directed to the proper the hotel employee department. Customers can track their requests and both the front and back of house staff can receive communications from guest requests. This IT platform has seen 5 times the amount of requests being generated. Also, the platform has partnered with double the number of hotels and they project more than two million requests will be communicated through this software in a year. Expedia is the largest shareholder in Alice currently. Alice suggests that this is because Expedia could be more interested in "more back-end software services for the hotels that use it to market and distribute their inventory globally." Expedia currently markets tools such as revenue management under the name Expedia Powered Technology to hoteliers. Expedia also offers meetings and events booking tools for hotels. Priceline, which is a competitor to Expedia, also has invested in tools and services that include revenue management software for their hotel partners. Trivago is also offering these services. Alice believes that the size of the market will allow for many other companies to work in this space, and is even open to partnering with other firms to expand. Alice also plans to expand their own business and add personnel with the new funds.

WinTech, LLC, a Las Vegas-based technology company, announced today it has launched "Who's ALICE?" -- an online contest for businesses nationwide to win a 'front desk makeover' featuring the new ALICE Receptionist system.

The ALICE Receptionist software uses features such as motion detection technology to greet visitors, notify employees of the vistor's arrival, and even uses audio communication with the visitor. The ALICE software allows for hotels with small lobbies that cannot afford a 24 hour recptionist to have an opportunity to interact with the guest-at a fraction of the cost. ALICE stands for "A Live Interactive Communication Experience" and it will be introduced to the industry in 2013.

This article discusses Expedia's continued mission to create different hospitality technology, including a PMS-type system called ALICE. This is a three part vision bringing competitive platforms in operations, revenue management, and utilizing the massive amount of booking data they are sitting on. While they have had a version of these same goals for a while now, at their recent partner convention there was renewed excitement and some impressive demonstrations. 

Maestro is the future of PMS in hotels! This cloud based system allows hotels with multiple properties to be fully integrated with one another. Hotel chains like Marriott International, Hilton, and InterContinental hotel groups are among of Maestro's customers. Hotels rave about Maestro flexibility, 24/7 support, and excellent customer service.