Fort Rapids Waterpark Integrates RFID and POS Technology

Technology Creates a Total Cashless Environment for Resort Guests

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. October 14, 2008

SANTA BARBARA, CA, November 20, 2006. InfoGenesis, the leading hospitality technology company in the United States, has just announced a technology partnership with Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Columbus, Ohio, which includes the Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark. The technology partnership is part of a larger integration that involves converging radio frequency identification (RFID) and point-of-sale (POS) technology to offer guests a unique resort experience.

Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark is the first indoor waterpark resort in central Ohio and prides itself on using cutting edge technology to improve guest interactions, as well as profitability. Guests can now use reusable watch-like RFID bracelets to not only locate party members throughout the park, but buy food and other items anywhere in the resort. The resort includes a 60,000-square-foot waterpark with food and arcade games, 278 guest rooms, 60 villa suites, a gift shop and several restaurants.

Utilizing the integration capabilities of Microsoft BizTalk Server 2004, the POS solution from InfoGenesis and the RFID solution from Guest Technologies communicate seamlessly. Through this data communication and integration between InfoGenesis POS and the resort's property management system, guests can be out at the waterpark and pay for things like a hot dog by just swiping their RFID bracelet at the point-of-sale terminal. All purchases and room nights can be rolled up into a single guest invoice. This property-wide purchasing convenience is enabling guests to enjoy their stay more, while at the same time increasing per guest spending at the resort.

"We're really excited about the integration of RFID and POS technology at our property," said Patrick Quinn, Corporate Director of Food and Beverage for FLG Hospitality, the management company running the resort. "Guests get seamless service that I know we wouldn't be able to support otherwise. They also have fewer roadblocks to spending money. Because they don't have to carry credit cards or cash, they enjoy our amenities non-stop. We've been impressed with how the technology works together and expect to see a significant trend toward increased guest spending."

"InfoGenesis' guest experience management vision is a nice compliment to Microsoft Smarter Hospitality, producing a unified technology platform that helps resorts and their people deliver fast and personal guest service while improving business performance," said Matthew Shigenobu Muta, industry director for Microsoft's Worldwide Retail & Hospitality Industry Unit.

"Fort Rapids has raised the bar in venue operating strategies and guest-centric service," said Mark Tapling, President and CEO of InfoGenesis. "We are very pleased to be a partner with Fort Rapids, Guest Technologies and Microsoft in delivering this innovative solution. Fort Rapids' innovative integration of leading-edge technologies with a great product will enable a new level of leadership in their market. Through our ongoing commitment to working with key partners, we've helped Fort Rapids create a seamless cashless environment that will ultimately help the resort be more profitable."