NEW YORK— Hospitality industry veteran Eric Pfeffer has inked a deal with Internet connectivity provider KoolConnect to help boost sales of the company’s latest hotel interactive television solution offering digital VCR functionality. Pfeffer, former CEO of Cendant’s Hotel Division, came out of retirement in June when he said he would be providing consulting services for the limited service La Quinta chain. Now operating as president of the Pfeffer Group, LLC, he added his second client on Sept. 1, marking the executive’s foray in the technology arena. “This is different from what I’ve done in the past,” said Pfeffer, adding that he is obviously worked with hospitality technology vendors previously, just not as a direct consultant. “I’m tasked with three responsibilities. First, to help [KoolConnect’s] existing team get to the next level professionally and strategically,” Pfeffer explained. “Second, I’m going to help them raise capital, because they’re a new company. And third, I’m going to look at international solutions. Their relationship with Sprint is a good formula for success, and I’m going to look at signing an agreement with another telecommunications company in a different country.” KoolConnect inked a deal with Sprint in June 2001 to bring Sprint InSite with KoolConnect Interactive Media to the hospitality industry. The product offers: high-speed Internet speeds— accessible through the TV or via a laptop— along with music; games; local information; concierge services; and movies on demand. According to Pfeffer, it is the pay-per-view functionality that really sets the platform apart from its competition (namely LodgeNet and On Command, which together command the majority of the market share in the hotel industry). “Ours has VCR technology, where you can pause and rewind,” Pfeffer said. “Some other companies have digital platforms, but not VCR functionality.” KoolConnect is also in the process of adding room service capabilities, allowing guests to order off the hotel menu directly through their TV, as well as local advertising. Currently the system is being beta tested at the Westin in Fort Lauderdale, FL and the Westin in San Francisco, and will be rolled out in two independent Orlando resorts by the end of this year.
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