Kempinski’s landmark properties in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha win three prestigious industry awards

Information technology innovation and transformation leaders gathered in Dubai last month to honour 100 individuals who demonstrated excellence and achievement in shaping the regional IT landscape, including three IT Directors at iconic Kempinski hotels in the region.

Part of Computer News Middle East’s (CNME) Annual CIO 100 Awards and Forum, the recognition acknowledges the innovative ways IT companies and individuals deliver competitive advantages to enhance business success. Prasanna Rupasinghe, Director of IT at the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Mehmet Akdeniz, Director of IT/AV at Emirates Palace, and Rahul Mistry, Director of IT at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha, Qatar were among the winners.

Prasanna Rupasinghe, Director of IT at the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai, was recognized for his upgrade of the property’s infrastructure, which included the introduction of the Interactive Customer Experience (ICE) application that combined the best of content delivery, virtual systems and gaming platforms into one single application. This technology, which enabled the integration of the hotel’s digital TV platform, automated guest servicing platform and room management system, allows guests to easily stream TV content, access high quality wireless internet and request services through any mobile device.

At Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, Mehmet Akdeniz, Director of IT/AV, initiated a network infrastructure upgrade, making Emirates Palace the only hotel in the Middle East to deploy a supercharged wireless network. This allows guests to use gigabit wireless across the sprawling property.

Among numerous innovations and changes brought about to improve customer service and guest satisfaction, enterprise architecture and operational efficiency, Mehmet also innovated guest room, conference and meeting room TV systems, introducing the upgrade of the Hotel TV and Room Control System to the IPTV system.  The system features the ability to integrate with latest devices to stream audio video to TV and home theatre systems from Apple and android devices.

Rahul Mistry, Director of IT at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha, Qatar was awarded for his efforts during the pre-opening phase and opening of this iconic Doha property. Making full use of the newly acquired Hotel Smart LED TVs, the HOTstream Smart TV solution allows the hotel to deliver cost-effective, leading in-room entertainment and TV channel viewing technology. Guests can now enjoy a wide range of channels in HD not only in their rooms, but anywhere in and around the hotel on their smartphone devices thanks to the latest paralleled service of IPTV solutions offered by MCOM. The tailor-made app, which was designed by MCOM, ensures that guests can enjoy the hotel technology benefits before, during and after their stay.

Rahul’s efforts also saw the introduction of cloud-based technology, as an alternative to a server room, which has resulted in many advantages for the hotel, all of which relate to achieving a sustainable competitive advantage, continued business innovation, and improved customer satisfaction.

KN Ramdas, Regional Director of IT ME&A at Kempinski Hotels, said that Kempinski is thrilled to see three of their leaders in IT rewarded for their innovative thinking and distinctively successful implementation efforts.

“Technology plays an ever-increasing role in the lives of our guests, and therefore, technological advances that enable our guests to connect quickly and effortlessly generate a great deal of interest. Kempinski properties continue to set a high benchmark in the industry, and the technology we are introducing across our portfolio broadens our ability to continue communication with our guests, by extending our ability to connect with them, well after their departure, when the technology is still functional,” Ramdas said.