HALLANDALE BEACH, FL - ZDirect is helping to keep mobile travelers organized by developing new integration that links directly from a hotel's property-management system to the Apple iOS 6 Passbook digital wallet. Using the ZMail® electronic communication platform, a guest's hotel confirmation becomes a mobile "pass" that is sent to an iPhone or iPod Touch and added to the mobile Passbook file. Since Passbook is time and location based, hotel confirmations automatically appear on the lock screen when and where the information is needed. As travelers get close to the hotel, their confirmations pop up for easy viewing.
ZDirect is a hospitality provider of electronic customer-relationship management services. Via ZMail®, hotels send personalized emails and text messages to guests before, during and after their stay to improve hotel-to-guest communications, build customer loyalty and increase onsite spending. Today more than 2,000 hotels spanning six continents are using ZMail® to better connect with guests.
"Apple's Passbook helps keep everything organized for the mobile traveler," said Shayne Paddock, ZDirect chief information officer. "Passbook organizes gift cards, tickets, coupons, boarding passes, etc., into a digital file. By customizing this functionality for hotel confirmations, ZDirect is improving the overall guest experience and adding more value to our eCRM solution.
"ZDirect's mobile integration to Passbook does what paper can't -- it alerts travelers to real-time changes in their reservations," Paddock said. "The hotel 'pass' actually pops up through the mobile lock screen to be accessed with just a touch as guests get close to the hotel. Directions to the property can also be added so finding the hotel is a breeze."
ZDirect attaches Passbook files to emails or creates a link to download the “pass” from a confirmation email or SMS text message. The look and feel of the hotel's "pass" can be customized for each hotel and configured for any PMS. Once the "pass" is stored on the mobile device, a data connection is not needed to retrieve it, so roaming charges are not assessed.
"First there was iCal, then TripIt, and now Passbook," Paddock said. "By continually adding functionality to the ZMail platform, ZDirect continues pushing the envelope for enhanced eCRM. ZDirect’s integration to Passbook means no more printing of hotel confirmations which tend to get lost. To update their reservations, guests simply 'pull down' on their 'pass' to receive the latest reservation information. It's a convenience tool that is so important to today's mobile-dependent travelers, and it's a logical add on for hotels that use ZMail® for hotel-to-guest communication."
For more information on ZDirect, please visit www.zdirect.com.
About ZDirect
Based in Hallandale Beach, Florida, ZDirect, an Enterprise Email Service Provider (ESP) for the Hospitality Industry, is a leading provider of electronic customer relationship management solutions for the hospitality industry. The maintenance of a single guest profile is essential for an effective eCRM strategy. With the Dynamic Content Engine and PMS integration, ZMail® automatically sends intelligent and personalized confirmations, pre-arrival emails and post-departure emails with guest satisfaction surveys via email, mobile communication, SMS, social networks and more. Learn about the real people behind every reservation. Let ZDirect help you convert your prospects to customers and your customers to loyal customers. Real People. Real Profiles. Real Results.
