FAQs

What is Vertical Systems, Inc. (VSi)?

VSi is a company providing guest services technology for the hospitality industry. It's products and services, which are aimed at serving the growing needs of business travelers and mobile users, include automated business centers, Wi- Fi hotspots, kiosks and in-room technology. VSi's products and services are sold through channel partners that include major hotel chains, broadband and wireless service providers, audio/visual service providers and large system integrators.

What are VSi's products and services?

While the company can configure its products and services to an individual hotel's needs, VSi's Automated Business Centers typically include the following types of equipment and features:

• wired and wireless high-speed Internet access,
• Wi-Fi hot spots high-speed Internet service,
• 27x7 Business Center access,
• 27x7 live toll-free phone tech support,
• virus-free, state-of-the-art PCs with proprietary FreshStart technology that gives each user the equivalent of a new computer,
• secure, remote web-based guest printing services,
• high-speed color printers and copiers,
• easy-to-use personal laptop connections,
• photo/image scanners,
• the latest business software.

What brands of hardware does VSi supply?

VSi Automated Business Centers featured the highest quality brand-name equipment such as IBM, Dell, Hewlett- Packard, Lexmark, Fujitsu and Ricoh, among others.

What kind of software does VSi include?

VSi utilizes a Windows-based platform with added proprietary functionality specifically designed for the hospitality market and other multiple user-based environments. VSi Automated Business Centers typically include industry- standard Microsoft Office software.

What makes VSi's products and services unique?

Unique in the industry, the VSi computing solutions are specifically designed for multiple, non-repeat usage. In contrast to traditional PCs, when a user logs out of the VSi computer, the computer's entire system is completely rebuilt and a new Windows operating system, factory settings, and applications are loaded. As a result, all the users files, personal data, and usage history are permanently erased, thereby ensuring the user absolute information security and privacy.

Additionally, in rebuilding the system after each user, any user-loaded non-standard programs (viruses or spyware) that might jeopardize future system or guest security or cause ongoing support and maintenance issues, are also deleted. This proprietary functionality makes the VSi solution ideal for environments such as the hospitality market, where multiple users log on to the same public computer.

What is VSi's benefit to a hotel?

VSi provides a variety of options that allow a hotel to configure its Automated Business Center in concert with its overall business plan. Among the options are:

• No cost option for equipment purchase or upkeep
• No need to have on-site staffing for management or service
• An additional revenue stream
• 24/7 live toll-free phone customer support
• Flexible revenue sharing and financing options

What other products and services does VSi offer?

VSi and its partners also provide wired and wireless broadband Internet access, in-room technology that can provide the equivalent of a business center for the traveler and kiosks that can bring a business center to public areas of a hotel or into meeting rooms.

What other customer services can VSi's system enable?

The VSi platform also enables the delivery of other revenue-generating multimedia business and entertainment applications such as videoconferencing, video-on-demand, and computer/video games. The company partners with software vendors to provide a hotel with software solutions that provide guests with the ability to access their office/home computers from the Automated Business Center through a secure, private connection.

Is the user's application and web surfing history private/secure?

Absolutely. The VSi solution is specifically designed for multiple, non-repeat usage in a secure and private manner. In contrast to traditional PCs, when a user logs out of the VSi system, the computer's entire system is rebuilt and a new Windows operating system, factory settings, and applications are loaded. This permanently erases all the users files, personal data and usage history, thereby ensuring complete information security and privacy.

How stable is VSi's system?

The system's unique architecture provides unprecedented system stability and virtually eliminates maintenance. In the event of any technical problems in the system, the VSi computer is simply rebooted, instantly restoring application/operating system integrity, original factory settings, and full functionality. This relieves IT staff, in a hotel or other setting, of the time-consuming task of troubleshooting the system and dealing with downtime.

Additionally, any non-standard programs (virus, spyware) that might jeopardize future system or guest security, or cause ongoing support and maintenance issues, are also deleted each time the computer is rebooted. This proprietary functionality enables the VSi system to be ideal for environments such as the hospitality market, where multiple mobile users log on to the same computer.

Can guests use their own laptops to access Internet and print?

All VSi platforms feature a data port for business travelers to connect to their own laptops, access Internet, VPNs and print files without downloading any printer drivers. In addition, VSi can set up remote printing that guests can access from their hotel room, securely printing in the business center.

What are VSi's in-room offerings?

VSi's RoomMate is much more than simply an Ethernet port in a guest room. With RoomMate, travelers will be supplied with a computer and flat-screen monitor that can be used to surf the Web, use popular Microsoft Office applications, print documents securely to the Automated Business Center and access online hotels services without needing their own laptop. RoomMate also features a data port for business travelers to connect to their own laptops if so desired.

What is the revenue model for hotels?

In addition to standard usage fee revenues, VSi also works closely with hotels to jointly develop highly targeted content and services that have the potential to generate additional revenue.

What is the cost to hotels?

VSi solutions are available to hotels in a number of flexible pricing plans to fit every budget, including no up front capital cost with revenue sharing, leasing, or outright purchase.

What support does VSi provide to hotels?

VSi and its partners work with hotels at every stage in the design, installation and maintenance of the VSi solutions. The company provides a full service solution including:

• Site analysis, in-room design and installation, aesthetics and customization;
• Development of system architecture including hardware and software requirements for guest rooms and business centers;
• Design and procurement of LAN/WAN infrastructure;
• Installation of system server, hubs, routers, and inside wiring (wireline and, if necessary, wireless);
• In-room system installation;
• Development of an interface to the hotel's existing IT and billing infrastructure;
• Ongoing maintenance, training
• 24/7 live toll-free phone support.

Is it easy to integrate hotel services onto the VSi system?

As part of its service VSi will work with the hotel to develop custom interfaces with its existing IT and billing infrastructure.

Can a guest use a VPN to their corporate web site through a VSI Automated Business Center?

When a guest uses his or her own laptop in conjunction with the VSi Automated Business Center, the VSi system simply provides broadband Internet access. As such, if the guest's VPN client is properly configured to establish VPN sessions with a corporate server using hotel provided broadband access, the VSi system will in no way affect the connection.

What if the structure of my hotel makes new wiring to rooms impossible or incredibly costly?

VSi can connect the in-room aspects to a central server through a wireless (Wi-Fi) connection if standard wiring is impractical.

Are there existing installations of the VSi solution in the market today?

VSi services and products are already in service at more than 700 hotel locations throughout the US, Mexico, Canada & Europe.

Can the hotel make its own guest pricing decisions for the VSi offerings?

Yes.

Can VSi help the hotel in marketing this service?

VSi is committed to its customers and partners and will work closely with them to help them market this service to their customers. The company has a co-marketing program available to its customer hotels, including direct mail formats, in-room table tents, reception desk literature, and Web page information templates.