Elfiq’s Link LB-1100 improves hotel guests’ online connectivity

MONTREAL—Elfiq, a company based in Montreal, has come up with a solution to a problem that has plagued operators over the last few years—Internet connectivity.

Five years ago, hotel guests would surf the net and check their e-mail. Today they do much more than that —playing online games, accessing You Tube, using integrated laptop webcams, and using Slingbox.

The Slingbox is a hardware device that transmits signals from a cable or satellite television (TV) connection to a personal computer. It enables a Toronto Maple Leafs fan on business in Dallas to access their home satellite connection using their computer, so they can watch their favourite team.

This increased demand has put a strain on hotel Internet systems. Once problem is availability—is the line working or is it down? Statistics show that the average link will fail 1.7 times per month for 60 to 90 minutes. If the computer is down, there’s a significant cost to hotels, which may reimburse customers with reward points or free meals.

The other problem is saturation—too many users and the “bandwidth hogging” uses mentioned above. Six p.m. until 11 p.m. are peak saturation zones, and hoteliers are feeling the pinch.

“By 2010, 80 per cent of information transferred on the Web will be in Media,” Elfiq VP of Business Development, Jean Pascal (JP) Hebert, told CLN. “Hotels should act today to respond to the demand.”

To solve these hotel connectivity problems, Hebert recommends “link diversification”—use of more than one carrier for Internet services. A cable network is on a different hard network than the telephone network, which is different again from wireless and cell phone links. If a crane working across the street damages a cable—then you have a backup system.

Elfiq’s LB-1100 is an “appliance” with both hardware and software that sits between the ISP links and the HSIA server which manages Internet connectivity for the rooms. “It juggles all Internet links – T1, DSL and cable – transparently,” said Hebert. He compares the LB-1100 to the security official in airport customs, who directs passengers to the shortest lines. “It keeps things flowing and optimized so guests have a good Internet experience.”

Hotels are notified of any connectivity problems by e-mail.

About 30,000 rooms in 150 properties encompassing most of the major chains use Elifq, according to Hebert.

“We don’t ask customers to redesign their networks; we’re blazingly fast and amazingly flexible,” he adds. The company offers service in both French and English.

For information call 888-GO-ELFIQ, or log on to www.elfiq.com/hospitality.