October 26 Franchise Management Company Webinar

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Thank you for joining us on Friday, October 26 for the Franchise Management Company Webinar. If you were unable to join, a recorded version and a PDF of the presentation are now available (EID and password required). 

Topics and resources discussed on the October 26 Webinar included:

 

• Mobile Key Deployment

  • Activating Mobile Key requires significant iT preparations to be completed, including lock server preparation, network configuration, and cabling for servers, encoders, and PMS interfaces.

    • Managed by Marriott hotels are required to have a Marriott-imaged lock server on the Marriott network, while franchised hotels can use any server that meets the minimum requirements off the Marriott network.

    • The Mobile team has engaged Datatrend, a third-party iT vendor, to support franchised hotels in completing iT preparations to activate Mobile Key. To ensure franchised hotels budget for required iT preparations, the 2019 CapEx instructions now include an additional $2,000 line item for iT remediation for Mobile Key in addition to the existing line item for additional system costs associated with a new lock system (e.g., encoders, lock server, etc.).

  • Questions? Contact mobileservices@marriott.com.
• FSPMS Unicorn Automation Tool
  • Details, including links to office hours, are available on MGS.
• Reservations Platform Cutover Update
  • Key learnings and resources available to the hotels that cut over during the Sept. 18 and Oct. 10 waves.
    • CI/TY Workshops will be held for new users across Four Points, Tribute and Sheraton properties (Sept. 18, Oct. 10 and Oct. 30 waves). There are plans for another workshop for the Nov. 27 and Dec. 11 waves after their respective cutovers. Each session will include 2 days of workshops with a variety of topics and sessions each lasting 2 – 4 hours, including:
      • CI/TY Sales Effectiveness
      • CI/TY Event Management
      • CI/TY Banquets/Operations
      • CI/TY Group Housing/Reservations
      • CI/TY Leader Reporting
      • CI/TY Property Administration
      • CI/TY Revenue Management

Registration and cost information will be sent directly to CI/TY users and communicated via an upcoming Weekly Update and Change Crew call.

• • Important reminders for hotels cutting over on Oct. 30.
    • Booking.com Outage
      • Properties in October 30 Wave will be unavailable for sale on Booking.com from October 29 at 3 p.m. EDT through October 30 at 9 a.m. EDT. (~18 hours). Note: there will be no impact to other hotels.
      • This change is required for Booking.com to prepare their systems to have hotels go live quickly after cutover.
      • There is no action needed from hotels. All updates on this process will be posted to the Command Center MGS page.
      • All other external channels GDS/OTA/Wholesale, will follow the normal cutover process and are targeted to complete cut over during the hours of 7 a.m. through 12:00 P.M. ET on October 30.
    • Month-end Financial Reminder
      • As with any integration of this complexity, there is potential for an issue to arise that causes delay or required adjustment to the closing process.  Based on the standard month-end close efforts, along with the detailed cutover checklists and job aids provided, properties should know if they have an issue impacting October results.
      • Hotels have been advised to escalate any issue with their financial data as a result of the Reservations Platform cutover to the Reservations Platform Command Center and their Finance leaders so that it can be discussed, escalated and remediated. Key reminders on this topic were shared with property Change Crews the week of October 22.  Please note, the Command Center is prepared to identify and prioritize cutover Service Now tickets for resolution of any month-end close issues.