"I hate to say it, but before Sept. 11th most guests viewed CCTV cameras as a sign that a property had questionable security at best," said Ramesh Patel, president of BMS Investments LLC, a San Francisco-based owner/operator of six hotels. "It was thought by many at that time that the number of security cameras a hotel had was directly proportional to the level of crime in the area. Post-9/11, we as an industry, and our valued guests, have heard the worldwide security wake-up call."

According to a survey conducted recently by Atlanta-based hospitality architects John Portman & Associates, travelers welcome and are willing to pay more for heightened security. Specifically, the study found that three-quarters of today's travelers want closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance cameras installed in hotels' corridors. An amazing 88 percent said they are willing to pay more per stay if additional safety and security solutions, such as CCTV systems, are deployed.

"CCTV is a must-have layer of security protection for hotel owners and operators and their valued employees and guests," Patel said. "No longer is it a question of whether or not to install CCTV cameras, but rather which brand to buy today."

He said several companies offer CCTV systems, but "no one delivers the complete hospitality package like Onity."

CCTV Installations Abound - Patel's BMS Investments recently purchased an Onity CCTV system for its 80-room Comfort Suites opening in May 2003, and plans to repeat the security upgrade investment at a 60-room Microtel Inn & Suites to be built later this year in Brentwood, CA.

"We purchased Onity's HotelObservationSystemTM 8 (HOS8), which is state-of-the-art CCTV technology designed specifically for hospitality properties," Patel said. "After researching available technology on the market, we found that Onity provided a proven product at a very affordable price and provides truly reliable 24/7/365 global support. I can even monitor all four cameras from the comfort of my home."

He said after doing some homework, BMS Investments found that, like many areas of hospitality technology, quite a few fringe players are trying to market solutions better designed for other types of facilities and they lack the industry knowledge and commitment that Onity consistently delivers.

"With Onity, we get the entire package — products, people and pricing hand tailored to exceed the expectations of today's security- and budget-conscious hoteliers," said Patel.

Just as important to Patel, BMS Investments could count on Onity for other related security solutions, such as electronic door locks, in-room safes, and energy management systems.

Dan Quam, vice president of Eastern Hospitality Management Inc., an Aberdeen, S.D.-based owner/operator of 36 Super 8 Motels in the Mid-Atlantic states, said the company last year installed Onity's HotelObservationSystemTM 8 (HOS8) at five properties, 12 more such installs are slated for 2003 and at least another half-dozen in 2004.

"We have two monitors at each hotel (one at the front desk and one in the laundry room) and four cameras that are specifically designed to provide just the right blend of security and privacy that today's travelers demand," Quam said. "We chose HotelObservationSystemTM 8 (HOS8) CCTV system simply because it was the best on the market for hotels, backed by companies that have taken great care to build their strong service and support reputations."

Quam said Onity CCTV surveillance solutions serve as both proactive and reactive security measures, helping to deter crime and give guests and hotel owners/operators peace of mind.

"There's no doubt that today's guest perception is that properties that don't have CCTV cameras lack fundamental security measures," Quam said. "If you don't have cameras, you run the risk of losing once-loyal guests to your close competitors 'who have seen the CCTV light' so to speak — not to mention insurance and legal liabilities with regard to taking reasonable steps to protect your property's people (both guests and employees) and assets.

Partnering For Safety Sake - When deciding to fill an unmet marketplace need by designing hospitality-specific CCTV solutions, Onity carefully selected Bosch Security Systems (formerly Philips) as its technology partner. A renowned leader in developing CCTV systems, Bosch/Philips' technology expertise and Onity's knowledge of hoteliers' and guests needs and expectations served as a dynamic design duo, according to Laura R. Acuña, Onity Director of Marketing - North America.

"Our joint venture with Philips produced a trio of CCTV systems designed to provide just the right blend of security/inconspicuous design, and affordability/flexibility that is so important in hospitality applications," Acuña said. "No other security vendor is focused on serving the specific CCTV needs of hotel owners."

Pascal Metivier, Onity vice president global sales and marketing, said the Atlanta-based company is a longstanding global leader committed to providing a one-stop shop solution for hospitality's security needs.

"Today more than ever, Onity is committed to helping hotels provide an unprecedented level of security with solutions that safeguard every spectrum of the hotel," Metivier said. "Our CCTV solutions, coupled with our electronic locks and safes, not only provide a more secure environment, but heighten the guests' perception of safety. Our solutions individually and together work to streamline hotels' needs and bolster return on investment across the board, and across the globe."

The bottom line, he said, is that hoteliers need to put guest safety in the forefront, security systems in the center of their operations, and Onity in the back of their minds whenever they need additional security or service solutions.