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Choice Hotels Kicks Off 9th Annual “Mastery” Tech Innovation Summit, Operating at the Intersection of Hospitality, Franchising and Technology

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500 Choice technologists gather for trainings and workshops and to compete in a 48-hour make-a-thon to develop next-generation hospitality solutions

NORTH BETHESDA, Md., March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world’s leading lodging franchisors, kicks off “Mastery 2024” today, an annual week-long tech innovation summit where more than 500 company technologists come together at Choice’s Scottsdale, Arizona offices to learn and drive innovation through a series of gamified trainings and workshops that culminate in a 48-hour make-a-thon. In the make-a-thon, Choice associates ideate and build new software products leveraging advanced technology to drive profitability and value for the company and Choice hotel owners. During Mastery 2024, tech teams will develop solutions to speed up and improve the hotel onboarding process, measure and visualize a property’s environmental footprint, improve the customer service experience, and more. At the end of each make-a-thon, teams will present their new products to a committee of Choice executives, with winners receiving cash prizes and the chance to have their ideas continue to be refined and deployed across the organization.

“Mastery keeps us current on cutting-edge technologies like AI and helps spark creativity, innovation, and team building,” said Brian Kirkland, chief information officer, Choice Hotels International. “We want to make sure we are constantly innovating and trying new things so that we can continue to deliver value-driving technology for Choice, our franchisees, and our guests.”

Last year, a tool created during Mastery reduced daily tickets from 4,000 to just 40 using AI and other new technologies. Previous winning projects include online travel agency enhancements that yielded additional revenue and multiple security analysis and automation tools.

“Choice’s long-standing commitment and investment in technology provides hotel owners and operators of our brands with an edge,” said Anna Scozzafava, chief strategy officer and senior vice president of technology, Choice Hotels International. “Our hotel-facing tech is cloud-based, mobile-friendly and easy to use to ensure all owners can leverage our best-in-class tools.”

Choice recently announced the closure of its last data center, making it the first major hotel company to migrate its entire system infrastructure to AWS. Now fully on the cloud, Choice will continue to innovate and leverage the power of AI to drive even more business value for its franchisees. Choice has built and introduced industry-first owner-facing technologies, including the choiceADVANTAGE cloud-based reservation system; the Your Key to Profit platform, which centralizes profitability tools for owners; and choiceEDGE, which utilizes AI and historical trend analysis to help franchisees maximize room sales.

Choice Hotels has a history of technological firsts and innovation, including: 

In 1995, Choice launched the first hotel website with real-time rate and availability information.In 2003, Choice launched the first cloud-based property management system (PMS), choiceADVANTAGE.In 2009, Choice released the first hotel app for iOS.In 2014, Choice became the first hotel company to offer instant booking on TripAdvisor. That same year, Choice was the only hotel company listed on Forbes’ Top 100 Most Innovative Growth Companies.In 2016, Choice became the first hotel company to offer immediate in-app gift card downloads.In 2018, Choice launched choiceEDGE, the industry’s first cloud-based central reservation system (CRS).In 2019, Choice became the first hotel company to commit to being 100% on AWS (Amazon Web Services) Cloud.In 2021, Choice launched ChoiceMAX, an award-winning AI mobile-first revenue management solution.In early 2024, Choice completed its migration to the cloud.

About Choice Hotels® 

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. The challenger in upscale and a leader in midscale and extended stay, Choice® has over 7,500 hotels, representing more than 630,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories. A diverse portfolio of 22 brands that range from full-service upper upscale properties to midscale, extended stay and economy enables Choice® to meet travelers’ needs in more places and for more occasions while driving more value for franchise owners and shareholders. The award-winning Choice Privileges® rewards program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalized perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com

© 2024 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All Rights Reserved     

 

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SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.

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My China Story: Technology Brings the World Together for a Chinese New Year

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BEIJING, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As the Spring Festival approaches, many are preparing for their holiday travels abroad. While the excitement of spontaneous trips is undeniable, one of the biggest hurdles travelers face is language barriers. However, iFlytek‘s innovative translation device promises to make communication effortless, helping you navigate any language challenges with ease.

 

Known for its sleek and compact design, iFlytek’s smart translation gadget offers an elegant black, business-style exterior, a moderate size, and a lightweight build. It’s the ideal travel companion, fitting easily into your pocket without weighing you down. Whether you’re heading to a city getaway or a remote adventure, this device ensures that language is never an obstacle.

The device boasts impressive capabilities, supporting translations in 84 languages online and 16 languages offline. Whether you’re traveling to Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, or the Middle East, this device handles it all. Even in remote locations—such as secluded mountain temples or isolated islands—the offline translation feature ensures you won’t be left speechless. The device also offers specialized vocabulary for specific fields, making translations more precise and professional.

With its intuitive interface, the gadget is easy to use—just a tap, and you’re ready to communicate. This makes it a perfect tool for travelers who want to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience while abroad.

But what lies behind this innovative device? How did it come to life? To learn more about its development and functionality, we are following a Russian journalist as he visits iFlytek’s headquarters for an exclusive look at this remarkable “gadget” and uncover the story behind its creation.

Stay tuned as we explore the technology that’s revolutionizing the way we connect across cultures.

https://youtu.be/QkdFG0LvH70

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SOURCE “My China Story” International Short Video Competition Organizing Committee

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Cutting-edge automotive software in India: Dedicated business unit of digital transformation specialist Embitel now operates as CARIAD India

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400-person-strong team has been an established partner on numerous technology projects for CARIAD, the automotive software company of the Volkswagen Group.Embitel Managing Director, Sharad Bairathi: “CARIAD’s internationally renowned brand name will be a major advantage in the highly competitive Indian technology sector.”CARIAD Chief Launch Officer, Thomas Günther: “Working together under the CARIAD brand strengthens our joint commitment to delivering cutting-edge automotive software solutions.”

BENGALURU, India, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The CARIAD Business Unit of Bengaluru-based digital transformation specialist Embitel now operates as CARIAD India. The 400-person-strong team has been an established partner on numerous technology projects for CARIAD, the automotive software company of the Volkswagen Group.

Since 2020, Embitel’s CARIAD Business Unit has worked successfully with CARIAD on many technology projects, primarily in the areas of platform software, Scalable Vehicle Compute Platform, high-speed communication technologies, ADAS/AD, power systems, energy and charging, and body electronics. To further strengthen this partnership, Embitel’s CARIAD Business Unit now officially operates as CARIAD India under a licensing agreement with Germany-based CARIAD SE.

Sharad Bairathi, Managing Director of Embitel, commented: “The rebranding to CARIAD India marks a significant milestone. It shows everyone how close our links with CARIAD are. The internationally renowned brand name will be a major advantage in the highly competitive Indian technology sector.”

CARIAD’s Chief Launch Officer, Thomas Günther, added: “We are welcoming our colleagues in India even closer to the team. India’s technology landscape pulsates with innovation and working together under the CARIAD brand now strengthens our joint commitment to delivering cutting-edge automotive software solutions.”

CARIAD India has grown continuously and now has close to 400 employees. It started with a small team delivering base services for the Driver Reflection Module, which is an integral part of the Volkswagen Group’s advanced driver assistance systems. This team later expanded to develop software for a microcontroller and the Scalable Vehicle Compute Platform (SVCP), a flexible system that supports various automotive functions, including communication interfaces and power management for electric cars.

The ADAS/AD team, established in 2022, works on behaviour software, sensors, map localization, driving, and safety projects. Equipped with advanced systems, the lab in Bengaluru is a key partner for CARIAD in Germany and internationally.

CARIAD India has also established an expert team to work on solutions for vehicle, energy, charging and body functions. The power electronics software team develops the diagnostics, security and bootloader functions. Another team is currently being setup for the high-voltage energy management systems for new vehicle platforms.

The rebranding to CARIAD India does not alter the ownership or legal status of Embitel Technologies India Pvt. Ltd. – which continues to be the legal entity. Embitel remains a subsidiary of the diconium group and, thus part of Volkswagen Group Sales IT.

CARIAD® is a trademark of CARIAD SE licensed to Embitel Technologies India Pvt. Ltd.

CARIAD

CARIAD is the automotive software company of the Volkswagen Group. Founded in 2020, CARIAD creates and delivers leading digital technology for brands such as Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche. In software centres in Germany, the USA, China, Estonia and India, more than 6,000 experts work on making the automotive experience safer, more sustainable and more comfortable for everyone. The company’s technology stack includes advanced driver assistance systems, charging technology, a unified infotainment platform, software functions for driving performance, as well as a new digital ecosystem and digital services in and around the vehicle. Iconic cars like the Volkswagen ID. Buzz and ID.7, the Audi Q6 e-tron and the electric Porsche Macan 4 are already equipped with the latest CARIAD technology. With the Volkswagen Group brands, CARIAD aims to transform the car into a software-defined vehicle that relies on software as the basis for most of its functions.

For further information, visit https://cariad.technology.

Embitel

Since its inception in 2006, Embitel Technologies India Pvt. Ltd., has driven digital transformation through advanced technology in the realms of Automotive, Internet of Things, Connected Car and Digital Solutions. Embitel has a proven track record of delivering end-to-end solutions from concept to production for a global client base. The company also provides accelerator solutions that can help customers to reduce overall development time and effort considerably. A Volkswagen Group company, Embitel is a close development partner for CARIAD, the Group’s automotive software company. Embitel also supports CARIAD in enhancing customer experience for digital business and mobility services through seamless e-commerce solutions. Embitel has its corporate office in Bengaluru, with development centres in Ahmedabad, Pune and Coimbatore in India.

Find more information about Embitel at www.embitel.com.

 

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From Local Innovator to Global Player: XData Group’s 2024 Milestones

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TALLINN, Estonia, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — XData Group, a B2B software development firm and a rising fintech innovator based in Tallinn, Estonia, has celebrated a year of exceptional achievements in 2024. Compared to the previous year, the company has doubled its revenue, jumping from €3.3M to €7.8M, while the net profit is expected to be in the €3-3.5 million range. This is a remarkable leap for a growing business, cementing XData’s position as a prominent rising player in the B2B software development space.

The past year has been transformative for XData Group: despite facing challenges in attracting top talent, the company successfully grew its team from 27 to 79 employees, nearly tripling in size. This expansion reflects XData’s ability to draw skilled professionals motivated by a shared vision of reshaping the banking industry through cutting-edge technology.

A significant milestone of 2024 was the release of the company’s flagship banking suite, designed to enhance user experience and operational efficiency in online banking.

Additionally, XData Group expanded its global presence by opening new offices in Spain and Armenia, two emerging tech hubs that align well with the company’s vision and forward-thinking approach.

The company’s client base has also grown as XData secured partnerships with several European banks and financial institutions in the Middle East, showcasing its growing reputation as a trusted partner.

“We are proud of everything we’ve achieved this year and XData’s growing role in driving the adoption of AI and automation in the banking space. As 2025 draws near, our team is committed to scaling our operations even further, doubling down on our proprietary AI-driven solutions and making sure our clients get the best that XData has to offer,” – stated Roman Eloshvili, CEO of XData Group.

XData Group has ambitious plans for the upcoming year: among other things, the company aims to achieve €14 million in revenue and expand its team to 120–130 employees. The company will also shift focus from outsourcing projects to enhancing its internal product development, driving innovation in AI-powered solutions for banking and financial services.

As automation and AI reshape the financial landscape, XData Group intends to stand at the forefront of this transformation, empowering its partners to transition seamlessly into a new age of technology, where financial services become more accessible, efficient, and user-centric.

 

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SOURCE XData Group

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