Tag: #granitedigital

Dalata records one million guest interactions on new contactless platform from Granite Digital. #GraniteDigital #Dalata #Hotels

Granite Digital, Ireland’s leading full-service digital agency, today announces that it has delivered Ireland’s first fully contactless hotel guest services platform for Dalata Hotel Group, which has already reached one million guest interactions. Developed in collaboration with Dublin-based hotel booking software provider P3 Hotels, the innovative web portal is transforming the hotel guest experience, as hotels continue to adapt to operating under COVID-19 restrictions.

Dalata is Ireland’s largest hotel operator with two leading brands – Maldron Hotels and Clayton Hotels – as well as managing a portfolio of further partner hotels. The group has implemented the contactless solution across its 44 owned, leased and operated hotel locations in Ireland and the UK. Many guests will utilise the platform within it’s first 12 months.

The digital platform is designed to aid social distancing and COVID-19 safety protocols in hotels by enabling contactless check-in, check-out and hotel services, as well as securely and seamlessly facilitating the track and trace process for all visitors. Physical interaction is minimised, with hotel patrons accessing the platform through a link in their check-in email and using pick-up and drop-off boxes for room keys on arrival and departure.

Robert Carpenter, Co-Founder, Granite Digital and Stephen McNally, Deputy Chief Executive, Dalata Hotel Group

From the web-based portal, guests can browse hotel information and services, order in-room click-and-collect dining, reserve breakfast and dinner slots and book swimming and gym sessions. The portal also facilitates instant messaging so guests can order additional towels, toiletries, all linen supplies and cleaning services.

To guard against the spread of COVID-19, Dalata is also operating a revised cleaning regime for each hotel room and public space across its locations. It is working with global certification leader Bureau Veritas to ensure compliance and best practice with regards all health and safety measures in the hospitality sector. In combination with its newly launched digital platform, Dalata is seeking to offer guests peace of mind as well as a transformed visitor experience – leveraging technology to deliver convenience and more responsive services.

Stephen McNally, Deputy CEO, Dalata Hotel Group, said: “This new platform is now operating really well across the Dalata Hotel Group, and guest reaction has been excellent. The software is a landmark development for the hospitality sector in Ireland. It is the result of deep consultation with our innovative technology partners Granite Digital & P3 to develop a platform that can not only help achieve compliance with COVID-19 measures, but also revolutionise guest interactions for a more connected world.”

“The health and safety of our valued guests is paramount and the online platform is a cornerstone of our thorough approach to creating a clean and safe environment in each of our hotels. Looking to the future, we wanted to put digital at the heart of the guest experience so visitors can enjoy the same level of information, interactivity and responsiveness that they are accustomed to in other sectors. This platform helps us to do exactly that.” 

 Robert Carpenter, Co-Founder, Granite Digital, said: “Both the Maldron and Clayton Hotel brands are highly regarded and well-known in Ireland and increasingly growing in strength in the UK. It was fantastic to work with a true leader in hospitality who was so open to applying innovative ideas to address the significant challenges posed by COVID-19.

 “The clever application of digital technologies to traditional sectors and processes can be the key to unlocking these challenges and carrying Irish businesses through this crisis and beyond. By moving quickly to bring this platform to the market and rolling it out to all of its hotels, Dalata has demonstrated the almost instantly transformative impact that customised digital solutions can have.”

Granite Digital acquisition of Connector to generate €1 million new revenue over next 12 months. #GraniteDigital #Connector

Granite Digital, Ireland’s leading full-service digital transformation agency, today announces that it has acquired Dublin-based digital and creative marketing agency, Connector. Granite Digital is forecasting additional revenues of €1 million over the next 12 months following the acquisition.

 

Connector is a multi-award winning creative agency which has developed innovative digital campaigns for leading Irish and multinational brands, such as Volkswagen, Dr. Oetker, Huawei, FreeNow, RTÉ, KBC Bank and Littlewoods Ireland. The agency offers digital strategy, content creation and influencer marketing services.

 

The acquisition of Connector opens a global market opportunity for Granite Digital, contributing to its increased forecasted revenues. Connector is already involved in the development of several projects with multinational clients in global markets, creating the opportunity for Granite Digital to offer these clients a range of additional digital services both in Ireland and overseas.

 

Granite Digital will retain the Connector brand and all of its existing employees, making it the largest independent digital agency in Ireland. The Granite Digital senior management team saw the opportunity to greatly enhance its creative offering and can now provide clients with a full suite of digital marketing services, as well as web and application development and design from the one entity.

 

Connector will continue to provide innovative campaigns and projects to its existing clients, now with additional digital and development services available, Conor Lynch, founder and former CEO exits the business to launch his new venture SelfMakers.com, a platform offering personalised career plans to enable employees, entrepreneurs, freelancers and others to achieve self-made success.

Announcing the axquisition of Connector by Granite Digital are (L-R) Ivan Adriel, CEO, Connector, and Seamus White, co-founder and Partner Granite Digital

 

Granite Digital, which has offices in Dublin, Cork and Galway, remains on track to achieve its €10 million annual revenue target by 2023. In combination with strong organic growth, Connector is the latest company to be acquired as part of Granite Digital’s wider acquisition strategy to ensure it achieves its growth targets. The company also recently acquired application developer, Apps Made Easy, and is open to further opportunities. 

 

Ivan Adriel, is Connector’s current CEO. He will assume a wider role as Granite’s Creative Strategy Director. He commented: “Both during and following restrictions imposed by COVID-19, it is more important than ever for businesses to leverage creative and digital opportunities to remain competitive in a changing world. For example, with less people on the high street, we are helping brands to divert out of home advertising spending into innovative areas, such as our influencer platform, to ensure that brands and their campaigns can still reach their target audience no matter where they are located.

 

“The coming together of Connector and Granite Digital means clients can get the best of creativity and the best of digital in a one-stop shop. With us, companies can now enjoy a seamless integration of all digital and creative channels, activities and strategies – ensuring brand consistency and significant cost savings.”

 

Seamus White, Co-Founder and Partner, Granite Digital, said: “This acquisition is fantastic news for everyone within Granite Digital and Connector and especially our existing and prospective clients. With our combined skills and knowledge, we can now truly provide companies both in Ireland and overseas with market-leading digital and creative services. Connector’s involvement on global projects with huge blue-chip organisations is opening entirely new doors for us, enabling Granite to offer a full suite of digital services to some of the world’s most recognised brands.

 

“It was evident from the outset that this partnership was the perfect fit not only from a business perspective, but also culturally. We share the same vision of enabling brands to thrive through rich engagement, excellent user-experience and highly-coordinated messaging, with the Connector team bringing real creative flair to this ambition. We are excited to bring our combined skills and knowledge to bear to provide brands with the creative edge needed to stand out from the pack and succeed today”.