Magnolia Hotels Receives High Marks on PCI Assessment with Hotel Concepts’ IDPMS

ATLANTA -- Hotel Concepts, a leading global provider of property management/CRS technology and software solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced that since implementing Hotel Concepts’ IDPMS, the Denver-based independent boutique hotel company Magnolia Hotels has received an excellent review in their quarterly assessment of guest data security. In March 2008, Hotel Concepts became one of the first property management system (PMS) vendors to achieve Cardholder Information Security Program (CISP) validation, following the recommendations of the Payment Application Best Practices (PABP) program. The CISP validation means that Hotel Concepts IDPMS is capable of delivering secure payment applications, minimizing the potential for security breaches that could lead to compromised guest credit card information and fraud.

“Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance and validation was definitely one of our top priorities in implementing a new PMS,” stated Jeffrey Stephen Parker, vice president of technology for Magnolia Hotels. “At Magnolia Hotels, we feel it is very important to take every step possible to make sure the personal information of our guests is safe and confidential. This is an issue we take very, very seriously, and Hotel Concepts’ IDPMS allowed us to accomplish all of our security goals.”

Hotel Concepts’ IDPMS system meets all of the 12 recommendations requiring the protection and security of private financial data and credit-card information, including encryption, access control, physical security, and operational audits. The PABP program requires annual confirmation of validation, ensuring Hotel Concepts’ ongoing commitment to deliver secure applications and helping merchants comply with CISP.

“Opportunities for abuse and fraud can occur anywhere, especially in a hotel environment,” stated Bas Blommaart, CEO of Hotel Concepts. “Magnolia Hotels has implemented technologies and systems that reduce or prevent the possibility of illegal activity, contributing to their high grades for cardholder security and continued business by guests who expect companies to adopt the most stringent standards for personal financial information.”

While PCI compliance is an annual assessment with constant attention to new updates by a certified assessment company, the high grades Magnolia Hotels received wouldn’t be possible without Hotel Concepts IDPMS.

“If you’re not using a PMS system that is PCI validated, then you’re really leaving your company, your employees and your guests open to serious charges and allegations. Something I hope no hotelier has to go through,” stated Parker.

For more information on Hotel Concepts, please visit booth #740 at HITEC 2009, or contact Jason Cape of Hotel Concepts at 1-866-687-0040, or visit . For more information on cardholder security please visit .

About Hotel Concepts

Hotel Concepts provides advanced property management software to the hospitality industry worldwide, with innovative solutions designed for individual properties as well as hotel chains and management companies. Founded in 1994, Hotel Concepts has proven to be a reliable partner, both for individual hotels and hotel chains. With four main offices on three continents, worldwide support is guaranteed. North American Sales and Support are located in Atlanta, Georgia. Hotel Concepts’ products are installed around the world in individual hotels and chains alike, and have a great variety of dedicated users ranging from individual hotels with 20 rooms to chain-hotels with more than 500 rooms. The company’s client base includes properties in both the business and leisure categories, as well as conference centers. For more information, please contact Erik Weller at +31 (0) 76 530 53 53 for Europe, Jason Cape at 1-866-687-0040 for North America, or visit . Media inquiries, please contact Andrea Roland, Plan A Public Relations & Marketing, at (407) 905-0608 or email [email protected].

About Magnolia Hotels

The Magnolia hotels are upscale boutique hotels catering to the sophisticated traveler. Magnolia hotels are operated by Denver-based Magnolia Hotels, a real estate development and hotel management company concentrating on the redevelopment of historic properties into elegant hotels in central business districts. The company currently operates Magnolia hotels in Denver, Dallas, Houston and Omaha and is exploring other markets for additional growth opportunities. Magnolia Hotels also is actively seeking to acquire new hotel management contracts. For more information, visit .

Andrea Roland
Plan A PR and Marketing, Inc.
407-905-0608