Hotel operations system Alice is integrating voice requests made by guests through Amazon Echo devices located in their rooms.

Alice is working with Volara, which specialises in voice-based engagement software for the hospitality industry, to allow requests made through Amazon’s Alexa virtual assistant to be synced into Alice’s task management platform.

This integration means the platform will pick up verbal requests made by guests in their rooms via the Amazon Echo device and relay them to the relevant hotel staff without any manual processing.

These requests can include ordering fresh towels, scheduling room service or checking on the status of an ongoing request. All commands can be configured to the hotel’s brand.

Alex Shashou, Alice’s co-founder and president, says:

“When you look at trends in our industry, voice is clearly the future for how hotels will communicate with their guests.

“Volara’s voice-interface will enable new efficiencies in guest service, reduce the friction guests face getting what they need in hotels, and simply put a smile on everyone’s face.

“Hotels that use us to streamline their operations will now see immediate measurable benefits from the addition of this new voice interface for their technology.”

Volara is the only voice-based hotel technology specialist to have attained Alexa for Business Service Delivery Designation from Amazon, which allows its software to run on the Alexa Echo system.

Expedia invested $26 million in a Series B round in Alice last September, making the OTA the majority shareholder.

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