Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 25 | Page 18

NEWS Mews enables largest property management system in Belgium to offer cloud capability to customers ConnectWise announces IT Nation Connect is returning to Europe in 2020 ConnectWise is committed to helping its partners’ businesses succeed M ews, a fast-growing SaaS property management system (PMS) for hotels and hostels, has acquired the largest Belgium-based software-provider, Winner Hotel Software. The strategic partnership between two premier property management systems will expand Mews’ reach and bolsters its position as the fastest-growing PMS solution in the world. The deal means customers of Planet Winner, a founder-owned and custom-built platform with more than two decades experience serving the hotel industry, will have access to cloud-based functionality allowing them to access their PMS anytime, from anywhere. Founded in 2012, Mews aims to modernise the customer experience for hotel guests by providing hoteliers with a suite of software infrastructure to support an open network of applications. Its digital features include a fully integrated payment solution, the first online check-in and check-out suite, the industry’s first truly open API and a marketplace with more than 300 integrations. Planet Winner owners, Ria de Temmerman, and Dirk Leysen, said: “We believe the Mews system allows us to help our customers leapfrog towards state-of-the- art, next-generation PMS technology and that our 25-year knowledge and experience can contribute to the growth and success of Mews.” Matthijs Welle, CEO at Mews, said: “We welcome Planet Winner’s founders and its customer-centric team into our family to help us offer customers a great, future-proof solution and usher in a new era of hospitality in the Benelux. “At Mews, we’re passionate about changing the industry for the better and we’re excited to partner with such an experienced player.” 18 INTELLIGENTCIO C onnectWise has announced that IT Nation Connect, its premier event for companies that sell, support and service technology, will be returning to Europe in 2020. The conference will take place in Amsterdam from May 12–14 at the Postillion Hotel and Convention Centre. The format of the European event builds on the success of previous IT Nation Connect events, taking into account participant feedback around content, timing and speakers. Attendees at the 2020 European event will experience three impactful days of speakers, sessions and peer networking opportunities focused on in-depth product training, business best practices and thought leadership that drives business growth. For the first time, it will include content from ConnectWise and Continuum, ensuring that participants get insight and product training on the full platform at the same event. The event’s keynote speaker will be CEO of Service Leadership, Paul Dippell. Dippell brings more than 25 years of experience building, running, acquiring and integrating IT solutions. He will also be participating in a number of breakout sessions. Attendees will also hear from ConnectWise’s IT Nation favourites including: Craig Fulton; Arlin Sorensen; and John Ford, as well as some of the company’s newest colleagues from Continuum and BrightGauge. Jason Magee, CEO of ConnectWise, said: “We’re so thrilled to bring IT Nation Connect back to Europe. We had our inaugural IT Nation Connect conference in Australia in March 2019, our biggest ever event in Orlando in October 2019, and our forthcoming Amsterdam event gives our European partners the opportunity, once again, to attend the industry’s premier event series. Ultimately we are committed to helping our partners’ businesses succeed and these conferences are an integral part of that commitment.” n www.intelligentcio.com