FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2006

Revolutionary technology frees up accommodation managers while increasing business

Most small accommodation businesses are run by couples. The demands are many on caravan park, B&B and motel owners and managers but there is an ongoing need to have that front desk always open to existing or potential guests.

An Australian developed product, by AdvaTel, has just been launched to assist these businesses. The Bell Captain system provides a virtual attendant at the front door 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And at less than $350.00 a unit, there can be no more cost effective way of manning that front desk. As a matter of fact, you can answer your front door from any phone, anywhere in the world with Bell Captain!

“There’s no doubt that hundreds of thousands of people enjoy the challenges and the independence of running their own business,” said Michael Terry, Managing Director of AdvaTel, the Australian company who developed Bell Captain. “But in the hospitality industry, and specifically those managing caravan parks, B&Bs and motels, the commercial need to be always available at the front office becomes a restrictive burden on couples.

“Bell Captain frees them up to do their chores around the property while still being available to any one with a query or wanting to make a reservation. You just take the long range cordless phone with you and it doubles as a ‘front door answering intercom’ when someone rings the Bell Captain front door unit. You take the call, answer the query or explain you will be at the office in a couple minutes. This means you are at the service of existing or prospective customers all day, every day.”

The Bell Captain system allows for answering normal incoming phone calls and will ring using a different tone when someone is at the front door. It comprises a DECT Phone (a type of digital technology which gives the extra long range), door bell, speaker and microphone housed in a smart weather proof casing, an answering machine and announcement facility.

You simply plug the Bell Captain Phone straight into the current phone outlet replacing your old phone for a much more versatile one. Anyone ringing the front door bell triggers Bell Captain’s long range cordless telephone to chime, indicating there is someone at the door. You answer the phone and speak to the person at the front door as if you are on an intercom.

No longer do you have to rush from the back room or the garden. Just carry the light weight cordless phone with you wherever you are within your property. You answer the door by answering the phone! Of course, if you are inside, the door bell acts like a normal bell and you can go and answer the front door.

Beyond flexibility within your property
But it provides more than just flexibility of movement within your business. Bell Captain also gives you the freedom to leave your property and still answer the door’. You simply set the phone to divert to the telephone number you nominate. It can be your mobile or even your neighbour’s telephone number.

“You can be at the local supermarket or at the bank, take a call on your mobile phone from the person at your front door and advise the prospective guest that there is a room or a cabin available for the night and you will be able to do the paper work with him or her in 15 minutes,” said Mr Terry. “This really does deliver total freedom as well as a booking!”

Couples who have taken on the management of a B&B, a motel or a caravan park in their retirement can now enjoy more time together. They can go to lunch with friends or enjoy a coffee together down the street – while still ‘manning’ the office.

Mr Terry believes that with the additional reservations that accommodation businesses achieve, Bell Captain pays for itself in no time. He also maintains Bell Captain allows you to deliver better customer service while also increasing property security.

Installation is the same as for a door chime installation. And if a door chime already exists, you simply replace it with the Bell Captain – no need for an electrician.

Up to three additional handsets are available at less than $65.00 each. They enable couples or staff members to intercom each other and transfer calls wherever they are throughout the property – one may be doing some gardening while the other is in doing laundry chores.

For more information go to www.bellcaptain.com.au, email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or call +61 3 8695 8695.

About AdvaTel
Established 15 years ago, AdvaTel is an Australian software development company heavily involved in R&D and innovation. It provides a diverse range of advanced, cost effective solutions for the telecommunications industry.

The company is based in Melbourne and has a highly experienced in-house development team able to respond quickly to market demands.

Solutions and products are sold globally and through its channel community. AdvaTel is the market leader for call centre queue management solutions. Its softphone solution, the Phone Easy product suite, is delivering quantifiable productivity results for users by converting desktops into virtual phones through its time saving tools, its ability to mine Outlook, drag & drop features, call scheduling and activity monitoring log.

Visit www.advatel.com.au.

Media and product enquiries
Michael Terry, Managing Director, AdvaTel, tel: +61 3 8695 8695
Dolores Diez, Corporate Communications, AdvaTel: +61 3 8695 8695 / 0417 330 881, email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .