MTM Luxury Lodging — the management company for Hotel 1000 in Seattle and six other boutique properties — uses technology to offer a first-rate guest experience. The IT staff, for example, leverages technology through USA.NET's hosted email.

The cost for the Microsoft Exchange 2007 infrastructure and features ranges from $9 to $15/user/month, depending on the number of seats and the features ordered. All systems — including servers, power and air conditioning — are redundant, and the provider guarantees a 99.9-percent availability rate. Plus, the system is infinitely scalable.

Enhanced features include instant messaging, content filtering and enhanced spam and virus control. Email and calendar and task information can be accessed from a wireless device or from any computer with an Internet connection. Data from handheld devices synchronize without docking. And the wireless mobile messaging supports BlackBerry, iPhone and other popular devices.

Before switching to the hosted model, the growing company found it difficult to project costs and bandwidth needs for adding properties and staff. Now, it can add services, as needed. As MTM opens its new property, the Bardessono. it will add mailboxes instantly through the administrator's online console.

TECHBYTES

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