Crucial to the decision to install an IP based telephone system was the requirement in the 4 star hotel for comprehensive application options, flexibility, adaptability and user-friendliness throughout the whole communications system, including the telephones themselves. The fundamental specifications of the planned telephone system included complete integration into the hotel management system (Micros Fidelios), the integration of VoIP and mobile telephony, and the possibility to use all unified communications features.

With regard to the telephones, in addition to comprehensive functionality and intuitive user guidance, the Crown Plaza decision makers placed particular importance on an elegant design which would do justice to the visual standards of their 4 star hotel.

Further criteria were the possibility of depicting individualized graphics on the telephone display, and the programming of an individual menu navigation system. Last but not least, the energy consumption of the 750 (minimum) planned VoIP telephones also played a role - after all, the Crown Plaza Copenhagen Towers is an innovative, carbon neutral building: with a 2,400 square meter facade of solar panels and a comprehensive energy-saving concept, the hotel meets the EU standards of a "Green Building" and conforms to the latest strict Danish low-energy laws.

At check-in, the advantages of this fully integrated telephone system immediately become noticeable: as soon as the guest is registered, the telephone in the relevant hotel room is automatically reset. The name of the newly checked-in guest subsequently appears on the snom 820's colour display. Speed dial keys for wake up calls, reception or room service as well as the clearly arranged colour display, specially programmed for the Crown Plaza, make it child's play for guests to use VoIP telephone.

A further advantage, and an example of the high efficiency of an integrated communications solution, is the employee user menu. This allows chambermaids for instance to set the room's status to "room clean" or "room dirty" simply by pressing a button on the telephone after entering their employee code - the status is then automatically transferred onto the system and can be viewed immediately at reception or any other workstation.