EGSN makes a wide range of services available from a single, touch-screen interface on a desk in the hotel guest room. Traditionally, hotel guests use a variety of ways to access information while traveling – including information on hotel features and business services as well as local dining, recreational, and entertainment activities. 

This new solution will eliminate the need for much of the hotel collateral material as well as telephone calls to hotel concierge staff and to local attractions. It also provides access to popular office productivity software and the guest's own electronic mail, liberating travelers from the need to carry laptop computers. 

"Our customers are business and leisure travelers who appreciate Hilton's leadership and commitment in providing cutting-edge technologies and services that make their hotel experience easier," said Robert E. Dirks, senior vice president – marketing for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Unisys and ComCierge LLC have created an innovative, interactive concept that may shape the way our guests enjoy and do business at Hilton Hotels, as we approach the new millennium." 

Developed by ComCierge, LLC, an independent software vendor and Unisys partner, EGSN uses an in-room Internet computer, Internet software and Internet connection to commercial sites. The guest interface is provided on a flat panel, active matrix touch screen. 

Examples of the services delivered by EGSN are: 

• A unique intranet information database providing information on hotel shops, hotel restaurants, room services options, and items available for in-room purchase Information on local attractions and points of interest – such as theme parks, museums, theaters, restaurants, sporting events, and nearby golf courses 
• A "virtual office," providing online access to personal e-mail accounts and productivity tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 
• A "virtual travel room" where guests can obtain information on more than 400 Hilton hotels worldwide; make real-time, online reservations for future hotel stays; and obtain status on individual Hilton HHonors® accounts, Hilton's frequent guest reward program 
• A "virtual newsroom" where guests can find out about breaking news and weather around the world, across the nation, or in their own home town 
• A "virtual jukebox" for sampling and purchasing from a library of more than 120,000 musical selections – from classical to country – from! top recording artists 
• A "virtual arcade" where the latest interactive games can be played against the computer, with players from other rooms, or with players outside the hotel – all from the comfort of the guest room

To deliver ESGN, Unisys integrated offerings from best-of-class technology suppliers: 

• 4GL Solutions, for data warehousing and reporting
• CAIS Internet, the Internet Services Provider (ISP), and supplier of OverVoice infrastructure technology for high-speed computer communications using the existing telephone network
• TouchSystems, Inc., providing in-room LCD touch-screen technology
• In-Room, Online Information Technology for Revolutionizing the Guest-Room Experience 

EGSN is the only solution of its kind in the hospitality industry, one of the largest industries in the 
world. It can give Hilton an entirely new way of providing pertinent and valuable information to its 
guests, of better understanding the preferences of its customers, of exploring new opportunities to 
produce revenue, and of managing operations. 

EGSN can boost hotel revenue. It is an electronic commerce solution, enabling guests to make 
purchases from the hotel and surrounding shops, behind the security of an intranet firewall. It can 
also become an attractive medium for advertisers to selectively reach a highly attractive market 
segment – the frequent business and leisure traveler. 

EGSN makes life easier for hotel guests by remembering and responding to each guest personally, 
and integrating all hotel automated systems. In addition, this highly flexible product will evolve as 
consumer needs and technology standards demand.