XETA To Acquire Hospitality Industry MSP

By Khali Henderson

Oklahoma-based XETA Technologies Inc. (XETA) announced Wednesday its second acquisition in less than a month. The communications dealer has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Hotel Technology Solutions Inc., dba Lorica Solutions a privately held company based in Buffalo, N.Y., that provides managed communications services to the hospitality industry. The transaction is targeted to close during XETAs third fiscal quarter.

XETA announced in mid-April it intends to purchase fellow Avaya-Nortel dealer Pyramid Communications Services Inc., Carrollton, Texas. The transaction also is expected to close during XETA’s third fiscal quarter.

The Lorica buy is a strategically different one for XETA in that it will add additional applications to our suite of services to the hospitality industry, said XETA CEO Greg Forrest, noting that Loricas products and services complement the business telephony and call-accounting solutions that its been offering to the vertical since its inception 30 years ago.

Lorica serves hotels ranging from five-star resorts to select service properties, including such brands as Marriott, Starwood, Hilton, Mandarin Oriental, Choice, Trump International, InterContinental, Radisson and others.

Lorica provides managed converged IP networks and high-speed Internet access (HSIA) to more than 40,000 hotel rooms. The company also provides proactive monitoring and support from a 24×7 network operations center and help desk.

In addition, XETA will acquire Loricas prioprietary technology, the Lorica Room Center, an intelligent communication hub and monitoring node that enables and manages IP-based applications, delivers wired and wireless Internet access, manages in-room devices, connects and powers IP phones, and delivers content to set-top boxes.

Forrest did not disclose whether the LRC would be marketed to other dealers, or remain a proprietary technology for the firm.

In a press statement, Lorica CEO Mark Holzberg said the deal would give Loricas technology and expertise in the hospitality industry needed resources and scale of a nationwide provider.

It is unclear what will happen to Loricas assets namely personnel and facilities. Forrest told PHONE+ the talent at Lorica was one of the primary reasons for the transaction. No changes to Loricas presence, which includes Loricas NOC in New York, have been announced, he said.