MCLEAN, Va. & ARMONK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilton Worldwide and IBM (NYSE:IBM) today announced a global collaboration agreement to enhance the hospitality company’s technology infrastructure and to facilitate the development and delivery of next-generation technology solutions.

Specifically, IBM will host and manage the technology platforms that support Hilton Worldwide’s ten brands, including data center management and monitoring, global email services, web hosting and the central guest reservation system. Today’s announcement will enable Hilton Worldwide to focus even further on its core business – delivering exceptional guest experiences – while leveraging IBM’s innovation, expertise and global capabilities.

“We are excited to be entering into this agreement with IBM, the world’s leading technology services company,” said Paul Brown, Hilton Worldwide’s President, Global Brands & Commercial Services. “Collaborating with best-in-class technology companies, whose respective areas of expertise will assist us in developing comprehensive solutions for our owners, operators and guests, will further enhance our unmatched portfolio of brands.”

IBM will host Hilton Worldwide’s technology infrastructure at its newest Smarter Data Center in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina. RTP is an energy efficient data center that uses 50 percent less energy to operate, compared to data centers of a similar size. The data center is equipped to support cloud computing workloads and will enable Hilton Worldwide to only use the resources necessary to support its IT needs during high- and low-volume traffic periods.

“This agreement brings together two global leaders in our respective fields,” said Philip Guido, General Manager, IBM. “Together, we will apply our specialized skills and global scale to help take Hilton Worldwide’s technology solutions and infrastructure to the next level. We are confident that this collaboration will provide enhanced service, delivery, efficiency and innovation to Hilton Worldwide.”

While the agreement with IBM will be launched immediately, Hilton Worldwide’s overall technology transition process, known as the Hilton Worldwide Innovation Collaborative, is expected to occur in phases over the next several months. The Hilton Worldwide Innovation Collaborative is the result of the hospitality company’s rigorous analysis of both the changing technological landscape and its evolving business needs.

“As we expand our relationship, Hilton Worldwide will be able to leverage IBM’s deep global expertise, including its data analytics resources, software solutions and research and development capabilities,” said Robert Webb, Chief Information Officer, Hilton Worldwide. “We are confident that IBM’s world-class technology capabilities will help us to accelerate our innovation initiative.”

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For more than 90 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Our brands are comprised of more than 3,500 hotels in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®.

For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.

About IBM

For more information about IBM, please visit www.ibm.com/services.

Hilton Worldwide
Aaron Radelet, 703-883-5804
aaron.radelet@hilton.com
or
IBM
Tara Sucato, 917-472-3701
tjsucato@us.ibm.com