Does Embassy Suites license the Call Accounting interface to customers?
Embassy_Suites Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (g) work with third party vendors to meet the technical criteria for interface communications (i.e., central reservations, call accounting, energy management, door lock, guest internet access, etc.);
1.9 Third Party Interface Testing and Connectivity. If Customer requires the implementation of any interface Proprietary Software for connectivity to third party systems, Customer will be responsible for any fees assessed by the third party vendors to test and implement the necessary connectivity. In addition, Customer will be required to make arrangements with any such third party vendor to provide the necessary assistance required to test and to implement the interface connectivity. This assistance requires the vendor to be on-site at the time of testing and implementation, unless the third party vendor can perform all necessary tasks (as defined by HSS) through a remote connection to the Customer's third party system. The cost incurred by any third party vendors for testing and implementing connectivity to third party systems will be billed to Customer by HSS, or such vendors for the license of each copy of the Proprietary Software and the Certified Third Party Software licensed to Customer by HSS
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 97–305)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Embassy Suites' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, HSS (presumably a Hilton supplier) will work with third-party vendors to meet the technical criteria for interface communications, including call accounting. The franchisee is responsible for any fees assessed by third-party vendors to test and implement the necessary connectivity if they require the implementation of any interface Proprietary Software for connectivity to third-party systems.
This means that while Embassy Suites utilizes a call accounting interface, the franchisee may need to work with and pay third-party vendors to ensure its proper integration and functionality with the hotel's systems. The franchisee is also responsible for making arrangements with any such third-party vendor to provide the necessary assistance required to test and implement the interface connectivity. This assistance requires the vendor to be on-site at the time of testing and implementation, unless the third-party vendor can perform all necessary tasks through a remote connection to the Customer's third-party system.
The cost incurred by any third-party vendors for testing and implementing connectivity to third-party systems will be billed to the franchisee by HSS or such vendors for the license of each copy of the Proprietary Software and the Certified Third-Party Software licensed to the franchisee by HSS. This could involve coordinating with multiple vendors and managing the associated costs to ensure the call accounting system is properly set up and maintained. Therefore, franchisees should budget for these potential third-party costs and ensure clear communication with HSS and any involved vendors.
In summary, Embassy Suites does not directly license the Call Accounting interface to customers. Instead, HSS licenses the software to the franchisee, and the franchisee may need to contract with and pay third-party vendors for connectivity and implementation.