Technology is a necessity in the hospitality industry, but it can be overwhelming at times. With so many solutions on the market and budgets to follow, where should hoteliers allocate their resources? Here are the top five technologies that hoteliers should invest in now for their property’s long-term success.
#1 Delivering The Wi-FI Lifeline
Today’s business and leisure travelers demand high-speed connections that function flawlessly, whether they are in the hotel room or around the property. Connectivity is also a hotel necessity for optimizing operating efficiency and service delivery, which leads to higher levels of guest satisfaction.
Managed Wi-Fi allows an outside party to ensure seamless functionality throughout a property, encompassing infrastructure, equipment, software integration, and system security and stability – from smart room technology and alert systems to wireless and cellular back-up. There is no one-size-fits-all solution; it should be as individual as the property itself. Managed Wi-FI solutions should also be scalable, expanding coverage to support networks and applications as necessary without experiencing downtime.
Consider a partner who specializes in hospitality and thinks like a hotel owner/manager. ImpruviX™ by WCI improves a hotel’s wireless connectivity by evaluating a property’s current wireless platform and then independently recommending improvements using the latest in technology, design tools and product sets. “Our ImpruviX Gateway Solution helps properties address the issues of security, segmentation, access and other challenges all in one solution. ImpruviX uses existing infrastructure to provide secure high-bandwidth access and brand standardization. It also helps with managed video services, using the gateway to manage the CASB solution,” said Robert Grosz, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer of WCI.
#2 The Power Of Environmental Monitoring Solutions
Why do environmental monitoring solutions promote smart buying decisions? Investing in them can drive operational efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and keep energy costs down. Smart energy-management systems can also significantly increase the resale value of a hotel.
Internet of Things technology affords energy savings beyond HVAC – think smart room technology (for air-conditioning, shades, lighting, smart thermostats, leak sensors) that allows hoteliers to adapt to real-time shifts in occupancy levels, plus analyze demand load patterns and optimize functionality. Guests gain personalization over their stay, while hotels operate efficiently and in an eco-friendly manner and save money.
Automated alerting platforms that practice predictive maintenance means hoteliers can realize wasteful trends and let maintenance know of possible issues before they escalate into major ones requiring a costly fix.
#3 CCTV Provides Top Security
Creating a safe environment for guests and staff speaks volumes about a property’s people-centric culture. With thousands of individuals passing through a hotel on a daily basis, hoteliers can protect guests and staff by implementing technology focused on closed-caption video surveillance security.
Hotels can install AI-based surveillance cameras to enhance security, such as face detection, people counting, and more for real-time analysis. Video surveillance with remote access gives hotels the ability to navigate across cameras in multiple locations. Advanced analytics elevate the security operation, including receiving alerts when cameras are compromised (blocked, covered or moved) and protecting restricted/remote areas by receiving an alert when people enter, to reduce thefts, break-ins and vandalism after business hours.
Work with a partner that offers flexible pricing, continuous software updates, and a scalable solution based on a hotel’s needs in order to protect the investment. Hotels are also safeguarding their reputation while creating a safe, comfortable environment for guests and team members.
#4 The Value Of Cellular Boosting
Guests have high expectations about staying connected when away. Fortunately, cellular boosting facilitates connectivity by ensuring there are no dead zones around the property.
Poor cellular coverage is no longer an option – it must be reliable because this impacts guest satisfaction, not just for their personal day-to-day activity, but for contactless entry into their accommodations, accessing QR codes, and other interactions. A strong signal means guests can connect on their terms. Hotels also benefit operationally due to over-the-air software updates.
There is also an important safety component – think stairwells and parking garages and other closed areas where signal could be lost. Staff can also wear panic buttons and be assured connectivity won’t be lost due to dead zones.
#5 Leveraging Building intelligence
Building intelligence captures and analyzes data so that hotels can make smart decisions about technology implementation, from what applications to use and ensuring optimum integration to employing the best points for connectivity.
Hotels can get a hold of its past, present and future through effective strategizing and predictive mapping. This decision-focused mindset can also lead to increased revenue, an enhanced guest experience, and elevated operational efficiency – all to gain a competitive edge.
According to WCI’s Grosz “Our team of technology engineers, system designers and project management are dedicated to our customers from development to ongoing support. We serve as one point of contact for the installation, service and support. Our team works with customers to design technology solutions that best fit the needs of the property and ultimately their guests. We ensure a positive experience for our customers.”
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Choice matters. Aligning with the right technology partners to implement the best technology solutions matters. With the goal of profitability, these tech-minded decisions can make or break a property’s operational capabilities, guest/staff loyalty, and long-term success.