The hospitality sector was well on the way to recovery with great strides being made to forget the devastations of 2020. Increasing numbers for the OMICRON covid-19 variant have once more alerted hoteliers to take extreme precaution in designing their services.
Reuters reports that the variant also affects vaccinated people, causing great concern amongst masses that vaccines are partially effective. This is also a wake up call for hospitality operators to be ready and equipped with all necessary solutions to host guests.
Amid more layoffs, hoteliers are aware of the opportunities technology is providing their businesses. From marketing rooms over popular digital services like AirBnB to developing contactless guest experiences through smartphones, technology management has become a critical part of survival.
Technology is now a critical aspect of welcoming guests, hosting them, and keeping them satisfied throughout the stay. Managing multiple technologies including the PMS, RMS, contactless check-in systems, online distribution services, digital guests services etc. is essential to providing a seamless guest experience.
Technology management is the complex process of synergizing all the different technologies that ensure the hotel is operating efficiently and guests are satisfied. Having different tech including PMS, digital check-in & checkout, remote work software etc. all require proactive monitoring and management for 24 hour operations.
With fewer human interactions expected, hoteliers must delegate certain guest service aspects to technology. The successful deployment of smartphone apps by popular franchises like Marriott Hotels is already innovating the way guests experience hospitality.
Cloud PMS management is also making its mark in hospitality as workers are relying on remote work to ensure efficient operations. Operations management software like the ALICE operations platform are breakthrough solutions that make hotel operations simpler and safer for staff at the same time.
Technology management ensures hotel operators focus on guests while the CTO or technology management provider handles the entire digital experience. The guests in turn experience the convenience and comfort powered by a mix of cutting edge digital services.
Technology management brings great benefits including lower cost services, predictive maintenance tools, improved communications with guests and access to larger market segments.
A great example of hotel technology management is from Marriott Hotels through their highly innovative mobile guest experience. Powered by their Bonvoy smartphone app, Marriott has built an entirely new guest technology experience to keep operational even during these testing times.
The widely available app allows guests to browse through more than 600 hotels, book rooms, check-in & out, order room service, laundry, and unlock room doors through Bluetooth technology. In addition, the app provides special promotions and loyalty points to guests adding to the personalized experience.
Due to the liability posed to the hotel operator, maintaining ideal social distance and engaging guests through technology has become essential. Managing this entire experience from booking to check-out therefore requires professional finesse.
Hotel technology providers are already deploying interesting applications of tech like QR codes, digital menus, AI chatbots, bluetooth room keys and other digital solutions to make hospitality safer and more efficient. Chris Silcock, executive vice president and chief commercial officer Hilton, commented on HospitalityTechnology blog:
“Our approach to technology always starts with the guest experience, and as travel returns, we are pleased to provide Hilton guests with enhancements to their stay that are seamless, flexible and allow them to focus on what matters most – creating new memories.”
Hilton recently introduced improvements to their digital key solution, now offering digital key share for families and groups.
The massive influence of IoT and smart homes has given rise to a more digitized guest room with voice assistants, Smart TVs and room tablets now becoming a common occurrence in franchise hotels.
One of the most important aspects of having a centrally managed technology experience is the efficiency it has proven to bring to the guest journey. Online bookings and digital check-in have already shortened the onboarding process while saving almost 30 minutes of staff hours for every guest.
Another great example is the Bluetooth door lock which has proven to save hotels almost $10,000 per year on maintenance costs like lost metal keys, erroneous key cards, broken locks, theft and other costs incurred for room locks.
Professional technology management also assists in securing hotel payment systems from data theft and other liabilities. A compliant and secure payment system ensures the liability is alleviated while all necessary prerequisites are in place at the hotel.
With recovery still slow, and massive staff shortages with a pandemic still at large hotel operators need the raw power of automation to resolve their efficiency issues. An ideally managed technology experience can allow hoteliers not only to be highly satisfactory for guests but also be more cost efficient over time.
Conclusion
To learn more about professional hotel technology management service connect with our team today.
AHT Inc. offers a complete hotel recovery plan for operators looking to reopen their assets for guests amid the pandemic. From contactless guest services to mobile based operations management tools, AHT professionals design unique hotel technology infrastructures that deliver transparency and cost efficiency for high secure hospitality during the COVID19 threat.
Advanced Hospitality Technologies is a leader in Hospitality Technologies. We have an award winning benchmark for providing affordable, reliable and most advanced hospitality Technology Solutions.
