As you know, all industries experience technological advancements that facilitate their processes. The hospitality industry is no exception: there are hotel technology tools that can take a property to the next level. Explore with us the ones you must implement in your business.
The World of Hotel Technology
In essence, hotel technology encompasses a wide range of tools with various features designed to optimize a hotel’s operations. On one hand, it can be used to make employees’ tasks more efficient and accurate through automation. This usually contributes to speed, which in turn helps save money.
On the other hand, hotel technology can focus on enhancing the guest experience. There are many tools of this kind, from smart room climate control to customer service through social media.
Why Implement Hotel Technology?
The reason is simple: the hospitality industry is highly competitive. That’s why technological advancements in hospitality are considered essential for keeping a business at the forefront.
Today, these tools can help a hotel to:
- Refine its processes.
- Reduce costs.
- Decrease employees’ workloads.
- Optimize repetitive but important tasks.
- Improve process accuracy.
- Increase revenue potential.
- Enhance the guest experience.
Additionally, hotel technology helps personalize guest stays. It not only allows guests to modify their preferences but also gives staff more time to cater to each customer’s specific needs.
So, what are the must-have tools today?
Cross-Functional Tools
Some tools impact the entire hotel technology platform. The most prominent today include:
- Cybersecurity to protect guest and business data across all hotel systems.
- Big Data to personalize offers for potential customers. It also helps identify guest trends, allowing hotels to adjust their strategies and increase revenue.
- Cloud-based platforms to safeguard information, make it accessible at any time, and keep it updated in real-time.
- Automation in tools such as chatbots and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
Operational Tools
A hotel requires a high level of operational organization. Therefore, technology focused on these aspects is crucial for success. Essential tools for hotel operations today include:
- Property Management System (PMS) to handle a property’s daily functions. The best hotel PMS centralizes all hotel information and manages check-ins, check-outs, financial transactions, planning, and overall operations.
- POS system and inventory management to streamline business sales control. It also provides effective and personalized interactions with guests, optimizes inventory usage, and improves staff productivity.
Management Tools
Other crucial technological advancements in hospitality are those that assist in managing reservations and distribution:
- Booking engine: This tool is key as it allows guests to access services without intermediaries. It not only facilitates reservations but also enables payments through e-commerce partners. Additionally, it helps hotels control the entire user experience.
- Channel manager: This tool is also essential. It centralizes and manages the various hotel distribution channels automatically. It ensures there is no overbooking or coordination issues between the different ways guests can book a room: online travel agencies, GDS systems, metasearch engines, and direct booking engines. This tool increases online sales with precision and efficiency.
Modern hotel technology is designed to integrate multiple platforms. This ensures seamless operations and truly contributes to efficient and accurate management. For example, a solid channel manager connects with the PMS, Revenue Management System (RMS), and Central Reservation System (CRS).
Without a doubt, hotel technology has become an indispensable resource in the industry. It not only makes guests’ experiences more enjoyable and comfortable but also provides the tools for successful management.
