Mobile Technology in Hospitality Industry – Hotel Operations!

Knowing how to effectively use mobile technology can be the difference between making an impact or being a one-hit wonder. With advancements in both the development of apps and mobile devices, it’s now possible to create a superior guest experience by using these technologies effectively. 

One of these improvements is using tablets for waitlist check-in during busy periods or throughout lobby hours as guests enter and exit your hotel. This way, your staff members can manage wait times while also fulfilling other tasks that need their attention at this moment such as answering questions, processing payments etc. 

Improve Productivity

The boom of mobile technology has given hotels and hospitality companies new opportunities to streamline day-to-day operations. Tablets, barcode scanners, smart keys and other mobile technology tools offer guests options to make their stay more comfortable and take some of the stress off of frontline staff. 

When mobile technology is handling the operations of your hotel, overall productivity has increased. Mobile devices make it easier to serve customers and provide better customer service than ever before. 

In addition, mobile technology helps manage reservations and inventory to make operations more efficient with smartphones, tablets or kiosks that interface directly with backend systems in real time. 

Access Analytics and Reports Anywhere, at Anytime

With mobile technology evolving in the hospitality industry, it’s become easier for hoteliers to access reports and analytics anywhere, at any time. A large part of any hospitality industry business is handling large amounts of incoming data from their guests. 

Often small things need fixing but that could become disastrous down the line if ignored for too long. Using mobile access means being able to provide top-notch customer service where your staff isn’t distracted by looking at computer screens all day and you’re able to reach out to other departments and partners easily. 

Reduce Operational Costs

Mobile technology helps reduce the operation cost because mobiles are not as costly as laptops. Additionally, by using mobile technology that enables fast remote access to critical business systems, we can reduce operating costs. 

When a lot of things are automated and working properly, getting low operational costs is not a big thing. 

Boost Revenue from Ancillary Services

Ancillary revenue is often a sought-after target for many hotels looking to supplement their core source of income. Some amenities that may have helped your guests have a more memorable experience at your property include valet parking, laundry service, car rental and shuttle services. 

These types of services are popular among visitors who might be staying for only one night and even among locals who don’t want to use public transportation. Webshop is one of the most trending sources of ancillary revenue in the hospitality industry. 

Where to Implement Mobile Technology?

Reservation System

In this system, guests can book online using their mobiles. This is an area that every hotel should implement mobile technology in. Using such technology in this area is necessary because this is the first contact point between you and your guest.

Contactless Checkin/ Checkout

Checking in to a hotel and checking out can be quick and painless with contactless terminals. These terminals rely on an RFID card or phone, which is waved over the scanner at checkin to update the customer’s reservation profile, key card or other system info. 

Contactless checkin/checkout process gives comfort to the guests as it saves their time and provides other benefits too. 

Guest Feedback Management System

Another area to implement mobile technology is the guests’ feedback management system. When guests book their stay with you, they expect something and if their expectation isn’t fulfilled, they will definitely have some feedback to share. 

If you want to automate this feedback process, you need to use mobile technology here. Set up an automated guest feedback management system and use the feedback received to improve your hotel’s efficiency. 

Customer Service/ Support

With mobile technology, you can automate your customer service and support. For this, you have to use the chatbot for your hotel. Suppose your guests have any trouble or they need customer service, they take their mobile phones and talk to your AI-powered chatbot which answers them intelligently. 

If needed, the chatbot will transfer the guests’ query to your staff who can then look into the matter and resolve it ASAP. So, that’s the way chatbot can help you in customer service. 

Contactless Payments

In this digital era, if you’re not accepting contactless/ cashless payments you’re way behind the world. Use mobile technology to receive contactless payments as it’s beneficial for both you and your guests. POS, digital payment gateways etc. can be used to make your payment system cashless. 

Staff Management

Mobile technology can also help you manage your staff efficiently. Once, you have set up a proper system for the same, you can assign task to your staff and track their performance on the same system. 

How to Use Mobile Technology to Streamline Hotel Operations?

Step 1: Identify the problem

Hotels are struggling with how to use mobile technology to help streamline the business. The rise of OTA companies, along with consumer demand for vacation rentals and home-sharing has put hotels in a tough position. 

Nowadays more people are opting out of staying at hotels and instead deciding to book one of these types of accommodation. Some might say that this is because they want an alternative experience, but other argue that it’s because they can find better deals elsewhere. 

All in all, before implementing mobile technology to your hotel, you need to identify the problem that you want to get a solution for. 

Step 2: Convert it into a goal

What is a business without a goal in mind? After you’ve identified the problem, you have to create a goal for it. Decide what you want to achieve by using mobile technology in your hotel. 

Step 3: Draft out your action plan

It’s important that your action plan takes the hotel’s needs into account. These needs will vary based on the size of the hotel, so make sure you read up on what other people are doing in similar situations. Doing this will help you tailor your plan and maximize its effectiveness. You should also make sure your action is something with high ROI for the business and guests as well. 

Step 4: Set up your mobile solution

With many available solutions out there, you might be wondering how to set up your mobile solution. In this case, you have to stick to your plan. Just see your problem and set up a solution for the same. 

For example, your problem is overload on the physical front desk, then you can use the automated front desk system which helps guests to contactless checkin. 

So, that’s the way you have to set up a mobile solution in your hotel.  

Step 5: Assess your new operating procedure

Once you’re able to start testing new practices on a small scale, it’s important that you evaluate your strategy and make any necessary changes before implementing new technology on a large scale. 

Thus, these are details about mobile technology in hospitality industry. If you liked this information, you can share it on social media. And, if you’re a hotelier looking to automate your hotel operations, check out BOTSHOT now!