The IoT is helping the hospitality industry in many ways. For example, smart sensors are used in every area of the hotel, including motion sensors that also track motion-direction and velocity, air pressure sensors, ambient light sensors and temperature and humidity sensors.
Data collected from the sensors are sent to a cloud for data analytics and could trigger scripted actions to activate and deactivate or control settings of all relevant devices. For guests, this will provide a more relaxing and comfortable environment that has been designed according to their preferences.
The installation of wireless smart control systems will allow for control of a multitude of in-room devices such as the TV, climate control, lights, curtains, water temperature, alarm clock, music, internet access etc. Everything can be operated via a simple hotel app on a guests’ mobile phone or via voice commands like, for instance, Alexa.
The installation of wireless smart control systems will allow for control of a multitude of in-room devices such as the TV, climate control, lights, curtains, water temperature, alarm clock, music, internet access etc. Everything can be operated via a simple hotel app on a guests’ mobile phone or via voice commands like, for instance, Alexa.
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS ENABLE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:
- Mobile Check-ins and instant digital keys to your room
- A room that is not chosen randomly but dynamically, based, for instance, on the distance from the elevator, your preferred view or floor as per your preferences collected in your guest profile
- Digital voice commanded room assistance
- Scripted actions held in the cloud, for instance, “Close curtains in occupied room at 6pm every night”
- Predictive maintenance on (light bulbs, room equipment to provide regular updates on performance)
- Presence-based energy management (air conditioning, lights, heating)
- Presence-based dynamic scheduling for housekeeping
- Remote management of all controls (light, curtains, HVAC)
- Guest engagement via the Sheraton, Hilton or Hyatt app
- Indoor positioning via the app, wayfinding, promotions, guest information on nearby facilities
HOW ARE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS BENEFITING GUESTS?
Increased sense of well-being and comfort:
- No more waiting upon check-in or check out
- Wayfinding – never go to the wrong floor to find your meeting room or breakfast restaurant
- Promotional offers, personalized and tailored to your profile and to your habits (the wine you always order, your favorite table in the restaurant etc.)
- Customised room-settings (you always sleep with 22 degrees Celsius or you always keep the light in the bathroom on)
- Your TV switches automatically to the channels you usually watch or enable you to watch movies on your own Netflix account
- Your room service remembers your usual breakfast order
- Nobody disturbs you when you are inside your room
- Your shower has your ideal water temperature – no more confusing faucets
HOW ARE HOTELS BENEFITTING FROM IOT TECHNOLOGY?
- Considerable savings on HR (front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, supply chain)
- Increased revenue from one-to-one customer engagement
- No work disruptions – processes by unpredicted ad-hoc maintenance activities, predictive maintenance is cheaper, non-disruptive and easier to plan for
- Considerable cost savings (HR, maintenance, 20%-40% decrease in energy usage thanks to presence-based activation and controls)
- Richer data collected about customers (habits, likes, dislikes, preferences, wishes and needs, spending patterns)
- A deeper understanding of the guests’ personal profile will lead to offering the guest what he/she wants when he/she wants it. This leads to a higher satisfaction rating and increased customer loyalty.