Hospitality Industry Technology Solutions: A “Hotel Technology” Checklist For Improved Guest Safety, Security And Convenience

The following are from the “DO’s and DON’TS of Hotel Technology v5” for improved safety, security and convenience of hotel and resort operations:

• Have universal power sockets with USB power sockets easily available for guest-use in public areas, especially Lobby Lounges, Dining areas, Club Lounges and Poolside – also have international adaptors handy
• Have a smartphone compliant version of your hotel data file available for download on your website at the same time make sure your website is mobile compliant
• Check all the peep holes on guest room doors to make sure they are secure and the right way round
• Mount irons on wall brackets in closets instead of placing them on the floor or shelves
• Clearly display broadband charges, if your hotel has any and have a sign-on page if your Government so requires it
• Have an emergency torch/flashlight in the guest room
• Have a person or system to monitor social networking sites for mentions about your hotel and respond appropriately and in a timely manner
• Monitor what is written about your Hotel on Social networking sites like Trip Advisor
• Put a notice on your HSIA sign-up screen that your government may block access to certain websites and internet services if they apply to you. Have your IT People know how to workaround this if the Guest asks
• Make sure the electronic door lock on the guest room door closes quickly when the door shuts
• Add CCTV cameras inside your Data Center – one that is directed to the server racks and the other, to the entrance door
• Use electronic locks on your Server racks – not just metal keys
• Use a bio-metric reader or PIN pad for staff entrance/egress that is linked to the Time and Attendance/Payroll System
• Make sure your room safe is bolted down to a floor or wall and cannot be easily removed
• Monitor the TV volume in the guest room so that it can go down very low and not too high. Some guests like to leave the TV on all night but at a very low background volume
• Have a very low nightlight in the bathroom/toiletConsider using Motion/Presence [PIR] detectors rather than key cards to control energy in-room
• Check from time to time in-the-floor power sockets – the metal type which are supposed to lift up when the clip if flicked – most often they stick after a while having been covered with floor polish and dust
• Consider having a secure place where Guests can deposit their valuables and gadgets at the poolside or beach if they want to take a dip in the pool or use the sauna
• Test your [magnetic] key cards to see if they de-magnetize when placed next to a mobile phone – often they do and is a great inconvenience to the guest as well as an operational chore
• Have your IT team join such organizations as HFTP and HTNG so that they keep up to date with Hotel Technology – you should also sponsor them as well as have them attend various Conferences and Exhibitions
• Regularly check and install Service Packs and software upgrades

For more:  http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/global/154000320/4060454.html