Guestroom Technology
Introduction
Today, in a modern contemporary society, technological advancement is the chief facilitator of economic development (Fox 8). Various sectors from communication to, entertainment to, transport as well as tourism and hospitality have undergone a tremendous transformation in terms of technology. Moreover, through technology human beings have made their life comfortable and luxurious in the best way possible (Leposa 6). Hospitality and tourism industry has experienced a tremendous technological advancement to enhance services in various departments in the sector such as accommodation, foods, and drinks, guestroom, entertainment, and physiotherapy. Therefore, this paper discusses the use of technology in guestrooms in hotels a case study of Marriott hotel.
The insatiable and consistent needs that have become a nightmare to satisfy despite the advancement in technology have led to more innovation in this sector to meet the many needs of customers. On that note, different Hotels have embraced new technologies and are using some of the leading technological advancements in giving high-class services to their clients. The most spectacular are their innovation of a mobile professional networking platform and a voice-activated personal assistant which has been championed the hotel to make a trajectory to the future of travel technology. A lot of innovation has come on board following the introduction of the Tech startups, a program to bring up new ideas to enhance hospitality industry (Leposa 12).
External multi-snack display
Primarily, many newer and current technologies have been embraced by different hotels as a way of improving their guestroom services as well as guest experience. Among this great guestroom, technology is the external multi-snack display. Using this type of technology guests can select snacks of choice on the automated tabletop baskets or trays. In the same manner, the electronic gadget automatically adds the bill to the overall guest bill. The technology is effective it gives the client a variety of choice, and hence the customers feel at least satisfied at the end.
Empty food tray tracker
Another, leading technology is the empty food tray tracker. This device can sense and detect an empty place and track the exact location the used food tray is since the device sends signals to the hotel staffs. The detection system helps in maintaining clean, conducive, and tolerable surrounding in the guestrooms. The gadget emits radiation to track to track empty food trays hence during installation are placed in strategic position to avoid side effects in human beings.
Guestrooms Automation Systems
Personal valet
Guestroom automation system called the personal valet is yet another sophisticated technology employed in many hotels the Marriott hotel inclusive. The automation system furnishes guestrooms to provide a convenience of controlling multiple functions to their clients in a single control console, which referred to as personal valet (Enz 49). The system also provides a smooth integration with door security, air conditioners, and electronic safe, automated curtain operations. The system has also erased fear from the heart of the guest from getting lost on his or her first visit to the hotel since the guest can select the images of the hotel at their disposal. Using the same platform the guest is in a position to place reservations to hotels and restaurants among other wishes like requesting for car retrieval from valet parking. Lower deployment costs and interactive third-party applications that is associated with this system more attractive to investors.
Flat panel display
The many hotel room video in Europe and across the world have adjusted to the digital era. The majority of hotels have employee have flat panel display. Research has revealed that majority of guest have embraced the new digital technology. Many clients like being entertained with significant development on television and this make television technology a more preferred and embraced source of entertainment in guest rooms. The installation cost of this technology is minimal and once installation is made, periodic maintenance is annually with low charges and expense. Television for instance consumes a lot of energy in the guestroom hence selecting energy saving television during installation is imperative.
The ICE Touch-In room concierge
The ICE Touch-In room concierge is yet another technology that is used in guestrooms to help achieve interactive client experience. The technology not only makes the guestroom experience more superb but also easier as well. The technology is also associated with high-speed internet protocol, high definition internet protocol TV as well as high definition video on demand (Fox 52). The system can detect the guest presence in the room, upon arrival of the guest in the room he or she is welcomed by the automatic light switch that fills up the entire room. Moreover, the system is also capable of triggering automatic switching on of the television in the guest room. All configurations incorporated and well programmed the client is then able to get an extensive guestroom experience of its kind.
Microsoft service technology
Just as many other technological advancement, another guestroom technology getting more familiar with time is the Microsoft surface technology. By using this most embraced technology, the clients can reserve tickets, go to a different menu of the nearby luxurious spa and high ranking restaurants (Leposa 46). Apart from doing the core mandate of relaying relevant information to the client, the system also has the best entertainment such as listening to music; download electronic books, order food and drinks as well as sending photos home.
Voice over internet protocol phone
For proper and efficient treatment or service to the client, it is understood that communication is imperative in making the request, the preferences of the customers to the staff. It is therefore for this reason that technologies that enhance the communication between the client and the hoteliers such as the voice over internet protocol phone are significant. The Mariette hotel has taken their communication to the customer's digital by employing the use of voice over internet protocol phone (Clopton, 52). The IP telephone has surely replaced its analog counterpart due to the many essential functionalities it performs. The device with a color touchscreen can introduce marketing opportunity within the confines of the hotel room. Furthermore, using the modern advanced software the IP telephone provide clients with a broad range of services being offered by the hotel such as the house cleaning, restaurants reservations, and in-room service dining.
Voice activated personal assistant and Jambo (networking platform)
The programme initiated in Europe gives two start-ups to set up their demos or pilots products or prototypes in the Marriott Hotel for around six weeks. The judge bench consists of the vice president of Marketing and eCommerce Guy Kedar, Oli Barrett, who is the Start- up Britain founder.
The start-up winning project has not only brought success to location-based mobile platforms that connect business professionals but also to the hotel management itself to enhance the guest experience. The connection of professional business connection facilitated by Jambo and unmatched customer or guest experience will work a great deal in boosting the entire hotel business as well as being an example to the rest (Hertzfeld 24).
Case study: M beta technology in Marriott Hotel
In addition, another key technological provision embraced by the hotel management is the M Beta opened at Marriott city center. The center is a mix of incredible innovation altogether amounts to a high sophisticated and innovation lab. From the digital experiences in fitness, rooms or studio to keyless entry upon arrival of guests makes the conferencing experience in the center cool and unparalleled. Furthermore, the use prototyping is a milestone achievement because it invites a guest to test and give feedback in real time, thus, shaping hotel experience.
For a better guestroom experience, the M Beta technology has enhanced conferencing activities such as giving comments as well as voting much easier than before. The physical Beta buttons that are situated all over the guestroom engages client’s comments with the tally to live on stage. In making this possible, the client just dials or pushes a beta button and that way the approval is shared on the congruent innovation.
For the M Beta technology the sky is the limit, the technology primarily, singles out the different services offered in the hospitality industry in one basket. The guests have the fulfillment of different preferences and want at the push of a button. Alongside the M Beta technology is some of the latest innovation what I may call the add-on of the sophisticated mobile network platform M beta. What the old traditions of front desk check in is a thing of the past with, the technology makes hosted arrival more modern and easier as personal greeter way for your arrival in the lobby on the word go hence boosting clients reception as well (Hertzfeld, 28). Cost wise the installation of this technology is costly, as well as the maintenance cost but the benefits it beholds surpasses its cost. The system consumes a lot of energy in the hotels during installation aspect of energy is catered for by using less energy consuming diodes and gadgets.
LG Studio in Dynamic Meeting Space
The guest’s hospitality and refreshment can never be complete without delicacies. On that, the Mariette Hotel Management has collaborated with one of the best technological and kitchen equipment company, the LG Studio. That has networked and elevated beverage and food provision and experience that can be tailored to any kind of meeting and gathering from just a brainstorm of service network what is known as the LG Studio in Dynamic Meeting Space. Again through technology guest have access various customer demands nearly to a thousand of essential requirements in Flex fitness such as the personal work out and on-demand groups available all over on the screens. The above transformation in hotel management and design is an element and an actual proof the transformation ongoing in the world-class hotel Marriott Hotel (Enz 45). The installation of this system is costly as the maintenance cost is relatively low. The installation is made by the provider company’s expertise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ceaseless, and insatiable human wants is the primary driver of the many sophisticated technological devices and systems in hospitality and tourism industry most especially the guestroom technology. Nonetheless, the innovations have also be triggered with the motives for a solution to different problems and challenges experienced by the clients in guestrooms. The existing problems than such as lack of proper communication between customers and staff, under service to the clients, some clients getting lost in their first visit to the premise as well as limited access to essential information were bridged and solved by the above-discussed technologies. Furthermore, innovation has brought in the guestroom management has brought nothing but economic growth and development in the process making work even easier. Like in the case of the Mariette international hotel, the high degree innovations such as the M Beta, Jambo, and a voice-activated personal assistant are extremely incredible. The technologies have made the business tower high in the entire Europe and the world as a whole and trajectory to future technological experience in the industry of hospitality.
Works cited
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Enz, Cathy A. Hospitality Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2010. Print.
Reisinger, Yvette. International Tourism: Cultures and Behavior. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2009. Print.
Hertzfeld, Esther, and Hertzfeld. "Guestroom Phones: Multipurposing." Hotel Management, 230.9 (2015): 80.
Fox, Jena Tesse, and Fox. "Open Spaces, Technology Inspire Design." Hotel Management, 231.4 (2016): 74.
Leposa, Adam. "Accessing Guestroom Safes TALKING RFID." Hotel Management, 228.13 (2013): 22.
