It’s no secret that consumer expectations continue to rise. The digital age has led the hospitality industry to become more competitive than ever, and the pandemic has only accelerated the need for modern hospitality technology.
It’s no secret that consumer expectations continue to rise. The digital age has led the hospitality industry to become more competitive than ever, and the pandemic has only accelerated the need for modern hospitality technology.
The senior living technology boom has been a long time coming. Tech was not always a priority for older adults, but in recent years, usage has skyrocketed among seniors. More seniors are moving into communities with smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other wireless gadgets, and the number of devices will only increase as time goes on. The shift towards connected communities has been gradual—when the pandemic hit, however, the industry was forced to jump headfirst into modern technology in order to keep residents safe and healthy while maintaining their quality of life and mental health.
It is clear that a multitude of industries have been turned on their heads this year. According to Stanford research, 42 percent of the U.S. labor force is now working from home full-time. In fact, another 33 percent are not working, leaving only 26 percent, mostly essential service workers, working on site. In addition to telecommuting, many are using virtual means to stay safely connected to friends and family as well. This historic shift to working and socializing from home was critical to prioritize health and safety, and led to a technological boom – with people from all walks of life learning to use tools like Zoom for the first time, from 8 years old to 80 years old.
Organizations across all industries are increasingly running analytics to accomplish a number of tasks, including informing decision-making, improving the customer experience, and figuring out which products to bring to market.
Many U.S. states have started to relax coronavirus restrictions, but older adults are advised to continue sheltering in place, as they are some of the most vulnerable to the virus. While some senior living communities have chosen to allow visitors, the vast majority continue with strict no-visitor rules. While this is the best way to keep residents safe, the loneliness has taken a toll on many.
The last few weeks have taken all of us for quite a wild ride. America has been through other pandemics, terrorist attacks, and recent wars, but nothing has completely shifted our way of life like COVID-19 in recent history. The worldwide pandemic has brought our country to a near halt and put immense pressure on our nation’s healthcare system, and our readiness for this situation.
One of the most impacted during the COVID-19 crisis is the Healthcare industry. As the effects spread in the U.S., hospitals nationwide are becoming overwhelmed, with shortages of space, necessary equipment, and supplies. Senior Living communities, on the other hand, are doing as much as possible to limit interaction with the public, as their residents are some of the most vulnerable to the life-threatening virus.
The addition of Wi-Fi services to senior living properties is quickly becoming more of a standard amenity and less of a diamond-in-the-rough offering. Many Healthcare properties offer Wi-Fi to their residents, either to drive competitive advantage or as an opportunity to upsell them on additional services.
Technology has disrupted many industries over the last decade. Amazon, eBay, and many other online retailers have experienced tremendous growth in the use of e-commerce, leading to the reduction of traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Uber and Lyft have dominated market share over the traditional taxi cab industry. Airbnb and VRBO are changing how vacations and reservations are booked, and streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have uprooted the video rental industry.
As you begin your quest for Hospitality technology solutions, you’ll likely run into industry jargon—some of which might not be familiar. Read on for some of the most common terms you’re likely to encounter during the buying process.