Organizations across all industries are increasingly using data analytics to accomplish a number of tasks, including informing decision-making, improving the customer experience, and figuring out which products to bring to market.
The hospitality industry can also benefit from adopting a data-driven mindset by investing in technologies that deliver data network control and analytics to their properties. With the right solution in place, hospitality properties can gather data about guest usage habits, increase network security, and provide an overall better experience—and then run analytics against that data to see what they can do to optimize the experience. Does the AP near the pool deck have unexpected usage early in the morning? Consider setting up a mobile barista. Do most guests first connect in the morning or the evening? Customize the splash page for the time of day to maximize your marketing message.
The Benefits of Understanding your Data Network
The better you understand how your guests interact with your network, the easier it will be to take proactive steps to ensure they don’t experience any hiccups as they migrate between applications and browse the Internet on their devices. At the same time, it will also become easier to personalize experiences to meet evolving guest expectations.
Here are three of the benefits your property will enjoy from understanding your data network on a deeper level.
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It Helps You Run Your Property More Efficiently
Data network insights enable you to enjoy several additional features, including conference management, custom splash pages, event allocation, access code management, and custom open or secured SSIDs that make it easier for your guests to figure out which network to join and can add another level of security as requested by your guest.
These features may seem overwhelming to manage internally on your own. The good news is that by partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) like Allbridge, your hotel can take advantage of these benefits without losing focus of what matters most: meeting your guests' needs and exceeding their expectations during every stay.
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It Enables You to Deliver a Personalized Experience
Guests have grown accustomed to personalized experiences thanks to content services like Amazon and Netflix that recommend programs and products they might like based on their previous interactions.
With the right network tools in place, you can deliver personalized experiences to your guests—like branded gateway portals, event-related announcements, welcome messages for returning guests, and more.
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It Allows You to Control Your Bandwidth
In the age of social networks, ubiquitous connectivity, and streaming media, your guests have expectations on how your networks should behave. Unfortunately, for many hospitality properties that are still running on old infrastructures, network speed often leaves much to be desired.
When you are armed with the best tools to manage your hotel’s bandwidth and network environment, you can accommodate periods of peak traffic and ensure optimal connectivity and functionality. As a result, your guests can use their devices just like they would at home, enhancing their overall experience.
How a Managed Service Provider Can Help with Network Analytics
By partnering with a Managed Service Provider like Allbridge, you can outsource the responsibility for overseeing your network to a vendor with expertise in this area. That way, you can focus on your core competencies while letting the MSP do the same.
Often, adopting a managed services model adds efficiencies for staff and alleviates the need for dedicated technical resources onsite, reducing costs. Cloud management capabilities enable remote monitoring and troubleshooting and ensure that your technologies stay current with regular updates.
Here are some of the benefits you’ll get from deciding
to do business with the right MSP.
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Remote Monitoring
Thanks to the power of the cloud, it is easier than ever for MSPs to monitor network infrastructure remotely. In many cases, engineers can identify problems before your guests notice them, resolving them before they grow into issues.
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Network Optimization
MSPs can also run analytics to determine which areas of your network can be optimized and deliver recommendations to you. You can then study those recommendations and collaborate with your MSP to determine the best way forward.
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Bandwidth Prioritization
Let’s say one of your guest rooms is occupied by a family of five, and all of those folks are using their own devices (maybe even more than one). These guests are using up your bandwidth—which could translate into difficulties for other guests.
With the right network in place, your MSP will be able to prioritize bandwidth accordingly and allocate appropriately, so other users enjoy seamless digital experiences.
Consider Skyway, the Hospitality Industry’s Most Powerful Network Portal
Skyway is an innovative new network portal solution from Allbridge that was designed to work with your hotel’s property management system (PMS). Due to its mobile-first design, Skyway supports user-friendly, real-time monitoring. It enables property staff to move around your property while having full access to the portal with any device they use.
With Skyway, you can customize your network with the following:
- Hotel-branded splash pages
- Integration with guest loyalty systems
- Custom guest authentication methods
- Back of House (BOH) 802.1x security
Skyway also includes a conference tool that provides the following:
- Group branded splash pages
- Custom open or secured Wi-Fi SSIDs
- Group access code management
- Group bandwidth allocation, monitoring, and reporting
Learn more about how Skyway can help your property optimize your network and delight your guests every day.
