According to a recent survey by J.D. Power, 77 percent of guests said a large flat-screen television was available at the hotel they chose to stay at. Hotel guests also said that they expect to receive free Wi-Fi during their stay, and report lower satisfaction with properties that charge for connectivity. To satisfy your guests, you need to provide in-room technology that is outfitted with all the latest technologies—including IPTV, OTT content, high-speed Wi-Fi, and more.
As you begin your search for a new brand-approved Hospitality technology provider that will elevate your property get to the next level, you’ll quickly find out you have a lot of options. To make your decision-making process easier, here are three questions you need to keep in mind as you conduct your research.
1. Has the provider worked with other brand-name properties?
Today, technology plays an integral role in the overall in-room guest experience, so you can’t leave anything to chance. The brand-approved Hospitality in-room technology provider you ultimately decide to go with should have a track record of success working with properties similar to yours. The provider should also have demonstrated the ability to keep pace with constantly changing brand standards to ensure they can comply with technical and branding changes in a timely manner.
Beyond that, their offerings need to prepare your property for the future by leveraging technologies that can scale as your property needs change.
Before making a decision, conduct the proper due diligence to make sure that the providers you are considering have the experience needed to outfit a property like yours—and can do so with little to no downtime.
2. Can I take advantage of brand-level pricing?
The right data, video, and voice provider will be able to offer turnkey implementation of your solution at a competitive price point. You should be searching for a provider that is willing to help design your technology solutions based on your unique property needs. Additionally, some integrators offer brand-level discounts so you can take advantage of exclusive savings.
Whether the system needs to implement Internet with specific connectivity speeds, integrate with external set-top boxes or headend solutions, host your voice needs in the cloud or on-site, you should be able to find the system that meets your brand’s standards.
3. What kind of technical support is provided?
It’s not difficult to imagine how disappointed your guests would be if their Internet connections, televisions, or phones weren’t working for an extended period of time. The best providers have proven success working with branded Hospitality properties and offering best-in-class technical support—24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In the event you need help, you can get a technician on the phone or onsite if needed. With the right provider, you can also take advantage of cloud-based management tools that enable the support team to fix issues remotely—and potentially identify issues before they grow into noticeable problems.
If you’re searching for a new in-room technology provider, it can be overwhelming to navigate through the multiple options available. Consider connecting with an industry-tested provider that can understand your property’s needs and recommend the right solution for you.
