LBMC Tech

Hospitality Technology for a Growing industry

Hospitality Technology

Hospitality businesses need to be able to adapt in the digital world and unleash the full potential of technology in order to grow and stay ahead of the competition. A modern cloud accounting software lets you focus on delivering customer satisfaction, driving revenue, and reducing operational costs.

With rapid growth of a business, there’s often a sudden increase on the burden of a finance team.  Cloud technology ushers in with a new era of financial management that automates more functions and allows businesses to access critical information from anywhere and ultimately make better business decisions. You can easily share real-time insight to your key stakeholders and empower non-finance employees to initiate finance department interactions.

Hospitality technology refers to the use of technology in the hospitality industry. The technology is used to improve the guest experience, increase operational efficiency, and enhance business performance. Hospitality technology encompasses a wide range of tools and applications. It includes software for property management, reservations and bookings, customer relationship management, and point-of-sale systems.

There are many different examples of hospitality technology. They include mobile check-in and check-out, keyless entry systems, virtual concierge services, and automated guest feedback systems. These technologies help hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses to provide a more personalized and efficient service to their guests. These technologies also streamline operations, control revenue management and reduce costs.

Top Examples of Hospitality Technology

Examples of technology in the hospitality industry include:

1.   A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system can be a powerful tool for managing guest interactions and enhancing customer satisfaction. Here are some ways to use a CRM system in the hospitality industry:

A. Guest Profiles: A CRM system can help you create and maintain detailed profiles of your guests. This can include their contact information, preferences, previous stays, and feedback. You can personalize their experience, anticipate their needs and preferences, and offer tailored services that will enhance their stay.

B. Reservations and Bookings: You can easily manage reservations and bookings, including room assignments, special requests, and check-in and out times. This can help you streamline your operations and avoid overbooking or double bookings.

C. Communication: A CRM system can help you stay in touch with your guests before, during, and after their stay. You can send them personalized emails, SMS messages, or push notifications to keep them informed about special offers. You can also use the system to respond to their queries, complaints, or feedback in a timely and efficient manner.

D. Loyalty Programs: A CRM system can help you create and manage loyalty programs that reward your guests for their repeat business. You can use the system to track their loyalty points and offer exclusive discounts or perks. You can even provide personalized recommendations based on their past behavior and preferences.

E. Analytics and Reporting: A CRM system can provide you with valuable insights into your guests’ behavior, preferences, and feedback. You can use the system to generate reports on occupancy rates, revenue, guest satisfaction, and other key performance indicators. This can help you make data-driven decisions, optimize your operations, and improve your overall guest experience.

F. Sales and Marketing: A CRM system can help you manage your sales and marketing activities, such as customer data, lead generation, and marketing campaigns. It can also track customer interactions, manage customer feedback, and provide insights into customer behavior and preferences.

A CRM system can help you build stronger relationships with your guests, enhance their satisfaction, and drive repeat business. By leveraging the power of technology, you can transform your hospitality business into a customer-centric and data-driven operation.

2.   An ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system can be a valuable tool for managing various aspects of a hospitality business. Here are some ways to use an ERP system in the hospitality industry:

A. Accounting and Financial Management: An ERP system can help you manage your financial transactions, including invoicing, billing, and payment processing. It can also generate financial reports. Easily track revenue and expenses with balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.

B. Inventory and Supply Chain Management: An ERP system can help you manage your inventory levels and track your supplies. It can also automate purchase orders, manage vendors and suppliers, and optimize your supply chain operations.

C. Human Resource Management: An ERP system can help you manage your employee information. Keep personal details, employment history, and performance reviews all in one place. It can also track attendance, manage payroll and benefits, and automate HR-related tasks, such as onboarding and offboarding.

D. Property Management: An ERP system can help you manage your property-related operations. Room reservations, check-ins and check-outs, and room assignments can all be managed. It can also manage housekeeping schedules, maintenance requests, and other property-related tasks.

An ERP system can help you streamline your operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency in your hospitality business. By leveraging the power of technology, you can transform your hospitality business into a well-organized and profitable operation.

3.   Cybersecurity is a critical concern in the hospitality industry. Guests’ personal and financial data is often stored and processed by hospitality businesses. Here are some ways to use a cybersecurity system in the hospitality industry:

A. Network Security: A cybersecurity system can help you secure your network infrastructure, including firewalls, routers, switches, and wireless access points. This can help prevent unauthorized access to your network and protect your guests’ data from cyberattacks.

B. Endpoint Protection: A cybersecurity system can help you protect your endpoints, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. This can include antivirus software, intrusion detection, and vulnerability management tools.

C. Data Encryption: A cybersecurity system can help you encrypt your guests’ data, such as credit card information and personal details. This can help protect the data from theft or unauthorized access.

D. Access Control: A cybersecurity system can help you control access to your guests’ data. You can determine who can view, edit, or delete it. This can include user authentication, role-based access control, and audit trails.

E. Incident Response: A cybersecurity system can help you detect and respond to security incidents. Data breaches, malware infections, and phishing attacks are all things cybersecurity systems can help thwart. This can include automated alerts, incident management, and forensics tools.

A cybersecurity system can help you protect your guests’ data, maintain their trust, and comply with regulatory requirements. By investing in a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, you can safeguard your hospitality business from cyber threats. A good cybersecurity strategy will ensure the security and privacy of your guests’ data.

4.   A business phone system can be a valuable tool for managing communication in the hospitality industry. Here are some ways to use a business phone system in the hospitality industry:

A. Reservation and Booking: A business phone system can help you manage reservations and bookings. Handle incoming calls and manage availability. This can help you streamline your operations and avoid overbooking or double bookings.

B. Guest Services: A business phone system can help you provide excellent guest services by handling guest inquiries, requests, and complaints. This can include automated menu options, call routing, and voicemail-to-email capabilities.

C. Internal Communication: Business phone systems can facilitate internal communication. This includes departmental and interdepartmental calls, as well as conference calls. This can improve efficiency, coordination, and collaboration among your team members.

D. Call Recording: A business phone system can help you record incoming and outgoing calls. This can be useful for training purposes or to review and address any issues that may arise.

E. Analytics and Reporting: A business phone system can provide you with valuable insights. Gain insights into your call volume, duration, and other indicators. This can help you make data-driven decisions in real-time, optimize your staffing levels, and improve your overall guest experience.

Overall, a business phone system can help you manage communication effectively and efficiently in the hospitality industry. By leveraging the power of technology, you can enhance guest satisfaction, improve internal communication, and drive business success.

5. A managed service provider (MSP) can be a valuable partner for hospitality businesses that want to outsource their IT needs. Here are some ways to use an MSP in the hospitality industry:

A. IT Support: An MSP can provide you with 24/7 IT support, including help desk services, remote monitoring, and onsite support. This can help you resolve IT issues quickly and minimize downtime, which is crucial in the fast-paced hospitality industry.

B. Network Management: An MSP can help you manage your network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless access points. This can help you ensure that your network is secure, reliable, and optimized for your business needs.

C. Data Backup and Recovery: An MSP can help you back up your data regularly and recover it when disaster strikes. This can help you protect your guests’ data and ensure business continuity in the event of a data loss.

D. Cybersecurity: An MSP can help you protect your guests’ data and secure your network against cyber threats. This includes implementing firewalls, antivirus software, intrusion detection systems, and other cybersecurity measures.

E. Cloud Services: An MSP can help you migrate to the cloud and take advantage of cloud services. Cloud-based storage, software as a service (SaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) are all advantages you can use. This can help you reduce your IT costs, increase your scalability, and improve your agility.

An MSP can provide hospitality businesses with the expertise, resources, and support they need to optimize their IT operations. By partnering with an MSP, you can focus on your core business and not your IT needs.

 Top Technology in the Hospitality Industry

The hospitality industry has embraced various technologies to improve the customer experience and streamline operations. Some of the top technology trends used in the hospitality industry include:

1.   Mobile Apps: Many hotels and restaurants have developed mobile applications. These allow customers to make reservations, access information, order food, and even check in and out of their rooms. Accessing room keys, seeing reservation systems, and ordering room service all in one platform is a way to exceed customer expectations.

2.   Cloud Computing: Cloud computing enables businesses to access their data and applications from anywhere, allowing for greater flexibility and mobility. In the hospitality industry, cloud computing is used for property management, inventory management, and customer relationship management.

3.   Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is used in the hospitality industry to improve the guest experience and optimize operations. With one of the latest trends being a labor shortage, any way to optimize operations should be coveted. Examples include ai chatbots that provide instant customer service and facial recognition technology that can improve security and personalize experiences.

4.   Internet of Things (IoT): IoT refers to the interconnectedness of devices and systems that can communicate with each other. In the hospitality industry, IoT can be used to monitor and control room temperature, lighting, and other amenities.

5.   Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR): VR and AR can be used to provide guests with immersive experiences. For example, hotels can use VR to give guests virtual tours of the property.

6.   Contactless Technology: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many hotels and restaurants have adopted contactless technology. Mobile payments, keyless entry to hotel rooms, and digital menus were all introduced to minimize physical contact and promote safety.

These are some of the top technologies used in the hospitality industry. By leveraging these technologies, businesses can improve efficiency, enhance the guest experience, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

Helping Hospitality Companies Thrive in a Competitive Environment

With today’s challenging environment, implementing a digital transformation strategy for your business can help to:

  • Increase transparency of the whole business
  • Simplify and automate accounting practices
  • Provide real-time analytics to make better decisions
  • Reduce paper and speed up HR processes
  • Streamline multi-entity management and eliminate month-end headaches

Sign up to get a sneak peak of Sage Intacct

Contact Us

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Please send us an email using the form and one of our professionals will get back to you promptly.

Headquarters – Hospitality Technology Nashville, TN:
201 Franklin Road
Brentwood, TN 37027

Phone: 615-377-4600

Office Hours: 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

Hospitality Technology Charlotte, NC
3700 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 175
Charlotte, NC 28273
704-846-6750

Hospitality Technology Knoxville, TN
2095 Lakeside Centre Way
Knoxville, TN 37922
865-691-9000

Inquiries

To better serve you, please review our communication options for the best way to contact us.

If you are seeking general information. Please check out our FAQ page.

If you are interested in more information, complete the form below to have an LBMC Technology Solutions expert contact you.