8th Semester UNIT 6: Trends for Today: Using Technology

 

Many of the emerging housekeeping technology solutions rely on artificial intelligence to automate predictable tasks and reduce the burden on employees. The Internet of Things (IoT) and IoT devices can also play a crucial role in helping the housekeeping department to utilize their time effectively too:

1.       Room management: occupancy reports (Occ., VIP, sleep-out, overstay status, etc), guest information/ request management system, room status management (OOO, redecoration, maintenance problems, sleep-out, overstay status, etc.), room change records

2.       HR management: Computers may be used to forecast the number of employees required, doing manning, and staffing, for the department.

3.       Supervision: Using intercom and technology for managing shifts and inspections

4.       Departmental records: All housekeeping records (Room type, HK Items’ purchase details, supplier/ vendor details, cleaning records, guest supplies records, and preventive maintenance, room maintenance records) may be kept on the computer.

5.       Labour management: Schedules and assignments (Scheduling, tracking work orders, tracking labor costs, assessing performance), training records, improve HR management processes through Technology

6.       Accounting/ budgeting/ Inventory, stock taking & ordering: All types of housekeeping stocks may be controlled by a computer. It includes inventory management for linen, cleaning agents, cleaning equipment, uniforms, guest supplies, soft furnishing, bedding, upholstery fabric, etc. Technology can help to manage and maintain the stock for the department. 

7.       Energy Management: Technology can help in implementing sustainable practices and managing sources like heat, light, power, etc.

8.       Smart guest experiences and room service: Smart rooms are revolutionizing the hotel industry by providing guests with a more personalized and convenient stay experience. The technology allows guests to control various aspects of the room, such as lighting, temperature, and entertainment, using their mobile devices or digital assistants.

IT Savvy Housekeeping: The hospitality industry strongly invested in information technology (IT) to generate new technologies in the housekeeping department. New technologies like Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity), radio frequency identification, GPS (Global Positioning System), VOIP (VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL), handheld communication devices, and WLAN (Wireless local area networks) are developing rapidly. Many types of software having comprehensive housekeeping applications are being used today in hotels. With the help of technology customers’ involvement in service delivery has increased.

WLAN technology is enabling a wide range in the housekeeping department. Housekeeping staff can now conduct room checks after a guest vacates the room through a handheld Wi-Fi-enabled device to report the status of the room. In emergency situations they can communicate through email and staff can also ensure the functioning and check inventory information for guest room supplies and to replenishment in an effective way. Housekeeping managers can also contact workers and identify their locations quickly, resulting in quicker response times.

In most hotels today VoIP is the fundamental enabling technology that converts voice signals into a form that can be sent over a data network, such as the Internet or one of the typical local area networks (LANs). Many software packages are now available in India that provide specific applications for housekeeping operations. This technology greatly reduces the cost of individual wiring in each guestroom. For instance, an interface can be created between the telephone system and the CPU (central processing unit) of the hotel’s computer network by the GRA dialling a specific sequence of numbers on the phone from a specific guestroom. Once connected, the computer immediately recognizes the room numbers to which it is being connected, after the connection is established, a specific list of dial-up codes becomes available to the GRA.

 Special Software in Housekeeping:  Housekeeping operations modules are now an integral part of integrated hotel management software such as forecasting GRA requirements, daily housekeeping scheduling, tracking housekeeping history, and monitoring GRA performance. Some of the important software referred to by the housekeeping department are:

·       Software Forecasting GRA Requirement: This is designed to forecast the total number of GRAs needed each day in the future, based on the current in-house occupancy and staffing and the expected arrivals/departures over the forthcoming period. This also can forecast staffing requisites up to 365 days in advance.

·       Daily Housekeeping Scheduling: This application can automatically create and print a cleaning schedule each day for each GRA, based on the number of dirty rooms, the estimated cleaning time needed per room, and the number of GRAs in the establishment. A `housekeeping status screen’ is the core element of the system, and tracks each.

·       Other Applications of IT in Housekeeping: When a guest puts a tray outside of the door by tray detection technology it alerts through a triangle sensor on the tray triggers another sensor in the doorway to the housekeeping department way of a blinking light/guest click a button, which sets off another sensor, to indicate they are gone and the room can be cleaned/ while going through the typical routine in a guestroom, a room attendant may notice a problem such as a leaking WC or a malfunctioning thermostat, the housekeeper can pick up the room phone and follow through a protocol to identify that specific problem. The report immediately alerts the proper maintenance person via wireless phone.

A major trend in hotels is towards becoming more eco-sensitive. Housekeepers are developing and adopting new ways to conserve water and energy and opting for eco-friendly amenities and products. The use of ozone in various areas in the housekeeping departments, in particular, has been a big step towards environmental protection.

 

Smart hotels: Incorporating the Internet of Things (IoT) into a hotel, provides a high level of convenience and efficiency, and also a sense of luxury. Examples of some of the techno trends used by the industry:

·       Robot staff (help automate check-in and check-out, carry luggage, and acts as concierges, or for room service)

·       Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality (can create a virtual environment as per the guest’s expectation, virtual tour, virtual facilities, and interactive apps).

·       Voice technology (Voice recognition apps, Siri, Alexa, Google, and Amazon, etc. are the regular features are daily life)

·       Drone technology (Using drones for aerial photography and videography for destination and hotel marketing, documentation of trips, etc.)

·       Self-check-in and check-out trends (helps in providing personalized, efficient service to the guest, helps in time-management, convenience to the guest)  

·       Online mode of payment (cashless transactions/ complete digitalization prove convenient and hassle-free modes of payment)

·       Artificial intelligence (AI helps visitors with their inquiries, processing bookings, and checking guests in and out, increases productivity and efficiency of the employee, improves guest interaction, and increased data collection)

Future trends in the hotel industry

•            Smart rooms (with a personal assistant, and smart control)

•            Green hotels (using solar power, conserving water, reducing plastic, adopting motion sensors, and adding meat alternatives to menus)

•            Technology on every front (for pricing rooms, self-check-in/ check-out, online assistance, room service, etc.)