Information and data about hotels.
Written by Monscierge Software Engineer, Matt Owens. Amazon’s Alexa is a cloud-based voice service that allows software developers to build natural voice experiences that offer customers a more intuitive way to interact with the technology they use every day. The Alexa voice service raises interesting questions about the future of artificial intelligence technology in the hospitality industry. Monscierge makes connecting hotels with guests easy. Our Connect platform enables guests to make a request directly to hotel staff with the touch of a button on their smartphone. Alexa presents the opportunity to innovate the Connect platform in ways that have not been possible in the past. The development team here at Monscierge recently developed a proof-of-concept which allowed us to submit a staff request via an Amazon Echo, using only our voices. The program we wrote allowed our Echo to handle much of the communication that would normally require human input to interact. Here’s an example of requesting pillows: Us: Alexa, tell the front desk I’d like some more pillows. Alexa: Do you prefer soft or firm pillows? Us: Firm. Alexa: How many firm pillows would you like? Us: Two. Alexa: Your request for two, firm pillows has been submitted to …
Over the last few months, we’ve been talking a lot about “killing the cheeseplate”. This phrase came from the early days of Monscierge as we were working with staff at a local hotel. When asked how he would change hotel operations, one staff member said he would kill the cheeseplate. He explained that he delivered a cheeseplate as a welcome gift to guests, but he was also discarding most of them untouched at the end of the day. He expressed a desire to tailor these gifts to guests in order to provide more personalized and valued services. Killing the cheeseplate means redefining the guest journey through personalization. That is the attitude we took to heart during the creation of Monscierge Connect. Rather than using technology to decrease the need for human interaction, we have embraced the notion of using technology to create more opportunities for unique interactions with guests. We can do this through personalization of the entire guest journey, providing means of communication that guests prefer, and eliminating common guest frustrations such as waiting in lines. Specifically, hotels now have means to identify guests as they walk through the door, greet them by name, and have their favorite treats …
Increasing technology use by travelers to interact with brands means that the guest experience, formerly taking place almost entirely within the bounds of a hotel property, now extends to almost anywhere in the world. Whether it be research via tablet, mobile check-in, virtual concierge, or SMS chats with staff, maintaining a seamless guest experience across any channel is a serious challenge for hoteliers. One of the best features to come out of hotel mobile technology is instant translation. This means that travelers or staff from anywhere in the world can communicate with each other clearly and quickly. This has tremendous potential within the industry. Let’s take a look at 12 things that happen when you’re using your staff-facing app to remove the language barrier. Staff and guests feel more comfortable No more searching for the one staff member who speaks the one language Food service becomes safer – “Je suis allergique à l’arachide” is French for “I have a peanut allergy.” Assigned tasks become more clear and precision increases across all departments Work gets done faster due to interdepartmental communication Crucial emergency messaging reaches more people Safety improves with more accurate communication Guests feel comfortable asking for what they need …
Technology is making inroads in the hotel industry at a faster pace that it has ever done before. What started a few years ago with updating telephones or providing cell phone chargers has become a new world of screens, logins, and location awareness. I attended a wedding last week, so the “what do you do” conversation happened a lot. I’ve worked for Monscierge since 2011, and my company description has been updated often with new technologies arriving all the time. It’s always interesting to watch reactions when I explain what our technology would look like to the average traveler and gauge their perception of what they would find helpful or enjoyable while traveling. This week, messaging and beacons seemed to be the big hits. Technology should not detract from personal interactions, but instead it should help to create more of them. True hospitality is enhanced by technology when it creates the means to further personalization of the guest experience. For instance, many guests are more comfortable using text as a means of communication for quick requests or to order room service. This allows staff to be precise and efficient, tracking tasks in real time, and creating service opportunities that wouldn’t …
Everyone is making resolutions to be healthier, save money, have more fun, and accomplish goals. This year, get your hospitality resolutions all in one place with a mobile app. Attain Goals – The first part of meeting a goal is to name it, and the best way to stay on target is to track your progress. Today’s hotel apps can help you set and track goals in real time as well as keep your managers and staff on the same page. Improve Service Standards – When you have fewer or shorter lines and more efficient operations, you are creating an environment that allows for better staff-to-guest interactions, innovative service opportunities, and an enhanced guest experience. Use your hotel’s app to identify slow points in the guest journey and improve or even eliminate them. Reach Guests Anywhere – Mobile applications give guests hotel information at their fingertips during any phase of their journey and from any location. You can provide concierge recommendations before they arrive, dining reservations while they’re lounging at the pool, and valet contact when they’re ready to explore. Eliminate Lines – This one bears a mention all on its own. Nobody likes to stand in line, and your …