Forget the Front Desk: Hotels go High Tech

Life just gets easier and easier. Would you like to know more about your gests, increase customer satisfaction, and boost sales at the same time?

Rutriz, a software firm in California, is aiming to bring hotels up to speed. They have launched a product called “Hotel Evolution” at the Malibu Beach Inn in Malibu, California. When a guest checks into the hotel, they are asked if they have an iPhone or iPod Touch. If they do, the hotel staff will load the Runtriz Hotel web application to the device, If they don’t they are given a 16GB iPod Touch to keep for the duration of their stay.

All you have to do is punch in your room number and security code, and you are all set. Straight from the device’s screen, you can order room service, set a wake up call, request your luggage, dry cleaning, linens or toiletries, check your messages, or set your room to “Do Not Disturb.” It also provides information about nearby nightlife, attractions, shopping. The device is not hard to use because it works just like the iPhone or iPod Touch. It is a touch screen, so the guests do not have to wait for anything.

The hotel does not have to go through each iPod and update whenever they have additions. They can simply upgrade and maintain the application by modifying the site. You no longer have to have bunch of papers flying around. Hotel Evolution will simply update all the information about your customers on the reports. It is also eco-friendly because it eliminates the use of papers for brochures, menus, booklets, hotel directories, and so on.

This is just the start of technology, but possibilities of improvement are enormous. iPhone will not be the only device that hotels will use. In the future, Runtriz is planning to install the software on Blackberry and labtops. In the later days, the hotel might not need anyone at the front desk. Customers can simply type on their iPhone and everything will be set the moment they arrive at the airport. Most people carry phones with them anyways, so why not make their phone into a device they can use at the hotel?