SMART Concept Infrastructure
SMART
Fast and secure WiFi
Fast and secure internet in public areas of the hotel (e.g. hotel lobby, bar) and in the rooms is one of the requirements for a SMART hotel. That is why it belongs in the SMART category. Depending on the hotel concept, a good internet connection is essential. Since January 2015, internet access - whether wired or via WiFi - in public areas has already become the minimum requirement for two-star hotels. DSL or WiFi is mandatory in the rooms from three stars upwards.
Advantages / Benefits:
Connectivity is a basic need of the guest
Increased guest service and comfort (depending on the hotel concept)
advertising toolSource of information for guests (e.g. Wi-Fi welcome page with welcome information - activities in the hotel / in the surrounding area, restaurant menu, sights)
Prerequisite for further SMART concepts (e.g. hotel app, cloud, smart networking, and control of heating, and lighting)
Expense:
Low time expenditure (order to provider)
Financial expenditure is relatively low
Lights with motion detectors
Lights with motion detectors can be used in a variety of ways both indoors and outdoors and have many advantages - if you go into the dark hallway or the bathroom at night, the light comes on; if you leave the room, the light goes out. This not only brings a high level of comfort but also saves energy. The financial outlay for setting up the system is only slightly different from conventional lighting systems, which is why smart lighting should not be missing in any SMART hotel.
Advantages / Benefits:
Increased guest comfort
Energy savings
Safety (no dark corners)
Effort:
Low time expenditure (depending on the system installation of the motion detectors by an electrician or independent replacement of the lights)
Financial expenditure is relatively low
Cloud-based solutions
Whether it's Google, Facebook, or many applications and apps on our smartphones - we couldn't use any of these services without cloud services doing their work in the background. The same options can also be used for business applications such as accounting, customer contact management, inventory management, or smart technologies in hotels - the user only needs internet access, which gives them access to externally operated IT resources.
Advantages / Benefits:
Reduction of administrative effort and increase in software up-to-dateness (the software/application is installed, operated, and regularly maintained by the external provider)
Improvement of IT security and data protection
Time savings and improvement of guest services (optimization of operational processes)
No hardware with large storage capacity required (provision via the Internet)
Cost-effectiveness - variable, monthly costs
Multiple employees can access data and services from different locations via smartphone or tablet PC (online collaboration in real-time)
Expense:
Low time expenditure (order from provider)
Financial expenditure – usually cheaper than on-site hardware/software solutions
Smart devices in the hotel (room) for entertainment
There are many smart products on the market today that are offered as an alternative to conventional products. Whether it's a smart TV for entertainment, a smart mirror, or a window that functions as a computer and interactive information panel - their use in hotels offers many possibilities and increases the guest experience and satisfaction.
Advantages / Benefits:
Increased guest comfort
Digital visitor experience
Increased energy efficiency
Easy operation of devices, even remotely, automation of processes
Increased value
Expense:
The time required depends on the product, usually direct use of the devices or simple installation
Financial expenditure depends on the product
SMART plus
Smart devices in the hotel (room) for room comfort and security
There are many smart products on the market today that are offered as an alternative to conventional products. Whether intelligent room thermostats or smart alarm systems and surveillance cameras - their use in hotels offers many possibilities and increases the satisfaction and safety of guests.
Advantages / Benefits:
Increased guest comfort
Increased energy efficiency
Reduced workload on hotel staff and support for hotel operations
Simple operation of devices, even remotely, automation of processes
Increased value
Security
Expense:
The time required depends on the product, usually direct use of the devices or simple installation
Financial expenditure depends on the product
Interactive information terminal in the lobby
An interactive touchscreen in the lobby welcomes hotel guests and provides all important information about the hotel's operations, services, and offers such as the restaurant's online menu, excursion options or the entertainment program. In conjunction with the booking system or check-in/out, such a terminal saves time in hotel operations, both for guests and for the hotel/staff.
Advantages / Benefits:
Individual and interactive information system for guests around the clock
Relief for hotel staff
Time and cost savings
Effective advertising of services and offers in the hotel
Expense:
Less time is required for complete packages where the provider provides the hardware and software, sets it up, and also takes care of adapting the software
Financial expenditure depending on size, equipment, and adaptation effort
Smart Systems – Isolated Solutions and Partial Concepts
Smart devices are usually not very intelligent on their own. They only become smart when they are connected to a smart system. In smart systems, the networked devices are connected and controlled by a central unit. For example, motorized blinds can be raised conveniently by voice or radiator thermostats can be activated via a smartphone while you are away, so that the room is at the desired temperature when you return.
Advantages / Benefits:
Easy installation and commissioning
Automation of processes
Easy operation, even remotely
Increased guest comfort
Increased energy efficiency
Increased value
Security
Expense:
Time required depends on the system: with SMART "Home" stand-alone solutions, the devices are usually used directly or are easy to install; with more extensive sub-concepts, the creation of a concept and good planning and implementation (if necessary, hiring a planner and specialist) is required
Financial outlay depends on the system and product; SMART "Home" stand-alone solutions are usually relatively inexpensive and available as a complete package, e.g. for comfort, security, or energy saving; the more extensive sub-concepts are more expensive, but allow for more functions and better
application options (planning and installation costs may also apply)
Smart operation of devices/systems
Nowadays, smart devices (e.g. radiator thermostats, entertainment electronics) can be quickly adapted to personal needs using a computer or smartphone. The remote control enables the devices to be controlled from anywhere, e.g. via the central computer, at reception, or on the move. Display and control devices are used to visualize the processes in the system and the operation. Touchscreens, smartphones, or tablets are used for this purpose.
all SMART
Smart devices for hotel (room) service, fitness & health
There are many smart products on the market today that are offered as an alternative to conventional products. Whether it's a smart bed for better and healthier sleep or fitness bracelets with a pedometer function - their use in hotels offers many possibilities and increases the guest experience and satisfaction.
Advantages / Benefits:
Increased guest comfort
Digital visitor experience
Increased energy efficiency
Relief for hotel staff and support for hotel operations
Simple operation of devices, even remotely, automation of processes
Increased value
Security
Expense:
The time required depends on the product, usually direct use of the devices or simple installation
Financial expenditure depends on the product
Smart voice control of devices/systems in the hotel (room) (optional)
When used correctly, monologue or dialogue-based, voice-controlled systems and components can provide guests with a great deal of comfort and entertainment and simplify the work of hotel staff. Here, too, you must be connected to the Internet to be able to process voice commands via cloud connections. You must also pay attention to the compatibility of the devices: for example, check whether the voice assistant is compatible.
Complete building automation
Smart systems in hotels work similarly to those at home. There is a smart control center at the heart of the smart system - all other smart components in the hotel are connected to this control center, such as thermostats on the heating system or lighting in the hotel room. The air conditioning, lights, or heating then receive commands from the smart control center about when to switch on or off or, for example, when the heating output should be reduced.
Advantages / Benefits:
Sensibly planned and installed building automation (or home/room automation)
Economical - reduction of operating costs (personnel, energy, maintenance, servicing, etc.), increase in added value
Functional - optimization of use (comfort, well-being, operation, productivity, security, etc.), simplification of processes within the building operation
Saves energy (heating energy, electricity, hot water, etc.) through efficient and optimal automation of the building technology and through favorable operating modes (e.g. cooling only when the sun protection is closed, intelligent demand-based and timely control and regulation of the interior temperature, daylight-dependent light control, intelligent blind controls, controlled ventilation, inclusion of renewable energy sources, heat pumps, etc.)
Flexible, individual, and reliable and improves user comfort and guest satisfaction - e.g. enables B. central monitoring of several systems/buildings and automated (quick and easy) adaptation (room) to own requirements, usage aspects, specific needs, and individual wishes of the guests
Creates security - by integrating hazard detection technology (e.g. presence and motion detectors, wind monitors, maximum monitors, burglary, fire and smoke detection systems, etc.) and access control systems
Expense:
Medium to high time expenditure (creation of the concept, planning, and implementation usually by commissioning a building control planner, operation, monitoring, and maintenance by yourself or by commissioning a specialist)
Financial expenditure is relatively high - depends on the size of the building, the building control system, and the degree of automation