Hospitality technology consulting aids clients in the hospitality sector to enhance their performance in reservations and electronic distribution channels. Consultants offer strategic tools and expert guidance to assist clients in anticipating and addressing industry challenges and opportunities.
Their services include optimizing existing processes, selecting and integrating technology, and strategic planning for the future. They also support hotels in overcoming electronic distribution challenges, such as maximizing revenue, safeguarding price integrity, and nurturing client relationships.
Hospitality technology consulting collaborates with hotels to comprehend trends, pinpoint opportunities, devise strategies, assess service partners and technology solutions, and make well-informed decisions to boost reservation productivity.
Overall, a consultant’s services should be designed to ensure smooth, seamless operations and maximize the value of assets. Future-proofing technology for hotel guests and employees is also an important service of hospitality technology consulting.
What Are the Benefits of Consulting?
Hotel management organizations can overcome IT hurdles and indecisive IT strategies by getting a crystal clear, comprehensive technology strategy crafted exclusively for each property.
Consultants, like ATC’s hospitality IT experts, become each client’s in-house team, wielding enterprise-level tech expertise to carve out each brand’s niche.
These outlined benefits highlight the significant advantages of having a robust IT department both at the property level and at a centralized, above-property level within the hospitality industry:
Property and Above Property IT Department Benefits:
Extension of IT Operation for Better Visibility of Technology Compliance: By having an IT department that extends from the property level to above-property, there is better oversight and enforcement of technology compliance standards across the entire organization. This ensures that all properties adhere to regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Support Mechanisms and Deep Bench to support the Day-to-Day Operations: By choosing ATC as your IT hospitality consultant, you will have a deep bench of IT professionals at your service, and available 24/7. This ensures that there is sufficient support available to address day-to-day operational needs promptly. This minimizes downtime and ensures smooth functioning of technology systems across properties.
Offset the need for additional IT Resources: Centralizing IT resources with the team at ATC, can help offset the need for additional resources at individual property levels, resulting in cost savings for the organization while still providing comprehensive support and services.
Operations Benefits
Visibility to Technical Debt via Services Portal: A centralized services portal provides visibility into technical debt, allowing the organization to prioritize and address issues efficiently, thereby reducing the risk of system failures and improving overall operational reliability.
Quicker Resolution to IT Issues: With the dedicated IT team at ATC, and support mechanisms in place, IT issues can be resolved quickly, minimizing disruptions to operations and ensuring a seamless guest experience.
Knowledge Transfer to Facilitate Leadership Changes: A centralized IT department facilitates knowledge transfer, ensuring continuity of operations even during leadership changes or transitions, thus maintaining stability and efficiency.
New Builds/Transitions Benefits
Project Leaders for Tech Deployments in Both New Build and Transition: Having experienced project leaders overseeing technology deployments during new builds or transitions ensures that the process is executed smoothly and efficiently, minimizing delays and cost overruns.
Smoother Onboarding and Offboarding of Properties In and Out of Portfolio: Centralized IT support facilitates smoother onboarding and offboarding of properties into and out of the organization’s portfolio, ensuring that technology systems are integrated or decommissioned properly without disrupting operations.
Communication at All Levels Through PIP Process: Effective communication at all levels through the Property Improvement Plan (PIP) process ensures that technology requirements and updates are communicated clearly and implemented effectively across properties.
Executive Team Benefits (Owner-Operator)
Dedicated Team with Deep Executive Brand Experience & Expertise: The executive team benefits from having a dedicated IT team with extensive experience and expertise in the hospitality industry, ensuring that technology initiatives align with the organization’s brand and strategic goals.
Trusted Advisory Team to Help Navigate IT Landscape: The IT department serves as a trusted advisory team for the executive team, providing guidance and insights to navigate the complex IT landscape and make informed decisions that drive business success.
Trusted Advisory Team with a Profitability Focus: With a focus on profitability, the IT department helps the executive team identify and implement technology solutions that generate a positive return on investment, contributing to the organization’s overall financial performance and competitiveness.
Future Proofing & Peace of Mind
The consultants at ATC can help you build next-gen infrastructures and communication systems that connect people, processes, and operational efficiencies. They are purpose-built, agile, resilient, and secure. This provides peace of mind for hoteliers and hospitality managers alike.
ATC will empower you to drive digital transformation by tying strategy and technology to business outcomes and goals with:
- Digital roadmapping.
- Communications technology consulting.
- Network transformations.
- Cloud strategy and migration.
- Cybersecurity consulting.
The integration of smart technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, smart room controls, and voice-activated assistants enhances guest comfort and convenience while improving operational efficiency. These technologies enable automation, energy conservation, and proactive maintenance, contributing to a seamless guest experience.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality are being utilized by hospitality businesses for immersive marketing experiences, virtual tours of properties, and interactive guest engagement. These technologies enable guests to preview accommodations and amenities before booking, enhancing their confidence and satisfaction.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of contactless technologies in the hospitality industry. Contactless check-in/check-out, mobile payments, digital room keys, and QR code menus minimize physical interactions, promote hygiene, and address guest safety concerns.
Social media platforms and online review sites play a significant role in shaping the reputation of hospitality businesses. IT tools for social media management, online reputation monitoring, and guest feedback analysis help businesses manage their online presence, engage with guests, and address issues promptly.
Information technology is transforming the hospitality industry. When there is no margin for error, you can count on ATC’s innovative expertise and methodology–proven approach to sourcing and implementing next-gen IT services.
Information technology continues to revolutionize the hospitality industry by empowering businesses to deliver exceptional guest experiences, optimize operations, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market. As technology continues to advance, it will undoubtedly play an even more significant role in shaping the future of hospitality.
Get an Edge With Hospitality Technology Consulting
Hotels benefit from engaging hospitality technology consultants due to their proficiency in the latest software and technology trends within the industry. These consultants assist in selecting and implementing the most suitable technology solutions. They offer cost-effective solutions, negotiate advantageous deals with vendors and help avoid expensive errors and downtime.
Moreover, they excel in customizing software solutions and integrating diverse systems to ensure seamless operation, a task often challenging without expert guidance. Keep in mind, also, that hiring consultants saves time for hotel staff, enabling them to prioritize delivering exceptional customer service.
If you’d like to see where technology consulting could take your hospitality business, contact us. We’re eager to help you thrive in today’s environment.