Mobility and Hospitality
Written by
Peter Shand
Chief Technology Officer, Americas
Mobility technology has become an integral part of both our business and personal lives. We need to be connected to work efficiently, and we choose to be connected to play and to interact with family and friends in our private lives. The benefits of mobility technology can be felt throughout the majority of the human experience.
- Our connected, digital lives affect our:
- Consumption and sharing patterns
- Personal and community interactions
- Working patterns
- Sense of community and privacy
- Personal development and health
At Work
Secure, anywhere, anytime access allows employees to be more productive as work does not need to be done in a traditional office. It also eliminates the commute and allows for employees to spend more time with their families or social networks. Secure mobile architecture has allowed businesses to improve other processes as it allows for a wide array of connected devices that can connect and exchange data (Internet of Things). The Internet of Things allows for more process automation and when leveraging RFID and BLE technology can include location based decision systems. Geofencing is another technology that can be used to help increase customer interactions, employee productivity, accountability, and profits, as well as keep your property and assets safe. Examples include retail and logistics businesses using geofencing to reduce shrinkage, and pairing wearables that can be used as protective and alerting mechanisms for special needs children or adults that may wander into dangerous areas.
Hospitality
The hospitality industry is unique because the industry is based on creating an atmosphere where guests feel as comfortable as they would be at home yet can escape the responsibilities of being at home. Consumer research reveals that the majority of prospective hotel guests actually make booking decisions based on the availability of free WiFi and any high-tech features in the guestroom. Connectivity allows for many enhancements to the visitor experience, from smart keys that allow access to rooms from mobile devices to Instant Messaging apps that allow the visitor to communicate with hotel staff. Mobility based technology is allowing hospitality companies to:
