GDU Ninja Update 16 - The Future Part 1 - Self Service Checkin Kiosk

Self Service Checkin Kiosks

There is no doubt that we are heading into a world of Automation, and although it could be argued that Hospitality with its cost and staff issues is ripe for more Automation, how far are you willing to go to automate your accommodation?

On a recent trip to France 3 out of the 4 hotels visited had no reception, just a checkin kiosk, one of which was actually mounted outside the hotel as there was no reception (OR night porter. Presumably they were hooked up via cameras to a centralised surveillance system).

Checkin with the kiosks resulted in a plastic card being produced for entry to the building and the room, with the outdoor kiosk we were actually able to turn up without a reservation and book and pay via the kiosk.

Using kiosks to 'cut' plastic keys may seem strange, it certainly appears 'old fashioned' to us technicians....why not cut out plastic door keys altogether and allow the customers to use for example their mobile phone to open doors? But our investigation has shown us that this high tech route is fraught with problems. For example; Does everyone have a smart phone? Is everyone willing to download an App just to open a Hotel Door? The largest problem appears to be getting the relevant information back to guests who book online through the OTA's ie Expedia. The Hotel does NOT have the e mail address of these customers so they have to reply with door opening instructions to the customers temporary e mail address, which they may or may not receive.

All in all it looks like the hotel industry will take an intermediate technical step here and install self-service checkin kiosks that cut old fashioned key cards......at least until more customers are used to working with Smart Phones. The advantage to Hotels is that they may NOT need to replace their current door card systems.

GuestDiary has some way to before we can integrate with Checkin Kiosk Suppliers, but in the meantime If you have any questions thoughts or fears please send them to us at info@accubook.net or better still post them in facebook.com/accubook so other properties can share in the debate.