Costs associated with incidents where a hotel is at fault have been going nowhere but up lately. Insurance companies have been hit hard in recent years by natural disasters and rising costs common to all of us�energy, labor, maintenance, etc. And, we all know that attorney fees are not going down. So why not minimize your hotel�s legal exposure by implementing a PM system? By implementing an effective PM plan, you will demonstrate to any future judge and jury that hotel safety was given a reasonable amount of attention.

An automated PM system will ensure that your property runs as safely as possible. It will also extend the life of the hotel�s most valuable assets and increase guest satisfaction by eliminating the potential for on-property incidents. Mintek Mobile Data Solutions, the lodging industry�s leading developer of automated PM systems, offers the following 10 suggestions to keep your hotel free from unsafe conditions and their related legal costs.

1. Frequently check all smoke alarms, sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers.
2. PM all emergency lighting and backup power systems regularly to ensure that guests can safely evacuate a building in the event of a fire or other incident.
3. Monitor security cameras daily to minimize the opportunity for theft and/or unlawful entry.
4. Check all electrical systems to ensure there are no loose wires or �hot� connections. 
5. Investigate all flooring areas daily for ripped carpet, spills, room service trays or any other items that may cause trip and fall accidents.
6. Constantly monitor all areas where there is a potential for natural gas leakage or carbon monoxide buildup.
7. Check all refrigeration system temperatures daily to ensure food safety.
8. Measure pool chlorine levels several times a day to keep guests safe. Unsafe levels of chlorine can combine with contaminants in a pool and cause skin, eye or respiratory irritation. 
9. Monitor all signage related to guest and staff safety to make sure it has not been moved.
10. Create and actively support a safety committee that includes management and staff participation. Meet at least monthly. Teach all employees safety procedures, ask for their input, and reward them for stellar safety performance.

Since 1999, Dunedin, Fla.-based Mintek Mobile Data Solutions has helped hundreds of hotels throughout the United States and Canada automate their PM processes. Mintek�s WinTrack PM software, which incorporates handheld devices and bar coding, ensures that PMs, rounds, inspections and work orders are accomplished on time. The result: a safer hotel operation.

WinTrack PM replaces inefficient paper-based processes still found in many hotels. Bar codes are discreetly placed on every item needing a PM. When an engineer scans a bar code on a piece of equipment, it prompts him to answer previously determined questions. After the PM has been completed, the bar code is scanned again. Each step is recorded within WinTrack PM.

Mintek�s system adds accountability to the PM process because managers know exactly when an engineer was at a piece of equipment, what was recorded, and how long the engineer was there. WinTrack PM automates PM scheduling and streamlines the work order process. Work orders can be generated automatically through the handheld based on answers provided by engineers. WinTrack PM also tracks parts information for each item needing checked, as well as the costs associated with parts and equipment replacement. 

WinTrack PM can be used throughout a hotel�not only for expensive equipment but also for guestroom inspections. Meter readings also can be captured with Mintek�s PM system. If a meter reading is out of range, WinTrack PM can generate a warning message. If a PM becomes overdue, it is flagged within WinTrack PM. Mintek�s Maintenance Portal centralizes reporting so that work can be monitored from anywhere there is Internet access. 

WinTrack PM Results 

�WinTrack PM most definitely has helped prevent breakdowns,� says the director of facilities at a 438-room hotel in North Carolina. �It gives me assurance going into an owner�s meeting to know that every piece of equipment has been properly maintained. It most definitely improves the guest experience.�

�Each part of WinTrack PM ensures that a hotel operates as safely as possible,� says Lind Hutton, Executive V.P. and COO of Mintek Mobile Data Solutions. �Without a doubt, a well designed PM program can reduce the potential for accidents, extend the life of valuable equipment, minimize labor and repair costs, increase energy efficiency, and keep guests and staff comfortable and content.�

About Mintek Mobile Data Solutions:

Mintek Mobile Data Solutions is the developer of turn-key solutions for city utilities, lodging and cable companies that provide access to customer, employee and asset information beyond the �traditional office.� Mintek�s solutions have been implemented in more than 1,500 individual locations with more than 5,000 mobile field users. Among Mintek�s clients are Plant City, Fla., Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Bright House Communications, Marriott International and Loews Hotels. For more information, call Ty Abrahams, director of marketing, at (727) 734-9175, or go to: www.mintek.com.