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By Pascal Metivier
November 9, 2011
 The check-in counter is destined to become a thing of the
past for
most travelers, according to SITA
-
Specialists in Air Transport Communication. Findings
from the 2011
SITA - Air Transport World Passenger Self-Service Survey released
last month reveals that interest in new self-service
options is extremely high among all travelers. The survey, gathered
from a
representative sample of more than 280 million airline passengers and
based on
smartphone use at airports, observed a "relentless trend
towards self-service check-in" predicting that the check-in counter
will
eventually become "dedicated to non-standard check-in, staffed by
agents
trained to handle complexity."  Mobility is having the same impact on the hotel industry as
guests, many of whom are airline passengers, are expecting self-service
options
to get them to their destination -- namely the room. It is evident, by
the
widespread adoption of Mobile
Key by OpenWays in the U.S. and Europe, that hotel guests are as
eager to use a
mobile-based self-service option as hoteliers are to offer it. Mobile
Key is a
hotel front-desk bypass solution that lands guests in rooms quicker
through the
simple use of any cell phone. With Mobile Key, front desk lines dwindle
and
guest service elevates as any of the 5.8 million mobile devices in the
world
can be used as a room key to unlock the guest room door.SITA CEO Francesco Violante said the world is "entering the era of the mobile-centric passenger, who is not only able to manage his or her journey independently but also expects personal and timely communication from airlines, airports and other providers of travel-related services." I couldn't agree more. This trend is sweeping across all travel touch points -- especially hotels. Today we are entering the era of the mobile-centric traveler who prefers self-service, but wants attended service available as an option.  In recent years, the traditional front desk has undergone
extreme
transformations. Depending on the hotel segment, some check-in counters
have
been replaced by welcome pedestals that are manned only during select
hours,
while others have been removed altogether. This change is taking place
not to
offer less service to guests, but to offer more service by personalizing
the overall guest experience and removing any obstacles that can keep
them from
having a stress-free stay.Mobile Key by OpenWays provides mobile self-service when guests want it, and attended service when they need it. It removes any roadblocks that could potentially keep guests from arriving to the sanctuary of their room -- including having to stand in lines at kiosk stations to obtain a plastic room key that may or may not be programmed properly and could require the guest to make the dreaded trip back to the front desk. Mobile Key does not prevent guests from obtaining front-desk assistance during their stay, and plastic key cards can be used interchangeably with each lock. If a room change needs to be made or a mobile key needs to be reprogrammed, it can be done remotely online via the guests' cell phone without any further inconvenience. It's one of many ways that Mobile Key is delivering more service to guests.  Self-service technology is ideal in the hotel environment
because
it improves guest flow and alleviates areas of concern of staff and
guests.
Mobile Key enables guests
to receive an e-mail or SMS/text message containing their room number
upon
arrival. They don't have to make any un-necessary stops at check-in
just to
obtain a plastic keycard that also happens to be harmful to the
environment.
They can avoid any potential delays and proceed directly to their room
by using
their mobile phone as a room key. It's that simple -- and it's an
extremely
comfortable process for mobile-dependent travelers who already
navigate travel-related apps.According to the SITA study, more than 50 percent of first/business class travelers and frequent flyers who responded said they receive travel-related SMS notifications on their mobile device today, and that number is expected to rise to 76% in the very near future. Mobile Key Offers More Services to Operators While the benefits of offering a Mobile Key as a way of providing more service to guests seem evident, there are additional far-reaching benefits to hotel owners and operators when implementing an optional front-desk bypass solution. Mobile Key lowers operating costs, raises operational efficiencies and builds a strong competitive advantage. Here's how:
About Pascal Metivier and OpenWays  Pascal Metivier is Founder and CEO
of OpenWays.
Previously, he served as President of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality EMEA,
parent
company of VingCard, Elsafe, TimeLox, Uniquey and SafePlace companies.
He also
led a major ASSA ABLOY group NFC mobile phone initiative. Metivier
possesses 16
years of experience in access management and electronic lock/door
hardware
solutions. He also held leadership positions with Onity, Senercomm,
CISA
Security Products, CISATRON LTD, CISA Spa and SECURIDEV/FONTAINE. OpenWays is a global solution provider of mobile-based access-management and security solutions. With offices in Chicago, Las Vegas, Seoul and in Europe, OpenWays provides technology solutions allowing for the secure issuance and delivery of access rights and keys process via any cell phone operating on any network. The OpenWays solution is truly unique as it is built on the concept of credential dematerialization. The OpenWays mobile room key solution works on ALL the 5.8 billion cell phones in service in the world today. For more information, please contact Barb Worcester at +1 440 930-5770 or email barbw@prproconsulting.com. More information can be found by visiting www.OpenWays.com. |
