5 Ways to Improve Hospitality with Touchless Visitor Management
Hospitality is all about a custom experience; giving the guest, customer, client, etc. what they need in a way that is appealing to them. But the hospitality “end user” has different expectations in a COVID-19 environment. When hospitality establishments determine what those expectations are for their industry, moving forward becomes easier. Touchless visitor management systems are one key area hospitality operators should focus on. Here is why:
Traditional visitor management entails using pen and paper methods to collect visitor data. In addition to being tedious and time consuming, these methods are also unsafe and are not cost-efficient. Touchless visitor management systems streamline operations and increase efficiency. Admin users can easily use visitor management software to pre-schedule guests before they arrive. Those that utilize a cloud-based platform record and store visitor information automatically to generate insights and reports that can support decision making.
By nature, touchless visitor management systems prioritize physical health by eliminating the need to touch high-use surfaces. Further, they enable a secure, socially distant solution for identity verification. In terms of data security, host systems are susceptible to natural disasters (floods, fires), office break-ins and employee error, while cloud-hosted systems are not. The cloud also uses encryption methods with complex algorithms to protect data, as well as much more complex security methods. Finally, visitor management software maintains an access audit trail beneficial for compliance purposes.
First impressions are incredibly important in the hospitality industry. On average, it takes just 7 seconds for someone to make a solid impression. Modern solutions are making waves with their ability to expedite the flow of user experience. Touchless visitor management systems set users up for success by giving their guests the discretion to pre-register for a seamless check-in experience. Some solutions leverage video intercom with door release for frictionless access to secure hospitality access points. Cutting edge technology that is in line with current trends and supports modern technology goes a long way in hospitality. This is especially true for the solutions that initiate first impressions right at the front door.
A touchless visitor management system ensures a lean operation. It complements current operations so that excess overhead can be reduced. The quicker and swifter the process, the less waiting time there is. We are living in a culture that needs everything on our terms. This sets the standard for hospitality, and technology is working to lighten that operational burden.
COVID-19 has taught tough lessons on health safety, particularly in public buildings. Limiting the number of people in the building through social distancing can help prevent the spread of disease-causing germs. Some visitor management systems provide touchless check in to minimize common touch surfaces. Visitor management software can also be integrated with other tools to implement additional safety measures such as staggered schedules, capacity limits, and health monitoring for employees. All this contributes to a safer and healthier environment even after COVID-19 is long gone.
Features of a Touchless Visitor Management System
When choosing a touchless visitor management system, consider these points:
Modern visitor management solutions are often integrated with a two-way video intercom system with remote door release. This allows anyone to remotely verify and authorize visitors from anywhere. The best intercom system for businesses has a quick turnaround time, offers a better experience to guests and visitors, and helps reduce costs.
This is an important characteristic of any good visitor entry system. Hospitality businesses that are hosting large meetings can easily pre-register attendees to ensure a fluid experience during the conference. In addition to saving time, this helps capture important visitor data that can provide insights for decision making. The system can also be connected to health check features to ensure safety for everyone.
A tool is only as good as it is easy to use. The right visitor management solution should be highly usable for both visitors and end users. Admins should be able to pre-schedule visitors and perform tasks via an intuitive dashboard.
Touchless access control will become more popular in the post-COVID world. This technology ensures health safety and can arrest the spread of the flu, common cold, and other highly infectious diseases. Many touchless visitor management systems are based on the cloud - which allows for remote access from any device or location. Mobile compatibility is another option for a touchless system as users can simply tap a button on their phone to unlock the door (without having to touch a common button). Some systems use QR codes to enable a touchless sign-in process.
Capturing visitor data is important for insights and decision making. Systems that have a photo capture feature make it easier to identify regular visitors. Businesses can then use this information to market hospitality packages that are uniquely suited to visitors’ needs.
Depending on the purpose, some instances may prefer to use physical badges to keep track of visitors during large meetings and conferences, for example. In this case, a visitor entry system that has badge printing capability will be the right option.
About the Author
Bethwel Njore is a marketing and copywriting professional who has worked with startups across the board. As a Copywriter at Swiftlane, Bethwel works to provide credible information to users in the form of Case Studies, industry-specific Whitepapers, and Blog posts.