Why Hospitality Should Consider Disinfecting Kiosks, POS and More with UV-C Energy Technology
Proximity Systems, Inc., a provider of UV-C disinfection technology and products, said it supports the recently released International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) statement and fact sheet regarding the role of UV disinfection in the reduction of COVID-19 transmission.
Using UV-C energy to inactivate microorganisms at the genetic level by scrambling their cellular DNA, UV-CLEAN has been proven by independent testing to eliminate 99.9% of deadly pathogens on high touch surfaces. The no-touch, self-disinfecting device continually cleans surfaces, including IT equipment, workstations on wheels (WOWS), portable medical equipment (PME) and other high-touch surfaces, including those within the hotel and restaurant industry.
It goes without needing to be said that hotels and restaurants have a large number of points of interaction that are used by employees and guests. These touch points include check-in and informational kiosks, the point of sale, payment devices, order taking stands and on-table devices – all of these points of interaction can be a source of harmful viruses and bacteria.
Current cleaning standards are inconsistent, prone to error, are expensive due to labor costs, can cause increased failure rates (due to liquid damage), and can cause cosmetic damage to technology.
For this reason, Proximity Systems and ENS Group have developed self-disinfecting point of sale products that can adapt to work on all points of interaction. The solution leverages UV-CLEAN technology to automatically disinfect surfaces during pre-set cleaning cycles. The built-in motion sensor not only shuts off the device after motion is detected to protect users, it also registers motion to start an additional cleaning cycle once the detected use has stopped. This consistent cleaning guards against the spread of harmful pathogens common to high touch surfaces.
The following are examples of where these types of self-disinfecting technology can be used in the hospitality industry.
HOTELS
Disinfection in hotels needs to focus on both technology and consumer items. Use cases include check-in kiosks, informational kiosks, payment devices as well as computer keyboards and screens used by hotel staff. For full-service hotels with restaurants, there is also the need to disinfect the emerging trend of Pay At The Table (PATT) devices. Hotels also need to extend their focus to include equipment and devices that guests will be touching such as hotel room keys and TV remotes. Hotels could even enable guests to disinfect their personal technology, including mobile phones and tablet with this type of technology installed in each guestroom.
RESTAURANTS
Technology has exploded within all types of restaurants. This includes self-ordering kiosks, credit card acceptance and now line busting within the store or at the drive through. Within sit down restaurants, technology is expanding to include check-in kiosks, on table payment and entertainment devices and pay at the table devices. Viruses and bacteria can be spread through all of these touchpoints and only with an automated solution can brands be confident that their guests and employees are safe.
How Effective Is It?
“Many customers have asked if our UV-C disinfection products can provide safer high touch surfaces in the midst in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Proximity Systems Clinical Advisor and VP of International Sales Steve Reinecke. “As IUVA recognized, UV-C has been proven to inactivate coronavirus, SARS-CoV-1, which is 80% genetically related to COVID-19. There is every indication that similar results can be achieved by using UV-C to disinfect surfaces exposed to COVID-19’s virus, SARS-CoV-2.”