Most people underestimate a hotel’s reliance on technology and the complexity of their IT environments. There is a great deal of system interconnectivity necessary to operate a hotel and a multi-layered security approach is crucial because hotels collect and store a ton of highly sensitive information. Here’s just a few examples of the systems that need to be connected:
- Heating and cooling systems
- Door and access control systems
- Video and physical security and monitoring systems
- Information and people management software
- Payment processing and secure transactions
- Various communications systems, such as: room keys, TV, phone, movies, in-room air conditioning and heating, guest infotainment, Wi-Fi and screen casting.
Managing IT in the Hospitality Industry
Nucleus has been involved in all aspects of hotel technology. We have worked with large hotel chains and small 100-room properties. Here’s a list of the most common areas of hotel IT management that we’ve worked on:
- Building wiring plans from Fiber to Ethernet, termination work, testing and monitoring
- Wireless builds and planning
- Server room design and build
- Physical security and monitoring
- Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR)
- Compliance and auditing to adhere to PCI, GDPR, CCPA, PIPEDA standards
- ITGC controls and compliance implementations
- Employee IT systems, use and standard controls for day-to-day operations
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) implementation
- Employee time and attendance systems: ADP and Push Time Tracking
We have always tried to understand IT in hotels from both a guest and a hotel operations perspective. So, the ultimate goal is always twofold: provide the best solutions possible to support a hotelier, owner, or management team while offering the guest the best possible experience.
Technology Trends and Challenges in Hospitality
The health restrictions that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a shift in how businesses use technology. In the move to remote/hybrid work, businesses needed IT consulting. We’re doing a lot of advising under the umbrella of cloud consulting. Here’s some of the most common areas we are providing vCIO services on:
- Decentralization of Phone Systems
- Work from Anywhere (and remote access)
- Bring your Own Device (BYOD)
- Security
- BCDR
- Application Renewal: Shift from locally installed application to web accessible
When it comes to technology, every business is on a journey. A vCIO can help you plan for your future growth, map out requirements, align your business goals, and identify the right technology solutions for the right cost. If you are interested in learning more about our expertise in hospitality or tourism, please contact us.