Maybe the connection between fleet management solutions, GPS tracking and the hospitality industry isn't entirely obvious…nevertheless, the hotel industry is another sector that could actually benefit from this technology for a number of reasons.
Hotels have to provide excellent customer service, especially nowadays with the influence of web portals: travel packages and hotels are under constant scrutiny—the quality of the service provided is continuously evaluated on opinions websites. Just like any other company, the hospitality industry struggles to find a way to make savings on their global costs whilst guaranteeing customer satisfaction and providing a safe working environment.
Hotels might be big, small, located in different areas nationally, and even internationally (nonetheless, they are usually centrally controlled by management). If located in cities they are generally open during the whole year, but they are usually tied to a seasonal calendar if located in mountainous areas or on the coast where resources might be shared and scheduled according to the season. Many hotel businesses that are geared up for the summer season operate a different business in the winter (there are often cases of hotels on the seaside or in the mountains sharing the same team and vehicles, for example).
How exactly can hotel businesses take advantage of vehicle tracking?
#1 - Increasing the safety of employees
Hotel vehicles, depending on the location or the season, might have cause to be driven in challenging conditions by staff whose primary role within the company is not actually driving. With a system able to provide information on an operator’s driving style and location, hotels can increase overall safety for their employees.
#2 - Preventing vehicles misuse
Hotel vehicles are generally not as tightly controlled as other vehicles operating in other businesses where driving is the principle commercial activity. But with geofence alerts or fuel purchase control you can guarantee vehicles and fuel are for legitimate business use only, not private. Plus you can keep tabs on your employees’ timesheets, checking the accuracy of the data and that they are working in accordance with their instructions from management.
#3 - Optimising vehicle use
If you own more than one hotel in different locations, you might need the van which transports people in your ski resort in winter, for example, to be utilised in your lake hotel in summer. Or you might think it more prudent to leave that vehicle in the depot?
#4 - Providing excellent customer service
If your hotel provides a shuttle service, a receptionist may be frequently asked by guests as to when the vehicle is arriving for pick up; this might mean calling the driver several times a day just to let the guests know an estimated time of arrival (ETA). But all this is unnecessary with a system like SynX. Whether guests want to get to the airport, hop into the town/city centre, or hit the ski slopes… it is a simple task just to check the driver’s location and reassure your guests with accurate ETAs.
