Skip to main content

iPad Tablet in Hotels? Are We Ready?

Several days ago, we discussed the impacts of iPhone Apps to hotel operations (http://linchikwok.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-will-iphone-travel-apps-change-our.html). On January 28, Apple introduced its newest innovation --- iPad Tablet. What does Tablet means to our business?

According to the suggestions of Terence Ronson at Hotel-Online.com, Tablet will be used to enhance hotel operations, such as the following:

1. “E-Reg” cards with signature capture will replace traditional registration cards;
2. E-menu with pictures will be used, and guests can read wine reviews with external links;
3. Housekeeper can capture maintenance issues and submit the maintenance request via Tablet;
4. Sales and Marketing staff can travel with Tablet for presentations and make reservations directly with Tablet.

These functions all sound great, but my question is how will Tablet really make a difference in operations? In fact, existing technology already allows us to capture guest e-signatures (e.g. when we sign our credit cards) or order foods on e-menus (you may watch the attached video for e-menus; I watched it more than one year ago). Of course, iPad looks very trendy and modern, but it is not cheap. Considering the benefits associated with the operation costs, I am not very optimistic of iPad’s future in hotel operations. The bottom line is why would a hotel use Tablet if it can be replaced by something else that is a lot cheaper?

Renee Oricchio expressed her concerns about Tablet at Inc.com. She questions whether the Tablet may become real popular among consumers. Why? The price could be a boundary. On top of that, users need to sign a two year contract with 3G service providers, and this two year commitment is not cheap either. I personally don’t expect any immediate effect from Tablet in the next couple years. Let’s wait and watch how Tablet may influence hoteliers and/or customers.

References:
Hotel-Online: http://hotel-online.com/News/PR2010_1st/Jan10_IPad.html
Inc.com: http://technology.inc.com/blog/2010/01/why_apple_tablet_may_bomb.html
Photo was copied from http://www.apple.com/
Video was downloaded from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp-D7aHzr6Q

Comments

  1. I was very interested in this new fad of iPads as well so this article definitely grabbed my attention! I agree with you in many parts since there are already so much high-tech electronics out in the industry anyways, why spend millions of dollars to replace? Perhaps in a couple of years, the price of this gadgets will go down, and be affordable to many businesses to use. Then again, I'm sure another crazy electronic will come into place as well!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you, Jessica. I agree. Even as a consumer, I will not replace my laptop with a Tablet yet.

    I checked the price at Apple.com a minute ago. The price seems reasonable:
    WiFi Access: $499 (16G), $599 (32G), & $699 (64G).
    WiFi & 3G: $629 (16G), $729 (32G), & $829 (64G).

    The listed price seems competable with laptops. We need to wait and see Tablet's performance. For example, battery life is important for laptops, but Apple had battery issues in some of their products before.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kids would love it. And i like the idea of seeing the food. So much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Review posted at NYTimes.com (April 25, 2010): Testing the iPad’s Trip-Worthiness - http://nyti.ms/ar2Fe0

    ReplyDelete
  5. Even cheap hotels will often increase their rates as they begin to book up.

    Rio Pousadas

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Luxury vs. Millennials and Their Technology: The Ritz-Carlton (By Julia Shorr)

Embodying the finest luxury experience, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC has been established since 1983. In 1998, Marriott International purchased the brand offering it more opportunity for growth while being independently owned and operated. They are known for their enhanced service level as the motto states, “Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen”. The luxury brand now carries 97 hotels and resorts internationally and is attempting to keep the aspects of luxury while keeping up with the trends of the technologically improving generations. The Varying Demographics of the Target Market The Ritz-Carlton’s typical target market includes: business executives, corporate, leisure travelers, typically middle-aged persons and elders, and families from the upper and upper-middle class section of society .   This infers a large range of types of travelers in which all are similar in that they are not opposed to spending extra for the luxurious ambiance. However, with

The challenges of SB 93 (California Senate Bill No. 93) will impose on the employers and their human resource management team (by Brittany Schaffer)

The COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020, and it has caused massive changes within a short period of time. One of the most rememberable effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was that businesses had to come to a complete halt, forcing them to lay off employees. California's unemployment rates went up.  Now that the stay-at-home orders have lifted, people start to come out. Businesses are now reopening, looking to rehire their laid-off employees. Before the pandemic, employers had the option of recalling only a certain number of laid-off employees they would want to rehire based on employees' job performance. That option had been changed after Governor Gavin Newsome signed into law - Senate Bill 93, which went into effect on April 16th, 2021. The California Senate Bill No. 93 (SB 93) According to SB 93, companies in specific industries, mainly the hospitality industry, have the obligation to provide job opportunities in written form to qualified employees being laid off due to COVI

Is It OK for Hotel Staff to Wear Piercings and Tattoos?

Time has changed. I see more and more college students wearing piercings and tattoos nowadays, but is it OK for hotel staff to wear piercings and tattoos? The answer is “no, no, no.” According a report at USAToday.com, customers across the board do not want to see any hotel workers with pierced eyebrow, pierced tongue, tattooed arm, or nose ring. Some may argue that tattooed and pierced workers may seem more acceptable in edgy boutique hotels as compared to the big franchised hotels, but the survey results did not find any differences among a variety of lodging products. Many respondents believe people who wear visible tattoos and piercings are taking a high risk of their professional lives. If you stay in a hotel, do you mind being served by tattooed and/or pierced staff? What if you are the one who makes the hiring decision? References: USAToday.com: http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010 Picture was downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010P