Technology trends: 2011 and beyond

Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts vice president technology Middle East and Asia Roger MacFarlaine forecasts which IT gadgets and gizmos will remain the most popular next year

In my line of work people have many opinions and ideas of what will evolve in the hospitality technology landscape. Whilst I respect the views of one and all, when push comes to shove I tend to follow my instincts and rely on my own thoughts and foresight on which technologies are going to be around and which are going to dissipate in the wash. So with this in mind, I am putting on my ‘gold turban’, and as 2010 draws to a close, I would like to briefly touch on some of my bold predictions regarding technology in the hospitality industry for 2011 and beyond.

Trend 1: more hotels to launch mobile apps

In today’s world it is rare not to find an individual with the ubiquitous smart phone, iPad or mobile device in their pocket or handbag. With the plethora of mobile applications available to any individual and the immediacy of the digital medium, it is little wonder that many hotel chains are developing and launching their own mobile applications to capture some of the digital market audience. Although late for the ball, many hotels are moving quite quickly to launch their service offerings. Since guests look for immediacy and efficiency in hotel services, the apps — apart from making hotel reservations and offering directions — are going to cater for a more personalised approach with choices of food and beverage and room amenities (i.e. soft pillow) upon arrival and during their stay.

Trend 2: Apple iPads to take over the world

With its big display, sexy look and feel good factor, and a world of applications and online services in tow, iPad sales are only going to grow. So it makes sense that our hotels compliment their existing service offerings with iPad options from rental, digital books and digital collateral in guest rooms. Hotels and resorts with small libraries and club lounges/floors would benefit from ‘digital books’ from novels, magazines and daily newspapers, as well as videos. Guest relations and concierge staff provide immediacy to guest requests and ‘what’s on’ by constantly being connected to sites like http://m.citymyway.com.

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A bold prediction from me is that in the very near future, PCs and desktop computers will morph themselves into devices like the iPad — but not for a little while yet. Yes, computers are shrinking and getting smaller and more powerful each day, but these smart phones and mobile devices that are internet centric and constantly and easily connected are fast becoming the flavour of the decade. With so many apps that are customisable and tuned to a user’s preferences and ways of work, no wonder these tablets of magic are, and will, take over the world. Wait and see!

Trend 3: IT and Software As A Service (SAAS)

With greater efficiencies in bandwidth and also bandwidth costs, many enterprises, in the very near future, will be contemplating software as a service (SAAS). SAAS means that an enterprise pays for software services in proportion to use. The concept of SAAS is quite different from the fixed-price perpetual licence of the traditional onsite technology. Service providers develop and create scalable IT services that facilitate ‘virtual IT’, where remote external and third party servers are extensions to a company’s local IT network.

The beauty is that these service providers install, manage and maintain all technologies within the cloud making it easier and relieving an organisation’s own IT manageability burden — in short, reducing IT costs across the board and at all levels. Software as a service is intensifying and growing as organisations look for savvy ways to streamline and tune their hardware and software applications. CIOs need to look and think more laterally to develop new criteria for evaluating new systems purchases and do away with the traditional and somewhat old fashioned way of systems assessments for enterprise computing — SAAS should now always be incorporated and reviewed as the new kid on the block.

As I reflect on 2010 and focus my sights on 2011, I can truly say that the technology landscape for hospitality looks brighter and brighter every year. The mobile apps development and its launch by many hotel groups is a great indicator that emphasis on the digital world is a must, with iPads and mobile devices the icing on the cake.