Hotels and motels have always had the standard landline available for customers — but that is changing. In fact, communication in hospitality businesses is taking on a whole new look — thanks to Voice-over-Internet-Protocol or VoIP technology.
Communication is critical in any hospitality-based business. Guests need to communicate their needs and desires with staff and the outside world, staff members must communicate with one another, and management must keep their fingers on the pulse of it all. Landlines used to suffice with in-room wake up calls and room service capabilities for guests as well as outward-bound calls. Now technology has advanced to the point where a VoIP phone system can turn voice into data, which is then transmitted through a wireless system within a split second. VoIP phones come with several advantages over their clunky landline counterparts including a virtual receptionist, ring groups where a call can move from one person to another until someone picks up, conference calling features, and more.
Key Ways a VoIP Phone System Can Improve Communication for Hospitality Businesses
The first touchpoint a customer has with your hospitality business is often a phone call. Will they reach a receptionist or simply get “hold” music? Even if you run a small inn or Airbnb establishment, you can get professional results using a VoIP phone system. Other advantages of VoIP for hospitality businesses include:
Reduced Costs
Landlines come with a number of expenses, from setup fees to per-line or per-feature costs, monthly fees, and support fees. VoIP systems are more cost-effective since they do not require new infrastructure — they work using your wireless network that is already established. Since there is no legacy equipment to purchase — or update — staying current with VoIP is simple and the owner is not responsible for maintenance of servers or telephone switches. If you go with a hosted VoIP option, you will not have any on-premises equipment and your VoIP provider will be responsible for all maintenance and soft- and hardware updates and security.
Updating and Expanding is Simple
Updated a VoIP phone system is simple — just download the update to the system and it’s done. And since VoIP is typically plug-and-play, adding — or subtracting — phones or devices is as simple as plugging one in. VoIP interfaces can be familiar, such as an actual phone in the room, or modern, such as a tablet or other device that guests can use to communicate with staff.
Enhanced Guest Experience
With a VoIP phone system in place, you can offer your guests a modern communication experience. Some hotels provide hotel guest tablets that serve as ways to communicate with hotel staff — and with one another. Advantages of this system include interactive digital menus on the tablet, a digital guest directory to communicate with other users in their party, and the ability to get in-room push notifications about hotel and restaurant reservations, openings for appointments for massages, and other spa services, and more.
Need VoIP? Blue Technologies Has You Covered
Hotels, motels, inns, and more are all competing for a place in the modern travelers’ heart — and on their list of best places to stay. Today’s travelers expect connectivity and communication to be effortless wherever they go, which is why a VoIP phone system is an excellent addition to any establishment.
At Blue Technologies, we have partnerships with several communication and videoconferencing companies that allow us to offer a full spectrum of services to augment and enhance your guests’ experience and your in-house offerings. Our experts can analyze your current needs and challenges and build a VoIP communication strategy that tackles every business goal. Need videoconferencing abilities to appeal to business travelers? Done. Need a system that can handle guest tablets for fast communication with staff? Done. Need a low-cost system that will expand — or contract — as the season and budget allow. Our VoIP can handle it!
Discover the difference a VoIP phone system can make for your hotel or motel today. Contact a Blue Technologies consultant and learn more about our VoIP and communications system offerings.