At HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto interviewed Niki Stone-Johnson, Chief Product Officer at Otelier. They discussed Otelier's innovative solutions in hospitality technology, focusing on business intelligence, budgeting, forecasting, and back-office automation. This conversation is part of our HITEC 2024 series, offering insights from industry leaders.

Introduction and Company Overview

Niki Stone-Johnson introduces herself as the Chief Product Officer at Otelier, a company providing business intelligence, budgeting and forecasting software, and back-office automation for the hospitality industry. She emphasizes the company's commitment to supporting hoteliers with tools to enhance efficiency and drive revenue.

Changes at HITEC and Industry Challenges

Niki notes the significant presence of AI at this year's HITEC, highlighting the shift from discussing AI's potential impact to showcasing actual implementations. She identifies two primary challenges in the industry: labor shortages and a shift in focus from top-line revenue to overall hotel performance, including other revenue sources and expenses.

Addressing Labor Shortages with Automation

Niki explains that Otelier aims to mitigate labor shortages by providing automation solutions that give time back to on-property employees. For instance, their back-office automation suite helps reduce the time spent on routine tasks. She mentions a recent product launch, DigiPay, an AP automation tool that significantly cuts down the time required for processing invoices and payments.

Leveraging Data for Business Intelligence

Otelier's business intelligence suite collects data from various sources, such as property management systems and accounting systems, to provide a comprehensive view of hotel performance. Niki stresses the importance of serving up insights quickly, enabling hoteliers to make informed decisions without spending hours mining data.

AI and Integration in Hospitality Tech

Niki discusses the growing role of AI in making sense of large data sets and providing actionable insights. She highlights the increased openness and integration among technology providers, accelerated by the changes brought about by Covid. This integration facilitates access to previously hard-to-reach data, helping companies like Otelier enhance their offerings.

The Future of Hospitality Technology

Niki envisions a future where the hospitality industry moves closer to becoming plug-and-play, with seamless integration of technologies. While acknowledging that this goal may be a decade away, she believes the industry is on the right path. The ultimate aim is to streamline operations to the point where opening a hotel becomes a swift and efficient process.

Conclusion

Niki Stone-Johnson's insights underscore Otelier's commitment to leveraging AI and automation to address industry challenges. By providing integrated solutions that enhance efficiency and drive revenue, Otelier aims to help hoteliers navigate the complexities of modern hospitality management. This interview is part of Hospitality Net's HITEC 2024 series, highlighting the latest trends and innovations in hospitality technology.

 

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