5 Things to Consider When Changing Your Hotel Door Locks
Changing your hotel door locks and access system is a big deal.
First, it’s a significant investment, both in terms of time and money. It’s also a long-term commitment since switching out all your locks is not something you do often.
But like all big decisions, it can also create many new opportunities. In this case, you have the chance to drastically improve your guest experience, streamline your operations and future-proof your property.
However, many hoteliers may not think of this right off the bat when they look into new access systems.
Have you ever seen new hotel door locks as a chance to revamp your entire guest journey and hotel operations?
If not, then it’s time to change that.
A hotel lock upgrade – your chance to overhaul your guest journey
Today, locks are no longer just simple pieces of hardware that grant access to guest rooms. What’s changed? Modern technology has transformed locks from isolated entities into smart, connected devices. Now, they can become part of your hotel tech stack by integrating with solutions like your PMS and CRM system.
That’s why changing or upgrading your existing hotel door locks means having the chance to redesign your guest journey and provide new service options. For example, you could start offering a fully contactless check-in by using cloud-connected locks with mobile keys that don’t require guests to install an app.
"Today, locks are no longer just simple pieces of hardware that grant access to guest rooms. Modern technology has transformed them from isolated entities into smart, connected devices that can integrate with solutions like your PMS and CRM system."
On top of this, there are five other important aspects to consider when upgrading your hotel access system.
1. The chance to increase automation
Look at the stay experience you offer from a guest’s perspective. What do they really want? What’s most convenient for them?
Many travellers today are looking for extra convenience and contactless services today. A real online check-in that allows them to skip queues at the reception offers that. Linking your cloud-based access system to your PMS is the key to making that happen. That way, guests automatically get the link to the webapp with access buttons for their room as soon as they check in online.
This saves time for both your guests and your staff and allows your team to focus more on providing an amazing experience. It’s also a chance to save costs on work hours and move towards a staffless operation - if you want that for your hotel.
Boosting in-room automation through cloud-connected doors locks Intelligent cloud-connected locks with technology based on the Internet of Things (IoT) offer a wealth of automation options for the guest room. For example, you could set up your system to switch on the lights when a guest enters the room in the evening. The AC could immediately turn on the previous setting and the TV could display a personalised welcome (back) message.
Consequently, when guests leave their rooms, the lights, AC and TV can automatically turn off, and perhaps the blinds can close (to avoid rooms getting too hot). This saves energy and gives you a chance to make your guests part of your green initiatives.
Of course, there are many more options, so feel free to get creative with this.
2. Making your hardware future-proof
How often do you manually update a Tesla or a smartphone? Probably never. If your settings allow automatic updates, they reach your device and get installed as soon as the tech provider pushes them out.
Cloud-connected locks like 4SUITES are just as easy to update. Since they’re constantly connected to the internet, system updates are sent to all locks automatically as soon as they go live. That saves you time and money. It also reduces the risk of having to hassle your guests with locks that are out of order due to maintenance.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case with NFC- or Bluetooth-powered locks, which must be manually connected and updated, one by one.
"Cloud-connected locks are just as easy to update as smartphones or a Tesla. As soon as new software features are live, they’re sent to all locks which completely eliminates the need for manual updates and the extra work related to them. Now your hardware is fully future-proof."
3. More opportunities for personalisation and streamlined operations
Cookie-cutter hotel stays are out of fashion. Instead, guests want a stay that exactly fits their needs and desires. Cloud-connected access systems make it easier for your hotel to provide that.
The most obvious place to get started with this is during arrival. Here, busy guests can save time with a real online check-in. Travellers who prefer personal contact can still check in at reception and use the mobile key to unlock doors throughout their stay.
But there are many more ways modern access systems allow you to offer personalisation options, especially via integrations with tools like Code2Order. This allows your cloud-connected door lock to gather and share guest access data with other systems in real time. For example, when a guest unlocks the door to the gym, your upselling app is notified and can offer a relaxing massage after a tough workout. Or when someone returns to their room late after a night out, your messaging app can propose in-room breakfast or late check-out.
Data collection reveals other interesting details, too, like how much time or which parts of the day guests spend in the room. This makes it easier to plan housekeeping and maintenance tasks. It also reduces the chance of troubling guests with the bothersome knock and the accompanying announcement of “Housekeeping!”
"There are many ways modern access systems allow you to offer personalisation options, especially via integrations with tools like Code2Order. On top of this, the data from connected door locks reveals details about guest behaviour that help you streamline your housekeeping and maintenance tasks."
4. Increased on-site security
Knowing exactly who is coming and going at your property is key to ensuring your guests’ security. Unfortunately, if you’re offering self-check-in paired with Bluetooth or NFC locks, you have no way of knowing if or when guests arrive. That’s because they can check in remotely anytime and these non-connected locks don’t share real-time data about when the door was unlocked.
Connected door locks on the other hand have live access logs that show when guests arrive and first open the door to their room. If you see that a traveller has checked in but hasn’t accessed their room even though it’s well past their specified arrival time, you could reach out and offer assistance.
5. Shift from a time-driven to an action-driven approach
In the past, time-driven offers were by far the easiest to scale. An example of this is messaging guests with a happy hour offer early in the afternoon, in the hopes that they’ll come for a drink. All in-house guests receive it, even those who are out for the day and have no chance of taking advantage of the deal.
Today, many hotels are shifting away from this generic, time-driven approach to more action-driven service. This means guests get specific offers, messages or services upon taking a certain action. For example, if they unlock their room in the early evening, the access management system notifies the guest messaging platform that the guest is in the hotel. Only then do they receive a message about the happy hour at the hotel bar. This approach leverages live data to avoid unneeded communication and to ensure that travellers only get relevant messages and offers.
As you can see, it’s time to think differently about locks. They’re no longer just a piece of hardware. Today, they’re intelligent devices that can reshape your operation and improve your guest journey.
They give you the chance to offer the streamlined and personalised experiences travellers expect all while helping you become more efficient.
What do you think: is it time to future-proof your property and create the customizable guest journey people crave today?
4SUITES is a leading tech company in the hospitality industry, specializing in cloud-based, IoT-driven smart access solutions. Their keyless access solution, which is 100% cloud-based, leverages cutting-edge technology to provide seamless and secure access experiences for guests, staff, and property owners. As a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company, 4SUITES combines the power of the cloud and IoT to deliver innovative access management solutions. After experiencing tremendous growth in Europe, 4SUITES is now focused on expanding its presence in North America, with a fully operational office in Atlanta, GA.
To learn more about 4SUITES and its ground-breaking IoT access solution for hotels, please visit www.4SUITES.io.
