It seems like just yesterday we were all using rotary phones that were either attached to the wall or sat on a desk like a cumbersome paperweight. For decades, phone technology didn’t progress beyond those analog systems.
When it comes to modern phone technology, whether it's the cell phone you carry in your pocket or the advanced VoIP system used by many businesses today, phone communications have certainly come a long way.
While they may no longer be using rotary phones, many hotels continue to live in the stone age of phone technology. If you find yourself in this group, here’s why it's time for your hotel to catch up.
VoIP Is Still the Most Cost-Effective
In the past few years, a big selling point of VoIP has been the lower cost, both in installation and operation. Since the widespread adoption of VoIP, less expensive options have arrived on the market to rival their price point.
But while VoIP might not be the absolute lowest-cost solution for your hotel, the benefits of a digital PBX system — efficiency, compliance, and additional features — far outweigh the cost. There’s also the long-term cost to consider. If you need significant upgrades in five or ten years, a VoIP system can be upgraded with a simple software update, while other systems require expensive infrastructure alterations.
Customers Demand New Technology
Many hoteliers think their current suite of phone features is sufficient for their needs, but it’s the guests’ expectations that should be the focus. Guests are living in an increasingly digital world — they expect to be able to do everything from their smartphones or online, rather than waiting in line or calling someone on the phone.
By adding the new features that VoIP offers, you’re keeping your hotel up to date with the expectations and requirements of your guests while offering them a more seamless, attractive experience.
Compliance is a Moving Target
Recently, Congress passed two laws regulating the way that hotels and other multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) handle 911 calls. Under the new laws, 911 calls must include specific location information like the floor and room number where the call originated, and emergency calls must access an outside line directly without needing to dial a prefix.
On an old analog system, implementing these changes would be nearly impossible. On a digital system like the ones offered by Phonesuite, changing our phone systems was a simple software upgrade in a browser window. Sooner or later, the laws surrounding phone behavior will change again, and your hotel needs to be ready.
Increased Staff Efficiency
Far too much of your hotel staff’s time is spent on mundane, repetitive tasks — telling people what time breakfast is served, scheduling wakeup calls, checking to see if housekeeping has finished with a room, check-in and check-out, and so on. You hired your staff for their people skills, so they’d be far better off spending their time with guests who will appreciate the face-to-face interactions.
A digital PBX on VoIP allows your staff the freedom to do just that. By automating many common processes, implementing phone trees that can answer frequent questions, and allowing guests to handle many simple tasks like check-in themselves, you’ll free up your staff’s time to provide better service to the guests right in front of them.
Talk to Phonesuite Today
If you’re ready to bring your hotel’s service into the 21st century, talk to Phonesuite. Our systems are intuitive, easy to install, and simple to upgrade. We’ll examine your hotel’s infrastructure and specific needs to build a plan that’s perfect for you. Get in touch today!
