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Interview:
StayNTouch CEO on how our digital life has
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profoundly
impacted our expectations of everything
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Jos Schaap
shares his insights about what today’s tech-savvy guests
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want and
the importance of innovation in hotel technology
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Bethesda,
MD – October 2017 / Newsmaker Alert /
With over two decades of success
as a hotel software executive, visionary, and entrepreneur, Jos Schaap
brings a unique perspective on how hotels can evolve to meet the emerging
needs of guests and succeed in today’s competitive environment. In an interview,
Jos explains how technology has changed almost every aspect of our lives,
and, as a result, it has transformed what guests expect from hotels.
What
was the impetus for starting StayNTouch?
JS:
I was on a bike ride with my dad (who went cross country), and we stopped
at a coffee shop in Lander, Wyoming (mid-2012). When we ordered our coffee,
the Barista took the order on an iPad and then turned it around towards
me for me to swipe my card and sign on the tablet. This was the first time
I experienced this type of transaction done on an iPad. I was intrigued
by the interaction between the barista and myself - the fulfilling part
of the transaction. I asked the manager a few questions about the technology
and application they were using. That night my son downloaded the app,
set up the POS on his iPad, and walked me through how to order a burger
- only at that point, the app asked us to subscribe and pay a monthly fee
in order to use it.
I was
really impressed that in addition to the great customer/staff experience,
the technology was also straightforward to use and setup. Even my 12-year-old
son could set up a full restaurant POS on his iPad without any training.
I thought this was amazing. Over the next ten days, while on the bike ride,
I had a lot of time to think. The key to great hotel service is all about
people, but often people are separated by a Front Desk. This barrier was
making most requests, including check-in, and check out more of a transaction
than a really personalized guest service experience. It is then that it
occurred to me - if hotel staff could access the entire PMS on a tablet,
they could better assist and engage with guests, as well as become much
more efficient. Add to that, the ease of use associated with an iPad or
tablet app, especially in hotels with high staff turnover, and it was something
that was badly needed. That is what initially sparked the idea of developing
the first cloud-based mobile
hotel property management system with integrated guest self-service
solutions.
What
market segments need to step up their game when it comes to implementing
new and innovative hotel technologies?
JS:
I think in general all market segments can work towards upping their game
as it relates to implementing new technologies|-|primarily
if they are existing hotels. To me, there should be an increased focus
for hotels to provide more self-service options. We can see from our database
that over 66% of the guests in hotels who use all our self-service modules
(mobile check-in, and self-service lobby check-in), opt to check in through
a self-service solution.
Where
do you see AI being used within the hotel industry?
JS:
This is an interesting question. I am not sure how to answer that at this
point. Can we use Artificial Intelligence to find guests in our system?
Can we use it to have guests use Siri or Alexa to check themselves in?
Maybe, but I think we first need to do a better job of collecting data
on the guest, so we can optimize the latest technology to provide a better
experience. Using this data to be more targeted, offer the early check-in,
late checkout, or package extras at the right time for the right guest,
these are things we can do a lot with, and they are things guests will
appreciate even if they might need to pay more. Working towards putting
the guest in control of their stay is as important if not more important
than AI.
How
do you think hotels can truly give the guest what they want?
JS:
The digital transformation of our culture has changed our expectations
about everything we encounter. Look at the way you interact with people,
consume information, purchase goods and services, and so on. Everything
is immediate and personalized. Entire industries such as retail, telecommunications,
and media, have completely transformed in response. Unfortunately, the
typical hotel experience looks very much like it did 20 years ago. That
is why we have a vision for helping hotels to align their service model
with our new, digital lives. To be competitive in today’s marketplace,
we believe you need to free yourself from traditional assumptions about
hotel operations. Our vision is to bring mobility to hotel staff and guests
to create a genuinely guest-centric experience that parallels with your
guests’ lives and makes your hotel business more successful.
Guests
want their own way of entering and leaving the hotel; they want to choose
how they interact, and they want to be in control.
What’s
next for StayNTouch?
JS:
We are in the middle of piloting our Rover Connect APIs, together with
our largest customers. One customer is building a new mobile app for their
hotels and wants to deliver fully integrated check-in and out experiences.
Our APIs provide just that. Be on the lookout for our general release of
Rover Connect in early 2018. We also have, on the way, our multi-property
features. In short, we continue to work on being the right technology for
today’s hotels and their guests!
About
Jos Schaap, CEO – Founder of StayNTouch
Jos
has a 20+ year track record in hotel software technology. He began StayNTouch
with the vision of re-inventing the hotel PMS technology; making it simple,
mobile and transitioning the software to the cloud. Prior to StayNTouch,
Jos spent 17 years at MICROS Systems Inc. (Now Oracle Hospitality), as
a Senior Vice President in charge of global product development and strategy
for the Lodging and eCommerce divisions. During his tenure, MICROS’ hospitality
products became the global market leader growing the company’s revenues
from less than $300 million to $1.1 billion. Jos was responsible for introducing
a number of new products enabling MICROS to enter all hospitality segments
from limited to full-service hotels. Connect with Jos on LinkedIn.com/in/JosSchaap.
About
StayNTouch®
StayNTouch
is a “Software as a Service” hotel property management systems (PMS) company
focused on developing solutions that help hotels raise service levels,
drive revenues, reduce costs, and ultimately change the way hotels can
captivate their guests. Developed with mobility in mind, the pioneering
platform enables hotels to create long-lasting relationships with their
guests by delivering personalized service levels that today’s guests require.
StayNTouch
operates on tablets and smartphones, empowering hotel employees to go above
and beyond in exceeding guest expectations at every touch point.
Powering
over 75,000 rooms globally, our game-changing solution frees hotels from
the constraints of legacy or premise systems, dramatically streamlines
operations, increases margins, and revolutionizes how front-line staff
connect with guests.
StayNTouch
is a trusted partner to many of the most forward-thinking hotels, resorts,
casinos and chains in the industry, including Yotel, Zoku Amsterdam, Valencia
Hotels, The Freehand Hotels, Modus hotels and the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
For
more information, visit www.StayNTouch.com.
Twitter:
@StayNTouchInc
Facebook:
Facebook.com/StayNTouch
LinkedIn:
LinkedIn/StayNTouch
Contact:
Frewoini
Golla
StayNTouch
301-799-3280 |