Streamlining Operations in the Hospitality Industry Through Automation

Automating repetitive and critical operations in today's fast-paced hospitality environment can significantly enhance efficiency and service delivery. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started with automation in your hotel, based on successful practices from industry leader Rising.

‍

Identifying Automation Opportunities

The first and crucial step is identifying which hotel processes could benefit from automation. Ideal candidates for automation are tasks that are repetitive, time-consuming, and stable—meaning they do not change frequently and have consistent data input requirements. An excellent example is the daily task of running reports on reservations made the previous day. This process is typically unchanging and predictable, making it perfect for automation.

‍

Brainstorming and Initial Contact

Once potential automation processes are identified, the next step involves internal brainstorming. This could be through sessions with department heads or by utilising inspiration lists to pinpoint further use cases. The goal is to clearly outline the processes that will yield significant benefits through automation.

Following this, reaching out to an automation partner is essential. Contacting a company like Rising can be done via email, their website, or through platforms like LinkedIn. The purpose is to set up a preliminary workshop to discuss your needs in detail.

‍

Workshop and Process Analysis

Workshops are concise, usually lasting between 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the automated process's complexity. During these sessions, it's crucial for the subject matter expert—someone who performs the process daily—to demonstrate the procedure, ideally by sharing their screen. This demonstration allows for what is known as task mining, where each step of the process is analysed to explore "if scenarios." These scenarios help understand the workflow and prepare for any potential exceptions or issues that might arise, ensuring that the automation can handle them effectively.

‍

Proposal and ROI Calculation

Post-workshop, the automation partner will draft a proposal detailing the business needs, cost breakdown, and, most importantly, the potential return on investment (ROI). This ROI is calculated based on how much manual effort, time, and revenue automation could save. This stage is critical as it justifies the initial investment by projecting the savings and efficiency gains.

‍

Implementation and Beyond

Once the proposal is accepted, the implementation phase begins with the help of the delivery team. Experience shows that once a hotel successfully automates one process, there is often a desire to automate more. This cycle of identifying, automating, and reviewing processes becomes a continual improvement loop that enhances overall operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.

‍

Conclusion

Automation in the hospitality industry is not just about technology; it's about strategically enhancing operations to improve service delivery and efficiency. By identifying the right processes, working with the right partners, and carefully planning the implementation, hotels can achieve significant benefits. The initial effort in automating mundane tasks pays off by freeing up staff to focus on providing exceptional guest experiences, ultimately leading to increased profitability and customer satisfaction.

‍