Your hotel is reliant on technology. IT support for hotels needs to be dependable, running 24/7 and secure. It must perform seamlessly in the background so you can provide the excellent service that your patrons expect.
You can no longer rely on make-shift solutions and support to handle all of your IT needs. For this reason, successful hotels in Utah are now using Outsourced IT Service from experts who understand the hotel industry.
You must know that your technology will be there for you and your staff, and that issues will be corrected without pulling you away from your guests. Most IT support companies offer fully managed services that provide around-the-clock service if your network shuts down.
From reliable Wi-Fi networks for your business and your guests, to security-based solutions for peace of mind, an Outsourced IT Services Company in Northern Utah that specializes in the hotel and hospitality industry is key to your success.
The right company will:
Managed Services is an umbrella term for information technology services provided by a third-party contractor (a Managed Service Provider – MSP). An MSP is responsible for the reliable and secure operation of your IT systems.
Remote monitoring and management of servers, workstations and mobile devices is a basic premise of Managed Services. This provides the foundation to ensure reliability and security.
Managed IT Services can include a variety of IT services:
Your outsourced IT provider will consult with you to determine what your hotel needs are based on your operations and goals. They will tailor your managed services to meet your unique requirements.
Data breaches of confidential information plague the hospitality industry. To stay clear of IT security failures requires education for your employees and cybersecurity solutions that keep up with evolving threats.
Not even the biggest hotel chains are immune. This is evident in highly publicized breaches of corporations like Marriott, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Hilton, Hyatt, and even Trump Hotels.
When your patrons provide their personal data, you must ensure it remains private. Your IT service company can conduct a full audit of your IT systems and procedures, and implement the technology required to safeguard your business.
The right IT Support Company will:
Employees who use their own devices should be required to use security solutions that can encrypt the data contained in their devices. And, your IT support company should ensure they also use full-disk encryption, so even if a device containing your business data is lost or stolen, it’s unreadable to everyone except those who have access to the decryption tools.
Your IT provider can also implement a Mobile Device Management solution for the mobile devices used for business purposes. If a device falls into the wrong hands, your business data can be wiped from it.
The major benefit typically associated with cloud computing in the hotel and hospitality industry is cost. Studies show that cloud computing can offer large cost benefits when compared to using on-premise IT solutions. In fact, IT costs can be cut in half when cloud computing is used.
Barry L Shuler, CIO and IT Consulting Principal, Design Management Associates, and former Marriott CTO, said:
“All major hotel chains will be moving to an infrastructure environment that is as “centralized” as possible, in terms of application software. Things like reservation systems and loyalty programs have long been centralized. In the future, PMS, Revenue Management, Accounting, HR, and other systems will be centralized, or at the very least, probably three or fewer instances.”
With cloud computing, you’ll benefit from increased accessibility to data. Your staff can access the information they need from tablets and smartphones when in various locations around your facility to provide expedient services for your guests.
Cloud computing also promotes scalability. You can add services in the busy travel seasons, and cut back when times are slow. No need to waste money on services you don’t currently need. Because you pay for cloud solutions on a per-user basis, you can readily adjust them.
Additionally, using cloud services promotes business continuity. Something else your IT service company should provide.
You often hear about business continuity and disaster recovery services (BDRs). This is where your IT provider ensures that no matter the disaster (natural or manmade, likes storms, accidental data deletion, ransomware attacks, even power outages) that you can keep on working.
The right Business Continuity Solution ensures that no matter the issue, you can work from wherever you are. And when a severe winter storm snows your administrative staff in at home, they can still access critical IT resources to keep your hotel services running. This is what business continuity is all about.
Other options to ensure business continuity include:
Network design is a critical element to ensure all of this works as it should. A properly designed and implemented network ensures indoor mobile phone coverage, Wi-Fi connectivity, IP television service, and, for your establishment’s effective communications, VoIP Business Phone Services.
Hotels, resorts and conference centers in Utah must accommodate more advanced technologies that best serve both consumers and businesses. This requires Outsourced IT Service from a company that can ensure your establishment is up-to-speed with today’s technology demands.
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