How does an industry that is required to offer a relaxed, discreet, unobtrusive, and unencumbered experience for guests and members, reconcile those goals with offering guests and members a secure environment? Every company is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe environment for its employees.
Understanding that there is potential for danger, hospitality properties need to counter it with preemptive response planning. It is imperative for organizations to implement appropriate security measures, collaborate with local authorities and train staff in proper prevention and reaction methods.
Employers can provide a safe and secure working environment by using a thorough security system including access control systems, CCTVs, keycards, and emergency notification devices, along with training the employees about security procedures, and constant improvement of a safety management system program.
HFTP recently hosted a webinar entitled “Safety Systems and Devices” that focused on some of these security measures and devices designed for the hospitality industry to keep people safe and properly protected. The panel for the webinar included representatives from companies who will be exhibiting their safety solutions in the exhibit hall at HITEC® Toronto 2023. Keep reading for advice from the solution providers who participated in the webinar.
HITEC Toronto will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, June 26-29. (Visit the HITEC website for a complete list of the 300+ hospitality technology companies that will be exhibiting at HITEC this year. Register to attend today.)
Did you miss the live “Safety Systems and Devices” webinar? Visit the HFTP 2023 Virtual Education Archive Library to watch the recorded session.
Exploring Smart Safety Solutions with:
- Fiona Moloney, CEO at HaloSOS (Visit HITEC Booth #2533)
- Lucie Deuel, CEO at SIGFLOW
- Sandy Murray Hanson, VP of Sales, Hospitality at ROAR (Visit HITEC Booth #1905a)
- David Branca, NE Regional Sales Manager at PinPoint (Visit HITEC Booth #1150a)
Statistics show that by the year 2025, it is estimated that there will be more than 75 billion IoT connected devices in use. We are in the midst of a digital transformation right now, and IoT is leading the way with solutions such as panic buttons, asset tracking, energy usage monitoring, and more. IoT sensors are solving unique and complex monitoring challenges by combining an intelligent network of sensors and gateways with industry-leading monitoring applications, real-time reporting, and instant SMS text message alerts. It is now possible to connect your sensor data to any platform, deploy plug and play solutions, and manage all sensor activity through a single pane of glass.
These IoT devices include wearable panic buttons that are designed to protect hotel workers who may find themselves alone in vulnerable or dangerous situations and can send emergent, location-tracking alerts with the push of a button. According to PinPoint, “hospitality is in the top five most dangerous industries to work in,” with significant percentages of hotel workers indicating: sexual harrassment (58 percent), indecent exposure (49 percent), and verbal abuse or violence (10 percent) from guests or customers.
Smart wearables like panic button devices should allow communication between teams, emergency alerts, crisis communication, smart messaging and scalability. When considering this technology, look for a solution that is:
- Developed for the people who are using it.
- Designed with integrity by people who care and is simple to use, private and secure.
- A truly mobile and smart safety solution that cannot be knocked off or removed easily, is discreet to guests, and easy and comfortable to use.
- Multifunctional (able to do more than one thing).
Other important considerations should be made, as well:
- The product should work within the confines of your current business operations.
- Consider the power source. Can it be unplugged, what is the battery life, and is the hardware discrete to guests?
- Confirm the solution’s accuracy and speed, both indoors and outdoors, during active threats (this is paramount!).
- Determine the level of redundancy provided.
- Does it offer teamwide communication, room messaging, improving operations and scalability?
- Is it Union-tested, does it pass these tests, and does it comply with brand standards?
- Are references provided?
Finally, there are a few things you can do on your end throughout the selection and implementation of a new solution:
- Have your priorities and a plan in place, rather than expecting a solution provider to come up with these for you.
- Perform regular updates and equipment checks, much like changing the oil in your car.
- Make sure your staff understands the system, how and when to use it – as well as the culture behind your protocols. Your staff should have confidence in the system. It will only work as well as your staff understands the protocols and procedures behind it.
For more valuable information, watch the webinar recording or feel free to reach out to any of the companies who contributed their knowledge of these security technologies.