After a few first steps, the hotel industry is now putting mobile check-in to the test. Since the end of 2013, members of the Marriott Rewards programme have been able to check in using high-tech technology at nearly 300 hotels in North America and around twenty others worldwide - and soon more. Using the Marriott Mobile Check In application, loyal customers can notify their arrival from 4pm and receive confirmation of room availability before collecting the key from a dedicated counter. The integration of mobi- lity is even beginning to extend to the delivery of the key directly to the smartphone. Starwood Hotels, in association with a Swedish service provider, launched a pilot operation in Aloft hotels in New York Harlem and Cupertino at the end of January. Guests register via Starwood's mobile application, which generates a virtual key. A Bluetooth signal then controls the handle to open the door. So there's no need to go through reception before returning to your room. Nordic Choice, for its part, has chosen the solution provided by French company OpenWays. An SMS with a code is sent to the customer after booking, generating an encrypted sound that unlocks the door. The Bloc Hotel in Gatwick goes even further, since everything now goes through the smartphone and NFC: reservations, check-in, door opening, lighting settings and air conditioning in the room. Newly launched brands such as Okko and Radisson Red are building on the same ultra-technological foundations.
Google connected for videoconferencing
Google is getting into the virtual meeting business with Chromebox for Meetings. This videoconferencing service, which works on the basis of an annual subscription, has been available since February in the United States and is expected to be available soon in France. The Chromebox for Meetings package (999 $), which integrates the solution with Google Apps, simplifies invitations to meetings, which can also be accessed from smartphones and tablets.
You don't even need to have a Chromebox to take part: all you need is a Gmail account.
Hilton has its head in the cloud
Meetings in the cloud: that's how the Hilton Group sums up its new ambi- tion, with the launch of its Getplanning tool, based on cloud technology. "When planning large-scale events and meetings, circumstances can change and spontaneous decisions may need to be made.Getplanning is the perfect tool for this," explains Joyce Inderbitzin, Vice President Events Americas for Hilton Worldwide. Getplanning, which is available in hotels participating in the Connect+ programme, provides centralised access to all documents relating to the event, wherever you are. The tool encourages the exchange of information in real time between all the parties involved - hotels, organisers and suppliers. Not least thanks to the use of mobile tools on site.
Concierge with a view
In Chicago, the brand new, high-tech ACME Hotel has gone online with connected objects. On request, guests can borrow Google Glass. For a period of three hours, they can visit the city, with these glasses acting as concierges, pointing them in the right direction or giving them information about a listed building.
Robotic hotel
Opened in summer 2013 in Shenzhen, China, the Pengcheng Space Capsules Hotel boasts a futuristic design. The rooms are designed like space shuttle compartments, packed with technology. Above all, the service is provided by a staff of... small robots running on rails.
Meetings full of inspiration
With Meetings Imagined, Marriott is rethinking its approach to meetings, shifting the focus from logistics such as capacity to objectives such as motivation, decision making and product launches. A website supports the concept and presents typical settings to facilitate exchanges with organisers.
Ultra-connected meetings
Bordeaux-based Immersion has launched Meetiiim, a high-tech collaborative meeting table. With a simple gesture, the document slides from a tablet to the interactive, WiFi-connected table. Gone are the days of passive meetings, when work is approached from a dynamic and fun angle.
