Suppliers are fond of claiming that their shiny new widgets are the answer to every problem, but new isn’t necessarily always best. One mature and well-proven product that has undergone radical improvements over the past few years and can genuinely claim to benefit the customer experience through operational efficiency and enhancement of workforce and client safety is the two-way radio.
Radio reimagined
Most of us are familiar with the large, black units carried by police and security officers, but increasingly two-way radios are being adopted by hotels, resorts and restaurants to give them a competitive edge.
The basic technology has been around for decades, but Motorola Solutions’ digital MOTOTRBO system expands its capabilities considerably.
As you’d expect, it provides clear voice calling, so workers can talk to each other quickly and easily to improve collaboration and customer experience.
The radios allow individual private calls, group calls to talk to a whole team and even all-call, which enables you to talk to every radio in your fleet at once – for example during a fire drill – at the push of a button. Since there are no charges, costs are manageable, no matter how large your workforce.
MOTOTRBO radios can also be connected to sensors and machinery to provide remote monitoring and control. For example, you can improve site security by using the radios as a remote intercom for vehicles arriving at the car park entrance, with remote control allowing reception to open and close the car park barrier.
Voice and beyond
MOTOTRBO can do much more than basic voice calling: users can send text messages to each other when calls would interrupt guests, or when detailed instructions are needed. Adding a job ticketing app enables supervisors to allocate and track workflows to ensure customer needs are meet as efficiently as possible. Built-in Bluetooth and GPS, meanwhile, means you can even monitor the location of teams so you can send the closest staff member to resolve an issue quickly.
Location tracking is also useful to help protect staff operating on their own, or in remote locations. ‘Lone worker’ and ‘man-down’ functions monitor those employees and, if they become inactive or fail to respond, the radios can automatically send a message that help is needed and tell you where they are.
Something for everyone
Although they are packed with useful functions, MOTOTRBO radios are designed to be extremely easy to use, so hotel workers can focus on their customers, not on getting the technology to work.
There are a range of different models available including the thin, light SL4000e that is ideal for smartly dressed receptionists; the tough DP4000e that can withstand the knocks from your maintenance team; and the compact, waterproof DP3000e is perfect for pool-side or groundskeepers. All can talk to each other, so each worker can be given the best device for their role.
Appy talking
Some people don’t, or won’t, carry radios, but they may still need to talk to workers. For example, managers who are offsite but want to stay in touch, or temporary contractors brought in for specific events, would benefit from being able to communicate with their teams but it may not be practical to provide everyone with radios.
Motorola Solutions’ WAVE Workgroup Communications, which allows push-to-talk calling on any iOS or Android broadband device, provides the answer. Workers simply install an app on their smartphone that enables them to talk to MOTOTRBO radios. Access can also be rescinded to maintain security after they leave.
Best for guests
From simple on-site voice-only radios to sophisticated wide-area workforce management systems, Motorola Solutions has a long and proven history of providing the technology that helps hotels protect their staff and operate efficiently to provide the best possible guest experience.