PoE Networks in Hospitality: Trends and Challenges

The hospitality industry has experienced unprecedented change in the last five years. Various comingling factors meant a decline in revenue and a shrinking workforce, challenging survival across the industry. Guest expectations have shifted considerably, requiring more investment in digital technologies. For many, digital transformation requires looking at the role played by PoE networks in hospitality.

While personal travel has rebounded to 2019 levels, group and business travel have responded more slowly, requiring well-crafted strategies for a rapidly changing landscape. Companies must balance technology investments to deliver superior guest experiences while navigating budget constraints in an uncertain economy. Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows businesses in the hospitality industry to balance all of these factors through cost-effective deployment of PoE-enabled devices that address guest expectations.

Hospitality Trends

The hospitality industry continues to innovate through technology, delivering personalized experiences that meet expectations. Whether addressing the needs of a corporate traveler who wants to combine business and leisure or a multi-generational family seeking something for everyone, hotels and event venues strive to deliver experiences that exceed expectations.

Touch-Free Experiences

Hotel guests overwhelmingly approved the industry-wide shift toward seamless check-in and checkout. They appreciated the control smart devices grant them over their rooms and the increased personalization of meals and concierge services. Hotels appreciated the flexibility that PoE solutions offer during implementation.

For example, hotels may offer guests apps to allow remote check-ins, bypassing front desk lines. Other facilities may install PoE-enabled kiosks in lobbies for self-service check-ins. Regardless of implementation, hotels and other venues are embracing touch-free technologies.

Smart Rooms

Placing sensors and smart controls in guests’ rooms allows them to control their environment. Remote-controlled window coverings let guests manage room light levels without leaving their bed or comfortable chair. Integrating room sensors with heating and cooling systems lets guests control the ambient temperature. At the same time, smart controls help businesses optimize their energy usage.

Occupancy sensors can alert a centralized system that a room is empty, triggering the system to configure temperatures to pre-set standards. Smart rooms can automatically close window shades and turn off lights when unoccupied, minimizing energy consumption.

Security

Guest security has always been a priority in the industry, whether securing the grounds at a luxury resort or protecting guests in a 1,000-room hotel. PoE devices can secure facilities through access control systems, lighting, and surveillance technology. Proximity sensors can activate lights along dark walkways, reducing potential slip-and-fall accidents.

PoE technology can operate IP cameras with high-resolution, pan-and-tilt, and zoom capabilities. By eliminating the need for an external power source, hotels can place PoE-enabled cameras where they’ll have maximum coverage. These systems can provide real-time images to assist security personnel in monitoring on-premise activity.

Access control devices can control entry to guest rooms and community spaces. Room cards can be programmed to allow guests access to the gym and pool facilities at check-in. If guests do not want access to these amenities, and a hotel can offer a lower rate in exchange, cards can prevent access. Everybody wins. Customized services and rate adjustments are a growing trend in the industry.

Messaging

Convention centers and event venues often have multiple rooms in use simultaneously. A digital messaging system helps guests and attendees get to the right places at the right times. These systems also allow organizations to modify their messages to accommodate changes in scheduling or location. Large hotels and resorts will benefit from PoE-driven digital signage to help guests locate on-property restaurants and equipment rentals.

Signage can display times and locations for on-location activities or remind conference attendees of after-hours events. These features ensure that attendees and staff stay informed without requiring individual contacts. PoE devices facilitate signage in high-visibility areas, even if external power is not immediately available.

Business Challenges

The hospitality industry has still not returned to pre-2020 levels. The industry still needs to attract more business and group travelers. To improve their bottom lines, businesses should consider other revenue-generating options, such as remote workspaces. The industry must continue to invest in technology to address labor shortages, enhance guest experiences, and improve operational efficiencies.

Technology

Digital transformation can be a challenge for any business in the hospitality industry. Deploying advanced technology requires an infrastructure that many older facilities lack. Integrating new technologies into legacy systems takes careful planning to avoid unexpected, costly disruptions.

PoE technology provides organizations with a bridge. It is backward compatible, allowing switches to connect to legacy and 21st-century devices. It can support data-hungry applications that route gigabytes of data across an enterprise for analysis. Not only will PoE solutions strengthen a network, but they can also power a network of Internet of Things (IoT) devices cost-effectively.

Workforce

According to a US News report, the global hospitality industry lost four million jobs in 2020, with only a fraction of these workers returning. Today, 65% of executives say their brand experiences labor shortages, and 9% report continuous understaffing. Without an adequate workforce, companies struggle to deliver services.

Inadequate labor pools are a key driver of digital transformation. Automating customer-facing services, such as checkout and bill settlement, reduces the burden on front desk personnel. Data analytics can help predict staffing needs to ensure coverage during peak times. Predictive maintenance can reduce time demands on employees, lower maintenance costs, and eliminate operational downtime.

Sustainability

PoE technology helps reduce energy costs. Incorporating it with a centralized HVAC system can automate room controls. Lowering temperatures, turning off lights, and managing window coverings can reduce energy costs. Given that energy costs typically account for 3% to 6% of a hotel’s operating budget, any savings can help reduce costs and lower the hotel’s carbon footprint.

Devices connected to a managed PoE switch use less energy because the switch can control the power to each device. Power can be reduced or stopped when a device is not in use. Because a single Ethernet cable can deliver both power and data, PoE deployment is cost-effective and environmentally conscious.