Personalization and improvement of the entertainment offer have their maximum expression in a hotel TV system. In this article we solve all your doubts about this type of solutions.
As a hotelier, we know what you are looking for technologies and solutions that make the guest feel at home. The smart rooms and its benefits at the level of operational efficiency or user experience, are one of the great objectives in the digitization plans of hotels.
Here we tell you how to optimize and get the most out of a basic service of your hotel, your television.
What is an IPTV television system for hotels?
These systems have the dual objective of improving the entertainment offer in the room and simplifying or facilitating communication between the hotelier and the guest, through interactive television and full of services to make the stay more comfortable from minute one.
At a time when guests are used to enjoying fully personalized content offers in their homes, where streaming and on-demand entertainment reaches levels never seen before, hotels have the need to update their televisions and adapt them to that new requirement of your clientele
What advantages does interactive television offer to hotels?
Broadly speaking, these systems offer 3 major benefits:
Reduce staff management times
IPTV systems allow agile, autonomous and direct communication with the hotel's service offering. It is possible to request room service, reserve a specific service or consult the invoice generated to date.
On the other hand, as it is a true communication portal, employees reduce the workload associated with resolving recurring questions from guests regarding concepts such as service hours, menu offerings or the specific time of their check out.
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Improve the profitability of each traveler
Another of the great advantages is being able to communicate special offers or personalized services and sell them directly from the interactive television itself.
From a management platform, the hotelier can launch totally personalized marketing or corporate messages and manage a powerful and dynamic communication tool. These messages are integrated into the “relaxed” viewing experience in the room; a time when guests are more receptive to commercial stimuli.
Keep learning: Basic guide to improve direct sales in your hotel and reduce intermediation
Improve the technological experience and the degree of guest satisfaction
A hospitality IPTV opens up a whole new universe of entertainment with a range of customizable channels depending on the origin of the guest, access to video platforms, casting for streaming content launched from a mobile or tablet, video games, YouTube, a wide range of music, etc. .
The personalization of communication and the offer of entertainment or services make the guest feel at home, meeting their expectations and favoring the generation of positive reviews and opinions on the Internet.
Dig even deeper and discover all the benefits of an IPTV solution for hotels
Steps to implement an interactive TV system in your hotel
- Step 1:. It install IPTV server, to which the satellite dish and/or DTT will be connected to convert the television channels into IP. A corporate channel or other private channels can also be connected to the IPTV server.
- Step 2:. We will easily configure the menu options that you want to show in the user interface (guest services, room service, hotel information, alarm clock, tv…).
- Step 3:. There would only be the Hospitality TV setup so that they connect with the IPTV server and be able to display the previously customized menu along with all the available channels.
- Step 4:. Finally, and optionally, you can additionally install a Chromecast to be able to share your own content on your IPTV.
What aspects should you take into account before implementing an IPTV system?
1. network infrastructure
The start-up of a hotel TV system requires having specific wiring to transmit information between each television and the back end of your hotel: PMS tool, loyalty programs, reception desks, etc.
If you have an installation fiber optic GPON for hotels this process is greatly simplified as this new service can be integrated into that same fiber strand. If you do not have this technology, conventional network cabling must be deployed to ensure interactivity between the TV and the management platform.
In case your hotel is equipped with Ethernet cabling and switches compatible with multicasting, the only components you will need to deploy this service are the Cerium content management system and IP STBs or hospitality televisions with integrated STBs.
It may interest you: Chromecast WiFi for hotels, the best alternative to IPTV in independent hotels and small chains
2. Managed devices to deploy this service
In turn, in the design of this infrastructure, it is necessary to select a series of hardware equipment that require a series of protocols and protection or cybersecurity measures.
They stand out from them:
- Server or backend server device that allows the management of firmware and configurations of decoders and smart TV's. A true back office for the different services and tools available to the guest. This back office must be integrated and communicate with other hotel management tools as needed.
- Televisions prepared for HOSPITALITY. They integrate the necessary software to manage IPTV signals (in our case, from the main brands: SAMSUNG, LG, PHILIPS...) or the possibility of incorporating "SET TOP BOX" as an accessory to the hotel's existing TVs to be able to enjoy the signal and IPTV platform services.
3. IPTV service providers
It will also be necessary to contract an IPTV service provider. In this sense, it is important that the company dedicated to the deployment of this tv system for hotels have special agreements with these providers; in this way it will be able to offer a turnkey solution adapted to the needs of each hotel establishment.
Installation of basic IPTV system for hotels
End-To-End IPTV Management System
Finally, it should be remembered that the great value of IPTV hospitality is its ability to integrate with all kinds of hotel management tools, especially as they offer additional features.
The greater integration is making it possible to streamline processes and improve daily operational management at the hotel. Here we highlight the main integrations available:
· Content management systems
IPTVs are integrated with simple content management programs that allow you to configure menus, welcome screens, launch videos, special offers or third-party communications quickly and conveniently.
In addition, the hotelier can have statistics on the consumption of this authentic communication panel.
· Integration with help desk tools
Through television you can collect and manage each communication or specific request of the guest to keep an optimal follow-up of all of them.
· Integration with hotel management software PMS
This integration allows collecting each new contracted service within the customer's order history, as well as activating high-value services for the customer, such as viewing their bill in real time through television.
Integration with maintenance management programs
From the IPTV, it is possible to indicate directly that a room has been cleaned or possible maintenance needs, integrating all this communication with the hotel's facility management systems.
· Integration with food delivery platforms
The entire room service and restaurant offer can be connected to the interactive TV platform, so that customers can request food and drinks with just a click from their television.
Cerium has extensive experience in the deployment of IPTV systems in hotels, designing, executing and maintaining these infrastructures and providing all the necessary components for the IPTV configuration in your hotel.
It may interest you: Cerium deploys its IPTV system in the 230 rooms of the Tui Blue Aura hotel of the Sirenis chain
Do you want to request a quote to deploy an IPTV TV system in your hotel? Fill in the following form.
