Is the In-Room Guest Phone a Thing of the Past?

Is the In-Room Guest Phone a Thing of the Past?

By Mr Sandeep Nair

Published on August 28, 2025

TigerTMS origins date back to the early 1980s and has carried the badge of honour of being market-leader for call accounting (tracking and analysing guest phone usage for billing purposes) ever since.  Whilst there are compelling reasons that hoteliers retain phones in guest rooms (not least security, nostalgia, comfort, immediate conversation with staff, and the 5* experience), there has been a shift towards guests using mobile phones to streamline guest services.

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Many of today’s guests expect convenience at their fingertips - mobile solutions can support this by enabling real-time responses to enquiries and requests, reducing wait times and enhancing satisfaction. The immediacy of direct access to services, streamlined communication to staff, and a more personalized service using mobile devices, contributes significantly to creating memorable experiences that guests are more likely to share and return for.

Mobile platforms are a powerful tool to improve operational efficiencies. Removing repetitive and time-consuming requests from guests relieves pressures on staff, freeing them to focus on more meaningful guest interactions.

Mobile technology also aligns perfectly with the hospitality industry's growing focus on sustainability. At its lowest level, simply by providing a digital guest directory, menus and other in-room materials, hotels can reduce paper and printing costs, while offering a modern, high-touch experience.

In short, advancements in mobile technology offer an alternative to in-room phones. This was the driver for TigerTMS to invest R&D into QR based mobile technology, adding iPortal to its portfolio of solutions.  Unlike app-based platforms that require guests to download and install an app, often a barrier to engagement, iPortal allows instant access to services by simply scanning a QR code. This frictionless entry point significantly improves adoption and usage, especially for short-stay guests or those with limited phone storage.

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Another major benefit is the seamless delivery of services across all mobile devices and operating systems, without compatibility concerns. It’s a truly universal solution that guests use on their own devices, with no learning curve.

Integration to a PMS unlocks a deeper layer of functionality that significantly expands its value. It enables features such as "View Bill" and "Express Checkout," as well as allowing guests to set their "Do Not Disturb" status, “Order Food and Beverages and Charge to Room” or even send housekeeping requests such as “Make Up My Room”. These integrated services create a seamless and personalised experience for guests, while also improving operational efficiency for staff.

From a hotel’s standpoint, iPortal is more cost-effective and easier to maintain than traditional apps. Updates and changes can be made centrally, directly by hotel staff, and reflected in real-time.  Ultimately, QR-based solutions like iPortal strike the perfect balance between convenience, accessibility, and efficiency - for both guests and hoteliers.

Whether a hotel’s strategy is to provide in-room phones offering reliable communication with a dedicated line to staff or align with the change toward QR-based solutions like iPortal that provide the perfect balance between convenience, accessibility, and efficiency to enhance the guest experience, TigerTMS delivers.

For more information, visit https://www.tigertms.com/solutions/iportal/  or reach out via email at Sandeep.nair@tigertms.com.


InnKey Unveils New Brand Identity to Redefine the Future of Hospitality Technology

InnKey Unveils New Brand Identity to Redefine the Future of Hospitality Technology

By Hariharan U

Published on November 8, 2025

Built in India, Designed for the World - InnKey evolves from a PMS into a unified, intelligent enterprise platform powering leading hotel brands.

 InnKey, India’s leading enterprise hospitality technology platform, has unveiled a new brand identity, marking a major evolution in its journey from a cloud-native PMS to a comprehensive, intelligent, and secure enterprise ecosystem built to power the next generation of hospitality brands across the world.

 What began as InnKey PMS has now evolved into simply InnKey — reflecting its broader vision of powering next-generation hospitality experiences that are personalized, paperless, and profoundly human.

 “This new identity represents more than a design change — it marks a deeper commitment to innovation, security, and scalability,” said Viral Shah, Founder & CEO of InnKey. “InnKey today serves some of India’s most respected hospitality brands, helping them deliver superior guest experiences while optimizing operations across every level. As we grow, our focus is clear — to take this Made-in India technology to the world.” 

From India’s First Cloud-Native PMS to a Global Hospitality Platform 

InnKey was among the first fully cloud-native enterprise solutions for the hospitality industry in India. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the most secure and deeply integrated platforms for hotel chains and premium segments — empowering properties to operate with agility, efficiency, and intelligence. 

Today, InnKey powers leading hospitality brands including The Fern Hotels & Resorts, Pride Hotels, Residency Hotels, Accord Hotels, Orchid Hotels, Treat Resorts and several emerging and luxury groups across India.

 With its unified platform spanning Reservation & Front Desk, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Sales & Catering, Material Management & Procurement, Financial Accounting, MIS, and Analytics, InnKey ensures seamless data flow, consistency, and guest personalisation across every touchpoint—helping hotel groups achieve true digital transformation.

 A Vision Beyond Software — Towards an Intelligent Hospitality Ecosystem 

As hospitality rapidly embraces digitization, InnKey is leading the way in reimagining the entire guest journey from pre-arrival to post-departure — through secure, intuitive, and completely paperless technology. 

Its mission is to make every hotel smarter, every operation simpler, and every guest experience more memorable.

 “InnKey’s technology now powers some of the most respected hotel groups in India, with global collaborations on the horizon,” shared Rohan Shah, Co-Founder of InnKey. “This is only the beginning of our journey to take Indian-built technology global. Our ambition is to set new global standards in hospitality efficiency, intelligence, and experience.” 

The New InnKey: Made in India. Designed for the World. 

The refreshed brand identity represents InnKey’s maturity — a balance between enterprise-grade robustness and the warmth of human hospitality. 

It symbolizes a platform that’s born in India, trusted by leading hotel chains, and ready to scale globally with a vision to redefine the way technology and hospitality coexist.

 “We are not just digitizing operations — we are humanizing technology,” added Rohan Shah. “The new InnKey reflects the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and reliability that hoteliers expect from a true strategic partner.” 

About InnKey 

InnKey is India’s first cloud-native enterprise hospitality platform—built as a single integrated application that connects every department of hotel operations, from Front Office and Housekeeping to Food & Beverage, Procurement, and Financial Accounting. Powered by a unified database, InnKey provides hotel groups with real-time insights and complete operational control across all properties through one secure source of truth. 

With over 13 years of experience and 600+ properties live, InnKey serves premium independent hotels, regional chains, and enterprise groups across India and emerging markets. Built in India and designed for the world, InnKey simplifies operations, enhances decision-making, and helps every hotel deliver a smarter, more seamless guest experience.


Palaniappa Electronics Introduces Thermostar: The Chemical-Free Steam Powerhouse for Hotel Hygiene

By Author

Published on October 27, 2025

In today’s hospitality world, cleanliness and sustainability are the cornerstones of guest trust. Addressing this growing need, Palaniappa Electronics introduces the Thermostar Steam Cleaning System, a powerful, chemical-free cleaning solution that is transforming hygiene maintenance across India’s leading hotels.

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Harnessing the natural power of superheated dry steam, Thermostar ensures deep sanitization without a single drop of detergent. In hotel kitchens, it cuts through stubborn grease, oil, and grime on cooking equipment, trolleys, and storage areas, leaving every surface spotless and hygienic. Beyond kitchens, it revitalizes carpets, upholstery, and bathrooms, effortlessly removing stains, scaling deposits, and odors while restoring original shine and freshness.

What sets Thermostar apart is its eco-friendly, cost-efficient, and odor-free cleaning process. By eliminating the use of chemicals, it safeguards both the environment and the health of guests and staff, an essential factor for hotels striving to align operations with sustainable standards.

For General Managers, Executive Housekeepers, and Chefs, Thermostar is not just another cleaning tool. It is a strategic investment in hygiene excellence and operational efficiency.

Behind this innovation stands Palaniappa Electronics, a trusted name in the electronics industry for over twenty-one years. With a strong presence across South India, the company is the authorized distributor for Samsung, JVD, and over eighteen global brands. It caters to hotels, hospitals, and educational institutions with a comprehensive portfolio that includes TVs, displays, laundry equipment, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more.

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Under the guidance of Mr. Muthu Solaiappan, Head of Operations, Palaniappa Electronics continues to strengthen its position as a reliable partner for the hospitality sector, combining technology, sustainability, and service excellence.

To experience the power of steam cleaning, request a Thermostar demo today and discover how it can redefine your hotel’s standard of clean.

muthu@palaniappagroup.com | +91 90030 45685 


Technogym Launches AI-Powered Checkup for Smarter and Healthier Workouts

Technogym Launches AI-Powered Checkup for Smarter and Healthier Workouts

By Hariharan U

Published on October 25, 2025

Technogym has launched its latest innovation, the Technogym Checkup, an AI-based assessment station that redefines how fitness and wellness are personalised. Designed to measure both physical and cognitive parameters, the system helps users understand their current health profile and prescribes a targeted training plan that evolves over time.

Starting with a detailed analysis of physical and functional conditions, Technogym Checkup uses artificial intelligence to determine your Wellness Age, a number that reflects how fit your body truly is. Based on this, the system recommends a precision training programme that adjusts automatically as your performance and lifestyle improve.

Once you log in through the Technogym App, the Checkup conducts accurate tests to evaluate body composition, balance, mobility, strength, and even cognitive ability. All this data is processed by Technogym AI Coach, which transforms it into a personalised, data-backed fitness plan that’s easily accessible through the Technogym Ecosystem. Whether you’re training at home, at the gym, in a hotel, or even at work, your tailored programme is always within reach.

The innovation doesn’t just stop at personal fitness. The system’s ability to calculate your Wellness Age offers a clear, motivating metric to track progress  helping users become not just fitter but younger in wellness terms. With its adaptive AI, the programme continually evolves to keep workouts aligned with your goals, ensuring better and faster results.

For gyms, wellness centres, and other industry operators, Technogym Checkup presents a powerful opportunity to offer next-generation fitness experiences. It allows them to deliver a smooth, personalised journey for every member, right from onboarding to ongoing progress tracking, while also driving customer loyalty and new business growth.

Founded in 1983, Technogym has long been recognised as a global leader in fitness, wellness, and sports innovation. With more than 2,500 employees and a presence in over 100 countries, the brand powers more than 85,000 wellness centres and 400,000 homes worldwide. Technogym also continues its legacy as the Official Supplier to the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking its ninth partnership with the Games, a testament to its reputation as the go-to choice for athletes and champions globally.

For more details, visit Technogym’s official website.

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