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.


Samsung Hospitality TV HG Series: The Smartest, Safest Choice for Modern Guest Rooms

By Author

Published on February 12, 2026

In today’s hospitality landscape, the guest room TV is no longer just an amenity - it’s a critical touchpoint for security, experience, and cost control, and the Samsung Hospitality TV HG Series, purpose-built for hotels, delivers exactly what hoteliers need: guest data protection, operational savings, and premium entertainment.

Guest OTT Security - A Feature No Other Brand Offers: One of the most overlooked risks in hotel rooms is OTT login security, where guests log into personal streaming accounts and forget to sign out, exposing credentials to the next occupant, but Samsung HG Series solves this by design because every time the TV is switched off using the remote, all OTT login credentials are automatically erased, ensuring complete protection of guest data - a unique security feature that competing hospitality TVs simply do not offer.

TV as a Secure Internet Hotspot – Smarter Than Wi-Fi: With a LAN connection to the TV, the Samsung HG Series can act as a secure wireless hotspot, allowing guests to connect via a one-time OTP displayed on the TV screen, delivering full traceability of internet usage mapped to room, guest, date and time while enabling massive cost savings by reducing the need for multiple routers and access points.

200+ Live Internet Channels – No Extra Hardware: The HG Series offers 200+ live internet channels across news, entertainment and lifestyle, eliminating the need for IP TV systems or traditional set-top boxes.

No Set-Top Box Required – OTT Is Already Inbuilt: With all major OTT apps inbuilt, hotels benefit from zero STB rental costs, cleaner rooms with less wiring and faster, simpler guest usage.

One Remote, Clean Look, Better Experience: For properties that still retain set-top boxes, Samsung HG TVs support single-remote operation, removing the clutter of multiple remotes and avoiding cheap, flimsy STB remotes, thereby preserving a premium room aesthetic.

For GMs and Property Owners, the Samsung Hospitality TV HG Series is not just a television - it’s a security-first, cost-efficient, guest-centric solution designed exclusively for hotels, and if guest privacy, operational savings, and a premium in-room experience matter, it’s time to see the Samsung HG Series in action.

For more details, contact Palaniappa Electronics | Mr Muthu at 9003045685 or muthu@palaniappagroup.com 


Navabrind IT Solutions to Showcase Odoo ERP for Electronics Industry at Source India 2026

Navabrind IT Solutions to Showcase Odoo ERP for Electronics Industry at Source India 2026

By Hariharan U

Published on February 11, 2026

Navabrind IT Solutions, a leading Odoo Gold Partner, has announced its participation in the 15th edition of Source India – Electronics Supply Chain, aligning with the event’s theme, “Redefining the Indian Electronics Supply Chain.”

Jointly attending the event with Odoo, the company will showcase its specialised ERP expertise tailored for the electronics value chain at the Chennai Trade Centre on February 10–11, 2026. With India’s electronics sector witnessing rapid growth driven by government initiatives such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and rising domestic demand, manufacturers are increasingly challenged by complex supply chains and strict quality norms, areas where Navabrind positions Odoo as a unified command centre for end-to-end operations.

At Booth #D83, visitors will experience live demonstrations of Odoo modules configured for electronics manufacturing, including real-time MRP dashboards for shop-floor visibility, integrated Sales, CRM, and Purchase modules linking demand to production, and advanced Product Lifecycle Management for engineering change orders and version-controlled BOMs, along with lot and serial traceability and multi-stage quality checks aligned with BIS standards.

The showcase will also highlight Odoo’s modular architecture, open API, Studio integrations, and advanced costing tools such as landed cost calculations and material variance reporting. Commenting on the participation, Vasanth Anantaraman, CEO of Navabrind IT Solutions, said, “The ambition to build ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in electronics rests on the backbone of efficient, transparent, and agile operations. Legacy, disconnected systems are the biggest roadblock to this ambition,” adding, “At Source India, will demonstrate how a unified Odoo ERP platform is not just a software implementation, but a strategic lever to gain end-to-end visibility, mitigate supply chain risks, and build a globally competitive manufacturing outfit.”

Venkatesh Nagarajan, CTO of Navabrind IT Solutions, added, “For electronics manufacturers, complexity is a given, be it in product designs, component sourcing, and compliance requirements. Our expertise lies in configuring Odoo’s powerful modules, such as PLM, Quality, and advanced traceability, to master this complexity.”


Hospitality 2026: How AI, Contactless Tech, and Personalization Are Transforming the Guest Experience

Hospitality 2026: How AI, Contactless Tech, and Personalization Are Transforming the Guest Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 22, 2025

As 2026 approaches, the hospitality industry stands at the forefront of a pivotal technological transformation. Driven by evolving guest expectations, emerging technologies, and rapid advancements in AI, the technology landscape is expanding at unprecedented speed. Now more than ever, decisions about property management, point-of-sale systems, revenue and distribution optimization, and integrated ecosystems are vital. These choices will define how brands attract and retain guests, enhance front- and back-of-house operations, and secure lasting competitive advantages.

1. AI & Predictive Intelligence Will Redefine the Guest Experience

AI adoption is accelerating, driving three key transformations across hospitality:

 ·         Hyper-Personalized Guest Journeys: AI algorithms tap into guest history and preferences to deliver real-time, customized services—from dining and room features to spa experiences—deeply aligned with each guest’s lifestyle.

·         AI-Powered Assistants & Chatbots: Conversational AI tools are becoming ubiquitous, managing guest inquiries, bookings, and requests seamlessly across channels like hotel apps, social media, and messaging platforms. This surge allows staff to focus on more complex, high-value guest interactions.

·         Predictive Analytics: AI is moving from reactive to proactive, using sophisticated predictive analytics for revenue management, dynamic pricing, demand forecasting, and operational efficiency. Hotels can now shift from generic rate strategies to precise, data-driven pricing, reducing lost business and boosting yields.

 Together, these innovations empower hotels to anticipate guest needs, personalize experiences before arrival, resolve issues before they occur, and optimize operations in real time, which results in smoother, more intuitive journeys. For hoteliers, predictive intelligence unlocks efficiency, loyalty, and deeper guest engagement across every touchpoint.

 2. A Pivotal Moment for Distribution: Seamless Omnichannel Experiences

AI is fundamentally reshaping hotel distribution by delivering deep insights into guest preferences and enabling truly personalized experiences. Marketing is becoming more precise, offers more relevant, and every guest interaction more meaningful. The era of generic, one-size-fits-all strategies is ending; adaptable, data-driven distribution is now essential.

Crucially, large language models (LLMs) are becoming the “top of the funnel” for search, changing how travelers discover and evaluate hotel options. Instead of traditional search engines, guests are increasingly relying on conversational AI to guide their choices—rewriting both the digital ecosystem and the distribution stack.

Providing a seamless omnichannel experience will define hospitality leadership. Today’s guests expect smooth, consistent engagement across every touchpoint, from booking sites and hotel apps to kiosks, voice assistants, and in-room devices. Hotels that unify these channels will reduce lost bookings, boost upselling opportunities, and foster deeper guest loyalty. The future belongs to those who anticipate needs and deliver effortlessly across channels.

3. Contactless, Mobile, and Agentic Innovation: Hospitality Goes Hands-Free

 While the push for contactless solutions began during the pandemic, 2026 will mark a new era of adoption that elevates efficiency without losing the personal touch. Mobile-first, biometric, and agent-driven technologies are now converging to enable seamless, secure guest journeys.

 ·   Contactless Everything: Digital check-in, keyless entry, facial recognition, and self-service passport scanning have become standard, eliminating friction throughout the guest experience. These advancements streamline room access, amenities, and payments, boosting both security and convenience.

·         Expansive Mobile Integration: Mobile platforms now allow guests to control room settings, entertainment, and service requests directly from personal devices, supporting a more intuitive and customized stay.

·         AI Agents Supporting Staff: AI-powered agents now assist across the hospitality tech stack, automating routine bookings, communications, and support tasks. This empowers staff to focus on higher-value, personalized guest interactions.

One key advancement is “Agentic AI”—interconnected agents that share information and take coordinated actions across systems. This creates intelligent workflows, enabling hotels to anticipate guest needs proactively and deliver seamless, end-to-end service. Collectively, these innovations reduce manual processes, empower teams, and raise the bar for trust and convenience in hospitality.

4. Simplified Technology and Breaking Down Silos

Post-pandemic technology sprawl has prompted hospitality leaders to consolidate software partnerships and prioritize integrated solutions. With more partner choice than ever, solutions that minimize friction and accelerate time-to-value will win. As economic pressures intensify, there’s a greater need to demonstrate ROI from technology investments.

Simplifying the tech stack and breaking down data silos has become both a strategic and operational imperative, especially for brands undergoing merger integration. Future-ready solutions with robust, proven integrations that enhance ecosystems at minimal or no additional cost will take precedence, ensuring consistent and elevated guest experiences.

5. Real-Time Translation Breaks Down Language Barriers

Real-time AI translation tools are eliminating one of travel’s largest hurdles: language barriers. Guests enjoy instant, natural conversations with staff and locals, empowering them to explore beyond traditional tourist paths and access seamless, misunderstanding-free service. For hospitality brands, scalable multilingual support brings faster, more empathetic interactions and ushers in a more inclusive era of global travel.

Looking Ahead

In 2026, technologies such as omnichannel distribution, contactless check-ins, agentic assistants, predictive AI, and real-time translation will deliver the flexibility and personalization today’s guests expect. Hospitality will be transformed by proactive operations—personalizing experiences before arrival, optimizing pricing and occupancy in real time, enabling seamless multilingual service, and fostering environments where work and leisure seamlessly blend. Staff will be empowered to focus on high-value, personal interactions.

Crucially, the current era of “Art of the Possible,” often driven by hype and noise, will shift to a disciplined approach: quantifying the tangible value each AI feature brings to the P&L. Brands that invest in unified data models, trusted AI applications, and tightly integrated platforms will be poised to lead. By prioritizing measurable business outcomes—resilient revenue, deeper guest loyalty, and lasting operational excellence—the industry will elevate both the staff and guest experience, ensuring that innovation directly translates to real, sustained business impact.

 

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