IoT-Enabled Digital Lock and Smart Check-in System for Hospitality Industry

Traditional hotel check-in processes often involve long queues, manual room allocation, and limited digital interaction, leading to guest dissatisfaction and operational inefficiencies. The hotel staff struggle with managing peak check-in times, securing room access, and providing seamless services, especially amidst increasing guest expectations for contactless solutions.

A mid to large-sized hotel chain seeking to enhance guest experience through contactless check-in, digital key access, and operational efficiency.

• Reduce guest wait times during check-in by enabling a mobile-based digital check-in process
• Implement contactless room access through secure digital keys transferred via a mobile app
• Enhance operational efficiency by automating guest arrival detection and room allocation management
• Allow secure sharing of digital keys with authorized family members or colleagues
• Integrate seamless payment and checkout functionality within the mobile platform
• Provide hotel staff with an administrative web interface for managing bookings, room assignments, digital keys, and analytics
• Improve guest satisfaction scores and operational throughput during peak seasons

• Mobile app login via registered mobile number post booking confirmation
• Real-time guest arrival detection using proximity beacons at hotel entry points
• Automated guest arrival notification to hotel reception and staff
• Digital room allocation with display of room details and navigation maps within the app
• Secure Bluetooth-enabled digital locks in every hotel room for keypad-less entry
• Functionality for guests to unlock room doors via the mobile app's digital key feature
• Option to share digital keys temporarily with family or colleagues
• In-app payment processing for checkout dues
• Web interface for hotel admin to manage reservations, monitor guest activities, and allocate digital keys
• Security features including multi-factor authentication and digital key expiration post checkout

• SMS gateway for booking confirmation and guest notifications
• Payment gateway for seamless checkout processing
• Booking system integration for real-time reservation updates
• Security protocols for authentication and digital key encryption

• High availability and scalability to support peak guest check-in periods
• End-to-end data security and encryption, especially for digital keys
• Low latency for digital key unlocking process within 2 seconds
• Reliable Bluetooth and beacon connectivity with minimal failure rates
• Compliance with hotel security standards and data privacy regulations

The implementation of an IoT-based contactless check-in and room access system is projected to significantly reduce guest wait times, enhance overall guest satisfaction, and improve operational efficiency. The hotel chain can expect increased capacity during peak seasons, reduced staffing costs, and higher guest retention through improved service experiences.