Reflection Report: Smart Key System Project in Hospitality Sector

This report provides a critical reflection on a research proposal introducing a smart key system in the hospitality sector. The student analyzes the proposal's aims, which include creating keyless hotel room doors operated via smartphones and tablets to enhance guest security and experience. The report discusses the use of primary and secondary data in the research, the competitive business environment, and the need for collaboration with IT firms. It examines the business model canvas, highlighting customer-centric approaches, security improvements, and the potential for personalized services. The reflection also considers the challenges, such as the need for significant investment, potential employee attrition, and the risk of technological errors. The report concludes with recommendations for improving the research and addressing its limitations, such as the lack of a detailed timeline and budget, emphasizing the need for trial periods and addressing security concerns related to device theft. References include relevant academic sources on smart technology in hospitality.

Running head: REFLECTION
Reflection
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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Table of contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Discussion........................................................................................................................................2
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................6
Reference and bibliography.............................................................................................................6

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Introduction
The main theme of the research proposal has been developed based on the introduction of
smart key system in the hospitality sector (Porter and Heppelmann 2015). In the 21st century,
hospitality industry has become an important contributor in the GDP rate in the countries.
Through this proposal, the researcher aims to create key less doors in the hotel rooms that can be
operated through PCs, tablets and smart phones. In terms of promoting guest security through
this process, the organizations can improvise the service standard as well as customer
experience. Through this report, critically analyzing the research proposal, I have shared my
viewpoints on the particular research. In this report, I have also focused on significance of
promoting the innovative technologies in the hospitality sector. In the end of this report
analyzing the limitation of the research, I have provided some recommendations that can help in
terms of avoiding further errors in the research paper.
Discussion
The research paper has been conducted by following the secondary data and primary
data. The proposal has introduced a project plan in terms of developing the key less doors for
ensuring the guest security in an innovative manner. It is true that in the 21st century, business
environment has become highly competitive and changing innovation trends in the hospitality
sector, the organizations are facing huge pressure in terms of maintaining the uniqueness in the
market. In order to introduce such innovative idea in the market, strong collaboration with the
software and IT firms is needed for getting the necessary assistance. In the proposal, different
key features have been described which are needed to be included in the keyless doors for
satisfying the guest expectations. Through this innovation the security protocols in the hospitality
sector can be improved, which can indirectly influence sales rate of the companies.

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On the other hand, analyzing the proposal, it has been identified that through this
innovation ensuring the easier accessibility as well as comfortable delivery of services, the
operational process in the workplace can be improvised, which can help an organization to
establish competitive position in the market. Analyzing the business model canvas for the smart
key room locking system, it can be said that by providing opportunities to the customers to track
the lock event and access the room availability, the customer centric business approach can be
properly followed by the company in a transparent manner. I believe, aligning this feature with
the guest phones, it can be easier for the company to access the data of the users which can help
to maintain the track record of user browse history. This initiative can be beneficial for the
companies to maintain relationship with the loyal customers.
It is true that in order to install the smart key room locking system in the operational
process, collaboration with the IT manufacturing firms and software companies is needed. I
believe, through this initiatives the companies can enhance the existence in corporate filed
through such business relationship. I strongly believe, the hospitality industry is being developed
based on the customer centric approach followed in the workplace. In such industries, the
customer satisfaction is the important concern for the companies, in that case through this
initiatives it can be easier for the company to ensure positive customer experience by
personalizing the guest access on the security process. In the tech savvy business environment, I
believe this initiative can bring revolution in the hospitality sector.
Analyzing the business canvas proposed for the smart key room locking system it can be
said that by targeting business professionals and tech savvy young generation, the initiative will
be properly appreciated by the customers. On the other hand, including networking system in the
process, controlling live activities, it can be easier in terms of strengthen the securities in the

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guest rooms. I believe the channels, those have been mentioned in the business canvas can be
beneficial in terms of promoting the product in the market. In the tech savvy society, internet is
available to everyone, in that case, promoting the product through advertising channels, it can be
easier for reaching the customers. In order to improve the communication process in the
hospitality sector, I believe, the proposed plan can be beneficial. Through the technological
assistance it can be easier for the company to enhance the customer knowledge regarding the
software based security system, which can create a new trend in this hospitality sector. However,
I also believe, in this particular innovation, efficiency will be the important key element which
will be required for implementing the idea. In the respective industrial sector, the smart key
application system which will be introduced in the market, will take huge investment as its result
the maintenance cost will be charged to the customers. In that case the cost of stay may get
increased. Therefore, I believe, the business idea which has been proposed will be beneficial for
the companies who mainly deal with the premium customers.
On the other hand, it has also been identified by me that if the check in and check out
process will be controlled through the machinery equipment, in that case, changes of employee
attrition can get increased. On the other hand, it is true that the idea which has been introduced in
the project can highly ensure the customer satisfaction, but it is also true that in such cases
changes of facing technological errors can also get increased. Analyzing the proposed business
plan, I have understood that this process requires the huge investment which can create issues for
small and medium sized hospitality organizations to install this system. The process needs
organized performance as well as strong technological knowledge in terms of fulfilling the
initiative goal of this service.

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In the practical ground, it is important for the system developer to design the product by
following all the legislative requirements in the hospitality sector. Analyzing the project plan
introduced by the researcher, I have also identified the in order to implement this project
managerial support as well as their knowledge in the technological field is needed. I strongly
believe, introducing the product, before applying it on the customers, the trial period needs to be
arranged for examining its operational efficiency so that the positive customer experience can be
provided. Through the collection of feedbacks, it can be easier for the developers to bring
betterment in the process.
I believe, strong configuration can be achieved through the process and it can help to
successfully implement the key less lock by combining the IT and software innovation process.
However, analyzing the project plan, I have identified that the time duration that will be required
for completing the entire installation process that has not been mentioned in the plan. In that
case, it will be tough for us to manage the time. I have also identified that the proper budget that
will be required for the particular idea implementation process has not been mentioned. The
proposed project has not mentioned about the sources of mobile apps that will be installed by the
customers. Although, I believe it is an innovative idea for ensuring the customer security, but I
also believe, as the keyless lock can be controlled by the smart phones or tables, in that case if
the phone of the user will get theft in that case, it will be easier for the unknown person to easily
unlock the room. On the other hand, the project plan has not been mentioned about any bar
codes, which needs to be scanned while unlocking the door. Analyzing the entire business, it can
be said that proper follow up while conducting the project is needed for making a progression
report. In the conclusion, it has been mentioned that knowledge of the user regarding the smart

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phone operation is necessary in this project, therefore, it can created limitation while selecting
the target segment.
Conclusion
In this study, it can be concluded that, the project idea, which has been introduced, I quite
unique as well as innovative, which can bring huge changes in the operational process in the
hospitality sector. The aim of this project is to ensure greater security to the customers for
generating higher revenue. However, in this project, technological errors as well as huge
investment in the process has created some barriers for installing this service. On the other hand,
it is true that shaping the features of keyless system is important for implementing this idea so
that the security system in the hotel industry will not get compromised. By continuing this, it can
also be said that the project plan needs to be clearer for making others understand regarding its
appropriateness.

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Reference and bibliography
Anitha, M., Babel, A., Kumar, A., Rauniyar, A., and Zahid, K. 2019. Cloud-Based Secured QR
Code for Self-service Access Control System at Resort and Hotels. In Computing and Network
Sustainability (pp. 387-395). Springer, Singapore.
Avganim, M., 2019. Smart lock. U.S. Patent 10,378,239.
BJARTMAR HYLTA, S. A. N. N. E., and SÖDERBERG, P. 2017. Smart Locks for Smart
Customers?: A Study of the Diffusion of Smart Locks in an Urban Area.
Buhalis, D. and Leung, R., 2018. Smart hospitality—Interconnectivity and interoperability
towards an ecosystem. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 71, pp.41-50.
Das, S. and Suresh, V., 2019. Configurable Intelligent Secures-3FA Smart Lock.
Kim, J. 2016. An extended technology acceptance model in behavioral intention toward hotel
tablet apps with moderating effects of gender and age. International Journal of Contemporary
Hospitality Management, 28(8), 1535-1553.
Lang, M., Purdue, A. and Switzer, S., Carrier Corp, 2018. Hospitality systems. U.S. Patent
10,015,653.
Polese, F., Botti, A., Grimaldi, M., Monda, A., and Vesci, M. 2018. Social innovation in smart
tourism ecosystems: How technology and institutions shape sustainable value co-
creation. Sustainability, 10(1), 140.
Porter, M. E., and Heppelmann, J. E. 2015. How smart, connected products are transforming
companies. Harvard business review, 93(10), 96-114.
Presso, M., Scafati, D., Marone, J. and Todorovich, E., 2017, August. Design of a smart lock on
the galileo board. In 2017 Eight Argentine Symposium and Conference on Embedded Systems
(CASE) (pp. 1-6). IEEE.
Saddler, J., Jacobson, E., Johnston, A., and Gopinatha, A. 2017. U.S. Patent Application No.
15/299,698.

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Scalisi, J.F., SkyBell Technologies Inc, 2016. Smart lock systems and methods. U.S. Patent
9,342,936.
Scalisi, J.F., SkyBell Technologies Inc, 2019. Smart lock systems and methods. U.S. Patent
10,204,467.