A hotel’s business center isn’t just an amenity—it’s a vital service hub for guests.
Whether travelers need to print boarding passes, prepare for meetings, or manage documents on the go, the reliability of business center hardware can make or break their experience.
But how can hoteliers ensure their equipment meets the mark?
Tim Doxzon, VP of Sales at TTI Technologies, shares the ins and outs of business center hardware, from choosing the right equipment to knowing when to upgrade.
Tim notes that hotels often approach TTI with two main questions:
“The answer is yes to both,” he shares. “Not everyone offers that flexibility, but we can support either approach.”
When it comes to hardware options, hotels typically face a choice between PCs and Macs. While both are viable, each comes with unique considerations:
Tim highlights key issues with new models: “The beautiful 24-inch iMacs are fast and reliable but lack essential features like a Kensington lock slot and adequate USB ports. This means additional expenses for accessories to ensure compatibility and security.”
Cost is another factor.
“With Macs, you’re looking at a bigger investment to meet basic needs,” he says.
PCs are more cost-effective.
“For PCs, all we require is 8GB of RAM and a solid-state drive,” Tim advises. “Anything less, like 4GB of RAM, won’t deliver the speed or reliability guests expect.”
Tim emphasized that if the PC does not have a solid-state drive (any size), they cannot support it.
RELATED: Avoiding the Hotel Tech Support Nightmare
One common misconception is that hardware needs to be refreshed every three years.
According to Tim, this isn’t always the case.
“Generally, a PC should last about five years before requiring replacement,” he says.
However, there are exceptions:
Pro Tip: Always confirm hardware compatibility before investing in upgrades.
“We recently had a hotel purchase a new PC with only 4GB of RAM, which technically works but runs so slowly it frustrates guests,” he says.
While TTI is “printer agnostic,” Tim emphasizes the importance of laser over inkjet printers for hotel use.
“Laser printers are more efficient and reliable,” he says. “When choosing a model, focus on toner capacity. A cartridge that only prints 2,500 pages might leave your front desk team scrambling to replace it more often than you’d like.”
TTI also offers peace of mind with four-year next-business-day warranties on PCs, ensuring minimal downtime. “Unlike some competitors who require you to ship hardware back for repairs, we ensure manufacturers handle replacements on-site,” remarks Tim.
RELATED: Hotel Business Centers: Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions
Hotel turnover can lead to outdated assumptions about equipment.
“We often see new managers who believe their systems are only a couple of years old,” Tim shares. “In one case, the warranty had expired six years earlier, making the hardware nearly nine years old.”
The takeaway?
Regular audits of your business center hardware are essential.
Send service tags to your provider for an up-to-date assessment and avoid the risk of guest dissatisfaction due to underperforming equipment.
When it comes to business center hardware, TTI Technologies eliminates the guesswork.
Whether you’re investing in new equipment or optimizing existing assets, our team ensures seamless functionality and top-tier support.
Have questions? Connect with us below.
The landscape of a property's amenities has witnessed a remarkable evolution, particularly in the hotel business center.
Once defined as separate spaces equipped with basic office tools like computers and printers, hotel business centers are transforming into multifunctional concierge centers. This evolution reflects a broader change in guest expectations and technological advancements.
(more…)In an era where smartphones reign supreme and digital nomadism is the new norm, advocating for the importance of a hotel business center might seem counterintuitive.
Yet, as we dive into the nitty-gritty of hotel management and IT concerns, it becomes clear that these spaces offer more than meets the eye. They will become especially valuable for staff and guests alike as software evolves to meet changing needs.
Here at TTI Technologies, we've gathered the most common questions and objections from hotel managers and IT departments to shed light on their enduring value.
(more…)For hotel general managers and IT departments seeking to optimize their business centers.
The effective management of a hotel business center is often a surprising factor in a hotel's profitability. As a hotel general manager or IT professional, it’s crucial to grasp the nuances of business center usage to unlock its full potential.
Understanding usage includes a number of things including, assessing the number of machines, print volume, and leveraging data points like search queries. Getting dialed into usage is an essential component a hotelier will need to understand to realize the full potential of their hotel business center.
(more…)Do you own or manage a hotel? Unless hotel business center security solutions are a vital feature of your managed business center service provider, your brand is at risk for security breaches, compliance violations, and data loss.
Hackers are still targeting the hospitality sector with sophisticated assaults on secured data. Since 2010, more than a dozen hotel data breaches have been reported, affecting everything from large multinational corporations to single properties.
Because it may be difficult for hoteliers to monitor the security of their business centers' computers, they should consider outsourcing this responsibility to a preferred vendor specializing in the hospitality market.
TTI Technologies has a key objective in securing the guest user experience in every hotel we install. We know how difficult it can be to manage operations throughout hotel properties. An often overlooked area is the software lockdown of each PC in lobbies or business centers.
(more…)When it comes to hotel business center challenges, we have heard all the horror stories about unreturned phone calls, delayed equipment repairs, and confusing contracts.
That’s why we want you to know there is another solution. Many brands, such as Marriott and IHG, have a better choice when it comes to approved business center partners.
TTI Technologies is becoming the go-to choice for hotel operators, with many approved partner brands.
We offer competitively priced, top-of-the-line business centers designed to meet the needs of hotel guests and operators alike.
Our customers find us through our reputation and stay for our superior support.
(more…)When you think of hotel lobby computers, you might picture outdated machines that are only good for checking your email or printing out your boarding pass. But in reality, these computers are so much more than that.
With the right hotel business center software, these often overlooked machines can be used for various tasks, from helping you plan your next business presentation to checking out the local attractions. As a hotel manager, you can ensure your hotel lobby computers provide guests with a wealth of information and services.
(more…)For years, our managed hotel business center software solutions have fit the growing needs of properties worldwide. TTI places power in the hands of our clients with tools to provide concierge services and advertising revenue.
TTI Technologies is a Marriott and IHG-approved vendor that has met brand requirements for virtually all major brands, including independent hotels with VIP support, fast installation, and flat-rate pricing.
(more…)As a hotel owner or manager, you understand better than anyone the importance of providing an exceptional customer experience. But what happens when one of your key vendors lets you down?
Unfortunately, it's all too familiar for hoteliers to deal with shoddy support from their tech vendors.
Whether it's long wait times for customer service, unresponsive email support, or a total lack of phone support, inadequate vendor support can seriously impact your business.
With some insight from account executive, Juanita Andrade, let's dive into the hotel tech support nightmare and explore why it's crucial to get the right tech company behind you.
(more…)The hospitality industry is ever-changing and evolving. To keep up with the times, hotels must meet the demands of their guests with modern services and amenities. One such service that is becoming increasingly popular is a hotel digital concierge.
A digital concierge is a software application designed to help hotel guests with various needs and tasks while taking pressure off front desk staff - an essential benefit while many properties struggle with staff shortages.
With an all-inclusive digital concierge, your hotel guests will have fingertip access to local events, establishments, and restaurants. This interactive display provides on-demand information that is perfect for self-serve service.
(more…)