Housekeeping operations spanning an entire property can often prove daunting when attempting to keep track of each individual room’s status. By relying on a housekeeping platform that can offer an intuitive on-screen room matrix that is updated in real-time, housekeeping management can always rest assured of their ability to oversee any and all room status updates. With the ability to view such data remotely from any location and at any time, supervisors can also make informed and immediate task adjustment decisions, whenever necessary. In doing so, they can consistently ensure that housekeeping staff are always aware of which tasks take priority.

Since the constant juggling of numerous tasks can easily overwhelm a housekeeping department, it helps to implement a housekeeping solution that has the ability to lighten the load with built-in automation. With instant alert notifications, housekeeping management can take advantage of an inspection matrix, for instance, and can always be sure to review the quality of completed staff tasks in a timely and efficient manner. Housekeeping attendants can also benefit substantially from automated assignments, particularly when it comes to dealing with rooms that require specific needs. By allowing employees to focus directly on the task at hand, resources can be utilized effectively in a manner that always produces superior results and guest satisfaction.

The time of the year and varying occupancy levels can often lead to shifts in task prioritization.  Leveraging an intuitive management platform, being able to forecast factors such as the number of incoming guests or how many staff members are needed for a specific shift, can prove vital in maintaining quality of service. A solution capable of providing forecasts on guest room occupancy by specific floor for example, can ensure that such areas are staffed adequately during peak times. Staff rosters that can be viewed in real time will also allow supervisors to determine how many staff members are on duty during a particular shift, therefore allowing them to allocate resources accordingly.

Unsurprisingly, the ability to maintain adequate stock levels of amenity items can have a significant influence on guest satisfaction. Yet, at the same time, overstocked supplies can serve as a drain on hotel budgets while also taking up unnecessary space. Consequently, by taking advantage of a housekeeping system that actively tracks guest consumption and that alerts staff when replenishment is required by using preset levels, hoteliers can ensure that guest needs are always met in a cost-effective manner. Intelligent inventory controls can likewise be utilized to track loaned service items, in order to ensure their return, and minimize the need for replacement due to loss or theft.

Perhaps the most critical element in a housekeeping department’s operational strategy is the ability to maintain direct lines of communication between all staff members regardless of location. As a result, housekeeping solutions that offer the ability to remotely transmit and update tasks can play a deciding role in whether a department’s efforts are ultimately successful. Industry leading platforms for instance, will allow employees to leverage the use of personal smart devices in reviewing tasks as they go about their responsibilities. By also allowing attendants to share details of completed assignments with fellow staff members, such solutions additionally guarantee maximum efficiency by ensuring resources are always available when actually needed.

The COVID-19 pandemic has re-defined the housekeeping standards. The essential tips mentioned above will always be an important considerations when looking to upgrade your hotel’s housekeeping operations. But what was previously already a complex process has been made even more tedious with COVID-19. Additional levels of disinfection and regular schedules of cleaning have become a staple in a housekeeper’s routine. It is critical to look for a hospitality technology solution that will support your hotel’s mandatory contactless and sanitization efforts without any added complicated processes. Adopting solutions that can minimize physical interactions via the use of mobile apps, in addition to streamlining the hotel operations, can reduce unnecessary stress over the new additional tasks. Moreover, solutions that have pre-defined customizable checklists can support staff’s adoption of the New Normal housekeeping operation processes even more easily.