1. Gabrielle Godina Cyndey Lawrence Amanda VillarrealKate Vance
IT Mini Case Study:

2. What is SmartGuest™?
•Mobile app that connects hotel to guest
•Gives users info on attractions, specials,
and promotions on or off site
•Guests receive push notifications from
hotel reminding them about upcoming
activities
•Users can plan their day through “Things To
Do Today”
•Preferred or return customers can be given
access to special promotions and rewards
•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSlrzfBu-Bo

3. Why is IT important?
• Industry is finally adapting and moving
towards more automated technology
• Must keep up with current trends to stay
relevant
• Guests expect more, crave an experience

4. Pros
• Allows hotel to increase
revenue
• Everything on the app can
be shared directly to the
guests social media web
pages
• Multi-lingual
• Easily Customizable
• Immediate notifications
can be sent to guests all at
once

5. Pros Continued…
• Connects with existing
POS and PMS systems in
hotel
• Offers a cloud-hosted
network for companies
wishing to make a smaller
footprint
• Endless informational
pages available to guest
• Tabs such as "Things to do
Today" help guests plan
their day, not wasting a
moment

6. Drawbacks and Challenges
• Glitches in the technology
• Double ordering and mis-
ordering
• May lead towards employees
becoming less knowledgeable of
attractions, events and great
cuisine in specific area
• Takes away personal touch of
hospitality
• Not everyone uses a Smartphone
or tablet device
• Doesn't cover all demographics
such as elderly

7. Development and Future
• HandHeld Hospitality creates
SmartGuest app
• Collaboration with AT&T app
developers to bring SmartGuest
services to hotels
• Board appointment and
investment partnership with
Bob McCarthy, COO of Marriott
International, Inc
• Innovative app will that will
change the way hotels
communicate with their guests

8. Questions?

9. References
• "Hand Held Hospitality | HandHeld Hospitality | Making Hotels Smarter | Mobile Hotel Apps." Hand Held
Hospitality. N.p., 24 Feb. 2014. Web. 25 Feb. 2014 retrieved from http://www.handheldhospitality.com/
• Trejos, N. (2013, June 27). Mobile apps let guests order room service, book appointments. USA Today. Retrieved
February 22, 2014, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/dispatches/2013/06/27/hotels-mobile-apps-
room-service/2465469/
• David Gutierrez (February 20, 2014). “Handheld Hospitality Appoints Marriott International COO to Its Board and
Announces SmartGuest App Collaboration.” Retrieved from http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/
handheld-hospitality-appoints-marriott-international-coo-its-board-announces-smartguest-1881284.htm.
• Handheld hospitality announces new features to mobile to streamline service. (2013, July 13). Retrieved from
http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/news/HandHeld-Hospitality-Announces-New-Features-to-Mobile-to-
Streamline-Service87382

10. References
• "Hand Held Hospitality | HandHeld Hospitality | Making Hotels Smarter | Mobile Hotel Apps." Hand Held
Hospitality. N.p., 24 Feb. 2014. Web. 25 Feb. 2014 retrieved from http://www.handheldhospitality.com/
• Trejos, N. (2013, June 27). Mobile apps let guests order room service, book appointments. USA Today. Retrieved
February 22, 2014, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/dispatches/2013/06/27/hotels-mobile-apps-
room-service/2465469/
• David Gutierrez (February 20, 2014). “Handheld Hospitality Appoints Marriott International COO to Its Board and
Announces SmartGuest App Collaboration.” Retrieved from http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/
handheld-hospitality-appoints-marriott-international-coo-its-board-announces-smartguest-1881284.htm.
• Handheld hospitality announces new features to mobile to streamline service. (2013, July 13). Retrieved from
http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/news/HandHeld-Hospitality-Announces-New-Features-to-Mobile-to-
Streamline-Service87382