Inverness businessman behind new software system aimed at helping make hotels Covid secure
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An Inverness businessman is behind pioneering software to help the crisis-hit hospitality industry welcome guests back safely in the post-lockdown world.
Jon Erasmus, co-owner of the Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness, is also chief executive of Hop Software, the firm which has developed a hospitality management system which minimises human contact.
The software even enables customers to open and lock their hotel bedroom doors remotely.
Using the company’s bespoke branded app, guests can book, check-in, pay bills and check out without having to physically distance in reception queues.
Room service can also be ordered via the app, complete with a chosen time slot when customers can have their food and drink delivered to their room by staff, and a text service alerts guests to Covid-compliant measures in place in the establishment as well as services available to them.
During lockdown, Hop’s developers created a free click-and-collect and online delivery service called ‘Hop Shop’, allowing existing clients to safely sell to their customers, ensuring some elements of their business could continue to trade.
Instead of taking payment for the Shop service, the company simply asked beneficiaries to make a donation to the NHS.
Director Richard Drummond said: "The shop element was created and delivered by our teams during the early stage of the pandemic, in response to our customers’ needs.
"We were acutely aware hospitality businesses worldwide were struggling with no income and bills so we didn’t charge.
"Because Hop Software is a company started by hospitality people for hospitality people, we know the challenges our clients face. They are the same challenges we face.
"Hospitality emerged through the last global downturn, but this is different.
"We need to create environments where customers feel safe but that are not too clinical.
"People still want to enjoy their experience and the technology can reduce the level of contact but still provide the customer with a high level of service.
"Innovations such as digital door locking and opening, for example, completely cuts out the need for the touching of handles and surfaces from which the virus can be passed and reduces cleaning cycles for staff."
Mr Erasmus said: "Because our entire system is integrated in one place, and there is no need to pay for third party add-ons, our systems will save hotels thousands of pounds in bills each year.
"Given lockdown, every hospitality business worldwide is looking at reducing costs, so we are well placed in the market."
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