According to Deloitte, the essential goal of cloud migration is the constant reinvention of the business. With innovation, you can gain extra opportunities and change the business dynamic for your own good.
In its turn, McKinsey shows that cloud data migration assists in capturing value, or reaching successful transformation, winning scaling, and accelerated innovation. But what is this digital know-how everybody talks about?
In essence, cloud migration means the situation when you can refer to the Internet resources and facilitate storing and using your information.
Basically, that’s the typical thing we already do in our social media and mailing accounts in our routine lives.
Nevertheless, shifting corporate data is more complex than checking your Facebook timeline. Thus, incorporating cloud migration into your company can be accompanied by numerous risks and challenges. Check our guide to foresee and deal with them in advance!
What Is Cloud Migration?
In essence, the process of migrating to the cloud involves moving elements, information, and applications. The arrival point is the cloud computing environment, or a particular pool of computer services available on the Internet, ensuring that you can reach your data on purpose directly.
This new storage is useful from the standpoint of providing direct access without the need to set the application up and store it on your computer. It’s just like borrowing a book from a library without the need to buy it.
Mostly, the departure point for migrating to the cloud is the old legacy infrastructure or local on-premises server. The process resembles moving to a more spacious apartment — including all the complex preparation and packaging needed, journey completion, and reaching a more comfortable future life that was worth all this effort.
Like in this real-life example, some things may be left behind during cloud migration or modified on the way. Moreover, you can pick online or offline connectivity, depending on the complexity of the process.
All these things contribute to the high flexibility and adaptivity of this strategic move.
Cloud Types
Basically, these exist 3 main types of cloud you can use:
Public cloud, or the most common type. This is the computing environment that is owned by a third-party vendor. You can use it for free or pay for what you accessed only. Another advantage of this type is the presence of constant updates.
Private cloud, or the most secure type. You, as an organization, totally control the cloud. Because of this, you can customize and protect your data in an advanced way.
Hybrid cloud, or the most beneficial type. This type connects the peculiarities of public and private clouds to ensure the most effective storage for different data types.
Transfer Types
Depending on the data composition and the purpose of the transfer, migrating to the cloud may have 3 types:
From a local server to a public cloud,
Cloud-to-cloud migration (moving data between clouds),
Cloud exit: moving information from a cloud back to a local server.
In most cases, service providers deal with the first type. At the same time, the migration between clouds also takes place to capture the advantages of different cloud types.
If you’re interested in getting a more cost-effective technology, it’s better to go for a public cloud that is easy to scale and guarantees pay-for-use only.
On the other hand, the private cloud ensures extra security and control over your data. In this model, you can also get a hybrid cloud solution.
Cloud migration best practices can happen both online and offline, depending on the database size and its version update.
In some cases, it’s better to apply an old-fashioned method of downloading information to certain hardware and then uploading it to the cloud — especially if you deal with a large outdated database.
Otherwise, it’s OK to rely on the speed and capabilities of the Internet connection.
Strategy Types
While moving data, stick to one of these 5 strategies to ensure the consistency of the process:
Rehost (or “lift and shift”). The easiest way to cope with cloud migration risks is to keep your infrastructure the same but host it on a cloud. In this case, you get Infrastructure-as-a-Service, or the situation when a third-party vendor possesses all the maintenance responsibility for the cloud.
Refactor. In this case, companies will choose Platform-as-a-Service to run the existing code on the new platform. In this strategy type, your developers can create and manage apps without the need to learn new infrastructure.
Revise. This strategy includes partial rewriting of the existing code base before moving it to the cloud.
Rebuild. In this strategy, the existing code base on the platform. Usually, the process takes time since most applications need not only rewriting but also re-architecturing.
Replace. You will build completely new applications and ask for Software-as-a-Service from your third-party vendor or make software that is available and maintained on the Internet.
5 Benefits of Cloud Migration
Across industries (including but not limited to banking, insurance, and healthcare), cloud data migration possesses these advantages:
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Cost. Even though reaching the benefits of cloud migration requires extra time and effort, the result saves you money in the long run. Transferring has its cost, but then you won't need to pay for storing as much as you did before. This is possible it becomes unnecessary to invest in extra IT operations and support previous physical servers.
Performance. Dealing with cloud migration problems is better than avoiding them because of the limitless computer resources it provides. In particular, this strategic move accelerates data processing, provides crucial updates, and stores all the essential data in one place. All this contributes to reaching better overall performance and user experience.
Security. Like a server room needed for your old infrastructure, a specifically designed data center will store your new computing environment. These separate IT resources dedicated to your cloud ensure the security of storing the essential information.
Legacy infrastructure update. There are parts of software, equipment, and applications that are too old but still usable in most companies. In the given circumstances, even the partial migration to the cloud can save the essential data before the next dramatic update and accelerate the processing and bring back the official vendor support.
Scalability and flexibility. When your business grows, timely cloud migration will protect it from the pains of getting additional servers, networking tools and putting your workers under the stress of coping with the growing loads of data. You can get as many additional resources as needed anytime from the cloud computing environment.
7 Main Risks of Cloud Computing
1. Everything Works Not as It Should
The workload is the primary factor affecting the price tag for cloud migration. That’s why it’s highly recommended to start the process by defining all the data scope for migration at the very beginning. Also, you can apply horizontal scaling or an in-built feature in the cloud that lets it automatically calculate the extra resources on the way.
2. Not Enough Security
Investing in reliable technologies and true partnership with your third-party vendor is critical, considering the increased sensitivity of your essential data as one of the key cloud migration risks.
3. Transfer Costs Rise on the Way
Be careful with estimating the expenses for migrating to the cloud. Frequently, companies forget to count the cost of migration services and don’t prepare the unified dataset in advance to ensure the predictability of the information transfer. But even if you know your data in advance, application dependencies may appear, complicate the migration, and raise the pricing. Finally, you’ll need to pay regularly for maintenance. All in all, developing a cloud cost optimization plan and saving some money on unexpected expenses is always a good idea to cope with cloud migration problems.
4. Your Data Doesn’t Fit the Cloud
It frequently happens that your current legacy infrastructure is old and turns into a migration nightmare. Thus, be ready to replace or leave behind some elements. Remember: understanding your migration goals is the key to preventing cloud migration risks.
5. Information Is Stuck in the Cloud
If you’re considering the cloud exit strategy, it may happen that you cannot get your data from the cloud computing environment. The situation is relevant for already outdated pieces of information you’d better get rid of, replace, or store on your hardware as an external database.
6. You Have No Idea How to Work With the New Data Storage
With time, you accumulate more information, and the absence of tech talent managing the cloud will become a severe problem for your company. That’s why you need to provide comprehensive training and learn how to deal with your cloud computing environment when new elements appear.
7. The Team Did the Job and Disappeared
Finding a reliable tech vendor is always a sharp question. Make sure your third-party partner reveals true commitment and has all the technical skills needed to develop and maintain the result.
Cloud Migration: Best Practices to Avoid the Risks
In essence, you can mitigate most cloud migration risks with a strategic plan pinpointing the process stages and actors. Moreover, it would be a good thing to work with reliable technologies and set clear migration goals.
Elaborate the Detailed Implementation Plan
While dealing with risks involved in database migration to the cloud, always start with the plan. This way, you can protect yourself from unpleasant surprises and the problems that happen while your essential data is stuck in the middle of nowhere. Here’s the rough plan of how to introduce cloud migration wisely:
Accumulate everything. Prepare everything you need to move in one place in advance. There are always some pieces of historical and sensitive data that you’ll prefer to keep untouched. In some cases, it’s possible to adopt the easiest lift-and-shift method and move the entire data set unmodified — but that’s not always cost-effective.
Protect the sensitive parts. Provide data encryption and necessary backups.
Consult with the tech team on software architecture and costs. This step will protect you from unnecessary delays, let you introduce cost-effective automation where needed, and make the overall process more predictable.
Hire an external service provider. You need the agency specialized in the cloud migration service exactly to get a satisfactory result.
Keep a close eye on the migration process. It’s important not to rush, constantly check the stability of the chosen network connection, and guarantee the overall process security.
Provide the required training. Make sure your IT specialists know how to deal with the new data storage.
Control the performance and quality. Here, the set of KPIs and constant support from the network provider are needed.
Adopt Trusted Technologies
Here’s the list of platforms frequently used for managing security risks of cloud migration:
Microsoft Azure Stack. The set of tools includes Azure Migrate, Data Migration Assistant, Database Migration Service, Data Box, and Movere.
Google Cloud Anthos. With Google, you can rely on Transfer Service, Transfer Appliance, Migrate for Anthos, Migrate for Compute Engine, and BigQuery Data Transfer Service.
AWS-based Outposts and VMware Cloud. Amazon migration solutions include AWS Migration Hub, Application Delivery Service, Server Migration Service, Database Migration Service, and CloudEndure Migration.
If you’re interested in getting extra control over your expenses, you can also use the calculators offered by these companies (meaning Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS pricing calculators).
Define Your Migration Goals
Ask yourself a question, “Why am I moving to the cloud?” and introduce some awareness of the cloud migration process at the very beginning. Then, elaborate on the list of KPIs that may refer to business performance and overcoming legacy infrastructure problems. Creating and sticking to a consistent security strategy is also a relevant step for dealing with most cloud migration problems.
Check Your Vendor
As for any technology-related process, it’s important to find a true tech partner who will assist and prevent all the possible problems proactively. Here is the short overview of the main principles of collaboration with an outsourcing vendor from our recent blog post:
Always start by checking the relevant experience and set of technical skills,
Ask for a pricing list in advance and ensure its transparency,
Be satisfied with your communication channels and quality during the process,
Don’t forget to negotiate the security terms,
Set the clear and fixed scope of work KPIs can control.
Where to Order Reliable Migration in Cloud Computing?
If you need a tech partner who can complete the transfer, maintain your information, and protect you from numerous cloud migration risks, refer to Intellectsoft!
In our set of dedicated development team services, you can ask for cloud data migration. You will get the total tech support needed with detailed planning, transparent pricing, and easy-to-track KPIs in this solution.
Interested? Welcome to talk to our experts! We’d be happy to discuss your project, provide the most cost-effective solution, and share our experience in mitigating these and other cloud migration problems. Let’s get in touch today!
The hospitality industry depends a lot on keeping customers happy, but it’s getting harder to attract and keep them. The pandemic hit this industry hard, and now market competition is tougher than ever, with competitive offerings swaying customers. Hospitality businesses are willing to spend big to win customers back. The main questions for many are: how can we stay ahead of the competition, keep our customers, and increase revenue? Keep reading—we’ve got some answers.
Customers today have so many options that getting their attention is a real challenge. It’s not easy to make them choose your business over others. What worked 10 years ago doesn’t work the same way now. Back then, people often chose businesses based on reputation. But with new types of businesses (boutique hotels, craft cafes) popping up or big enterprises getting a new strategy, expectations have changed. The good news is these businesses have shown what works: great customer service. They focus on personalizing the experience, making things easy for customers, offering loyalty programs, and using smart technology.
In this article, we’ll explore these tech strategies and show you how they can help your business grow, and double the revenue. Keep reading to learn more!
The Importance of Customer Satisfaction in the Hospitality Industry
Customer satisfaction, which equals exceptional customer experience, is the backbone of the hospitality industry. It plays a central role in driving revenue and loyalty, as satisfied customers are more likely to return and recommend a hotel, restaurant, or other hospitality business to others. In fact, a study by the Harvard Business Review found that a 1% increase in customer satisfaction can lead to a 0.5% increase in revenue. Moreover, loyal customers are more likely to forgive mistakes and continue doing business with a company, even if they experience a negative encounter.
Let's quickly review the challenges the hospitality industry is facing right now so we can move on to the solutions and our case studies.
Challenges in Hospitality
As businesses navigate the changes in the hospitality industry, there are some key areas where a little improvement can go a long way. From improving customer service to embracing digital transformation and tackling labor shortages, we’ll take a closer look at today’s biggest challenges—and, more importantly, how technology can step in to help. Let’s get started!
Poor Customer Service
Even with strong and high-quality business offerings, poor customer service can drive potential customers and existing customers away. Common issues include:
Long wait times in customer service queues (it is worth remembering that our attention spans 8 seconds, and we live in a very busy world, so quick and efficient responses are more important than ever.)
Poorly trained customer service representatives
Lack of follow-up
Services not being done properly or quickly
Recall issues that require multiple service calls
These problems can frustrate customers. But, at Intellectsoft, we believe that the right approach, combined with technology, can address them effectively.
Digital Transformation Gaps
Approximately 50% of hotels are adopting new technologies, with 43% automating repetitive tasks and 39% upgrading existing systems. Source: workstaff.app
While many businesses are adopting digital solutions, some still struggle with outdated systems and fragmented data. Legacy companies often face chaos when trying to manage their data and create new systems or add features.
Some of the recent examples include clients coming to us to create AI solutions for their services while their data simply was not ready for the advanced tasks. We advise stepping back, communicating with a company objective, and working on keeping the data clean (centralized, structured, and segmented).
When we’re asked to create advanced systems using AI, we always emphasize the importance of organized data. To train AI and build such complicated systems that truly work, you need to start from the very beginning—collecting, storing, centralizing, and organizing it. We encourage our clients to align all departments to work internally on the data so we can create a unified digital system that delivers personalized experiences.
If you’re unsure where to start with your data, we can help. Collecting feedback at various touchpoints along the customer journey is crucial for gaining insights into customer satisfaction and loyalty. Book an IT consultation with us, and our experts will guide you in mapping out a path to get more from your data and build a system that works for your business and team.
Reskilling Staff
The pandemic hit hard in early 2020, especially for the hospitality and travel industries. Even five years later, many businesses are still feeling the impact. Recruiting and retaining skilled staff has become a major challenge post-pandemic.
Reskilling to address technology’s impact is of utmost importance, as about 40% of hotel General Managers place it among their top three workforce challenges.
We strongly believe that adopting the right technology can help. For example, creating an app to train your staff not only saves time but also ensures consistency in learning. AI assistants can also work alongside your team, helping with tasks like recruitment (providing industry insights, crafting emails) and staff training. Imagine having an app dedicated to making your team’s work easier and more efficient!
How Technology Tackles These Challenges and Supports a Customer-Centric Hospitality Culture
Automation, AI, and similar technologies may threaten many. However, the debate about replacing humans isn’t about that—it’s about cooperation and working hand in hand with technology to achieve the highest standards and establish brand-new “golden standards.” Technology is here to assist staff in listening to and collecting customer insights from data.
Let’s review some of our cases to see examples of how technology helps improve customer experience and supports customer service.
Examples of Intellectsoft projects
Property management systems (PMS)
We created a web platform and mobile app that makes managing daily tasks easier and offers extra services to improve residents’ experience. It gives a clear overview of daily activities and helps with managing units and users. Residents can easily book amenities, submit service requests, and report incidents. The platform also includes features for equipment management, key instructions, workflows, and custom permissions. This makes it easier for staff to stay on top of equipment and ensure residents have all the information they need. Plus, tools like announcements, quick votes, a forum, and a community calendar help build a connected and engaged community.
Guest Experience Management App
Our next app helped our client improve their guest experience by replacing printed marketing materials and the need for phone calls with a smart solution. Now, guests can easily order in-room dining, make reservations, and interact with staff— through a simple tablet in their room. The solution includes three parts: a custom in-room tablet with a variety of services, an admin panel for hotel staff and service providers, and a backend system that connects everything together. This approach makes things easier for guests and staff, improving both convenience and efficiency.
Existing Customers First: Building Loyalty with Personalized Touchpoints
Keeping existing customers is not just a strategy; it’s well-known that retaining existing customers is more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. In fact, research shows that it costs five times more to acquire a new customer than to retain an existing one. KPMG named customer retention as the number one revenue driver for the company.
Moreover, a 5% increase in customer retention can lead to a 25% to 95% increase in profits, showing the significant impact loyal customers can have on a business’s bottom line. Retention strategies, like personalized experiences and loyalty programs, can foster long-term relationships and generate recurring revenue, ultimately making them an invaluable part of any business model.
Personalization: How Technology Can Help?
Everyone loves to feel special—it’s part of being human. In hospitality, personalization has evolved from being a luxury to an essential standard. With the right technology to manage your data effectively, you can deliver those “wow” moments that guests won’t forget.
More than half of hotel chains are already using personalization features on their websites, booking platforms, and apps, and another 39% are planning to follow suit soon. They’re tailoring experiences to fit guest preferences perfectly.
Source: Deloitte
How does technology make it happen?
CRM Systems: They help you keep track of guest preferences, booking history, and special requests so you can offer services tailored just for them.
Loyalty Programs: Personalized rewards and offers show your guests that you value them, keeping them coming back for more.
AI Personalization: AI analyzes guest data to predict what they’ll love (from room upgrades to local recommendations) before they even ask.
IoT Gadgets: Smart room features like voice-activated assistants, or temperature controls adjust to your guests’ preferences, making their stay more comfortable.
With tech-powered personalization, you’re building loyalty and maximizing the lifetime value of every customer.
Our Case Study: Smart Hotel Management & Loyalty Program
For one of our clients, we created a smart room solution, complete with a custom IoT system. Guests can use a mobile app to control services, explore amenities, and find resort information-- with a special touch to their suite type. For the client’s entertainment business, we improved their legacy software by running a full IT and code check, fixing issues, and making the system better for customers.
Along with that, we developed a mobile app for the loyalty program, allowing businesses to effortlessly reward their customers and keep them engaged with exclusive benefits.
Our solutions not only helped the client with special experiences for guests; it also improved operations, cutting costs by eliminating inefficiencies. Here's what our experts shared:
"We transitioned away from ESB (Enterprise Service Bus) systems, which previously cost millions, and replaced them with more efficient, self-managed solutions. Similarly, we’ve implemented Device Farms that improved operations and saved resources."
Leveraging Software to Increase Upsell Opportunities
Here are some examples of tech tactics that will help your team sell more and introduce new offerings to existing customers, improve overall efficiency leaving your team grateful:
Dynamic Pricing Algorithms
For finance and marketing teams, manually calculating pricing by segment to introduce your clients can be incredibly challenging. AI-powered tools can strongly optimize these strategies by analyzing your database in detail.
Upselling via Apps
Boosting revenue in the hospitality business often comes down to personalized experiences. Imagine this: a guest books a room, and then your app suggests a spa package or a room upgrade at just the right moment. Later, it nudges them to book a dinner reservation or a guided tour designed to their preferences. With apps offering these personalized recommendations during and after bookings, you’re not just increasing your revenue per guest but also skyrocketing their experience. And you do it in a sustainable way, not by speculating, but by offering what your customers desire based on their previous experiences. It’s a win-win: seamless, helpful, and far from pushy.
Inventory and Resource Management Software
Making every resource count in your hospitality business is key. Inventory and resource management software allows you to effortlessly track everything from linens to room availability, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Having real-time insights to reduce overstock, avoid shortages, and optimize operations assists sustainably keep everything under control and know what you need to focus more. It helps maximize room occupancy by aligning bookings with available resources, ensuring every room and item is used effectively. This approach leads to smarter management, better guest experiences, and a noticeable boost to your bottom line.
Adopting these strategies not only optimizes your operations but also drives business growth. Ready to discover how technology can elevate your goals? We’re here to create a tailored solution for you.
Steps For Implementing a Customer Service Technology Solution
Improving customer service in hospitality doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right technology, you can smooth the path of your operations, speed up response times, and elevate the overall guest experience. Here’s where you can make it happen:
1. Understand Your Needs
Start by identifying the challenges your business is facing. Are you struggling to manage high volumes of inquiries, track customer feedback, or personalize the guest experience? Pinpointing your needs will guide you to the best solutions.
2. Pick the Right Tools
Choose technology that aligns with your goals. Look for solutions that are scalable, easy to use, and integrate effortlessly with your current systems. Options like CRM software, live chat tools, or a guest experience app can make a difference.
3. Equip Your Team
Technology is only as effective as the people using it. Train your staff to make the most of the new tools, so they can deliver exceptional service and resolve issues quickly. Confident, well-equipped staff creates happy, loyal customers.
4. Keep Improving
Once implemented, monitor how well the solution works. Are response times improving? Are customers more satisfied? Regular evaluations will help you fine-tune your approach and keep things running harmoniously.
Some Tech Ideas for Hospitality Businesses
CRM Software: Manage customer interactions and preferences.
Guest Experience Apps: Delight guests with personalized experiences right at their fingertips.
Amenity Management Systems: Simplify operations for everything from room service to facility bookings.
Live Chat Tools: Offer instant support and answers.
Social Media Management Tools: Keep customer interactions engaging and organized.
Integrating these strategies will not only improve your customer service but also deliver unforgettable customer satisfaction, loyalty, and, ultimately, your bottom line. Ready to take the next step? Book a consultation with our experts.
Conclusion
To wrap up everything we've discussed, customer satisfaction and experience are at the heart of hospitality. Retaining customers is more than just keeping them around—building strong, long-lasting relationships and consistently meeting their evolving needs. By understanding their pain points and offering personalized solutions, you can inspire loyalty and drive progress. With the right technology and continuous improvement, your business can stay ahead, let go of what no longer serves you, and keep growing.
At Intellectsoft, with over 17 years of experience in software development, our expert team is ready to help. We create everything from mobile apps to full-fledged portals and systems, leveraging the latest technologies like AI, Cloud, and Machine Learning. With deep experience in the hospitality industry, we’re here to craft personalized solutions that bring your business unforgettable customer experience and retain your valuable clients.
Ready to double your revenue and level up your customer retention strategy with personalized technology? Contact our experts, and we look forward to working hand in hand with you to build or revitalize the perfect app or system for you.
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