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Tech Fragmentation in Vacation Rentals: VRMA Recap

Sasha Barak — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 05:05:00 +0000

Description

The short-term rental industry, driven by its entrepreneurial spirit, overflows with software and tools, solving hospitality operators’ challenges. However, the integration of these tools often falls short, leading to redundancy in solutions and a mismatch in operator needs. Instead of streamlining processes, this technological fragmentation often complicates matters further.

In our session, we delved into the current landscape of hospitality technology, highlighting the integration challenges businesses face. This fragmentation impacts guest experience and profitability across different company sizes.The speakers discussed solutions to these challenges. They offered guidance for operators to navigate and streamline their operations.

Learning Outcomes for Vacation Rental Operators

Understand the technology landscape and identify the specific issue they may have in their own business
Create a framework for addressing and navigating the technology fragmentation in a practical way today to improve business operation.

Speakers

JOHN AN, CEO, TechTape – Moderator

John’s company TechTape aims to streamline operations for vacation rental businesses by enhancing existing systems and integrating cost-effective, user-friendly solutions. John is also a short-term rental operator, and understands first-hand the complexities of disjointed hospitality tech. He’s also recognized as an expert in revenue management.

PIERRE-CAMILLE HAMANA, CEO, Hospitable.com

With over 80,000 connected listings on the platform, Hospitable never wanted to become a PMS. Automation is what the company is known for. The best service they offer is guest experience products that automate all communication with guests and facilitate direct bookings. The company is mostly focused on property owners.

FRANCOIS GOUELO, CEO & CoFounder, Enso Connect

Francois offers a distinctive perspective on addressing fragmentation in hospitality technology. He champions the “connect VS rip and replace” strategy, empowering operators to select tools that align with their unique business requirements. These tools can then be effortlessly integrated into a custom tech stack, designed specifically for individual hospitality businesses. This vision is the foundation of Enso Connect.

LUCA ZAMBELLO, CEO, Jurny

Luca has a track record of expanding a short-term rental management business to 300 units across five cities. However, at some point technology became a challenge. He spent considerable time integrating various solutions to scale operations. This led him to create his own product, differing from industry norms – Jurny. Today, he is eager to chat with the STR community about tech fragmentation and potential solutions.

Background

The short-term rental market in the United States boasts a staggering value of $90B, and globally, it reaches an impressive $172B. This industry is not only thriving but is also characterized by its entrepreneurial spirit. This dynamism has given rise to a plethora of technology solutions, each aiming to address the unique challenges faced by operators. However, this surge in innovation has also led to a highly fragmented landscape. With over 500 property management software (PMS) options available worldwide, there’s a maze of products, many of which have overlapping features. The primary challenge is that these solutions often operate in silos, lacking seamless integration with one another.

Watch the full session recording.

Different approaches to the hospitality tech fragmentation problem

Jurny’s approach

There are two main issues. Firstly, there’s an overload of solutions, many of which serve similar purposes but with slight variations. This is problematic. Secondly, when we began our journey as property managers and founded Jurny, we noticed that these solutions weren’t designed to integrate seamlessly. In reality, property managers don’t just need one tool like a pricing software, guest verification system, channel manager, or a PMS. They need all these tools to function cohesively, sharing and relaying information. But the industry hasn’t been set up this way.

We’ve seen various approaches to address this, but our strategy was unique. We reached out to partners with the purpose of selecting one partner per category. We believed that property managers first needed to decide on their tech stack and then integrate these solutions for optimal performance. Drawing from our decade-long experience in the industry, we chose partners and urged them, without being too forceful, to adapt their APIs for two-way communication. This allowed us to consolidate everything into a single dashboard. Essentially, a unified ecosystem did not exist, until now. And even now, it’s not universally available due to various software providers’ limitations.

Another issue is that many systems are outdated. When the industry was in its infancy, there weren’t many solutions. Many of the existing Property Management Systems (PMSs) are over a decade old. They were built for a different era, and the industry has since evolved, leading to the current fragmentation as a result.

Enso Connect’s approach

A controversial perspective I hold is that the main issue with fragmentation is that we view it as a problem. Tech companies offer a range of services, from guest verification to upsells and guest applications. This expansion is driven by various tech players, leading to interconnected marketplaces. However, the challenge arises when businesses have to manage multiple logins, vendors, and understand the interdependencies of various tools, especially as they grow.

Many systems claim to be all-in-one solutions, which can be misleading. It’s essential to recognize that different departments use different tools. For instance, my tech team doesn’t use the same tools as my sales team. The challenge for property managers is centralizing information from these diverse departments.

Tech Tape’s approach

Each management company’s operations are unique because there is no formal education on operating a short-term rental business. So, a tool that may be perfect for one operator can be terrible for another operator. The fragmentation is positive in that there are a lot of different options for each unique operator to select from. However, most are not integrated and do not talk to each other. The core issue in the near-term horizon is that these tools don’t communicate seamlessly. As a result, either the work has to be completed manually, or the same data exists in multiple places, causing inefficiencies. From a property manager’s perspective, the goal is to ensure these tools can interact in a coherent workflow. The endgame is to avoid having the same data scattered across different platforms, which complicates operations. For the long-term perspective, our industry needs more infrastructure-type solutions that unifies core functionality so that we don’t continuously reinvent the wheel.

Hospitable’s approach

Communication is crucial. To give some perspective, in our company, we have 127 software contacts for a team of 57. These numbers surprised me. Like many companies, we struggle with managing customer data. What’s unique about our industry is how OTAs have set up a system where the main customer data source integrates primarily with property management software. These softwares then connect with numerous third-party service providers.

A couple of years ago, we might have thought there was a leading solution. But there’s still no clear frontrunner. This results in repetitive work and constant reinvention for both operators and software providers. The industry lacks a system that encourages easy data sharing to maximize its value. This is unlike any other sector I’ve seen. Industries like healthcare or finance might have data restrictions, but vacation rental isn’t that heavily regulated.

Airbnb Direct Integration: The Story

From the very beginning the goal of Enso Connect was to digitize the guest experience. One of the first questions was about Airbnb partnership. Realizing the importance of this partnership to access reservation data, the co-founders tried to collaborate with Airbnb. However, their API, which is essential for accessing such data, was restricted.

The workaround was found on Reddit—a working API key. For two months, they accessed Airbnb’s data, thinking this was their breakthrough. But soon, Airbnb’s security team blocked it. Francois approached Airbnb’s Toronto office in person, hoping to resolve the issue. They asked the startup to return when they had more properties. That was a catch-22: how could they get more properties without Airbnb access?

The solution was to connect through Property Management Systems, the only platforms Airbnb recognized. To clarify, OTAs like Airbnb typically allow only one system to connect to their platform. This limitation means that even if you have innovative tools to enhance your business, integration is challenging. Thankfully, Airbnb has recently allowed integration with Enso Connect, along with other companies on this panel. However, there’s still much work needed to streamline data flow in the industry, from booking channels to third-party integrations.

Did PMS stop innovating?

Luca shared his view that many Property Management Systems (PMS) have fallen short of their responsibilities. Throughout my tenure as a property manager, he has switched between five different PMS. Most large-scale operators, managing anywhere from a few units to 400-500, have changed their PMS at least three times and are still unsatisfied with their current system.

Luca believes many PMS, especially the older, legacy ones, have ceased to innovate. They should be centralizing and managing data, demanding comprehensive information from their partners. This is their primary role.The successful PMS of the future will recognize and address this. Otherwise, solutions like Enso Connect will either have to connect directly with platforms like Airbnb, missing out on other opportunities, or collaborate with entities that truly understand this challenge.

What Slows Down Innovation in the Hospitality Industry?

Companies like Enso Connect often rely on Property Management Software (PMS) APIs to access essential data. For startups like Enso, their primary goal is to access this data to provide value to their customers. However, their main focus isn’t necessarily to feed data back to enhance the user experience of the original PMS. As a result, PMS users don’t get a comprehensive, centralized data source, which the PMS should ideally provide.

In recent years, many PMSs have struggled to innovate. They’re burdened by numerous existing integrations, making it challenging to adopt new technologies. For instance, while there are advancements in areas like smart locks and OpenAI’s ChatGPT implementation, many PMS lag in incorporating these. This delay often stems from their desire to maintain their current integrations and monetize new features, which can hinder collaboration and innovation.

The Universal API VS Distributed Solution

While discussing tech issues might seem irrelevant to property managers, it directly impacts you. When choosing vendors and solutions, we’re constrained by the data we can sync from channels and OTAs. A rising trend is the emergence of API-first companies that aim to enhance tool interconnectivity. But a challenge remains: where is all this data centralized?

Most often, it’s in the PMS. Few resort to platforms like Google Drive, Notion, or Excel sheets as their primary data source. I encourage property managers to view their operations both as a tech and hospitality venture. The tech landscape might get more chaotic before it simplifies. Instead of waiting for a single entity to create a universal API, which could stifle innovation, a distributed solution seems more viable. This approach promotes diverse innovations rather than confining them to one standard.

4 Ways to Defragment the Hospitality Industry: Pros and Cons

We see five main ways of how the hospitality industry starts to defragment. These ways are: consolidation via acquisition, integrations via marketplaces, white-labels and semi-custom builds.

Consolidation via Acquisition

We are talking about larger companies acquiring smaller operators, consolidating the tech landscape. While the primary reason might be to integrate that technology internally, sometimes it’s to eliminate competition or acquire their customer base. This consolidation can lead to a unified platform, but it might also limit the available tech solutions for business operations.

Integrations via Marketplaces

Currently, our industry is buzzing with the trend of marketplaces. Various companies are collaborating to create these platforms where property managers can select from multiple software options, be it for pricing, accounting, communication, upsells, etc.. While this provides choice, a downside is that the Property Management System (PMS) is a gatekeeper. PMS controls which software gets listed, limiting the options available to users.

White label

White labeling involves a company’s internal decision on partnerships and product alignment, echoing what Luca mentioned. To clarify, none of us here are focused on acquisitions but rather on different kinds of integration.

Semi-Custom Builds

Another current approach, though not a long-term solution, involves semi-custom builds. This method links multiple tools that don’t naturally communicate, creating workflows that allow them to function together. This way, you can choose the tools you prefer without the PMS limiting your options.

Which way of defragmentation is the best? Expert views

Luca admits he’s biased, as his company leans heavily towards white labeling. As a property manager himself, his goal was simplification. Achieving scalability often requires simplification first, which is ironically complex. His company, Jurny, provides a great example for this. They’ve streamlined the user experience, but the underlying processes are intricate. Ultimately, they prioritize the user experience. Luca believes that 80% of the market will eventually adopt this approach, though others might disagree.

Francois notes that companies are acquired for various reasons, from financial struggles to strategic decisions. He observes that many private equity moves in the vacation rental sector seem more profit-driven than focused on genuine innovation.

When property managers evaluate tech solutions, Francois believes it’s crucial to understand their primary needs. Often, he sees operators adopting various tech solutions without considering how they fit into their business’s infrastructure. He points to the success of platforms like Hubspot and predicts a rise in Zapier-like functionalities in the vacation rental industry. Given the unique needs of each property management company, owner, and guest, he feels that one-size-fits-all solution often falls short.

Francois finds the idea of integrating advanced technology, white labeling, and offering a marketplace compelling. The industry is inherently fragmented, mirroring the diverse operations of property managers. Hence, the tech stack should be adaptable to cater to these unique hospitality requirements. Rather than endorsing a single approach, Francois feels a combination of strategies will define the industry’s future digital landscape.

Luca has spent countless hours researching the best providers, only to find that many in the industry avoid taking responsibility when issues arise. This lack of accountability frustrates him, as he feels the industry has shielded itself instead of addressing core problems. In his view, the main issue with marketplaces and many PMSs is the lack of ownership and responsibility.

Pierre-Camille pointed out the risks of over-consolidation, using Amazon’s dominance in the book market as an example. He noted the potential risks of the entire vacation industry relying on a single platform. He believes the vacation management software market shouldn’t be dominated by one major player, especially given the diverse needs of different market segments.

Drawing a parallel between Slack and Discord, he highlighted how similar products can cater to different user bases. He lamented the industry’s focus on acquiring listings rather than enhancing user experience.

Discussing integration challenges, Pierre-Camil highlighted the gross margin pressures of maintaining multiple integrations. He shared their venture into white labeling, aiming to provide property owners with a direct premium connection. Direct listings come with challenges, like chargebacks and guest issues. To address this, they bundled integrations, offering a package similar to a private OTA. This package handles various aspects like tax compliance and payment processing, at a lower cost for the user.

Pierre-Camil emphasized the importance of a unified guest experience and operational efficiency. He questioned if an all-in-one solution, despite its appeal, might divert software providers from key goals.

API connectors and more: summary

Luca and Francois have different views but are aiming to solve the same problem in property management.
Property managers face various challenges daily, from revenue to operations.
There’s no one-size-fits-all software for property managers. Instead, the issue is that many solutions don’t integrate well with each other.
Luca emphasizes the need for someone to take responsibility and ensure sustainable solutions.
The speaker mentions an API connector called “Seam” used by various companies to integrate smart devices.
The future seems to be leaning towards more API-based solutions, as seen with companies in Y Combinator.
Francois believes that collaboration is key to solving fragmentation in the industry. This means working together instead of competing.
AI is highlighted as a significant technological advancement. Centralized systems are essential for effective AI implementation.
A challenge in the industry is the lack of standardization, especially with APIs. Different terminologies and standards make integration difficult.
Francois believes that while white labeling can add value, the real value lies in the data a company collects.
Luca advises property managers to be cautious when choosing software. They should identify their key problems and choose solutions that address those specific issues.

The conversation revolves around the challenges and opportunities in property management, especially concerning technology and software solutions. The emphasis is on collaboration, integration, and the value of data.

Learn more about how Enso Connect’s approach to simplifying vacation rental operations. See how it works.

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How COVID has shaped how we will travel in the future

Sasha Barak — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 15:00:00 +0000

With this pandemic, we — as a society — have had to change the way we look at many different situations. Our perspectives on restaurants, public transit, family gatherings, and travel have all shifted significantly. For starters, many travelers are skeptical about the future of travel, with their concerns focusing on the safety of traveling, the transmission of the virus, restrictions, and the overall health and safety of others.

These anxieties have understandably led to a significant reduction in travel, even though it hasn’t completely ceased. Travelers are now more cautious and discerning about their choices, and this change in behavior is likely to persist for some time. As the travel industry begins to recover, it’s crucial to address these concerns head-on and adapt to the new expectations and demands of travelers. Ensuring safety and providing clear, transparent communication about health measures can help rebuild trust and encourage a gradual return to travel, paving the way for a more resilient and responsive industry in the future.

The frequency of travel will most likely be changed after the pandemic. For some people, they will be travelling every chance they get as they feel they have missed out on adventure and travel having been in lockdown. For others, however, they may never feel safe to travel in the near to mid future. Fearing the worst, they may just stick locally and stay with what they know.

Hot travel destinations may also change. Old tourist hot spots may not be as busy, as those looking to travel may not want to be around so many people. Travel decisions may likely revolve around population density as well as how popular the destination is. That being said, there are those who won’t care about either of those things and will travel like normal.

The duration of stay could possibly see getting longer on average. During this pandemic, such OTAs like Airbnb have instituted longer term stays (28 days or more) in order to combat the spread of COVID and reduce the frequency of unique Airbnb visits. Because of this, some property owners may continue with this as they may like consistency and added precaution.

COVID has shaped the way the world currently operates and will continue to shape how the world operates in the future. Travel is no different, and the trends we’ve seen recently will most likely continue into the future.

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How to maximize space in your rental

Sasha Barak — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 16:00:58 +0000

Finding a place to stay or rent is always a mixed bag. The advertised pictures may make the place look absolutely humongous, but when you get there, you’ve arrived at a shoebox. So how can you, as a property manager, maximize space in your property so that guests won’t feel claustrophobic or worse. It’s a question that every interior decorator has faced many times, and will continue to face as long as there are small apartments and properties. So how can you maximize space in a small property?

Lighting and Colour

Darker colors and inadequate lighting can make a room or property feel smaller than it truly is. If your space is on the smaller side, consider repainting with brighter, more relaxing colors. Off-whites, light greens, and soft blues are excellent choices that can instantly create a more open and airy atmosphere. These colors reflect more light and contribute to a sense of spaciousness.

Lighting also plays a crucial role in space maximization. Proper lighting can enhance the perception of a room’s size and create a welcoming environment. European countries are renowned for their clever use of natural light, and incorporating some of their strategies can work wonders for your space. If your property features large windows, or even smaller ones, make them a focal point. Avoid heavy drapes or blinds that block natural light. Instead, opt for sheer curtains or blinds that allow light to flood in while providing privacy.

In addition to natural light, consider layering your artificial lighting. Use a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to brighten up different areas and highlight architectural features. For example, recessed lighting or wall sconces can add depth and dimension to a room. Place lamps strategically to illuminate dark corners and create a balanced light distribution.

By focusing on these elements, you can enhance the perception of space in your property and create a more inviting and comfortable environment for your guests. Bright, well-lit spaces not only feel larger but also more pleasant and relaxing, ensuring a positive experience for everyone who stays.

Storage

If your property is cluttered or overly furnished, it can make even the most spacious areas feel cramped and uncomfortable. To avoid this, focus on curating a selection of choice furniture pieces that enhance your space rather than overwhelm it. A minimalist approach, featuring only essential and well-chosen items, will help maintain an open and aesthetically pleasing environment.

Investing in quality, minimalist furniture is key. Opt for pieces that are both stylish and functional, and that you can count on to stand the test of time. This not only enhances the overall look of your property but also ensures durability, reducing the need for frequent replacements and updates.

Additionally, creative storage solutions can make a huge difference in maintaining a clutter-free space. If your property has closets, utilize them effectively by incorporating custom shelving or organizers that maximize storage capacity. You can also turn underutilized spaces into clever storage areas—think about adding built-in cabinets or utilizing wall-mounted racks to keep belongings neatly out of sight.

If you’re dealing with small spaces, consider furniture that doubles as storage, such as ottomans with hidden compartments or beds with built-in drawers. These multifunctional pieces help to reduce clutter and free up floor space, making the area feel more expansive.

By focusing on quality, minimalism, and innovative storage solutions, you can transform your property into a stylish, functional haven that feels open and inviting, no matter its actual size. This approach not only enhances the guest experience but also contributes to a more efficient and aesthetically pleasing environment.

Multifunctional

Like I hinted at above, closets are very handy to maximize your space. By adding closet organizers or other items that can sort items, you will be able to maximize your space. The ability to store as much stuff properly is a very important skill to have if you are trying to maximize space.

If you’ve already tried these tricks and you have others that work for you, feel free to share your stories and information to us, or if you have any questions, you can email us at contact@ensoconnect.com.

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What is travel etiquette?

Sasha Barak — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 14:00:00 +0000

Etiquette, like many other things, can set you apart from others. Having great etiquette can not only improve other people’s perception of yourself, but also give others a reduction in stress and hassle. When traveling abroad or renting a vacation home, etiquette should be at the front of your mind. Although a rather simple concept, etiquette, like most other characteristics in life can greatly affect the others around you, and traveling is no different.

Being Etiquette When Traveling

The basis of travel etiquette is essentially to leave things the way they were if not better than the way they were before you saw/interacted/experienced them. If you were to rent out your home or have friends stay over at your home, I can guarantee that you would appreciate it if they made the bed in the morning, or cleaned up after themselves. These little touches — although not very time or energy consuming — end up going a long way in people’s minds. It is this sort of thinking you, yourself, have to consider when you are traveling abroad.

Keeping surfaces clean and organized and caring after the wellbeing of the property are all ways that you can respect your host and the place you’re staying in. These qualities not only set you apart from the other guests, but they also make you appreciate where you are staying, as you then create a physical connection between yourself and the location. During the process of traveling, being a respectable person who isn’t blasting music or making a mess along the way will make a better impression on the local residents and will make them more comfortable with more travellers coming to their destination.

Essentially, etiquette is a key focal point in day to day life and you may not even realize it. It’s the small things that make someone’s life easier that can really change the way people go about their normal day. Although travel etiquette is paramount when traveling or staying abroad, social etiquette is something that can be practiced almost anywhere, and will make a sincere difference in someone’s day.

Social etiquette and travel etiquette go hand in hand, as travel etiquette is a natural extension of the latter. There are thousands of different “horror stories” from property owners and other hosts alike. People that not only disregarded etiquette, but mistreated their surroundings to such an extent that these hosts are forced to reimagine their rental practice. Being proactive, and following your hosts’ guidelines, while also trying to make things easier for them, is a great way to welcomed back again.

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What is a short term rental?

Sasha Barak — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 14:00:00 +0000

All about STR (Short Term Rentals)

If you’ve read with us thus far, I’m certain that you’ve heard the term short term rental. If you’re new to the rental space, or are here just to learn, then this is for you. Simply put, a short term rental is a property or place that is able to be rented for a short period of time. However, there are many different intricacies that make every short term rental unique, and special. The term itself can also loosely be used to support these rentals.

With the boom of Airbnb and other online travel agencies (OTAs), the need for short term rentals has increased since the days of actual bread and breakfast stays. Hosting your property while you, yourself are on vacation or turning a property of yours into a business are all a part of the charm of a short term rental. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, short term rentals that last for a day or two are slowly becoming less popular, as there is an increased chance of transmission if properties are not thoroughly cleaned. Before the pandemic, you could rent out a property, or a room for a few nights if you were visiting a friend or family member, or just wanting to have a place in a foreign country. Stays now are much more geared towards medium term stays (28 days at a time) in order to ensure safety for both the guest and host.

Short term rentals have become so popular because of their ease of access and simplicity. Guests who are travelling that have become bored or sick of hotels may opt for a short term rental, as it may be located deeper into the heart of a city they want to see, or in a quieter neighbourhood. This flexibility and uniqueness of a short term rental gives the guest something a little out of the ordinary when staying abroad, and leaves them with a bigger memory as the place they’ve rented is just as special as the location they’re visiting.

If you are unfamiliar with how short term rentals work, don’t fret, they’re actually quite simple. If an owner of a property decides they want to rent their place, they can upload their property and create a listing on an OTA. Online travel industries have hundreds of thousands of different and unique properties to choose from, making it a game to find the perfect one for you. Simply find the location where you are wanting to stay, input the price parameters and the days you will be staying there, and then find your match.Throughout the whole process you’ll be able to get in touch with the property owner in case you have any questions about the property or the stay. From there, you’re good to go!

If you have any travel tips or questions when booking a short term rental, don’t hesitate to submit some of your questions or tips to us and we’d be happy to help and even post some of them. Our email address is contact@ensoconnect.com. Happy travelling!

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Being a “smart” host – the devices you need in your vacation home

Sasha Barak — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 13:00:00 +0000

With millions of short-term rentals available through platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and other booking sites, distinguishing your listing from the competition can be a daunting task. The sheer volume of options available to potential guests means that standing out requires more than just a great property—it requires a strategy to effectively manage your space and streamline operations.

The day-to-day operations of managing a rental property can quickly become overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Modern technology offers solutions designed to make rental management as effortless as possible. By integrating smart home devices, automation tools, and streamlined communication platforms, you can bring your property into the digital age and significantly reduce the time and effort required to manage it.

For instance, automated messaging systems can handle guest inquiries and booking confirmations without you needing to lift a finger. Smart locks can simplify the check-in process, allowing guests to access the property with a code rather than a physical key. Energy management systems can help you monitor and control utility usage remotely, ensuring efficiency and cost savings.

The best way to do this would be to integrate smart devices into your home, to offer remote access and automation. This way, you can be sure that your home is secure, your guests are comfortable, and that you have complete oversight of your property and bottom line of your running costs. You’ll never have to worry about that late night phone call when they can’t find the key, or that the wifi isn’t working, or that it’s too hot or cold, and these will drastically reduce the times you’ll need to come down to the rental to turn something on and off.

By becoming a smart host, you’ll be able to manage nearly everything from the comfort of your own home, and allow your rental property or vacation home to work for you efficiently.

Smart Locks

Remote access is the holy grail of short term rentals. There are too many stories (including our own), that outline issues with missing keys, jammed lock boxes, incorrect codes and the key being impossible to retrieve or find. A smart lock mitigates all that. There are several, highly-rated smart locks to choose from on the market, and they all serve the same purpose; controlling access to your rental property. For example, with the Enso Connect platform your guests can easily unlock the door from their phone, as well as offering access to you, your agent, or your housekeeper to do the same thing. It also gives your guests limited access, so that once they leave after their vacation, they’ll no longer have access, and you don’t need to come on site to implement any changes.

It’s best to look for a smart lock that offers multiple choices to guests. For example, August Smart Locks, as well as many other popular locks have 3 modes of access; via an app, a keypad, or with a physical key. As guests will have varying comfort levels with using smart technology or their phones, it’s best to offer a choice. And, even though the key option sounds counterintuitive, it’s best to have a backup plan in case you’re not up to date with changing your smart lock’s batteries or if there’s a technological failure. Having a backup plan ensures that access to your property will not be compromised.

When choosing a smart lock, it’s advantageous to select one that offers multiple access options. For example, August Smart Locks and similar models provide three modes of access: via a mobile app, a keypad, or a traditional physical key. This flexibility accommodates guests who may have varying comfort levels with technology. Offering a physical key as a backup is particularly prudent, ensuring that access to your property remains secure even if you encounter issues like battery depletion or technical failures with the smart lock.

Incorporating a smart lock into your rental property can streamline the check-in and check-out process, reduce operational headaches, and enhance overall guest satisfaction. By offering multiple access options and utilizing platforms like Enso Connect, you ensure a seamless, secure experience for both you and your guests.

Noise Monitoring

A relatively new smart piece of tech, noise monitoring is a way to protect your space and preserve the relationships with neighbours, while also maintaining the privacy of your guests. This device can monitor changes in the noise levels of your home and alert you if things get out of hand. For example at Enso Connect, we’ve partnered with Minut and Noiseaware, and if there is a high level of noise, the alarm sends out a notification to our system or the host directly, and allows us to push an instant message directly to the guest on behalf of the host to ask for them to be more quiet. Or the host/property owner can handle it themselves.

At Enso Connect, we’ve partnered with leading noise monitoring solutions like Minut and Noiseaware to enhance our property management capabilities. These devices can send notifications to our system or directly to the host if noise levels become excessive. This allows for prompt intervention, such as sending an automated message to guests, asking them to lower the volume, or enabling hosts/property owners to address the situation personally.

Noise monitoring is particularly effective in preventing unauthorized parties and ensuring that noise levels are kept in check, especially during times when the property should be quiet, like late at night or when the space is supposed to be vacant. By incorporating noise monitoring technology, you can maintain a peaceful environment and protect your property from potential disturbances, all while preserving the privacy and comfort of your guests.

Temperature Control

Gone are the days of a thermostat having a dial, or a knob, or a wildly imprecise slider. Today, thermostats are smarter, easier to use and can be managed remotely. You can choose between Nest, Ecobee or Honeywell (just as examples of the top rated devices); each with their own benefits. All can be managed by a host from their smartphone or computer.

This mitigates several of the most common problems that hosts and guests find with the temperature. Right up there with shower controls, thermostats are the bane of a guest’s existence. Some are too complex or old for a guest to use intuitively. Then they end up reaching out to the host, or continuously playing with it to get the right temperature, and inadvertently changing a setting, shutting it off completely, or not even bothering with it and leaving a poor review because they were too hot or too cold. Even worse, if the fussing and fidgeting of a thermostat persists, destruction or damage to the thermostat may occur. Most smart thermostats are pretty easy to understand and easily adjustable.

Smart heating is also a great way to save money and reduce the potential for temperature related damages in-between bookings, as you can turn the heating up or down so you’re not heating an empty property, but also not letting things freeze in the deepest parts of winter.

This doesn’t mean you should change the temperature constantly to meet your bottom line. As a host, it’s not advisable to adjust the temperature without informing your guests, just because you think they’re running things too hot or too cold. What you can do, however, is program it to within a range that they can adjust it to, and set it so that it defaults to your regular program at set times.

Finally, you’d be best served to ensure that your thermostat is hard wired, and not running on batteries, and you should disable any smart features such as Nest’s learning algorithms to program the schedule, as guests will have unpredictable usage patterns. As well, no need to have geofencing set up. It’s good for your own personal home, but it would mean that your heating would shut off as it’s detecting that your mobile phone isn’t at home.

Home entertainment

Understandably, your guests aren’t there to binge watch Netflix, but having the right set up can do wonders for your listing and ratings. Most guests will bring their personal computers for entertainment, but if you’ve got a big screen tv or a bluetooth speaker system, you have to make sure that guests can easily access it. Whether you’ve got an Apple TV, Chromecast, or a smart tv, it’s best to have a guide on how to connect to your devices. There’s nothing more frustrating than having a whole set of toys to play with, and no idea how to use them. Most of these can be managed remotely, and offer value to both you and your guests.

Additionally, setting up and managing your WiFi network efficiently is crucial. Provide guests with easy-to-access details for connecting to your guest WiFi network. For your router, opting for one with remote management capabilities will be incredibly beneficial. This allows you to troubleshoot and reboot the router from anywhere, ensuring a smooth connection for your guests. Incorporating a mesh system can also help improve wireless performance throughout the property, reducing dead spots and ensuring a reliable connection in every corner.

A seamless tech setup not only adds value to your property but also minimizes potential issues, making both hosting and staying more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Smart Speakers

Smart speakers have grown in massive popularity over the past years, and many of them, including Amazon Echo, offer blueprints and ways to program your own skills, so that they could answer some common questions from guests such as the wifi password, or checkout procedures. For those that aren’t familiar with smart speakers, you can leave out some instructions on how to activate it and ask for information.

You can also integrate these with your entertainment devices, smart plugs and smart lights, to automate more processes for your guests.

That said, smart speakers aren’t to everyone’s taste, and understandably, there are some privacy concerns. It’d be a good idea to avoid any speakers that have cameras built-in, and offer your guests the ability to disable the microphone or to unplug the speaker completely. While the benefits outweigh the risks and concerns, it’s good to give guests the option.

Smart plugs

Smart plugs might be the least exciting piece of technology on this list, but it’s also one of the best ones for remote management and automation. For example, if you’ve got a plugged-in device that crashes all the time, a smart plug is a great way to reboot it without having to physically be there.

More commonly though, you can use these plugs to turn off lights and appliances when your home’s not in use, to manage your energy consumption via Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Apple HomeKit. Just make sure that you turn everything back on before your guests arrive.

Just remember to ensure all smart plugs are correctly set up and all necessary devices are turned on before your guests arrive to avoid any inconvenience. By implementing smart plugs, you’re making your property more efficient and user-friendly, enhancing both your management experience and your guests’ stay.

Automation is the future

As you know, the key to being a great host is being hospitable. Having the right amenities and devices, along with the technology to manage them properly, will do wonders for your bottom line and help your guests feel at home. This is something that we, at Enso Connect, know something about.

At Enso Connect, we understand this principle deeply. Our platform is designed to seamlessly integrate with a range of smart home technologies, providing you with the ability to manage every aspect of your property remotely. By leveraging our advanced features, you can maintain a high level of service, streamline operations, and create a welcoming environment that keeps guests coming back. We believe that with the right combination of technology and hospitality, you can elevate your property management to new heights and ensure every guest feels truly at home.

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