Technology 4 Hotels Update

Bed bugs are here to stay and "it is a case of not if, but when, you will have this unwanted guest." according to Stephen Doggett - Department of Medical Entomology, Westmead Hospital, NSW.

These nuisance pests are clearly unwanted as they can cause nasty itchy bites and ruin a guest's stay but a guest encounter can lead to damage of reputation, very quickly, thanks to social media and litigation - there's presently a case before the courts in Australia.

In addition, bed bugs are great at spreading so early detection and treatment is far more cost effective than letting a small infestation from one room effect many rooms and guest experiences.

There are a lot of resources to assist, some are even FREE.

Warmest Regards,

Brendon Granger
Technology 4 Hotels

Would you know if you had Bed Bugs?

Regular inspections for Bed bugs should be a key integral part of a proactive program.

Help prevent Bed Bugs and limit your liability.

Bed Bugs - all Your Questions Answered

Question: Can Bed Bugs be Prevented?

Answer: In short, "No" bed bugs can't be prevented from entering your property and with travel so affordable and the bed bug's ability to hitch a ride, sad to say, they will probably make an appearance at your property.

Question: Can I find Bed Bugs before my Guests do?

Answer: Yes you can. Regular inspection can locate bed bugs or evidence that they are present. Finding them before your guests are bitten and posting photos all over the Internet is a great strategy. Early detection also reduces the likelihood of the problem spreading.

Question: What do I do if I find evidence of Bed Bugs?

Answer: Don't panic, call in a professional pest controller and have them treat the room(s). Check nearby rooms and have them treated too if necessary.

Question: What do I do if a guest claims to have received bed bug bites from my property?

Answer: Deal with it professionally and politely as per your company policy. If you have a clearly documented preventative maintenance program, chances of it becoming a nasty legal issue are greatly reduced.

A proactive Program can minimise Bed Bugs and Save Money

The goal of a Proactive Bed Bug Program is early detection and remediation to prevent them becoming established and then growing and spreading. Sorry if you are now itching, I am just writing about them!

"A Code of Practice for the Control of Bed Bug Infestation in Australia" is available for free from here. Regular inspections of bedding and other popular bed bug hang outs should be a key integral part of a proactive program. Do note that Bed Bug reduction involves a multidisciplinary approach.

To demonstrate duty of care a documented program along with scrupulous record keeping of inspections are critical along with staff training . A generic policy has been developed by Stephen Doggett (mentioned earlier) and can be modified to suit you needs. It can be downloaded for free from the link above or from www.bedbug.org.au.

Regular Inspections and Record Keeping are Critical

If you are looking for a way to simplify and manage Bed Bug Inspections, we have the answer.

We have a web based inspection checklist that can be tailored to your property. Rooms can be inspected and results recorded real time whilst in the room. If necessary, photos can be taken to document that all is clear or, if necessary, document a problem that requires action.

All this can be done from the convenience of a tablet or smart phone - all you need is a connection to the Internet.

Not only that, it's part of a bigger system that allows Housekeeping Supervisors to conduct room inspections and record these real time too including noting areas that require attention.

What is it Called and what does it do?

It's the Housekeeping PM Touch Module from Stark Service Solutions. It is already deployed in many properties across the globe. By the way, the PM is for Preventative Maintenance.

Housekeeping supervisors can go from room to room conducting inspections, recording results, noting anything that requires attention.

The system can be used for other cyclical activities such as Deep Cleans and Housekeeping and Engineering Departments can easily streamline regular and ad hoc tasks.

This is all real time and recorded into any smart phone or tablet with a connection to the internet.

The system is totally customised to your property.

PC and Hand Held

The Housekeeping PM Touch Module is a web based solution and all the benefits of this are well utilised. Anyone with authorised access can log in and get access in real time. Great for Managers, Supervisors and also people off site such as owners and Outsourcing Companies that provide housekeeping and maintenance services to the hospitality industry.

Not comfortable with supervisors having tablets or smart phones?

No problems, you can print off the inspection reports, they can be manually filled in and then recorded on a PC (very quickly) to facilitate reporting and analysis.

Contact Details

New 2 Portrait BG

Contact: Brendon Granger

Toll Free: 1300 503 657 (Australia Only)
Direct:       +61 2 9476 3505
Mobile:     +61 (0) 422 236 236
Email:        Brendon@Technology4Hotels.com.au
Web:         www.Technology4Hotels.com.au

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About Us

Technology 4 Hotel's sole focus is Helping Hoteliers Deliver The Best Possible In Room Experience To Their Guests. We bring together the latest research on current and emerging guest needs and demands with the latest technology designed to enhance the overall guest experience.