Posted by New Delhi: OYO, South-Asia’s largest hotel chain has acquired AblePlus, a Mumbai-based Internet of Things (IoT) technology firm to enhance and strengthen its technology portfolio. This acquisition of AblePlus reiterates the hotel chain’s technology-driven approach to innovation and its commitment to revolutionizing customer offerings, thus bringing about a transformation in the hospitality industry. With this partnership, OYO aims to create a sustainable ecosystem powered by technology and artificial intelligence (AI) for managing hotels and assets.
“We are delighted to announce our acquisition of AblePlus towards pioneering the application of IoT in Indian and global hospitality segment and creating a global impact. With the introduction of IoT into the basic precincts of hotel management, we aim to enhance customer and partner experiences by roping in the best of technology capabilities that are changing how India sees hospitality today. Both Akash and Bonish (Co-Founders – AblePlus) are extremely talented individuals and we are excited to welcome them onboard. Through partnerships like this, we envision a smooth road ahead for building the world’s largest technology-enabled hospitality brand,” said Anil Goel, Chief Technology Officer – OYO.
With the implementation of IoT-enabled operations, customers will be able to experience highlights such as self-check-ins supported by the Digital Arrival & Departure Register, Self KYC with Aadhar and IoT server managed smart locks. The rollout of technology-enabled operations will ensure better tracking of assets across properties and reduction in wastage of electricity further minimizing the company’s carbon footprint. The forthcoming years will witness OYO introducing voice-based assistance in rooms enabling automation of controlling appliances, lights among other services. Going forward, OYO also plans to implement a comprehensive guest entertainment programme that will include fitness, gaming and augmented experiences.
“Through increased technology intervention that enables the remote monitoring and management of rooms across properties, we will be able to achieve improved operational efficiency, thus creating a superior stakeholder experience. As one of the first start-ups that is an early adopter of IoT-powered technologies, we look forward to delivering new, advanced applications for key vertical markets that will offer elevated customer experience. This will take OYO a step closer to consolidating its vision of creating beautiful living spaces across India,” adds Anil.
The company also plans to launch several other integrated technology solutions including enhancing its OYO Asset Management offering so that it is easy to partner with and become, an OYO. The company also introduced industry-first initiative of Digital Arrival & Departure Register which has been adopted by the state governments of Haryana and Rajasthan. In addition, OYO also makes use of machine learning (ML) based algorithms to personalize the user journey. With each repeat usage of OYO’s offerings, via mobile app or desktop website, the platform acquires intelligence which helps make it better accustomed to the user’s perceived needs. OYO has also recently started experiments with gamification, where users are asked simple quizzes aimed at increasing the overall awareness of the user in terms of new hotels and destinations on OYO that they can explore.