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More consumers than ever before are using mobile devices for just about every aspect of their lives. So how are software companies helping spas leverage the convenience of mobile tech to their advantage?
By Kate Parker | Published in Spa Business 2018 issue 2
The ability to locate all relevant business data at a click or a swipe significantly increases productivity, so operations become more streamlined
In a gadget-filled world where digital technology is intrinsic to our everyday lives, spa operators are discovering that mobile tech has a whole host of operational advantages. Spa software firms are helping operators meet the growing demands of the digitally-dependent with their high expectations for mobile friendliness and 24/7 accessibility, yielding significant business benefits in the process.
Freeing up the front desk Today’s spa customers expect to be able to access appointments at a time that’s convenient to them and smartphones, at the very heart of consumers’ digital lives, are taking the hassle out of the way people search, book, buy and even check-in and out for their spa experience. But the convenience can go both ways.
Book4Time offers responsive and native mobile apps for both consumers and spa operators. As CEO Roger Sholanki explains: “Our mobile responsive booking solution for consumers is used by all of our clients. In addition, our mobile check-in solution frees up the front desk allowing the spa reception to personally greet the guest and expedite the check-in process.”
The on-demand mentality which sees increasing numbers of customers more likely to book spur-of-the-moment treatments could be perceived as a ramping up of activity for spas. However, mobile technology can enable the opposite effect: increasing productivity by freeing up staff from busy reception desks and saving time on admin tasks, as well as giving them more opportunities to engage with guests face to face.
Charlotte Newton, EMEA marketing for Mindbody, says: “One thing that we often hear from our customers is that they want to be able to free themselves from the front desk more often, so they have the flexibility to take care of other aspects involved in running their business. The Mindbody business app gives users the power of Mindbody software on a phone or tablet, allowing them to run operations, such as scheduling, client info and check-in, point of sale and reporting capabilities, from anywhere, at any time.”
Frank Pitsikalis, founder and CEO of ResortSuite, sees the movement of spa staff to more face-to-face time with guests as a growing trend, facilitated by developments in mobile technology: “At least half of our customers are currently using our mobile technology, and that number jumps to at least 80 per cent when you include ResortSuite mobile-responsive web booking engine. Many of our prospective customers have come to us looking for an upgrade to using tablet technologies as they want to follow the trend of being in front of, and more engaged with their guests. Clients are excited to create and manage their own property-specific applications and make changes on the fly using the new CMS.”
Making staff mobile in every sense of the word is a sentiment that’s echoed by Malcolm Rennie, who’s the managing director of Concept Software Systems: “App technology makes operations easier and faster, and essentially allows operators to have a mobile workstation. This has the benefit of saving on staff data entry time, amassing business intelligence that’s easily accessible and a better customer experience.”
Concept client William Wesley Myers, regional director of spa, North America, for Langham Hotels & Resorts, explains the advantages of mobile tech: “In spa it allows management to have business stats and information readily to hand, and a constant awareness of guest count, treatments and revenue for any given day or time range, putting the KPIs for your spa business in your hand for easy reference at any time. And for guests? It enables them to use their smartphones within the spa to complete intake forms and questionnaires, and provide feedback upon check-out, eliminating the paper, additional time and manual labour that would have previously been spent updating their profile/history.”
Streamlining spas The ability to locate business data at a click or a swipe significantly increases productivity. As systems and processes are increasingly digitised and automated, operations become more streamlined.
“The advantages for spas to go mobile are vast. It saves times, captures client data easily and ensures a smoother client journey,” says Premier Software’s chief operating officer Leonie Wileman.
Premier Software client Helen Bulman, spa manager at Acresfield Health Club & Spa, UK, says: “Mobile technology has streamlined many areas of the business making them more efficient. As everyone can access their diaries via the app, they know what they’ll be doing before coming to work, what availability they have and what they have coming up. It leaves little room for mistakes or misunderstandings.”
Approximately 80 per cent of The Assistant Company’s (TAC) customers use its mobile technologies. Managing director Günther Pöellabauer believes they enhance customer comfort, reduce waiting times and costs due to increased employee efficiency. “The TAC Webshop includes elements such as spa reservations, product and gift certificates sales, and a lounger booking facility, as well as our Kiosk feature. Using Kiosk technology, visitors don’t need to queue at reception and can book spa reservations on their own. In addition, sense. is our mobile spa management solution using touch optimised design and can be accessed via all popular web browsers and technical devices,” he explains.
Likewise, Amanda Wisell, marketing manager of SpaSoft says client feedback reveals one of the main benefits of using technology in spas to be in streamlining their operations. “Our online booking engine is mobile friendly to serve the growing numbers of consumers who are booking experiences on their smartphones and tablets. It’s an effective way to make the spa more efficient, offering mobile tools for providers, schedules, guest intake forms and reporting.”
With around 20 per cent of its customers using some form of mobile technology, Africa’s Spa Kalahari is reaping the rewards of a more streamlined business is. Wisell explains: “Spa Kalahari is using SpaSoft Wellness Forms. When a guest arrives to check-in, the receptionist hands them a tablet to complete the intake process electronically. Their information then automatically goes into the SpaSoft system eliminating data entry, ensuring that therapists receive crucial information in a timely manner and helping eliminate data errors by having guests review their own personal information.”
Managing the data With changing data protection laws reflecting the previously unforeseen ways that data is now used, mobile tech is both the very agent of that change, and its champion and defender.
Concept has developed an iPad app so clients can complete membership data as well as sensitive questionnaires. Rennie explains: “Approximately 25 per cent of our customers currently use our iPad application. This has been increasing significantly over the past two years. Operators can save a lot of time by giving their clients the chance to complete their own profile data.”
As mobile technology continues to evolve, so too do the solutions and their capabilities. Premier’s Wileman explains how the company is addressing the issues around secure data: “In order to meet the needs of new data protection laws, Online includes an e-signature function so when a client visits the spa, they can check the information on their client card, sign to say it’s correct, as well as agree to how their data can be used for promotional purposes. Enabling clients to provide and update their own data removes errors and provides peace of mind.”
Future mobile ResortSuite’s Pitsikalis believes that the concept of guests self-managing their own experiences is what will drive the next generation of hospitality technology. What’s more, with the potential for greater staff efficiency, a streamlining of operations and improved data security, putting mobile technology front and centre of the growing trend will define the next generation of software solutions.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Garrett Mersberger
Garrett Mersberger on the overhaul of Kohler Waters’ flagship spa in Europe, plus his vision for ISPA following his appointment as chair of the association
Spa programmes: On the menu
Underwater yoga, healing breathwork and genetics all feature in Spa Business’ brand new series revealing the latest treatments, programmes and retreats in spas
Promotional feature: Zimmer MedizinSysteme
Cold therapy is suddenly all the rage, but Zimmer MedizinSysteme’s icelab takes it a step further, creating a cold sauna for the whole body. Rainer Bolsinger explains more about this cutting-edge therapy
Promotional feature: The Tides: pure Dutch nature inside
Modern living might be tough on our minds and bodies, but newly-launched Dutch wellness and self-care brand The Tides offers just the antidote with a new class of pure, raw products and treatments
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative
engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly
designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
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Borghese Roma
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More consumers than ever before are using mobile devices for just about every aspect of their lives. So how are software companies helping spas leverage the convenience of mobile tech to their advantage?
By Kate Parker | Published in Spa Business 2018 issue 2
The ability to locate all relevant business data at a click or a swipe significantly increases productivity, so operations become more streamlined
In a gadget-filled world where digital technology is intrinsic to our everyday lives, spa operators are discovering that mobile tech has a whole host of operational advantages. Spa software firms are helping operators meet the growing demands of the digitally-dependent with their high expectations for mobile friendliness and 24/7 accessibility, yielding significant business benefits in the process.
Freeing up the front desk Today’s spa customers expect to be able to access appointments at a time that’s convenient to them and smartphones, at the very heart of consumers’ digital lives, are taking the hassle out of the way people search, book, buy and even check-in and out for their spa experience. But the convenience can go both ways.
Book4Time offers responsive and native mobile apps for both consumers and spa operators. As CEO Roger Sholanki explains: “Our mobile responsive booking solution for consumers is used by all of our clients. In addition, our mobile check-in solution frees up the front desk allowing the spa reception to personally greet the guest and expedite the check-in process.”
The on-demand mentality which sees increasing numbers of customers more likely to book spur-of-the-moment treatments could be perceived as a ramping up of activity for spas. However, mobile technology can enable the opposite effect: increasing productivity by freeing up staff from busy reception desks and saving time on admin tasks, as well as giving them more opportunities to engage with guests face to face.
Charlotte Newton, EMEA marketing for Mindbody, says: “One thing that we often hear from our customers is that they want to be able to free themselves from the front desk more often, so they have the flexibility to take care of other aspects involved in running their business. The Mindbody business app gives users the power of Mindbody software on a phone or tablet, allowing them to run operations, such as scheduling, client info and check-in, point of sale and reporting capabilities, from anywhere, at any time.”
Frank Pitsikalis, founder and CEO of ResortSuite, sees the movement of spa staff to more face-to-face time with guests as a growing trend, facilitated by developments in mobile technology: “At least half of our customers are currently using our mobile technology, and that number jumps to at least 80 per cent when you include ResortSuite mobile-responsive web booking engine. Many of our prospective customers have come to us looking for an upgrade to using tablet technologies as they want to follow the trend of being in front of, and more engaged with their guests. Clients are excited to create and manage their own property-specific applications and make changes on the fly using the new CMS.”
Making staff mobile in every sense of the word is a sentiment that’s echoed by Malcolm Rennie, who’s the managing director of Concept Software Systems: “App technology makes operations easier and faster, and essentially allows operators to have a mobile workstation. This has the benefit of saving on staff data entry time, amassing business intelligence that’s easily accessible and a better customer experience.”
Concept client William Wesley Myers, regional director of spa, North America, for Langham Hotels & Resorts, explains the advantages of mobile tech: “In spa it allows management to have business stats and information readily to hand, and a constant awareness of guest count, treatments and revenue for any given day or time range, putting the KPIs for your spa business in your hand for easy reference at any time. And for guests? It enables them to use their smartphones within the spa to complete intake forms and questionnaires, and provide feedback upon check-out, eliminating the paper, additional time and manual labour that would have previously been spent updating their profile/history.”
Streamlining spas The ability to locate business data at a click or a swipe significantly increases productivity. As systems and processes are increasingly digitised and automated, operations become more streamlined.
“The advantages for spas to go mobile are vast. It saves times, captures client data easily and ensures a smoother client journey,” says Premier Software’s chief operating officer Leonie Wileman.
Premier Software client Helen Bulman, spa manager at Acresfield Health Club & Spa, UK, says: “Mobile technology has streamlined many areas of the business making them more efficient. As everyone can access their diaries via the app, they know what they’ll be doing before coming to work, what availability they have and what they have coming up. It leaves little room for mistakes or misunderstandings.”
Approximately 80 per cent of The Assistant Company’s (TAC) customers use its mobile technologies. Managing director Günther Pöellabauer believes they enhance customer comfort, reduce waiting times and costs due to increased employee efficiency. “The TAC Webshop includes elements such as spa reservations, product and gift certificates sales, and a lounger booking facility, as well as our Kiosk feature. Using Kiosk technology, visitors don’t need to queue at reception and can book spa reservations on their own. In addition, sense. is our mobile spa management solution using touch optimised design and can be accessed via all popular web browsers and technical devices,” he explains.
Likewise, Amanda Wisell, marketing manager of SpaSoft says client feedback reveals one of the main benefits of using technology in spas to be in streamlining their operations. “Our online booking engine is mobile friendly to serve the growing numbers of consumers who are booking experiences on their smartphones and tablets. It’s an effective way to make the spa more efficient, offering mobile tools for providers, schedules, guest intake forms and reporting.”
With around 20 per cent of its customers using some form of mobile technology, Africa’s Spa Kalahari is reaping the rewards of a more streamlined business is. Wisell explains: “Spa Kalahari is using SpaSoft Wellness Forms. When a guest arrives to check-in, the receptionist hands them a tablet to complete the intake process electronically. Their information then automatically goes into the SpaSoft system eliminating data entry, ensuring that therapists receive crucial information in a timely manner and helping eliminate data errors by having guests review their own personal information.”
Managing the data With changing data protection laws reflecting the previously unforeseen ways that data is now used, mobile tech is both the very agent of that change, and its champion and defender.
Concept has developed an iPad app so clients can complete membership data as well as sensitive questionnaires. Rennie explains: “Approximately 25 per cent of our customers currently use our iPad application. This has been increasing significantly over the past two years. Operators can save a lot of time by giving their clients the chance to complete their own profile data.”
As mobile technology continues to evolve, so too do the solutions and their capabilities. Premier’s Wileman explains how the company is addressing the issues around secure data: “In order to meet the needs of new data protection laws, Online includes an e-signature function so when a client visits the spa, they can check the information on their client card, sign to say it’s correct, as well as agree to how their data can be used for promotional purposes. Enabling clients to provide and update their own data removes errors and provides peace of mind.”
Future mobile ResortSuite’s Pitsikalis believes that the concept of guests self-managing their own experiences is what will drive the next generation of hospitality technology. What’s more, with the potential for greater staff efficiency, a streamlining of operations and improved data security, putting mobile technology front and centre of the growing trend will define the next generation of software solutions.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Garrett Mersberger
Garrett Mersberger on the overhaul of Kohler Waters’ flagship spa in Europe, plus his vision for ISPA following his appointment as chair of the association
Spa programmes: On the menu
Underwater yoga, healing breathwork and genetics all feature in Spa Business’ brand new series revealing the latest treatments, programmes and retreats in spas
Promotional feature: Zimmer MedizinSysteme
Cold therapy is suddenly all the rage, but Zimmer MedizinSysteme’s icelab takes it a step further, creating a cold sauna for the whole body. Rainer Bolsinger explains more about this cutting-edge therapy
Promotional feature: The Tides: pure Dutch nature inside
Modern living might be tough on our minds and bodies, but newly-launched Dutch wellness and self-care brand The Tides offers just the antidote with a new class of pure, raw products and treatments
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and
wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and
launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England
with a
1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’
concept.
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of
total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth
in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real
Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
Lefay Resorts, the portfolio of two luxury wellness properties in Italy, has added emotional
dance classes and group cold plunge sessions in response to market demand for social
connection.
Aditya Saluja, an industry leader in luxury wellness hospitality, has been
appointed as
commercial director of spa and wellness for the spa management division of
Minor Hotels,
MSpa International.
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative
engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly
designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Borghese Roma Borghese is an Italian luxury skincare brand founded in 1957 by Princess Marcella Borghese. [more...]
