At first glance, investing in two-way radios might seem like a cost-effective, one-time solution for your team’s communication needs. You buy the radios, hand them out, and you’re good to go—right? Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case. Traditional radios come with several hidden costs that can quickly escalate, turning what seems like a smart investment into a long-term financial drain.

Let’s break down the hidden costs of two-way radios, how they affect your budget, and why Relay offers a modern, cost-effective alternative for your business.

Frequent Device Replacements

Even the most durable traditional radios can’t escape the wear and tear of everyday use, especially in high-impact industries like construction, hospitality, and healthcare. Exposure to drops, rough handling, and weather conditions leads to frequent device failures and the need for replacements.

Standard handheld radio can cost hundreds of dollars per unit, and the expenses don’t end there. Replacing just a few units per year can add up to thousands of dollars. Additionally, the costs associated with replacing batteries can also contribute to ongoing expenses. The administrative burden of sourcing and distributing new devices only compounds these costs.

Moreover, downtime from malfunctioning radios can disrupt communication, delay tasks, and decrease productivity. Employees may have to share devices while waiting for replacements, straining communication efficiency.

Costly Infrastructure: Repeaters and Towers

If your team needs to communicate over long distances or across large, multi-level buildings, basic two-way radios alone won’t suffice. Businesses often need to invest in repeaters, towers, or additional infrastructure to boost signal strength.

A single repeater can cost between $1,000 and $3,000, with setup fees depending on the scale of the project. Ongoing maintenance costs can add up quickly, with malfunctioning repeaters causing communication outages that require urgent and costly repairs. Repeaters and towers require regular maintenance to function properly, leading to significant long-term expenses.

Training and Maintenance

Although radios are designed for simplicity, training is necessary—especially for onboarding new employees or rolling out advanced models. Teaching team members how to properly use the devices and troubleshoot common issues takes time and resources.

Beyond training, radios often require periodic updates, programming, and configuration to ensure optimal functionality. When issues arise, diagnosing and fixing problems may require technical expertise that your team may lack, resulting in additional service calls and tech support fees.

Higher Costs from Multiple Devices

In modern workplaces, relying solely on traditional radios can lead to increased expenses due to the necessity of multiple devices. For instance, businesses often need to invest in additional equipment for specific operational needs, such as panic buttons for emergencies or translation devices for multilingual communication. This fragmented approach complicates workflows and significantly drives up costs.

Instead of consolidating budgets into a single, integrated solution, teams may find themselves managing separate systems for different functions, leading to inefficiencies and higher overall expenses. The need for panic and translation features underscores the importance of investing in comprehensive communication solutions that enhance safety and streamline operations. By adopting a unified system, businesses can maximize their investment while providing a more effective environment for their teams.

How Relay Helps You Cut Communication Costs

While the hidden costs of traditional radio systems can be overwhelming, Relay offers a smarter, more affordable alternative:

• Durable Devices That Last: Relay devices are rugged and designed to withstand tough work environments, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Regular software updates ensure your devices stay current without requiring new hardware.
• No Expensive Infrastructure: Relay operates on reliable 4G LTE and WiFi networks, providing nationwide coverage without the need for repeaters, towers, or other costly infrastructure.
• Easy to Use: Relay’s intuitive design minimizes the need for extensive training. Employees can easily get started without complicated instructions, and the plug-and-play setup ensures no complex configuration is required.
• All-in-One Device: Relay offers an all-in-one communication platform that combines essential features—like panic buttons and multilingual capabilities—into a single device. This integration reduces the need for multiple devices, streamlining workflows and minimizing costs.

Ready to Make the Switch?

When you factor in all the hidden costs of traditional radios—frequent replacements, infrastructure, licensing, and maintenance—it becomes clear that the true cost of radios is much higher than anticipated. Relay offers a modern, cost-effective solution that not only reduces these expenses but also provides advanced features to enhance your team’s communication.

Relay can help you cut costs and streamline your business operations. Get custom pricing today.

The post How Much Are Your Radios Really Costing You? appeared first on Relay.

In this webinar, Relay will take you through three simple, yet meaningful ways to improve member experience that you can set into motion before the new year, all while saving time and money for your course operations team.

You will learn how to:

1. Successfully curate the first-visit experience for new golfers while protecting the experience members have come to expect.
2. Start anticipating member needs rather than reacting, all while saving time and money.
3. Streamline communications behind the scenes to improve member experience, even with limited staff.

The post 3 Simple Steps To Improve Member Experience in 2023 appeared first on Relay.

Hotel Panic Button 101

A hotel panic button is a wearable emergency button used most often by housekeeping staff. This safety device is operated with a single push of a button. In case of an emergency, a staffer can trigger the device which alerts security or team supervisors. Since most panic buttons operate on an interconnected system via Bluetooth, cellular networks, or wifi, employees are able to communicate in real time while their location data is immediately shared. 

A hotel panic button is also known as Associate Alert Device, Employee Safety Device (ESD), Employee Safety Solution, Lone Worker Safety Technology, or a Wearable Emergency Button for Housekeeping. The device names reflect their use as emergency safety technology meant to protect employees who often work in isolation as part of their job requirements. These workers often include housekeeping staffers potentially exposed to verbal or physical harassment.

Hotel Panic Buttons vs. Consumer Safety Devices

Before we get to the nitty gritty of operating your panic button, it’s important to understand what a hotel panic button is not. 

A hotel panic button does not rely on noise to alert of potential danger and is not a high-pitched alarm available to consumers. Hotel panic buttons use technology that’s industry specific. While many consumers carry around what’s known in the industry as a noisemaker or screamer, they aren’t effective deterrents in the hospitality business. In fact, these noisy gadgets are proven to be detrimental or distracting in an emergency, and could even potentially intensify an already dangerous situation.

Hotel panic buttons are discrete in both size and usage. They have a small footprint and while visible when worn, aren’t heavy or uncomfortable. In the case of an emergency, a button is pushed on a hotel panic button that silently alerts others to distress. Unlike noise only alarm systems, there’s no loud beeping sounds to scare off nearby guests. 

How Do Hotel Panic Buttons Work?

First off, a hotel panic button doesn’t work on its own out of the box. The panic button must be configured properly to a unified hardware and software system to provide alerts or real-time aid to workers in potential distress. 

The best hotel panic buttons operate on a network of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Beacons. These may be placed discreetly throughout your property including in unobtrusive spots in guest rooms or supply closets. Each beacon is named and registered to best keep track of employee location in case of an emergency. Once these beacons are installed (without any additional wiring or drilling needed) they work with panic buttons to detect signals and location.

When remote workers go about their work day, their panic buttons communicate with each beacon if needed. In case of an emergency, the staffer would press the button on their associate alert device. An immediate location would be logged by the beacon already in place. If the staffer feels it’s necessary to run to safety, the beacons passed along the way will keep logging their location until help arrives.

Your staff may leave your hotel for a different job that offers better tech and safety.

What is the Dispatch Center

If a panic button is deployed, the information sent must be delivered to the software management program AKA Dispatch Center. Think of this as the central command system which keeps track of everything from emergency situations and employee location, to critical details like battery life or device assignment. 

By empowering your staffers with a system that keeps them safe and keeps track of them when they might otherwise feel vulnerable, you also keep your entire property safer. 

It’s important to train staff to help them understand not only how to use their panic buttons, but also to reassure them their safety is your priority. It’s also critical to let your housekeeping and remote staff know that you are choosing to keep them safer. You may not even be required yet by law to have this type of system in place, but others are, and your staff may leave your hotel for a different job that offers better tech and safety.

A Day in the Life of a Hotel Panic Button

1. Employees are either given a panic button that is theirs to use, or are assigned a panic button each day as they check in for their shift.
2. Employees have their wearable panic button on them throughout the day and while on their shift.
3. In case of an emergency, they push the button on their device. Their location is immediately shared to the dispatch center and any other configured locations. This might include texting their supervisor or informing law enforcement.
4. If the remote staffer moves through the hotel toward safer conditions, BLE beacons placed throughout the property will update the command center of their current location until help arrives.
5. At the end of their shift, staffers return their panic button to the drop-off location.

Do All Hotels Follow the Same Panic Button Protocol?

In a word, no. There are different laws that vary widely. To take it a step further, some hotel brands are not even required by law yet to implement a panic button rule, but are proactive in doing so. Some brands require all properties to have panic devices but allow the individual locations to choose from a list of vetted vendors. Some may allow the choice of a device, but require the same provider. 

Before choosing your panic button solution, you need to find out if you are under brand or state requirements. Relay can assist you with determining and abiding by these requirements. Also notable, every property already will have safety protocols in place. When setting up your system, it’s critical to create an organic emergency system that protects staffers without disrupting guest activities. 

Why You Need to Prioritize Hotel Panic Buttons

There are two main reasons to ensure staffers are well taken care of. With a global staffing shortage and the regular turnover in the hospitality industry, it’s critical to create as many incentives for staffers to stay with your hotel. That includes following all state laws and mandates for panic buttons. And even if your state or city doesn’t as yet require associate alert devices, you may choose to use them to remind staffers that their safety is your priority. And since hotels are all about hospitality, a safer and happier staff means guests who feel safer as well. By better protecting staffers you’re also creating an environment where staffers can better care for guests. 

Still don’t know where to start?

The Relay team can walk you through the details of any relevant brand or state requirements and will work with you to create a plan based on your team’s specific needs.

Sign up for a free demo today

The post What is a Panic Button and Why Do I Need It? appeared first on Relay.

Before adding in your predictions, you might want to spend some more time understanding how your staff interacts with existing technology that fuels your hotel. You should also try to understand what’s on your employee tech wish list and why.

Next year’s budget will be different

For most hotels and resorts, budgeting for the year ahead used to mean analyzing past data and predicting the spend needed for the future. Since this year turned out to be a bit of a wildcard, predictions might not be as easy to define. The good news is that predictions for business travel in the year ahead are incredibly optimistic. Reuters reported that the Lufthansa CEO said business travel is recovering even faster than anticipated. Another anticipated change is that leisure travelers expect to use technology more than ever when traveling.

Technology is more important than ever to travelers

In late October 2021, Booking.com released predictions for travel in 2022. The report stated that 79% of travelers agreed that “travel helps their mental and emotional wellbeing more than other forms of self-care.” Another important trend revealed was the 64% of travelers agreed that technology will be more important than ever while on vacation. Also worth noting, 62% of those polled agreed that technology helps to alleviate travel anxiety.

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect distanced workers at hotels and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff and clientele through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

Prioritize technology spending

If finalizing the budget for the year ahead feels a bit daunting, try dividing it into several categories. You can start with anything from upgrades to replacements, but to compete on a global level you’ll have to allocate a healthy budget for tech and IT spending. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Compare your tech spending for the past two years only. It might sound a bit extreme, but is there anything you once thought was imperative that is barely used? And try to discuss the flip side as well. Is there one tech upgrade that your competitors all have or that your staff is grumbling about? Understanding how to keep your team happy while keeping up with the competition will also help you to figure out where to focus your budget.
• New doesn’t always mean better. Just because you spend a fortune on the newest version doesn’t mean it will produce the desired results. Before deciding to spend on the newest servers or desktop units for executives, take a glance at the model that came before. It’s entirely possible that older hardware with upgraded software can save you money while improving your hotel’s overall performance.
• Make sure you’re following the correct protocol and state mandates. In the past year, we’ve all heard a lot of buzz about the new laws regarding panic buttons for staff. But randomly buying a walkie-talkie system for your housekeeping staff simply to tick a box, isn’t the best approach. Before greenlighting a spend on walkie-talkies for your team members, try to understand how they use them, what they expect and what the actual laws are in your state. You could find that buying the best doesn’t mean buying the most expensive. Relay associate alert devices are easy to use, comfortable to wear, and most of all, reliable. We also know that being the best doesn’t mean we have to charge the most for our devices.
• Look for quirky, useful technology. In a recap of HITEC Dallas, Hotel Tech Report shared their picks for the hospitality technology innovations hotel managers needed to know about. Interestingly enough, a program with enhanced currency conversion functionality, ProfitSword, made their list. The reasoning being that having instant access to multiple currency values at any point of the year could streamline the budgeting process while also helping to understand profits and losses.
• Leave a monthly cushion. As we all know by now, there will always be unexpected moments in the hospitality industry. It’s entirely possible that in a few months from now a new technology will be announced that could change the way you do business. Try to create a monthly cushion that allows you to make unexpected tech spends throughout the year. And if you find that you have some funding left over, you can always figure out a way to make small and necessary tech upgrades for the team you might have put off.

The post How to Budget Your Hotel’s Technology Expenses appeared first on Relay.

In the real world, life sometimes gets bumpy, and that’s when physical panic buttons become a necessity instead of something optional. If you’ve been debating whether or not to outfit your team with panic buttons, we’d like to share five reasons why it’s a really good idea.

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1. To give your staff a sense of security:

One of the best parts of being part of a team is realizing that for better or worse, you can count on others to tell you how to do your job, well, that’s probably the part that might be classified as worse. The better part of working as part of a team is that others help you to do your job and also look out for you. It also means that if one staff member has to head to a remote area of the building, they’ll probably want a fellow team member to be aware of their location. Some people feel uncomfortable continually checking in with fellow staffers every time they head out of the immediately shared work space. Outfitting all staff members with panic buttons allows them to have both a sense of autonomy and security. After all, a dark and deserted hallway feels a lot less intimidating if help is a push of the button away.

Don’t panic tip: Instead of causing your staff to worry about potentially sketchy areas at work, first gather senior staff to do a top-down analysis of areas or situations that could cause potential issues for staffers.

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2. Because your team never met in person:

In an article on ComputerWeekly.com about security issues we might collectively face in 2021, experts discussed how remote working could potentially create a surge in cyber attacks. In that feature, Igor Andriushchenko, director of quality and security for engineering at Snow Software, said, “People have not ever met many of their colleagues who joined companies in 2020 due to the shift towards remote work.” That was an aha moment for us. With ever-evolving staffs and team members, it’s crucial to create a consistent sense of security. Ensuring that every single staff member has a panic button means that they won’t have to wonder if that person in the shadows is a colleague or someone sketchy. And their panic button gives them a sense of security if they feel unsafe in any given situation.

Don’t panic tip: Even if your staff won’t work face-to-face, create an internal database with visuals including everyone’s name along with a recent photograph.

Related: Top 5 Things Your Hotel Pnic Button Must Have

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3. You could potentially save money on insurance:

In recent years, home insurance companies have started reducing premiums for people whose homes have specific smart devices. For instance, Fox Business reported that having a wireless security system with video doorbells combined with monitoring services created a safe home. They also let your insurance company know that you were protecting your space against theft or home invasion. If you outfit your team with panic buttons, you’re creating a safer, more accountable work environment. You should probably also check with your insurance company if that also means that you’re entitled to a discount or added incentives.

Don’t panic tip: Ask your accountant to review current insurance costs and to compare to see if other services offer lower rates for companies using panic buttons.

Related: Businesses Are Increasingly Providing Personal Panic Buttons to Employees

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4. You could be sending the right message:

For the past year or so, New York bodega owners have been pressing city officials to pass a bill that would reimburse bodega owners for panic buttons. An article on MSN reported that owners of small groceries would feel safer knowing they could immediately communicate with law enforcement officials or family members if the worst happened. By creating an instant communications strategy for you and your team, you’re already informing them that you take their safety above all. It’s also a good way of allowing even a casual observer to immediately know that by wearing a panic button at all times, even a staffer who appears isolated is connected to a larger team and potentially to law enforcement officials. Before deciding on your approach, though, it might be wise to have a discussion with local law enforcement officials about expected protocol, since the article also stated that police would prefer to know what they might be walking into in case of an emergency.

Don’t panic tip: Pay attention to trends in both your neighborhood and industry before making a major decision or investment.

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5. You believe in customer service above all:

This one might sound slightly counterintuitive; after all, how can having a staffer wear a panic button show customers how much they’re valued? The answer is two-fold. By having a distraction-free communication device, you’re allowing your employees to have an undistracted connection with your customers. There’s no phone just out of view, distracting them during their workday, and your employees aren’t spending most of the day swiping instead of working. In our first point, we mentioned that giving every staff member a panic button also gave them a sense of security. Your staff can better concentrate on the customers in front of them or tasks at hand. Knowing that help is a button press away allows them to do the best job possible and keep customers happy without distraction. ​

Don’t panic tip: Remember to train staff on best practices for using panic buttons. Hold test drills regularly to reassure staff response rates.

The post 5 Reasons Your Team Needs Panic Buttons appeared first on Relay.