INTRODUCTION
The Bloc Hotels chain applies innovative design and construction techniques to build hotels with small, chic, and perfectly-formed rooms for travelers who appreciate quality and affordability. At its location in the terminal building of Gatwick Airport (United Kingdom), Bloc Hotels offers a comfortable night’s sleep at a competitive price, while embracing technology for the easiest and most convenient guest experience possible
THE CHALLENGE
Bloc Hotels realized they had to adapt their existing hardware and create inventive software to realize their vision of offering a superior experience for guests. They needed a control backbone that would be both resilient and secure. “Initially, we wanted to develop a completely new hotel stay experience for our customers that was seamless, touchless, and secure,” explains Olivier Delaunoy, Bloc Hotels' Chief Technology Officer. “However, the technology we needed to control our rooms was not available, as no one had attempted this before in the hotel industry.”
THE SOLUTION
Bloc Hotels turned to Crestron and SYMBIoT to create this unprecedented hotel experience. A contactless technology solution, SYMBIoT provides a bespoke cloud-based room control management system that integrates with the hotel’s Property Management and Point of Sale systems to control the entire hotel experience and environment. Crestron control technology was selected because it eliminates the need for bulky onsite systems architecture.
THE TECHNOLOGY
Guests get a truly seamless and touchless experience when they enter Bloc Hotels. They can control door entry, lights, climate, blinds, and TV in the room from their own smartphone or tablet, as well as check in and out. They can even operate the elevators and be guided to their room. Best of all, there’s no need for a key card or for guests to download an app. Nothing else is needed to access the system.
RESULTS
Bloc Hotels has created a unique experience for its guests that puts automation control right in their hands. While the system was designed before COVID-19 disrupted the world, the fact that it reduces contact with surfaces that are commonly touched is a very fortunate by-product. Guests can use their own devices for everything they need to do, from the moment they step through the door of the hotel right up to checkout. Delaunoy explains, “Crestron has helped safeguard our hotel by reducing guest contact. We are now adapting our technology further to embrace that element.” Bloc Hotels plans to open additional hotels in the near future and will roll out this technology to all of them. SYMBIoT is also making the technology available for implementation at other hotel chains, and it is currently being rolled out internationally. Experts predict that this touchless, convenient, and seamlessly advanced experience, developed for Bloc Hotels in partnership with SYMBIoT and Crestron, will be a big part of the future of the hospitality industry.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
