Smartbox Launches QR-Based Information Platform "DocooZoo Info Hotel" for Hotels and Ryokans

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Smartbox Inc. (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, President and CEO: Yoichi Miura), a provider of interpretation and translation solutions, is launching "DocooZoo Info Hotel," a QR-based information system for hotels and ryokans.

"DocooZoo Info Hotel" is a cloud-based service that guests can use simply by scanning a QR code placed in their room with their smartphone. It provides in-facility information, AI chat, translation chat, smart in-room phones, and cleaning management on smartphones, thereby improving the efficiency of routine operations for accommodation facilities. It supports automatic translation in over 130 languages, requires no dedicated terminals or app downloads, and no facility construction. It can be introduced with zero initial cost, supporting accommodation facilities in addressing labor shortages and accommodating inbound tourists.

Background of Development: Addressing the Accommodation Industry's Challenges of Labor Shortages and Inbound Tourism

The hotel and ryokan industry is facing a severe labor shortage, while the increasing number of inbound foreign tourists makes multilingual support more crucial. Daily routine tasks such as in-facility explanations during check-in, handling late-night inquiries, replacing paper in-room guides, and providing information to foreign guests place a significant burden on on-site staff.

Smartbox Inc. has been addressing these on-site challenges through its work supporting numerous accommodation facilities with its interpretation and translation services. To create an environment where staff can focus on providing genuine hospitality, the company developed "DocooZoo Info Hotel" by leveraging its strengths in multilingual communication technology.

Service Overview: Guest Smartphones Become the Gateway to In-Facility Information

"DocooZoo Info Hotel" is an information platform that digitizes accommodation facility information services by utilizing guests' own smartphones. Since it can be used by simply scanning a QR code placed in the guest room, it can be introduced without installing dedicated terminals or undertaking extensive facility construction.

Comparison Items

Traditional In-Room TV System

DocooZoo Info Hotel

Initial Cost

Tens to hundreds of millions of yen

0 yen

Facility Construction

Required

Not required

Terminal

Dedicated TV/STB required

Utilizes guest smartphones

Content Updates

Requires contractor, takes several days

Reflected instantly from management screen

Multilingual Support

Additional cost incurred

Over 130 languages included as standard

Use Outside Room

Not possible

Possible

Main Features

1. Multilingual Display of Facility and Tourist Information

Displays information on in-facility amenities, congestion status of large baths and restaurants, and surrounding tourist information on smartphones. Supports automatic translation in over 130 languages, allowing information to be delivered to foreign guests in their native language.

2. AI Chatbot / Translation Chat

An AI chatbot automatically responds to frequently asked questions 24 hours a day. Translation chat connects each room with the front desk, enabling smooth handling of inquiries from foreign guests.

3. Digital Terms and Conditions / Paperless Operations

In-room guides and terms and conditions are digitized and can be updated from the management screen. This reduces paper printing and replacement work, allowing the latest information to be quickly reflected in all rooms.

4. Smart In-Room Phone

Guests can directly make in-room calls to the front desk from their smartphones. Since it can be linked to room numbers, it also supports operations without installing dedicated telephones.

5. Cleaning Management System

Connects the front desk and cleaning staff in real-time, allowing cleaning instructions and progress checks to be managed via smartphone. Sharing room status helps improve the efficiency of on-site operations.

Implementation Effects: Reducing Routine Tasks and Improving Service Quality

A model case calculation (100 rooms, 70% occupancy rate) suggests a potential reduction in annual costs for routine tasks such as in-facility guidance, inquiry response, paper replacement, and multilingual support, from approximately 5.56 million yen to approximately 2.22 million yen.

The main tasks for which cost reductions are expected are as follows:

Time spent on in-facility explanations and guidance during check-in

Labor required for handling inquiry calls and in-room calls

Printing costs and labor costs for paper replacement

Outsourcing costs for multilingual support and translation services

This allows staff to spend less time on simple tasks and routine responses, making it easier to focus on providing detailed guest service and improving service quality.

Reason for Smartbox's Provision

Since its establishment in 2009, Smartbox Inc. has provided communication support to overcome language barriers through services such as remote multilingual video interpretation, AI real-time translation, and video dubbing translation.

"DocooZoo Info Hotel" is not just an operational efficiency tool, but a DX service for accommodation facilities that assumes multilingual support. It is designed by leveraging the expertise of a translation company, including automatic translation in over 130 languages by AI and integration with the interpretation service "DocooZoo AI MIX" by native-speaking operators.

Future Outlook

The importance of addressing labor shortages and accommodating inbound tourism in the accommodation industry is expected to increase further. Smartbox aims to expand "DocooZoo Info Hotel" to hotels and ryokans nationwide, supporting their operational efficiency and multilingual capabilities. The company will contribute to creating an environment where staff can focus on their core hospitality duties and guests can stay comfortably without feeling language barriers.

Company Profile

Item

Details

Company Name

Smartbox Inc.

Location

Kansai Tosei Building II, 4-45-1 Sumiyoshi-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa

Representative

Yoichi Miura, President and CEO

Established

March 2009

Business Activities

Remote interpretation (video phone/phone), AI interpretation/translation, video dubbing translation, worker dispatch

URL

https://smart-box.jp/

Contact Information

Smartbox Inc. Public Relations

TEL: 045-228-9280

E-MAIL: [email protected]

Reception Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (Weekdays)