Accor Northern Europe manages a portfolio of hotels across several countries, each subject to distinct Health & Safety government regulations. Previously, regulatory documents were kept on-site at individual hotels, leading to occasional lapses in oversight and document expiration.
To address these challenges, Accor implemented a centralised system to manage these documents, ensuring all required documentation is consistently available and up to date. This initiative enables Accor to establish best practices for safety assessments and standards throughout its managed properties.
Heyward Group collaborated with Softools to design and develop a customised, innovative audit mobile app that enables managed hotels in the UK, the Netherlands, and Belgium to self-assess their safety compliance and improve time management. The app was created with careful consideration of local regulations, ensuring compliance with geographic and regional requirements. Heyward Group provided guidance throughout implementation, addressing all inquiries and adapting the solution as necessary.
Recognising that various industries utilise language differently, Heyward Group possesses expertise both at the property level and head office within the hospitality sector, as well as insight into the needs of technology developers. This comprehensive knowledge allowed Heyward Group to bridge communication across partners and contribute to the development of an effective application.
The app provided real-time visibility into documentation and ensured adherence to local regulations. The system sent notifications when follow-ups were required for specific documents and recorded photographic proof of compliance, such as the proper placement of fire hydrants or the unobstructed operation of fire doors. This app saved time by streamlining physical audits, enabling them to be completed quickly and allowing staff to focus on enhancing guest experiences.
“Providing a safe and consistent environment is at the heart of our promise to guests and this tool helps to maintain this. The app will help our partners to uphold safety standards with even greater efficiency, allowing them to maintain high levels of compliance, helping them organise themselves while still ensuing their own protection. This is another example of how we are continuously innovating to help our partners manage their hotels more effectively and profitably, as well as improve guest experience. “
