Setting Up a Smart Hotel with PoE and LAVA Adapters

Smart hotels are somewhat of a niche market and you might feel setting one up is too expensive. However, hoteliers can leverage their business with the use of Power over Ethernet (PoE) to set up their smart technology. With PoE, they can reduce the building’s energy consumption making it more eco-friendly and saving thousands in labour costs from hiring electricians. Using PoE-capable LAVA SimulCharge adapters, such as a eSynC-PE, and the right tablets, one can easily get started without breaking the bank.

Much like a smart home, a smart hotel is an internet-connected hub that can communicate with other internet-connected devices on the same network. A smart hotel room often has a wall-mounted tablet that can control the lights, window shades, smart mirror, television and other electronics. You may also use it to order room service or check out on your final night’s stay. Generally, these smart devices communicate wirelessly. However, the tablet can be powered and reliably connected to the same network through PoE.

This is where the eSynC-PE comes in. Compatible with select USB-C Samsung mobile devices, it features PoE, which provides power and a 10/100-capable wired network connection over the same Ethernet cable. This eliminates the need for a separate electrical cable.  A wired network connection is more reliable than Wi-Fi and so you’re less likely to suffer a dropout. However, if you do, the eSynC-PE features LAVA’s RBM technology, which includes Network Recovery that can rescue the network connection. If the tablet has lost a connection for more than a few minutes, the Ethernet portion of the adapter will be reset so it can re-establish the connection. It’s the equivalent of unplugging the Ethernet cable and plugging it back in.

PoE can also power from a distance. The adapter can be placed up to 328 feet (100 m) from a PoE-capable network switch or injector (which turns a standard LAN connection from a router or modem into PoE). This means you could place the tablet pretty much anywhere in the hotel room. This is likely true even for a Presidential or Penthouse Suite that takes up an entire floor, as there would be multiple entry points for cabling throughout.

This solution is also scalable. If you have the funds, you can put a tablet and adapter in every room to make the entire hotel connected. Alternatively, you can limit the connectivity to a select number of higher-priced rooms, offering it as a premium experience. This way, you don’t need to purchase as many tablets, adapters and controllable smart devices.

RBM technology also includes Battery Modulation that ensures the longevity of the tablet. Battery Modulation protects the tablet from overcharging and battery bloating, which can cause severe damage to the device. In the LAVA Tablet Manager (LTM) app, which must be installed on the tablet, you can set upper and lower percentage boundaries for charging. With this feature, the battery always remains below a full charge, which ensures its longevity.

Battery Modulation increases the return on investment and decreases costs as you won’t need to buy new tablets as often. If none need to be replaced for five years, it amortizes the cost. However, if one does need to be replaced, you just need to buy another off-the-shelf consumer tablet that’s compatible with the eSynC-PE adapter. You don’t need to hunt down a full tablet kiosk solution.

With PoE and RBM technology, the eSynC-PE adapter paired with a compatible Samsung tablet provides a great solution for a smart hotel room. PoE provides power and a stable network connection to communicate with other internet-connected devices in the room. This connection is made even more reliable with Network Recovery. Meanwhile, Battery Modulation prevents the battery from overcharging, preserving its lifespan. This also ensures the tablets will last longer, reducing future costs.

To find out more about eSynC-PE, check out LAVA’s website.