Some other interesting iPad applications

Here are some interesting iPad applications that Alex Sigeda (MMH 10!) sent me:
http://www.thetransitcafe.com/site/the_wrap/archives/2010/07/ipad_takes_the_1.php



The opportunities for streamlining processes with this and other mobile technologies are really amazing.

Automated Wardrobe at Resorts World Sentosa (Singapore)

This example is more for their internal operations:


With thousands of crew members from the Casino, Universal Studios, restaurants and hotels, Resorts World Sentosa has installed the automated wardrobe system in order to facilitate the retrieval of the crew members' uniform.

Every crew member will be allocated 1 slot where they hang their uniform in the clothing bag. The bag (the blue one on the left) has a microchip installed. The uniform has a microchip sewn onto the uniform as well. This microchip is unique for all crew members and is linked to their employee pass.

When they need to retrieve their uniform, they will go to the door and punch in their password and scan their card. The system then recognises the employee pass and password (which is linked to the microchip) and the coveyer belt will move the entire rack of clothes and the correct clothing bag will stop right at the door. The door then automatically opens for the employee to retrieve his uniform, change into it, and put his own clothes in the clothing bag.

When they knock off from work, the same procedure follows so that they could retrieve their own clothes to change into.

As their uniform has the microchip sewn into it, after it has been washed, the wardrobe department just has to scan the uniform to locate the conveyer belt it belongs to and hang it back onto the rack.

Each wardrobe department has at least 5 doors so facilitate the hundreds of people who start/finish their shift at the same hours.

Hajime Robot Restaurant in Bangkok

Another one from Gail!  It's a Japanese barbaque restaurant in Bangkok that uses robots to cook and deliver the food.  Yes, a gimmick, but also an interesting look at how things might work in the future.   Take a look at the video!

Payment at Starbucks

This is one that Gail Sirikantaporn (MMH 10) sent me.   

Basically, there's an iPhone app (here's the link!) that allows you to pay for purchases made at Starbucks located in Target stores.  Very interesting--makes you wonder how payments at restaurants will occur in the future!  

Great source of service ideas

I get a periodic online newsletter called Springwise which has all kinds of great ideas in it: some for services and some for products. Here is the link to the Springwise archive for F&B ideas: www.springwise.com/food_beverage/ There is also a category for travel and tourism.

What's the Wait?

What's the Wait? is an iPhone app that allows users to type in how long the waiting time is at restaurants they are at and also to search for restaurants (and see their waiting time). I don't know how used this is, but it's pretty interesting. It allows customers to gain more control over their waiting time since they know in advance what it will be (and can possibly change their mind).

Tune Hotels

Here's another one I love. I know that many of you have heard of this, but I doubt that many people in the US have. Basically, the interesting thing here is how Tune Hotels decided to compete on the basis of cost. In order to do that, it first needed to understand what customers wanted (cheap, safe, good location, clean, good bed, nice shower) and then design a product that would meet those needs. What's also interesting here is that they are as far as I know, one of the first hotel companies to really unbundle their different services.