Hamburg, May 23, 2023 The identification provider Nect and HelloGuest Solutions GmbH, a manufacturer of self-check-in software for the hotel industry, have jointly developed a new solution for digital check-in and the digital creation of registration forms. This was presented for the first time in March at Internorga in Hamburg and enables users to identify themselves particularly quickly in just a few minutes, as well as re-verify within a few seconds.
Founded in 2014 and based in Nuremberg, HelloGuest Solutions GmbH develops innovative, scalable guest technologies and services. This includes, among other things, an intuitively operable platform solution for check-in that allows hotels to easily digitize and optimize their entire processes themselves. The omni-channel solution from HelloGuest includes check-in via web, app, or via a stationary self-service kiosk in the hotel.
Since January 1, 2020, the digital alternative to the conventional registration process has been available for use in hotels. However, the technically supposedly simpler procedure of Strong Customer Authentication has so far mainly prevailed on the German market. In this process, guests must prove two out of three elements – knowledge (password or PIN), possession (end device, e.g., smartphone), and inherence (e.g., a fingerprint). However, the directive also offers room for more convenient solutions that are subject to equally high security standards.
By integrating Nect Ident, the fully automated, AI-based identification solution from Nect, guests can now create their registration forms in a legally compliant digital manner within the check-in process. This is done either using automated video identification, the online ID function (eID), or the international electronic passport (ePass).
The ability to store identity documents in the associated Nect Wallet app speeds up and simplifies the entire process: anyone who has already identified themselves with Nect for another service or, for example, another hotel in the past and has secured their data in the app on their phone can identify themselves at the hotel using only a selfie video. The ID data already stored is then reused via the app’s wallet function. In addition, the digital function can be used by a broad target group thanks to the various identification methods available via an interface. With the introduction of this procedure, the more than seven million users of the Nect Wallet can verify themselves at the hotel within seconds – saving them the more tedious process previously required.
The process flow starts in the app or at the HelloGuest self-service kiosk. In
contrast to all previous methods, the traveler now has the choice between
analog input and identification with Nect. If Nect is chosen, the user is
directed to the Nect Wallet app. At the self-service kiosk, this is done via a QR code that must be scanned with a smartphone. The Nect Wallet app then opens directly, or users are automatically guided to the app download. In the app, depending on the hotel’s offering, identification is then available via automated video identification – i.e., via document and face recording, via eID, ePass, or the wallet function. After successful identification, travelers can settle outstanding payments and then generate their room card. The digitization of the check-in process allows hotels and hosts to save time and use it, for example, for personal guest care.
Carlo Ulbrich, Co-Founder of Nect GmbH: “The degree of digitalization in the hospitality sector is steadily increasing. Fast and secure identification solutions are therefore a major topic here as well. With our technology, we want to help the entire hotel industry achieve greater efficiency in recurring processes and thus also address the shortage of skilled workers to some extent. The discussions with potential customers at Internorga, as well as afterwards, were already very promising.”
Marc Frauenholz, CEO of HelloGuest Solutions GmbH: “From the beginning, it was important to us to be able to map the digital hotel check-in for both hosts and hotel guests as a complete digital process. We are therefore very pleased that, together with Nect GmbH, we were able to create another simple digital solution for the registration form that can be seamlessly integrated into our digital check-in process.”
Nect GmbH was founded in 2017 by Benny Bennet Jürgens and Carlo Ulbrich and is one of the leading providers of digital, AI-based identification solutions in Germany.
All solutions are made available via the company’s own app, the Nect Wallet. In addition to Nect Ident, which includes identification via automated video identification, eID, ePass, and a reuse function, the company offers Nect Sign, a solution for qualified electronic signatures (QES). The technology developed and patented by Nect is used by R+V Versicherung, ADAC, BARMER, and Telekom Deutschland, among others.
Data security and data protection are the focus of Nect solutions. This is ensured both by the complete in-house development of the software components and the use of data centers in Germany with an exceptionally high security level and the avoidance of cloud solutions.
