The virtual concierge is a relatively new software feature that enables hospitality sites and related venues to offer a digital signage alternative to traditional concierge services. These systems offer several advantages to their hospitality sites including an essentially limitless information database, content integration from other software and content providers including real-time data, and a self-service option for guests who are intimidated by unfamiliar social situations and interactions. Best of all, with a small bank of interactive touch screen displays or kiosks, these digital concierge services can be offered around-the-clock with no wait time and for a fraction of the cost of traditional concierge services.

Guest Room and Web-Based Virtual Concierge Services
Many software providers also produce a digital concierge software application that can be used for Web-based services. In other words, a hotel guest can access the virtual concierge through their smart, Web-enabled devices or by getting online through some other means. As a versatile software application, the virtual concierge can also be accessed through a dedicated guest room TV channel for venues who want to provide this service. By making these decisions, hospitality businesses can provide concierge services to their guests at nearly any location. A hotel guest who's just finished dining at a fine Italian restaurant but wants to take in some late night entertainment before returning to the hotel can use his or her smart phone to access the hotel's virtual concierge off-site. Beyond simply using Google to locate his or her options, a guest can see what options the hotel recommends, including any special promotions or VIP packages offered by that venue to registered hotel guests.

Controlled-Access Virtual Concierge
Yet, by providing such wide-access to their virtual concierge services, some hospitality venues decide to guard against non-guests accessing these services by using a controlled-access pass-code in coordination with these virtual concierge services. After all, these services are provided as part of the special treatment guests receive. Some external businesses, moreover, may want to provide promotional offers specifically for your guests to help drum up tourist business without sacrificing profit margins from other customers. This controlled-access also discourages people from accessing through the digital concierge through the lobby kiosks/touch screen displays, leaving them occupied when a valued guest may need them most.

Controlled-access guest services is a dynamic that many hotel and hospitality sites already deploy. It provides a sense of privilege and luxury for guests who expect nothing less and for guests who want to feel like a VIP for a change. Fortunately, these digital software virtual concierge programs typically have no trouble integrating existing pass-code or pass-card systems with their software applications.