Case Study

UDS solves staffing shortages and connects custom API with Mews

Sara Arzan

Mews · 12月 13, 2023

The Japanese placemaking firm benefits from streamlining operations to save costs and create a more engaged workforce.

Why it matters: UDS is a Japanese company that handles everything related to placemaking, from procurement and business modeling to design, construction and actual operation. They run 16 hotels, two of which already rely on Mews, with plans to onboard another property this coming month. Hotels include Soki Kanazawa and all day place shibuya in Tokyo, which provides space for guests and visitors to meet and relax throughout the day, as well as rooms to stay in.

- Significant HR management cost reduction - 25 hours per week saved in overtime - 100% payment automation for all card transactions

Top 3 Core Objectives: “The exciting thing about Open API is that as a hotelier we get to understand what we can and can’t do in terms of technology. We don’t have to pay vendors or developers a couple million yen – we can do the feasibility study on our own.” Genki Takahashi DX Strategy Team Manager, UDS

Happier, more engaged staff: As every hotelier knows, hiring and retaining staff is one of the biggest ongoing challenges in hospitality.
Custom API for Kiosk: Although many Japanese customers prefer to use cash, UDS still wanted a modern self-check-in option.

"Mews has had an incredible impact on staff hiring and retention. Having streamlined, automated workflows eliminates all those data entry tasks that damage morale, and because it’s so easy and logical to use we can widen our hiring pool beyond candidates with hospitality experience."

Genki Takahashi

DX Strategy Team Manager

👍 DX Strategy Team Manager Genki Takahashi said that The company reported that Mews had an incredible impact on staff hiring and retention by streamlining and automating workflows that eliminate data entry tasks that damage morale, and because it’s so logical to use we can widen their hiring pool beyond hospitality experience.:

"Mews has had an incredible impact on staff hiring and retention. Having streamlined, automated workflows eliminates all those data entry tasks that damage morale, and because it’s so easy and logical to use we can widen our hiring pool beyond candidates with hospitality experience."

⚖️ The selection process: During their research process, Genki Takahashi evaluated Mews's product differentiators, customer support, and holistic value as a strategic partner and ultimately decided that Mews was the best fit solution:

DX Strategy Team Manager Genki Takahashi said, about their decision: "“The exciting thing about Open API is that as a hotelier we get to understand what we can and can’t do in terms of technology. We don’t have to pay vendors or developers a couple million yen – we can do the feasibility study on our own.”"

📈 The results: Mews streamlines operational processes for its users, automating any task that doesn’t add value to the guest experience. This allows the UDS teams to spend more time on the most rewarding part of hospitality: engaging with their guests. UDS developed their own API from scratch to connect to bespoke kiosk machines that can handle cash as well as a wide variety of digital payments.

• Significant HR management cost reduction • Zero staff turnover in first year of newly opened Mews properties (27% average in Japan Hospitality Market)
• 25 hours per week saved in overtime •Widened hiring pool by 100% (50% of staff have no prior experience in hospitality)
• Guests can enjoy a contact-free check-in experience regardless of how they pay • €10k+ in development fees saved through Open API • Staff have more time to spend with guests who need more assistance