Rakuten Communications and SQUEEZE Launch “Anshin Stay IoT,” a Support Service for Operators of Vacation Rental Properties

Tokyo, February 1, 2018 - Rakuten Communications Corp., a Rakuten Group company that provides telecommunications services, announced that it will begin offering vacation rentals management service “Anshin Stay IoT” in cooperation with hospitality tech solutions provider SQUEEZE Inc. Anshin Stay IoT, which has been jointly developed by the two companies, is an IoT-based service that promises to provide operators of vacation rentals a safer and more efficient way to run their properties. The service is available to customers of SQUEEZE from today.

Anshin Stay IoT, which is linked to SQUEEZE’s popular suitebook service, provides wide-ranging support for tasks such as remote key management, check-in and checkout, guest registration and identity confirmation, noise detection, guest support and more. The service includes provision of IoT devices that are deployed within the rental properties, including smart locks, tablets for customer use during check-in and checkout and noise sensors.

In trials of Anshin Stay IoT conducted over the past year, Rakuten Communications and SQUEEZE determined that the use of remote check-in using tablets and smart locks reduces the workload in vacation rental operations by two-thirds(*1).

Users of the service are also relieved the burden of having to manage large amounts of personal information gained from guests, such as guest names, addresses and copies of documents used for identity confirmation. That data will be managed by Rakuten Communications. Anshin Stay IoT will also help property operators keep in compliance with local and national laws regarding operation of vacation rentals, for example by ensuring that guests use the provided check-in tablets to submit copies of their passports or other identification documents, as legally required (*2).

SQUEEZE is a specialized provider of services for operators of hotels, vacation rental properties and traditional-style ryokan accommodation. Its highly-efficient “mister suite” cloud-sourcing service involves matching registered users with tasks related to operating accommodation services. “Suitebook” is a SaaS model service that systematizes tasks involved in the reservation and cleaning of managed properties. SQUEEZE is promoting its services widely to property management companies that offer properties on a short-term basis as well as owners of vacation rental properties, hotels and ryokan.

Alongside its traditional phone and internet services, Rakuten Communications offers a variety of IP-platform based services such as mobile services and cloud services. Anshin Stay IoT is another step for the company in expanding its offerings.

Rakuten Communications also has plans to incorporate cutting-edge technology from other Rakuten Group companies, such as blockchain, into Anshin Stay IoT. By continuing to link the service with other services, the company plans to support users so that they can run their vacation rental properties in a safer and more secure way, while at the same time ensuring thorough adherence to any legal requirements (*2).

*1. The company broke down SQUEEZE’s representative accommodation facility operation flow into 33 separate categories, and calculated the number of man-hours required in each category before and after introduction of the “Anshin Stay IoT.”
*2. If new confirmation of identity rules are announced for vacation rentals, support will be offered as soon as possible.

1. Device purchase fee (device sales)

2. Monthly usage fee (device rental)

3. Installation fees, change of registration fees (shared)

4. Service fees (shared)

*3 The minimum usage period for the service is one month, the service will then be automatically renewed every month thereafter.
*4 Each tablet comes with one charging cable, one extension cable, and one charger.
If these are damaged, a separate fee will be required to replace them. The device purchase fee includes a 3-year MDM usage fee.
*5 Requires a contract of the IoT gateway.
*6 The number of IoT gateways required will be determined based upon the situation at the accommodation facility (signal strength, structure of rooms etc.), and upon consultation with the company. Smart locks and noise sensors can share usage of the IoT gateway.
*7 Limited to a scope of standard construction, defined separately by the company.
*8 The fee will apply if there are changes to services unrelated to construction.
*9 A contract for one or more IDs is required per contract.
*10 “Identity confirmation: necessary for all guests” should be chosen in areas where identify confirmation is required for all guests regardless of their nationality (Japanese or non-Japanese), while “Identity confirmation: necessary for some guests” should be chosen in other areas.

Anshin Stay IoT Service Introduction Page
See the introduction page (Japanese) for more details on the devices, prices, and their functions. https://comm.rakuten.co.jp/houjin/stay/

About Rakuten Communications Corp.
Rakuten Communications, subsidiary of global innovation leader Rakuten, Inc., is an Information and Communications Technology company that strives to create new value for a digital society. In addition to existing fixed-line communication services including IP phone, Myline and internet connection services, the company offers mobile and cloud solutions to position its customers for a digital future. Rakuten Communications Corp. aims to expand by development of the potential of the IP platform, across voice, data, media and applications.
For more information: https://comm.rakuten.co.jp/english/company/

About SQUEEZE
SQUEEZE, under the principal of creating a society full of value, launched a crowd sourcing service, 「mister suite」 in 2014, later expanded into the Wi-Fi MVNO business, and developed tools such as a revenue management system targeting the hospitality industry. As one of the leading hospitality tech companies, SQUEEZE strives to adapt, improve the quality of service, and provide the best solutions for all clients. For more information, please visit: https://squeeze-inc.co.jp/