Rotoiti Hot Pools

Rotoiti Hot Pools, located on the pristine shores of Lake Rotoiti, offers a one-of-a-kind experience — boat-only access to thermal hot pools. With such a unique entry system, verifying membership and ensuring that only paying guests are using the facilities is crucial. Philo Software worked with Rotoiti Hot Pools to create an efficient, automated solution to this challenge using IoT technology, streamlining operations while enhancing both user experience and safety.

The Challenge

A project brought to Philo Software from Zentag

Each boat at Rotoiti Hot Pools has an individual membership, but the manual process of verifying boats as they arrive was both time-consuming and prone to error. Staff were required to manually check each boat's registration, which slowed down the arrival process, especially during busy periods. There was also the concern that members might share their boat access with others, leading to unauthorized usage of the hot pools.

Moreover, the hot pools staff needed a way to track which boats were on-site, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations — something that could be difficult to manage without an automated system in place.

The Solution

Philo Software brought its expertise in IoT sensor monitoring to the project by leveraging OnSight, its in-house IoT platform. The solution used Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags mounted on each boat. When a boat arrived at the pools, an OnSight gateway positioned at the office detected the BLE tag and automatically identified the boat. This real-time detection allowed staff to confirm the boat's membership status immediately, without needing to manually check paperwork or wait for a customer to provide their details.

The core of the system is the arrivals dashboard, a simple yet powerful tool displayed in the office. When a boat arrives:

• A photo of the boat appears on the dashboard, along with the boat’s membership details, such as the membership year and whether it is valid for the current season.
• Staff can verify the boat quickly, ensuring that it is the right vessel and that the membership is correct.

Once the boat's membership is confirmed, staff can allow passengers to disembark and enter the pools without delay, creating a seamless experience for guests.

The Deployment Process

The project involved several key steps to ensure smooth implementation. Philo Software was responsible for:

• Setting up the connectivity infrastructure, replacing an old 4G router with a Starlink satellite connection for fast, reliable internet access. This upgrade was crucial given the remote location of the hot pools and the need for constant, uninterrupted communication between the OnSight platform and the cloud.
• Hardware installation, where the BLE tags were mounted on all boats, and the OnSight gateway was positioned at the office for optimal detection.
• Training and process improvement, where Philo worked closely with the staff to optimise workflows, ensuring that they could fully integrate the technology into their operations without disrupting daily tasks.

Zentag, OnSight's hardware reseller provided all the necessary IoT devices and OnSight licenses for the system. This collaboration ensured that Rotoiti Hot Pools had a turnkey solution that was reliable and scalable for future needs.

The Result

The results since going live have been overwhelmingly positive. The system has significantly improved operational efficiency, especially during peak times. Some of the key benefits include:

• Faster guest processing: Staff can quickly confirm boat arrivals and membership validity, reducing wait times and improving the overall guest experience.
• Reduction in unauthorised pool usage: By ensuring that only members are accessing the pools, Rotoiti Hot Pools has seen fewer instances of non-members using the facilities, helping maintain revenue integrity.
• Health & Safety compliance: The system provides an accurate log of which boats were present at the pools and when, giving the team detailed records for health and safety reporting. This makes it easier to track occupancy, manage potential emergencies, and ensure all regulations are met.

The success of this project has not only streamlined the process for the hot pools’ staff but has also enhanced the overall experience for visitors, providing a smoother and more efficient check-in process that reflects the innovative nature of the facility.

Looking Ahead

This IoT-based solution for Rotoiti Hot Pools is just the beginning. Philo Software is committed to continuing to develop solutions that help businesses in remote or challenging environments optimize operations, enhance customer experience, and ensure safety and compliance. Whether it’s in hospitality, leisure, or another industry, Philo’s OnSight platform is designed to seamlessly integrate IoT technology into everyday business practices.