Project Background (Situation):
A top smart hotel system integrator in the UK plans to install 20,000 smart control tablets in hotel rooms. These tablets will be used in major hotel chains across the country. These tablets let guests control lighting, air conditioning, and curtains with one touch. Guests can also book in-room dining and spa services. They can complete the checkout process online. Given the complex wireless environment and the challenge of in-room cabling, the client needs tablets that support PoE. This will reduce high-voltage wiring costs. They also require a minimalist design and reliable, continuous operation with no downtime.
Procurement Pain Points and Challenges (Task):
1. Retrofitting high-voltage electrical wiring in older hotels is prohibitively expensive; therefore, the system must support standard 802.3af/at PoE to integrate data transmission and power supply.
2. Custom, aesthetically pleasing VESA wall mounts are required, ensuring the tablet maintains a slim, elegant profile when mounted.
3. Block all game and third-party app download channels to prevent crashes or privacy breaches. Guests may access unauthorized content.
BESTAR TEK Solution (Action):
- Low Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ 500): Traditional factories often require several thousand units for deep ODM projects. BESTAR TEK accepts orders starting at just 500 units. It also offers a “Starter Package” with phased production support. This helps reduce financial pressure for system integrators in early project stages.
- 8-inch PoE Hardware Development: Our R&D team developed a custom 8-inch motherboard (PCBA) with an integrated PoE module. Clients only need to run one Cat5e cable to the bedside or wall. This cable provides both power and high-speed LAN connectivity to the tablet.
- Custom Ultra-Slim Metal Wall Mount: Structural engineers designed a hidden metal mounting solution. It keeps the total thickness of the wall-mounted 8-inch tablet just over 10 millimeters. This lets it blend smoothly into luxury guest room décor.
- Secure, “Clean” Firmware: We use a streamlined AOSP Android firmware. It removes Google Play, the web browser, and other unnecessary system services. A built-in Watchdog mechanism ensures that, if a software anomaly occurs, the system reboots silently within seconds. Background network configurations are locked to prevent guests from accessing LAN passwords, ensuring the absolute security of the guest room network architecture.
Deliverables and Outcomes (Result):
Over 20,000 customized 8-inch PoE guestroom control panels have been successfully deployed across major hotel chains in the UK. Powered directly via Ethernet cables, the solution saved the hotels more than 40% on on-site wiring and electrical installation costs. Following implementation, in-room dining sales rose by 35%. Guest satisfaction also soared. As a result, the client named Bestar Tek “Most Trusted Hardware Partner of the Year.” This award was given for two consecutive years.
Hardware Showcase：
(Image: An 8-inch ultra-slim touch control panel featuring a flush-mount rear design and standard mounting holes. Combined with PoE technology, it is an ideal choice for smart hotel guest rooms, meeting room booking systems, and smart home control applications.)