Have you always been interested in technology?
My fascination with technology began at the age of 12, when I first encountered an innovative IBM machine that looked like a big white box. During my school years, I developed small applications, laying the groundwork for my future career in technology.
I graduated from NYU with a degree in Computer Science and continued coding and exploring the telecom landscape, landing a job with AT&T. There, I played a pivotal role in designing and signing the first contract tariff with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on behalf of AT&T and our client, GTE. This ushered in the first-of-its-kind convergence of voice, data and video traffic over a single medium for the carrier, marking a significant milestone in telecommunications. Subsequently, I was instrumental in deploying Airfone, a groundbreaking air-ground radio telephone that revolutionized in-flight communication, enabling people to place calls and communicate while on the plane. This endeavor showcased my ability to lead complex projects with national impact.
Following the success of the Airfone, I managed the AT&T-GTE project to pioneer virtual reality implementations. This initiative focused on connecting world-renowned museums, allowing them to virtually review and provide insights on newly discovered archaeological treasures in Egypt.
In 2002, I transitioned from AT&T to pursue entrepreneurial interests by founding Webworx. Under my leadership, we executed several significant projects, such as developing an internal presence for Citigroup by providing employees with a universal virtual desk that offered seamless access to company resources and spearheading a groundbreaking project for TDF Books to create the first online platform for pet owners to purchase products via the internet.
In 2015, I took over Tauto, a telecom company focused on the hospitality industry. I expanded the company’s offerings to include a comprehensive digital footprint, encompassing managed services, voice solutions, WiFi, application development and the overall integration of hospitality technologies. I have a passion for exploring emerging technologies and their potential to enhance our world. Currently, I am focused on the advancements of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can enrich guest experience in the hospitality sector while helping staff to mitigate challenges. I’ve built Tauto to provide our clients with innovative AI solutions that elevate their services and improve customer satisfaction.
Have you had any mentors during your career? If so, what did they teach you?
My primary mentors were my parents, Elia & Sima Feldsher, both of whom had significant careers in technical fields. They immigrated from the former USSR and successfully pursued the American dream, exemplifying resilience and ambition. My father arrived from Russia with a wealth of knowledge and several patents to his name, serving as a trailblazer in advanced telecommunications and radar equipment. His innovative contributions significantly impacted the telecom industry, showcasing his expertise and forward-thinking approach. My mother specialized in telephony and system implementation, being the first woman to manage world-class installations for General Dynamics. Together, they opened their own company, reflecting their commitment to technology and their desire to bring new ideas to fruition. Their entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to their craft not only led to their success but also set a powerful example for me. Their passion for technology, new inventions and adaptability deeply influenced my interests, igniting my enthusiasm for technology and inspiring me to create new features, applications and products that push the boundaries of innovation.
Through their guidance and example, I have cultivated a strong appreciation for technology and its potential to transform lives, shaping my career path and aspirations.
Can you tell us about how Tauto got started?
We started as Tele-Automation, providing telephony services throughout New York City. In 2015, I took over the management and renamed the company Tauto. For the next several years, we’ve focused our efforts on supporting the hospitality industry. Leveraging our experience and technical know-how. Tauto developed the core platforms essential for hospitality operations and evolved into a national managed service provider (MSP). This transition enabled us to offer our clients a comprehensive solution for maintaining, growing and optimizing their digital footprint. Functioning as the IT extension of our clients’ team, our platform supports voice, administrative and WiFi services, while also developing and integrating new applications, features and capabilities that enhance staff efficiency and enrich the guest experience.
Most importantly, I’d like to take time to mention the tremendous talent, expertise and experience that backs my daily efforts. My people are the soul, the strength and the implementation behind my ideas. Without them, Tauto’s success would not be possible.
How many hotel clients does your company have?
Tauto is the trusted technology partner behind some of the nation’s most recognized hotels, management companies, owners and developers. We deliver end-to-end technology solutions that support every phase of a hotel’s journey—from ground-up construction and complex renovations to rebranding and reflagging. With a nationwide footprint, Tauto proudly supports more than 500 clients under active managed services agreements. Our expertise spans the full hospitality spectrum.
Our clients include:
- Hotel management companies, ensuring reliable, compliant and fully supported IT operations across multi-property portfolios.
- Hotel owners and developers, delivering seamless technology design, deployment and managed services from blueprint to guest check-in.
- Architects and technology consultants, integrating infrastructure that enhances functionality, aesthetics and guest experience.
- Individual hotels and resorts, providing 24/7 managed IT, cybersecurity, voice, WiFi and audiovisual integration, with on-site technical support for uninterrupted operations.
- Boutique and lifestyle hotels, offering design-forward technology solutions that reflect each property’s unique brand identity.
- National brands, including Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt, with full adherence to brand technology standards.
- Independent hotel collections, empowering unique operators with enterprise-grade IT performance and protection.
Our strength lies in our ability to design, develop and integrate what hospitality needs from the ground up and through maintained evolution.
What are some emerging trends in hotel technology?
We are actively working on expanding AI services throughout the cybersecurity landscape, not just mitigating occurrences but preventing future incidents and directing user activity to limit exposures. We have implemented robotics within hospitality venues and hotels, allowing the F&B space to be serviced by robot waiters. We have embedded AI within our hosted voice platform, providing hospitality with a feature-rich operation and guest management. Above all, we have and continue to develop applications that enhance and digitize our clients’ landscape. Case in point is our creation of a SharePoint-powered Intranet allowing the dissemination of knowledge throughout the ownership/management portfolio of properties.
How is Tauto different from other MSPs?
What sets us apart is our exclusive focus on hospitality and our ability to serve as a true one-stop shop for all technology needs—from design and deployment to 24/7 management and innovation.
Unlike traditional MSPs that operate across various industries, Tauto’s expertise is rooted in two decades of hospitality experience. We understand the unique demands of hotel environments where technology impacts not just operations, but also brand standards and guest experience.
Our differentiators include:
- Hospitality-centric expertise: Every service is tailored to the operational realities of hotels, resorts and mixed-use properties.
- In-house capabilities: Unlike outsourced MSPs, TAUTO directly manages voice, data, cybersecurity, and custom application development under one roof.
- End-to-end delivery: From low-voltage design to long-term support, we manage every stage of the technology lifecycle.
- Brand alignment: Deep experience with leading brands such as Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt, ensuring full compliance with brand technology standards.
- Personalized partnership: As a woman-owned and privately held firm, we prioritize relationships, accountability and client success over volume.
In short, Tauto isn’t just a managed service provider. We’re a strategic technology partner empowering hospitality companies to operate smarter, safer and more connected than ever before.
Can you detail your journey as a female leader in the industry? Have you faced any obstacles? What about opportunities?
As a woman leader in technology, my journey has been marked by both challenges and opportunities. While I was fortunate to work in a nurturing and open environment during the early triumphs of my career, I inevitably encountered obstacles that tested my resolve. There was a moment when my boss told me that I didn’t need a bonus after signing a $50 million deal because my husband took care of our expenses, a comment that was more comical than typical, but nonetheless indicative of the biases that existed. Despite the few hurdles, I have received tremendous support throughout my career, even in spaces dominated by an old boys’ network.
Today, I am encouraged to see the landscape shift significantly; there is less gender differentiation in leadership roles. The focus has shifted to delivering innovative products and services, and we are judged primarily by our abilities and contributions. This evolution has created a more inclusive environment where talent, creativity and expertise take precedence.
What advice do you have for aspiring female leaders?
My advice for aspiring female leaders is to embrace the wisdom my parents instilled in me: “Reach for the stars, set your goals and never give up.” It’s essential to explore your abilities and strengths and to refuse to blend in. Be a trailblazer. Design and transform your surroundings to reflect your unique experiences and insights. Actively listen to your team and incorporate their knowledge, as this collective strength will be the foundation for realizing your dreams. Always give credit to those around you who inspire you and help develop and implement your ideas. Remember, a leader is only as good as the exceptional people who support her, enabling her to shine.
For more information, go to tauto.com/letsconnec
Source: Hotel bussines
Tags: Tauto, technology, Suzanne Smolyar