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This article showed us 5 cloud trends coming up over the horizon in 2020. They are multi and hybrid cloud environments will continue to grow; retaining compliance in an increasingly complex environment; organizations will make it a priority to control cloud costs; solution-focused partners; a continued shift to tech on demand.

This article deals with hospitality businesses asking themselves how business will be done in the future and how will stay current or ahead of the curve. It also speaks directly to how to be better prepared for events like COVID moving forward. It states that hospitality businesses need to quit holding on tightly to their old systems and think to the now and beyond by switching to cloud-based systems. It highlights the concept of "high-tech not high-touch", empowering service staff, greater accuracy, and making use of every nook and cranny of a property in the smartest possible ways.

This article compares the advantages and disadvantages of having a computerized accounting system and then also completing the task by hand. When looking at different factors it is clear that it seems like an owner would run a risk going either way because where the computer would lack in areas, the human touch would prevail and then where a human touch would lack in other areas, the computer would prevail. Therefore, I would conclude that it is probably better to have a little bit of both to help make the process smooth but not over bearing on a human or even on the computer.

This article basically goes over the pros and cons of switching over to computerized accounting systems like Quickbooks and Freshbooks. It goes over the main concerns like data breached and human error, but it also deleves a little deeper to discuss how many of the software require regular system and hardware updates in order to have the software run efficiently.

This article summarizes the findings taken from research done within the Expedia Group's global hotelier panel consisting of 1,215 hotelier participants that used a choice-based study to compare technology investments between defined hotel chains and small independent hotels. In summary, chain hotels were likely to invest twice as much in technology when compared to small independent hotels. Conversely, small independent hotels were likely to invest more in rooms reservations than chain hotels. The I.T investment strategy varied among the two hotel segments. Small independent hotels choose technology based on affordability, value, and complexity of technology, whereas chain hotels bought technology based on its ability to integrate into their existing systems, the price was not mentioned.

My opinion on this article surrounds my personal experience in the way I have been able to experience third party extranet portals and because of these enhancements that Expedia has developed for hotel partners, I have seen a tremendous amount of return on investment that goes into technology development. Many consumers have been influenced by these third party sites because they offer a type of experience that is different from traditional booking methods and often times consumers are able to snag cheaper rates than they would with booking hotel direct. I would like to see how this trend goes on in future years because I have seen more third party bookings in recent months and it should follow that trend for years to come.

The article focuses on applying technology in the hospitality industry, based on the study conducted by Expedia Group (Big Think). The article summarized the research study conducted on 1215 hoteliers worldwide, assessing the focus and prioritization of technology investments by these businesses. The study provides that Chain of hotels are twice as likely to invest in technology than SME in the hospitality industries, with these SMEs being 1.5 times more likely to invest in renovations. In the year 2019, approximately 54% of hotels focused on increasing their technology investments, with only 8% focusing on reducing the same. This provided that more hoteliers were willing to "stay ahead of the curve" than those that focused on adopting the "wait and see" approach. In this respect, hoteliers identified that their main technology investments were influenced by the value and affordability of the same and the capacity to integrate them with existing technologies. On the other hand, the main challenges associated with the technologies were complexity, affecting 25% of the respondents, and ease of use, affecting 33.33% of the respondents (Big Think). In focusing on technological advancement, the Expedia Group focused on technological elements such as Partner Central Mobile Application improvements, new "rooms and rate," page improvements, new "marketing" improved pages, new homepages adaptive, as well as multiple-property portfolio dashboards. With regard to the market perspective, digital marketing/website optimization, smart room, reputation management, revenue management, guest check-ins, and payment solutions were the main technological focuses for the hoteliers. Focusing on the reasons hoteliers were motivated to invest in technology, the study established that improving productivity, improving loyalty and repeat visits, improving guest experiences and reviews, reducing costs, and improving revenue generation topped the list.  

This article highlights 3 ways hotels can dominate with technology. AI can optimize reception experience, making it more efficient. Modern technology is to be used to complete service tasks, managing information better. Hotels should also focus on amplifying digital presence.

This article shows us top 3 free even management softwares. Before choosing your software, keep these 3 things in mind: size of the event, marketing and promotion needs and deployment options.

This article is about Restaurant Technology and how it is changing due to Covid-19. It highlights technology that may be necessary for the customer as well as technology necessary for the employee.

This article focuses specifically on how technology has transformed the hospitality industry and how softwares have been implemented to make operations at a hotel run smoothly, both for the customer and the employees. Hotel management softwares and reservation softwares like "OPERA, Hotello, and Hotelogix" have created user-friendly management systems in order to help customers book reservations and ensure that hotel staff can meet all guests' needs efficiently. With the ever-changing hospitality industry, technology continues to grow being shaped by millennials as they get more and more attached to their phones. With specialized softwares, this makes a more personable experience, customer loyalty, quality customer service and adaptability.

Hospitality means something different to everyone but one thing in common is that this business relies on a positive customer experience to remain operational. A bad review may point toward a larger issue within the organization, namely, either a lack of tech or poorly implemented tech. Well-implemented technology makes operations easier for both the customer and the business, but poorly-implemented tech will only create more problems. This article discusses softwares in different areas of a hotel and what users like. It is important to choose that right software to run your hotel especially since millennials are prioritizing experiences over things.

This article covers the research behind and design of software implemented in the Czech Republic to monitor visitor activity in protected areas. The software is designed to act as a "tour guide" and keeps track of visitors through satellite positioning. The article discusses the process by which this software would be developed, rationale for its implementation, and consumer data that may be collected through this process that would benefit National Parks and other protected areas. Theoretical questions in regard to human interaction, privacy concerns, and effectiveness of the application in low-service areas are discussed. Though the application requires more research and strict attention to variables, its implementation worldwide could change how sustainable tourism is managed and would provide important information on consumer habits in protected areas.

Unattended POS post-pandemic has become essential for hotels to increase their revenue by providing more convenience to the consumer. Due to the shortage of staff, guests can be left feeling that there is lack of service to provide for instance snacks and meals. In addition due to the shortage of skilled workers, the unattended POS can check out the guests at any time of the day.

The article I chose was based on disruptive innovations (DI) in a post pandemic world. In this article DI is represented as a necessary change through the additions of increased safety measures by implementing contactless ordering and payments to keep not only the guests safe but staff as well. This article describes how DI will not only give customers a stronger sense of safety but also give staff the opportunity to collect more data on customers in turn enhancing the guest's possible future experiences. This is just one example of how DI is helping to make customers experiences better during the COVID pandemic.

New advancements in technology and the hospitality and tourism industry have led to the collaboration of both sides to create better guest experiences. By using new technological products in the hospitality industry, guests can have contactless interactions to reduce their health concerns, brought on by the pandemic, as well as increase a business's productivity at the same time. The new innovations can also give more data on guest interests and help businesses learn more about their audience to make better decisions later on.

"Disruptive innovation is nearly as old as the hospitality business itself." A post pandemic world has taken a new direction towards contactless service, and DI technology has played a huge role in how we now operate going forward. Sevenrooms is a online reservation software similar to open table that allows for a seamless reservation process. It tracks data such as how much a guest has spent, how frequent they visit and even table preference. "This helps tailor the guest experience and personalize your communications with guests, resulting in increased loyalty and retention." Sevenrooms also uses an SMS messaging feature to notify guests about any updates to their table, which allows them to enjoy themselves freely while waiting instead of being crammed up in the front of the restaurant.

The article discusses the relevance of cybersecurity for hotels in light of more and more people working from home after the pandemic. Common risks and their safeguards have been described along with a set of best practices that hotels should adopt to prevent breaches.

This article summarizes a panel conversation about cloud functionality and how it can help in the hospitality industry. They point out that hospitality outlets can use cloud tech for operations, efficiency, guest experience, kitchen monitoring, waste reduction, sustainability, data analytics, predictive maintenance. They highlight that while 91% of hospitality leaders say that cloud is essential, only 29% would say that their company is on track, and that companies need to bring along employees for the advancements.

AI in the casino industry is already running rampant. They are usually ahead of the curve when it comes to testing out new tech and AI was not left off the list. The article mentions a few ways AI is making gambling safer, yet also states the downsides of it which I enjoy as a reader. AI gives you customized experiences for the players, white-glove level customer service, and can even assist in the early detection of cheaters.