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delaneyverger

The Hospitality Industry Needs a Security Wake Up Call. Will the HEI Hotel & Resorts Ha... - 0 views

  • HEI has reported that 20 hotels that it operates in the US may have been targeted by hackers seeking customers’ credit card information. Determining how many and which customers might have had their data stolen is difficult; HEI only discovered the breach in June and it is possible that the malware may have been active since March 1, 2015 in some systems
  • The hotels ranged from Starwood, Marriott, Hyatt, and Intercontinental flags and were located in Florida, Texas, Vermont, Chicago, Ill., Arlington, Va., California, Nashville, Tenn., Minneapolis, Minn., Colorado, Washington, DC and Philadelphia
  • “The current business model of hotels and their franchisees does not provide cyber security as one of the deliverables provided to their licensees,” he said. “Along this same line, the types of equipment/software used by the properties, software patching, and monitoring are woefully inadequate for today’s threats.”
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    This article talks about the recent hack of HEI Hotel & Resorts that occurred in June of this year, where 20 HEI-operated hotels were breached via their POS system. The malware had been discovered in June but the company reported that it could have been active since March 1st, 2015 in some systems. The article also talks about how POS systems are common targets for hacking and goes on to mention some of the other recent cybersecurity risks that have occurred in the industry, where their POS systems were the targets of hacking. The American Hotel & Lodging Association met with a group of other associations to discuss the issues of cybersecurity and look for possible solutions. However, the industry has not taken measures to amplify their security, probably due to the history with certain IT standards, the cost of starting over, and potential privacy issues. The article claims that, overall, the industry has not done much to change the inherent security risks with regards to technology.
YIZHE YANG

HEI Hotels & Resorts' Marriott La Jolla Showcased During Tour of Department of Energy's... - 0 views

  • CA – Au
  • three-day tour in California to highlight the energy-efficient and energy saving practices and technologies implemented by the participants
  • Department
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  • of Energy during a tour of the facilities of its Better Buildings Challenge participants.
  • HEI Hotels & Resorts Vice President of Facilities, Bob Holesko was on hand to give a tour of the hotel's energy-saving initiatives. "By investing in energy conservation at the Marriott La Jolla, HEI is utilizing the conservation perfect storm that we have developed over the years – which is a rare combination of the hotels' physical plant needs teamed with the effective deployment of capital funding and expertise to make it all happen quickly," he said. "At this hotel, we are investing $800,000 on the energy conservation upgrades that will deliver an annual savings of $200,000."
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    The following Press Release describes the Marriott La Jolla was showcased by a tour by the Department of Energy of its Better Building Challenge participants. The three-day tour took place in California and highlights the energy-efficient and energy savings practices and technologies in which the hotel offers.  The Marriott La Jolla-is owned by HEI Hotels & Resorts and recently was selected by President Obama to the Dept. of Energy Better Building Challenge as a part of the initiative to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent. HEI's commitment has led to enhancing its properties by energy efficiency upgrades and renovations-HEI has installed Energy Looking Glass (ELG), as well as the Energy Set-Point (ESP) program which defines optimum settings for key systems (domestic hot water, chilled water, etc.). Additionally, the hotel's BUZZ Committee gets all hotel associates engaged in conservation efforts. Core energy upgrades such as lighting and HVAC are proven technologies that were adopted and implemented years ago by the Marriott La Jolla and other properties in the HEI portfolio.
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    This article primarily discusses HEI Hotels & Resorts' Marriott La Jolla and their past showcase during "Tour of Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge Participant Facilities". Fundamentally, this hotel is using and produced an energy efficiently program which will allow the hotel to annually save $200,000 each year. That is an incredible savings that will keep the hotel tremendously environmentally friendly, while hopefully starting a trend for other hotels to do the same. This hotel is now facing great benefits with their energy saving initiatives and great operational systems such as HVAC, ELG, and ESP which will overall save water, the consumption of energy, and reduce waste.
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    San Diego, CA - August 30, 2012 -The Marriott La Jolla, owned and operated by HEI Hotels & Resorts, was showcased on Tuesday by the Department of Energy during a tour of the facilities of its Better Buildings Challenge participants. The visit was part of a three-day tour in California to highlight the energy-efficient and energy saving practices and technologies implemented by the participants.
Ashley Heath

HEI Hotels & Resorts' Marriott La Jolla Showcased During Tour of Department of Energy's... - 2 views

The Marriott La Jolla was showcased by the Energy Department. "The visit was part of a three-day tour in California to highlight the energy-efficient and energy saving practices and technologies im...

http:__www.heihotels.com_about_us_pr_20120830.html

started by Ashley Heath on 11 Apr 13 no follow-up yet
JIACHEN LI

EPA Recognizes HEI Hotels & Resorts With 2013 ENERGY STAR® Partner Of The Yea... - 1 views

  •  
    NORWALK, Conn., March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/-For the fourth year in a row, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized HEI Hotels & Resorts with the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award for HEI's continued leadership in protecting our environment through superior energy efficiency. HEI Hotel & Resorts' accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 26, 2013.
frank rodriguez

Hospitality Industry Hit Hardest By Hacks - Dark Reading - 1 views

  • Trustwave report on data breach investigations shows hotels were breached more than financial institutions last year, and nearly all attacks were after payment-card data
  • not surprisingly, a whopping 98 percent of targeted data was payment card information
  • Nicholas Percoco, senior vice president of Trustwave's SpiderLabs, announced at Black Hat DC this week these and other findings the company compiled in 218 data breach investigations in organizations across 24 countries. Financial services companies accounted for about 19 percent of the breaches, but that was far fewer than in the hospitality industry, where 38 percent of all breaches took place
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  • Percoco outlined the three main steps in a typical data breach and how attackers mostly operate at each level: initial entry, data harvesting, and exfiltration.
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    The hotel is a perfect place for hackers to attack because they have easy access to retrieve thousands of guest information including credit card information, billing addresses, and much more personal information. Nicholas Percoco, senior vice president of Trustwave's SpiderLabs, mentioned that the credit card and debit card information is the most in demand by hackers because it is easiest to turn into cash quickly. There are three main steps in a typical data breach and how attackers mostly operate at each level: initial entry, data harvesting, and exfiltration. Close to half of these attacks occur via remote access applications, of which 90 percent exploit default or weak passwords. Around 42 percent of attacks occurred via third-party connections; 6 percent via SQL injection; 4 percent via exposed services; and 2 percent via remote file inclusion attacks. Interestingly, less than 1 percent began with an email Trojan. As an IT manager of the hotel, it is crucial to recognize how serious the consequences are for the hotel should the data not be protected well. 
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    Hey all, here is an article I found that talks about hackers taking over the hospitality industry. It mentions how hackers main objective is to gain access to debit accounts and gain access to customer cash. Also, hackers are also able to infiltrate POS systems along with other valuable technology with in the hospitality industry. Nearly half of these attacks occur via remote access applications, of which 90 percent exploit default or weak passwords, according to the report. Around 42 percent of attacks occurred via third-party connections; 6 percent, SQL injection; 4 percent, exposed services; and 2 percent, remote file inclusion attacks. Interestingly, less than 1 percent began with an email Trojan.
  •  
    hackers are EVERYWHERE!
frank rodriguez

Ipad Restaurants, Ipad POS, Ipad Point of Sale, Ipad for Restaurants, Restaurant Softwa... - 2 views

  • ISPOS delivers on all fronts an iPad Point of Sale system for restaurants that is completely mobile and offers the restaurateur a unique tool set and a truly mobile experience that is easy to use, reliable and affordable
  • Hundreds of amazing features await you. With our easy-to-use interface, amazing features, and rock-solid stability, ISISPOS is quickly becoming the new standard in restaurant POS
  • Included with your ISISPOS purchase, 365 days of service.
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    Hey all, Here is an article I found about a POS system that is supported by either an IPAD or an Iphone device. There are many pros to buying a system like this for a company that is just starting out. If someone is having problem you can call and the ISISPOS system will provide 24 hours a day customer service. Because the world is getting faster and more demanding, it is becoming necessary to find other ways of pleasing the customer in a more efficient manner. With this technology, one has the ability to be completely mobile and is not restricted to conventional forms of typical POS problems. It is affordable and easy to use. With cloud computing, your business can save an enormous amount of money versus sticking to the traditional infrastructure. Instead of buying new hardware and software every so often, one can now rest easy with cloud computing technology because it updates on its own and has the ability to be accessed from anywhere, even home! It is literally like having your business in the palm of your hand.
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    Great Post! Two days ago, I had the opportunity to visit a restaurant where the staff utilized an iPad to take the orders. This was a non-franchise restaurant; I can't imagine how much money the owners spent on such technology. The food came out quickly, I am not sure if the utilization of the iPad helped expedite our order, however it was done quickly. Once we asked for our check, the server was able to send the request to a printer and brought the ticket very fast. I wanted to play with it, but didn't feel comfortable asking the server.
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    I really enjoyed getting to know more about these POS systems that are supported by Iphones and Ipads. They seem to be very advantageous to restaurants, and I agree with your point that they do not provide the typical POS problems. I feel that the cloud computing technology has really made these systems entirely beneficial. These systems are getting closer to becoming virtually perfected.
frank rodriguez

A Green Way to Dump Low-Tech Electronics - NYTimes.com - 0 views

  • “It’s pretty well known that if it gets into the landfill, it gets into the groundwater,” he said. “Its chemicals pollute.”
  • Mr. Reilly decided to take advantage of a new wave of laws in Maine and elsewhere that require television and computer manufacturers to recycle their products free of charge
  • Since 2004, 18 states and New York City have approved laws that make manufacturers responsible for recycling electronics, and similar statutes were introduced in 13 other states this year
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  • The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 99.1 million televisions sit unused in closets and basements across the country
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    Hey all, here is something interesting I found. It is an article that talks about E-waste and how it is being dealt with in the United States. Over the course of the last decade, many people have come to the realization that electronics, such as televisions and computers could be potentially harmful if not disposed of in the right way. States like Maine have implemented laws, where it is mandatory for people to recycle their products. The laws are intended to prevent a torrent of toxic waste and outdated electronic equipment. The article states, throughout the entire nation an average of 99.1 million televisions sit in people's closets and are unused. Places like Washington State have responded well to the problem. Over the course of a few years, Washington has dumped almost 15 million pounds of E-Waste. Other States Like New York and New Jersey, have banned throwing televisions in regular trash. It is mandatory to take them to a recycling station.
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    It's time to be green! LET'S RECYCLE!
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    Frank, I completely agree with your stance on recycling. It really is time for people to take responsibility and care about our planet. With the rapid rate at which technology is being updated, electronic waste will just continue to grow. I am glad that laws are being formed to cope with this tremendous issue. I agree with this statement from the article: '"We think it is unreasonable that an individual industry be designated as trash collector," Mr. Fannon said.' I agree with Fannon's view that local governments should help with recycling electronic waste. I agree because something definitely needs to be done, but the responsibility should not be placed on one group.
noreen1

HEY KERMIT, BEING GREEN IS GETTING EASIER (PART I) - INNOVATIVE FOODSERVICE DESIGN TEAM - 0 views

  • Being green is getting easier.  It is becoming more popular.  And, dare I suggest, it is even becoming profitable.
  • Environmental sensitivity will have a profound effect on the way that hospitality facilities are designed, built, and operated over the next decade.
  • In my view, there are three key components to a green initiative for any hospitality and foodservice operation. 
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  • initiatives, both operational and building related, which are specific to the hospitality industry.
  • building related practices
  • operational practices and decisions
  • Demand green practices from your purveyors:
  • Reduce, re-use, and recycle:
  • the average restaurant in the US produces 50,000 pounds of garbage every year.  It is estimated that 95% of that trash can be recycled or composted, but is unnecessarily thrown away instead
  • Purchase environmentally friendly paper products:
  • Phase out Styrofoam and other polystyrene products:
  • The beauty of these operational initiatives is that they require little investment or modifications to existing facility for implementation
  • Consider “green” menu selections:
  • Evaluate the chemicals you use:
  • Reduce water usage: 
  • Use alternative chafing fuels:
  • Granted, some of the ecologically friendly products are more expensive – in the short term, anyways.  However, once you consider the “total” cost of many of the operational decisions discussed above, you will find that the green approach is often less expensive – in the long run.
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    As it becomes more and more popular (and more crucial to the environment) to "go green", it is also becoming less intimidating and more rewarding for organizations in the hospitality industry.  The notion that improving an organizations operations to make them more sustainable is too costly, is quickly being disproven, and in many instances organizations actually save money in the long run.  Part I of this series by Lee Simon focuses on operational practices and outlines simple steps that can be integrated in to a restaurant or hotel's current systems.  
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    Going Green is quickly becoming the thing to do in the hotel industry. In fact, Hilton now requires their department heads within their hotels to be trained and certified in their green program. They have created a link on their site which measures waste put out into the environment by each specific meeting group or guest. Even more importantly, clients are beginning to ask for these statistics and reports prior to committing to sign a contract that states they will hold their meeting at that particular hotel.
Jennifer Dantzler

Hey, Alexa: How Is Technology Transforming The Hotel Industry? - 3 views

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    This article discusses the popularity of voice searches have become along with the advancement of technology and the impact it has made with hotel industry.
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    I find it interesting that corporations are doing research on voice command technologies like Alexa and Siri down to the specific wording, that because of the "conversational nature" of the voice command searches being executed by consumers, these companies are able to know what specifically to aim for, whether it be to be considered one of the "best" hotels in the area or "prettiest". I wouldn't think there would be a notable difference between google searches and voice command searches.
richardkutch

Checking in as hotels embrace sustainability, energy-efficiency | Goby - 2 views

  • hotel industry generates more than $199 billion in annual revenue
  • $4 billion in annual energy use
  • For a full-service hotel, energy costs typically run between 4% – 6% of revenue, while historic and luxury properties can see energy costs hitting 10% or more.
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  • the EPA’s ENERGY STAR is working on a new, hospitality-specific scoring system in response to the industry’s specific needs and growing demand.
  • help your property maintain long-term value
  • Being green goes directly to a hotel’s bottom line
  • retain staff long-term
  • Surveys show more consumers are choosing sustainable travel options. In fact, this year we expect to see 36% of travelers planning to choose more eco-friendly travel options than they did in 2016, according to Booking.com.
  • Some RFPs for meetings & conferences request that hotels answer: “What’s your sustainability program? How are you minimizing your carbon footprint? What’s your water consumption?”
  • ENERGY STAR is a free benchmarking tool to help U.S. businesses gauge their energy efficiency.
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    This article makes me proud to work in the hotel industry. Of course, there's financial motivation for being energy efficient, but hey, we can pretend we also do it because it's the right thing to do. As long as owners and operators see opportunities to continue to reduce energy costs, they won't stop. I have to believe that hotels will continue to look for ways to become even more efficient to the point of eliminating their carbon footprint. The hotel business is one of the few industries that have a strong incentive to dramatically reduce energy costs. The fact that the EPA's ENERGY STAR program is working on a new, hospitality-specific scoring system in response to the industry's specific needs and growing demand is pretty cool. I can see such a system becoming measurements for bonus payouts like market share is with Smith Travel Research and further accelerating the work around sustainability in hotels. A great point is also made regarding the retention of employees. The article argues that employees will feel that management cares about their health and well-being. But I would also say that employees want to work for hotels that do what's good and right for our world. You want to work for the good guys. Individual travelers, companies and meeting planners are more and more looking to stay or do business with hotels that are eco-friendly. Thirty six percent more travelers are expected to choose more eco-friendly travel options than they did in 2016. That statistic should definitely get the attention of owners currently in the process of planning a new hotel. If you want a competitive advantage from the day you open your doors, fill up that building with green initiates and let the green slide right down to the bottom line.
kenziemoody

Technology in the Hospitality Industry - Have We Gone Too Far? | By Court Williams &amp... - 3 views

  • The hospitality industry is changing, and is rapidly becoming super high-tech.
    • kaylaabad
       
      The hospitality industry is changing, and is rapidly becoming super high-tech.
  • On arrival at their destination, guests no longer need to wait in line for the key to their room. They can now check in and out using electronic kiosks, online and mobile check-ins. Automated payments and the use of smartphones for keyless entry, making requests, online purchases, or even placing room service orders makes self-service an attractive option.
    • kaylaabad
       
      Arrival technology - On arrival at their destination, guests no longer need to wait in line for the key to their room. They can now check in and out using electronic kiosks, online and mobile check-ins. Automated payments and the use of smartphones for keyless entry, making requests, online purchases, or even placing room service orders makes self-service an attractive option.
  • With the advent of technology, however, many activities previously performed by live humans have been replaced by automated methods, mainly in the attempt to streamline functionality and improve service
    • kaylaabad
       
      With the advent of technology, however, many activities previously performed by live humans have been replaced by automated methods, mainly in the attempt to streamline functionality and improve service
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  • With the rising popularity of online reviews, hospitality guests now have the ability to research any venue to see what others have posted.
    • kaylaabad
       
      Pro:With the rising popularity of online reviews, hospitality guests now have the ability to research any venue to see what others have posted.
  • Both review websites and social media platforms have become active gateways to global opinion, and travelers use these extensively to help them decide where to book
    • kaylaabad
       
      Pro:Both review websites and social media platforms have become active gateways to global opinion, and travelers use these extensively to help them decide where to book
  • Technology is shaping how lodgings and restaurants are found and booked
    • kaylaabad
       
      Technology is shaping how lodgings and restaurants are found and booked
  • Improving a guest's experience depends on the ability to identify the individual guest's preferences. The best way to determine these is by collecting data from first-, second- and third-party sources, combining and analyzing it effectively.
    • kaylaabad
       
      Data has enhanced guest experience: Improving a guest's experience depends on the ability to identify the individual guest's preferences. The best way to determine these is by collecting data from first-, second- and third-party sources, combining and analyzing it effectively.
  • Theoretically, it should improve the customer experience, particularly through the use of data collected by using the various technologies
    • kaylaabad
       
      Theoretically, it should improve the customer experience, particularly through the use of data collected by using the various technologies
  • We have also seen the emergence of cost-saving technologies that not only focus on guest loyalty but also reduce fixed costs and overheads.
    • kaylaabad
       
      Pro: We have also seen the emergence of cost-saving technologies that not only focus on guest loyalty but also reduce fixed costs and overheads.
  • statistics that show an undoubtedly positive response to technology,
    • kaylaabad
       
      Technology in the industry is well received
  • Biometric authentication offers the most secure method of proving identity that's currently available, and the hospitality industry has been quick to realize the need for this level of safety.
    • kaylaabad
       
      Technology has improved security: Biometric authentication offers the most secure method of proving identity that's currently available, and the hospitality industry has been quick to realize the need for this level of safety.
  • guests can now control all the functions of the room from a single device
    • kaylaabad
       
      Pro: guests can now control all the functions of the room from a single device
  • two-thirds of U.S. hotel guest respondents felt it was either "extremely important" or "very important" for hotels to continue investing in technology to enhance the guest experience.
    • kaylaabad
       
      two-thirds of U.S. hotel guest respondents felt it was either "extremely important" or "very important" for hotels to continue investing in technology to enhance the guest experience.
  • it seems travelers of all ages are keen to make the most of online hotel reservations and reviews
  • hey understand the need for (and value of) using technology to support the guest experience, and although they are rapidly embracing many aspects of this brave new world, they still need to be able to consult with a human being if required.
    • kaylaabad
       
      They appreciate t hey understand the need for (and value of) using technology to support the guest experience, and although they are rapidly embracing many aspects of this brave new world, they still need to be able to consult with a human being if required.
  • it seems travelers of all ages are keen to make the most of online hotel reservations and reviews
    • kaylaabad
       
      it seems travelers of all ages are keen to make the most of online hotel reservations and reviews
  • he experience is now facilitated by technological factors,
    • cleon087
       
      The key word is facilitates, I think that technology has enhanced experience but should never replace the hospitality warm feeling aspect.
  • Baby Boomers who look set to remain the most prolific travelers for the next two to three years, and see if the numbers support the theory that technology has improved the hospitality experience.
    • cleon087
       
      I think that technology is becoming a necessity in the hospitality industry. There is a need to be up to date. Especially if you want to attract the new generation of travelers.
  • But is it really an improvement, or has the industry gone too far? Do these changes enhance the guest's experience, or have we forfeited the true meaning of the word "hospitality" in the process?
    • cleon087
       
      I think that the industry is just simply evolving with the times.
  • how much is it taking away from the guest's personal experience?
  • shows the reviews for companies in the hospitality industry are considered 48% more important and valuable than in other industries, which indicates the target audience takes online reviews exceptionally seriously
    • cleon087
       
      I think that this just leads to different opportunities. Now you can show off on your social media how great your hotel is and its advantages. The only negative is how easily someone can write a negative review that might not even be true.
  • from notifications about special deals to managing their loyalty program account.
    • cleon087
       
      Investing in a well designed app for your company is crucial now.
  • The benefits of automation will soon become crystal clear.
    • cleon087
       
      This just helps improve the service and you will still need someone at the front desk.
  • Guests can stream SHOWTIME shows for free through the app, without needing to input credentials or create a subscription. Anyone who prefers not to download the app can operate the same controls using a simplified, in-room remote device.
    • cleon087
       
      I feel like this just enhances the experience and makes it more personal.
  • These have taken off extensively, with research showing one half of millennials, 26% of Gen Xers and 12% of Baby Boomers consider themselves "travel hackers," which means they believe they know all the best ways to use technology for good deals. Chatbots on booking websites enable the user to ask questions without even getting up from the sofa.
    • cleon087
       
      People are spending more time looking for the perfect hotel and for the best price. I know I do this whenever I travel and most of the time becoming a member for something like the Marriott, will end up being the best deal.
  • e, for example, the system can automatically send the conference itinerary and a map of the meeting spaces to his or her device.
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    The Hospitality industry have been greatly impacted over the years by the advancements made in technology. Customers have everything assessable by the click of a button or utilization of an app. Various software is being created to provide for quick and easy service but in turn takes away from the personal experiences.
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    "All of this indicates that while a hotel offering a truly connected experience is likely to be full of very happy, empowered guests, we can't quite replace the human touch completely just yet." Though technology is taking over the industry, it is important that we not lose or completely replace the humanity of the industry. While technology has enhanced the employee experience and guests do appreciate it, they also like to know that they have a human waiting for them should they have any issues. All in all, technology has improved the industry by enabling a more personalized and empowering experience and increasing the safety of the guests and employees.
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    This article is about the new advances in technology and investing whether it has been taken too far. It analyzes the new advancements such as apps where reservations are made. These new technologies have been made to enhance experience but not replace the warm feeling that hospitality gives you. The article concludes that we haven't taken it too far, instead it has made guest experience better. Especially when it comes to checking in, and not having to wait a huge line when you just want to get to your room.
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    As we learned this week, technology is impacting the hospitality industry. As the article states- "improving a guest's experience depends on the ability to identify the individual guest's preferences." This reminded me of the Smart Bar video we watched this week. Technology can enhance the quality of experience. However, depending on the businness/ company- most people would be unwilling to put a an investment into tech unless they see a significant uptake from the technology. Even though technology plays a major role in the industry, it has not completely took over human interaction.
lin liu

What The Hospitality Industry Can Teach Facility Managers - Facilities Management Facil... - 0 views

  • I set my luggage on the bathroom's tile floor and head to the bed for a thorough bug check.
  • Next, I go to the thermostat and reset it to a higher, energy-efficient number.
  • Finally, I take a look at the room's layout: Is it maneuverable? Are desks/dressers/closets easy to access and use? And last, but of utmost importance, what's the evacuation route?
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  • we think that there's no better place than the NFMT Vegas Conference & Expo to discuss just how hospitality facilities can demonstrate best practices for all buildings in sustainability, energy efficiency, occupant safety and ADA compliance.
  • For the first time, this year's conference will feature a track dedicated to hospitality and provide perspectives from some of the market's most knowledgeable sources.
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        This article is a kind of blog, written by a traveler who formed by years of working in the facility management field. She described her ritual when she checked in a hotel room. She mentioned the National Facilities Management & Technology Vegas Conference & Expo and discussed just how hospitality facilities can demonstrate best practices for all buildings in sustainability, energy efficiency, occupant safety and ADA compliance.       Nowadays, more and more hotels try to address the energy efficiency initiatives. And they also know the importance of controlling the operational costs.     The technological facilities can highlight some key innovations and solutions for the entire facility management marketplace.
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    The article tracks the author's journey to hotels and meetings, in order to provide information to hotel facility managers. The author saw some facilities in hotels, including the bathrooms, living rooms, and layout and so on. The author thought the facility manager should pay attention to the room layout; namely is it maneuverable? Are some desks or closets easy to access and use? Moreover, the author mentioned the sustainability. Nowadays, sustainability is important in hospitality industry. The managers should be responsible to have environmentally friendly facilities. Another physical plant concern is the ADA. Hotel facility managers should also pay attention to the ADA.
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    "have knocked $5 million in operational costs off the annual budget"
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    This article shows us some advanced facility and technology in hotels in Las Vegas. People have Many people would like pay attention to the physical plant. The author works in the facility management, he habit to check the floor, bed, energy-efficient equipment, and so on. The NFMT Vegas Conference & Expo, with best practices for all buildings in sustainability, energy efficiency, occupant safety and ADA compliance, which impresses the author a lot. The vice president of HEI Hotels and Resorts addressed "Energy Efficiency Initiatives for Hotels" as important goal. In the past three years, they have made 5 million in costs off, and also, there is a must-attend presentation on bedbugs. They won the 2012 U.S. EPA's Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award. The president discussed the impact of the ADA Final Regs on the hospitality industry. Some information about requirements, hospitality-specific concerns. The author desired to see the latest development in hospitality. He impressed the effects of key innovations and solutions for the facility management marketplace.
YUE LI (3325307)

Hey, Small Spender - Hotel Management Network - 0 views

  •  
    This article concluded the advantages of IT in hospitality industry. Information technology becomes more concerned about by hotel managers, but they spend relatively little of their budget on technology. Much knowledge of technology in the hotel sector resides at corporate level, with data released to select recipients at specific times, such as budget planning. Much knowledge of technology in the hotel sector resides at corporate level. IT benchmarking helps to understand where an individual property ranks in comparison with other hotels in its competitive sets. The author talks about it on Research design, key benchmarks, and comments on results three aspects. several reasons of why the hospitality sector spend so little on IT, including that IT employees can be ineffective at internal marketing and competing for a share of the budget, the hotel industry is high-touch rather than high-tech and upscale properties are more likely to employ extra staff than additional technology, IT is not considered a core competency, hotels have no need to be innovative with technology, IT budget decisions are frequently taken by owners rather than operators or managers, and IT is viewed as a cost rather than an investment.
Ashley Reed

Virtually There: Property Management Systems Expand Far Beyond Their Original Scope-and... - 0 views

  • Over the years PMSs have steadily improved by adding more
  • Virtualization
  • Speed of Implementation
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  • The Cloud
  • Flexibility.
  • Better Security.
  • More Complete Range of Applications
  • Data Security.
  • Connection Loss.
  • Virtualization
  • The Cloud
  • a search for a system (or system set) with much broader capabilities.  These usually include marketing, multiproperty reservations, distribution channel management and coverage of every aspect of the guest experience, both on and off property. 
  • Many vendors have also expanded their coverage into revenue management, sales and catering, spa/golf/activities and so on, within their own software and/or by interfacing to specialized systems from other vendors.
  • Property management systems (PMSs) have been fundamental software in every hotel for decades
  • As more guest and operating information needs to be captured and managed, many hotels and resorts need multiple other systems to complement the PMS. However, the more applications are required, the greater the amount of computer room hardware needed to run them and the more complex the support requirements become. 
  • Cloud computing takes virtual server tools one stage further, using them to allocate the resources of vast numbers of servers quickly and flexibly among many different companies’ needs
  •   Further, the on-demand flexibility means that hoteliers no longer need to worry about buying and implementing more hardware resources as their businesses grow; they just call up the cloud vendor and ask for it to be allocated.
  • Data storage is another factor,
  • toring all this data on cloud-based servers is cheaper than continually expanding on-site storage, though of course selection of a trusted, secure vendor for the cloud is even more important.
  • There’s one link between the PMS and the revenue management system, one to S&C, one to the GDSs and Web booking sites, and so on, not one per system per property.  Traditional remotely hosted approaches do outsource the support and security issues but can’t provide the economy-of-scale savings nor the flexibility of clouds.
  • Alternatively, since many cloud-based systems are accessed via Web browsers it’s also possible to use 3G (and soon 4G) high-speed cell phone connections to access them if the Internet or other main communications line goes down. 
  • The best approach, though, is to keep a copy of enough critical data on property at all times so that operations can continue even if connection is lost completely.
  • Traditional PMS functionality is still the essential core at every property.  By tracking and managing all aspects of guests’ stays, it’s both a source and collection point for the crucial activity and preference information that forms the basis of all future relationships with them, on and off site.
  • At the same time, the move to cloud-based architecture makes all of these combinations simpler to create, implement and support.
  •  
    Traditional PMS functionality is still the critical core at every property. By tracking and managing all aspects of guests' data, it's both a source and collection point for the crucial activity and preference information that forms the basis of all future relationships with the guest. But with the change of technology and the manner we do business today, hotels now need a wider function set than what a traditional PMS provides. Having a PMS on the web and in the clouds is getting more popular. These new Web services make it easier for new vendors to develop fresh approaches and link them quickly and effectively into established systems, providing hoteliers with richer and more varied options. There are more advantages than disadvantages when using cloud computing. The world is changing rapidly and in other for hotels to survive, they have to keep up with those changes.
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  •  
    Overall this article gives an overall prospective of how PMS are run. The basics include how PMS systems have move from a completely paper run process to a completely virtual program. This article also speaks of how the us of Clouds has changed the possibilities for PMS systems. Now information can be stored over the internet and accessed from anywhere. The article does mention many draw backs to this process such as outages and server errors. Internet advances have made the speed and flexibility of PMS much more vast.
  •  
    Hey all, here is an article I found that talks about the traditional PMS systems for hotels and how it once rained supreme. Now a days, traditional PMS systems are not cutting it anymore because businesses are growing and are trying to find systems that have more functionality. This article brings up a few different options that a business could adopt and put into use. Installing software applications at the property is becoming unmanageably complex. Despite very worthwhile gains in functionality, no PMS will ever cover everything a hotel needs; none offer telephone service, for example. As more guest and operating information needs to be captured and managed, many hotels and resorts need multiple other systems to complement the PMS. The first option the article bring up is Virtualization, Server virtualization is not a new technology, but its adoption by the hospitality industry is relatively recent. The basic concept is that specialized control software allows the physical resources of a single computer server-memory, disk space and computing power-to be divided as needed between several different software applications, each perceived to be running on its own dedicated server. The second option is running a cloud based system, we all know what that is so I will let you read the article. Enjoy
  •  
    The author attributes a growth in 'hotel complexity' that is driving the need for a change with traditional PMS systems and the limits of their capabilities. According to the article, the current PMS system is unsustainable and will need to evolve to meet client's demands- such as cloud computing, which is highlighted as being beneficial to hotels especially with regards to flexibility, better security, speed of implementation, etc. The pros and cons of cloud computing are clearly described, the cons mainly being loss of connectivity and security breaching. Although traditional PMS are essential for most hotels, cloud computing could put them at a competitive edge.
krehman

Benefits of Human Resource Information System | Mitrefinch Inc - 0 views

  • With new systems available to enhance productivity and streamline operations, those in human resources can achieve greater success with the benefits of human resource information system choices.
  • refer to those systems that assist business owners, HR departments, and employees be more productive.
  • your company could see benefits ranging from cost and time savings to increased employee engagement and better adherence to compliance and regulations.
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  • hey can be split into two groups:
  • benefit the business owner and HR department
  • those that benefit the employees.
  • Some small to medium businesses find that they are hiring on a near constant basis either due to turnover or growth.
  • An HRIS can make the onboarding process an efficient and consistent one.
  • an HRIS can turn a disjointed process into one that runs smoothly.
  • If your files are located in a storage room or a disorganized filing cabinet, you could be losing hours of productivity. These files are also subject to loss or compromise.
  • When you can automate payroll by integrating it with your HRIS, you take hours of work off your HR team’s shoulders.
  • With biometric timekeeping, your HR team knows in real time where employees are in case they are needed.
  • Employee self service tools allow your employees to clock in and out with their personal smart device, making it easy for them to work from remote offices or from home.
  • With an HRIS, employees can communicate with each other, your HR team, and leadership in an easy and consistent way.
  • This not only allows employees to talk with colleagues about ongoing projects, but also request shift changes, explain absences, and put in for annual leave or vacation.
  • By choosing the right system, you can save time and money and provide a cutting edge work environment that your entire team will benefit from.
  •  
    This article talks about the ease of using an HRIS not only for the HR department and other departments in the hotel but for employees as well. The article is divided into these two separate groups and lists the benefits for each group and how those benefits could be implemented. The use of an HRIS for the HR department would assist with adding new hires to the system, automating reoccurring tasks such as payroll, and keep track of employees (i.e. if they are at work of off and where they are within the hotel). For employees the HRIS could assist in keeping track of when employees clock in from remote locations and communicating with the HR department in a singular way to perform certain tasks such as requesting time off.
kpony001

Hilton launches meetings-focused Signia brand | Hotel Management - 0 views

  • At a launch event in New York City, Hilton President/CEO Christopher Nassetta noted
  • “There is a gap, we believe, in the upper end of the meetings and events space.
  • [They wanted] the type of technologies that will help them run their meetings much more efficiently and make it better [and] more customizable for their meeting attendees.”
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  • While luxury hotels may be popular for some events, all of the details and fixtures that separate an upper-upscale hotel from a five-star property can push the price point out of reach. 
  • With that input in mind, HIlton decided  a new brand was necessary to capture the shifting market.
  • They wanted more flexibility, much more daylight, modern architecture, an impressive space.”
  • The Hilton team talked with owners and developers of meeting-focused hotels for several years to get a handle on the brand.
  • an upgraded culinary experience—“not only in the banquet and catering spaces, but in the restaurants and the grab-and-goes and the destination bars,”
  • Over the years, the team talked to existing customers, members of its Honors loyalty program and even travelers who aren't part of the program, asking what it would take to get them into the ecosystem.
  • The more customers we talked to, the more they say that they think a premium meetings and events product would really be something that would resonate for them.”
  • Looking ahead, the team sees international potential for Signia Hilton, particularly in Asian countries that are looking to host large-scale events in upscale spaces
  • Most Signia Hilton properties, he added, will probably be new-build, and the team will work with both existing partners and new developers alike as each opportunity comes along.
  •  
    At a recent even at NYC, the CEO of Hilton, Christopher Nassetta, announced that the Hilton team is developing meeting focused hotels as a means to get the upper hand on event management. These hotels are being built with events such as conventions and business meetings in mind while constructing a five-star property. Thus, a new brand, Signia, was created as a means to improve upon flexibility in its architecture, as well as more daylight, modern design, and more spacious volume, as well as an upgraded culinary experience, and technologies that help run meetings more efficiently, likely updates in their event management system. This premium quality is something that has been constantly asked by them from customers. In the future they are planning to stretch out internationally.
kimmumford

Best POS Systems for Small Businesses 2018 - 0 views

  • our POS system is the lifeline of your operations. But choosing a POS system can quickly become overwhelming.
  • The best POS system is affordable and easy to use, and should also do more than just accept payments and process sales. It should come with additional time-saving features such as inventory management, staff management, marketing tools, customer data gathering, task automation and other capabilities that make it easier to run and grow your business.
  • The best POS systems for your business. / Credit: POS image via Shutterstock Y
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  • hey include time-saving features that help you analyze your sales data and manage your inventory, staff and customers.
  • integrations for email marketing, loyalty programs, and other capabilities that make it easier to run and grow your business.
  • cloud-based systems
  • e asked small business owners which systems they use and what they like and dislike about them. We also read customer reviews to see what users with firsthand experience think about them.
  •  
    In the hospitality industry your Point of Sale System is the backbone of your operation, thus finding the best and most efficient POS for your business to succeed is key. The article discusses the best POS systems to fit your business, from traditional standard systems to the new trending Ipad systems. Your POS system should be affordable and efficient. In addition, it should do more than just take payments and process sales. It should come with marketing strategy tools, inventory/staff management, easy to function daily specials menus, and other special functions to help run your business. The vendor should have 24/7 availability to your needs and accommodate all the proper functions to assist the servers and bartenders. Some of the best POS systems are the following: * Vend - Has features that help run your business, boost sales, and save time. * Bindo - Best mobile POS system for Ipads. It is cloud based and offers an intuitive user interface. Easy mobile payments and 24/7 customer support. * Touchbistro - POS system that focuses on a restaurant's specific needs. Works with the Ipad and the Ipad mini, also has 24/7 customer support availability. * Shopkeep - cloud based for the Ipad, with easy to use tools for any retail store. No long term contracts or fees.
  •  
    This article discusses some of the best POS systems for food service. Small business owners were asked for their choices and the pros and cons for the systems they discussed. The Business New Daily created a list of criteria to evaluate the POS systems and then ranked the top ones they chose for 2018. There are links and some costs provided in this article.
mirandajaye

At long last, Southwest to enable GDS bookings: Travel Weekly - 1 views

  • Southwest Airlines at long last will provide content and full booking capabilities
  • hey expect content to be ready for bookings by mid-2020
  • The agreements will bring "the highest level of participation
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  • enable buyers and agents to book, change, cancel and modify reservations through the GDSs
  • outhwest has been investing in both of those other "legs," as well
  • joining ATPCO and SITA's NDC Exchange platform
  • Southwest projects that the GDS presence will bring between $10 million and $20 million in additional revenue
  •  
    The article provides information on how Southwest Airlines will finally be participating in the GDS system starting in the year 2020 which is coming up soon. They feel as though this will help their customers modify and customize their reservations and also be able to change, book their own and cancel their reservations at their leisure without needing a Travel Agent. They know they have not been the easiest airline to work with and feel as though this will help and bring in $10-20 million more for them in revenues. I feel as though this is a good move for Southwest Airlines.
rfahi001

Expected Global Tourism Boom in 2020 is Fueling the Need for Voice Translation Technolo... - 0 views

  • Research suggests that customer-experience (CX) technologies that serve every touchpoint, add personalization and drive satisfaction were at the top of operators' wish lists for 2020.
  • The new voice translation technology is improving the quality of interactions between hotel staff and guests, resulting in better communications and high-value service. Google Assistant's Interpreter Mode can translate 29 languages in real time
  • With Volara's support, hotels can receive a Google Nest Hub to place at their front desk or Concierge station. When a guest needing translation assistance approaches, the staff simply says "Hey, Google, be my Spanish interpreter." Then, the interpreter mode will show text on the screen that translates their words as they speak and repeat the message in English.
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  • This technology will enable international travelers to receive voice-automated professional hospitality in real time when they travel.
  • According to the 2019 Customer Engagement Technology Study, 42% of hoteliers will be investing in staff-facing technologies in 2020 to enhance the customer experience.
  • Happy employees mean happy guests, and happy guests spend more money. By giving hotel staff tools that will make it easier for them to do their jobs, it will ultimately increase guest satisfaction and drive revenues. Perhaps that's why 27% of hoteliers say they plan to add guest-facing self-service technology next year, and 24% are looking for technologies that automate service - both of which can be accomplished by the Google Assistant interpreter mode.
  •  
    Voice translation technology will enable international travelers to receive voice-automated professional hospitality in real time when they travel.
sbaut010

GDS, OTA and Meta: What's the difference? | HotelMinder - 2 views

  • GDS, OTA and Meta: What’s the difference?
    • ansonj55
       
      The article covers the topics discussed in this week's topics related to Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and Online Travel Agency (OTA). It goes in detail regarding the difference and benefits of each. The landscape of the traveling industry changed in the late 1900s with the introduction of the GDS from the airline industry. Although costly, hotels are able to provide unsold rooms at a cheaper rate in order to secure bookings. Similarly, OTAs have gained popularity with the rise of use and reliance of the internet. Most beneficial of a OTA is more visibility for the hotel, since they invest a significant amount of capital in advertising. Whether a hotel is deciding whether or not to invest in a GDS or OTA, it is important to do a cost benefit analysis in order to determine which may be more beneficial to the property.
  • how can they help your hotel gain more online visibility and sell more rooms?
  • Hotels usually sell their rooms for 30% cheaper on GDS
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  • GDS is a rather costly selling channel that mainly allows the sale of rooms in larger quantities to bigger companies (for corporate guests) or travel agencies (leisure travellers). Thus, small independent hotels usually do not need GDS.
    • ansonj55
       
      GDS is costly so it is not really beneficial for smaller, independent hotels.
  • With the rise of the internet, many websites began selling rooms without the need for human interaction. These sites very quickly gained important market share,
  • Metasearch engines are becoming important in the travel industry
  • We do encourage hotels to use OTA to be more visible online
  • OTA’s invest a lot in online marketing
  • Rather than trying to compete with them, it would be better to see them as another selling distribution channel instead.
  • many different accommodation options at one glance
  • developed metasearch engine tools.
  • With travellers using the internet more than ever to search and book hotels
  • Increasing your online hotel visibility can be done in many ways.
  • hey usually do many different searches and visit several websites.
  • GDS: Global Distribution Systems
  • OTAs: Online Travel Agencies
  • GDS stands for “Global Distribution System”
  • Travel agencies use GDS to get real-time availability, and preferred rates on flight tickets, hotel rooms and car rentals all over the world as it allows them to be very reactive when asked for a quote.
  • OTA stands for "Online Travel Agency"
  • They were first created by airline companies during the 1950’s to broaden hotel and car rental businesses by enabling automated transactions between travel service providers and travel agencies (traditional and online).
  • The three biggest GDS systems are: Amadeus, Sabre and Galileo (now owned by Travelport)
  • real-time availability
  • Central Reservation Services (CRS), such as Sabre, allow hotels to sell their rooms to all GDS simultaneously. However, it is up to the hotel whether to connect with only one or two GDS directly, without the need for a CRS. The good news is that some channel managers are also able to connect with GDS systems.
  • The most popular example is Booking.com, although Expedia (for corporate guests) and Hostelworld (for more economical accommodation options) are also well-known.
    • sbaut010
       
      GDS has become an industry of its own with its own markets.
  • Your hotel can usually be listed on an OTA free of charge by adding your hotel photos, descriptions, rooms, rates, etc. You can then choose how many rooms you’d like to sell through the OTA. The availability you’d like to sell as well as the room rate is your decision, and although appearing on the OTA is free, you will have to pay a commission of approximately 15% to 20% every time you get a booking.
    • sbaut010
       
      Through this system OTA, the middleman, will always take a form of commission.
  • Although they produce rather time-consuming work as you need to log into each of their extranets to update daily availability and rates, you can very easily connect an OTA to a channel manager to automate, or at least greatly facilitate these tasks.
  • They were created shortly after OTAs and display the current rates of many different hotels in a given destination.
  • Today, OTA’s are a must, and although metasearch engines are slightly more technical to manage, they can also be an attractive selling channel to consider.
  • For small independent hotels, GDS is usually too costly to be considered.
  •  
    This article introduces GDS, OTA and Meta in a short space. GDS stands for Global Distribution System, GDS is a rather costly selling channel that mainly allows the sale of rooms in larger quantities to bigger companies. Small independent hotels usually do not need GDS. OTA stands for Online Travel Agency. meta stands for Metasearch Engines. For small hotels, the cost of GDS is high and it is generally difficult to adopt. OTA and meta are two methods worth considering.
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