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M3 made its first appearance at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference (HITEC) event. M3 is a hotel accounting software. M3 works with industry leaders and is highly certified. M3 software can be integrated into any hotel. M3 software eliminates expensive servers, training, staff, setup, and maintain costs. I think M3 is expanding its arena by attending trade shows that will also give them more exposure in the industry. 

The tech people are saying the smart phone lock/key will change the whole industry. Some people are still worries about security issues but the it company is saying the technology is no different then programming a key cared which are already being used at hotels everyday.The smartphone is already a boarding pass,a flight tracker and travel guide so why not a hotel key ? Whats next ?

Hotel rooms are ready to go high-tech with new security products that can enhance the guest experience. As the organization Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) prepared the 2012 guestroom exhibit Guestroom 20X for last week's HITEC tradeshow, the group sought new ways to make the room more modern, efficient and self-serviced.

Hotel rooms are ready to go high-tech with new security products that can enhance the guest experience. As the organization Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) prepared the 2012 guestroom exhibit Guestroom 20X for last week's HITEC tradeshow, the group sought new ways to make the room more modern, efficient and self-serviced.

This article covered information on the projected security of the future in hospitality. The Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) were working on developments that they planned to showcase in the HITEC tradeshow last year. These developments, collectively recognized as the Guestroom 20x, were expected to make hotel rooms more efficient and modern. These developments included obtaining rooms and keys without front desk interaction, video intercoms to replace peepholes, reinforced room safes, and a smoke alarm aid to properly alert guests in case of fire. There were also talks of an energy management system in the rooms included. The developments seem to be a start towards a changing way of hospitality. I believe that these developments are great options for hotels in the future. Of course, there are always risks that must be recognized. These risks could even be the downfall of the developments. Technology's ability to fail or malfunction is too constant at this time. System glitches, hacking possibilities and power outages could inconvenience these developments as well as inconvenience the guests at the hotel that use them. My main concerns lie with the option to obtain rooms and keys through PCs and mobile phones, the smoke alarm aid and the energy management. One technological failure could cause any of these to cease operating, which means that guests could be locked out of their rooms, in danger if there is actually a fire (or inconvenienced because of a malfunctioning alarm), or inconvenienced because of a nonworking room temperature gauge. These issues could lead to many problems for the hotel that hosts these developments. So, the companies should analyze these issues before installing these developments.

Northwind launched its Maestro iPad Xpress Check-In App at HITEC 2012. The system offers personalized mobile check in and check out with remote access. The system is able to perform all the functions of a wired terminal anywhere a wireless signal can be found. It offers personalized up sell and room changes as well as credit card payments which are PCI compliant. The app can also check in large groups who are attending a conference or a tour group.

This article is about a new form of software that makes the entire stay easier! The software is called LIFE l WARE. What it does is, when a guest enters the room it provides everything he/she needs. The are able to monitor and view entertainment, control the room temperatures and even helps the the staff with public info and cut operational costs and allowing more efficiency. Life l Ware can be customized for any hotel and when a guest enters the room he can use the TV interface to view and select services and view the amenities that the hotel has to offer. The software can be used to book reservations, watch TV and adjust the lighting and temperature in the room. Management can also use the software with guest complaints and also can be used for the daily running of the hotel; for example, check ins and check outs and also room cleaning. Additionally, management can also use the system to help cut energy costs by monitoring unoccupied rooms. The software helps the Hotel all around!

The article talking maining about the issues that companies have in investing into technology without having a set plan. Mr. Estis-Green, among others, stated that they see an industry that is very innovative but lacking direction in its approach to investing in the correct technology. The main issue is seems to follow throughout the article is that these companies are following trends instead of figuring out if said technology would mix well with the brand vision. A first, the implementation of technology within a business was used more as a tactic but it has become more popular that is has changed the way the guest experiences service at a hotel, from POS systems to a front desk check in. It's driving the way hotels run their business. I think that the biggest issue with investing in technology is controlling the way its used within a hotel. With technology becoming bigger and being implemented within larger hotel brands, it is changing the service experience which affects the loyalty of a guests. Taking that into consideration, I think that it causes internal competition within the vision that a hotel original sets out to provide and what other hoteliers are doing to gain that loyalty. As mentioned in the article, i think that the best way to have a vision and trend coincide is to find a way to personalize it to its convenience and effectiveness.

This article introduced the top PMS trend of 2012. They are Mobile Booking reservation software tools; hosted solution options for reduced IT investment; and guest loyalty systems. NORTHWIND Maestro is the leader who leads all these trends and innovations. They conclude that the technology is for greater staff productivity, greater communications and profitable business process. The company also develops and implements cloud system to allow the customer to manage several hotels on just one central site. The purpose of that is to centralize audits and maximize revenue. The company also provides maintaining to their PMS network for free. The other one is the Travelers and Operators Go Mobile. From this PMS technology, the mobile usage is already having a huge impact on reservation booking and property operations. The customers are always able to book the hotel from their wireless devices like iPad. The company enables operators to wirelessly connect to their Maestro centralized system. The operators can receive management reports, real-time activity and other features from Marstro. Guest loyalty levels is using by operator to recognize, reward and retain guests. The new system is based on a single-image database and gives independent operators robust functionality. The system will check the errors and considerable cost for operators. Also it is mobile and social media optimized.

NORTHWIND launced its Maestro iPad Xpress Check-In app at the HITEC this year. This app allows hotel properties to use tablets/iPads to perform basically every aspect of a guest's check-in/out experience, while still maintaining access to Maestro's PMS. With Xpress Check-In, hotel properties can check guests in before they arrive and even encode their room keys and have them waiting. The use of this app results in a less crowded, more efficient lobby, in that larger groups can be processed before their arrival, or in a designated room on the premise. This technology is innovative because it frees customers from the restriction of checking in only in the lobby when they arrive. With Maestro Xpress Check-In, a hotel employee could board a tour bus and process all the customers at once so that when they enter the hotel, they can move seamlessly to their rooms. This prevents the lobby from being crowded and disorganized, which can be overwhelming to front desk employees. Of course, these actions are also posted to the property's main property management system. While there are many innovations out there that increase customer satisfaction, I feel this technology will result in increased employee satisfaction, especially those employees used to dealing with large groups and crowded lobbies.

Copyright 2011 In 1991 I started consulting to hotels, specifically regarding technology. Since then I've been lucky enough to be published in this magazine, to have spoken at HITEC and IHMRS, and also to have presented to many hotel companies.

After reading this article, I thought about my travel experience over the years and how technology has advanced greatly. I clearly remember stay in hotels with 27 box tv , standard alarm clocks and brew style coffee pots.Luxury rooms had VCR and I'm talking circa 1999. Fast forward five years and high speed internet, dvd players and docking stations began to make waves, out with the old and in with the new. Today, with a world filled with smartphones, sleek and slim TV and laptops, social media and WI-FI, staying connect is a must. Hotels are finding innovative ways to keep guest coming back. LCD, LED, HD, 4G are all acronyms that keep guest happy. From access their social media site, using keyless Wi-Fi door openers and having an apps makes a world of difference to tech savy guest, regardless of age. A recent hotel stay left me in speechless, I checked in using the app I downloaded to my phone, I customized my movie selection, orders my favorite snacks from the room service, used my phone to swipe into my room. Yea I was blown away by that fuzzy bar code scanner thingy, actually work. And be part of it all, I used didn't have to change the configurations on my laptop to access any of my favorite sites, I log into everything via a wireless keyboard and there it was 37in HD LCD screen updated me on the happening in my world. Technology, oh where we would we be without you?

Heritage hotels and resorts, regarded for their culturally distinct hotels, made a strategic decision to leave its representation service, switch to RezView NG from Legacy CRS, and begin to use Pegasus connect for global distribution. The brand's use of the global distribution systems has yielded a 23% increase in year-to-date revenue. Heritage hotels and resorts initially left its representation service in order to renew its focus on offering its unique and independent hotels, which are tailored to the property's unique local culture. Heritage was forced to make a decision regarding how to maintain global visibility. Kathleen Cullen, who is the vice president of revenue strategies for Heritage hotels and resorts, talks about how flexibility was one of the biggest factors considered when researching the new platform. She also talks about customer service being an important factor, and how as a young company they needed to go with a business partner that would help Heritage grow their business. Pegasus' RezView NG was the first major redesign to the CRS in more than 20 years. It won several awards, and was implemented by more than 8000 properties. Cullen states that RezView NG allowed Heritage hotels to redesign their revenue management strategy, affording them the flexibility to allow their hotels to structure themselves in the best possible ways for their unique destinations. Also, Heritage chose Pegasus distribution through Pegasus connect, allowing Heritage properties to their rates, availability, and overall hotel experience to online travel agencies, corporate travel departments, and tour operators. Overall, since the implementation of these new technologies, Heritage has seen a 23% growth in revenue generated through the GDS, which further increases solid gains realized last year.

Now with Peagsus CRS system any budget constraint property has the opportunity to market globally. Attracting a foregin market would certainly give the hotel an edge over it's local competition especially in a state like New Mexico.

This article discusses some current trends in property management systems and how Maestro by NORTHWIND is ready to deliver. Maestro by NORTHWIND is a PMS used by many independent hotels and resorts and offers 20 integrated modules. One of the top trends for 2012 is mobile optimization for management and guests. More and more people are turning to mobile apps for personalized services, and express check-in and check-outs. Maestro Xpress Check-In App allows properties to use iPads and other tablets to do this anywhere there is WIFI. Maestro's App will also allow managers access to reports, and real-time activity from anywhere allowing managers more control over their business. Another growing trend is cloud PMS. Maestro has a cloud based system that claims it can increase productivity at the same time reducing costs. Managers can manage multiple hotels from a single location and reduce costs because they won't have to maintain an in-house PMS. There is also a steady increase in direct online booking from mobile apps and social media sites. Maestro Web Connection reduces the commissions paid to online travel agencies and 3rd parties by allowing guests to book reservations directly. Another way Maestro helps independent hotel chains is by offering them a guest loyalty system to help them offer some of the same incentive and reward programs offered by larger hotel chains.

Northwind Maestro leads the innovations of industry. Cloud system platforms are not just for the large chains. Small, independent operators also can use web-enabled platform with lower cost. Mobile is another trend of PMS innovations. Customers can check in and checkout on iPad by using Maestro Mobile Apps. In addition, direct-booking online from Mobile is the third top trend in 2012 PMS technology. Maestro's Guest Loyalty System with online capabilities is the first application to offer independents the same benefits as major chains to recognize, reward, and retain guests.

Seeing the rapid development of mobile devices and social media, hoteliers are connecting PMS with mobile devices and social media. NORTHWIND Maestro™ is a kind of software which satisfies hoteliers' current requirement. NORTHWIND Maestro™ is an Internet-based PMS. It brings plenty of benefits to hotels. To illustrate, Maestro can reduce cost, create operating efficiencies, secure cardholder information, and to have instant remote access to their property or hotel group's data. Furthermore, since more and more people are using mobile devices to book rooms, make dining reservations or some other services, Maestro also develops mobile apps. "The Maestro Mobile App enables operators to wirelessly connect to their Maestro centralized system and provides access to management reports, real-time activity and other features found in Maestro." Maestro also thinks of customer loyalty by tracking customers and establish database.

Ok so this is where technology and design are coming together featuring a brand new innovation in the lock world. There is no visible , physical site of a lock on either the outside or the inside of the door. The technology is being run off of RFID (radio frequencies) . No more , hard key or even inserting a key. This technology was just showcased in August 2 at the worlds largest technology show.

iTesso is a cloud-based PMS which offers interface with the property's CRS, GDS, and other third-party systems.  What caught my eye in this article is that it specifies that it is Windows compatible and offers high-level security.  Compared with WebRezPro, iTesso seems to be a better system in that it claims to be appropriate for all hotel chains regardless of size, secure, able to be updated to stay relevant, and covers all of the functionalities that a PMS should be able to handle.

Hotel ProposalPro Creates and Tracks Professional Proposals and RFP Responses; Shares Leads Throughout an Enterprise to Increase Sales and Revenue

Hotel ProposalPro works either as a seperate entity, or in conjunction with any of Hotel SystemsPro's other programs, such as SalesPro. It allows management companies to share leads in a more productive fashion, as well as helps with creating and closing contracts with clients. I am personally jealous at this point. I am required to use Delphi.net, which has been "undergoing a transistion" to .LDC for the last 8 months (which has yet to make it to me). The functionality of Delphi is not nearly as user-friendly as some of the other programs, such as SalesPro. To hear that SalesPro is now having the option of adding on ProposalPro, just makes the program that much more desireable to me. I'm sure it has it's flaws as well, as every program does, but I would really like to make the change to almost any other program.

The following article reviews the hospitality E-Business as well as the industries "E-profile". It was interesting to read how the article breaks down the realities of the new millennium and what it has brought to the table for the entire hospitality industry. It is vital for the hospitality industry to be available to evolve with the current technological trends and innovations. The article reviews how e-business has removed the traditional barriers to commerce; for example, time, distance and physical location. The future for "Web-enablement" within the industry has major potential and will soon be implemented. Ex; virtual tours, guest history and loyalty programs, sales force automation, etc.