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glope143

Can Disney's Magic Bands be Hacked? - MouseChat.net - Orlando News & Reviews | Disney W... - 0 views

mousechat.net/disney-magic-bands-security

technology RFID hospitality security

shared by glope143 on 11 Jun 18 - No Cached
  • While it is still certainly possible to potentially clone a MagicBand (and thereby gain access to protected resources by impersonating the original band holder), the fact that the band operates on the 2.4 GHZ frequency inherently presents some challenges to any would-be malicious users. Admission to the parks is fairly expensive (Fig. 5) and the cost of the hardware required to conduct such a cloning attack far exceeds the cost of a legitimate day pass. For the attack to even be considered economical, the malicious user must clone many passes over time.
    • glope143
      glope143 on 11 Jun 18
       
      This paragraph brings up an interesting point when it comes to the security of Disney's RFID MagicBands. The primary information on the Band itself that could be most "easily" accessed if cloned is a ticketed theme park entrance. The author believes the chances of this happening are slim to none given the amount of theme park entrances that would needed to be stolen in order to justify the cost of expensive RFID cloning hardware. For arguments sake, should a hacker clone a MagicBands individual RFID code there are still a variety of hurdles to cross before being able to walk away unnoticed. Since every RFID code is individualized, should the Band that was hacked enter the the theme park prior to the duplicate, the duplicate will be stopped and questioned by security. There are also bio-metric scanners in the front of each entrance that require the scanned fingerprint to match that on file. Should the fingerprint scanner fail, a cast member with access to the original MagicBand owner's photograph will deem the duplicate band a fraud.
  • Part of the MagicBand system allows guests to make purchases with the band at specific registers provided they have tied a credit/debit card to their account via an external process. This can be seen as a very big convenience to guests who do not wish to continually use their cards to make purchases while in the parks, or for those who find themselves wishing to buy merchandise when they had not initially anticipated in doing so and do not have their wallet/purse/money clip in their possession. Yet in order to make purchases, a user must first swipe their band against a specially designed reader (Fig. 6) and subsequently enter a matching PIN number. Even if our malicious user had an RFID token that was a working clone of a legitimate one, it is somewhat unlikely he would be able to successfully guess the matching PIN number within a reasonable number of tries in one sitting before the cashier would begin to get suspicious.
    • glope143
      glope143 on 11 Jun 18
       
      One of Disney's star features for their MagicBands is the ability to go hands-free throughout their vacation by having everything necessary stored on one device, including credit card information. This gives guests the ability to make purchases across the Resort without the additional moral barrier of having to remove their wallet from their purse or pocket. Should a MagicBand be misplaced, or duplicated as in the context of this article, a four digit code is still required to make purchases with the credit card on file. This code is not available for viewing on the band and cannot be changed though any means besides visiting the front desk with property identification.
  • While multifactor authentication certainly adds to the security of the system in a significant way, biometric  hardware is not flawlessly reliable. Florida is a rather humid place [5] which inevitably affects the performance of sensitive electronic hardware like fingerprint readers. To address this issue and counteract the likelihood of the system presenting users with false negatives, it would be fair to assume that the fingerprint readers themselves are configured to fail open (ie, when in doubt, allow entry). This gives malicious users the potential benefit of knowing that they merely need to intentionally cause the reader to malfunction to be granted access. Social engineering could also potentially play a factor in the exploitation of the MagicBand system by using Disney’s own customer-service policy against itself. Suppose our malicious user is successfully stopped dead in his tracks at the gate. He has been beaten to the entry gate by his victims and has lost the calibration race; there is no hope the machine will accept his cloned band. Yet he scans it anyway, and is denied access immediately. He knows he will not gain entry, but he continues to scan it. The employees at the gate attempt to help him, scanning his band for him, fiddling with the machine, etc, all to no avail. Yet a large line is beginning to form behind him.
    • glope143
      glope143 on 11 Jun 18
       
      This article does a great job at playing devil's advocate in the situation of MagicBand cloning and creates a sound argument at what could happen should a hacker attempt to enter a Disney park with a previously used RFID code. As someone to frequently visit's the Disney theme parks, I would not be surprised if a cast member simply waved a guest through in order to avoid a line back up, especially during peak season times.
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  • Despite the inherent arms-race between malicious users and system security mechanisms, overall the MagicBand system seems to hold up under scrutiny and is fairly well designed. The high cost of the hardware required to compromise the system via an RFID cloning attack combined with the multifactor authentication process provides sufficient layers of systematic defenses; even the most judicious adversaries may still fail to successfully thwart system security.
esuarezrijsdijk

The Messy Business Of Reinventing Happiness - 0 views

www.fastcompany.com/...iness-of-reinventing-happiness

Disney IOT

shared by esuarezrijsdijk on 27 Sep 20 - No Cached
  • Iger planned to pump nearly $1 billion into this venture, called MyMagic+, a sweeping plan to overhaul the digital infrastructure of Disney’s theme parks, which would upend how they operated and connected with consumers. At the core of the project was the MagicBand, an electronic wristband that Iger envisioned guests would use to gain entry to Disney World and access attractions; make purchases at restaurants; and unlock their hotel room doors. It would push the boundaries of experience design and wearable computing, and impact everything from Disney’s retail operations and data-mining capabilities to its hospitality and transportation services.
  • Disney World, Parks’ crown jewel, seemed to be losing its luster. According to multiple sources, certain key metrics, including guests’ “intent to return,” were dropping; around half of first-time attendees signaled they likely would not come back because of long lines, high ticket costs, and other park pain points. Simultaneously, the stunningly fast adoption of social media and smartphones threatened the relevance of the parks. If Disney wanted these more tech-oriented generations to love it as much as their parents, who had grown up with fewer entertainment alternatives, had, it would have to embrace change now.
  • There were the endless lines for rides, food, and bathrooms; parents juggling maps, hotel keys, baby carriages, and bottles of SPF 75; and kids pulling families on long treks to try to visit every attraction. The park was filled with complications, such as a tiered ticketing system with wonky rules.
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  • The NGE team had big dreams for the MagicBand. It would need to interact with short- and long-range sensors that would be installed around the park. The short-range sensors would let guests scan their MagicBand at sales terminals in Disney park stores to pay for merchandise, for example, or to seamlessly check in at their hotel.
  • The long-range sensors would allow Disney to track guests as they navigated the park. The potential benefits were manifold. By monitoring where crowds were forming, the company could better optimize flow.
  • The MagicBand would also collect valuable consumer data.
  • The tussle over digital access points,
  • The tussle over digital access points
  • where customers would use their MagicBands to enter each ride, was typical of the dysfunction between Frog and Imagineering.
  • More than 28,000 hotel doors needed their locks replaced in order to connect wirelessly with the MagicBand, even as some 80% of the rooms at Disney’s resorts, on average, were occupied. Two dozen workers spent eight months upgrading 120 doors per day. The company rolled out 6,000 mobile devices to support MyMagic+ in the parks. More than 70,000 cast members got MyMagic+ awareness training, with 15,000 learning service-specific tasks for, say, FastPass+ kiosks or MagicBand merchandising
  • Disney World’s physical infrastructure, which was first built in the late 1960s, needed major capital improvements. Two hundred eighty-three park-entry touch points needed to be upgraded. Much of Disney World lacked a Wi-Fi connection, so in order for guests and cast members to take advantage of MyMagic+ and its mobile apps (which would offer a map service and real-time wait times for attractions), the company had to install more than 30 million square feet of Wi-Fi coverage.
  • There is no line at the main entrance to the park, where cast members and a row of polished, golden digital access points greet me, and it takes just seconds to stream through with my MagicBand. According to Disney, the MagicBand has cut turnstile transaction time by 30%. Park capacity has also increased.
  • “Honestly, it’s not so magical,” one cast member tells me about MyMagic+, echoing a common sentiment I hear from park employees during my visit. “It’s just for your hotel room [door] and paying for things.” When you look closely, there’s less to MyMagic+ than what some on the team had hoped for.
  • MyMagic+’s rocky rollout makes the Imagineers’ case for conservatism in the face of technological change seem sound. A slew of problems reared up after launch
  • The Imagineers and Frog certainly did disagree during the MyMagic+ development, as did many others, and that disagreement had repercussions and costs. But it ultimately led to a successful conclusion. What Staggs calls “constructive discomfort” is what sophisticated collaboration is all about.
  • esuarezrijsdijk on 27 Sep 20
     
    This article offers a telling account of how Disney developed and implemented the MyMagic+ initiative, providing important insights into how major corporations approach massive tech-related capital investments. Among the most salient takeaways: 1) how Disney recognized that the parks' pain points could be addressed through the public's growing predilection for personal, always-connected; 2) how these massive internal projects can pit different departments against each other, and how sometimes that antagonism can lead to beneficial results; and 3) how a project like MyMagic+ can have a profound positive impact on the company and still be considered by many to have not fulfilled its potential.
Nicole Stevens

At Disney Parks, a Bracelet Meant to Build Loyalty (and Sales) - NYTimes.com - 1 views

www.nytimes.com/...o-build-loyalty-and-sales.html

disney parks bracelet loyalty sales nytimes technology hospitality software tech hardware

shared by Nicole Stevens on 18 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Visitors would wear rubber bracelets encoded with credit card information
  • vacation management system called MyMagic+
  • If you fully use MyMagic+, databases will be watching, allowing Disney to refine its offerings and customize its marketing messages
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  • wristbands equipped with radio frequency identification, or RFID, chips
  • Disney is not the first vacation company to use
  • MyMagic+ will allow users of a new Web site and app — called My Disney Experience — to preselect three FastPasses before they leave home for rides or V.I.P. seating for parades, fireworks and character meet-and-greets. Orlando-bound guests can also preregister for RFID bracelets. These so-called MagicBands will function as room key, park ticket, FastPass and credit card.
  • MagicBands can also be encoded with all sorts of personal details, allowing for more personalized interaction with Disney employees
  • Nicole Stevens on 18 Jan 13
     
    The technological makeover Disney is planning will require brand new software yet to be used in the parks. RFID scanners will be placed at set locations allowing guests easier access to the 'Magic'. No more turnstiles or waiting in lines. With just a flick of the wrist those mickey ears are yours and you are on your way. Personal RFID tags will be placed into guest MagicBands allowing Disney to track guests behavior within the parks. This is all thanks to the new vacation management system called MyMagic+.
danakissane01

How your room-access bracelet might become a tracking device - 0 views

thepointsguy.com/...travel-wearable-devices

bracelet tracking device technology business travel tech hospitality

shared by danakissane01 on 31 Mar 21 - No Cached
  • Since 2013, the travel industry has been replacing easy-to-lose room cards and cumbersome, old-fashioned keys with room-access wristbands.
  • These wearable room keys can be worn in the shower, pool and ocean, and won’t get lost at the bottom of your bag or dropped on the ground. Some can even be connected to your hotel account and your credit cards, so you can seamlessly make purchases during your trip. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the uses for these bracelets and wristbands have evolved. Some are now capable of tracking your whereabouts.
  • Room-access bracelets, which function with a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, first made a splash in the tourism sector when Disney’s MagicBand appeared at the Florida theme parks in 2013. Taking the place of a visitor’s admittance ticket and FastPasses, MagicBands also allow parkgoers to make on-property purchases and enable keyless entry for resort guests.
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  • Wearables debuted on the open seas in 2014 when Royal Caribbean launched its Wow Bands. Three years later, Princess Cruises debuted its Ocean Medallion technology. This wireless gadget can be worn as a bracelet or discreet pendant necklace, and it enables contactless boarding, keyless stateroom entry and onboard payments for everything from drinks to purchases in shipboard shops.
  • Now, instead of just making it possible to keep an eye on your kids while they’re having fun at a watery splash zone, these devices are now capable of keeping tabs on travelers who are quarantined due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As part of Kauai’s so-called “enhanced movement quarantine,” six resorts on the Hawaiian island use a mobile app paired with a wearable surveillance device to ensure guests comply with a mandatory 72-hour quarantine upon arrival. Some properties provide the bracelets for free, while others charge guests up to $100.
  • The British Virgin Islands also mandate that guests wear tracking bracelets. Arriving passengers, including residents and citizens, must take a COVID-19 test at the airport and use a contact-tracing system on their phones linked to a government-issued wristband during a four-day quarantine before being tested again. The two required tests, the mobile contact tracing app and monitoring bracelet are provided at the visitor’s expense, costing approximately $175.
  • There are also environmental concerns. Most properties don’t reuse the bracelets. Chapur, of Le Blanc, said their beachfront resort uses plastic-free vinyl wristbands, but they still generate more waste than a keycard, which can be reprogrammed.
  • With more travel providers (and entire nations) turning to wearable technology in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 amongst travelers, we’ll likely see new innovations in the wearable space. A single device could become your room key card, a quarantine monitor, theme park pass and mobile payment device. It could even use biotechnology to monitor your health, like the buttons deployed by the Cayman Islands to help travelers enjoy a reduced quarantine period. But hopefully, these wearable devices will become increasingly comfortable, eco-friendly and more discreet, so guests and travelers aren’t easily singled out — and aren’t deterred from using the technology in future applications.
  • danakissane01 on 31 Mar 21
     
    This article explains how devices like Disney's MagicBand technology might become a tracking device during your vacation.
bdegirolmo

Disney's $1 Billion Bet on a Magical Wristband | WIRED - 0 views

www.wired.com/...disney-magicband

disney technology hospitality

shared by bdegirolmo on 27 Aug 18 - No Cached
  • The answer is around their wrists.Their MagicBands, tech-studded wristbands available to every visitor to the Magic Kingdom, feature a long-range radio that can transmit more than 40 feet in every direction.
  • Inside each is an RFID chip and a radio like those in a 2.4-GHz cordless phone. The wristband has enough battery to last two years. It may look unpretentious, but the band connects you to a vast and powerful system of sensors within the park.
  • And yet, when you visit Disney World, the most remarkab
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  • “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic,” he says. “That’s how we think of it. If we can get out of the way, our guests can create more memories.”
  • pelaez17 on 27 Aug 18
     
    This article is about the beginning of the Disney magic band and how the idea came to life. This article i believe is a perfect example of how technology changes can be scary but sometimes they can take your business or industry to the next level. In the world we live in, that technology advances each and every day we need to come to grips that these type of additions are what can contribute to changing the way customers share their experiences for the better. The article states how other multi million dollar companies have contacted Disney about the technology proving the impact things like this can have with businesses across the world.
  • bdegirolmo on 12 May 20
     
    Disney took a large risk when implementing the MagicBands, but it inevitably paid off in the end allowing guests to create more memories. This happens because instead of guests having to spend hours waiting in line for food or rides or Disney experiences, they are able to swipe their bands and receive a notification to their smartphones when its their turn in line.
ypere044

Disney gets personal with new MyMagic+ system - 0 views

www.usatoday.com/...4582957

Disney MyMagic+ Hospitality CRS MagicBands system

shared by ypere044 on 01 Jun 14 - No Cached
    • ypere044
      ypere044 on 01 Jun 14
       
      They have now rolled out MyMagic+ to all Disney resort guests and have made MagicBands available for purchase for guests that are not staying on property.
  • "MM+ is not solely for the benefit of Disney. It's intention is to simplify and enhance the visitor's experience. So while technology of this sort certainly benefits the business side, ultimately the consumer is the intended beneficiary."
  • "Now you can plan your vacation and your ride sequence well ahead of your trip."
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  • The more you share, however, the more personalized the experience can be.
  • MyMagic+
  • You'll get three FastPass+ virtual reservations, each giving you an hour time frame in which to arrive. And if you want to switch up scheduled rides on the fly, there's an app for that.
earagon22

What is RFID Technology? (+Use Cases in the Hotel Industry) - 2 views

hoteltechreport.com/rfid

RFID hotel

shared by earagon22 on 15 Nov 21 - No Cached
  • It’s no surprise that hospitality businesses want to take advantage of RFID technology too, especially when it offers speed, security, and a high-tech touch.
  • Seeing an opportunity to meet all of these objectives, Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival rolled out an RFID wristband solution that allows faster entry into the festival and eliminates the risk of counterfeiting.
    • jblan183
      jblan183 on 15 Nov 21
       
      Coachella took the RFID wristband one step further than smart cards by placing the chips on wristbands, issuing RFID chips with unique identifiers to festival-goers. Instead of security scrutinizing every paper ticket upon entry, attendees simply scan their wristbands at RFID readers at the festival entrances to gain access, allowing them to get to their favorite stages faster.
  • One of the most popular use cases for RFID technology is guestroom entry. Compared to a traditional keycard, RFID-equipped cards offer hoteliers more control over security. Front desk staff can activate and deactivate cards remotely and review logs to see where and when a card was used.
    • jblan183
      jblan183 on 15 Nov 21
       
      Con: Keeping them near phones, wallets, or purses will demagnetize the cards, especially inconvenient should a hotel not have a complimentary card holder.
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  • If guests have RFID-enabled keycard that contain payment information or room-charge information, guests can simply pay with their keycard
  • Besides granting entry to guestrooms, hoteliers can also use RFID technology to control access to amenities, parking, event spaces, and more
  • RFID tags on minibar items can alert hotel staff to low stock rather than tasking housekeeping staff with monitoring stock levels.
  • Most hoteliers have a line item in their budget to account for replacement of stolen items like pillows, hair dryers, and dishes. RFID chips on these frequent “souvenirs” can tell hotel staff when an item has left the building and give them the opportunity to recover the stolen item.
  • An RFID system is simply a cost- effective technology that uses radio waves to send a signal from a chip to a receiver.  RFID stands for radio-frequency identification, and this type of wireless technology involves two parts: a tag and a receiver.
  • Tags can be either passive (no battery, activated by the receiver) or active RFID tags (battery-power source, emits a signal that the receiver picks up).
  • RFID is a key component for IOT (internet of things) connectivity.
  • The tag contains a microchip with a unique code, and the receiver contains components to process the signal transmitted by the tag.
  • There are different types of RFID tags writes the RFID journal, "In general, low-frequency and high-frequency range tags are read from within three feet (1 meter) and UHF RFID tags (ultra-high frequency) are read from 10 to 20 feet. Readers with phased array antennas can increase the read range of semi-passive RFID tags to 60 feet or more."  Read range can also vary depending on environmental factors that effect the strength of radio signals.
  • its popularity has skyrocketed in recent years as the technology became cheaper and more applications were developed.
  •  Hotel and travel businesses usually begin by leveraging technologies like RFID for access control systems and asset tracking.  Due to the pandemic, contactless guest journeys have increased uptake of RFID, Bluetooth and NFC (nearfield communication) technology.
  • Paper tickets for Disneyland are a thing of the past thanks to the RFID-powered “MagicBand” system that Disney rolled out in 2013.
  • Besides pure functionality, Disney also turned the MagicBand into a marketing vehicle; Disney fans can purchase MagicBands in their favorite color or emblazoned with their favorite animated character.
  • RFID wristbands at Coachella
  • Festival-goers are issued wristbands embedded with RFID chips that each have a unique identifier, meaning that it’s essentially impossible to copy them. Instead of security staff scrutinizing every paper ticket upon entry, attendees simply scan their wristbands at RFID readers at the festival entrances to gain nearly instantaneous access.
  • Due to its relatively low cost, ease of use, and potential for operational efficiency, RFID technology can be an attractive solution for hoteliers looking to elevate their guest experience.
  • Door locks
  • RFID cards can also be more cost-effective in the long term as they don't get demagnetized.
    • earagon22
      earagon22 on 22 Jul 22
       
      My property uses RFID tech for room keys and it is so convenient as the wristbands don't get demagnetized when placed by phones or credit cards.
  • Controlled amenity access:
  • On-site payments
  • Outlets like restaurants, bars, and spas can use RFID technology to streamline the payment process.
  • Inventory management
  • Theft prevention
  • earagon22 on 22 Jul 22
     
    Radio Frequency Identification or RFID continues to appeal to leaders in the hospitality industry as it allows for so many opportunities. RFID is a cost-effective technology. It utilizes radio waves to send signals from a chip to a receiver somewhere. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, RFID technology usage has increased because of the consumers' desire to have contactless options. This article provides quite a few great examples of RFID technology in the industry. It mentions Disney and Coachella as they have switched to using RFID wristbands. Hotels, as mentioned in this article, can use RFID technology for a multitude of things. Some examples include: for door locks, on-site payments, controlled amenity access, inventory management, and theft prevention.
  • henderson_goh on 28 Jul 22
     
    The RFID is a very interesting and powerful system. Many industries have been using such system for a long period of time. In the aviation industry, the RFID helps to track and sort checked baggage at the airport by reading several inlays at one. Airlines that use such system has a higher customer satisfaction rate.
Kassandra Baumgardner

At Disney Parks, a Bracelet Meant to Build Loyalty (and Sales) - NYTimes.com - 0 views

www.nytimes.com/...o-build-loyalty-and-sales.html

bracelet disney

shared by Kassandra Baumgardner on 11 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Visitors would wear rubber bracelets encoded with credit card information, snapping up corn dogs and Mickey Mouse ears with a tap of the wrist. Smartphone alerts would signal when it is time to ride Space Mountain without standing in line.
  • Kassandra Baumgardner on 11 Jan 13
     
    Starting this spring Walt Disney World is introducing it's new vacation management system known as "MyMagic+". This system will drastically change the way Disney World theme parks are run. Part of the software is introducing "MagicBands" that will store guests credit card information, Fast Pass, hotel key, and other information to make the guests experience more interactive. The system will also allow Disney to keep a more accurate account of what is interesting to guests and what is not being utilized. There are some concerns with privacy that guests may have, but Disney is proactively trying to ensure that all guests privacy is still intact. Guests will be able to use the system how they want, and share only as much information as they are comfortable with. The introduction of this management system will benefit both guests and Disney if used effectively. Guests will be able to plan their trips with more ease, and spend more time enjoying the parks rather than standing in lines. Disney will be able to offer a better product, as well as manage its parks more effectively and see what guests are really interested in.
jazminesnyder

Six Technology Trends Revolutionising The Hospitality Industry | By Calum McIndoe - 1 views

www.hospitalitynet.org/...4060662.html

technology trends hospitality industry

shared by jazminesnyder on 10 Jun 14 - No Cached
  • Firstly, upfront investment is lower with the cloud as there are no initial hardware costs or associated expenses such as full time, in-house IT staff to maintain the system. Secondly, hotels like the idea of taking the headache and distractions of IT off their site, leaving them free to focus on the day-to-day business of looking after their guests.
  • tablets and smartphones revolutionise the way we interact with technology.
  • City Nites accesses its hotel management system on Apple iPads to eliminate old-fashioned, manual registration desk processes. This enables hotel team members to 'meet and greet' their guests at any location, improving the personalisation of the check-in experience and reducing the costs associated with static reception desks and all their technology at each location.
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  • The online reputation of a property is business critical. It does not however, stand alone as a marketing department concern, but relates directly to daily operations.
  • the technology systems in use - especially those in large chains - must account for the global perspective.
  • Integrating these systems can provide more comprehensive management information, faster reporting and a truly comprehensive view of profitability.
  • Customers expect their experience within a hotel to be totally personalised to them:
  • Elsewhere, integration offers the possibility of being able to "revenue manage" the guest across all areas of their stay: this requires transaction level interfaces but need not be complex to use. Critically it aligns the marketing -based personalised offering with the financial outcome of the revenue secured.
  • However, the savings and improvements that technology can deliver mean that managers and directors really need to keep one eye on these six trends.
  • However, the savings and improvements that technology can deliver mean that managers and directors really need to keep one eye on these six trends.
  • However, the savings and improvements that technology can deliver mean that managers and directors really need to keep one eye on these six trends.
  • However, the savings and improvements that technology can deliver mean that managers and directors really need to keep one eye on these six trends.
  • All of these trends have already brought about a profound change in the hospitality industry - and they will continue to disrupt and redefine operations. From the back office to front of house, from the hotel to the corporate office, the technology that underpins these changes will deliver a sharp competitive edge at all levels.
  • All of these trends have already brought about a profound change in the hospitality industry - and they will continue to disrupt and redefine operations. From the back office to front of house, from the hotel to the corporate office, the technology that underpins these changes will deliver a sharp competitive edge at all levels.
  • However, the savings and improvements that technology can deliver mean that managers and directors really need to keep one eye on these six trends.
  • the savings and improvements that technology can deliver mean that managers and directors really need to keep one eye on these six trends.
  • All of these trends have already brought about a profound change in the hospitality industry - and they will continue to disrupt and redefine operations. From the back office to front of house, from the hotel to the corporate office, the technology that underpins these changes will deliver a sharp competitive edge at all levels.
  • The sum total of these drivers is that cloud technology is no passing fad: for the hospitality sector it is the new norm.
  • around 85% of the queries we see from hospitality companies and hotels include a serious look at cloud computing.
  • the low capital expenditure investment for mobile hardware and much reduced software costs mean that mobile is a viable option for small independent properties, looking to develop customer service as a competitive edge.
  • As such, social media monitoring MUST be interfaced with the hotel management systems so that swift, appropriate action can be taken.
  • it is embedding the process of capturing guest preferences and proactively using that data.
  • ypere044 on 10 Jun 14
     
    This article gives us a glance at six different technological trends being used and "revolutionizing" the hospitality industry. The six trends are cloud/software services, mobility, social media, personalized systems, integration, and globalization. The trends are all seen across the board in hospitality nowadays and are making huge changes in the industry. We have been talking about cloud computing and the pros and cons of using a cloud to store information and even with all the controversy, companies are investing and using the cloud. The use of tablets and smartphones has changed the way we interact with technology and the hospitality field is not staying behind. They are developing mobile sites and apps to help customers look at pictures and reviews about a place, check in and check out or make other arrangements. Social media is also revolutionizing hospitality by creating a reputation for businesses whether they be positive or negative. People can freely post about whether they enjoyed their stay at a certain hotel and helps build the online reputation of the company. In addition, more and more companies are looking to become more personalized experience. When I think about this part, I think mostly of the new systems rolling out at Disney World that scream personalization, guests can select their Fastpasses ahead of time, can use MagicBands to purchase things, get into their hotel, get into the park as well as to utilize the Fastpass system and every time a MagicBand is scanned at a touchpoint, the cast members know the person's name and whether they are celebrating something. With integration, customers and staff can access information from different departments all on one system and with globalization companies are trying to use systems that are global and used worldwide. 
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  • haelidenton on 30 Aug 14
     
    As technology continues to grow, it's hard for hotels to keep up. But, there are six trends that could be very beneficial to hotels. The first being the Cloud/Software as a Service. If hotels begin to use a cloud based hotel management system, it would reduce cost of ownership by minimizing property hardware. As well as take the burden of maintaining the system off IT. Another trend that is growing is using mobile devices, such as tablets, to interact. Some hotels have recently decided to use Apple iPad's at the registration desk. This is an idea that needs to grow in the hospitality industry, because it increases the personalization of the check-in experience and reduces costs involving technology at the reception desk. Social media has a huge impact on the hospitality industry. There are reviews, referrals, and other types of communication about hotels on every type of social media. It is crucial that hotel management monitors and addresses every type of social media, in order to respond appropriately and take action. Being able to integrate the operating systems of all the amenities of a hotel (accommodation, event catering, the spa, etc.) is another tool that would be beneficial to the hospitality industry. This would provide better management information, faster reporting, and will allow management to view profitability. Last but not least, the last major trend the hospitality industry needs is globalization. As international travel, trade, and business grows, hotel companies will need to create different management tools in order to survive. International links are important for the hotel industry. Which means technology systems, need to be global.
  • ravicka on 15 Jan 15
     
    Technological developments continue to have a great effect on all aspects of our lives, the hospitality industry not being an exception. Calum McIndoe in his article "Six Technology Trends Revolutionising the hospitality industry" outlines areas of technology that managers within the industry need to take advantage of. Cloud technology, though this concept is fairly new it can provide great financial benefits to companies as it cuts cost greatly due to the fact that it eliminates the heavy hardware requirements traditional technology offered. Mobility, the fact that portable devices can add a competitive edge to the service offered. Think traditional services being provided on the go away from a fixed station. Social; the popularity of social networking sites have changed the face of hospitality and tourism marketing completely. Properties are now forced to monitor social networking sites to learn about customer demands and to also learn about the image their company has out there and how they can improve it. According to Mr. "for any hotel to not at least monitor social medis is tantamount to willingly flying blind." Personalized systems; value for customers within this industry has to do greatly with the personal touch added to the service delivered. These merged systems allows properites to use data to ensure that guest needs are met. Integration; the joining of isolated systems used in all areas of operations on the property. The use of integrated systems allows for the pulling of data from the different departments thus ensuring proper management of services delivered and revenue management. Globalisation; It is important that hospitality companies adapt to changes and trends brought about by globalisation. Whether the current global outlook is taken into consideration when considering how a company operates can greatly impact the final product.
  • jazminesnyder on 26 Aug 15
     
    ((NOTE: The author already highlighted the article in yellow when I found it, my personal highlighting is in PINK. Sections 5 and 6 are not highlighted in pink because I agree with the parts that the author highlighted yellow in those sections; Diigo toolbar will not let you highlight over something that has already been highlighted.)) This article mainly focuses on the technological changes in the hotel industry in pertinence with storing hotel information versus the traditional method(s) used by hotels that involved little to no technology at all. The article lists six different points or examples and states that businesses, especially small or upcoming businesses, need to follow by these six trends. The part of the article that stood out to me the most when reflecting on the lectures and power points for this week is the first trend. The first trend speaks about a "cloud" software (which I am not really familiar with so excuse me if my explanation is not 100% sound) and announces that "around 85% of the queries we see from hospitality companies and hotels include a serious look at cloud computing". The author lists a few reasons why such a high percentage of hotels are doing it this way. He basically says that you do not need special staff or special training to maintain the system; the system maintains itself so you can have more time to focus on your guests and trends in their patterns. Also, as far as the cost is concerned, "upfront investment is lower with the cloud as there are no initial hardware costs or associated expense…". Even though I am not very familiar with this service just yet, I like the idea of freeing up employee time to go and interact more with the customers; attending to the customers' needs is the most important thing in my eyes. The article goes on to list mobility, social media, personalized systems, integration, and globalization as all equally important parts to this revolution of technology pertaining to the hospitality industr
natashacastro

The Top 7 Hotel Tech Trends for 2016 - Capterra Blog - 0 views

blog.capterra.com/hotel-tech-trends-for-2016

shared by natashacastro on 12 Feb 17 - No Cached
  • the top hotel tech trends for 2016
  • 1. New Security Measures
  • It’s past time for a change, and 2016 will (hopefully) mark a new initiative in the industry: innovative tech security.
  • ...18 more annotations...
  • Hotels will also begin installing new check-in systems that accept chip-based credit cards and debit cards as a way to guarantee secure payment.
  • 2. Wearable Tech
  • MagicBands, which operate off their MyMagic+ system,  allow guests to “[book] transportation to a hotel from the airport and choos[e] where to eat. The MagicBand also serves as a room key and ticket for attractions, replacing the need to carry around bulky key cards and folded papers, both of which are lost frequently.”
  • It’s more effective for learning customer preferences than just relying on online guest reviews.
  • 3. Self-Service Check-in
  • And in a technological world where you can get just about anything at the touch of a button, your guests are going to start expecting the same immediate gratification from your hotel.
  • However, this technology can do more than just ease your guest experience. Using kiosks for self check-in can “sav[e] money on staffing, increas[e] its revenue[,] and increas[e] customer satisfaction,” says author Julie Weed.
  • 4. Cloud Computing (Total or Hybrid)
  • You need to keep all your software tools in one, centralized location that everyone can access.
  • as hotels are expected to invest in newer technologies to stay ahead of the curve, they also need to find ways to cut costs, and cloud computing has the potential to cut 50% of operational costs.
  • many companies employ a hybrid cloud, which can quell fears of sensitive data breaches by only storing some (not all) information on the cloud.
  • 5. Increased Presence on Social Media
  • it’s clear you need to be on social media to ensure users stay at your hotel rather than your competitors.
  • 6. Native Mobile Apps
  • While social media can get your name out there, making a native mobile app is another emerging trend that taps into your guests’ affinity for technology and ease.
  • Not to mention, these mobile apps are a good replacement for key cards, and enable smartphones or smartwatches to act as more secure room keys.
  • 7. Continued Industry Aversion to Tech
  • Technology has changed many industries, and in one that serves its guests face-to-face, it’s important to keep up with what those guests value. And a growing number of them value technology. It’s a part of their everyday lives.
  • elena_martynova on 12 Feb 17
     
    Tech innovations are the essential part of the Hospitality Industry. In the article the author tells us about the top hotel tech trends for 2016 which impact the industry: -new security measures, which is very important due to possible breaches -wearable tech, with just a wave of your wrist you can check in or enter your room -self service check-in, which ease the process -cloud computing, which cuts costs and flexible -presence on social-media, engaging with customers is very important -native mobile apps -continued technology development All these trends play a very important role in improving relationships between hotel and guest.
  • natashacastro on 01 Sep 17
     
    This article is explaining some of the new trends that hotels are finally catching up on. For example, self service check in took a while to catch on but with hotels using it now, it reduces wait times for customers and increases satisfaction.
Paulette Grant

Disney Taps Contactless and NFC Technology as it Seeks to Connect Customers to Its Fant... - 0 views

nfctimes.com/...ct-customers-its-fantasy-world

nfc technology disney

shared by Paulette Grant on 08 Jun 13 - No Cached
  • Perhaps most valuable for Disney is the personal information it hopes to collect from use of the wristbands and from the Web site and app, on an opt-in basis. Personal information could be encoded on the chip of the MagicBands, allowing, for example, Disney employees to greet young visitors by name, according to published reports. The costumed employees might have a hidden contactless reader, though the bands reportedly will store “no personal identifiable information,” Disney reportedly said.
  • Paulette Grant on 08 Jun 13
     
    The article highlights the dramatic change that Disney will effect to increase customer service at the theme park using the Near- Field Communication technology (NFC). This technology which is presently been use by hospitality firms and other industries will allow Disney to eliminate the need for room keys, credit cards, and paper tickets. Customers will be given a wrist band which will be tied to the Disney websites and all accounts numbers and IDs created on the website will be embedded in a chip that is also embedded in that wrist band. All you will need to do is just give it a tap and boom! You are given access to rides, movies, restaurants, kiosks and other attractions within the park. According to the report this saves customers and Disney tremendous amount of time but the real deal behind this is to gather more personal data about customers, and track all the activities you engaged in plus the things you bought. Personal information could be encoded in the wrist band so that an employee or even mickey mouse could greet you by name. All this technology sounds very good but what if I lost my wrist band and it gets in the hands of someone else. The article states that the wrist band can be remotely deactivated if lost or stolen. You and I know that when you having fun at Disney no one will be looking at their wrist every five minutes to see if a wrist band is still in place. If someone found my lost wristband and I notice two or three hours later who will be responsible for all these charges racked up by someone else? I really like this technology because I hate having to wait in long lines; anything that would make my life easier I will pay for it. Having said that I do believe that there are facets of this amazing technology that still needs to be tweaked.
dstic005

Disney World: Digital hotel keys coming - Orlando Sentinel - 1 views

www.orlandosentinel.com/...l-keys-app-20180403-story.html

shared by dstic005 on 26 Aug 18 - No Cached
  • The digital key does not replace the MagicBand, which has been empowered to open hotel rooms, Disney says.To use a digital key, visitors will activate the feature in the app on their check-in day. Guests tap the “unlock door” button and then hold their phone against the door lock.
  • At Disney World, guests also will use digital keys to unlock the hotel’s entrance gate and common area doors (for fitness centers, swimming pools and the like).Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices with the current version of the My Disney Experience app are required to use a digital key for room entry.
  • dstic005 on 26 Aug 18
     
    Disney will now allow the use of a smart phone in addition to the RFID bands to access rooms in their resorts. The option to do so will be included when the guest arrives at the hotel. The Magic Band will still be used if needed, but this change shows that Disney a leader in the hospitality business recognizes that Guests are comfortable with the use of their personal smart devices to navigate their resort stay.
aycasa

8 Benefits of Using RFID Wristbands for Resorts and Attractions - US Blog - 0 views

www.idcband.com/...wristbands-resorts-attractions

shared by aycasa on 17 May 18 - No Cached
  • aycasa on 17 May 18
     
    As technology is advancing, the hospitality industry must also stay on top with the latest trends. Hotels and theme parks using RFID wristbands have gone in the last few years. "RFID Systems are advancing, and more companies than ever are offering these solutions to the leisure industry. This helps drive prices down for operators looking to take the plunge into RFID." The article mentioned 8 benefits of using RFID Wristbands in the hospitality industry. The 8 benefits are: improve guest check- in and entry, go cashless, a hands-free experience, family freedom, security and control, make a social splash, one wristband to rule them all, and lastly, data and insight. As mentioned in the article, Disney World released their wristbands, MagicBand, in 2013 and they have been a hit ever since. I personally worked at the main entrance of Disney's Magic Kingdom and it was much easier and quicker for the guest to enter the theme park with their band rather than an actual ticket. Those guests with wristbands already had them out and were ready to tap the band and touch their finger on the glass. Versus other folks where the parents had the ticket cards for their whole party and once they got to the entrance they had to look for the tickets, pass them out to their kids, and then collect them from everyone once they entered the park. Not to mention, they would have to pass the tickets back out o everyone if they are going to use a FastPass for one of the rides. RFID systems are not new to the industry, as they have actually been used for hotel key cards for many years, however, now they have given them a better use. RFID wristband users may use their band to enter theme parks, hotel rooms, and music festivals, and they can use them as a credit card to pay for things on the property. It's a huge advantage to use these wristbands because it is much easier to wear a band than having to carry around a room card, ticket and a credit card, especially at theme parks o
glope143

Disney World Room Upgrades, Special Requests & Tips - MouseChat.net - Orlando News & Re... - 0 views

mousechat.net/disney-world-room-upgrades

property management system technology disney

shared by glope143 on 01 Jun 18 - No Cached
  • Your Disney World vacation booking starts at CRO and is in the CRO system or comes in as a Disney Vacation Package. The key point is that the actual Disney World Resort, like the Grand Floridian, has no record of your reservation until it is transferred to the Disney resort itself. That happens either 3 or 4 days out. Sorry I forget the exact number of days out the specific Disney Resort gets the reservation in their hotel Lilo Reservation System.
    • glope143
      glope143 on 01 Jun 18
       
      By no surprise, the Disney Company is extremely private in what information about their theme parks, resorts, and dining locations is released. One can applaud the company for this monotonous effort as it is very difficult to find legitimate information online on any internal subjects. As a former Walt Disney World front desk agent, I searched some key words attempting to look up some information about the Resort's current property management system to share with the class. The PMS used is a Windows based operation with a User Interface titled LILO (complete with a photo of the animated namesake when logging on). The functionalities provided by LILO include room and ticket sales, reservation management, housekeeping, bank-in/bank-out, accounting, and resort configuration.
  • Other Disney resorts have thousands of rooms with turns that can be very little or 50% of the hotel could turn over in just one day.
    • glope143
      glope143 on 01 Jun 18
       
      The Walt Disney Resort in Orlando includes over 15 lodging options, some exceeding 1500 rooms in a single property. The LILO Interface works to connect the entire property, making it simple for a cast member working at the All Star Music Resort to check-in a guest staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge if needed. This interface interacts primarily with Disney's RFID powered "Magic Bands" that serve as the room key, payment method, photo capture, and Fastpass+ service for guests across property. As of today, the Orlando Disney property is the only property owned by the company to offer the RFID technology. Testing began 2012 and since then the company has successfully rolled out the MagicBand 2.0 program.
danakissane01

How contactless technology is defining the customer experience post-COVID-19 - 0 views

www.futuretravelexperience.com/...nd-to-end-passenger-experience

technology customer experience hospitality Software tech travel mobile solution business

shared by danakissane01 on 06 Mar 21 - No Cached
  • Contactless technologies have proven to be a game-changer for the air transport industry and beyond in recent months.
  • touchless technology remains a high investment priority between now and 2023.
  • Amazon and Disney have implemented in order to minimise the spread of viruses and reduce the interaction between passengers and staff – ranging from contactless check-in and security processes, to ‘Zero-Touch’ IFE and contactless food & beverage pre-ordering.
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • in April Etihad became the first airline to trial new contactless self-service technologies, which can estimate a passenger’s vital signs, to allow for touchless health screenings at airport kiosks and bag drops.
  • AirAsia also quickly followed suit and in May the airline introduced several contactless procedures for essential travel including contactless kiosks, Passenger Reconciliation System (PRS), contactless payments at the airport, as well as enhanced features on its mobile app to help ensure a smooth and safe travel experience.
  • Biometrics technology also has a major part to play in creating a touchless travel experience. The implementation of the technology in the aviation industry has been well underway in the past few years, but its potential to facilitate a more contactless travel experience has accelerated the adoption even further in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  •  Southwest Airlines, for instance, launched a series of improvements across its Inflight Entertainment Portal, which allows customers to stream inflight content without having to download an app before they board.
  • Qatar Airways announced plans to offer passengers touchless technology for its Oryx One inflight entertainment system (IFE) across its A350 fleet. The Zero-Touch technology, introduced in partnership with the Thales AVANT IFE system, will enable passengers to pair their personal electronic devices (PEDs) with their seat-back IFE screen by connecting to ‘Oryxcomms’ Wi-Fi and simply scanning a QR code displayed on the screen. They can then use their PEDs to navigate and enjoy more than 4,000 options on offer through the airline’s Oryx One IFE system.
  • in Europe, Schiphol Airport launched a pilot which allows passengers to pre-order food and drinks at Schiphol’s food & beverage outlets after security control. Passengers can now scan a QR code from one of the physical banners or media screens located at and after the airport security check. The QR code will allow them to place their order, pay online and choose a time to pick up their order after going through security.
  • The MagicBands let customers do everything seamlessly – from unlocking their Disney Resort hotel room doors and entering the theme parks, to making food and merchandise purchases. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Disney has brought even more contactless engagement, by using signage with QR codes throughout the park to encourage guests to use features on the park’s mobile app.
  • Disney has also highlighted that last year food and mobile order utilisation skyrocketed from 9% to 84%, and nearly 90% of all payments are now cashless. The company is also implementing contactless security screening using artificial intelligence at its theme parks and Disney Springs centre.
  • danakissane01 on 06 Mar 21
     
    This article explains how due to Covid-19 more and more companies for developing and investing in contactless technology for customer experience.
cpaez007

New technology coming to cruise ships in the next few years | Miami Herald - 2 views

www.miamiherald.com/...article188432379.html

shared by cpaez007 on 20 Jan 18 - No Cached
  • Wristbands, which open doors, come for an additional price but are free for children.
  • The app will also have facial recognition to allow crew to identify passengers. Other features include way-finding navigation — like Google Maps for ships, — the ability to make purchases, request services, book excursions and plan daily activities in-app. The MSC for Me app will also offer suggestions based on guest preferences.
  • The Miami-based cruise line announced earlier this month a new Cruise Norwegian app that will allow passengers to check in ahead of their vacation, book excursions, make dinner and show reservations, and purchase drink packages or other amenities. Unlike the Carnival or Royal Caribbean versions, the app doesn’t change the physical embarkation process, but it does offer the option to go paperless with the documentation needed to go aboard.
  • ...11 more annotations...
  • Like Norwegian, it will rely heavily on an app component, that, like Carnival, will also be available on interactive screens around the ship, in addition to mobile devices and stateroom TVs. And, like Royal, MSC will have a smart watch with geo-location that is also connected to the app.
  • Beyond that, Royal Caribbean plans to add virtual reality and augmented reality into the passenger experience. These concepts might transform cabin interiors with images of a starry night or a peaceful sunset displayed on screens on the walls, ceiling and floors. It could also transform dining by introducing virtual reality glasses that can transform the venue into a new landscape based on the cuisine passengers are eating.
  • In the short-term, those innovations will looks like this: Guests will check-in through facial recognition technology — not check-in counters, thus eliminating lines. On board, passengers will be able to sign up for excursions, order drinks and make dinner reservations from a new Royal Caribbean app that also will enable crew to find passengers based on facial recognition. The app will partner with Royal’s WOW Bands, similar to Disney’s MagicBands, to open stateroom doors. And, thanks to RFID tags on luggage, guests will also be able to track the progress of their bags to their rooms. As with Carnival, the more passengers interact with the technology, the better equipped the app will be to offer meaningful recommendations.
  • For example, as guests approach their stateroom doors, the door senses the medallion and unlocks it for them. A digital photo wall senses a passenger’s approach — thanks to the medallion — and adjusts to show the cruiser his or her vacation pictures. After a guest requests a drink, either on an interactive screen, a smart phone or other device, crew can find that passenger wherever he or she is on the vessel because of the geo-location in the medallion.The operating system behind the medallion is Ocean Compass, an online vacation profile that passengers create before sailing, where they input their preferences; during the trip, they can add information via onboard screens and personal devices. Crew can also access passenger profiles in Ocean Compass, allowing them to offer relevant suggestions and address passengers by name.
  • In January, Carnival revealed the result of an 18-month project aimed at making the cruise experience more intuitive. Instead of largely relying on a smart phone, the company chose to build a “medallion.” The quarter-sized, two-ounce disc contains passenger information, incorporates geo-location services and is personalized with each cruiser’s name and sail date. It can be carried in pockets or worn on wristbands or pendants for an additional cost.The medallion interacts with the whole of the ship, which will be retrofitted with thousands of sensors and interactive screens, and miles of cable.
  • But with the new technology will likely come privacy concerns. Much of the software cruise lines are introducing also involves capturing passenger information and using it to curate suggestions about what to do.
  • It’s already happening. In 2014, Starwood Hotels announced plans to start using smart phones as hotel keys, with the help of an app and Bluetooth connection. Hilton this year discussed plans to build a “Connected Room” in 2018, which will allow guests to control features of the room through an app, including lighting, entertainment and temperature.
  • It elevates the experience for everyone, not just the highest paying passengers, and not just on its best and newest units. I think it will become the norm...eventually the cruise industry and, not just the cruise industry, but other places, other tourism [entities].
  • The technology aims to ease irritations: the long lines to embark or disembark, crowded bars, the impersonal feeling of a mass congregation of people.
  • Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and MSC Cruises — have all come out with tech that promises to make cruising a less cumbersome experience. Most of it incorporates facial recognition and geo-location.
  • In the next five years, the new normal in cruising is going to be a better-connected voyage that will largely do away with lines and waiting — some of the factors that deter travelers from cruising to begin with.
  • cpaez007 on 20 Jan 18
     
    The article revolves around new technological concepts that the main cruise lines are adding to the cruising experience. While they have heavily focused on the ships hardware, they want to implement new software that will make the experience more enjoyable and simpler for guests to enjoy. Carnival, would like to implement a "medallion" called the Ocean Compass, that is crossover between the Disney Magic Band, and the band seen at the Universal Volcano Bay water park. It fits the Disney aspect, because it holds information,can open doors, and links guest pictures to the technology. It is similar to Universal, because it informs guests of when to attend something, so that they do not have to wait in a line. Royal Caribbean, likes the band idea that Disney presented, and wants to make bands of their own, that have similar functions that the Ocean Compass from Carnival has. In addition, Royal Caribbean wants to expose their guests to Virtual Reality. They hope to create an immersive experience for their guests, from the comfort of their rooms. Norwegian and MSC are mostly developing smart phone applications, that allow guests to check-in, book excursions, and open rooms. It is obvious that Disney developed a great idea with combining a "magical" band and phone application. The concept is so successful, that other players want to utilize the same formula. Let us see how well it works in the cruising industry.
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