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In this article, the author discusses four hotel accounting challenges and solutions with Scott Watson, Executive Vice President of Sales and marketing from M3. According to this VP, hotel finances and accounting can be complex and come with challenges. We will discuss the challenge and solutions to the four listed issues: Enterprise Resource Planning, Staff Variations, Data Overload and Core Challenges. Firstly, the challenge with enterprise resource planning is how do hotels implement affordable and scalable solutions. Scott believes partnering up can cut costs. Secondly, staff variations and labor demands and the importance of staying within the budget. Scott's solution to this is real-time monitoring for labor. Cloud- based reporting can help manager monitor the daily labor costs and other payroll functions in real-time. Thirdly, data overload. The challenge here is how to do hotels present that data collected. According to Scott, the solution here is having a centralized platform. This allows for a check and balance system and may assist in monitoring cash flows, etc. Lastly, the fourth challenge are core challenges such as guest service, sales, operations and cash management. The main challenge here is how to hotels monitor the core competencies that generate revenue. The answer, according to Scott, is to outsource it. Outsourcing can be an efficient and cost-effective solution but it is not for everyone.

One of the 4 major GDS systems-Amadeus has begun offering a cloud service on the Google Compute infrastructure as a service platform to prevent overloading by internet requests. It helps to scale Amadeus service to support internet flight searches. The cloud-based system can help airlines to cope with the huge increase in search and consumer can receive 100% accurate results of the airline's availability.

As the hospitality industry becomes more saturated and competition increases, marketing strategies are vital for hotels and tourism organizations. The TED video and supplemental article that I have posted poses a very important problem that is faced by marketers and decision makers in the eMarketing world - choice overload. Researcher Sheena Lyengar explores four ways to reducing the curse of offering consumers too many choices. The first approach is Cut. As she explains, many people are scared by what this word entails, but what they do not realize is that cutting bottlenecks or repetitive alternatives actually increases revenues. Hotel website designs should only display the most popular items in order to make navigation simple for consumers. They should also offer less special packages aimed at specific target segments. The less options consumers have, the more likely (30% more likely) they are to purchase. The second approach is Concretize. By using visualization content as marketing tool, eMarketers can attract consumers by helping them imagine the end result. They should not just show hotel features and amenities. Consumers like to see concrete pictures and the consequences to them, in this case, beautiful scenes and travel options that they can experience at the hotel. The third options is Categorize. Basically, eMarketers should offer more categories and fewer choices. The category should mean more to the consumer than to the producer (hotel). In addition, they should make it easier for the consumer to navigate, sort, and process the information being presented to them. The final approach is Condition for Complexity. Hotel websites that offer booking and shopping options should follow this ideology. Break down the steps from low complex choices at the beginning of the process to more complex choices at the end to order to avoid losing the consumer's engagement in the selection and purchasing processes. Overall, the message of this video and article is

Cloud computing makes sense to work business in a cloud setting. The article states that Cloud computing has "transformed businesses" throughout the world. We learned that a disadvantage of Cloud is the dependence of Internet connection. With Cloud computing, you can share and store data. This can be a better way to run business. We have learned that Cloud computing is more scalable, secure, and reliable. Cloud computing cost less, and you can pay for what you need. Cloud you can customize what you need, to your specific needs. The article even mentions it "lowers management costs." Unlike unintended PMS, which can require maintenance, and be highly costly. We discussed in our video lecture from this past week, how hotel check-ins are being done from smart phones- as this article includes. This is beneficial for enhancing guest experience, and increasing the speed of check-ins. Travel agents have their own way of how they conduct themselves, their business, and the services he or she provides. However, the article shows how with Cloud computing, you would not need to depend on travel agents. Furthermore, Cloud computing can increase sales and revenue for a hotel property. Cloud computing is replacing traditional PMS system's and have a multitude of benefits.

Hoteliers today are joining in on the trend of the use of cloud computing. Some benefits of cloud computing include the increase of operational efficiency, lowering management costs since the hotelier only pays for what they demand. Energy costs and hardware operation costs are also decreased. It allows for hotel check ins to be done via smart phones and tablets and not just at the front desk upon arrival, and it also allows for hotels to not have to rely on travel agents all the time for bookings which saves them having to pay commission to travel companies.

No matter the industry, cloud computing has changed organizations all around the world in recent years. Today's need for access at any time and from any location has soared, and cloud computing is supplying it. All you want is a reliable internet connection. Businesses might choose a cloud service that would store their data in safe data centers rather than burdening themselves with traditional in-house servers to store data. At all levels, cloud-based services are now taking the place of outdated and conventional technologies. Many hospitality firms now use cloud computing services offered by infrastructure as a service (IaaS), software as a service (SaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS). And they are all fired up with the incredible benefits of cloud computing. Cloud computing can benefit hoteliers by driving down costs like energy, hardware, and operations. Your hotel's requirement for hardware overload is decreased, which significantly lowers your electricity costs. The hotel sector uses cloud computing to speed up projects, which reduces costs and increases efficiency. An efficient and effective hotel PMS will help you to ensure that your guests receive a first-rate experience and will provide the hotel employees with the best set of management capabilities. Another benefit of cloud computing is that it frees your personnel from stationary terminals, allowing them to work more independently and productively. Due to the cloud, guests may now check in at hotels using their smartphones or tablets as well as the front desk. Working remotely is possible thanks to cloud computing in the hospitality sector. Managing the business becomes a little more challenging when you, the hotelier, are not on the premises. However, putting your hotel management and operations in the cloud gives you the flexibility to access and operate on them from any location in the world.

This article describes the importance of managing sound during an event. It is much easier for a speaker to connect with their audience when they are able to comfortably and clearly speak their message. One of the mains draws for the event industry is it provides the opportunity for business leaders to network and commutate. The acoustic property of a venue space should be taken into account when planning an event but is unfortunately something that a number of managers overlook.  A space that is too loud or too echoed could significantly decrease guest's perception of an event.  Optimally performing sound systems and technicians are essential to creating a pleasurable experience for both guests and managers alike. 

This article talks about the basics of proximity marketing, how every marketing campaign done with this can be review in real time. What is most interesting about this technology is that it can even inform you of those customers who accepted your message so you can save that info and use it in the future. This for me seems very invasive to the customers, laws need to be put in place to better monitor proximity marketing. For the retailer this is a easy way to reach the customers that are in the neighborhood and might become regulars at the business. 

The article highlighted is related to proximity marketing. The author stated that 2010 was the "year of the mobile", where people are accessing the internet more from their phones instead of a computer. The articles stated that it was believed that 2011 would be the year for proximity marketing; however, it didn't quite happen that way. The technology will eventually come but so far is not that popular yet. It is believe that this technology will be very effective to people that suffer with ADD and not attracted to static signage. The mobile marketing will be a great solution to interact with people with this type of condition. Another reason is that an ad from a store from the vicinity and only depends on foot traffic will be more prone to generate customers. The blue-tooth technology will be very favorable because the consumers that has it on is in some way accepting to be able to connect and doesn't incur any costs through the mobile carriers. Another advantage is that retailers would be able to record every number that the ad has been sent to and which ones were accepted or declines. That is another way to get to know your consumer. The difference between proximity marketing and traditional marketing is that it is done in real time; it is inexpensive to retailers by the elimination of delivery carriers and very fast. This is a very smart way doing marketing, but with every technology, there are downfalls. We need to avoid the marketing proximity to become an overload of overwhelming information coming through our cell phones as we walk down the street. Hopefully this technology will make retailers a little greener too.

I agree how this would save the company money and avoid them having to pay for the costs of running ads in the paper, printing of coupons, flyers, radio advertising, etc However, this could be perceived as a risk because you run the risk of allienating your customers, some of who may not be technological fans. Others would just hate to be bombarded with incoming texts. Bluetooth can be very hit or miss, if your on the phone with someone else at the time does the ad break up your conversation and make you loose the call? Sometimes when you use blue tooth you can't even hear the other person when driving. I personally can't stand it and just won't use it. I may not even use my cell phone if this trend is going to continue. i dont think i would like it very much

This article describes the challenges that hoteliers face when it comes to accounting principles. There are four major issues that arise: Enterprise Resource Planning, Staff Variations, Data Overload, and Core Challenges. Choosing the proper system to manage your finances is an important issue when dealing hotel accounting. Taking into consideration your varying staff levels into the financial arena is also important. In addition you must choose what data is important to your financial success. Once you determine the data to use its very important on what you do with it. Its important to have someone on staff that will understand how to interpret the information and make it useful. If no one is on staff then the choice to outsource the task will be the next option.

Every hotel company would like to build their own enterprise back-office system. It is more cost effective solution would be to partner up and invest in hotel sector specific technologies. With needs to staff variations real-time monitoring of labor is essentially in reducing labor cost. Another cost-effective and efficient solution is to outsource any finances and accounting practices that the hoteliers can't perform themselves

Its no secret that a hospitality companies financies and accounting tools can be complex with there own unique challenges. Cloud based reporting tools are there to help manage and monitor transactions in real time through an array of data sets.

The rise and rise of consumer technology and the increasing take-up of this technology by our guests combined with the shorter life cycles of this technology creates considerable challenges for both operators and owners of hotels. In the past we stayed in a guest room to experience technology that we could not get at home but now this changed completely and in most instances the reverse is true today where what we have at home is far superior to anything that is in hotel guestroom.

Online self-service travel sites are significantly enhanced with service by traditional travel agents, such that TA's don't consider online service a competitive concern. This is due to the increased technological adeptness of todays TA's, as well as the exponential increase in travel options, multiple means of transportation, and especially due to the overload of tourism packages and special discounts. Liesure travelers simply don't have the patience to sift through the plethora of travel options and appreciate the personalized service provided by the TA who can tailor travel plans to fit their preferences. Corporate travelers use TAs to save time and to develop complex travel arrangements to keep pace of the dynamics of business opportunities. Every travel venue has its own unique and desirable features which are better obtained through local travel professionals who are thoroughly familiar with all aspects of the destination. Conversely, it is noted that web TAs don't experience competition as the strengths of the traditional TAs is packaged tours and personalized, yet limited travel options. Web agents make their profits through the sheer numbers of hotel properties world wide.

The following article explains why many people expected travel agencies to go extinct once Expedia started being used and all the reasons why that did not end up happening. In todays age there are still many people that use travel agents, in fact the article even states that there have been spikes of usage in recent years. It speculates that this might be because of millennials always using the easiest and quickest ways of getting things done. In fact the simplicity of travel agents is one of the main reasons many people use it along with their ability to get package deals, assist with group or complicated trips, their ability to get discounts, and they prevent problems.

The article briefly reviews the digital marketing branch in the hospitality industry. In this modern age, hotels need to have an updated and optimized website running. Most guest or OTA rely on hotel websites to gain information about the hotel and amenities and prices they have to offer. They must be visually appealing and easy to access. Apart from using hotel websites, search engines are also popular amongst bookers. Search engines like google or bing use keywords to narrow their search when finding hotels so having such keywords or phrases in the hotel main page on the website will allow people to access their hotel website quicker. Hotels also rely on advertising on sites like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Heavy populated social platforms is one of he best ways to have a business advertise themselves to the public. The best part is that social media marketing can be cost-effective.

As this article mentioned, we are striving for the goals that makes the Internet available to our guests and environmentally sensitive. Because it does not produce many CPUs and can run fewer computers for conserving the energy. It can save resources. This article introduces a green system. With only one CPU instead of ten, you save a lot of resources and energy. In my opinion, I like this idea. It can provide more convenient and better service to customers and save resources and energy. In addition, if we can provide a reliable WIFI connection to our guest rooms, people can be more comfortable to use it.

There are many reasons one still needs a travel agent. They are now called advisors or consultants because of what they can do and their knowledge. These advisors can assist with a multitude of things including emergencies, getting great deals on trips, They will be your best advocate when issues arise and at no extra cost to the consumer. In addition, a good travel advisors save you time and money on trying to plan you own trip. Travel agents who just booked flights and beds are a thing of the past, travel advisors play a much more complex role and provie a great variety of services.

Amadeus has a new full-suite of programs aimed at helping hospitality companies use data for projections and customer retention. Aimbridge, which is a large management company, has adopted this full suite. This product and adoption highlights how hospitality companies realize the importance of fully-integrated but also useful data capture and translation for increasing revenue and repeat customer business.