Travel Agents Increase Use of GDS to Book Hotel Rooms - 3 views
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he leading global provider of revenue generating solutions for hoteliers, clearly demonstrates how crucial Global Distribution System (GDS) platforms and GDS Shopping Displays are to travel agents:
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84 percent of respondents indicated that they were using their GDS platform the same amount or more often than in the past, with 35 percent stating that they are using GDS more.
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Hotel technology trends that are changing how hotels do business - 1 views
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Choice created the software in 2003 as an inexpensive solution for franchisees of its economy brands.
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The PMS had a lot of growing pains at first, but eventually it became more and more cloud enabled and was adopted across the company.
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“A lot of companies had outsourced their IT and now they’re bringing it back in house because they can do almost everything they need on the cloud or through software as a service.
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Choice Hotels has been a industry leader in the cloud PMS movement. They identified the opportunity to create their own platform 10 years ago when cloud was barely on the radar and have now successfully distributed it to 5,500 of their properties. Unique functionality built into the system is internet redundancy via cellular data plan, company-wide campaign pop-up messages to staff, interface to Pegasus and revenue management through predictive analytics. The platform has been so successful that, in response to inquiries from other companies who wanted to use Choice's proprietary system themselves, they created an additional revenue stream by establishing a separate company that sells and creates custom cloud PMS systems. One advantage pointed out is that managers no longer need to be on property to access and make changes to their PMS. While this is hugely beneficial to the majority of the industry (who already work long hours and visit the property on their day off), there may be some who take advantage of the situation. If this becomes the case, less oversight at the property means that operations has the potential to slip. It doesn't seem that this is a concern for Choice Hotels but it should be considered.
India's Modi Seeks More Investment From U.S. Tech Sector - US News - 0 views
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India's burgeoning tech sector is responsible for creating more than 400,000 American jobs
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business deals between firms in the two countries have generated $22.5 billion in tax revenue for the U.S. since 2011
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the report should dispel the stereotype that India’s IT sector “takes jobs away from the U.S.”
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The main focus of my article is about the financial connection between India and the U.S. The article discusses a few key issues about India and their tech support in relation to the U.S. It tells us that "India's burgeoning tech sector is responsible for creating more than 400,000 American jobs, according to a report released Monday that prompted calls from leaders in both nations to reform business practices so the industry remains a bright spot in an often unreliable global economy". The article goes on to list some more interesting statistics. For example, "The new study from the National Association of Software and Service Companies, a trade group representing Indian technology firms, said business deals between firms in the two countries have generated $22.5 billion in tax revenue for the U.S. since 2011". I feel that these two statistics are important because in too many cases, Americans feel that "foreigners" are coming to the U.S. and "stealing" all of our jobs. That is clearly not the case with every situation, as the article points out. The article further explains that India is seeking to ease the process of coming into the U.S. to work. They feel that if they are providing their highly skilled techs to come work here and/or gain their American education here than the process of getting the visa should be much more lax than it is for other countries. I don't know if I agree with that one, but I understand their point.
Hotel Investment: Why Asian investors are targeting U.S. hotels for purchase and invest... - 0 views
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This Article, written by Jim Butler and Catherin Holmes; clearly explains that there has been an explosion of Asian investment, mostly Chinese towards United States Hotels. It's important that before you choose to do business with these investors to first understand what their motivations are and what exactly attracted them to U.S. hotel investments. Such as, qualifying for the EB-5 visa for immigrant investment, which helps grant the foreign investor with direct foreign investment in the U.S. and permanent U.S. residence when sufficient jobs are created. Its been proven and shown that all these Asian investors have a preference for U.S. real estate and hotel investments and with the EB-5 visa will help create enough jobs to satisfy the EB-5 requirements. Citizenship and Immigration services have doubled in the first half-year of 2011. Investing in U.S. hotels is also becoming an improving trend of profit and its fundamental. It brings in an explosion of Asian tourists; it is bring in lots of wealth for these Asian investors, its also expanding an economic growth in China.
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This is an interesting article. As you mentioned, EB-5 visa or permanent citizenship attracts many Chinese wealthy people to the U.S. I have seen some real estate agencies whose main clients are Chinese people who are willing to invest their enormous money in the U.S. As the economy of China has significantly developed and U.S. visa barrier has been eased recently, more and more Chinese people are coming to the U.S. I think that is another reason why many Chinese people want to invest in U.S. hotels.
2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year: Tesla Model S - Motor Trend - 1 views
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Tesla offers three lithium-ion battery packs for the Model S -- 40-kW-hr, 60-kW-hr, and 85-kW-hr -- that are claimed to provide ranges of 140, 200, and 265 miles, respectively. The base 85-kW-hr powertrain delivers a stout 362 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, while the performance version makes 416 hp and 443 lb-ft.
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its actually 160, 230 and 300 miles range
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Tesla Model S Signature Performance version will nail 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and the quarter in 12.4 seconds at 112.5 mph, with a top speed of 133 mph.
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giant touch screen in the center of the car that controls everything from the air-conditioning to the nav system to the sound system to the car's steering, suspension, and brake regeneration settings.
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The Impact of a Point-Of-Sale System on Restaurant Management - 0 views
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This article begins by stating that the hospitality industry is one of the hardest for entrepreneurs to enter, and that one of the most important parts of opening a new restaurant is the installation of a good P.O.S. system. A point of sale system essentially performs all of the functions of a traditional cash register, but offers many more functions, as well. The author states that a P.O.S. system will improve a restaurant in many ways. These include improved margins, increased sales, better inventory tracking, and reduced operating costs. Improving margins is very important. When employees are using a traditional register, they can ring up items for any price. When using a P.O.S. however, prices are assigned, assuring that all items are rung up for the correct price, thus improving margins. P.O.S. systems also help control inventory. When an item is rung up using a P.O.S. system, it is taken out of inventory, so we know exactly what we sold and if we need to replace it. By knowing specific inventory, it is easier to better manage capital. P.O.S. systems also help to increase sales. By doing things such as integrating credit card transactions and printing receipts, sales can be processed faster, which in turn increases sales. The last point that this article touches on is how P.O.S. systems reduce operating costs. P.O.S. systems conveniently replace many things that the restaurant owner previously had to pay someone to do. Some of these things include year end counts, payroll, sorting through receipts at the end of the night, and meeting with the accountants. P.O.S. systems also reduce re-ticketing, with communication from servers to cooks done primarily through printed tickets.
Japan theme park to replace a third of staff with robots - Nikkei Asian Review - 0 views
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Japanese travel agency and resort operator H.I.S. plans to cut the number of workers at its Huis Ten Bosch amusement park by a third in three years
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About 1,200 full-time and part-time employees currently work at the Dutch-themed Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki Prefecture.
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The displaced workers "will be reassigned to growing businesses within the group,"
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H.I.S., a Japanese travel agency, cut the amount of human workers at its Huis Ten Bosch amusement park, and its neighboring hotel, Henn na Hotel, significantly wherein only 1,200 workers still labor at the park while the others will be reassigned to other branches within the group. Instead of human workers, H.I.S. has replaced with with robots that handle a wide variety of tasks severely limiting the amount of employees that have to work there. Among the tasks that they accomplish, there is a program which collects garbage in the park, as well as cleaning and landscaping. H.I.S. also plans to add customer service robots, an electronic payment system (hoping to go "cashless" in the future), as well as a new wing to the hotel, that will be an energy-independent generator made from film-like solar cells and plant-based storage batteries.
STX: Most Environmentally Friendly Large Cruise Vessel Ever Built » Ship & Bu... - 0 views
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A new liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered cruise ferry entering traffic between Finland and Sweden on January 15, 2013 will be the "most environmentally friendly large cruise vessel ever built," according to STX Europe
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The M/S Viking Grace was launched in January 2013 and is considered the most environmentally friendly large cruise vessel to have been built. The ship travels between Finland and Sweden as a cruise ferry. The ship is powered by a liquefied natural gas (LNG). The shipbuilder says all emissions into the sea have been eliminated and emissions into the air are now lower than any other cruise passenger ship. Besides the lower emission the M/S Viking Grace also has passenger space that minimizes environmental impact and a new machinery configuration, which saves energy. I think this is significant that the M/S Viking Grace has basically eliminated a good percentage of emissions. I believe the cruise industry, from both luxury liners to cruise ferries, has a considerable amount of work to do to become more environmentally friendly. The use of LNG to power a ship is important for other ferries and cruise lines to look at for the future. Cruise vacations are popular worldwide and saving the sea for future generations is incredibly important. Even though this is just one ship that sails in the Baltic Sea, I think the M/S Viking Grace can have a large positive impact on the region.
Why the U.S. is Terrible at Recycling Electronics | Digital Trends - 0 views
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E-waste in the United States is out of control.
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You may assume America has to at least be on par with the rest of the first world when finding a forever home for computers, phones, and printers, but you’d be wrong.
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Those millions of old motherboards and TVs consoles rotting in landfills and warehouses aren’t just eyesores. They amount to a massive health hazard. While electronics waste comprises only 2-3 percent of America’s solid waste stream, the lead, cadmium, chromium, and other materials in aging circuitry account for 70 percent of the hazardous material in landfills, according to an EPA report.
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"Maybe it's easy to ignore the huge percentage of vintage gadgets that wind up torched in dicey scrap heaps in developing countries". This article was written on Feb-27-2020. The problem we saw on the old video is still very much a problem now, only bigger. -
This article was super informative in the realm of E-waste. It covered every aspect of the issue and most definitely is relevant in today's world.
Employers increasingly tapping medical tourism for cost savings - 0 views
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Recently, 60-year-old Oklahoma resident Dodie Gilmore became one of the first Americans to be sent overseas for surgery by her employer. Gilmore needed hip surgery, but found that the procedure would cost up to $40,000 if performed in the United States, which her privately purchased health plan would likely not cover.
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Medical tourism has recently skyrocketed due to the fact that procedures done outside of the U.S. are a fraction of the price that they would usually cost inside of the US. Companies inside of the U.S. are also beginning to send their employees to locations outside of the U.S. due to the fact that they're much more inexpensive. However, some companies are beginning to shy away from this practice due to "possible risks".
Feds recover millions from pipeline ransom hackers, hint at U.S. internet tactic - 0 views
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The FBI was able to seize control of DarkSide's proceeds by gaining access to a central account holding about 63.7 bitcoins, worth around $2.3 million, Deputy Director Paul Abbate said. A court document said that the seizure took place in Northern California, putting it within reach of U.S. law, and that the FBI was able to access the "private key," or password, for one of the gang's bitcoin wallets. It was unclear how the key was compromised.
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Elvis Chan, an assistant special agent in charge at the FBI's San Francisco office, said in a news call Monday that the funds were specifically seized from hacker subcontractors who had used the DarkSide ransomware to hack Colonial.He declined to give specifics of how the FBI was able to gain access to the wallet, but he said it did not rely on waiting for criminals to use U.S. cryptocurrency services. It did, however, rely on the fact that so much internet infrastructure is based in the U.S., where the FBI can get warrants.
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Ransomware gangs have been responsible for more than 1,000 hacks worldwide this year, mostly in the U.S., according to figures prepared for NBC News by Allan Liska, an analyst at the cybersecurity company Recorded Future.
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This Article deals with the hacking of Darkside the hacker group who extorted over 4 million dollars paid in bit coin, this article goes into ho w the FBI was able to get the monies paid back to the company.
Pilot Travel Centers, Largest U.S. Travel Center Operator, Deploys New, Faster POS Solu... - 0 views
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Pilot Travel Centers LLC, the nation`s largest operator of travel centers, selected an advanced point-of-sale (POS) solution from NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) to speed checkout for customers while reducing operational costs. Pilot has deployed the NCR RealPOS 70XRT, the industry`s most powerful integrated touchscreen POS workstation, in all 306 travel centers located in 39 states. The solution includes NCR RealPOS scanners and NCR RealPOS printers. As part of the total solution, NCR provided staging, installation and project management services to ensure an efficient rollout with minimal disruption to store operations. NCR also provides technology support services to Pilot under an existing maintenance agreement.
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When Pilot Travel Centers chose to deploy the NCR RealPOS workstations in 306 travel centers nationwide, it was a definite sign that POS has become a standard tool for the travel industry. Pilot operations are the largest sellers of over the road diesel fuel. Also initiated was the utilization of this and NCR's RSM (Retail Systems Manager) which monitors and manages retail operations remotely with a help-desk interface which ensure ongoing operations in the event of the onsite workstation is operation. Pilot commented that this technology ensures their commitment to customer service, and includes such features as self-service kiosks which allow OTR and RV customers to obtain receipts without standing in lines.
Multiple Properties, Multiple Flags: Texas Western Uses Cloud BI to Automate Data Gathe... - 0 views
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Texas Western began evaluating a cloud-based business intelligence system to take a load off its accounting staff by automating its property data gathering and reporting. The effort paid off – and produced some surprising results.
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The company"s hotel software requirements included automatic downloading of property performance metrics from its Hilton OnQ and Marriott PMSes daily, as well as merging the data with labor numbers, Smith Travel Research output, and a variety of other information from TW"s corporate accounting system.
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Texas Western selected Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. and implemented its Execuvue® hospitality Business Intelligence (BI) solution. Aptech built TW"s data warehouse and worked with Marriott and Hilton to identify, gather the data, and create the report formats TW needed for better performance management
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This article is about a decision made by Texas Western, Hotel Management Company, to introduce Cloud-Based Business Intelligent system. According to the interviews with the company executives, this investment is really paying off. This system has taken system responsibility off their hands and allowed them to cut labor costs which were used to prepare daily revenue reports or spread sheets. Mobile access to all the information also appears to be a useful feature offered by Cloud-based system.
Guests: Hotels are not investing enough in cybersecurity | Hotel Management - 0 views
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More than 22 million U.S. travelers self-report as being the victim of a cyberattack through their business with hotels, according to the Morphisec 2019 Hospitality Guest Threat Index.
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Following the Marriott International/Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide breach that was discovered nearly a year ago, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross noted that “many companies have been scrimping on the cybersecurity budget” — both in the hospitality sector and beyond.
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Almost 60 percent of consumers said restaurant point-of-sale systems are the most susceptible to cyberattacks within the hospitality industry.
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This article discuss the idea that cybersecurity has been neglected according to consumers and more emphasis should be placed on protecting their private information. It has been found that point-of-sale systems are the most common victims of these breaches, and most often at restaurants. Attackers are targeting systems with weak points and outdated software, making them at a considerably higher risk for breaches and cybercrime. Companies must start investing more in heightened security measures in order to retain consumer loyalty.
5 things shaping U.S. hotel investment | Hotel Management - 0 views
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exceeding 4 percent during the second quarter of the year and strengthened by consumer confidence along with business investment,
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doesn’t mean there are no clouds on the horizon, especially as all eyes watch what the Federal Reserve will do next.
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tax-deferred exchanges, real estate depreciation and the mortgage interest deduction
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This articles explaines in 5 different stages or factos how investment actions are taken in the hospitality and tourisim industry. According to Marcus and Milichap on september this year they wrote this article where it is apprecaible all the new trends and changes of how technology have affected positivitly the investment on the hotels and tourism industries this past years in the United States.
Europe To Be A Favorable Destination For The Growth Of Smart Stadium Market | Marketsan... - 1 views
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The global smart stadium market that was estimated to be worth USD 4.62 Billion in 2016 is projected to reach a value of USD 17.32 Billion by 2021, growing at a CAGR of 30.2% during the period 2016–2021.
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On the basis of deployment model, the on-demand deployment model is anticipated to take up the largest share in this market as well as grow at the highest rate in the coming years, since the organizations are nowadays focusing more on reducing operational costs along with improved efficiency, high security and low maintenance, and easy installation, among others.
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Other factors like increasing demand for cloud services, data center services, network services, and its reliable and efficient integration are further said to be driving the services market.
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Smart stadiums are growing in popularity around the world. In 2016 was estimated to be 4.62 million dollars and is expected to grow by just over 30% by 2021. There are different models available when designing a smart stadium. The on-demand deployment model will make up the largest share of the market. The leader in the growth of smart stadiums are Europe, Middle East, and Africa. There are six factors contributing to the growth of smart stadiums. However, there are two factors that are hindering the growth of smart stadiums. One of these factors is the investment. There are at least ten major corporations that are offering smart stadium solutions. Five of the ten corporations are based in the United States. However, there are some smaller companies that are forming partnerships to help stadiums implement the new technology.
Most companies taking 'wait-and-see' approach to coronavirus | CFO Dive - 0 views
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Most companies taking 'wait-and-see' approach to coronavirus
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North American companies are bracing for negative business impact due to the coronavirus outbreak
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Despite rising concern of the effect coronavirus will have on their businesses, most U.S. companies are taking a "wait-and-see" approach when it comes to adjusting their executive pay and sales compensation programs
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This article is a perfect example of this week`s topic. It`s a good illustration of a "wait and see" approach. The article gives you a lot of numbers to support its point.
AI Robots: 18 Top Examples of Artificial Intelligence in Robotics 2022 | Built In - 0 views
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Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science that seeks to develop technology to simulate the workings of the human brain.
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AI has been used to develop and innovate intelligent machines that can be used for everything from manufacturing to assisting healthcare providers.
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Robotics dates back to 1898, when Nikola Tesla used radio waves to remotely direct the movement of a robot boat in a miniature man-made pond during an electrical exhibition at Madison Square Garden in New York
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As you read and examine the article, you will find that there have been many technological developments in AI and robotics. It has intrigued many on how applying intelligence to robotics will further innovations. Additionally, the article mentions how robotic dates back to 1898 and Nikola Tesla/s story and how fifty years later, Alan Turing, a mathematician explored the potential of AI. Moreover, as the two were combined together to create an AI robot currently many top companies have adapted the use of AI or AI robot technology to help in different industries with different services and duties.
U.S. and China to Hold Talks on Hacking - NYTimes.com - 1 views
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Cybersecurity issues loom large between the United States and China because they go to the heart of the economic relationship between the two countries, even more so now that previous sources of friction, like China’s foreign exchange policies, have eased in the last year.
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The growth of hacking
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This article contains information about the talks that will be occurring between the U.S. and China about hacking and cyber-security. According to U.S. officials, there is a "daily barrage of computer break-ins and theft of corporate and government secrets." These attacks are assumed to be from China. The objective of these talks is to establish some rules and behavioral standards between both countries under the topics of security and "commercial espionage." No changes are suggested to be made immediately, but the U.S. hopes that the talks can result in a small, constant change between the countries. These talks will begin in July. This article seemed important in my opinion since the topic of this week in class was about cloud computing. If these two countries participated in a similar business function and used cloud computing to store important information, there could be arising issues. All of the important information could be jeopardized by hacking. By both countries coming to an agreement on the terms of cyber-security, this could possibly open up new opportunities for both countries to work together or expand businesses to one another. This does not mean that hacking will stop in its entirety. However, it could be the beginning of the step in the right direction.
Federal Limits on E-Waste Exports Could Create Up To 42,000 U.S. Jobs, According to New... - 0 views
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CAER includes a wide range of electronics recyclers and affiliate organizations that support passage of the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act (RERA), legislation that will promote fair and responsible e-waste trade. The bill, which will be reintroduced in the current session of Congress, bans the export of certain types of unprocessed and non-working electronics and e-waste from the U.S. to developing countries. Fair trade in tested, working electronics and processed e-scrap commodities would not be restricted. Processing this e-waste in the U.S. would create 21,000 full-time equivalent recycling jobs with a corresponding payroll of $772 million and the potential for 21,000 additional indirect jobs, according to the study. The study notes that jobs will further increase as e-waste volumes rise in the years ahead. Since its founding in November 2011, CAER has grown to include 82 U.S. companies operating about 158 electronics recycling and disposition facilities operations in 34 states and the District of Columbia.