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Gabriela Moreno

Pumping DOWN the Volume - 0 views

  • Meeting planners spend a fair amount of time and energy thinking about how an event space will look. But how many meeting or event planners think about how an event space will sound?
  • Unfortunately, many times an event space is overly loud, and a great deal of the audio communication “bandwidth” is no longer available. If the general “ambient noise” of a room is too loud, either because of an overzealous DJ or because there are 200 people in a very echoey small room, that means people have to shout instead of talk — and even then, it's difficult to hear or be heard. This of course hampers communication.
  • You certainly would not create an event space that had glaring bright lights in everyone’s eyes, nor would you ever have an all Day-Glo orange theme. That sort of “visual overload” would certainly be seen as unappealing, not to mention exhausting, and potentially even harmful. You would never think of doing such things to your attendees’ eyes. You should take care to not to overload their ears, either.
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    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. 
amoon008

Green Computing | University of Puget Sound - 0 views

  • Technology Services (TS) supports sustainability in several ways. Examples include: Purchasing from Environmentally Committed Companies Participating in Electronic Recycling Programs Deploying Virtual Technologies Limiting Printing and Recycling Paper
  • Responsible handling of electronic equipment is critical in order to minimize the university’s impact on the environment. TS purchases campus computers from Dell and Apple.
  • Dell also banned the export of their electronic waste to developing nations. They offer a strong trade-in program for used equipment. Dell focuses in every way on being environmentally and ethically responsible corporate stewards.
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  • Dell supported a multi-stakeholder group in developing the Electronics Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT). All Dell computers purchased by the university meet the EPEAT standard
  • Outdated Apple equipment is processed through Apple’s Trade-In Program, often for purchase credit. Apple either refurbishes the equipment or recycles it in an environmentally safe manner.
  • All electronic waste on the Puget Sound campus is recycled in one of the following ways:
  • Apple focuses on a comprehensive strategy for their machines, with specific goals for each phase of product development, use, and disposal. Every computer Apple sells has earned the highest rating of EPEAT Gold.
  • Other outdated equipment is processed through the university’s recycling partner, GreenPC Electronic Recycling. Such equipment is then refurbished and resold to other users.
  • By employing virtualization technology for servers and desktops, Technology Services promotes sustainability while also improving services!
  • Through PrintGreen, instituted in Fall 2012, students were allotted 750 free prints each semester - an amount that the majority of students did not exceed based on past usage records.
  • The ultimate goal of PrintGreen is to provide students with better information on the environmental impact of their printing and to promote the sustainable use of campus resources.
  • Recycling bins are placed prominently in all computing labs, Print & Copy Services, and TS offices.
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    This article talks about what the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA is doing regarding green computing on campus and how their students can also get involved.
yuzhu li

Mandarin Oriental, Miami Security Scores 98.8% in Independent Security Audit :: Hotel N... - 0 views

  • Mandarin Oriental, Miami expands from one SAMS™ module to five
  • InvoTech’s system makes our property significantly safer and our security operation more effective and efficient,” said Ballester
  • can adapt to their specific security and budgetary needs to automate a variety of security department functions that include
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  • Mandarin Oriental, Miami expands from one SAMS™ module to five
  • The property recently scored 98.8 points out of 100 on an independent ‘Safe and Sound’ security audit. “SAMS™ made this possible
  • Control keys, radios, and equipment Manage patrols and assure all check points are properly scanned Process visitors, print badges, and daily log review Control and automatically log all security officer dispatches Document and properly record all incidents on property Process lost and found items and accurately track and return found items Control employee lockers and locks
  • Tighter security comes from our knowledge of exactly which keys are checked out every hour of every day
  • system has the ability to scan each contractor’s driver’s license to capture the ID information and photo and create a record of when the person entered and left the hotel’s property
    • yuzhu li
       
      what if some emergency accidents happened in the contract company, it is no longer the original person come to the hotel. The SAMS still  can recognize him/her??
  • “InvoTech’s system makes our property significantly safer and our security operation more effective and efficient,” said Ballester
    • yuzhu li
       
      It is an impressive article that a security system could be literally so sound and impregnable. It can monitor and assure all the check points, especially it can scan the contractor IDs while access to the property. As we know the hospitality industry is a meeting ground, labor-orinted and customers diversified, easy to be liable for negligence. There is a news I read in the newspaper years ago, the front desk person accidentally assigned the room key to a guest that has been given to another guest in advance. And that leads to the second guest lost his $5000 in his suitcase. The court decision was the hotel was liable and compensated for the loss of the second guests. The hotel is not only has loss in money but also in the reputation. If the hotel could have the InvoTech's system, it would check all the keys, this situation would never happened. And for the system can automatic scan contractor IDs, all I can say is amazing, it not a easy thing from my eyes.Especially for some luxury hotels, there will have some VIPs, or VVIPs, their security is the top one task for the hotel. 
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    It is an impressive article that a security system could be literally so sound and impregnable. It can monitor and assure all the checkpoints; especially it can scan the contractor IDs while access to the property. As we know the hospitality industry is a meeting ground, labor-orinted and customers diversified, easy to be liable for negligence.  There is news I read in the newspaper years ago, the front desk person accidentally assigned the room key to a guest that has been given to another guest in advance. And that leads to the second guest lost his $5000 in his suitcase. The court decision was the hotel was liable and compensated for the loss of the second guests. The hotel is not only has loss in money but also in the reputation. If the hotel could have the InvoTech's system, it would check all the keys, this situation would never happened. And for the system can automatic scan contractor IDs, all I can say is amazing, it not a easy thing from my eyes. Especially for some luxury hotels, there will have some VIPs, or VVIPs, their security is the top one task for the hotel
David Maggard

MICROS eCommerce Announces the Launch of Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.'s... -- CHEVY... - 0 views

  •  MICROS eCommerce, a subsidiary of MICROS Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRS), an leading interactive marketing company for hospitality and travel, is pleased to announce that Strategic Hotels & Resorts has retained MICROS eCommerce to develop and launch a series of tablet specific websites later this summer. 
  • The new websites will feature a dynamic visual format, intuitive layout and focus on hotel and area amenities, such as the luxurious rooms, spas, restaurants, bars, banquet/meeting facilities and other features found at Strategic Hotels & Resorts' high-end hotels.
  • "As technology continues to shape how consumers interact with our luxury hotel brands, our partnership with MICROS eCommerce has enabled us to stay top of mind with our discerning and tech-savvy customer base,"
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    I'm not quite sure what the website will look like or how it will communicate with micros (PMS) but it sounds like its a step in the direction of web  based PMS system. I thinking in the near future we will be seeing front desk agents checking in customers with iPads and not standing behind big front desk.Micros Ecommerce sounds like the platform that will provide this move to mobile front desk agents with web based PMS systems.
yongwei hao

Article: Tourism Safety & Security Conference Set for Nov. 21 - Center for Sustainable ... - 0 views

  • The theme of the conference will be ROI: Securing Your Return on Investment, with the conference sessions focused on how tourism and meeting industry professionals can apply sound safety and security practices to protect, and even improve, their business ventures' bottom line in the current economic landscape.
  • he conference, now in its third year, is geared toward all professionals who are active in the convention and tourism industry, including meeting and event planners, hotel security and sales directors, public safety members, conference services personnel, related vendors, venue personnel and anyone involved in the planning and execution of small-to-large-scale public and private events. The event is open to attendees from across the nation, as the content will address topics in Arizona and throughout the U.S.
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    Securing Your Return on Investment, with the conference sessions focused on how tourism and meeting industry professionals can apply sound safety and security practices to protect, and even improve, their business ventures' bottom line in the current economic landscape.
Ganna Gorbachuk

3 Ways to Help Your Speakers Help Your Hybrid Event - 0 views

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    Hybrid meetings - meetings where some part of the event is broadcast to attendees tuning in remotely become more and more popular right now! There are few technical requirements for Skype conferences, video calls and so on which need to be done. First rule - try to communicate before the actual event, check up the sound, try to make a plan, what if smth fails. Second rule - less music and live video. People are using different devices to connect with you, so you cannot be sure everyone can get all the audial part of the presentation clearly. Third rule - speaker issues. We should remember speakers are not necessarily bringing the sound up to the listener just as you say it. There might be some glitches, the sound may delay, sometimes you need to check if the audience have heard everything clearly, or you need to repeat several things.
paige rosenberg

The Future of Hotel Security - AOL Travel News - 1 views

  • Technology is opening new doors to hotel safety
  • Yet more card-free security systems are on the way
  • eventually new security measures will become such a part of our everyday lives that they will become the norm.
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  • Systems that track the other qualities that make each human unique are in development as well.
  • here are some systems being explored that can allegedly sniff someone, and also systems that can recognize the pattern of blood veins on a human being which are apparently unique to the individual,
  • new thing is contact-less Smartcards and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) cards that need just be waved to allow room access.
  • Kimpton's 190-room Nine Zero Hotel in Boston was the first hotel to install a biometric iris scanner back in 2004
  • we navigate hotels is set to change in the blink of an eye. Or the swipe of a cellphone. Or the print of a finger. With futuristic systems like scent and iris scanners and digital facial-recognition, hotel security is being taken to the next level. #plain_module { width: 590px; height:170px; border: none; float:left; margin:0px; font-size:12px;} #plain_module img {border:none; width: 13px; height:14; border: 0px; margin:0px; } #plain_module .mini_main { margin: 0px; padding:0px; width:585px; height:220px; repeat scroll 0 0} #plain_module .mini_item_header {padding:10px 0px; margin: 0px 0px; font-size:16px; color: #555555; border-bottom:1px dotted #CCCCCC;} #plain_module .mini_item {padding:5px 0px; margin: 0px 0px;} #plain_module a { color: #49A3CA; text-decoration:none; } #plain_module a:hover { color: #F98419; text-decoration:underline;} span.gray {color:#949494;} .mini_main li{list-style-type: none;background-image: url(http://www.aolcdn.com/travel/bullet);background-repeat: no-repeat;background-position: 0 1px;padding-left: 10px;}
  • Those plastic key cards that once seemed so innovative will soon go the way of the actual key
  • "In addition to Radio Frequency Identification, there are also systems that use a smartphone, such as an iPhone,"
  • When a guest checks into a hotel and provides their phone number, they get an encrypted sound code via text message
  • Many industry watchers are keeping an eye on Houston's largest hotel, the vast 1,200-room Hilton Americas–Houston. The hotel has a facial recognition system that can identify and track guests, employees, and even suitcases
  • 1,200 rooms worth of luggage in transit, the system makes it a lot easier to find lost or misdirected bags.
  • Returning guests will be recognized and greeted by nam
  • "Hospitality all over the world has become more aware of past vulnerabilities that they might have had and have closed these holes by more in-depth training and awareness of guests and staff," he says. "In today's society, all travelers are becoming interdependent on each other for safety and security."
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    This article talks about the future trend of the hospitality security, which is technology is opening new doors to hotel safety.  The author introduces some different technologies such as Contact-less Smartcards and RFID that hotels like New York's Plaza Hotel are currently using. Finger print or cellphone wipe technology is also used instead of card, which should be more safe. Some hotels even use video-capture systems to make sure the security is perfect. After introducing these technologies, the author also talks about the privacy issues. Because some customers are not willing to be on cameras. However, though some of them are concerning about this issue, an expert predicts that new security measures will eventually become such a part of everyone's everyday lives that he or she will become the norm. All in all, this article gives us the trend that more and more technologies will be used for hotel security in the future.
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    I think PR representatives should address the privacy controversy surrounding radio frequency identification technology with a safety campaign. This may help consumers realize that they are not in the privacy of their own home when they are in the hallways of hotels and cruise ships and the cameras/tracking could help protect them. As long as the data collected is not misused these technologies will continue to be present in these locations.
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    It's pretty important for the hospitality industry to present these new technologies as wonderful security measures. People could be put off by knowing they have to swipe their finger to get into a bathroom. The success of these technologies depends on effective marketing and proven security measures that ensure collected information about a traveller will not be used in unethical ways.
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    Interesting article it is. Security is always the big issue for hospitality. I would like to stay in a hotel that is using finger print as the key card of the hotel because i believe that is much safer than cards that anybody can access my room by using the card.
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    In this article all of the new trends for hotel security are described and examples of where they are being implemented are given. Thanks to technological innovations hotel safety is heading into a whole different level. Now key cards are being change to more sophisticated ones that need just to be waved to open a room door. In the near future it is expected for these cards to be used as a payment method and to check-in and check-out. In the U.S biometrics technology is starting to be used by a small number of properties not only for guests to access their rooms but for employees. Facial recognition systems with the ability of tracking guests and employees are also being implemented. This system helps to improves customer service as it helps to really understand guest's preferences, as enormous amount of information can be extracted as they are constantly being monitored. Other technologies are also being developed. The most amazing ones are the systems that track other unique human characteristics as the way a person walks or it's DNA.
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    The technology of hotel changes very fast, such as swipe of a cellphone or print of a finger, or the contact cards that need just be waved to allow room access. It is like the cruise world's one card system, these cards may soon make hotel stays easier by allowing guests to pay for services, as well as to check- in and check-out, through a single device. If customers lost their cards on cruise, the radio frequency identification and smartphone will provide customers their code via text message, so they can play back the code to unlock your room door. But more card free security systems are on the way. If you want to get into your room at New York's SoHo Loft , you are going to have to lift a finger. The Nine Zero Hotel in Boston us the technology to make the property safer all round ,that means non-staff members and intruders can not access the property. Systems that track the other qualities that make each human unique in development as well. The Houston's largest hotel has a facial recognition system that can identify and track guests and an annual $16 million payroll ,the system offers benefits such as employee time theft monitoring and prevention for the hotel. But with 1200 rooms worth of luggage in transit the system makes it a lot easier to find lost or misdirected bags The Wolfe feels that in addition to the biometrics and high-tech methods currently being deployed ,one of the greatest security measures of late is actually low tech.
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    The full name of RFID is radio-frequency identification. RFID is the use of a wireless non-contact system that uses radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data from a tag attached to an object, for the purposes of automatic identification and tracking. Some tags require no battery and are powered by the electromagnetic fields used to read them. Others use a local power source and emit radio waves (electromagnetic radiation at radio frequencies). The tag contains electronically stored information which can be read from up to several metres (yards) away. Now RFID in hospitality industry as a tool is used for improving service quality, customer satisfaction, market share, and profitability. As the new technology apply into hotel security, the hotels change their ways in the blink of an eye, or the swipe of a cell phone, or the print of a finger. With futuristic systems like scent and iris scanners and digital facial-recognition, hotel security is being taken to the high level and some of the luxury hotels begin to use RFID system. Usually customers will worry about lose the card of hotel. Then they can not open the door and even need to pay extra money to buy a new card. But now security systems in some hotels do away with cards altogether. Because of RFID system, customers can use the iPhone connect with the system. When a guest checks into a hotel and provides their phone number, they get an encrypted sound code via text message. Guests can play back the code to unlock your room door.
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    i think there are some factors to consider. Customer Service - Many opportunities for "great" customer service are lost if guest and employee interaction is diminished. In many cases, the front desk staff give the first impression that a guest experiences. This first "experience" can be crucial for referring the guest to other property amenities, i.e. spa, restaurants, lounge, pool, attractions, etc. Often, the front desk staff are acting as the concierge and resolvers of guest issues.
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    this article talks about new technology that is being implemented throughout out US and the world. Old key cards are now going to be replaced with even older standard keys or the radio frequency identification card that can be waived in front of the door to gain access. Also, there is a technology that will sent an encrypted sound text to guest;s cell phone, which when played back will open the door.  It talks about technology that tracks all employees, guests and their luggage.  There are several concerned that travelers have about their privacy, but article stated that it all depends on the type of the traveler.  Also, the face recognition technology used in Houston's largest hotel remembers guests names and when they return, guests are greeted by name.  Article concludes that even with all this technology, the best security is provided through interdependence of travelers and employees.  
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    Technology in the hotel travel and tourism industry will be changing drastically in the near future, from the swipe of a cell phone, print of a finger, facial recognition, iris scanners, security is going to be taken to the next level. the plastic key cards will soon no longer exist. Radio frequency I'd cards are the new thing, where guest will use this for preferences for everything, from charging things to your room, preference of floor type to pillow choice, chick in and out etc. systems that track the other qualities of a person instead of using a key or card are in development as well. There are research going on how to open the door and. Lose wi just the persons walk and movements. Some people think these new security technologies are awesome, while some think they are not, people dont want to be watched 24/7while on vacation they just want to enjoy there stay. But in today's society all travelers are becoming interdependent on each other for safety and security.
Le Chai

Technology Used in Hospitality Security | SDA Security - 1 views

  • Smart cards and RFID (which stands for radio frequency identification) are contactless keys and work by actually sending small radio frequencies to receiving sensors
  • A guest can opt for fast check-in, wherein he gives the hotel his phone number and downloads an app.
  • the smartphone.
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  • biometrics involves granting access and identifying a person by his physical traits, a thumbprint or iris scan, for instance.
  • ing a person by his physical traits, a thumbprint or iris scan, for instance.
  • With the face recognition capabilities, a hotel, casino, or restaurant can keep track of suspicious customers—or slacking employees—to make sure they don’t cause any trouble.
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    Security is obviously very important in hospitality and technological advancements are helping to make hotel stays easier and more secure. The hotel industry is exploring options to that replaces the standard plastic keycards with new entry methods. One example is using smartcards or RFIDs, which stands for radio frequency identification. Smartcards and RFIDs work like a fast-pass at a gas station when quickly paying at the pump. The guest simply waves the card/key in front of a sensor granting entry. The guest doesn't have to worry about the card being deactivated by his or her cell phone and the hotel doesn't have to constantly spend on replacements. Another example is technology that allows us to enter our hotel rooms using our using our phones. Guests would download an app, receive a text message with an encrypted sound code and play it by the door to be granted entry. Using biometrics for entry is likely the ultimate level of technological security. Like in the movies, guests would have their physical attributes scanned including eyes, and/or thumbprint to identify a guest. Video cameras will always be a great form of security. Now that they're getting smaller and more vivid, surveillance makes the phrase "Big Brother is watching" all the more relevant by being a huge crime and incident deterrent. Technology is advancing rapidly and I can see some of these methods hitting mass markets sooner than we think.
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    This article talks about the new technologies applied in the hotel to keep safety. The first one is Smart cards/RFID that helps to open the door via sensor receiving. The next one is smartphone, personal belongings that help to open the door with encrypted sound code. Biometrics also can help by identifying personal physical traits. For hotels, security cameras is necessity. 
ysuarez123

New app rates restaurant noise levels - 0 views

  • Consumers can use social media to rate a restaurant’s food, ambiance or speed of service. Now a new app will allow diners to rate the noise levels at their favorite eatery.The iHEARu app officially launched on Tuesday in San Francisco, the first city in what promoters hope will become a global network to help consumers find “ear-friendly” public places
  • More than 20-percent of the U.S. population has some hearing loss, and one in three people over age 65 have disabling hearing loss, she noted. But noise levels are also a concern for any guest looking to have a quiet business meeting, for example, or for a group looking to hear each other speak.
  • Users can open the app in any restaurant and map it, then press a button to make a recording to determine sound levels. Users can also add comments about their own subjective experience and share it through Facebook or social media.
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  • The app is not designed to punish loud restaurants, but to give consumers crowd-sourced information about the most “ear-friendly” venues or best timing for finding a quiet spot.
  • Someone looking for a brunch spot, for example, could see how noise levels compare at 11:30 a.m. at a rated venue, compared with noon or later, Tremblay said.
  • In addition, restaurants can be certified as ear friendly based on commitment to certain practices, such as being willing to turn down music on request, having rooms or tables in quieter areas, using acoustical tiles or other sound-absorbing materials, sound isolation, table placements or other noise-reducing practices and, of course, being rated well by the app.
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    Being in the food and beverage side of hospitality I tend to post mostly restaurant technology, this one specifically caught my eye as the restaurant I just recently left in New Orleans would always get complaints about how loud it was. With the new app iHEARu, users can measure the decibels in a restaurant as well as track how it changes at different times throughout the day. The app could help users find places to have business meetings, take someone who is hearing impaired, or even help families find a welcoming restaurant if they have younger kids or just patrons in their party who tend to be a bit louder. With the overgrowing effects of social media reviews on restaurants I found this rating system to be mostly beneficial. This would only lower the number of things a guest has to potentially complain about or upset other guests. Often diners don't realize how important noise level is to their experience until is it something that upsets them. Personally if I was going out with just my mom or sister, I might want something quieter so we could catch up, but if we are going out with my entire family we better pick a loud restaurant so we don't get dirty looks when we are inevitably yelling across the table. This app essentially helps all kinds of diners find the right fit for them.
berkley7

5 eco-friendly trends radically transforming foodservice | Fast Casual - 1 views

  • Deploying technology that conserves and saves
  • Subway is leveraging the latest technology to cut down on paper waste, conserve power during restaurant down times and improve overall efficiency so that operations are sustainable and environmentally sound.
  • Onboard and offboard employees
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  • Automation can optimize an IT department's use of cloud and virtual resources, allocating additional computing resources when needed as well as powering down resources during idle times.
  • Provision dynamic virtual/cloud systems
  • Streamline reporting
  • IT organizations can streamline and consolidate reporting by using parameters instead of hard-coding, resulting in reports being run once rather than hundreds of times.
  • High efficiency HVAC (Heating, ventilation and cooling) equipmentEnergy Star rated equipmentHigh efficiency lighting programLow flow faucets and low flow or dual flush toiletsMotion sensor lighting controls in restroomsDay light sensors in guest areaLED interior and exterior signageNon-smoking environmentOutside air monitoring of CO2Indoor air quality management during constructionReuse of at least 30 percent of store furnitureForest Steward Council-certified wood moldingsLow VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials, paints, adhesivesElectrical sub metering and thermal comfort monitoringCertified green cleaning programRecycling and construction waste management programLEED/Eco Restaurant educational materialFurniture products not manufactured with or containing ozone depleting substances
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    The following article reviews a few eco-friendly trends that are helping transform the foodservice industry. As green technology becomes mainstream it is important for companies in the hospitality industry to understand the potential impacts they could have on the environment by adopting some of these trends. Streamline reporting is one way that green technology shows to be beneficial. By streamlining and consolidating reporting vs. hard-coding, etc. offers users greater visibility over workload performance. Another popular green technology is virtual cloud systems. These cloud systems can help eliminate resource waste and reduce operational costs. The article mentions how Subway and BurgerFi are taking major steps in leveraging the latest technology to minimize their carbon footprint. A few things they focus on is cutting down their paper waste, conserve power, and improve overall efficiencies so the restaurants are environmentally "sound".
tjcamino

15 Benefits of Having Digital Menu Boards in Your Restaurant - 0 views

  • While the core focus of a restaurant might be to serve delicious food, what missed out is the paper menus and restaurant chalkboard on which restaurant invest lot of time and mon.
  • 1. Digital Menu Display Makes Communication Easier
  • It gives you better control over what you want to highlight on your menu which indirectly influences the choices of order of a customer.
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  • use videos or animations that catches more attention and also makes the communication much easier
  • grab user’s attention with videos and animations
  • pdate can be made in a matter of seconds and whenever you want to.
  • 3. Sound Investment Saving Money
  • convenience with an added benefit of cost savings. Since you don’t have to print new menus or promotional material regularly
  • 4. Digital Display Create a More Memorable Experience
  • The right mix of graphics and videos can keep customers entertained
  • enhance the overall customer experience.
  • 5. Better Visibility of Menu
  • 2. Save Time by Easy to update Digital Display
  • ye pleasing than the regular paper
  • 6. 24/7 Support
  • Many restaurants have started opting for 24/7 menus which create an impression on passersby too
  • 7. Boost Sale up to 21-23%
  • said to have boost up sales by 21-23%
  • You can change menu items, prices, and promote specials without having to invest anything more to have your menus changed
  • 8. Promote and Upsell Your New Items
  • sell and promote your newly introduced items on the menu.
  • 13. Reduce Wait Time
  • Moreover a restaurant can use several other things like display fun facts or display promotional material to distract the waiting customers and get them less frustrated.
  • 14. Meet Health Care Regulations
  • display calorie counts next to each menu item.
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    Week 4 Article Summary 15 Benefits of Having Digital Menu Boards in Your Restaurant. This article discusses the positive ways in having a digital menus and explains the benefit it has on the restaurant. The focus of the restaurant should be more on the quality of food being served. Even though there are a lot of restaurant that give you an experience like no other but if the food is not top quality it will be hard to bring customers back. Having this type of digital menus could enhance the guest experience while helping the restaurant increase revenues. Here are ten of the top fifteen positives reasons of having a digital menu boards. 1) Digital menu displays will make communication easier. This starts form the customer directly to the kitchen. It will also allow the establishment to display videos and animations that will catch the eyes of the customers and could highlight specific menu items. 2) Saves time by easy updates on display. The software will allow the restaurant to update the menu very easy. You could add and take away dishes without having to print all new menus. It will also allow you 86 items that are sold out at any time during the shift. 3) Sound Investment of saving money. With the system allowing you to change menus, it will save money because you won't have to pay to print new menus every time you want revise it. 4) Digital displays create a more memorable experience. With having a digital screen, it will allow the customer to stay entertained by having a right mix of graphic videos and allowing them to keep them occupied during down times. 5) Better Visibility of menu. The display on the tablet will allow the guest to see a nice HD screen with colors that will make it easy to see and read. 6) 24/7 support. No matter what time of day, there will be support for mangers to trouble shoot any issues that might be happing at time. 7) Boost sales up to 21-23%. It has been said that having an emenu will increase revenues by allowing the establ
rrodr658

How Virtual Reality (VR) can Enrich the Hospitality Industry - 3 views

  • Through this, users can experience a virtual recreation of different aspects of travel, from the flight, to arrival, to some of the key sights.
  • These tours can be made available on hotel websites, allowing guests or potential guests to take a look at their hotel room, or other parts of the hotel, before they book or before they arrive.
  • allowing customers to look for flights, compare hotel prices and book rooms through a virtual reality headset.
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  • Within the hospitality industry, VR has become particularly important, because of the amount of information the average customer needs before they will actually book a hotel room. Rather than reading through descriptions, which may or may not be trustworthy, it offers customers the chance to experience things for themselves.
  • Virtual reality is a computer technology, which utilises images, sounds and physical sensations to make users feel as though they are physically present in a virtual world. Virtual reality technology typically makes use of VR headsets and this equipment enables users to look around and immerse themselves in a digital environment.
  • Virtual reality, or VR for short, is one of the biggest emerging technology trends and the business world is gradually coming to terms with the various opportunities it provides. For those in the hospitality industry, virtual reality has particular appeal, because it can digitally transport potential customers to a hotel or travel destination.
  • While many of the applications of modern virtual reality are entertainment-based, businesses are increasingly getting to grips with VR’s potential as a marketing tool, delivering important information to potential customers in a way they can actually experience, and stimulating multiple senses in the process.
  • allows customers to experience a virtual recreation of a room within a hotel, or take a look at one of the nearby attractions. Essentially, this allows the hotel industry to benefit from the type of ‘try before you buy’ marketing
  • Virtual reality hospitality strategies can help to improve the quality of experience provided at almost every stage of the customer journey. Yet, this can be taken to the next level by embracing the metaverse
  • allow customers to experience nearby attractions once they have arrived, adding to the hotel experience itself.
  • is one of the biggest emerging technology trends, and the business world is gradually coming to terms with the various opportunities it provides.
  • Virtual reality is a computer technology, which utilizes images, sounds, and physical sensations to make users feel as though they are physically present in a virtual world. Virtual reality technology typically uses VR headsets, enabling users to look around and immerse themselves in a digital environment.
    • rrodr658
       
      VR definition/explanation
  • allows customers to experience a virtual recreation of a room within a hotel, or take a look at one of the nearby attractions. Essentially, this allows the hotel industry to benefit from the type of ‘try before you buy’ marketing
    • rrodr658
       
      VR experiential marketing
  • Virtual Travel Experiences
    • rrodr658
       
      one of the main reasons how VR is being used in hospitality and tourism. VR travel experiences such as tours.
  • Trainees can improve their housekeeping skills in realistic virtual settings and gain valuable insights through interactions with lifelike avatars. VR allows trainees to learn from mistakes, even serious ones, without the anxiety of real-world effects.
    • rrodr658
       
      VR used as a training tool to help staff improve and refine their skills. It allows for virtual simulations to happen and practice possible outcomes.
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    Virtual Reality is enhancing the way travelers can decide if they want to book their hotels, by allowing them to take virtual tours of the hotel or experience local attractions via virtual trials, some of these examples include checking out local beaches, even simulated scuba diving. Some of these 36o videos are truly remarkable and I can see how this can encourage guests into booking their trips because it certainly makes me want to try all of these activities.
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    This article discusses the ways VR is utilized in the hospitality industry. It then goes to explain how potential clients can have virtual visits before actually booking.
  •  
    The article is providing examples for the technology of Virtual Reality (VR) and its ability to boost the hospitality Industry. VR has been used more as an entertainment tool but it is now progressively seen as an useful and important marketing tool, as it delivers life like experiences through stimulation of the senses.
  •  
    Virtual reality is a computer technology, which utilizes images, sounds, and physical sensations to make users feel as though they are physically present in a virtual world. For those in the hospitality industry, virtual reality has particular appeal because it can transport potential customers to a hotel or travel destination. The full potential of virtual reality within the hotel industry is only just being recognized.
  •  
    This article goes over how VR/AR is currently impacting the hospitality and tourism world. The main reasons for its big impact on the industry and how the technology is being applied. It mentions examples and touches a little bit on the metaverse topic. It also has a separate article that explains further on AR & AI in the hospitality industry.
Danelkis Serra

Proximity marketing: When worlds collide - Direct Marketing News - 0 views

  • rise of mobile technology
  • met with some trepidation
  • Proximity marketing merges the physical and digital domains by using mobile devices to reach consumers at the greatest point of influence, providing bargains for shoppers and increased sales and consumer insights for retailers
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  • send messages to user smartphones when they come within range of a store
  • consumer provides permission, a wireless message is transmitted, at no cost
  • as simple as a discount coupon or as elaborate as an interactive gam
  • Consumer privacy is completely protected
  • customized
  • reaching consumers in that venue
  • quickly change messaging
  • precious data on consumer buying habits
  • generate much higher returns than traditional ads
  • more affordable
  • consumers
  • receive offers
  • they've shown interest
  • cut through the clutte
  • targeted
  • point of sale
  • agile ad strategy
  •  
    Earlier his week I learned about Proximity Marketing and I am not certain if I like the idea.  According to this article written by Romanov, Proximity Marketing "combines the digital and physical worlds in a new way, offers many advantages to both consumers and retailers. It's an agile ad strategy that allows merchants to make changes on the fly to improve message effectiveness and reach sales targets on specific items. It provides amazing consumer insights." Sounds like a great concept; it uses mobile devices, which most people have, to send an alert once shoppers are within range advising that bargains are available.  The consumer then has the choice to accept (or not) the message, which could be a simple discount or even an interactive game.  The consumer's privacy is protected as it is at no cost to them.  This can potentially increase retailer sales, at a lower costs, and produces data on consumer buying habits.  Win-Win. The issue I have with this is the overall multitude of alerts received from various retails.  I am not concerned about privacy issues; it is more of an annoyance issue. 
  •  
    I actually like this idea because I shop aimlessly. When I'm in the radius of a sale I get excited!!. It makes it easy to choose which store I will go into. It will be great if you can turn the alert on and off. On days I'm not shopping I don't want the alerts to go off. That can be distracting and annoying.
Paulette Grant

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

  • 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.
  •  
    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.
Diya ZHAO

New mobile technology for hospitality sector - Business - Jamaica Gleaner - Saturday | ... - 0 views

  • Jamaican hotels will soon have an opportunity to upgrade their facilities' services with new technology, allowing visitors to access various hospitality options through applications on their mobile smart phones.
  • Movitas is the one we're featuring today, which is our partner that does the mobile applications that follow the guests; they download the app for their resort and then they use it on their own mobile device, wherever they are in the country.
  • It's available on BlackBerry, on Android devices, and on iOS, which is the Apple platform, so all platforms, any smart phone or tablet," Poirier informed.
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  • We're not just looking at the hotels, but all the businesses that support the hotels and guests as well, and Movitas and Avaya will be able to do that along with the 4G technology that we bring to the market, as well as the expertise we have in Avaya and being able to bring the hotels up to speed with their technology as well, because they are going to have to upgrade their technologies to be able to take all of this into account."
  •  
    This article talked about Jamaican hotels are going  to upgrade their facilities' service with new technology which allowing visitors to access various hospitality options throught applciations on their smart phone.  Nowadays a lot of hotels they public their products based on this technology. Local mobile service provider Digicel on collaboration with New jersey based telecommunications company Avaya and Pennsylvania based mobile technology company Movitas, revealed the new technology to hotel industry representative during a recent hospitality breakfast at the Haif Moon resort. it sounds really convenient , I mean based on several platforms like that for example Black Berry Android and on IOS any smart phone or tablet. it could be used widely not just for hotels also other business.
Allen Lok

The Value of Energy Efficiency to Your Guests and Your Bottom Line - 0 views

  • half of respondents said they would spend more money to stay at an eco-friendly accommodation. However, 60% of these same travelers said they rarely felt informed about whether hotels are actually eco-friendly.
  • With approximately 80% of hotel utility costs coming from electricity, natural gas, and steam consumption, implementing energy management strategies can directly impact your bottom line.
  • improving energy efficiency doesn’t necessarily require significant capital investments.
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  • As a first step, hoteliers should use Portfolio Manager, a free, web-based tool that allows you to measure and track your hotel’s energy consumption over time—all while controlling for changes in operating parameters and local weather.
  • achieve significant cost savings and recognition
  • ou can also promote your efforts to enhance your image and reputation to an increasingly environmentally conscious consumer base
  •  
    With so much emphasis this week on the negative environmental impact of computers, I found an article that points hoteliers in a direction on how being green can improve your bottom line. The idea is quite simple; you implement energy or resource saving methods, you pay less utilities. Customers recognize that you are being eco-friendly and are more loyal to your brand. Over time your revenue goes up, there are less expenses and thus impacting your net profits in a positive manner. Then you get to repeat the whole process with newer technology again with the increased profits. Sounds easy right...? So what things should you implement? One idea was Portfolio Manager web tool that tracks all of your hotels energy consumption all while taking in consideration of operational and local weather factors. This is one piece of the solution of on going concerns of environmental destruction taking place industry wide. If everyone contributed in some small way, hopefully we can see a large impact.
Karin Goodine

Hotel chains becoming more environmentally conscious - The New York Times - 0 views

  •  
    Hotels going green! Why not care about the environment? This article discusses the benefits as well as the common sense to go green in our industry hotels. Not only does going green help to save hotels money, it also helps to make a more environmentally sound universe.
Gyujin Chae

Why upgrade? HVAC and PTAC maintenance | Hotel Management - 0 views

  • We’ve definitely been more diligent in replacing the [climate controls] in our HVAC systems in order to be more efficient
  • Large, modern commercial HVACs can automatically throttle down its power output as a room becomes comfortable, which saves a large amount of money on unnecessary power costs that you avoid with proper controls
  • inefficient A/C makes guests angry and raises costs
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  • For smaller hotels that are unable to afford the large machinery of an HVAC, there is PTAC maintenance
  • Dawes has recommendations for hotels that are actively replacing obsolete PTACs: purchased machines that use transcendental wheel technology over fan blades, which work to reduce noise
  • With transcendental wheels you can lower the overall noise, which we are proponents of
  • There are state and local rebates available for upgrading to modern HVAC technology, and it is a good time to upgrade
  •  
    This article emphasizes the importance of HVAC for hotel properties. Hotels have to work diligently on replacing the climate controls in HVAC systems and to make sure HVAC systems work properly in order to be more efficient and provide hotel guests with comfortable environment, resulting in guests' overall satisfaction. Large and modern commercial HVACs can save a large amount of money on unnecessary power costs and constant maintenance with proper controls. However, there are many hotels that cannot afford the large machinery of an HVAC, so this article introduces PTAC, Packaged terminal air conditioner, which is a type of self-contained heating and air conditioning system, for small-sized hotel properties. Generally, PTAC generates negative sound and visual impact on a room. Randy Dawes, corporate director of facilities at Select Hotels, advices hotels with PTACs to use transcendental wheel technology over fan blades, which reduces noise. This article also urges hotels to upgrade or replace their old HVACs for state of the art HVACs now. Since there are state and local rebates available for upgrading to modern HVAC technology, it is a good time to do so.
dawn davis

Hacker Will Expose Potential Security Flaw In Four Million Hotel Room Keycard Locks - F... - 5 views

  • The next time you stay in a hotel room, run your fingers under the keycard lock outside your door. If you find a DC power port there, take note: With a few hacker tricks and a handful of cheap hardware, that tiny round hole might offer access to your room just as completely as your keycard
  • Using an open-source hardware gadget Brocious built for less than $50, he can insert a plug into that DC port and sometimes, albeit unreliably, open the lock in a matter of seconds. “I plug it in, power it up, and the lock opens,”
  • The ability to access the devices’ memory is just one of the two vulnerabilities Brocious says he found in Onity’s locks
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  • he company also uses a weak encryption scheme that allows him to derive the “site code”–a unique numerical key for every facility–from two cards encoded one after another for the same room
  •  
    A security researcher discovered that he could unlock certain electronic key card entry devices used at millions of hotels by inserting a plug into the small port in the bottom of the key card device and unlocking the door. When he inserts the plug and turns on his device it triggers the mechanism inside that key card device and opens the door in seconds. Granted when he tested this at a conference he was only able to open 1 of 3 doors but it was still enough to show the flaw in the system. It doesn't sound likely after reading the article that there is an easy or cost effective fix to this problem because so many hotels across the world use these devices supplied by Onity. I think the lesson here is to always be vigilant in securing your valuables in any hotel room. Any time new technology is installed there is going to be someone right behind trying to hack it or find the security breaches.
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    Dawn, I wrote about the follow-up article regarding this issue. I can not believe that it has taken Onity this long to correct the issue. I can't imagine why Marriott and other companies haven't address their guests regarding this concern. I understand the negative impact this could have to the business, however the companies should keep in mind safety.
  •  
    Nelson, I went back and read your article, very interesting to see the follow up but I am surprised that it has taken this long to come out. I wonder if this would have been more publicised if it would have put more pressure on Onnity to fix the problem without putting financial burden on the hotel owners? I am curious now to see if my own company has been effected by this issue.
  •  
    That is scary that you can think you are secure and anyone can hack the system and open your hotel room door. Now paranoid people that think they may be robbed by hotel staff, also have to think of outsiders, not even staying at the hotel. Anyone can enter hotels now a days and start opening doors like a lottery system, until they strike gold. The moral, be vigilant while on vacation, because there may also be someone eyeing your stuff. Also, if you have an in room safe use it.
laura kaczkowski

Why the Future of Online Hotel Marketing is Cloud-Based Utility Computing - 1 views

  • Technology advances incredibly fast, not least in an industry such as travel which has seen incredible levels of disruption across so many disciplines.
  • build a website, start a blog–but now we’re being told that a website is not enough!
  • Imagine no more: it’s called utility computing in-the-cloud and has been used by technology giants for years.
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  • Utility computing is a broad concept that encapsulates cloud computing and software as a service (SaaS).
  • “This time, it’s computing that’s turning into a utility. In the years ahead, more and more of the information-processing tasks that we rely on, at home and at work, will be handled by big data centers located out on the Internet.”
  • The concept of paying a subscription for a utility has gone online as well. Instead of setting up web servers in our home or office, we purchase a web hosting subscription. While interest in personal tax and finance consultants decreases, use of in-the-cloud-solutions like TurboTax and Mint continues to explode.
  • The current and future dominance of utility computing is evident, but even so, SaaS can be an intimidating concept for some hoteliers
  • By purchasing a utility, you own all benefits that come with it. You use it, consume it and master it – it is yours. Renting, on the other hand, demands a return.
  • When I rent a movie from Blockbuster, I have a limited selection (whatever fits in the store) and when I’m done with the video, I have to return it and rent it again to watch it again.
  • Netflix, I have open access to hundreds of thousands of videos that took billions to produce, which I can stream as much as I wan
  • When technology advances, SaaS companies pass those latest advances on to their client
  • Like Netflix, which delivers video content that took billions to produce, utility computing delivers web design built with an information architecture that took millions to produce.
  • This means that when you embrace SaaS, you gain million-dollar technology that never grows outdated instead of buying a static website built on thousand-dollar technology that can’t help but grow outdated.
  • My advice is to put in the tough work and choose a solution that delivers amazing results now and adapts to technology changes later, so you don’t have to go shopping again.
  •  
    The article I read was called, 'Why the Future of Online Hotel Marketing is Cloud-Based Utility Computing.' In the article, it says that technology is moving super fast these days and companies are trying everything they can to keep up, for example building websites and starting blogs, but they feel that it's not enough. Up until now companies could not manage all of their marketing efforts from one place but now they can and it's called utility computing in-the-cloud. "Utility computing is a broad concept that encapsulates cloud computing and software as a service (SaaS)."Some hotel owners feel intimidated because a website does not seem as permanent as owning something. One example that I really liked that they gave in the article was, "When I rent a movie from Blockbuster, I have a limited selection (whatever fits in the store) and when I'm done with the video, I have to return it and rent it again to watch it again." Compared this to Netflix, where you have access to hundreds of thousands of videos and you can watch them as many times as you want and for any long as you want for no additional cost. When you embrace SaaS, you gain million dollar technology that never grows outdated, compare this to a website that is only built on thousand-dollar technology and can get outdated, and it sounds like a great investment!
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