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This article is about a task force called Guestroom 20X and this team puts on a "conference" or sorts every year and it displays the newest and most innovative technology for the hospitality field. specializing in hotel guest rooms. This is such a great way to get people together and get people talking about the newest technology. sometimes technology is updated so fast that it is hard to keep up with the curve and the point of this meeting is so that everyone can be educated and also be ahead of the curve. These technologies that are exhibited are anywhere from next generation tv's to non traditional technologies like bathroom fixtures, and also user friendly tech like mobile applications for the rooms. This also includes green technology as well to help heal our environment! I think this is just an amazing idea and that everyone in the hotel business should attend and learn more about what technology has to offer.

1. IT The hot-button issue within the realm of hotel-information technology is mobile and cloud technology.A company could have tens of thousands of smartphones or laptops in the field at any given point-each a potential gateway to hackers and other criminals. To the problem the core principle is to provide end-to-end data protection with looking at cost and benefit and how it's supports the business. 2. Terrorism Ironically, one of the main reasons terrorism tops the list is because it has become less of an issue in recent years.Hoteliers need to keep their staffs and travelers mindful of possible threats, but they don't want to scare them. 3. Skimmers A related threat is that of "skimmers," or devices that catch credit card numbers when consumers use them for payment.The best prevention measure is to have an investigative team or third party on hand and making that known to employees. 4. Liability and insurance fraud These two related issues can double, triple, quadruple and quintuple corporate insurance premiums in the blink of an eye. The advisement is hoteliers to educate themselves on the issue, consulting with an attorney, if necessary. 5. Security as taboo "Security" still is something of a taboo in the global hotel industry.Hoteliers need to do a better job of "turning on the light" by talking about security openly and regularly at staff and association meetings, and hotel executives should insist their GMs make security a priority

1. ITAccording to the article, most mobile devices that are used for business are unprotected. Meaning that the devices if the device even have a password and if it does the password is not very complex. There could be thousands of employees accessing company information via the cloud through unprotected smart phones or other mobile devices. This could organizations at risk to hackers and other criminals  2.  TerrorismAlthough terrorist threats are less of a concern nowadays, that does not mean hotel managers should discontinue stressing the importance of security within their establishments. Keeping employees aware and diligent can prove to be a delicate assignment but it is a necessary of part of maintaining a safe work environment in the twenty-first century. 3.  SkimmersSkimmers are devices that steal credit card numbers when consumers use them for payment. Unfortunately, it is most commonly an employee on the inside who is committing the crime.  A third party investigation team will be needed to prove who is stealing from the establishment.  4. Liability and Insurance FraudCombined, these two issues could sky rocket a company's insurance costs through the roof. It is crucial that hoteliers be aware of the legal system and educates themselves on issues concerning liability. Both patrons and employees alike could potentially file claims against an establishment and entitlements can quickly get out of hand.    5.  SecurityDespite the best security measures, there is always the possibility of unforeseen danger. This fear of the unknown is a concern for hotel workers. To confront this fear of the unknown managers must regularly and openly discuss security with employees.  Security should be held as a top priority. 

This article discusses five main concerns brought on by the current state of hotel security. I must say that some of this information surprised me. Something that especially surprised me was learning that mobile devices that are used for business hardly use passwords. The article states, "Amplifying the problem is the sheer number of devices, he added. A company could have tens of thousands of smartphones or laptops in the field at any given point-each a potential gateway to hackers and other criminals." This piece of information is very unsettling to me. How could such valuable information not be protected? The article suggests the solution to this problem is PCI DSS. Terrorism as number two on this list also surprised me because that is not something that would first come to mind for me. The article states that it is ironically on the list for becoming less of an issue. I suppose this reminds hoteliers to never let their guard down when it comes to issues of safety and security within the hotel. However, "skimmers" and liability on this list does not really surprise me. The article suggests that hoteliers be educated about these issues to protect the hotel against them.

Hilton Americas-Houston has implemented a surveillance system with cutting edge technology from 3Vr Security to provide guests with the best in hotel security and customer service. With 3VR it would be possible to find surveillance footage in couple of seconds. Alan Moore, director of security and life safety for Hilton Americas-Houston claims "I've never seen anything that is able to do the things this technology does; it's light-years ahead of the system we previously used." This new technology will give the hotel a competitive advantage by increasing customer service. For example when it comes to lost and found if a bag was misplaced it can be found very quickly by searching based on color and item. The system recognizes faces that are not guests. Among other uses of the system are counting arriving vehicles, monitoring all accidents including vehicle accidents in the garage that can be useful information for a guest when it comes to insurance purposes.

Shift4 develops payment technology for various types of business. The hotel I work in uses it to process gift cards. This article describes the company's newest endeavor with emerging technologies, in this case Google Wallet. Companies using Shift4 will now have the functionality of letting customers use Google Wallet, paying for a purchase by tapping or swiping your cell phone on a special screen, in a seamless integration with their current POS. Google Wallet or the iPhone Square Card Reader are technologies that businesses need to take into consideration when developing or enhancing their POS. Shift4 seems to be the front runner in offering this add-on. I imagine other payment developers will follow suit.

Google is trying to grow their business market share not only by being a search engine, but exploring other markets. I read that they had partner with Motorola to make phones and their newest invention soon to come, the smart phone glasses. In this article we see them becoming an online review site for hotels and airlines competing with companies like TripAdvisor, which relies a lot on people that "google" them.

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!

This article discusses how new demand of customers within the hospitality industry is driving current point of sale systems such as micros to re-term their systems to focus more on customers. It includes several factors that are potentially driving POS systems to be revolutionized. The possibility of POS systems becoming more "from the palm of your hand" is growing each day as more POS systems are converging with wireless devices. As other outside factors influence hoteliers to emerge and update their POS systems, the development and progress of having the most profitable POS systems requires close examination of what works best for each company. One example the article touched on was the change from regular cashier systems to IPad based interactive systems and interactive kiosks. In addition, the enhancements of POS systems overall seem to be increasing F&B profit-a section of the financial statement that was historically less profitable. As with all technology, It is best to refrain from making a large capital investment into emerging systems, starting slow and monitoring how the bottom line is increasing and specific areas such as Room revenue or F&B revenue is the ideal choice.

Excellent Article! POS systems are becoming more user friendly than before. The systems allow companies to track revenue and inventory at the same time. The Walt Disney World Resort tested a POS system that allowed hotel guests to simply flash their room key and the charges would go directly into the POS system then PMS. Hotels have added POS systems to spas, recreation locations and retail stores...(http://www.restaurant.org/nra_news_blog/2012/04/pos-systems-must-accommodate-new-secure-payment-technology.cfm).

Theodore your article proves a great point on the benefits of POS technology. Having a POS system adds more value that will cover its initial cost. Handles greater product volumes. Makes complex business logic possible. Provides more management possibilities of your daily operations such as sales tracking, refunds, time clocks, menus, pricing, revenue maximization, etc.Provides advanced functionalities such as reservation and table management for restaurants, hotels, bars, and any business in the food service industry. Realizes enhanced savings with greater efficiency. Delivers better workflow for staff. Improves customer service and increases customer through-put. Easily manage large numbers of customers and groups. Allows restaurant businesses to combine multiple services into a single invoice (hotel room, meals, events, services). Graphical management of store assets such as table, rooms, bar, etc. Delivers superior reporting and analysis features. Streamlines inventory management. Back Office integration. The purpose of POS system is to accommodate your employees and your customers. If you have happy employees this results in customers having a smile. You have to spend money (POS SYSTEM) in order to make money.

Internet marketing is an essential part of the overall marketing portfolio of hotels. These top ten ecommerce promotion ideas, channels, and strategies can drive maximum Return on Investment. 1. Search friendly website design has new meaning - fast and integrated. Hoteliers should consider which channels their target customers are utilizing, and develop integrated promotion plans across all channels. 2. Hoteliers should focus on improve conversion and usability when they provide an increasing volume of information. 3. Search is becoming more local in nature. 4. Expand paid search beyond traditional channel. 5. Real time search - Natural Ranking (SEO) becomes more real, local and social. 6. Image and Video search is an effective way to capitalize on different search traffic. 7. Mobile search continues to be local in nature. 8. Embracing social media - it's here to stay! 9. Hyperlocal is really an extension of your local social search marketing. 10. Utilizing Blogs to connect and promote time sensitive information.

This article talks about the changes happening in the restaurant and retail industry regarding POS systems. Since the appearance of the cheap tablet business owners have been asking why do we have to spend $600 on a POS station if a simple tablet cost $100 and has the same computing power. Imagine a restaurant where you come in sit down and order your food and drinks on a tablet that is on the table, a food runner brings you your order, and whenever you are ready you can swipe your credit card on the tablet and get a receipt send to your email. This reduces payroll for the business owner, and also makes the industry a less capital intensive one. All that is left is for a company to write the programs, sell the tablets, and give the same kind of support you would get with any other system.  

The demands from guest on updated technology in the hotels are higher than ever before. In order for hotels to keep up with those demands, the hoteliers have to think ahead. The speed (bandwidth) of the internet is very important for the guest. The hotels that provide the guest with the best technology will stay on top. Today, hotels can increase its bandwidth at a very reasonable price without busting its company budget. The answer to that is cloud competing and bandwidth management. Bandwidth management allows the hotels to give guest different type of internet speed. Which is very smart, business guest the hotels can be offered a faster speed than a non business guest, and the brilliant part of this systems is that everyone is on the same network/server.

This article analyzed way the Cloud Computing suitable for the hospitality industry, by showing three advantages it provides, such as delivering faster, reducing capital budgets, and minimizing operational costs. It's really an innovative technology. What's more, the article provides some suggestions which need to be taken into consideration for the industry professionals. 1. Is the cloud reliable and secure? 2. Does the cloud simplify integration? 3. Are all new technology providers truly in the cloud? In a conclusion, hospitality organizations can easily gain more competitive advantages with the benefits of cloud computing.

Is the cloud right for your business? It is true. Cloud computing is becoming the new computer network strategy for most small businesses and personal use. This innovated idea for cloud is changing the perception for the hospitality network solutions. Despite the fact, that is much faster, less expensive than local network, minimizes the operational cost related to apps, soft-wares, maintenance for new updates and support, cloud computing environment tends to be more reliable and secured for most starting up businesses. The Cloud is the right technology strategy for 2012 and beyond. In addition, businesses using this new network solution can obtain the return on investments within weeks, not months or years. The platform may be based on a monthly fee subscription or pay as you go type, and sometimes there isn't any up-front fee for new starters at all. Sure enough, the cloud is a compelling option for capital budget decisions.

According to the article, Cloud computing is changing hospitality information technology. Here are three main reasons highlighted in the article: 1. Fast return on investment. Cloud is inexpensive, no additional platforms needed, which also provides savings. 2. No upfront payment, cloud computing is based on subscription prices that vary depending on the scale. 3. Minimal operational costs Thus most of the benefits relate to cost and productivity. Cloud is promised to be safer that on-premises back-up systems, and has multiple layers of security. Cloud computing consists of multiple services and networks, and is not stored on one company's network. Cloud is instrumental for a limited budget, and helps to extend and evolve your company in affordable way.

Firstly, Guest Centric PMS Focus. Guests are the reason why hotels are in this business and also the resource of the hotels' revenue. Guests prefer to get experience and personalized attention from the hotels. Secondly, Integrated Revenue Management. A property must have a PMS with an effective and integrated revenue management system, which include the potential daily revenue. The revenue management module and a great deal of data must be fully integrated. Thirdly, the Ability to Connect to Online Sales Channels. There is a PMS drive sales through two-way communication with a wide variety of Internet channels. This article points out online channels are the fastest growing source of reservations, and getting your property's optimized rates and accurate available to the most effective of those channels.

This article explains the top three features to look at when in the process of picking out a PMS to use at a property. The first feature is that it should be guest centric PMS focus. This industry is run by guests. They are the reason hotels and restaurants exist. Having an easy to use CRM allows to employees be a bit more personal with the guest. Next, is integrated revenue management.Revenue management to be at the top of its game needs a fast system. When updating information if it takes too long it gets frustrating and can lose some opportunities to increase your daily revenue. Lastly, it should have the ability to connect to online sales channels. The article says that having a two way communication system is a crucial point to maximizing your company's point of sales.

This article discusses about 3 main features you should consider when you chose a PMS. First and most important feature is that whether it is guest centric or not. The hospitality business is all about guest, they are the source of your profits. So it is very important that your PMS has easy access to customer database or CRM system database. The second thing you should consider is Integrated Revenue Management. Hospitality market changes rapidly due to all not sure factors: holidays, events, festivals. So if you can forecast the changes of market rate and you update your rate in time, you are ahead of the game. Last, a excellent PMS should also has the ability to connect to Online Sales Channels. As the Internet is developed, lots of people make on-line reservations. Because the most accurate and updated information, your PMS should connect to on-line sales channels.

This is a very interesting article about the hotel room control systems, which are expected to be more of a mainstream feature with the 2-wire bus push button modules. these units can be installed in any hotel build or refurbishment, and suitable for standardized rooms and also boutique hotel settings. such kind of modules are often found in luxury hotels than sub-five star hotels. also due to the expense and complexity of the system. But with this 2-wire bus push button, hotels can offer their customers centralized switching/dimming of lights, curtain/blind controls and do not disturb indicators in a single wall mount unit, without the cost or disruption of installing a full control system. This will allow middle market hotel operators to deliver that wow factor to their customers in a simpler and a cost effective way. they are also available in range of designs to complement the hotel rooms interiors. and even multiple units can be installed in one room, for example near the bed, near the door with the same assigned controls.

I-pad POS system may become a future trend of the hospitality industry.

Cloud based accounting for the hospitality induatry can save more money and spaces. The financial data can be stored in a sfae place.It can reduce the deliver cost. Also it's more accurate. Some night auditor may don't have stay all night to figure the data and figures.

This article looks at the growing trend of the cloud system. You hear the opinions from a few different companies in varying industries on the trending system and how they are implementing the cloud system. Some of these companies are slowly moving towards a total cloud infrastructure, but none of them are fully there quite yet.

Briefing discusses issues faced in convergence and trend toward migration to cloud based PMS / RMS. It also discusses the effect convergence will have on the way information is gathered (data acquisition and mining) and aspects of RMS such as  and average daily rate (ADR) and occupancy.

This new technology is very interesting to see for many travelers. When you arrive at a hotel in the late night, the least thing you want to do is standing in line to wait for check in. Or when there is a flight to catch, you don't want to wait in line to check out either. With this phone/ mobilized app, it's possible to do all the front desk work by yourself, save time and energy, and be more controllable of your own free time. 

I find this very exciting for the Hospitality industry as both Oracle and Micros have been groundbreaking and their joint venture will bring new innovations for Hotels, Food and Beverage outlets, retailers, etc. I especially found interesting how they plan to use Oracles data-analysis technology and all the information which already exists in Micros POS systems. As we talk about personalizing experiences and being able to use data already collected to the companies advantage, it looks like Oracle is one step ahead with this acquisition and looks to specifically tap into it.

This sounds like a great match. With Micros' expertise in the industry and Oracle's expertise in big data, it looks like a win, win for both companies and the industry as a whole. Could this create a monopoly and force prices up for the industry? Maybe. It could also be the beginning of more modular systems across the industry.