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jbrit055

Cloud Computing: Explained for the Hotel Industry - 7 views

  • if you want a more efficient, streamlined back office and happier guests, then “the cloud” can help you meet your goals
  • cloud-based applications are usually a lot cheaper than traditional systems.
  • cloud computing is when you use programs, store files, or access data via the internet rather than on your hard drive.
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  • When an application is “cloud based” it means that it lives on third party servers.
  • Avoids costly and painful installations
  • Eliminates negative depreciation (in fact, the software gets better with age, since updates can be made at any time) 
  • Pushes software companies to consistently earn customer loyalty with innovation and great service
  • No discussion of cloud computing in the hotel industry would be complete without mentioning Cloudbeds, the first property management system startup in years to serve 1 million beds with its software.
  • Hotels that use Cloudbeds log into it directly in a web browser like Internet Explorer or Chrome. This is a big advantage for hotels because you can access the application on any device.
  • When a system is cloud-based, it can innovate faster because changes can take effect immediately.
  • Implementing cloud-based software can make your operations more efficient, save time for your employees, and create more positive guest experiences.
  • Another reason for Cloudbeds’ rapid growth is that their software can easily integrate with other tools. Cloudbeds has an extensive marketplace of integration partners, including Whistle, TrustYou, and Oaky, that it can connect to via an API. Because everything is located in the cloud, a hotel doesn’t need to download any programs or plug-ins to add a new integration. These add-ons can offer upgrades and analyze reviews, among other things, so you can improve guest service and even earn incremental revenue.
  • if you want a more efficient, streamlined back office and happier guests, then “the cloud” can help you meet your goals
  • if you want a more efficient, streamlined back office and happier guests, then “the cloud” can help you meet your goals
  • Implementing cloud-based software can make your operations more efficient, save time for your employees, and create more positive guest experiences.
  • “The cloud” wasn’t created overnight; instead, decades of technological evolution led to cloud computing.
  • Requires minimal upfront investment
  • a cloud based hotel software company like Cloudbeds might choose to rent space with a company like Rackspace to host their application (and yours) or alternatively they might use a service like AWS. 
  • One of the biggest misconceptions about cloud computing is that files and applications don’t live on physical storage servers.
  • AWS tends to be more scalable for fast growing applications but as end users your guests won’t notice the difference so it’s really a matter of preference.
  • If you’ve ever edited a Google Doc or uploaded files to Dropbox, then you’ve leveraged cloud computing.
  • If you use Microsoft Office, you might create a PowerPoint on your laptop (local storage), but when you save the file, it gets uploaded to your Microsoft OneDrive, which is housed in the cloud.
  • Benefits of Cloud Computing
  • lower switching costs for buyer
  • you can sign on securely via any web browser - even if you’re off-site.
  • t the same time, users can submit feedback to Cloudbeds about any bugs or glitches, which the Cloudbeds team can resolve quickly.
  • you may even save some money in your IT budget
  • your hotel can implement a new system seamlessly
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    Cloud computing offers a more efficient way for hotels to keep up with data and programs for their company. When a hotel uses cloud computing, they are able to create more of a positive experience for their guests. It also is extremely helpful to use a cloud-based system because hotels could access their cloud-based application on any device. Cloud-based software also gets better with age because the updates can be made at any time so this will get rid of negative depreciation.
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    cloud computing is when you use programs, store files, or access data via the internet rather than on your hard drive One of the biggest misconceptions about cloud computing is that files and applications don't live on physical storage servers. When an application is "cloud based" it means that it lives on third party servers. Cloud computing provides several advantages over traditional computing: Avoids costly and painful installations Requires minimal upfront investment Allows software companies to focus resources on R&D/innovation Eliminates negative depreciation (in fact, the software gets better with age, since updates can be made at any time) Offers the ability to cancel at any time (plus has lower switching costs for buyers) Pushes software companies to consistently earn customer loyalty with innovation and great service integrate with other tools...These add-ons can offer upgrades and analyze reviews,PIE revenue management tool, a channel manager, a booking engine, and more operations more efficient, save time for your employees, and create more positive guest experiences
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    This article explains what cloud computing is, the evolution behind the technology, and how the hotel industry uses cloud computing. Cloud computing can benefit hotels because they can use any device to log into cloudbeds on web browsers.This type of technology can make everyday operations more efficient, save employee time, and create an overall positive guest experience.
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    This article explains what we've learned of Cloud Computing. The evolution to its upcoming may have taken a while but now it is here to stay. The use of Cloudbeds in the hotel industry has made operations more efficient, save time and money on employees and improves guest experiences. Cloudbeds has expanded its property management system to include: PIE revenue management tool, a channel manager, and more. The use of Cloudbeds is accessible through any web browser, this makes it efficient if you were working at home. Cloud computing is the next innovation we will see more of in the hospitality industry.
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    This article introduces you to cloud computing and its evolution. It also explains how the hotel industry can benefit from using cloud services. "Implementing cloud-based software can make your operations more efficient, save time for your employees, and create more positive guest experiences." Through the use of CloudBeds, a hotel employee can sign on and use property management software securely from any web browser.
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    This article talks about the use and benefits of cloud based software for the hotel industry. It gives a simple explanation of how the cloud works. The major point that I found interesting is the usage of this software and how it is easier for hotels to stay up to date because any update in the system happens in real life at the moment without having to update individually every terminal
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    The article discusses the hotel industry's adoption of cloud computing. By using cloud computing, you can use programs, upload files, and access data over the internet instead of storing them locally. Cloud computing and local storage are used together in some applications. In addition to hardware, software, training, and maintenance, IBM offered an extensive range of services. Due to Cloudbeds' ability to integrate with other tools, they have experienced rapid growth. Integrations can offer upgrades and analyze reviews, among other things, so you can provide better service and increase revenue. By implementing cloud-based software, hotels can stay ahead of the competition, save time for employees, and give their guests a better experience.
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    This article describes what cloud computing is, and what it isn't, so people understand how it can be seen in the industry. The storing of data on the internet has been a huge innovation as it expanded storage beyond the typical storage offered on a device. By switching to this new technology, businesses may minimize future investments as the technology tends to work for many years and only requires quick updates. By researching what your business and customers need, you can make the right choices on whether this investment is worth it or not for your property.
Yi Sun

Back-of-house communication is key | Hotel Management - 0 views

  • MTech tracks service orders and guest profiles for hoteliers via the Internet with its HotSOS software platform. HotSOS interfaces with the property-management system and keeps important guest information, such as any issues experienced during a previous stay, at the push of a button. If a staff member is walking the property and sees an issue, he can relay a message from a handheld device to a back-of-the-house employee who can alert the appropriate department and immediately get a resolution in the works.
  • “Guest requests are reported and the system figures out who should cover it,” said Luis Segredo, president and CEO of MTech.
  • MTech recently introduced REX (Room Expeditor), specifically designed for the housekeeping department. REX allows room attendants to track room status and assign cleaning duties via an iPod Touch handheld device. REX uses information in the PMS to notify room attendants when rooms need cleaning and helps them track issues.
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  • Because a wireless network can support many applications, hoteliers are finding that adding services can be fairly inexpensive
  • Cameras can communicate wirelessly and video can be cached off site.
  • VoWiFi: Voiceover Wi-Fi is one way a mobile handset can be integrated into a voice-over-Internet-protocol network.Development kit: A software development kit typically is a set of development tools that allows a software engineer to create applications for a certain software package, hardware platform, computer system, video game console, operating system or similar platform.Browser-based: An application that is accessed via Web browser over a network such as the Internet or an intranet. Also a software application that is coded in a browser-supported language.Two-way: A radio that can both transmit and receive, unlike a broadcast receiver, which only receives content.RF: Radio frequency is a frequency or rate of oscillation, which corresponds to the frequency of alternating current electrical signals used to produce and detect radio waves.LAN: A local-area network is a computer network covering a small geographic area, such as a home, office or group of buildings, that consists of high data-transfer rates, a small geographic range and lack of a need for telecommunication lines.Mesh: Mesh networking is a way to route data, voice and instructions between nodes. It allows for continuous connections and reconfiguration around broken or blocked paths by “hopping” from node to node until the destination is reached.
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    It says the sooner the service is provided to the guests, the guests will more satisfied with the hotel. The telecommunication can help to reach the goal, for example, the system will determine which room need to be cleaned or not, the security camera also is a telecommunication system.
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    From my point of view, Mtech tracked service can really help the managers to save the cost on the management fees.
Yichuan Hao

MICROS Systems, Inc. - Press Release - 0 views

  • Fired Up, Inc. recently made the strategic decision to drop its multi-vendor approach to kitchen display technology and implement a fully integrated solution provided from MICROS.  The restaurant chain has begun the process with the implementation of MICROS’s KDS, a highly visible and graphically rich display that is seamlessly integrated with MICROS RES.  MICROS KDS is mounted in the kitchen or food preparation area to display and time food orders, improving order accuracy and speed of service. 
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    Mircos is a kind of technology that widely used by restaurants. But, usually for the front of house, now, this system could be implemeted in the back of house. MICROS KDS is mounted in the kitchen or food preparation area to display and time food orders, improving order accuracy and speed of service.
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    Seem slike a good fit for them in terms of the fully integrated approach. Less maintenance also would be required from having to service numerous systems when you can just have one that does it all.
anonymous

Our E-Waste Problem Is Ridiculous, and Gadget Makers Aren't Helping | WIRED - 1 views

  • Oh sure, many companies have green initiatives. Apple in particular has made notable, documented efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, powering a majority of its retail stores and data centers with renewable energy, developing more efficient packaging design, and designing products that use less power than their predecessors. But if your products are going to be tossed out in a year, none of that is particularly brag-worthy. That’s a tremendous amount of wasted resources.
  • In the past, computers were designed to be relatively easy to disassemble, like HP’s towers and older versions of the Mac Mini. You could swap out dead parts and batteries, add more memory if it got sluggish, even replace a motherboard. But in the mid-2000s, things started to change. Apple introduced the ultra-thin, ultra-light MacBook Air and the industry enthusiastically followed with heaping helpings of devices that, while slim, were very difficult to repair due to the construction compromises required to achieve that svelte profile. Smartphones and tablets followed with an even faster purchasing and chucking cycle.
  • Therefore, the easier it is to disassemble something, the more likely it is to be worth someone’s time to recycle it. And that’s where issues arise
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  • “The big problem the electronics industry is facing as a whole is products are getting lighter and lighter,” iFixit’s Kyle Wiens said. “This is great for consumers but a nightmare for recyclers.” Smaller, lighter products can be tricky to take apart, and yield a lower volume of raw materials.
  • Glue and adhesives are a common hurdle. Products like the iPad and Microsoft Surface achieve a slim form factor by using “a metric duckload of adhesive,” as Wiens once put it, particularly to keep the battery in place. All that glue must be removed before any recyclable material can be melted down. And battery recycling is risky endeavorin the best of circumstances—under the right conditions, a damaged battery can cause a fiery explosion. Tack onto that the need to painstakingly pry a battery from its glue-smeared lodging and you’ve got a delicate task indeed. For items with a lot of glue, like a tablet display, Sims Recycling Solutions heats the glue, then uses suction cups to apply pressure across the glass so it can be removed without cracking. Other things that can make a product more challenging to recycle include the number of screws (particularly non-standard screws), the inclusion of hazardous materials like mercury (which is declining, due to the rising popularity of LEDs instead of bulbs), large amounts of glass, and plastics. Waterproof and tightly sealed products also are more arduous to deal with.
  • As we rush headlong into a world in which we’re disposing of more and more gadgets each year, making them easily recyclable should be a growing priority of device makers. Just as display size, processor speed and energy efficiency are marketing points, so too should recyclability.
  • David Thompson, Panasonic’s head of environmental affairs, says the standardization of screws and plastic resin materials, not thermally setting screws in plastic, and minimizing the use of glue will boost recycling efforts, as will designing products for easier disassembly. Would consumers really decry, or even notice, these changes? Probably not. But such changes could require concessions to slim dimensions and light weight. And for manufacturers, increased standardization may mean fewer distinctions between competing products. Take a plastic smartphone housing: Currently there are hundreds of variations (soft touch, textures, and metallic colors, to name a few). Standardization could limit that very marketable variety. Even so, some products are embracing such ideals. Dell won The Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries 2014 Design for Recycling award for the Latitude 10 and XPS 10 tablets and Latitude E7240 notebook. Aside making its products cheap and easy to recycle, Dell has used nearly 8 million pounds of recycled plastic in its desktop and display production. And it is not alone.
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    I found an interesting article about how the big computer companies can recycle the computers. This can solve some of the main problem about the recycling. The article is referring to idea that computers may become bigger size but easier to recycle. In other words we might wanna make a step back in the past, when we was able to just replace one detail from the computer instead of throwing it away.
Alyssa Westmeyer

Hotel technology trends that are changing how hotels do business - 1 views

  • Choice created the software in 2003 as an inexpensive solution for franchisees of its economy brands.
  • 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.
  • “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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  • pects of a franchisee’s business, from guest check-ins and housekeeping services to billing and finances. Over time new features have been rolled into the software platform making it more robust and useful for hotel owners—it’s currently distributed in eight countries and available in four languages. And while plenty of cloud-based PMS packages are now available from third-party vendors like Micros, Maestro, and RoomKey, Choice’s internal solution has garnered its fair share of attention. “We had been getting knocks on the door from IT vendors at other hotel companies and individual Choice franchisees that own other brands, saying they were interested in our product,” says Pacious, “So we set up a new division so we could take a look at other opportunities we could develop.” This led the company to launch SkyTouch last year, a new division that develops and markets cloud-based software solutions to hotels inside and outside the Choice system. Pages: 1 2 3 4 2013-06-18 Sean Downey !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })(); (function() { var li = document.createElement('script'); li.type = 'text/javascript'; li.async = true; li.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https:' : 'http:') + '//platform.stumbleupon.com/1/widgets.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(li, s); })(); inShare0 Related Articles attachment-3
  • Switching to the cloud from a client server platform pays off with a big drop in both the initial capital outlay and the ongoing operating costs for the property management and other systems.
  • his led the company to launch SkyTouch last year, a new division that develops and markets cloud-based software solutions to hotels inside and outside the Choice system. Pages: 1 2 3 4 2013-06-18 Sean Downey !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })(); (function() { var li = document.createElement('script'); li.type = 'text/javascript'; li.async = true; li.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https:' : 'http:') + '//platform.stumbleupon.com/1/widgets.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(li, s); })(); inShare0 Related Articles Hotel Market Insight: Cleveland a
  • This led the company to launch SkyTouch last year, a new division that develops and markets cloud-based software solutions to hotels inside and outside the Choice system.
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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.
asanc036

7 restaurant technology trends to watch in 2022 - 2 views

  • Many restaurants have turned to tech in the last couple of years, even if reluctantly, to adapt to a new reality.
  • 1. Online ordering systems and delivery apps
  • he food delivery market is now worth more than $150 billion globally, which has more than tripled since 2017 largely attributed to the pandemic, according to statistics from McKinsey.
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  • 2. Contactless payment
  • It’s estimated that contactless payments will triple from $2 trillion to $6 trillion worldwide by 2024, and having such options are reportedly extremely important for 34% of customers.
  • 3. Online table reservation system
  • initiative Experiences
  • OpenTable is offering
  • unique culinary events and dining experiences
  • Ramen Nights in celebrity chef Hugh Acheson’s dining room, a ‘side-dish’ of line dancing lessons or a fixed-price tasting menu,
  • 4. Digital kitchen ‘boards’
  • Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) are a digital menu board for kitchen staff
  • Directly linked to the restaurant’s point-of-sale (POS) system, the screen displays orders automatically according to priority and flagging any special dietary requests.
  • racking meal delivery times and monitoring inventory to signal when a product is out of stock,
  • 5. Automated inventory management software
  • tracking food and beverage stocks, anticipating quantities and even scheduling reorders
  • implementation of such software
  • reduce food wastage, which is reportedly costing the hospitality industry $100 billion annually.
  • (AI) technology, companies like Kitro
  • cut food waste and costs
  • platforms like Too Good to Go also save restaurants from wasting their food surplus
  • 6. QR codes
  • QR codes
  • allows customers to access online menus, order and pay – without contact –
  • 7. Air purification technology
  • bipolar ionization
  • purifies the air and surfaces in indoor spaces by neutralizing contaminants
  • systems which make use of ultraviolet light
  • f both air and surface sanitization
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    "Technology and innovation are what have helped, even saved, restaurants as they transform how they operate to not just survive, but thrive, in this new connected and contactless era" "Third-party food delivery apps like UberEats, Foodpanda, or Door Dash will continue to be an important solution for those not able to offer in-house ordering and delivery services" "Contactless technology is going mainstream, and it's not just about placing an order online, but also about paying with a smartphone, smartwatch or smartcard via an app or touchless device" "technology-enabled reservation systems, restaurants can manage seating, waitlists, customer loyalty and dining preferences as well as collect vital client data be it for contact tracing or market insights" "Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) are a digital menu board for kitchen staff helping restaurants streamline back-of-house operations" "companies like Winnow are helping restaurant owners and managers cut food waste and costs and run their businesses more efficiently and sustainably" "auto-scanning barcodes with smartphone cameras on posters, tables, coasters, doors or websites allows customers to access online menus, order and pay - without contact" "air purification technologies to promote 'clean air'" https://diigo.com/0lmspn
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    Some of these technologies such as food delivery services, and conctactless payments I have grown used to as a consumer. However, technology like KDS to improve the back of house operations or air purification technologies are more behind the scenes type of technologies that I have not given much thought so I found this article interesting.
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    Many restaurants are adapting to a new reality. Some of the digital trends to watch in 2022 are as follows: 1. Online ordering systems and delivery apps - Food delivery market worth more than $150 billion globally. 2. Contactless payment estimated to triple from $2 trillion to $6 trillion by 2024. 3. Online table reservation system such as Open table Experiences initiative offering unique culinary events and dinner experiences. 4. Digital kitchen boards such as KDS, a digital menu board for kitchen staff linked to the restaurant's POI which displays orders automatically and efficiently. 5. Automated inventory management software tracking food and beverage stocks, anticipating quantities and scheduling reorders. 6. QR codes that allow customers to access menus online, order and pay. 7. Air purification technology like bipolar ionization and ultraviolet light.
Melisah Miller

Hotel Security: Locking Systems | Hotel Industry Magazine - 0 views

  • Historically, hotel users travelled with less high value transportable goods. However, in today’s world this is no longer the case. Most clients now travel with laptops, mobile phones, iPads and so on. This obviously appeals to the less law abiding members of society and today’s conscientious hoteliers are addressing this threat with increased traceability and security.
  • Mechanical keys are no longer an acceptable security measure in the Hotel sphere. They are easily lost and readily duplicated. A lost Key will necessitate the changing of the entire Lock at the guest room if security is to be maintained. Modern RFiD card systems negate the need for concern in this area, a lost card can simply be deactivated and rendered useless to a potential intruder, when combined with the audit trail of events at the lock this inspires guest confidence.
  • RFiD locking systems are becoming the technology of choice in today’s market. As there is no physical contact between the card and the lock there is no need for open channels for card insertion or interference from external sources. The cards themselves have no magnetic strip or microchip on the surface of the card and the limited information on the card is securely encrypted (No personal information is contained on the card at all).
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  • Today’s biometric locks are reliable, cost effective and aesthetically pleasing. I think it is only a question of time before we see the emergence of cost effective systems based at reception that will read the clients print and update the room lock remotely.
  • Security requirements in hotels will inevitably become more of a deciding factor for consumers when booking rooms. As consumers become more aware of the technology hoteliers with a blasé attitude to security will inevitably see their occupancy rates suffer.
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    Nowadays, people are traveling with more valuables than they used to years ago. As a result, "hotel security measures are now paramount for hoteliers, and selecting the right type of locking system for the property can be a minefield for owners". Mechanical keys and poorly maintained electronic door locks do not offer guests a sense of security. Modern RFiD card systems are becoming the popular technological choice for hoteliers. Biometric locks, which read a fingerprint or face, are reliable and cost-effective, as well. However, they are more of an ideal security solution for offices, back-of-house, or wine stores. Not only are the RFID locks harder to hack, they are cost-effective as well. The lack of physical contact between the card and the lock makes open channels for card insertion unnecessary. The cards do not have a magnetic strip or contain microchips. The card itself only has encrypted non-personal information associated with it. In addition, since there is no contact between the card and lock, "there is no requirement for read head cleaning or replacement of read heads due to wear". As a result, the amount of faulty cards is minimized and guest satisfaction increases.
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    As this article mentioned, more and more people pay attention on the issue of hotel security because of the development of modern technology. People began to worry about their safety. For the locking system, we use RFID card systems to ensure the safety. Even though it is lost, we can deactivate it at soon. It also reduce the burden of employees in Front Desk. At the same time, we should observe surrounding environment and learn to protect ourselves. In my opinion, the updating of this locking system is a very good idea to save cost and more efficiently.
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    This article answers questions that summarize the change in hotel security. The article explains why hotels have taken a new route in locks for the guests, stating that the needs of a secure stay has grown with the changes in the value of goods that each customer brings.  The article concludes with a brief description of how hotel security will evolve over the next 5-10 years.  overall i think this is a good article that explains some of the questions that many people have.
marilyn diaz

Thieves Won't Wait. Neither Should You. | hospitalityupgrade.com - 3 views

  • data is under attack
  • the most afflicted industry was accommodation/foodservice
  • use a combination of hacking and malware (61 percent).
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  • success stealing data “in transit” (62.5 percent) versus stored data (28 percent)
  • What this tells us is hotels and restaurants need to do more to protect sensitive payment data and be proactive in keeping up with the hackers and thieves. We also need to pay particular attention to properly securing data as it moves through the merchant IT environment.
  • Point-to-point encryption (P2PE) is a technology
  • has only recently gained momentum in the hospitality sector.
  • P2PE places “data in motion” in a wrapper that can only be decrypted by an endpoint that has the requisite key.
  • The goal of point-to-point encryption technologies is to encrypt as close to the point of entry as possible and guard against thieves who attempt to install sniffing/hacking software on a merchant’s network.
  • P2PE solutions can significantly reduce a merchant’s card data environment, mitigate potential breaches and simplify PCI DSS validation efforts.”
  • You should also understand the types of cards and transactions that can be encrypted. Does the solution encrypt both swiped cards and manually entered cards? Does it encrypt online transactions, as well as on-site or card-present transactions? Is the solution tamper resistant and, what happens if an attempted breach occurs? Where is the HSM (hardware security module) located? Even if data were to be intercepted, is it rendered unusable to cyber thieves?
  • A hosted solution will shift much of the burden of responsibility to the third-party provider and free you from having decrypted data in your environment.
  • Keep in mind, there is no single silver bullet when it comes to payment security. Even with EMV, stolen cardholder data could be used for a fraudulent online transaction. Merchants should implement a variety of technologies and techniques as part of a multi-layered approach to security that ultimately includes EMV to protect against counterfeit card fraud, tokenization to protect data at rest, and P2PE to protect data in-flight.
  • Thieves won’t wait for a unified approach and specification, and are looking to access your valuable data now. By taking a proactive approach to security that includes point-to-point encryption, asking the right questions, choosing trusted partners and keeping yourself updated, you can protect your customers’ data and your reputation.
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    This article deals with the theft that happens on a daily basis in the hospitality field. It happens when credit cards are used to pay for something, like a reservation, and thieves want the information, so they can use your credit card number for whatever intentions they may have. As the article states, "our data is under attack". I can relate to those people that have had credit card numbers stolen, because it has happened to my husband and me, and it is a horrible feeling trying to get your life back on track and recover your money.  I think it would be a great idea, with some research, to get the point to point encryption technology in a field where credit cards are used so often, not only to cover the business (hotel), but also to protect the guest, so they feel at easy when they travel on vacation or business.  The overall point of this technology is to encrypt the information as close to the point of entry, i.e. the swiping of the credit card, as possible. This would in turn "significantly reduce a merchant's card data environment", as the program would encrypt the information so that hackers cannot access the customer's information. As I mentioned earlier, questions should be asked before buying this technology, as there is always something new on the market that may be better. Credit cards are not always swiped, but can also be manually placed in the system, so you want to make sure, that both transactions are protected. Overall, the establishment should always be concerned about the customer and their safety, whether physical or mental and always be prepared for the worse.
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    Marilyn, This is a great article and I wish this type of technology was everywhere because like yourself I have credit card numbers stolen before and it is a long process to end that. Working in the hospitality industry we would need to make sure that it is everywhere that a credit card is entered whether that being swiped in house, typed in the system manually, or even processed via the internet. In the hospitality industry we should be very aware of our guests safety and like you mention it is not only just physical safety that is a concern it is the mental state as well making sure the guests credit cards are safe and do not have a chance of being stolen by a hacker. This is a great article, keep up the good work!
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    Great article! Personally after being a victim of credit card fraud, I'm very apprehensive of where I shop, who handles my card and how long it takes them to return it. I recently cancelled a large purchased after the cashier insisted on rubbing my card number on the reciept after the transactions had be approved. In my mind, I was thinking "If I let you do that, then I've open the door for anyone to charge thousand of dollars. I don't think so." As a manager, who hands credit card numbers for manual input, I'm very cautious of them and want to insure that they don't get into the wrong hand. Aftern each transactions is approved, that number is shredded and the credit card machine is batched out. Companies don't realize how important it is to PCI compliant. The risk in exposing sensitive information of our clients and customers can cost thousand of dolllars in fines and fee, in addition to the lost of that customer/client.
  •  
    Marilyn, Great Article...as a Front Desk Manager, it is my responsibility to randomly check our computers to ensure employees are not placing USB driver to collect data from our system. Our company has taking this a step further by putting metal locked case around the PC to avoid possible fraudulent activity. If we have to open a PC, we must log it to show proof why a PC became unlock. Companies should adopt similar procedures to protect the consumers/guests. Nelson
pvega018

Airbnb Launches Program for Those Affected by Hurricane | Hotel Business - 0 views

  • free temporary housing available for displaced residents and relief workers through September 16.
  • The Open Homes Program for Hurricane Dorian was first activated on August 28 to assist those in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The new activation area on the U.S. mainland includes the majority of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia.
  •  
    Airbnb has paired with several of their hosts to offer free housing for individuals affected by Hurricane Dorian. This program was started back when Hurricane Sandy took affect but they have decided to bring back this concept and help those in need. In hospitality we must offer what we can at all times with arms open and Airbnb is offering shelter to those that lost it all.
mellakygg

Information Technology A Boon To Hospitality Industry | By NP Chandra Shekhar, CHA, MHC... - 3 views

  • Information is the key for decision making in any business. Getting the right information at the right time, at the right place and faster makes lot of difference in any business and so especially in Hospitality Business where the decisions are taken instantly in some levels.
  • It is a combination of the Right People and the Right System that makes a business successful.
  • Computer cannot replace men!
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  • A good Information Technology System comprise of three components, Systems, Software and Hardware.
  • From the time of reservation until the time customer checks-out of the hotel everything is recorded and the data is available. The computer system really monitors the guest requirement, their likes and dislikes, their wants and satisfaction levels in a readable way that helps the hotel enhance their future services.
  • Information and good service is the key for success in hospitality industry.
  • Selecting the right type of system is most important for any hotel operation. Most of the hotels use special software made for hotels which are generally called as Property Management System (PMS).
  • Normally, all systems comes with Room Division – with Front Office System and House Keeping Module, Food and Beverage Division – with Point of Sale and Back End system – with Accounting, Inventory, Human Resources.
  • System requirement for each facility differs and it should preferably be a cost effective solution.
  • Good IT personnel should have the knowledge of all the three components, i.e., System (flow of each activity), Software (that translate the activity in measurable terms both quantitatively and qualitatively) and Hardware (Media through which we can see these activities). All this should reflect in primarily guest satisfaction, staff satisfaction, management satisfaction and owner satisfaction.
  • Yet, man made the computer and not the other way.
  • Man cannot be replaced at any level.
  •  
    As the topic suggests information is the key for decision making in any business. Computerized modern information technology should make this process much quicker and more efficient. But, of course, as the old saying goes "Garbage in Garbage out." So it is a combination of the Right People and the Right System that makes a business successful. Computers cannot replace men. Good people along with a good computerized system is necessary. The software used for any hospitality business needs to be tailored to the specific needs of that organization depending on whether they primarily sell just room service or whether they offer a lot of food and beverage service or other services. Good I.T personnel should have good knowledge of all three components: System (flow of each activity), Software (that translate the activity in measurable terms both quantitatively and qualitatively) and Hardware (media through which we can see these activities) To achieve this at least two months of training should be done, of which one month must be on the job training. Once an appropriate mix of competent people and a good system is set up this should reflect in guest satisfaction, staff satisfaction, management satisfaction and owner satisfaction.
Yongjoon Ji

Social responsibility key for TownePlace - 0 views

  • As for the many properties that are not part of the LEED program, TownePlace Suites still requires LED light bulbs as well as energy-star ratings on all appliances. Motion sensors that control lights also are a standard in back-of-house utility closets, Nalewanski said. “When you think of how many utility closets we have back-of-the-house, that’s one of the last things the housekeepers have on their mind, so we make it easy for them.” Front of house, the brand has implemented a linen reuse program that requires housekeepers to change the sheets only two times per week if the guest stays that long, otherwise they are changed for every new customer, he said. Marriott, as a whole, is taking bigger steps this year to brand itself as a socially responsible corporation.
  •  
    Marriott Corporation set up an eco friendly program, which is called LEED volume program. Towneplace Suites is the main leader of this program and they created it because of they would like to teach and tell about what it really means to be social responsible. The goal of the program is to provide a pre-certified hotel design as green hotels. More than $100,000 can be saved per project and company will do all the work with owners pre-opening and post-opening. They usually focus on lighting and towel. They prefer to use motion sensors rather than regular light bulb and try not to change sheets and towels too often. They are some hotels trying to be green hotels but it is very rare that big corporation hotels try to be the one and lead industry. I believe it will bring positive effects to whole tourism and hospitality industry.
Gerardo Collado

How Can a Hotel Property Management System Help to Control Performance? - 0 views

  • Hotel property management systems make financial sense in reducing costs. A hotel property management system is something that all hotels should look into getting. One of the reasons for this is that it will greatly help you control your hotel’s performance. With tightly controlled performance you will be able to offer your guests the very best service and make them want to come back.
  • Hotel property management systems make financial sense in reducing costs. A hotel property management system is something that all hotels should look into getting. One of the reasons for this is that it will greatly help you control your hotel’s performance. With tightly controlled performance you will be able to offer your guests the very best service and make them want to come back.
  • Each of these plays a large role in seeing what your customers want and getting it to them. You will also be able to control your inventory, in house services, reservations and guest data. Front office suites will take care of things like sales and marketing, finance and conference and banqueting.
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  • The important parts of the software that you will need will be hotel management software, hotel reservation or billing software, hotel reception software and hotel accounting software. All of these parts will aid in the better control of your hotel’s performance.
  •  
    The article, "How can a Hotel Property Management System help to control performance?" discusses the usefulness and heighten performance a hotel will undergo by utilizing a proper property management system, no matter the size of the hotel. A property management system (PMS) allows the hotel to reduce their cost due to the additional control over daily operating activities, such as inventory and reservations. As well, PMS provides an understanding to managers with statistical performance data to determine ways to ameliorate customers' wants, increase satisfaction and returning business. The front desk is the core user of a PMS, which allows for easier and effective reporting of any issues. The article mentions the additional necessary components of PMS involving: hotel management, reservations, billing, and accounting software. All these softwares will allow for minimization of errors, increase efficiency and help analyze the hotel's operations. The combination of a PMS and hotel management software enables a hotel to take control of their performance resulting into a smoother running business.
biancafavilli

How Cloud-based Hotel Software is Changing the Industry - 8 views

  • Couple that with the fact that in the next two to three years hoteliers are expected to invest seven to eight percent more on cloud technology
  • Additionally, increased accessibility, greater profitability, and user-friendly dashboards make cloud-based software enticing for hoteliers
  • For starters, cloud-based hotel software has the ability to host a property management system (PMS) from a remote location, allowing hoteliers to access their property data from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. This feature is unique to cloud-based software and eliminates the need for hoteliers to be physically present at their property to be able to check in on daily management operations.
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  • Cloud-based hotel software has been shown to boost productivity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness
  • Additionally, through the centralization of operations, hoteliers can eliminate the need for on-premise servers at each property
  • In fact, the hotel group, Triple C Hotels and Resorts, reported a 60% savings on software costs when they switched to Cloudbeds’ cloud-based hospitality software
  • Unlike locally installed software, one of the more attractive elements of using a cloud-based hotel software system is the ability to adapt, grow, and integrate with future trends
  • The high-level security standards followed by cloud-based hotel software is due in part to its rigid compliance with PCI requirements.
  • For example, Cloudbeds hospitality software implements periodic auto-logoff features that require users to re-enter their password, two-factor authentication for an added level of user verification, and automatic removal of guest credit card data after 14 days
  • Unlike conventional hotel software models that require hoteliers to purchase licenses and hardware, cloud-based hotel software is sold as a service that enables clients to add on as many or as few tools and features as needed.
  • In fact, a study by Frost and Sullivan showed that businesses can cut IT costs in half by implementing cloud-based computing solutions to customer support.
  • ability to host a property management system (PMS) from a remote location, allowing hoteliers to access property data from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. This feature is unique to cloud-based software and eliminates the need for hoteliers to be physically present at their property to be able to check in on daily management operations.
  • Give staff more mobility and accessibility around the property
  • Eliminate the need for manual data sharing and processing
  • next two to three years hoteliers are expected to invest 7-8% more on cloud technology
    • cleon087
       
      This could be a determination if a hotel succeeds. It is important to not lag and instead adapt to the times.
  • an spend more time attending to guests
  • ransitioning to a cloud-based hotel software solution can seem like a daunting task at first
    • cleon087
       
      Not all bosses are even comfortable with technology to begin with so it would be difficult for them to spend the money to transition.
  • Accelerate hotel check-in / out
    • cleon087
       
      People value fast check in, especially someone that came to the hotel on a business trip and just wants to get to their room.
  • Eliminate the need for manual data sharing and processing
    • cleon087
       
      This saves a lot of time because you wont have to manually record data.
  • frequent security updates t
  • In an industry that is always changing, this kind of flexibility is priceless.
  • across multiple properties simultaneously
  • faster for operations, online booking and customer service.  
  • customizable
  • Cyber attacks and tighter regulations on privacy policies have made the need to protect guest information more important than ever. This topic is a main concern for those considering switching to a cloud-based PMS system since data servers are hosted off premises.
  •  
    Cloud-based hotel software is able to host a property management system from a remote location which therefore allows hotel staff to access data from wherever they are in the world. It is showing positive signs of increased efficiency and overall cost-effectiveness.
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  •  
    Cloud-based software is the future of the entire hospitality industry. The benefits of having this software heavily outweigh the cons. It would allow employees to better assist guests with check-in/out processes and it would also give them increased mobility throughout the system, accelerating the services we can offer to our guests. In addition, cloud-based systems allow for better data storage, giving us the tools we need to be prepared for returning guests and their accomodations.
  •  
    Providing the best customer service is the goal of any hotel. It is what attracts your guests to return and suggest your hotel to others. Imagine a software that eliminates the need for hoteliers to be physically present to check on daily management operations or even automate mundane daily tasks, allowing staff to spend more time attending to guests and improving the customer service experience. This software is known as cloud-based hotel software. This software is not sold as a product; it is sold as a service that allows hoteliers to add on as many or few features as needed, making it completely customizable. Cloud-based software is hosted by a vendor's server and gives hoteliers a scalable system that is flexible and easily updated across multiple properties simultaneously. A great key feature to this software is that the system is able to adapt, grow, and integrate with future trends. Flexibility is so important in this generation because new technologies are constantly being innovated and staying up with trends is a great way to satisfy your guests. Cloud-based software has shown to boost productivity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. What more could you ask for?
  •  
    The cloud based hotel software is a great addition to he hospitality industry because it gives the hoteliers a chance to be flexible with their stay. It gives the staff member a more relief on updates of property housekeeping status. Cloud based technology gives advantages of moreover frequent updates and enhancements for hoteliers inquiring.
  •  
    This article highlights the benefits of switching to Cloud-based hotel software. One of the highlights is the reduction in cost, by switching it allows employees to focus more on service then repetitive tasks. This is also an attractive deal for hoteliers because they're allowed to check on important data from their house. This software makes it more efficient and soon all hoteliers will have to invest in a innovative software.
  •  
    A general trend is that hoteliers are considering to use cloud-based systems more. Data have proved that hoteliers will invest more in cloud technology. Cloud-based hotel software can provide its users with many benefits like cost-efficiency, increased accessibility, and user-friendly dashboards. Furthermore, it makes remote/offsite information sharing and real-time offsite management possible. With a cloud-based system, staff can spend more time on guests and improving service. For security issues, cloud-based systems upgrades often and therefore reduce the risk of being hacked. Cloud-based systems are also enough flexible to meet the future needs of users. In sum, cloud-based technologies can help the hospitality businesses to deal with the changes better.
  •  
    Hotels are beginning to transition to cloud-based software because they are realizing the great impact it has caused on their business. The article mentioned, "in the next two to three years hoteliers are expected to invest 7-8% on cloud technology". This percentage exhibits how hotels are going to be ran in the future. Cloud-based software has brought positive impact to a hotel business such as "increased accessibility, greater profitability, and user-friendly dashboards". All of these benefits have caused hotels to run their business smoothly bringing back satisfied guests. This software allows check ins/out to be more quick and gives easy access to areas in the hotel for employees. Another gain received by using this software is that its cost-effective. It has been disclosed that a hotel has saved "60% on software costs". Using this software has saved a hotel a lot of money that can be used to satisfied guest more. Security on data is more secured using cloud-based software because the vendors take it seriously making it harder for hackers to retrieve information. Some hotels may halt to install new technology such as cloud-based software but with all the benefits it has given to other hotels, this is going to be the future for the hospitality industry.
Ganna Gorbachuk

Transforming Business with Mobile Payments - 12 views

  • Mobile systems are transforming the payment environment. According to investment bank Barclays Capital, U.S. mobile commerce sales--that is, purchases made on smartphones and tablets--hit $5.3 billion in 2011, up 83 percent from the year before. Generator Research, a consulting firm specializing in digital media, projects that by 2014, usage by consumers will grow 600 percent to 490 million worldwide.
    • Joe Cilli
       
      Interesting information. Keep in mind there is a high level of cannibalization in that mobile sales are increasing, but the bottom line is unchanged because in-store sales are decreasing. In short, the amount of transactions and dollar amount is roughly the same; it is, however, important to recognize the shift in consumer purchasing patterns.
  •  
    Great article on the rise of mobile payment systems and how businesses who in the past may have been cash only or otherwise are seeing increased sales as the ability to take credit card payments with little hardware and software infrastructure costs. Down the street from me is probably my favorite Rib joint in town, Uncle Rodney's House of Ribs is the name. I love that place, but rarely go because they are a cash only business due in large part to the fact that the owner does not wish to pay for wireless or otherwise internet related services to make his business able to accept credit cards. What are everyone's thought to the increased use of mobile payment systems for restaurants and other businesses?
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  •  
    I think mobile payment systems are great. I personally have not used them very much but I think they would be very handy at events. I am a Timberwolves season ticket holder and my seats are close to the court where a serving staff is able to get food and beverages for you. Fans are able to pay with credit cards but the server has to take your card to the back area to ring everything up. If the servers were able to carry mobile credit card readers they would be able to speed up transactions and take more orders. It would be a benefit to everyone - the team would be able to sell more items, the servers would make more tips, and the fans would be more satisfied. If someone wanted to keep an open tab until the end of the game I'm sure there could be an app for adding items to a specific seat location instead of doing multiple credit card transactions. I'm sure mobile payment devices are being used by staff at many events and I'm a little surprised it hasn't made it's way into the Target Center yet.
  •  
    That is an interesting artivle talking about the mobile payment that i have not seen in my life. If i was a owner of a store or a restaurant, i would like to try this technology that help to save my money and increase my businesses. On the other hand, as a customer who is asked to pay in this way, i would worry about the security problem because i dont know how it works.
  •  
    It sounds great. I think it is convenience, cause I can pay by my phone whenever I need. But maybe the biggest problem is the security. How to guarantee it, we always use mobile connect ing internet which increase the danger coefficient.
  •  
    I like this idea of mobile payments. It saves business people time and money which they were supposed to spend on the traditional way of credit card payment. It turns out more likely to be a self-monitored business transaction way. However, before signing the contract, the business owner should consider the security level of this payment method from the customers's standpoint. I'm pretty sure that some customers may feel weird and unsecured when they swipe their card on a mobile device.
  •  
    This is a fascinating article. On one hand I can absolutely see the benefits for a mobile business or a business that increases it's sales by accepting mobile payments. It also seems that security would be increased for the merchant as there is not much cash available on hand for petty thieves. The crooks of the future will need to be technologically sophisticated. The increased use of smart phones has greatly increased my small business as many of my customers make their purchases through their smart phones. My personal concern is that our country will see an increase in debt and over spending as purchasing with your credit card account becomes even easier. Will it even be possible to pay with cash in the future or will it all be electronic? Also, what happens if your cell phone is stolen and all of your financial world is on there. Do these scanning systems have much security if there is not a credit card to verify a signature against? Is everything stored in cyber space where the phone thief cannot reach it without expensive technical knowledge?
  •  
    While a few hundred years ago a life of an average person in a small town could consist of two or three events as a war in his country, governor's marriage and a crime in the neighborhood. In today's world the same as centuries ago every moment is full of things which happen somewhere but now we have a unique opportunity to know about them almost few seconds after they happen. Technology can make a huge difference in a small business when an employer finds a right time to use innovation, as Miki Nishihata and Joey Garza did. Their companies got an advantages of using card readers. Mobile systems are transforming the environment of sales and payment processing. A thing which simplifies the prosess of transaction is a benefit because a lot of consumers prefer FAST and EASY shopping when every minute may cost. Assuming all this information a Square company was created by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and glass artisan Jim McKelvey. Nowadays almost everybody has a mobile phone and credit card and combining those two things with an innovative technologies of online sales is a fantastic invention!
  •  
    This is an interesting article, and it is quite amazing to see how the way of payment is drastically shifting with new technological devices such as smartphones, card readers. Just a couple of years ago, if I wanted to buy something online, I had to start my computer then go on whatever website I bought something from which took some time. Now, however, I don't even have to turn on my computer to purchase something on the web because I can buy many things through my smartphone whenever and wherever I want. It is a lot easier and faster than what it used to be.
  •  
    Spasibo bolshoe za interesting article! Ona mne ochen pomozhet v moem research!
natalieemmanuel

M3 Accounting + Analytics Launches M3 Professional Services - 1 views

  • M3PS is structured to offer customized solutions to its customers, from basic accounting functions (such as bank reconciliation and accounts payable) provided on an a la carte basis, to comprehensive management of the full accounting cycle. Outsourcing of these accounting functions will allow M3PS customers to improve margins, increase shareholder value, streamline operations and deliver more focused services to ownership groups. Two major advantages for customers partnering with M3PS will be scalability and talent acquisition. As portfolios change, M3PS will take care of providing service when customers need it, eliminating the scenario of inflexible and non-variable overheads that negatively impact the ROI of a property. By specializing exclusively in hotel accounting, M3PS will have access to top-tier talent in the industry and has two CPAs and multiple MBAs currently on staff. The team will be led by industry veterans with decades of hotel accounting experience.
  •  
    M3 is a leading provider of accounting and analytic software, business intelligence and operations reporting. The company has been providing accounting assistance to customers for 15 years and has relied heavily on the feedback of their customers to improve their services. As a result of their customers wanting to outsource their accounting functions M3 has developed a customizable software that allows customers to choose from basic accounting functions to a complete accounting cycle depending on their business needs. By using M3PS and outsourcing accounting needs customers will be able to focus more on management functions as well as guest experience. M3PS launched operations on August 1st and since then has expanded its services to over 100 hotels as well as other businesses. M3PS is providing customers with outsourced accounting assistance from a team of CPAs and business professionals that have years of hotel accounting experience. Also, M3PS is saving customers from having to invest a large amount of time and money on IT infrastructure costs.
  •  
    Where the article I posted emphasizes a total PMS solution, this company focuses primarily on back office functions. This doesn't make it wrong. On the contrary, if the firm is able to conduct all the back office functions and remain integrated with the existing PMS, it could be beneficial. That is of course, if the money being saved by exporting these functions to external CPAs outweighs the costs of keep the functions in-house.
mandalysha

The Restaurant of the Future: 12 tech predicitons - 1 views

  • The Restaurant of the Future: 12 tech predictions
  • New developments in machine learning and artificial intelligence, twinned with more efficient and effective data capture, look likely to have a significant impact on the restaurant world in the coming years
  • Companies such as tech giant Acrelec, for example, are harnessing artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide menu recommendations based on other factors. In Acrelec’s case, its technology learns what menu items are typically purchased together to give customer more intelligent recommendations
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  • Developers are also already working on digital menus that change depending on the user. So, for example, a customer who has shared data about their allergies or diet choices, such as being vegan or vegetarian, will only see menu items that meet this criteria
  • Restaurant groups including SSP, Big Table, Boparan Restaurant Group and Din Tai Fung are among those trialling robotic waiters designed to support staff members with tasks such as delivering food and clearing tables
  • As recruitment challenges continue to bite, more restaurant groups are likely to look to automation for help
  • Could machine learning stop restaurant operators avoid opening the wrong venue in the wrong place? That’s the pitch from US company Borne, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse a wide range of data points to help predict the viability of a concept in a particular location
  • The company says that through ‘superior analysis and pattern identification’ its The Borne Report service can reduce restaurant failures by eliminating what most would agree is the root cause of closures - the wrong site in the wrong place
  • intuitive technology that automatically adjusts aspects such as lighting, volume and music tempo in a restaurant based on a number of important factors, such as that offered by tech company Startle
  • Tech start-up Karakuri has developed an ‘automated frying solution’ that can integrate with existing systems to drop fries and other items when required. As well as labour savings, the company says food waste is reduced thanks to portion control technology that ensures fry baskets are filled with the right amount of product to match demand
  • The company even considers the likely mood impact of music using a model of neuro-typical responses to individual tracks
  • Startle also provides digital signage and can set rules that change what’s on the screens depending on the weather or footfall, such as ice cream promotions during heat waves, or hot drinks during cold spells.
  • Chris Sanderson, founder of shiftworking marketplace limber, believes that apps such as his will give rise to the ‘portfolio career’.
  • employers embracing tech to pull from a larger pool of staff and lower the barrier to entry for new joiners
  • The pitch of apps such as limber is that they can help hospitality businesses connect with a growing generation of talent who are looking to work more flexibly and help them hire
  • As the global hospitality industry looks to combat crippling staff shortages, robotic fry cooks are now being deployed back-of-house
  • The US is leading the way, with burger brands including Jack in the Box and White Castle experimenting with burger flipping robots and Panda Express having rolled out a robotic wok
  • According to Startle, increasing the bass of music has been proven to make listeners feel more confident and increase levels of dopamine
  • Acrelec’s QTimer 2.0 which, during busy periods, can automatically switch to a simplified menu and recommend items that are quicker to prepare and guide customers to make a decision more quickly to avoid a back-up of traffic
  • Biometrics looks set to further shake up how payments are made, with fingerprints more likely to become the norm than facial recognition, which is generally considered less reliable
  • Yet many brands, particularly those with a global reach, are already seeing the metaverse as the next big thing in both marketing and customer experience, including in the hospitality sector
  • For the restaurant of the future, sustainability will be more than just a buzzword related to the procurement of ingredients. Instead, it will refer to much-wider remit of considerations to help operators reduce the pressure on their bottom line
  • Energy control devices that can communicate with different kitchen units and regulate their power supply are likely to be key in helping restaurants reduce their energy costs. “Such technology will be able to cut down on peak demands,” explains Threlfall. “These devices could help restaurants reduce their total electrical costs by between 5% and 25% and decrease peak power consumption by 20% to 40%
  •  
    In this article, BigHospitality describes 12 tech predictions that will take place in the restaurant sector. With advances in AI, robotics, and payment technology, the impact will effect the restaurant space to shift towards adopting these technologies for everyday use. Such technologies are: harnessing AI to provide menu recommendations depending on user, robotic waiters and kitchen equipment, intuitive dining rooms, and using biometrics for payments.
jiayi017

How Smart Dining Is Changing the Restaurant Industry - business.com - 0 views

  • Automation has already started in major chains and fast-food restaurants and will likely continue to evolve to the logical endpoint
  • it's important to resist alarmist tendencies, because there are positive aspects of smart dining, and the total automation of customer service may not trickle down to neighborhood bistros and independent steakhouses.
  • Either way, nearly all the solutions (at the very least) allow users to efficiently handle some of the most hated tasks in any restaurant: dealing with reservations, waitlists and bookings.
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  • mPOS systems allow for a greater level of accountability between owners and employees as well as between the front and back of the house, which means servers can focus on connecting with customers and delivering a memorable experience
  • tools like mobile payment tablets allow restaurant owners access to big data that's useful for making front-of-house and operational decisions.
  • Increased revenue is another possible benefit of smart dining
  • Customer loyalty is also built with the use of smart dining technology.
  • those who are there just because they are hungry and those who want to have a meal out. For restaurateurs who focus on the latter clientele, smart dining needn't be equated to total automation.
  • For those who focus on high turnover rather than the service experience, eliminating staff in favor of self-serve tablets may be inevitable once the prices of such systems drop and the public becomes more comfortable with the concept
  •  
    This article mainly describes the use and benefits of intelligent technology in restaurants. For chain stores and fast-food restaurants, often pursue speed more than service experience. Therefore, it is profitable for enterprises to replace employees with technological equipment. Of course, this is not to say that restaurants pursuing high-end service experience do not need intelligent technology. As a mobile system, MPOS can effectively simplify the ordering process, increase the rotation speed of the dining table, while also saving guests' time and improving their dining experience. The intelligence of the restaurant table management system also simplifies the reservation process to a certain extent, helping restaurants and users to effectively deal with these complicated processes.
anonymous

The Best POS Systems of 2017 | Top Ten Reviews - 0 views

  • Credit card processing is usually the biggest ongoing expense for a small business owner, and because of this, we scrutinized and compared processing rates as well.
  •  
    Point of sales systems are a business main tool for processing transactions. There are so many different software that business are using around the world. In the top ten reviews of 2017 some of the best POS systems will include new software updates. These system updates will be easy to set up and wont cost the business a fortune. The POS system in this years line up will be all formatted to suit a general retail business. With the exception that some businesses have specialized POS solutions for example restaurants POS systems have options to manage tables and deliver complicated orders to the back of house. Then you have retail systems that are equipped with the tools to help owners keep up with inventory. It's not easy ranking the best POS systems they are all compared by their choice of credit card processors since finding credit processors is the most difficult thing a business owner will make.
  •  
    POS systems are very individualized and the businesses need to be careful to select the best one for their needs. It is such a large investment that making the wrong choice could have big consequences. It is best to choose the one with the most features for reporting, user support, and ease of use/programming.
lvela051

The Rainmaker Group Now Integrates with hotel Property Management System, RoomKeyPMS - 0 views

  • The Rainmaker Group today announced that the integration between RoomKeyPMS and revintel®
  • The Spectator Hotel, a boutique property in Charleston, SC, managed by Charlestowne Hotels.
    • lvela051
       
      One of the first hotels to try out the integration.
  • Thanks to revintel, revenue managers can better understand their portfolio's health by property, agent, or market in comparison to past performance
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  • RoomKeyPMS is a cloud-powered software that lets you run your hotel while tracking every detail, an connecting to hospitality systems,
  • nly streamlines operations but maximizes revenue,
  • Rainmaker is an industry leader in the revenue management, business intelligence and market analysis space
  • Rainmaker is the hotel revenue management and profit optimization cloud. The company partners with hotels, resorts, and casinos to help them outperform their revenue and profit objectives.
  • Recognized as one of the top privately held companies in the United States, Rainmaker has been named to Inc. 5000's 'Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies' for the last seven years and to the Atlanta Business Chronicle's list of '100 Fastest Growing Companies in Atlanta.'
  • RoomKeyPMS is cloud-powered software that lets you run your hotel while tracking every detail, and connecting to hospitality systems across all of your locations.
  • drives revenues with no transaction fees while saving you time.
  • RoomKeyPMS will give you the power and control to maximize your RevPAR and ADR with a product offering unmatched in the industry.
  • Now regarded as one of the top hotel management companies in the U.S., Charlestowne Hotels leads its properties to consistently achieve RevPAR growth nearly double the national average.
  •  
    The article talks about the integration of a new system called Rainmaker and RoomkeyPMS. The trend of using the "cloud" is ongoing, as RoomkeyPMS is software that is "cloud-powered" which helps to facilitate the way the front office handles their operations. Rainmaker integration with the PMS, on the other hand, is to help the back of the house. It is meant to increase hotel bookings and "streamline operations and revenue optimization processes". Highlights the first boutique hotel in Charleston, The Spectator Hotel, are the first to adapt this new collaboration to improve the way data is being accessed. Based on the article, the hotel is using these cloud based systems to be able to offer more innovative service to their consumers especially when it comes to how revenue is being handled. I think that having to cloud systems working together can be kind of difficult especially when they serve two different purposes. But with that being said, both softwares seem to work for the best individually. Having the ability to try this out on a smaller boutique hotel would be for the best because it allows hoteliers to conduct analysis for the systems on a smaller scale.
tcale003

Technology Trends in the Hotel industry-Siddharth Goenka - BW Businessworld - 0 views

    • tcale003
       
      The growth of technology in the hospitality industry, specifically hotels has evolved so quickly that it is difficult for many hotels to keep up with current trends. Hotel technology can be broken down into three specific categories which are Sales and Marketing, Guest Experience and Guest Relationship.
  • Things are changing really drastically and with the availability of efficient, cost-effective solutions, it is not too long before the hospitality industry goes through a technology revolution and keeps up with the rest of the industry.
  • in the past few years, the growth in technology in the hospitality industry has been so rapid that most of the industry along with training institutes and learning centres have struggled to keep up with the changing trends and best practices. Hotel technology can be broadly categorized into three main categories: Sales & Marketing, Guest Experience, and Guest Relationship.
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  • Most hotels are seeing a major percentage of their bookings come from smartphone and internet users, and the usage of integrated pricing and distribution systems has become even more important to maximize revenues and minimize efforts.
  • The use of AI and ML in determining optimum rates for hotel rooms that are then pushed to all marketing channels, can increase the potential to maximize revenues and ARRs (Average Room Rates)  for the hotel, and reduce operational inefficiencies and manual costs.
  • In terms of guest experience and operations, hotels have seen a fast adoption of cloud-based and integrated technology in Property Management Systems and hotel ERPs.
  • with smartphone and tablet usage in in-room guest services and basic services like checkin, checkout, and usage of hotel facilities with further enhancements like augmented reality.
  • The use of kiosk for self-service checkins using biometric authentications and facial recognition can make the entire checkin and checkout experience fast and seamless.
  • The back of the house services like housekeeping, room cleaning, and food preparation are also digitally tracked using cloud-based integrated technology which can reduce delivery time and wastages, while increasing efficiency and guest satisfaction.
  • In terms of guest relationships and CRM, hotels have started storing the digital profiles of guests which can increase the personalization of service and guest preferences.
  • Every interaction of the guest in the hotel is stored and advanced systems use AI to predict and deliver ‘wow’ experiences to the guest.
  • increasing competition makes it even more important for hotels to differentiate themselves, and technology is turning out to be a big USP for hotels. Those who are quick to embrace the modern trends of technology and automation can stay ahead of their competition in terms of both superior service and higher profitability.
  • Investment required in technology has in-fact reduced as technology has evolved.
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