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"You're probably already practicing basic online and mobile safety, but consider taking these credit card-specific measures as well: Know your merchant. When shopping online, look for sites with "https" in their web addresses (the "s" stands for "secured") and the green lock icon; make sure the URL includes the correct company's name, rather than a close-but-not-correct version; and, even on a secured site, share your information only if you know how it will be used. Type for each transaction. Never allow your credit card number to be stored on an online shopping site. Add a layer. Consider using an online payment system or mobile payment service like PayPal, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or Android Pay to keep your credit card number out of the hands of merchants, so that if a merchant is hacked, it can't leak your account number. Watch out for public Wi-Fi. Don't shop or conduct financial transactions, including checking your accounts, using public Wi-Fi. Because it's a public network, your information can easily be viewed by anyone."

Recent advances in big data analysis and artificial intelligence create powerful incentives for companies to accumulate information about every measurable aspect of their business. Due to the huge amount of information, the company's demand for cost reduction is higher and higher. Research shows that the amount of data recorded is growing at an annual rate of 30% to 40%. At the same time, the capacity of modern hard disks used to store most hard disks is growing at less than half the rate. Most of this information does not need immediate access. For things like this, tape is the perfect solution. In fact, most of the world's data are still stored on magnetic tapes, including data from basic sciences, such as particle physics and radio astronomy, human heritage and national archives, major films, banking, insurance, oil exploration, etc. There is even a group of people (including me, trained in materials science, engineering or Physics) whose job is to constantly improve tape storage.

The article discusses three key points to keep in mind for a better security within a hotel according to Russ Schrader from NCSA.

The article discusses the crisis of the unavailability of quality water supply for South Africa as a result of poor water supply facilities. This topic is important as South Africa is a popular tourist destination and should have a first-class water supply infrastructure, as well as the availability of quality water is a basic human right under the Republic of South African Constitution of 1996. It appears that the major reasons for poor water infrastructure is due to the lackadaisical attitude and neglect of constant and proper maintenance of the water infrastructure. The methodology involved extensive literature on articles relating the hospitality tourism experience and basic water supply facilities. An increase in investment in the process of sustaining water supply backlogs will need to be the focus of any future work. The points needed to be addresses is ensuring sufficient water supply, quality water, accessible water and sanitation methods, and that the water is affordable.

This article contains almost all the basic knowledge of iPad Restaurant POS system. For example, what is a restaurant POS system, the price of POS system, Restaurant iPad POS Features, benefits, how to choose, etc.

This article gives some ideas on how to successfully host an event. Events are important and valuable to the hospitality industry. An excellent event includes making registration easy, managing the event properly, and creating a unique experience. Events can be divided into "Simple" Events, Midsize Events, Small Events and Complex Events. The size of the event will affect the planning of the event. The main points and purpose of the event are also factors to consider when planning the event. Time should have a clear theme, while considering the company's profits. Finally, applying the current technology to the event to create an unforgettable experience for customers is also essential for a successful event.

This article talks about the detail about a professional way to make a good event. It lists seven necessary points. Also, showing the point of view and example to make the reader easy to understand.

POS systems play a large role within the hospitality sector and develop by being used within different company types and industries. One main place where a POS is used and is extremely important is in retail. Along with creating speedy checkouts for customers, it is now a basic need for most of these POS systems to be using an inventory calculating software.

This article talks about companies transitioning to multifactor authentication as an added layer of protection of cybersecurity.

This article deals with cloud PMS and its advantages. Some of the advantages stated by the article are efficiency, low cost, and provides guest with more contactless experience. This is a new trend we are starting to see emerge into the industry especially now more than ever after the events that have occurred due to the pandemic.

Seems to me this took a lot longer for companies to start getting onboard then I would have anticipated. The cost perspective and ease of use should have attracted people right away. Not having to house or protect on site servers from damage and theft is also a critical point. Not to mention the ability to grow the system when necessary.

The article discusses traditional PMS, an on-premises software platform that can range from very basic to extremely powerful and complex. Installation, training and maintenance are expensive for such platforms, and they stifle innovation by not allowing third-party integrations, applications, and solutions. Cloud-based hotel management systems with Open API integration platforms are the future of hotel management software. They are cost-effective and offer many operational benefits. Operating expenses such as the OPERA Cloud PMS improve cash flow, are easy to install, train personnel, and automate many administrative processes. Also, it provides easy access to reporting and performance analytics, as well as contactless guest experiences and mobility.

Providing an easily accessible and reliable internet connection to their guests has become a major task for event planners in the hospitality industry. These days, free Wi-Fi is basically a requirement for all hotel guests whether or not their trip involves business or pleasure. As the title suggests, this article provides event planners with suggestions on how to negotiate a data plan that's both effective and efficient. It all starts with a site inspection visit by a technology consultant. In doing so, event planners could ask all sort of questions regarding the proper service (DSL, satellite, T1, etc) proper bandwidth limit and the necessary number of access points. Personally, I stayed a resort a few days ago in which the complimentary wi-fi wasn't reliable in the common areas of the hotel. It was a struggle trying to access the internet and the situation became frustrating since I wasn't able to complete some of my work. Like me, I am sure there were business men and college students who may have experienced the same problem. For the event planning team, this must have been a headache since the wi-fi amenity wasn't up to par as previously advertised. In conclusion, it is every important that event planners conduct the proper research on what type of data needs their establishment requires. The use of the internet is inescapable especially in today's world since guests handle all types of personal and professional business through their technology artifacts.

This article is an instruction on how to find out a suitable property management software. The core features the efficient PMS should have including guest management, housekeeping ,reservations, online booking and billing management. The Property Management software also allows the report issues they have noticed like repairs that need to be done. The author concludes that it is best to get the core product regardless of the size of the hotel.

I think that finding the perfect property management software for your company is absolutely vital because it is going to cost you a lot of money and time to learn how to use the new system and you do not want to purchase the wrong one. From basic motels to fancy hotels and resorts every place should have an effective property management system and one that suits their needs. A basic motel might need one but does not need one with all the bells and whistles that a fancy upscale resort would need.

This article introduces the importance of the PMS in the hotel. When the hotels choose the PMS software, the simple and smart one is a better choice. For most efficient system, it always includes guest management, housekeeping, reservations, online booking and billing management. The advantage of the PMS is less cost. The hotels choose a good PMS will not only save money but also manage the hotel in a wonderful condition. The PMS can help the hotel store data and keep track of the housekeeping that the manager will solve some problems between housekeeping and customers. In a word, choosing a good PMS is necessary for the hotel.

There is a misconception that all PMS are the same. Although basically, they have similar functions, they are not the same. PMS used for restaurant cannot be used in a hotel, and PMS used in a bed and breakfast and that in a luxury hotel are different. It is important to choose the most appropriate PMS for a property. Managers need to consider some things before purchasing a PMS. First, what are the specific needs of your particular businesses? Second, the PMS that a hotel buy cannot have too many weakness compared with its strengths, because too many weakness will make the purchasing a poor choice overall. Third, the cost of purchasing a PMS cannot conflict with financial budget. Even if a manager did all three above, it is inevitable that the PMS you bought are not perfect, however, this imperfection is acceptable.

This article explains the accounting systems and why it is important in the hospitality industry. Every business needs to have a good system so that it records all activities and keeps track of all the cost and sales of items. To have a financial statement is crucial, because it allows managers to evaluate the services rendered and goods delivered in the operations of a business. Nowadays, with the technology, it has made it easier for accountant to follow the statements, with the operating speed and effectiveness of calculating transactions. In hotels, there are many areas of accounting. For example, in the restaurant accounting, where cash is often used, there needs to be a system to keep track of all the in and out of the restaurants. Transactions always need to be recorded even if payment has not been made or service has not yet been rendered. It always has to be in the system so that there is a record of all transactions. It will then be easier to run a business when the statements can be read by the business managers.

Traditional Point-of-sale system has its limitations for the users. The Mobile POS system provides convenience to the users on self-service. At the same time, it reduces the labor cost and attract more customers, who has interests in new technology. In current market, the MPOS has its advantages such as convenience besides the basic function of regular POS system.

Justifying IT investments is a critical skill for anyone working in technology. It's important to understand the terminology and basic techniques to make a choice to invest a new equipment. Capital Expenditure (CAPEX), Depreciation, Cash Flow, Discount Rate are basic IT investment analysis terminologies. Capital is used to identify a purchase that can be used more than one year. Usually companies will have policies on the useful life of equipment. Depreciation is used to spread the expanse of a capital IT investment over the useful life of purchase. Cash flow means that the movement of cash. And there are cash and non-cash items. Discount rate can be used to account for the fact that a dollar today is worth more than past. There are two simple IT investment techniques, Net Present Value, and Payback Period. Net present value lines up a series of cash flows over time and discounts each to the current period. It take into account the time value of money. It typical to look at cash inflows (saved maintenance costs from retired software), and outflows (cost of the software) over a 3 to 5 year period and discount the net inflow less the net outflow into a single value. Payback period analysis is trying to indicate how long the IT investment takes to recover the cost of the investment. Usually the shorter the payback period the less risky the IT investment

This article caught my eye because I think we can relate to the hotel projections for Miami this year. It basically states that everyone wants to be in Miami, and I can see why. I also agree with the topic the article touched up on: Miami is a melting pot. It is, as it states, a "...commercial hub linking the United States to Latin America..." I think that the rising tourism in Miami can help increase revenue and can eventually continue to market Miami is such a positive light. Yes, every city has its flaws but I think Miami will continue to bring in tourists and hopeful residents. 

In this article, basically, it tells us two main reason why Bomgar Reomote Support for 20,000 POS. Just like the autor talked in the passage: this software can stay in compliance with the regulations of both the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) and Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS), which fulfilled all of their current requirement. Another reason is it heavily invest in Saleforce.com, which offers users the most secure access to POS while it also gives them enough guidances of how to use it, which become the most important reason for users to select this software because it's imperative that thy access them in a highly secure and completely auditable manner. In my eyes, it did really well in reduce users top anxierty of security. Personally, I think if every technology can solve consumers' top securiy problem it will be the biggest success.

This article focuses on the "smart" trends in hotels that are replacing the human service. In this article David-Michael Davies does make a good point about "technology as a substitute for human hospitality" Now days hotels are focusing on having the latest technology that it could be seen as if they are forgetting the human service in the hotels. Though, I do agree with Barbara Kahn, that "most guest, especially younger ones who are used to having information at their fingertips…l" However, hotels are still focusing in personalization and making their guest feel like they care about them and not just their money. In my opinion, it is wonderful that hotels are focusing on being up to date with all the technology that is being offered to hotels because it does simplify the whole experience of staying in a hotel and at the same time it saves money for the hotel. Like they mentioned in the article, hotels are saving money by using technology to manage their inventory instead of having employees physically counting them. Specially, when the technology being adopted in the hotels can help safe money for guest. Just like The Park Hyatt Tokyo helps their guest with saving money with international calls. Furthermore, hotels are adding more advantages to being connected with them through social media. by offering promotions, discounts and even free drinks if you tag, check-in or write about them. This type of telecommunication is growing every day, but hotels should remember that the most basic modern service is important for the guest. Free Wi-Fi is a most for almost everybody now days.

This article discusses the difference of internet speeds in hotel rooms. Many hotels that offer free wifi have some of the slowest internet speeds available. Usually the internet bandwith is about 1 to 2 mbps per room. Since the connection speed is so slow the free wifi is basically useless to the guest. Some hotels are offering guests a tiered wifi plan at an additional price that has more bandwith and faster speed. So then the advertised free wifi isn't really free anymore. The article lists the different internet speeds from various hotels found by speedtest.net