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This article is about the new marketing opportunities mobile apps are bringing to the restaurant industry. With half of mobile users carrying at least one restaurant-specific app, companies see the potential of directly connecting with potential clients. The most popular apps are "multi-restaurant" search tools such as Yelp! that provide users with recommendations. According to Anna Bager, VP and general manager of Mobile Marketing Center of Excellence, restaurants should invest a good portion of their marketing budget on app advertising. The best ways restaurants can entice users to their apps is by offering discounts and loyalty points. This article brings up the point of incorporating technology into restaurants. I think it's an issue that companies need to look at, especially if it's a small mom-and-pop restaurant. Not only does the internet level the playing field, but by being the first to incorporate technology in innovative ways, small restaurants have a greater chance of standing out. Mobile apps are the perfect venue for customer loyalty. It will constantly keep the restaurant in the mind of users. Investing in technology, regardless of how small a budget might be, is a smart choice that will pay off in the end.

This article focuses on the benefits that Maestro (a property management system) offers to hotels and how it has been benefitting hotels that currently use their system, more specifically, smaller, independent hotels. Most chain hotels and large facilities are required to utilize a flag-mandated property management system. However, independent operators are not linked with these mandated systems, and have a choice as to which system to utilize. Maestro claims to offer Northwind, a service that allows Maestro to be utilized in a cloud-based system, enabling it to host multiple properties and save the establishment money by not requiring them to purchase servers and security, whereas a traditional PMS would have done so. The president of Northwind also states that they strive for their clients to succeed and that it is more of a partnership with those who utilize their service, and their goal is to make a hotel's operations more profitable and efficient. The article continues on to explain the uses and functions of the Maestro system, including being fully-integrates and offering operators loyalty program benefits and the functionality to compete with programs that were solely available to chains. It also tracks points earned and redemption stays as well for those loyalty programs, and claims to minimize errors and save operators money. It also allows integrations that provides social media outlets through the property management system, allowing the user to operate their business simultaneously through different systems. Maestro also boasts that the utilization of their property management system allows hotels to increase their direct bookings through the property for a lower cost than if they were to utilize a different system in which it was not flawlessly and seamlessly integrated with a global distribution system. It seems to be a property management system that enables users to complete many tasks at once, from one location, without having the hassle of

Sentry Hospitality company has implemented Aptech Computer Systems Inc.'s Profitvue and Webvue. This web-enabled hospitality back office solution easily handles single or multi-property and multi-company accounting, and incorporates accounts payable, general ledger, budgeting, forecasting, and financials. Profitvue is used by over 500 properties! These programs are back office accounting systems to automate several financial reports and analysis functions for businesses and hospitality companies. Managers can check on a hotel's performance from anywhere using real-time access to financials at any time, from any location! Webvue is an extension of Profitvue that supports property accounting and reporting via the Internet. Coupled with Profitvue, Webvue enables properties to quickly and easily send and access financial and statistical data and generate reports through its Internet. Both Profitvue and Webvue are protected and secure to use!

Consumers and hoteliers are focusing more on green technology since global warming, water shortage and other environmental problems are becoming serious. Some surveys revealed that more consumers would like to choose sustainable hotels even they have to pay more for that. Additionally, some hoteliers would budget more on green technologies, such as wireless controllers, new lightening and air conditioning system, etc. Although some eco-friendly technologies may cost more, hoteliers have to think about their social responsibility and long-term development. Considering the above factors, hoteliers should introduce green technology as a foreseeable choice.

More and more people are deciding their hotel accomodations based on how eco-friendly they are. This is forcing hoteliers to make changes to their hotels so they can be competitive with the other green hotels.

This article is focussed on the risk involved if the proper impact study is not undertaken prior to implementation of extensive IT projects. Several multinational companies were referenced in the article, highlighting failures with smooth implementation resulting in the loss of millions and sometimes billions. Below is a summary of some companies referenced in article and the impact of IT implementation gone wrong: 1. Levi Strauss: In 2003 Levi Strauss examined its technological capabilities and concluded that its systems were inadequate for its multi-national corporation operation within 110 countries. A budget of US$5 million was created for a system upgrade. Many challenges along the way resulted in the inability to sufficiently report financials resulted in three distribution canters in the USA closing for a week. As a result of this, the company lost US$200 million and the termination of the chief information officer in 2008. 2. Hong Kong Airport: IT problems resulting in glitches in flight information system and database for tracking cargo shipment resulted in a US$600 million loss between 1998 and 1999. 3. Hershey: About 10 years ago Hershey wanted to implement a new order taking system. Problems with implementation resulted in the inability of the company shipping US$100 million worth of candy in time for Halloween thus impacting the company's bottom-line of an 18.6% loss in earnings during the quarter. 4. Kmart: in 2000 Kmart embarked on aUS$1.4 billon IT modernization project. In the midst of the project Kmart discovered that the project had too many customized application which would result in an exorbitant maintenance costs. An additional US$600m was spent on integrating a supply chain management system. Failure of this project led to bankruptcy filing by Kmart in 2002. This resulted in the closure of 600 stores and the loss of over 60,000 jobs in the USA. 5. Auto windshield (UK): Auto windshield was considered to be the second largest auto glass c

Based on a 2012 survey technology investment its anticipated to be essentially flat for 2012. Its expected to grow i Asia-Pacific region and Latin America, but to decline in Europe and North America.

One of the hottest negotiation issues now a dyas is to stay green in whatever field of industry you're working at. That includes the Hospitality Management as well. In the hotel business one of the very basic, at the same time very important need is providing Hot Water. With the help of new sustainable hot water technology, the hotel properties can provide hot water without any trouble even during the peak hours while saving money!  These Solar Thermal heating Systems figured out to be very cost effective and practical that quickly began to rise interest between hoteliers.  In this way , they not only save energy and help our planet to stay green but also help them to save their budgets to be spent on some other parts. 

Commentary - Corporate meetings and events are on the rebound after the recession, but many organizations are also rethinking how technology can help them plan a more budget-friendly and productive business meeting.

Since corporate meetings and events have been suffered recession for quit a while, new they are facing a revolution of high-tech event planing to be more cost saving and more productive. This article mainly introduces those tochnology tools like database tools, attendee registration tools, video/web conferencing tools and even room diagramming tools for event and meeting planing oever the Internet.

The owners of a Culver's franchise decided to install a digital signage to provide more menu information quickly because the menu board couldn't communicate enough with customers for a short time to select menu in the fast food restaurant. The challenge was how the small business owners and franchisee would handle their budget for the investment and added cost.  The problem was solved by selecting EzSign TV from LG Electronics which displays branded messaging and shows broadcast television or input content at the same time. Furthermore, the software offers a choice of more than 50 templates that can be customized with images and text. Therefore, the business can highlight the items with pictures and deliver their daily specials more efficiently.  Installation is easy, and daily specials menus can be replaced by simply clicking. The digital signage looks cleaner than old fashioned menu board, and saves more time to change menus. By implementing a system that requires limited attention from staff, Culver's can focus on customer service and deliver value. That was a good decision adopting a new technology fits in the quick service restaurants.  

This article is about the current rise in the use of the GDS system again. This rise has been seen primarily with corporate travelers, but has also been used by the leisure traveler. While GDS usage percents dropped from 98% in 1999 to 79% in 2009, it has slightly started to increase again. Sabre one of the larger GDS companies has seen a 7% increase in use of the system in 2012. Hotels have tried to give companies better rates to their consumers, for example as more corporate travelers are extending their stays from a business trip and then turning it into a leisure trip for a few more days. This gives the traveler a lower rate a night at the hotel, as they are staying for more nights. Overall, while there was a decline in the use of GDS because of the OTA, there is now a slight increase, bringing life back to the GDS system.

This article gives an in depth explanation of the importance of GDS's in the hotel industry and the increased usage of the GDS due to the rising travel demand. The American Society of Travel Agents conducted a study in 2009 and found the percentage of member travel agencies that used the GDS declined from 98% in 1999 to 79% in 2009. A significant portion of the decrease was due to the economic downturn, but regardless hoteliers and travels still found value is the GDS channel. According to Sabre Travel Network, there was an increase of more than 7% in GDS bookings during the first quarter of 2012 over the same period last year. The demand for corporate travel is the main reason for the increase. Many people that are traveling for business want to extend their trips for leisure. This allows hotels the opportunity to adjust their pricing strategies by putting travel promotions for leisure for the business travels as well. Many people utilize the GDS to find the most affordable prices, but it is also beneficial to hoteliers as well. Elaine Kennedy, one of the two interviewed in the article, stated the pricing model provides corporations with a lower rate when demand decreases but also gives hoteliers the opportunity to achieve higher rates when demand increases, which ultimately is a win-win for both sides. The GDS also provides many opportunities for hotels to cut costs. Robert Cole, the other person interviewed in this article, stated "The GDS also provides enhanced marketing support….immediately when you use the GDS to put your product, your service, your room, your rate, you're getting it in front of an audience without using your own marketing budget." According to Robert Cole, the GDS is not going away any time soon because of the unique solutions it provides for hotels and travelers alike. I believe this article was very informative on how the GDS is currently being utilized and where it is going in the future. It basically helped answer question 3

As technology continues to advance, companies are looking into what works well for what kinda consumer. RateTiger is targeting corporate consumers, who want to be in control of room rates and have the ability to negotiate better deal based on services provided. RTC uses RPS, rate parameter shopping that searches thru hundreds of travel sites, hotel brand sites and GDS offeres corporate buyers, OTA's and travel companies the opportunities to build a rate around the best room rate for the perks and services, in comparison to what the public pays.

Excellent Article!...While corporate travelers are noticing fluctuations in "Best Available Rates (BAR)" I can only imagine that hotel owners and stakeholders are seeing a decrease of revenue caused by the ADR (Average Daily Rate). During the recession hotels had to re-shape their thinking and lower Corporate Room Rates to stay afloat; these changes caused the ADR to be lower than usual. As the economy improved, it has been harder for companies to re-negotiate corporate rates in an attempt to increase the ADR and profits for owners/stakeholders. http://www.bcdtravel.com/global/show_document.asp?id=aaaaaaaaaadsveg

This technology will provide business travelers the ability to compare hotel prices based on the type of rooms. This will help the customer in customizing their own needs during travel, while being price savvy. The traveler also has the ability to have default settings that will meet their own room specifications.

In this article it talks about e business strategies. One of them being mobile device because research and booking travel have been so critical for people on the go. The HeBS is a big digital marketing firm for the hospitality industry. There are profitable online strategies to come by in the hospitality industry. These opportunities do not come easy many time it very complex but also very successful if it done right .Hotel budget have come to a plateau. Hotel need to step up the plate because online travel agencies have taken over the industry. In addition social media and smart phone have added new dimension for market that require new skills with their ideas. HeBS face a challenge by multichannel marketing success, improving return on ad spend, and making more online marketing to be able to come back by doing this they would have the solution and the result. The solution being, keeping clients of the curve of the competition by building direct online revenue. The result for that is providing insights. The market and the driving force for the differentiate competitors. The benefits will build a leading- edge for the hospitality industry

Consumers seeking a vacation are looking for rich visual content to help them understand the value. On the website, social network, everywhere, a quality visual will provide a good representation of the property, the room, and the differentiators, and help the hotel get a better business. The reason is it could let the potential customers understand the value.Technology has made it easy for travel suppliers to create spectacular, rich content at a cost that will not break the budget.

Highlights of the article: REPORT FROM THE U.S.-After the initial jubilation over an online distribution channel with commissions around 10% wore off, hoteliers are now beginning to ask tough questions about how Roomkey.com will be marketed to compete with existing third-party sites. My descriptions: President and CEO at Hospitality eBusiness Strategies stress the importance of Room Key. He mentioned how large Room Key can cover and spread to the market. He and other members of the management team found the strategy of eBusiness is cost-saving.Emarketing can help their company cut half of the marketing budget. Hilton and Marriott international hospitality management company have already joined Room Key.And because franchisers have increase franchisers fees about advertisement, more and more hotel join Room Key.

There are concerns about how Room Key will gain a stable consumer base ".. the average consumer-how do they even learn about Room Key?" However it is clear that Room Key will be more accurate and reliable when consumers search through rates for participating hotels. Room Key has been created to offer "one last shot to convince the consumer." However, there are some hotel franchiser's that will not continue backing this project.

Highlights of the article: REPORT FROM THE U.S.-After the initial jubilation over an online distribution channel with commissions around 10% wore off, hoteliers are now beginning to ask tough questions about how Roomkey.com will be marketed to compete with existing third-party sites. My descriptions: President and CEO at Hospitality eBusiness Strategies stress the importance of Room Key. He mentioned how large Room Key can cover and spread to the market. He and other members of the management team found the strategy of eBusiness is cost-saving.Emarketing can help their company cut half of the marketing budget. Hilton and Marriott international hospitality management company have already joined Room Key.And because franchisers have increase franchisers fees about advertisement, more and more hotel join Room Key.

In 2009 the GDS usage declined from 98% to 79%. ALthough there has not been a demand to use this technology, there has been a demand in the first quarter in 2012. There has been an increase because of corporate business demand. GDS is being used to transfer room inventory to global distribution partners as well as travel agents and OTA's. Hotels using the GDS technology offer a percentage to a client instead of a fixed rate. This happens as long as companies have access to the hotel's system everyday. According to Robert Cole, The GDS system is notgoing anywhere because of its unique solutitons to hotels and travelers. It makes it easier for everyone.

This article is about how global distribution systems are still in demand even though they were said to be dying out. Industry leaders thought that with the development of online travel agencies, GDS's would soon be out of business. This isn't the case though. Well it is proven that member travel agencies have been using GDS's less this could be linked to the economy. The people who are purchasing travel through online travel agencies are still using the GDS every day. Business travel is also up in the past 10 years and also an increase in business travelers extending their stays for leisure. With that leisure and corporate traveler are help keeping GDS's alive. But GDS's would be even more profitable if they lowered their transaction fees.

The GDS has decreased steadily over the past decade, but recent studies have shown that there has been a small increase. The increase is thought to be due to corporate travel.  Many hotels are trying to increase the use of the GDS through dynamic pricing models. This model offers a percentage off the hotels best available rate depending on what the demand is. The GDS provides many benefits like facilitating the online search process, offering immediate access to information without using a marketing budget, and high sense of security. The only downfall is that the distribution costs are too high, because transaction fees usually are around $5. 

While food trucks have become extremely popular these days, they have been around as early as the 1800's! Before the gourmet food trucks started to pop up, street vendors selling hot dogs, pretzels and lunch food for office workers have been around for decades. Now with more and more people out of work or people who want the ability to be more creative with their own food with a small budget, food trucks have become more popular.  However some cities have restrictions such as Chicago, where a food truck cannot be parked within 200 feet of a restaurant.  LA, the government limits the number of permits issued for mobile food vendors because of the street congestion it produces.  Permits are also limited because traditional restaurants don't want to compete with the low priced street vendors. 

This article tells us some important factors in meeting planning. One of the most important ones is technology. Event and meeting planners regard meeting technology resources as one of the top five vendors they are going to seek. They author gives some data, which are very good and useful. 57.5% event and meeting planners are incorporating technology into the meetings with using "online registration", "video conferencing" is 20.4%, "social networks" is 17.7% and "blogs" has a proportion of 14.2%. Besides technology, there are other factors in the meeting planning. They are economy and sustainability. They economy results in the increasing costs that have cut into budgets for other meeting items. Sustainability lets event and meeting planners to focus on recycling such as reducing waste and decreasing on-site materials. This relies on technology as well. If the technology is good, the event and meeting planners will accomplish their goals of going green.

It is important to lay down a technology investment strategy that aligns with the specific goals of your organization and avoid investing in "pie in the sky" with no guaranteed returns. It will be easier to identify technologies that can help your business if you have a clear picture of where you're heading and what steps you must take to get there. Once you've set down your business strategy, you should appoint a member of your organization to track IT trends and advancements in the marketplace. Sit down with this person and list the sky technology areas they should be monitoring based on your business needs. Once you have projects in mind, talk to a trusted IT advisor and run a cost analysis. Create a short list of IT investments that you can not only afford, but will also help you achieve your stated business goals. Do a risk analysis of significant project you consider to undertake. Make sure the project is coming in on time and on budget. Finally, continue to update your IT investment plan and monitor new technology developments.

Great article talks about what companies should do if they want to invest the technology. Companies will surfer great risk if the company is blindness in investment. The company should firstly Clearfield their business strategy know what kind of the technology needed by the company. Advisor from professional people and the cost analysis is also important. Base on this analysis hotel can find better technology with less risk.

Not only does the Better Business Bureau verify legitimate businesses, but this link provides travel tips which are highlighting possible scams and ripoffs that are occurring related to tourism. It is important for travelers to be hyper-vigilant when making purchases not part of everyday lifestyle, such as taking vacations to foreign & unfamiliar places, which makes opportunities for fraud. Local scams are also discussed such as the risk for ripoffs when buying sports or concert tickets as well as counterfeit team items. Fake lodging and cruise scams are also highlighted, all issues which serve to bring awareness that validation prior to purchases of travel arrangements or leisure offers is a critical step to take before making any commitments, or confirming payment. The BBB recommends: 1) Always check the business first through validation with BBB. 2) Pay with a credit card which can be stopped or possibly recovered according to your provider. 3) Ensure you purchase is actually being used for what you intended by ensuring payment is received by cruise line, hotel, or airline being promoted. 4) Get proper confirmation of your booking. (Nuff said), 5) Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions BEFORE MAKING A PURCHASE! If questions are not welcomed, then don't give them your money! 6) Consider investing in travel insurance - a few dollars goes a long way when problems occur. Plan travel insurance into your vacation budget as a necessary purchase. "For more consumer tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org/us/bbb-news. "

Scoot, a low cost carrier based in Singapore, has signed a distribution agreement with Amadeus. Amadeus, according to their website, is the world's leading supplier of IT solutions that enable success in the travel and tourism industry. Scoot hopes with this partnership that they are able to "…deliver more budget air travel options via [their] network in the region."