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Adoption_of_Cloud_Computing_002_.pdf - 0 views

shared by djohn304 on 30 Aug 22 - No Cached
  • The core requirements for a hotel to be successful were to be aliated to a hotel group and to have a good quality product in terms of rooms and facilities before the age of computer networks and cloud services
  • o ering comfortable home-like environment
  • data about customer habits, desires and preferences
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  • This is key to the success of a hotel group in a market where 1) mobile booking on travel websites are increasing at a faster rate (20% annually) than desktop bookings (2% annually), 2) 21% of bookings are originating from smart phones and tablets, and 3) 12% of mobile bookings are implemented by Apps
  • Cloud computing has been used for tourism management, for example to rank popular tourism destinations in cities
  • Cloud computing is a technology that allows the provision and utilization of resources over the internet in lieu of installations on a desktop computer
  • cloud computing de nition: Private, Public, Community and Hybrid clouds.
  • After the 2008 recession, when lowering costs was a key objective for hotels, PAR Springer-Miller, introduced ATRIO as the Next Generation Hospitality Management Software 3 into the market.
  • The cloud related challenges that have stood out from the hotel groups responses were a) the increase in Opex (OPerating EXpense), b) restricted access to the environments and c) concerns about information security.
  • how a Quality of Service (QoS) ranking mechanism enables cloud applications such as airline ticketing systems, hotel booking services and car rental services to interact with each other to deliver services to their customers.
  • OPERA property management system cloud application in over 850 of their hotels. The hotel management system is no longer maintained on the hotel premises and storage of their data is outsourced (MICROS Systems Inc., 2013).
  • InterContinental Hotels Group were able to eliminate hardware infrastructure costs and centralize management activities such as updating prices, at the touch of a button across sixty one of their UK properties by adopting a cloud solution for their restaurant point of sale systems called SIMPHONY
  • Cloud computing is the only way forward for hospitality.
  • The distribution of the usage of cloud information system (IS) or on-premise IS in the studied hotel groups shows that the majority of IS used by hotel groups were running on the cloud, and that the smallest (in terms of number of rooms) hotel groups' (group 2) level of cloud adoption is equivalent to that of the largest (group 4).
  • The most common two bene ts identi ed are: 1) solving the problem of lack of hardware on site, and 2)transferring the risk relating to security and PCI / PA-DSS requirements to the cloud service suppliers.
  • traditional telephone system to a cloud based VoIP solution which is integrated to their SaaS hotel management system solution provided by Protel (16).
  • Alternatively, it could be due to the change in process experienced by IT Managers and now having to depend on a third party for issues which previously could be quickly checked and resolved with servers being on site.
  • The challenge which received the highest average rank (12.38 points) by the participants was the Dependency on bandwidth whilst that of least signi cance was the issue of Software licensing (3.38 points)
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    This article investigates the adoption of cloud computing in the hospitality industry across the world. While identifying the benefits and challenges of this system, the findings suggest that cloud computing is utilized in hotel groups today, more often than not. The article is not an opinion piece but rather an investigation searching for evidence to support the theory that cloud computing is growing in the hospitality industry. It bases its arguments from the observances that in order to operate a hotel group on todays scale, you have to be willing to fall in line with the trends of today- technology + convenience. It also is described how operating systems that streamline property management in terms of reservations, billing, ticketing, etc aren't exactly inventions of right now, but have been developed and corrected more and more as time has gone on and necessity has demanded of them. Four hotel groups, across 2-3 regions were involved in the study where participants were all senior IT directors and managers, across hotels with varying levels of rooms. What they ultimately found was that majority of the information systems used by these hotel groups were based on the cloud system. When the benefits and challenges were surveyed, it was found that the most common reason groups were utilizing this system was relieving the site from not having certain hardware to perform certain functions, and transferring security related risks to the system suppliers instead of the hotel. However, challenges noted was that operating expenses increased, the on site IT leaders don't have access to the environment the hardware lives in, and information security concerns. Working with a cloud computing system daily, I thoroughly understand and appreciate the benefits of having one streamlined services for guest logistics. It creates multiple levels of ease for all aspects of the organization as well as the wider hotel group. For operations that span across the globe, there probably i
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Cloud Trends That Will Shape 2022 and Beyond - 3 views

  • Cloud adoption has been on an upward trajectory for over a decade now
  • forced many employees to go digital and adapt to the work-from-home model. The workforce change heavily relies on the cloud model for continuity and growth.
  • Anything-as-a-Service (XaaS) model.
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  • wo reasons continue to be the major driving factors set to further bolster the growth of cloud adoption in 2022 onwards
  • global public cloud services are expected to grow by over 22% ($482 billion US dollars) in 2022.
  • expect better and more robust automation and AI
  • cost efficiency and accuracy of AI and ML
  • Cloud technologies are moving away from linear evolution and preparing for exponential evolution, adoption, and growth.
  • Cloud computing has been a very effective catalyst in enabling and developing AI, ML, and automation. Cloud computing can also offset the upfront project costs associated with AI and automation. It’s also helping businesses make efficient, data-driven decisions using AI and driving companies to adopt, implement, and scale automation services. That’s all helping achieve better data management, insights, security, and scale.
  • crucial driving factors in adopting AI and automation as they can deliver low latency and services-on-demand along with better data handling capabilities and processing power.
  • fraction of the price.
  • cybersecurity is growing, along with the demand for fast, efficient, and robust cloud applications through cloud-native apps
  • cloud delivery models are ever-evolving.
  • confined to infrastructure, platform, or software as services
  • has numerous delivery models.
  • Hybrid cloud infrastructure provides improved scalability and control, allowing businesses to deploy multiple delivery models
  • Businesses can then achieve increased agility and innovation, while also improving security and risk management.
  • A multi-cloud infrastructure empowers companies to uniformly distribute their workloads across multiple cloud environments.
  • enables optimized ROI, superior security, service autonomy, and low latency
  • serverless cloud computing and XaaS are also pivotal to the future IT landscape change.
  • Businesses are now more concerned about the security and safety of their digital resources.
  • Maintaining disaster recovery and data compliance is becoming more complex.
  • Secure Access Service Edge is a cybersecurity concept that creates a secure connection between applications/services and organizational entities, like users, systems, and devices. SASE is a framework that combines network security functions (like SWG and FWaaS).
  • industry experts believe SASE can assist companies in warding off cyber attacks.
  • Cloud disaster recovery is a cloud-based service that combines several strategies and services to back up resources, like data, applications, and configuration.
  • restore any affected data and resume normal operations after a disaster.
  • cloud-native apps have reached the next evolution stage
  • only increasing
  • more portability and agility
  • help companies focus on several key constraints to business development including challenges, maturity, expectations, and opportunities.
  • High speed and quick deployment.
  • Advanced data security and compliance.
  • Reduced latency
  • Disaster recovery.
  • Collaboration.
  • AI adoption has always been an optimization problem for companies worldwide. The cloud can be a solution for issues with cost, performance overhead, workload management, and data processing
  • Proper due diligence, scoping, and the right tools can also reduce these challenges.
  • Containerization is a form of virtualization.
  • added complexity and implementation challenges
  • They can reduce costs, provide tailor-made solutions, and allow for cross-platform environments.
  • To mitigate these challenges, you can establish well-defined identity and access management solutions. You can also monitor the cloud environment and watch for misconfigurations.
  • It’s helping streamline the IT landscape, and will likely continue to do so well beyond 2022.
  • safe, streamlined cloud adoption.
  • ensure you’re making the most out of these cloud trends, and minimizing any negative impacts.
  • forgo the tools individual clouds offer. Instead, implement unified cloud aggregator services to collect the data from multiple vendors
  • Hybrid cloud helps organizations further reduce costs, and helps increase agility and innovation
  • It’s an information security concept that enforces giving the lowest possible privileges/permissions level possible to minimize the threats associated.
  • A denial of service (DoS) attack is a cyberattack that shuts down a computer or a server.
  • XaaS is a modern and collective term that refers to the delivery of anything as a service.
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    This article explains some of the trends most relevant to the topic of cloud computing, as well as explains some of the benefits and disadvantages of cloud computing currently. The top four trends include artificial intelligence, cloud delivery models, security and compliance, and new cloud technologies. The article further explains each of these trends and the impact they will have on the industry. The main concern when it comes to cloud computing is the safety and security, following dependence on the internet. The new and incoming innovations within cloud computing aim to eliminate theses challenges and improve overall efficiency and adoption. Cloud computing is expected to grow over 22% this year alone and adoption rates are expected to remain increasing.
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    To summarize, the article talks about how cloud use has been increasing for over a decade, forcing many employees to embrace digital and adapt to the work-from-home concept. For continuity and expansion, the workforce transformation strongly relies on the cloud model. Given the extensive development, acceptance, and cloud deployment in corporate IT in recent years, the anticipation of stronger and more robust automation and AI has grown and should expect cloud delivery strategies to shape the cloud ecosystem in 2022 and beyond. Also, the demand for cybersecurity is rising, as is the desire for cloud-native programs that are quick, efficient, and robust.
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Leading Through Disruption in Hospitality - 2 views

  • Ninety per cent of all the data created by mankind … has been created in the last two years
  • Virtual reality (VR) also allows users to get 360-degree views of a hotel’s facilities
  • HotelTonight. This platform targets people seeking to make last-minute hotel bookings and helps participating hotels maximize their occupancy rates
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  • Advanced technology can make life easier, but it cannot replace human beings
  • All in all, disruptive innovation is undoubtedly resulting in challenges for the hotel industry. At the same time, it is also a ‘wake-up’ call for hoteliers to turn these challenges into opportunities and competitive advantages
  • New business models such as alternative accommodation (Airbnb, HouseTrip, etc.) and ride-sharing platforms (Uber) are also changing the public’s perceptions to traditional hospitality businesses
  • Technology helps make the world connected and transparent.
  • In short, it’s all about the amount of effort hoteliers are prepared to make to keep their service commitments to their guests. 
  • Disruption brings with it uncertainty through unexpected consequences. People are nowadays more prepared to check themselves in at the airport, use self-service cashier lines at the supermarket, or order food via a mobile app.
  • In hospitality, people’s expectations are also changing. Long queues to check in at the hotel become unacceptable; unresponsive or slow room service lead to negative hotel comments on TripAdvisor; and some expect 24 hours’ housekeeping even in a budget hotel
  • Technological disruption in the hotel industry is therefore challenging but it also brings with it significant opportunities. Due to the large numbers of internet users, including mobile, online review platforms, attract lots of traffic which, in turn, means plenty of business potential for the online travel agencies (OTAs) in particular.
  • Like it or not, technology will always keep progressing and hotel brands could turn such tech challenges into their competitive advantages.
  • No matter how much technology has impacted the hotel industry, hospitality – and the human touch – will always exist and should never be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI).
  • A machine can cook dishes exactly to order, but it cannot experience how the guest feels; a robot might be able to deliver a pot of hot water to a hotel room, but it is unable to tell whether the guest is feeling unwell; an advanced voice control system could make it easier to order room service, but it cannot tell whether the guest enjoys the meal.
  • Many hotels have hired a designated team to respond to selected online reviews with personalized messages because they know the reviews represent ‘real feedback’, not the type of comments which effectively ‘threaten’ hotels with a bad review in a bid to get something for nothing. However, many hotel managers are afraid of getting bad reviews and either choose to ignore them or give a refund. There are many ways to handle this ‘disruption’ and run the business; the key is to find the right way.
  • Hoteliers should be prepared to seize those opportunities, while looking to improve their services and enhance their hospitality offerings.
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    This article dives into the ways that technological innovation is disrupting the hotel industry. Hoteliers are struggling to keep up with guest needs and demands. Technological innovations, while a necessity, can never replace human touch. This rapid change represents a challenge and opportunity for the industry to overcome.
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    Technology advances at a rapid pace. While automation is occurring, it will not replace the element of the human touch. Managers should decide what will provide the best service to their guests.
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    This article explains the technological advances in the hospitality industry and how this has been attributed to being a crutch for the industry and/or a burden. With the utilization of technological software such as kiosks, automated checks in's, and mobile ordering, the hospitality industry has had a disruption in the product that they are offering. The article also undergoes the understanding of taking the implementation of technology and the human interaction and combining them to work cohesively in the hospitality industry. Understanding that it is a balance that both must intertwine in order to find success in hospitality.
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    In this article, all the incredible sides of innovative technology within the hospitality and tourism industry are highlighted and discussed. Along with the discussion of what some of the newest technology is, it touches on how it positively and negatively affects the industry. For example, the article talks about how the average person is so much more willing to go about self-service check-ins and hotels and airports, as well as ordering from a kiosk at a restaurant. From this, while it can be super convenient for the customer, it can also cause extreme damage to the business. Because so much of the industry has transformed to just being at the will of your fingertips, it leaves customers forgetting that not everything comes with instant gratification. "Long queues to check in at the hotel become unacceptable; unresponsive or slow room service lead to negative hotel comments on TripAdvisor; and some expect 24 hours' housekeeping even in a budget hotel", a quote from the article reads. The article also talks about how while there can be many negatives, there are equally as many rewarding positives. For example, "Due to the large numbers of internet users, including mobile, online review platforms, attract lots of traffic which, in turn, means plenty of business potential for the online travel agencies (OTAs) in particular". One of the main points in the article talks about how even though many hospitality jobs are being taken over by computers and AI, the one thing a robot will never be able to grasp and give is human interaction. "A machine can cook dishes exactly to order, but it cannot experience how the guest feels; a robot might be able to deliver a pot of hot water to a hotel room, but it is unable to tell whether the guest is feeling unwell; an advanced voice control system could make it easier to order room service, but it cannot tell whether the guest enjoys the meal". In conclusion, while there are indeed many disruptive changes that have bee
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Nobody likes self-checkout. Here's why it's everywhere - CNN - 0 views

    • alomariee98
       
      It is really good to know that customers are not the only ones that experience issues with self-check-outs at the stores. They are machines that need to be maintained every so often. I have had my own experience with self-checkout and can see both sides of the story. In my experience which just so happened to be yesterday I did self-checkout in 2 different places. In one of them a customer tried to get away with theft by hovering the scanner over the item and not really scanning anything. In the other instance I kept getting the error message that did not let me keep scanning until the system reverted back to the scanning page. I get how it can be frustrating but I also see that sometimes it is the quickest option. Now with the pandemic like it says on the article some people prefer the no contact option and rather do the things themselves. This disruptive innovation just shows if there are stores that do not have it, they may fall behind because it has already become normal whether you use it or not. It gives people the choice whether or not they want to use it. Bad thing is that it does show less employees working on the floor because of these machines depending on the store. Now its a competition everywhere to have self check-out. An example I know of is the Disney Stores at Disney Springs and inside the parks. If you have the My Disney Experience app you can do mobile check-out without having to make a line for the register. Less contact with an employee.
  • The machines are expensive to install, often break down and can lead to customers purchasing fewer items.
  • higher losses and more shoplifting
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  • 29% of transactions at food retailers were processed through self-checkout, up from 23% the year prior
  • work from paid employees to unpaid customers
  • was designed primarily to lower stores' labor expenses
  • Customers scanned their items and put them on a conveyor belt. An employee at the other end of the belt bagged the groceries. Customers then took them to a central cashier area to pay.
  • 52% of shoppers considered self checkout lanes to be "okay," while 16% said they were "frustrating." Thirty-two percent of shoppers called them "great."
  • required regular maintenance and supervision
  • self-checkout leads to more losses due to error or theft than traditional cashiers.
  • Other customers take advantage of the lax oversight at self checkout aisles and have developed techniques for stealing.
  • Stores have tried to limit losses by tightening self-checkout security features, such as adding weight sensors
  • It may simply be too late for stores to turn their back on self-checkout.
    • alomariee98
       
      It really is too late to turn their back on self-checkout. It is already part of the store and those who do not use it will get left behind. Sometimes self-checkout is faster but it can be a bit frustrating due to the error messages it may give you. After all, it is still a machine.
  • Store owners have also seen competitors installing self-checkout and determined they don't want to miss out
  • "It's an arms race. If everyone else is doing it, you look like an idiot if you don't have it,"
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    Disruptive Innovation: Self-checkout
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Peloton becomes the latest pandemic boomtime business to announce restructuring, as out... - 0 views

    • shawndab
       
      As a spa & fitness leader, I have had many hotel guests tell me they access the hotel finder on the Peloton site to make their accommodation decisions.
  • gyms being forced to close and people looking for alternative exercise options – a "pivot" with which Peloton became near-synonymous
  • Peloton is set to axe around 800 jobs, increase the price of its equipment and close some of its retail operations as part of efforts to turn around the decline in its business.
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  • share price plummet from a high of US$162 in December 2020 to the current US$13.
  • The company has struggled to capitalise on its pandemic successes
  • ess to announce restructuring, as out-of-home fitness bounces back
  • cease making its own products and, instead, expand its partnership with Taiwan-based manufacturer Rexon.
  • The move came just 14 months after Peloton acquired equipment creator Precor, in a deal worth US$420m, renaming it Peloton Commercial.
  • Peloton Bike+ will increase by US$500 to US$2,495. The price of the Peloton Tread will increase by US$800 to US$3,495
  • "Price is just one of the many levers we will continue to explore as part of our business transformation strategy."
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AI in the hospitality industry: Benefits, applications, and use cases - 1 views

  • Science-fiction once claimed that humans would one day live together with robots who would make our lives easier.
  • In recent years, AI is becoming increasingly vital in the hospitality industry owing to its capacity to do traditionally human tasks at any time of day. This might save hoteliers a lot of money, minimize human mistakes, and allow them to provide better service.
  • Customer service is especially important in the travel sector, as hotels often live or die depending on how they treat their clients. The options for improving this element using AI are nearly limitless, ranging from improved personalization to targeted recommendations.
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  • The introduction of AI has drastically altered hotel operations. The tremendous number of jobs that front-desk employees are expected to handle demonstrates how different the situation would be without artificial intelligence.
  • A phone system with AI can intelligently route calls. Basic queries can be answered by chatbots on the internet. Remote check-in systems that are AI-connected can allow customers to check into their rooms using a smartphone app without ever having to stop at the front desk
  • To use the data you have on your hotel’s behalf, you must first sort, organize, cleanse, parse, and transform it into something that humans can understand. To put it another way, you must find a means to delete inaccurate or duplicated data, arrange it so that it makes sense, and then present it in a human-readable style, such as charts and graphs.
  • AI, on the other hand, enables personalization on a far deeper level, affecting the very core of the guest experience. It also helps you save time, money, and effort by enhancing efficiency.
  • For example, an AI chatbot linked to your Facebook Messenger can answer queries from visitors and collect basic information to save in your database. This information can then be utilized to tailor future interactions with the guest. You might design special offerings that cater to their specific needs, such as child-friendly accommodations, all-inclusive stays, or experiences that include a hotel room as well as tickets to nearby events or shows.
  • AI may assist you in ensuring that you get it right while also increasing efficiency and accuracy. You won’t have to look very hard to find proof of this. You almost certainly employ both a property management system (PMS) and a point of sale (POS) system. Both of these use AI to assist you to handle bookings, offering add-ons, and adding them to customers’ bills, among other things.
  • Artificial intelligence embedded in the software you use every day, such as your PMS and POS, allows for greater efficiency, a stronger relationship with your visitors, and, ultimately, greater hotel success.
  • Hilton Hotels’ First Robot Concierge, Meet Connie.
  • AI chatbots, for example, have been popular on social media platforms to allow customers to ask questions and receive near-instant responses, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hotels benefit from this because it allows them to achieve response speeds that are nearly difficult to achieve through human-to-human interaction.
  • Predict passenger flow using predictive analytics and machine learning to avoid airport overcrowding.Based on the current operational state, as well as prior data and patterns, machine learning can be used to assess the probability of delayed departures.By studying typical baggage mishandling and breaking points, conditions, and settings, developers can leverage machine learning skills construct a virtual assistant to proactively track baggage.
  • AI and machine learning can be used to incorporate real-time feedback into workflows. This can help assess whether or not a guest is happy with their room.
  • RPA is capable of automating dull and repetitive operations. AI is capable of detecting demand patterns, forecasting corresponding prices, and even calculating human resource requirements.
  • Hospitality businesses can use AI and machine learning to determine which aspects of their loyalty program appeal to clients and which are deal breakers. By examining emotional activity, sentiment analysis (which uses Natural Language Processing) can help organizations comprehend positive, negative, and neutral viewpoints.
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    This article details the increasing and already abundant role that AI technologies are playing in the day-to-day operations of hospitality companies. It goes into depth about how these advancements are using analytical data to provide a better guest experience while also taking information from outside sources to focus on aspects of the operation that need improvement or things that are being well received. The process of AI implementation has also allowed for the customization of guest experience allowing guests to be catered to 24/7 offering insights and calculated suggestions.
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6 Technology Trends Redefining the Hospitality Industry - 0 views

  • In a Stayntouch/NYU Tisch Center of Hospitality Report, 81.7 percent of hoteliers surveyed had implemented at least one new technology during the pandemic, and/or were planning to in 2022. Incorporating technology into day-to-day operations is essential to minimize human error, maximize service efficiency and improve the guest experience.
  • Gamification of travel planningWith cabin fever at an all-time high, the world couldn’t be hungrier for spontaneity. As people contemplate their next getaway, hospitality companies can leverage gamification — using game design elements in non-game contexts — to turn travel planning from a chore into a guilty pleasure.By interplaying gamification mechanics like challenges, chance and rewards, with elements like points, quests and sharing, companies can capitalize on human motivation. Imagine a travel planning website that challenges users to solve a travel puzzle where they will achieve a score, be ranked on a leaderboard and receive points for their next trip.Popular European airline Lufthansa introduced Lufthansa Surprise, which allows travelers to choose from nine categories, with themes like nature, cities or partying. Upon picking top choices from seven to twelve European cities, the destination is only revealed after booking. Beyond novelty, using gamification for online advertising is proven to boost data driving, customer loyalty, brand awareness, user-generated content, online engagement and revenue. 
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The Award-Winning Property Management System - #1 Hotel PMS - 1 views

  • The Cloudbeds Property Management System puts time back in your hands and lets you focus on what really matters - keeping your guests happy.
  • Reduce errors and save time by automatically updating your room inventory across all distribution channels with a click. Cloudbeds PMS helps you deliver an exceptional guest experience while avoiding costly errors by automating repetitive, manual tasks.
  • Our powerful reporting and analytics module is built directly into the Cloudbeds Property Management System. Use your property and guest data to improve workflows and make strategic decisions
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  • Connect with dozens of API integrations and 3d-party apps, including contactless guest services, check-in kiosks, digital concierges, Point of Sale (POS) providers, and more.
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    As the need for a one-stop-shopping experience increase does the demand from the lodging industry for a system that can simplify the process for marketing, reservations, check in, check out and just follow up. The Property Management System (PMS) is designed to do just that, simply the management, administration, reservation and booking. This article speaks about a cloud-based system called Cloudbeds that provides, among other things, Property Management Software for the lodging industry.This PMS is advertised as a way to simplify the reservation process as well as maintaining correct room inventory, rates and availability, housekeeping room status, and ease of retaining guest preferences. The PMS system also sends real-time availability to all online channels. Cloudbeds promise is to "Reduce errors and save time by automatically updating room inventory across all distribution channels with a click". According their website, "Cloudbeds PMS helps you deliver an exceptional guest experience while avoiding costly errors by automating repetitive, manual tasks." The PMS offers: -A Calendar - Reservations tool for direct bookings - Rates and availability Matrix - Reports
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Why is Virtual Reality Becoming Important in the Hospitality Industry? | Circle One | V... - 0 views

  • VR has become particularly important, because of the amount of information the average customer needs before they will actually book a hotel room. Rather than reading through descriptions, which may or may not be trustworthy, it offers customers the chance to experience things for themselves.
  • virtual travel experiences, using 360 degree video technology. Through this, users can experience a virtual recreation of different aspects of travel, from the flight, to arrival, to some of the key sights
  • Virtual tours make your website appealing and highlight captivating aspects of your hotel, which helps increase traffic. With a high-quality virtual tour and straightforward booking process, more customers will be motivated to make direct bookings with your hotel. You can even add direct calls-to-action at strategic points in the tour that lead to the booking page.
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  • First impressions matter. If they’re positive, your guests will likely remember you for a long time. An engaging, interactive virtual tour helps grab your audience’s attention and create a positive first impression.
  • Virtual tours and interactive media give your guests control over their experience. Every visitor has unique needs, and can interact with the media by zooming in or panning up, down, left and right. Customers love having the freedom to choose what to view
  • this potentially allows customers to experience a virtual recreation of a room within a hotel, or take a look at one of the nearby attractions. Essentially, this allows the hotel industry to benefit from the type of ‘try before you buy’ marketing that has been commonplace within the food industry for decades.
  • those operating within hospitality management can continue to use VR to deliver information and allow customers to experience nearby attractions once they have arrived, adding to the hotel experience itself.
  • The full potential of virtual reality within the hotel industry is only recently being recognised. Nevertheless, three of the best current uses of the technology
  • The hospitality and travel industry has realized the potential of virtual reality to attract guests, increase online revenue and generate more bookings.
  • One way hotels are embracing this technology is with virtual tours. These interactive tours use virtual reality to give prospective guests an immersive, 360-degree walkthrough so they can explore the hotel before booking
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    The article discuss different usages of virtual reality in hotels, and how it has benefited hotels by increasing the number of hotel bookings and level of satisfaction.
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    In Today's Society digital is the new engineer and operational tasks in regard to how we book flights before touring, interactive experiences through the media, and memorable expressions. The hospitality and travel industry has realized the potential of Virtual Reality to attracts incoming guests and increase bookings rates.
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THE MATERIALS ECONOMY(A LINEAR SYSTEM) - 0 views

  • The Materials Economy is a production system that dominates our manufacturing world. It is a system that starts with the extraction of raw materials from the ground and their processing into usable materials. This is followed by the refined materials being used to manufacture products in factories (called production)
  • The environment is damaged by the Materials Economy. The extraction of raw materials from the ground, damages the environment and causes pollution and physical scars on our planted. The manufacturing processes create further environmental damage, in the form of atmospheric pollution. The dumping of waste materials and the use of energy produced by fossil fuels, also contribute to environmental damage. The distribution of products, releases CO2 gases into the atmosphere, as lorries, ships and planes burn the fossil fuels, required to transport the products, from the factory to the retailer and then to
  • ed on renewable fuels, such as hydrogen or electricity (produced by wind, sea, solar and biomass). Local manufacturing rather than remote manufacture, dramatically reducing our carbon footprint / pollution. A system totally focussed on the long ter
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    This article outlines the linear cycle of the Materials of Economy, explaining each step and bringing to a close the number one issues, the damage to he planet and ultimately the people.
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Why unattended retail is exploding in response to consumer acceptance| NAMA 2022 | Reta... - 0 views

  • A host of technologies and service concepts have come on the scene as of late: "smart" coolers, third party delivery, artificial intelligence, computer vision and biometric identity verification
  • Moderator Bill Moxey, director of strategy and planning at PepsiCo Inc., made one thing clear at the outset: Thousands of locations will be adding unattended retail concepts and technologies in the near future as the consumer's preference for self service is stronger than ever.
  • Consumers wanted to know exactly what they were getting… and they didn't feel pressure about somebody asking if they wanted a side."
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  • When consumers feel less pressure, they feel more comfortable…and we buy more," he said. They will spend 20% to 40% more per transaction in an unattended setting.
  • According to the research, half of consumers think unattended is faster and more than a third of consumers think unattended is more efficient, Moxey said. Two thirds say it is more comfortable, and one third like the ability to browse and purchase without interacting with employees.The biggest takeaway is consumers don't feel pressure and they feel safe.
  • When consumers get full control over the experience, they get more excited.
  • The expansion will include a projected 12,000 lodging sites, a projected 3,000 airports, a projected 11,000 health care sites, a projected 3,000 college and university sites (including gyms, libraries, common areas and auditoriums), Moxey said. The majority of expansion will be in healthcare, travel and recreation channels.
  • Coffey pointed out that consumers on average increased snack consumption from 2.2 snacks per day to over five snacks."The people at home were rewarding themselves between Zoom calls," he said.When they go back to work, these habits won't change, he said
  • lassman said the pantry/OCS future is hard to gauge since it depends on customer budgets. With economies scaling and budgets cycling, there will be some type of need, he said, but the scale of it is uncertain.
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Are hotels and outdoor concerts any safer since the Las Vegas attack? | PBS NewsHour - 0 views

  • By now, many details of that October evening in Las Vegas are well known: the lone gunman in a 32nd floor suite atop the Mandalay Bay Hotel, the arsenal of firearms, the terrified concertgoers below.
  • For the first time in Coachella’s 19-year history, organizers used surveillance drones to monitor the vast grounds of the festival.
  • A separate Gallup poll taken days after the Las Vegas shooting found that 39 percent of Americans are “very” or “somewhat” worried that they, or a loved one, will be a victim of a mass shooting.
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  • The Las Vegas attack was, however, the first mass shooting at a hotel in the U.S., and it served as a reminder that attacks on entertainment events are a worldwide emerging threat
  • The attack Paddock carried out — from a hotel with robust security and a state-of-the-art surveillance system — left many industry insiders and security experts stunned.
  • In a 2017 Gallup poll, 38 percent of U.S. adults said they were less willing to attend events with large crowds out of concern the events could become a terrorist target.
  • For months ahead of the festival, a security company called Emergence also trained Goldenvoice security and police officers in “predictive threat analysis,” a security technique that focuses on spotting signs of trouble and disrupting attacks before they take place.
  • And as security costs for hotels and event promoters increase, concertgoers in the U.S. may see slightly higher ticket prices
  • Police say Stephen Paddock planned his attack in Las Vegas at least a year in advance. In the days leading up to the shooting, Paddock was able to bring more than 23 rifles into his hotel room, set up a hidden camera in the hallway outside of his room, and drill L-brackets into the 32nd floor stairwell door and his suite to delay police from entering.
  • After the shooting, Wynn Resorts, Hilton and Disney Resorts all changed their internal policies regarding do-not-disturb signs
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    High profile hotels near large events have had to respond to events such as mass shootings since the 2017 Las Vegas attack where a guest used as hotel room to carry out the shooting. Concert venues and large hotels are now using surveillance drones and predictive threat analysis to enable their staff to recognize patterns that could indicate signs of trouble. Security costs at large venues are expensive, and they are being passed on via ticket prices. Hotels need to evaluate their need for an active shooter plan and evaluate their "do not disturb" policies and train their staff to alert management when they are unable to enter a guest room, or when they recognize something out of the ordinary.
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Electronic Waste Is Becoming a Global Environmental Problem | Time - 1 views

  • s a tech-hungry nation flush with cash gets ready to upgrade to the next generation of lightning-fast 5G devices, there is a surprising environmental cost to be reckoned with: a fresh mountain of obsolete gadgets. About 6 million lb
  • Workers with hammers hack at the bulkiest devices, while others remove dangerous components like lithium-ion batteries
  • That cycle of consumption has made electronics waste the world’s fastest-growing s
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  • “In our society, we always have to have the new, best product,” said Aaron Blum, the co-founder and chief operating officer of ERI, on a tour of the facility
  • Even when e-waste rules exist, it’s left up to consumers to handle their old devices prop
  • But less than a quarter of all U.S. electronic waste is recycled, according to a United Nations estimate. The rest is incinerated or ends up in landfills
  • Environmental concerns aside, compacting flammable lithium-ion batteries with paper recycling can be dangerous; recycling centers have reported an uptick in fires
  • 5G promises faster speeds and other benefits. But experts say it will also result in a dramatic increase in e-waste, as millions of smartphones, modems and other gadgets incompatible with 5G networks are made obsolete
  • ly. But recycling them can be a
  • We don’t necessarily have the measures to make sure people aren’t throwing it away,” Walters said.
  • Even so, some companies are increasing their recycling efforts on their own, whether for the economic benefit or the public relations boost (mining fresh materials has financial, environmental and human costs of its own). For instance, Apple in 2018 introduced Daisy, a smartphone-recycling robot that can take apart 200 iPhones every hour, and says it diverted 48,000 metric tons of electronic waste from landfills that year
  • Our products today don’t last as long as they used to, and it’s a strategy by manufacturers to force us in
  • o shorter and shorter upgrade cycles,” said Kyle Wiens, the founder of iFixit
  • Some environmental groups say multibillion-dollar companies like Apple and Samsung should pick up the cost of recycling the devices they sell. Lawmakers in parts of Europe and Canada and in some U.S. states have passed so-called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, which require manufacturers to establish and fund systems to recycle or collect obsolete products
  • One solution is to make electronics last as long as they once did. At ERI’s facility, Shegerian showed TIME dozens of televisions from the 1970s and 1980s that stopped working only recently
  • About 6 million lb. of discarded electronics are already processed monthly at recycling giant ERI’s Fresno plant.
  • Americans spent $71 billion on telephone and communication equipment in 2017, nearly five times what they spent in 2010 even when adjusted for inflation, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. (Apple alone sold 60 million iPhones domestically last year, according to Counterpoint Research.)
  • That stream is expected to turn into a torrent as the world upgrades to 5G, the next big step in wireless technology.
  • Part of the problem is regulatory. Only 19 states have laws banning electronics from the regular trash. In states without such rules, like Nevada, electronics often end up in garbage and recycling bins, said Jeremy Walters, a community-relations manager for waste collector Republic Services
  • Our products today don’t last as long as they used to, and it’s a strategy by manufacturers to force us into shorter and shorter upgrade cycles,”
  •  
    Advancement in technology every day has led to the dumping of electronic gadgets no longer wanted to the environment. Heaps of unwanted electronic waste, hazardous containing substances like lithium-ion batteries, are dumped into the ground with all their toxicology. As the world upgrades to 5G, it will end in a rapid surge in e-waste. According to John Shegerian thinks people are yet to see the magnitude of the transition to 5G, it is tremendous than changing from analog to digital (Samuels & Calif, 2019). However, it comes with many advantages; its outcome is a drastic rise in electronic waste. The ERI recycles less than a quarter of the United States' e-waste according to the estimate made by the United Nations, and the other dumped in landfills. This waste contains harmful metals such as beryllium and mercury, that have adverse environmental dangers. Among the 50 states in the United States, only 19 States have imposed a law to bun electronics from regular trash (Samuels & Calif, 2019); the rest of the states, like Nevada they are incorporated in recycling and trash bins, according to Jeremy Walters's manager for waste collection. The consumers are left to handle their e-waste even though there are e-waste rules. Multibillion companies should the responsibility and cater for the cost of recycling for the products they are manufacturing. Companies like Apple and Samsung, nonetheless the United States is repelling modifications to the prevailing laws, according to Scott Cassel Product Stewardship Institute found. However, some companies are improving through increasing their recycling efforts. For instance, Daisy, a recycling robot introduced by Apple, can collect more than 200 iPhones for recycling every hour. But this is not enough since e-waste generated annually globally is more than we can imagine, which almost 50 tons (Samuels & Calif, 2019). In a nutshell, technology can bring many benefits to society. Still, it can also harm both the environment and the p
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    the article explores the dangers of elctronic waste and give suggestions on how to better monitor this issue and resolve.
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    This article explains how the rapid advancement of technology has impulsed an increase in the use of technology, however has resulted in a rise in ewaste percentage. This happens because companies have opted for creating products that do not last for long periods of time, since they want to sell future products.
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Big data and analytics in tourism and hospitality: opportunities and risks - ProQuest - 0 views

  • The purpose of this paper is to examine and provide insights into one of the most influential technologies impacting the tourism and hospitality industry over the next five years, i.e. big data and analytics. It reflects on both opportunities and risks that such technological advances create for both consumers and tourism organisations, highlighting the importance of data governance and processes for effective and ethical data management in both tourism and hospitality
  • This paper identifies and examines key opportunities and risks posed by the rising technological trend of big data and analytics in tourism and hospitality. While big data is generally regarded as beneficial to tourism and hospitality organisations, there are extensively held ethical, privacy and security concerns about it. Therefore, the paper is making the case for more research on data governance and data ethics in tourism and hospitality and posits that to successfully use data for competitive advantage, tourism and hospitality organisations need to solely expand compliance-based data governance frameworks to frameworks that include more effective privacy and ethics data solutions.
  • Technology (and its rapid development) is one of the key megatrends and driving forces that are seen to shape the future of tourism (Yeoman, 2012, 2018; Yeoman and McMahon-Beattie, 2018) via changes that will impact the way tourism and hospitality providers interact with travellers.
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  • A recent business report on key megatrends and market disruptors suggests that technology and new ways of engaging and interacting with customers are fuelling the rate of disruption as currently businesses are able to reach new customers in new ways and can reinvent customer engagement around service and convenience (Boumphrey, 2019).
  • One of the most important uses of data is to improve personalisation, travel companies using the information they gather to make specific adjustments to their offerings.
  • Currently, considerable amount of structured and unstructured data are produced globally (Nunan and Di Domenico, 2013; Verdino, 2013), a so-called “digital exhaust” (Wang, 2013; Barocas and Nissenbaum, 2014) that is passively generated by users of products and services using mobile devices (Shilton, 2009), an abundance of publicly available data shared on social networking platforms (Nov et al., 2010) and customer data and information purposely collected by tourism organisations’ booking systems or customer relations management (CRM) systems
  • This abundance of data and the act of processing data on a large scale has led to the concept of “Big Data,” which Mayer-Schönberger and Cukier (2013) define as “things one can do at a large scale that cannot be done at a smaller one, to extract new insights or create new forms of value, in ways that change markets, organisations, the relationship between citizens and governments, and more” (p. 6
  • ndeed, one of the latest Euromonitor International travel industry reports confirms that big data and analytics is expected to be the most influential technology impacting the industry in the next five years (Bremmer, 2019), followed by artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.
  • The use of data is viewed as a disruptive innovation in the tourism and hospitality industry, although it allows organisations in the industry to facilitate personalisation, offer convenience, save costs and overall gain competitive advantage (Evans, 2020).
  • These technological advances provide significant opportunities for businesses to harness the wealth of data to support their activities and gain competitive advantage. The efficient uses of data and analytics drive process and cost efficiencies and strategy and change (MicroStrategy, 2018).
  • In particular, in the tourism and hospitality sector, the effective use of big data is associated with revenue management (e.g. using and combining internal data, such as occupancy rates and current bookings, with external data such as information about local events, school holidays and flight information to forecast demand and maximise revenues); market research and strategic marketing purposes (e.g. identifying customer trends to best cater marketing opportunities); customer experience and reputation management (e.g. social media conversations and online reviews, service usage data and internal feedback via customer surveys). A good example of an organisation that successfully uses big data to gain competitive advantage is AirBnB (Evans, 2020; Guttentag, 2019).
  • These concerns have been intensified by recent global cyber-attacks and more specifically by significant data breaches in a wide range of industries and sectors, including the tourism and hospitality industry (Armerding, 2018; PwC, 2016, 2017). The hospitality industry is now in the media spotlight because of high profile breaches (PwC, 2016, 2017).
  • One of the biggest data breaches of the 21st century has affected one of the largest hospitality companies, Marriott International. Starting in 2014, the data breach occurred on systems supporting Starwood hotel brands, which were acquired by Marriott in 2016 and affected ∼500 million customers worldwide, with the breach only being discovered in September 2018. Data and information on names, contact information, passport numbers, travel information and other personal information were compromised, and information on credit card numbers and expiration dates of more than 100 million customers was stolen (Armerding, 2018).
  • Indeed, the 2018 Global State of Enterprise Analytics survey found that globally 49 per cent of companies surveyed believed that the primary challenges organisations most commonly face are data privacy and security concerns (MicroStrategy, 2018). Similarly, another recent industry report shows that over 40 per cent of tourism industry professionals claimed that data privacy and cybersecurity are one of the most influential factors impacting digital commerce in this sector (Bremmer, 2019).
  • Not surprisingly, privacy is now the top data issue and concern for organisations
  • When selecting analytics solutions, tourism and hospitality organisations are required to address the growing concerns around privacy and security of customer data by putting in place well-designed data governance frameworks capable of providing quality data and be able to provide effective frameworks of data security and protection for all stakeholders
  • Potential frameworks for ethical data management and digital privacy specific to tourism and hospitality would need to identify, in addition to the protections afforded under the recent General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (ICO, 2018), how data is collected, what it is used for and who has access to it and why
  • Big data and analytics are playing a crucial role in digital transformation efforts of organisations in general and in the tourism and hospitality industry, thus driving greater effectiveness and efficiency and the strategy to define new business models and bring about successful change (Evans, 2020; MicroStrategy, 2018)
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    This was about the risks in the hospitality and tourism industry when it comes to big data and analytics. Big data is so important in the hospitality industry because it's how companies know who to cater to and with what and how. In addition to the importance of big data, there are risks that come with it. A few risks are data leaks, hackers, etc. Companies invest money in their systems so these things are avoided.
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The world's e-waste is a huge problem. It's also a golden opportunity | World Economic ... - 1 views

  • Humankind’s insatiable demand for electronic devices is creating the world’s fastest-growing waste stream.
  • The United Nations calls it a tsunami of e-waste.
    • deranique
       
      This statement refers to the seriousness of e-waste globally.
  • the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
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  • the International Labour Organization (ILO)
  • he United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other members of the E-waste Coalition
  • increase the global e-waste recycling rate to 30%.
  • They now number more than humans and are projected to grow to 25-50 billion by 2020, reflecting plummeting costs and rising demand.
  • The situation is not helped by the fact that only 20% of global e-waste is formally recycled. The remaining 80% is often incinerated or dumped in landfill.
  • By all coming together on the global stage we can create a sustainable industry that generates less waste, and in which our devices are re-used as well recycled in novel ways. This also creates new forms of employment, economic activity, education and trade.
  • Already 67 countries have enacted legislation to deal with the e-waste they generate. Apple, Google, Samsung and many other brands have set ambitious targets for recycling and for the use of recycled and renewable materials.
  • Action is needed now.
  • E-waste is not pollution, nor is it waste - it’s a vital resource we are only just starting to value in full.
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    This article provides a detailed approach on the negative and positive impacts of electronic waste from a global standpoint. This article also provides statistical data to show the various types of technological gadgets that contribute to e-waste, the materials they are made from, and new initiatives put in place to recycle these items.
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Digital Transformation in the Hospitality Industry | Boston Hospitality Review - 0 views

  • We are now experiencing the fourth industrial revolution, a period marked by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, the Internet of Things, and fifth-generation wireless technology.
  • The recent Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this digital transformation resulting in a widening technology-mediated customer experience.
  • Service robots are “system-based autonomous and adaptable interfaces that interact, communicate, and deliver service to an organization’s customer” (Wirtz et al., 2018, p. 109).
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  • The core interactive and communicative features differentiate service robots from other self-service machines, which result in unprecedented human-technology interactions in the hospitality industry.
  • he service production process, disinfection robots, which emit UV light to kill viruses and bacteria, were announced to be used in airports and hotels worldwide to ensure a safe and clean environment (Greg, 2020).
  • The robots drive around autonomously in high-touch public areas and select rooms at the hotel, removing all airborne viruses and bacteria. As an extension of the hotel’s “SmartStaySafety” operation, the use of UVD robots not only provides a safe environment but also assures guests that they are being protected. 
  • In
  • the service delivery process, service robots assist frontline staff in a sequence of service encounters. For instance, the robot concierges assist employees with guest greetings upon arrival, transporting luggage, guiding guests, and delivering room service.
  • service robots can effectively respond and interact with guests, even in multiple languages. 
  • While robots make significant contributions to operational efficiency, they also raise concerns.
  • Service robots are still novel in hospitality. Their ability to cope with unexpected, dynamic conditions remains to be fully explored.
  • If guests do not follow the pre-set route, service robots may fail to respond, which can lead to a service failure.
  • AI-powered online chatbots are also employed to provide swift answers to customers via live chats.
  • provide customers with immediate responses 24 hours a day, significantly improving customer engagement.
  • customers believed VR simulations would be the best tool for hospitality operators to create a compelling customer experience.
  • VR can make a huge difference in a customer’s booking stage.
  • Through the digitally accommodated environment, customers can have a much clearer sense of what they are expecting, thus attracting more prospective customers.
  • VR application is the virtual tour video,
  • This not only offers customers a chance to experience prior to booking, but also allows the hospitality business to benefit from the “try before you buy” marketing strategy. 
  • Unlike VR, which puts customers in a completely virtual environment, augmented reality (AR) is about enhancing the physical environment and the experience of exploring one’s surroundings in real-time.
  • The current applications of AR in hospitality are largely for entertainment and practical purposes.
  • One example is the Best Western Hotel Group’s experiment with AR and Disney stars.
  • Another application of AR is indoor navigation
  • Internet of Things (IoT) refers to “an ever-growing network of connected devices which communicate with a central server as well as with each other” (Car et al., 2019, p. 163).
  • IoT provides integrated services, such as automated door locks, light switches, electric blinds, and voice-assistant devices, which are connected on a network.
  • These allow customers to control or monitor their devices from a central server, such as a mobile phone or a tablet. 
  • For example, customers can use their mobile phones for self-check-in and check-out.
  • Rooms also become “smart” with the help of IoT, which is also called the “connected room” at Hilton hotels.
  • Customers can also use voice-controlled assistants, for example, the Amazon Alexa, to control those in-room features, and order food or drinks, which can be delivered by autonomous delivery robots.
  • In addition, devices, such as luggage carts with GPS function and sensors in the parking lot, can help customers to locate their luggage and cars. Thus, IoT helps improve service processes and makes customer experiences smoother.
  • It obtains real-time data through continuous tracking from various devices, as well as a collection of customer information that was previously unavailable, such as preferences, routines, and habits (Marek & Woźniczka, 2017).
  • there are several emerging issues that hospitality practitioners must take into consideration when embracing digital technologies, which include security, privacy, costs, and human touch in hospitality. 
  • IoT with locational information can send real-time personalized recommendations to customers based on their stored preferences.
  • IoT can collect customers’ preferences for in-room features, and the data can then be used to customize the room settings for their next stay.
  • Security is a fundamental issue in digital transformation in any industry, including hospitality.
  • Also, t
  • he broad connection of various devices brings vulnerability to digital networks.
  • Thus,
  • hospitality managers must prepare for security implications of digital transformation, which can be accomplished by adopting high-security technologies to reduce software vulnerabilities, building resources to mitigate risk of cyber-attacks, and training employees on cyber-attack prevention.
  • Privacy is another important factor as highly personalized services rely on storing and tracking customer preferences and behavior through digital technologies.
  • a transparent, strict, and clear privacy policy clarifying what data can be collected and shared, and who can own the data, is necessary.
  • Another challenge is associated with the high costs of employing these digital technologies.
  • For small businesses, using digital technologies in their daily operations may require significant upfront investments.
  • it is becoming critical for hospitality businesses to consider what digital technologies would most benefit their business.
  • for small hospitality businesses, they need to prioritize what works best for them when adopting digital technologies.
  • the paradox between digital convenience and in-person experience.
  • hospitality, particularly in fine dining restaurants, customer-staff interaction is highly valued by customers.
  • it is important for hospitality businesses to strike a balance between digital convenience and in-person experiences
  • Key considerations include judging what services cannot be replaced by digital tools, preservation of the choice for customers to decide between digital or human services to maximize customer experience, and incorporation of interactive digital features in the process.
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    This article talks about the current applications of 3 innovative technologies and how they are used in the hospitality industry.
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Tackling Security Threats In The Hospitality Industry | MetaCompliance - 0 views

  • The hospitality industry faces vast security threats, making it a natural target for cybercriminals because of the value and volume of personally identifiable information that these organisations hold.
  • Marriott, Radisson Hotel Group, InterContinental, Four Seasons, and Hilton Hotels are just some of the major corporations that have hit the headlines in recent years as a result of a data security attack.
  • approximately 55 million online hotel bookings are affected by fraudulent websites and call centers posing as hotel websites, according to the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
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  • The majority of all cyber-attacks can be traced back to a phishing email that tricks the victim into divulging their credentials or downloading malicious malware.
  • A study conducted by Intel found that 97% of security experts fail at identifying phishing emails from genuine emails.
  • many hotels becoming completely digitalised in a bid to gain competitive advantage and keep up with online travel agencies such as Expedia and Hotels.com
  • Worryingly, ransomware is evolving into a new type of threat where cybercriminals are not just encrypting data but are also stealing it and threatening to release it on the internet
  • In recent years, hackers have been deploying new tactics and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have been growing in popularity. This type of attack is an attempt to make an online service unavailable by overwhelming it with huge volumes of traffic from multiple sources to cause great damage. This can include loss of data, loss of revenue, reputational damage, and a loss of customers.
  • According to a survey, almost half (44%) of firms have experienced a significant, business-altering data breach caused by a vendor.
  • With the hotel industry increasingly prone to malicious cyber attacks, there are a number of ways organisations can combat cyber security threats
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Location-Based Marketing: The Ultimate Guide [2023] | GroundTruth - 1 views

  • around 83% of marketers say they can run more successful campaigns when they use location data.
    • teresastas
       
      This is because they feel like they understand what their customers need and they can deliver that.
  • more than 225 million American consumers, and 94% of all millennials, now own a smartphone. And they’re using them more and more.
    • teresastas
       
      This is important because location based marketing only works with a smart phone.
  • consumers now spend more time daily on mobile devices (3 hours and 43 minutes) than watching TV (3 hours and 35 minutes).
    • teresastas
       
      I would say that most people watching TV are still on their smart phones. It's clear that if you can advertise to someone's phone it's more effective than TV in this day.
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  • If you want to grab customers’ eyeballs, you need to market where they’re looking. That’s why using location-based  advertising to target mobile device users is a smart marketing strategy.
  • IP address marketing lets you use that location information to target your marketing.
  • GPS marketing lets you target promotions based on this location information.
  • geofencing marketing involves setting up a virtual location or radius so that you can market to people with in that area. Related to that, proximity marketing lets you target advertising and marketing campaigns to people who are within range of a geofence you have previously setup.
  • Beacon marketing or beacon advertising allows you to use physical devices called beacons within the premises of a business to target marketing to people who are within range of that beacon.
  • Blueprints create geographical boundaries around points of interest and locations.
  • Proximity targeting lets you reach your desired customers in real time in or near locations you have previously geofenced.
  • Weather targeting lets you use prevailing or upcoming weather conditions to target ads and marketing promotions.
  • Geoconquesting is about using location data to win business from your competitors.
  • Audience targeting lets you market to people based on location, online and offline behavior, demographics, interests, and more.
  • Location-Based Marketing Benefits
    • teresastas
       
      There are 4 major marketing benefits to location based advertising. 1. Location Targeting (target ads to customers within a range of your business or competitor). 2. Data Offerings (marketers can gain deep understanding of customers shopping behaviors). 3. Enhanced Targeting (personalizing ads to the consumer making conversions more likely and improving ROI on ad spends). 4. Cost Per Visit Performance Model (you only pay when the consumer clicks on the ad, visits the store, or hits a certain number of impressions)/
  • 1. Location Targeting
  • 2. Data Offerings
  • 3. Enhanced Targeting
  • 4. Cost Per Visit Performance Model
  • Location-Based Marketing Disadvantages
    • teresastas
       
      Four disadvantages of Location Based Marketing. 1. Opt-In Requirements (consumers must give permission for apps to access location data). 2. Non-Smartphone Users (although this is becoming increasing irrelevant consumers without smartphones can't be geotargeted). 3. Inappropriate Targeting (It's important to segment your audience properly to get conversions). 4. Ineffective Location Data (the effectiveness of geolocation marketing relies on accurate location data).
  • 1. Opt-In Requirements
  • 2. Non-Smartphone Users
  • 3. Inappropriate Targeting
  • 4. Ineffective Location Data
  • Location-based marketing is an extremely effective tool for getting the word out about your business. It’s had the most success in boosting in-store traffic and increasing brand awareness. It’s also a relatively cost-effective form of advertising compared with other advertising methods.
  • What is Location-Based Marketing?
    • teresastas
       
      This article covers location-based marketing, explaining that it is when we use location data from a consumers device to display relevant content to them. It also discusses the importance of location0based marketing and why we should be using it, citing that "consumers now spend more time daily on mobile devices than watching TV". We learn that there are many types of location-based marketing but the six key types are IP address marketing, GPS marketing, geofencing marketing, proximity marketing, beacon marketing and blueprints location-based marketing. The article also discusses how to use location-based marketing correctly and the benefits and disadvantages.
  • Opt-In Requirements Place-based advertising only works when users use the location technology on their phones AND give verified apps access to that data. However, many people don’t do this because of privacy concerns. Without their participation, there’s no way to use location targeting with this group of users.
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    Opt-In Requirements When learning about location based marketing, I immediately thought about the opt-in requirements that many shoppers would not agree to. Because our phones are sued for everything, allowing such access can pose concern for privacy threats.
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7 Applications of Augmented Reality in Hospitality Industry | Analytics Steps - 1 views

  • augmented reality it works in enhancing the experience and satisfaction of the customers. 
  • The prime concern of this industry is the best customer experience while providing their services.
  • Augmented Reality or AR is an interactive experience or enhanced version of the real world to be presented in a more understandable way with the help of computerized tools.
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  • can open up various opportunities for a better and smooth customer experience.
  • enhance the physical surroundings by making them more interactive. 
  • stay rooms can have a 3-dimensional display feature on the portal so that the visitors can have a look at them in a realistic way while they are booking
  • extended information provided to them for further detailing enabling them in better choices and decision making by having a 360 degrees virtual tour before being physically present.
  • make the maps more reliable and informative but will make the visits more convenient and informative for the customers. 
  • this is not just a tool to provide a better customer experience, this can be used by the management to maintain the guests and give out accurate instructions and details on the AR-based portal. 
  • This technology is predominantly being used in the hospitality industry to make the people exploring the premises have various wireless connectivity opportunities using their smartphones only. 
  • can help in getting details about the guest and their preferences and choices.
  • This will help in generating a personalized experience for the guest as well as make the process of allotment convenient for the staff. 
  • The users can get related information about the machines and areas under maintenance and also about the estimated time taken in resuming the facility so that they can feel transparent enough with the inconvenience.
  • can call for room service or whatever they need in a rather uncomplicated and hassle-free way in the language of their choice. 
  • Hospitality is a service-based deal.
  • The hotels can enable augmented reality-based games in their premises to keep the visitors engaged and entertained throughout.
  • Augmented Reality or AR is an interactive experience or enhanced version of the real world to be presented in a more understandable way with the help of computerized tools.
  • digital tools like - animations, graphics, sounds, etc. to be able to create an amalgamation of the real and the virtual worlds to be able to get a detailed view of what is present or the necessary information related to it which is put on. 
  • can be accessed via smartphones and internet-based devices. This can be done via scanning a barcode printed on real-life items to get an artificial view of them or by applications specially crafted for specific purposes.
  • 1. Interactive Hotel Rooms 
  • Also augmented reality-based interfaces are capable of providing a lot of information to the guests or to the staff that they might need, this makes the process as easy as pointing the camera to a real thing which might then connect to the related server to fetch the required information. 
  • Augmented reality can be used by hotels to enhance the physical surroundings by making them more interactive.
  • The stay rooms can have a 3-dimensional display feature on the portal so that the visitors can have a look at them in a realistic way while they are booking a room or seeking to grab a service. 
  • 360 degrees virtual tour before being physically present. 
  • 2. Map Features 
  • Hotels and resorts around the tourist hub can have this feature where the visitors can point their smartphones to a map to get a view of the other places of interest and their timings with other details nearby
  • 3. Gamification 
  • The hotels can enable augmented reality-based games in their premises to keep the visitors engaged and entertained throughout.
  • Hotels can engage in games like treasure hunts by taking them to a virtual platform, improvising the features as per their discretion which can be played on their premises.
  • 4. Beacon Technology
  • Beacon Technology works by the Bluetooth-based interface somehow connected to the concept of augmented reality which allows the people operating to send related information when the users are in specific locations. 
  • This technology is predominantly being used in the hospitality industry to make the people exploring the premises have various wireless connectivity opportunities using their smartphones only. 
  • 5. Guest Recognition
  • guest recognition can become the catalyst in providing relatively better and convenient services to them.
  • Augmented reality-based applications can help in getting details about the guest and their preferences and choices. IoT based cameras can be used in connectivity with the AR setup working by providing the details about the guest and their previous stays, the services they took, room preferences, food preferences, etc.   
  • 6. Maintenance Information
  • The users can get related information about the machines and areas under maintenance and also about the estimated time taken in resuming the facility so that they can feel transparent enough with the inconvenience.
  • 7. Translation Facilities 
  • In such a case augmented reality can come to the rescue, for instance, the guests can point their smartphones at the various texts and guides or even the hotel menu, for instance, to get the related information with the option to choose from multiple languages.
  • Examples of AR in Hospitality   Starwood Hotels uses beacon technology to send the virtual keys to the guests which helps them in unlocking the room using their phones.   Holiday Inn has this feature where the guests can point their smartphones to see the realistically virtual depictions of famous celebrities in the hotel.   Premier Inn has rooms with maps installed in them enabling guests to point their smartphones at them to have information about the nearest points of attraction.    The Mansion uses AR-based brochures to display its accommodation facilities to its guests. 
  • AR can be put to use combined with other technological dimensions like IoT, big data, and virtual reality to maximize usage. Also, this is not just a tool to provide a better customer experience, this can be used by the management to maintain the guests and give out accurate instructions and details on the AR-based portal. 
  • e most hassle-free ways
  • ces in th
  • The host and guest mutual interaction seek to deliver and get the best servi
  • Hospitality is basically an umbrella term for multiple guests and host-based services like hotels, motels, resorts, restaurants, theme parks
  •  
    Augmented reality is flooding the hospitality industry with its many features. As stated in the article, "AR is an interactive experience or enhanced version of the real world to be presented in a more understandable way". Anyone is the hospitality industry knows and are aware of the convenience and satisfaction AR/AI/VI brings to both the guests and businesses. A great example mentioned is the article is how AR can aid travelers from out of the country where there is a language barrier. This provides an untroubled trip, and not to mention a safer trip for someone in a new country. A feature we are seeing a lot now-a-days and many hotels using is 3D models of their rooms and amenities. This allows the guest to tour and experience the hotel without even stepping foot in the hotel yet. AR/AI/VR provides a realistic experience as well as aids in collecting data for businesses and creating better and even personalized experiences.
  •  
    This article delves into numerous different uses augmented reality (AR) could have in hotel properties. AR is an interactive experience and/or enhanced version of the real world. AR has the abiliy to mobile with internet connection and cell phones. This article suggests interactive hotel rooms, maps, or even guest recognition. They even mentioned how Holiday Inn will allow for cameras on phones to show celebrities in the hotel or even Starwood Hotels utilizing beacon technology to send keys to guests smartphones.
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How This Wearable Tech Device Provides Custom Marketing at Large Events - 1 views

shared by rnobl005 on 15 Jul 18 - No Cached
  • How This Wearable Tech Device Provides Custom Marketing at Large Events
    • rnobl005
       
      I was hoping there would be a chance to share this article during the semester. This article from 2016 discusses an RFID bracelet that allows the event host to collect information on the attendees - however it doesn't have to be personal data, it's more about their interests and then using this information to create a memorable experience. Interactive marketing is a dominant force in the industry. Many consumers feel as though they need to connect to a brand before they work it into their lives. Technology can aid that process along.
  • On November 2 at the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, a new tech product debuted that offers a different way for planners to communicate directly with their attendees
  • Hurdl has created a wearable device that has applications at a variety of events such as festivals, sporting events, trade shows, and fund-raisers. The brains of the wristband are housed in a circular LED button called a Pixl that attaches to the wristband. Guests receive a band upon arrival at an event, and then activate it by texting the unique code associated with their band to a phone number. In response, the guest receives a text that has an opt-in privacy policy and asks a series of questions created by the event host to gather the data they want for the event.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • “The client can ask any question. 'What team are you cheering for? What’s your favorite song? How are identifying your gender?'” says Hurdl co-founder Betsy McHugh. “From that point forward, the event happens, and your wearable will light up based on your unique answers. For example, if Beyoncé wants to light up all the single ladies, or a sporting team wants to light up all the people who served in the military.”
    • rnobl005
       
      While the concept behind the bracelet can translate to almost any setting, the way each event using the technology is different which makes every experience unique.
  • create a meaningful communal experience
  • Once the guest activates the wristband via text, the event host can communicate directly with that person. “Now that we’ve built this one-to-one communication network … you get to not only be part of the experience, you can also can get a text from the host. It could say, ‘Go to the concession stand to get a free Coke for the next 10 minutes,’ or ‘Go to the merchandise stands and you’ll get 10 percent off,” McHugh says.
  • In a trade show environment, Hurdl’s algorithm can analyze the anonymized data to help sponsors and exhibitors target messaging to specific attendees.
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