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Lu Zhang

E-Commerce News: E-Commerce: Headless Commerce Lets the Product Sell Itself - 0 views

  • Achieving success with digital e-commerce requires a new way of doing things and new level of commerce functionality. The living nature of digital content -- the fact that the product itself and thus the customer can always remain connected to the producer, retailer, publisher or distributor -- enables a powerful new paradigm for a rich, ongoing customer relationship.
  • With digital content, the sale is not over when the transaction is complete. The customer's entitlements live on and must be managed: upgrades sold or authorized, subscriptions terminated or renewed, device or user assignments changed. This management of the digital relationship between seller and customer is not only necessary; it also opens doors to continued revenue and enhanced customer satisfaction.
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    This article discuss about the new approach selling digital products. By this approach the seller will rapidly maximize revenue and earn high customers satisfaction. The digital products, such as software and game, are different from the physical goods e-commerce for the intangible trait. Therefore, the seller don't need to use the traditional sales approach, such as item-based. Instead, in order to increase the revenue and build perpetual relationship with customers, the seller can sell the digital products by various ways or steps, for instance, one article of a e-book at a time, the right to make copies of a game, and time-based rentals of a magazine. When visitors are looking for their products, instead of recommend a specific product, seller should provide a set of related products according to options that visitors choose. This sales approach might need a new technology to manage the website and a platform that support flexible operation. Overall, digital goods seller can take advantage of the special traits of digital content and change the sales way develop loyalty and maximize the revenue.
alibaba0512

Online privacy: Difference Engine: Nobbling the internet | The Economist - 1 views

  • The congressional measure, approved overwhelmingly by the Senate Judiciary Committee on November 29th, would require criminal investigators to obtain a search warrant from a judge before being able to coerce internet service providers (ISPs) to hand over a person’s e-mail.
  • Cheap storage, wholesale access to the internet, powerful mobile phones and ubiquitous social networking have dramatically increased the amount of private data kept online.
  • As a consequence, the international telecoms treaty that emerged focused on how telephone traffic flows across borders, the rules governing the quality of service and the means operators could adopt to bill one another for facilitating international calls.
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  • The main objective of the conference in Dubai is to broaden the definition of “telecommunications” to include the internet—in the name of bridging the digital divide and bringing the full benefits of the web to the poor of the world.
  • In ITU jargon, the current treaty relates only to “recognised operating agencies”—in other words, conventional telecoms operators. The ITU wants to change that to simply “operating agencies”. Were that to happen, not only would Google, Facebook and other website operators fall under the ITU’s jurisdiction, but so too would all government and business networks. It seems the stakes really are as high as the ITU’s critics have long maintained.
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    The international regulation for Internet can change whole industry even whole world. Due to the prevalence of internet, the regulation of telecommunication can play an important role for the field.  However, like normal privacy, internet privacy can be treated as the same way. Nowadays, only after getting a warrant from a judge can a police coerce internet service providers (ISPs) to hand over a person's email. 
Hana Musilova

Internet Access Keeping Up with Changing Requirements - 1 views

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    As technologies are evolving at all times, providing a good and reliable high speed Internet for hotel properties has become a challenging task. The ultimate goal of every hotel is to provide exceptional service to guests therefore the expectations for having a fast and reliable Internet are high as well. According to the Internet Access article by Jeremy Rock, there are a few factors that need to be considered when a hotel is planning to partner with an industry solution provider. The first factor is a hotel needs to consider is understanding the providers. As stated in the article, "the key difference between many of the providers come down to the backend solution, technical capabilities and overall support." The second factor is bandwidth management, which discusses is the number of devices that can be attached to the network. It is critical for a property to have the right amount of bandwidth to serve their guests. The next factor regards the usage of Wi-Fi. As we are moving forward with our technologies, more of our systems are connected to wireless network in a hotel and service providers have to ensure a secure storage and access of all of our data. The last key factor is the infrastructure and overall network design to ensure effective coverage throughout the hotel to ensure all of our guests can easily access the network at all designated areas. As we look at all the factors important in providers' selection, whom should we choose? We can either select guest Internet service providers, who provide consistent Internet service in guests rooms which is connected to the PMS for charging purposes. We can also select IPTV solutions providers who "have the ability to combine video and Internet access into single packages" as stated in the article. The last choice would be audiovisual companies that deliver solution between meeting spaces and guest rooms. In my opinion, this article was extremely educating and interesting. When we come to a hotel nowa
Frances Mesa

Eco Tourism: Hotels Going Green - Cereplast - 0 views

  • Water-efficient practices can through technologies and proper systems can deliver equal or better service while saving water.
  • Cooling, lighting, water heating/cooking/refrigeration and ventilation account for 85% of total electric usage in hotels and motels. Reducing electricity consumption in theses equipment areas represents considerable energy and cost savings. There are many options for conserving energy: from good insulation to something as simple as changing thermostat settings can help reduce or eliminate the need for costly heating and cooling.
  • Solid waste in lodging include paper, food, plastic and various other components. Implementing a solid waste reduction program in a hotel can create significant cost savings and reduce land pollution.
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  • Lighting is the second largest energy expenditure in a hotel and is the easiest area for saving energy and money.  According to the Florida Power & Light Company, interior lighting accounts for 19% of electric usage in hotels and exterior lighting accounts for 4%
  • Thus, many hotels have realized a significant decrease in solid waste, energy and water consumption by making these small changes. It is not easy to be green in this sector, but the hotel industry now has a new environmental conscience.
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    This article discusses a couple of ways in which hotels are extending themselves to go green. Specifically the article lists three ways in which these hotels are initiating themselves into going green, which are through low water consumption Power saving, and solid waste disposal. The article also discusses energy efficient lighting.  Along with discussing these processes, the article explains that its not easy to be green in this sector, but the hotel industry now has a new environmental conscience. This being great for hotels. its one step in opening a new way to help get our environment back to where it needs to be and with there being such a large scale of hotels why not get them in the best order that we can get them. 
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    As the article states"The hotel industry has long been associated with excessive waste: using powerful chemicals for cleaning and wasting energy for maintenance rather than being environmentally friendly. Moreover and as result of tourism industry growth, the demand for resources from the hospitality sector has exponentially increased. However, the new popularity of Eco Tourism has encouraged hotels to adopt new green practices that allow them to reduce their negative impact on the environment" The hospitality industry can help improve the environmental problems we are going through at the moment by simply adding: low water consumption, power saving, energy-efficient lighting and solid waste disposal. Furthermore, the guest are starting to become more aware and loyal to brands that are making changes to become green and there is where eco tourism starts and its getting bigger. In the future, all hotels will have to follow the LEED requirements which makes them follow certain rules to help reduce energy and go green. This will help the hotel managers and industry save money and at the same time help the environment.
Yunfan Wu

POS Software Trends 2013 | Top Stories | | Hospitality Magazine (HT) - 0 views

  • Any technology investment is a balancing act. Roll out a new technology and run the risk that something better (more affordable, durable, simplified, etc.) will soon be developed. Or wait for “something better” to come along at the risk of being a bit too far behind the competitive curve.
  • On the supplier side, many vendors have already rolled out or will release some form of mobile-ready solution in 2013. Mobile advancements cover both consumer-facing and employee facing. Vendors’ R&D in cloud-based POS should start to come to market in 2013.
  • Online ordering is the number-one choice for the second year running, and in fact slightly more than half (51.2%) of all restaurant operators in our survey named it the POS feature they’d most like to invest in for 2013. Interest in mobile phones for ordering and payment is spiking, too, with 48.4% of restaurant operators adding it to POS shopping lists. Cloud computing saw the biggest jump, and is desired by 36.2% of restaurants in our survey (a jump of 17 percentage points over 2012).
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    With cloud computing such a big hit in all levels and industries, restaurants are also shifting their approach from more customer service, less techonology investment to vice versa. This article summarized the upcoming trends, features in demand and purchsing plans for POS in 2013.
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    This article discusses some of the POS trends that restaurants will be making in 2013. Restaurants have been more dedicated to customer service than technology investment, but that has started to change. Technology advancements over the years have motivated restaurants to into looking into changing their current models of operations. In the case of POS systems, suppliers have made many advancements to positively impact the customer experience. Mobile POS, social media, and tablet hardware are only a few of the advancements suppliers have made to create interest within the restaurant operator community. Restaurant operators were asked what they were looking for in innovations. Online ordering was the number one choice, and mobile phone features were on the list. Cloud computing continues to rise in the interest of restaurant operators as well. Out of all of the operators surveyed, only 19% said that they had no plans to make any changes to their POS systems. Some of the restaurants said that they would be moving on the a new POS vendor while other said that they plan to stay with their current vendor. No matter the choice investment in new POS technology is not going to slow down. More restaurants are taking risks and diving into new technology and "testing" the new product. There is a strong desire within the restaurant community to have new POS technologies.
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    Hotel operators are looking to better POS system which can positively impact the customer experience, increasing hotels innovation and investment. There are two trends of 2013 POS: more platform innovations, and overall purchasing plans. For the suppliers, they will make some forms of mobile-ready solution of POS. The new technology of cloud-based POS is also being brought to market. What is more, tablet hardware, social media will be integrated into the POS. POS Features in Demand In HT's survey, we know that most restaurants desire for more advanced POS technology. And online ordering is the number-one to be upgraded in the next year for them. They also Interest in mobile phones for ordering and payment. Cloud computing has a biggest jump, which is desired by 36.2% of restaurants. For the POS Purchasing Plans, most operators need add new functionality, features or modules to current POS software. More restaurants are investing in POS technology. A third of all restaurants are in a "testing and research" phase for POS upgrades. There are many specific Predictions and Plans in different companies, for example, integrating mobile applications into POS, more interactive options, simpler points of contacts, online ordering for mobile devices, Apps accessible from any phone at any time, personalization, recognition, rewards and outstanding, etc.
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    This article analyzed what POS can bring to nowadays' hospitality industry and forecast the future trend. Any technology investment should be a balancing act. All the hotels should make specific forecast and plans about their designing about their POS.
Xuan Huang

Back Office Intelligence | Top Stories | Hospitality Magazine (HT) - 0 views

  • when deciding to invest in technology, restaurant operators look for a quick return
  • innovation in the back office
  • New features usually cost money, but for me, the ROI is definitely there
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  • Before, we had to dial into each location to send menu updates, and I had two or three people sending updates. Now I only need one
  • The system also allows franchisees to gain control over their food costs
  • test a snack combo pack at its more than 400 locations and realized they needed to run one report at a time in order to analyze its effectiveness
  • RedPrairie's Performance Management
  • It literally took me three weeks and 270 individual reports," says Paul Mullin, business analyst at Culver's. After implementing the RedPrairie solution, the same scenario can be accomplished in five minutes, he says
  • As a result of this one report, the company saved $45,000 per year
  • able to see real-time information about what was going on in my restaurant, including open checks, servers logged in or out and even sales
  • Another sign that technology is changing is the ability to combine accounting, inventory and point of sale into one solution without the old challenge of interfacing disparate systems
  • The system integrates with the POS, and deducts ingredients based on recipes created using the system.
  • I can look at inventory counts and on-hand counts at each location, which allows me to move things around if we are running out of something at one location
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    This article is about the innovation in the back office arena. When many managers are still doubting back office technology efficiency, at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, based in Destin, Fla. with 275 franchise locations, operators there are adding up money saved by setting up RedPrairie's Performance Management (RPM). Benefits could be like control labor cost and food cost, especially for those franchise companies with hundreds of hotels or restaurants throughout the country even the world, RPM will provide a complete compared among different locations reports in a few minutes. Besides, back office begins to meet iPhone, which make it possible to see real-time information about what was going on in the restaurants, including open checks, servers logged in or out and even sales for the managers. Another sign that technology is changing is the ability to combine accounting, inventory and point of sale into one solution without the old challenge of interfacing disparate systems. In a word, it is really convenient to get the back office intelligence.
Yuting Peng

New POS for hospitality industry - 0 views

  • the new point of sale software, FuturePOS exceeds any system currently used in the hospitality industry in South Africa, through its customisable, feature-rich, user-friendly and stable systems.
  • This product will change the way hospitality owners interact with their employees and customers, taking their respective businesses to a whole new level.
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     POS systems have revolutionized the Hospitality industry. The deployment of these systems have decreased service times and increased efficiency of the orders.As a result, the hospitality industry is able to provide better and efficient services to their guests.  Future POS exceeds any system currently used in the hospitality industry. It is described as the perfect fit for the fast-paced restaurant environment, is claimed to adaptable to any hospitality operation. This system will include many functions, such as delivery system, staff scheduling, digital signage, flexible customer loyalty programs and so on. This will change the way hospitality owners interact with their employees and customers, taking their respective businesses to a whole new level.
anonymous

Latest Technology in Restaurants! iPads as restaurants - 0 views

  • Using an iPod as a menu has the potential to take your restaurant to the next level.
  • Your restaurant will be seen as a trendsetter.
  • They know how to use it, and they will be impressed with the sophisticated presentation you will be able to create with an iPad as the menu card.
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  • Today, the average diner is more sophisticated in every way.
  • You will be able to change your menu on a daily basis and even several times a day if you choose to
  • ablets are also environmentally friendly. You will be able to stop printing paper copies that kill trees and to stop adding to the overwhelming state of waste from printer cartridge
  • You might add games for children or offer games that will connect other patrons to compete against each other in a spirited quiz or puzzle.
  • Using iPads as menus will bring in more customers and improve profits in the end
  • you will be ensuring the success of your future.
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    This article give a good perspective of the Ipad as a menu in restaurants, Ipad, will make your restaurant trendy, because nowadays many restaurants are implementing this advise. Also says how the Ipad will make your business save time and money, since you don't have to print menus again this will contribute to the environment is paperless and you will be able to change the menu as many times as you want even during a day depending on your inventory or other reasons. Basically this article agree that having the Ipad as menu will give more positives aspects and in the end will improve profits to the business. 
YU CHEN

Emerging Technology Applied to the Modern Day: A Hospitality World with a Hotel App | A... - 0 views

  • you may very well be handed a flashy iPad tablet upon your arrival and check-in to use as your hospitality control panel, complete with an iPad menu that’s loaded with a caveat of features, and that’s able to streamline your experience via imbedded hotel app by directly communicating with hotel staff to facilitate a more enjoyable stay.
  • room service
  • surrounding
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  • vehicle
  • Do not disturb
  • checkout and pay
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    Technology is changing our lives and experience. This article is a detailed description of how your lodging experience will be if you stay in a hotel with flashy iPad tablet.You can talk to the staff about your needs in basically all the services including room service, consulting and housekeeping. It will save your time on checkout by providing iPad POS to the tablet.People will get an unforgettable experience because they do not need to wait in line which may take a long time.
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    The article introduces a new approach to experience a technologilized hotel stay. Having a iPad in hand with the app designed for the hotel, guest is able to check-in/out, order room service, order cab, change the room status, call housekeeping, find surrounding spots, and more. There is not need to wait in lone line or be hold on a phone call.
Jia Zhu

Evolving Technologies To Drive Competitive Advantages / Arthur Andersen - 0 views

  • The technology life cycle provides a model to assess how and when companies and individuals adopt new technologies. Pioneers are generally the first to acquire new technologies and take the greatest risk. A second category of technology users -- leaders -- adopt relatively unproven technologies, but the risks are known and accepted.
  • In terms of costs and benefits, the best balance appears to be with the leaders who invest significantly less than pioneers and incur reduced risks, yet their technology investments can yield similar benefits.
  • The desire of operators to improve the guest experience.
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  • Optimally, hotel organizations should be able to reduce IT costs, leverage investments in PCs and improve staff productivity. In addition, client server technology sets the stage for the still more sophisticated technologies of the next decade in which guests will have greater access to in-room technologies, and fully integrated systems using a common database will be the norm.
  • client server technology. This technology will bring no less than the dismantling of the management information system (MIS) paradigm as we have known it, more completely democratizing access to information than at any time in the past.
  • Client server technology is probably the most viable strategic option for medium to large multi-property owners and operators as technology upgrades are made.
  • The potential to improve operating efficiencies.
  • Guest services accessed by the guest typically involve the use of the in-room television remote control to select from a suite of interactive programs and services. Guests can navigate easily through multi-media video and audio, and be automatically connected by phone to outside services.
  • involve a PC running a front-end application that allows access to outside services, as well as access to guest-specific information maintained in a central repository or database. In either case, the method employed is driven by the guest familiarity and comfort in using technology.
  • better target a hotel's customer base.
  • Client server technology now permits a hotel chain to maintain one single customer database which can be accessed by all of the properties connected to the server over the network. In addition, far more data can be collected about the customer and his spending, making the database much more powerful as a focused marketing tool.
  • Technological advances thus have the potential to generate a range of benefits critical to remaining competitive, and ultimately driving expanded market share and profitability. Nevertheless, the barriers to increased investments in technology by hotel owners and operators can be daunting. These include general resistance to change, lack of available funds or manpower to invest in technology, and a perceived inability to quantify benefits.
  • investments in technologies and effective application of these technologies in hotel operations and services will become one of the most decisive factors differentiating successful hotel organizations globally in the years ahead.
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    This article discussed about the advantages the technology bring to hospitality industry and why it is important for hotelier to make investment in IT. Technology life cycle provides a model for companies to assess when to adopt new technology. The best balance between the investment costs and benefits are the leaders who invest less then pioneers and incur reduced risks. Hotel technology investment is critical today for the following areas, improve guest experience and improve operating efficiencies. Then the article continue to discuss the development of technology in the last and what the new technology investment brought to the hospitality industry. For example the client server technology brought the integration in the 1990s, more advanced and well-integrated system for on-stop guest services and database marketing. Technology advances have the potential to generate benefits critical to remaining competitive and ultimately driving expanded market share and profitability. The barriers to increase investment in technology by hotel owners and operators include general resistance to change, lack of available funds or manpower to invest in technology and perceived inability to quantify benefits. As a result, investments in technologies and effective application of these technologies in hotel operation and services will become one of the most decisive factors differentiating successful hotel organizations globally in the years ahead.
cmogu001

How POS systems are transforming the hospitality industry | By Joshua Smith - 1 views

  • technological advances are changing the way we live our lives – and for the hospitality industry, the most dramatic developments are taking place thanks to the latest, highly sophisticated POS systems
  • Gain a competitive edge with speedy payment systems
  • Today's hospitality outlets are utilising new payment functionalities that remove the traditional, time-consuming ritual for customers of waiting for service staff to bring them the bill.
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  • Three new ways for customers to pay
  • contactless payment has become a mainstream way to pay, and the results for business are beginning to show.
  • contactless methods of payment are having an especially beneficial effect, allowing lines to move faster as transactions are processed more efficiently
  • A fantastic time-saver for takeaway outlets in particular, pre-payment systems work by allowing the customer to place their order and pay online.
  • customers can simply pick up their order and walk away, saving precious minutes out of their lunch hour, while the restaurant can serve a greater number of people in the same amount of time.
  • Taking the pre-pay concept one step further, mobile ordering allows customers already in your bar or restaurant to place their order at their seat, using their smartphone.
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    This article expounds how technological advances in POS systems are changing the way different organizations in the hospitality industry do business. The article explains how each business can gain a competitive edge with speedy POS payment systems as well. According to the article, there are three new ways for customers to pay that includes contactless methods of payment , prepay, and mobile ordering. All of these new features are having an especially beneficial effect, allowing lines to move faster as transactions are processed more efficiently. The article further explains how future POS trends goes beyond faster payments and quicker queues. Modern POS systems offer the unprecedented access to detailed customer data that focuses on individual customers' patterns and preferences. In conclusion, with all the benefits that the latest technology offers, it stands to reason that he latest POS systems hold the key to the future of hospitality.
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    This article was really interesting. I liked the different methods it referenced with regards to how customers can pay, as I know those methods are really becoming integral to the industry. I also like how it talked about how businesses can use data mining to find out exactly how fruitful these innovations will be or how they are helping the businesses that have already installed them. I'm interested in seeing what new technological innovations occur in the future, especially with regards to how people pay for their meals.
delaneyverger

Thinking Outside the Vendor RFP Process in Hospitality Digital Marketing | By Jason Price - 0 views

  • Some believe the vendor RFP process allows a hotel company to pick the most qualified service/product provider through an unbiased decision process. Perhaps this is the case for commoditized supplies or services (housekeeping supplies, linens, laundry, etc.) where the RFP process allows for comparing the proverbial "apples to apples."
  • At a typical hotel, who is equipped with the latest best practices in digital technology and marketing to sufficiently and adequately prepare a vendor RFP? Very few hotel companies have the bandwidth and depth of knowledge to adequately identify the digital needs of the property. Nor can they convey the property's needs and wants in the digital space and where it needs to be in 6, 12, 24 and 36 months from now. Lastly, who at the property can afford to devote considerable time to research and prepare a vendor RFP that asks the right questions, conveys the right objectives and provides a solid framework for evaluating and comparing one digital technology and marketing firm to the next?
  • On the hotel side, the typical vendor RFP process easily takes 50+ hours from beginning to end. On the digital technology and marketing vendor side, time to review, respond, and present takes upwards of 25-40 hours. Typically, three vendors compete and with all parties combined the entire RFP process will cost upwards of $15,000-$20,000. Beyond the cost, this process consumes the time and energy of multiple people and departments on an average of every two years for the hotel company.
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  • The traditional vendor RFP process is not suited for evaluating and choosing a digital technology and marketing partner who will be entrusted to guide the hotel in maximizing revenues from the most important distribution and marketing channel in hospitality: the direct online channel (i.e. the property website). Such an RFP process is typically riddled with contradictions and self-selecting biases, and also represents an antiquated method unsuitable for a fast-paced digital world
  • The traditional vendor RFP process cannot provide answers to crucial questions concerning familiarity with industry's best practices, strategic approach to digital marketing technology and marketing, digital technology innovativeness, quality and depth of direct online channel consulting services, etc
  • Common observations on the RFP experience: It serves as a tool to fulfill administrative requirements or to simply "shop around" when in fact the digital marketing/technology firm has already been privately selected. On paper, every digital technology and marketing firm can present itself at its best and can creatively diminish any weaknesses or embellish any strength. The hotel does not know what questions to ask to get to the heart of what the hotel needs. Digital marketing and technology firms can easily make promises and fall short on delivery and meeting expectations. Over-promising and under-delivering has become modus operandi for a number of players in the industry. Properties can get carried away and request proprietary information like methodologies, access to code, and design work as part of the vendor RFP.
  • Some hotel companies never follow up and leave the evaluated vendors in limbo. Oftentimes hotel companies do not give the digital marketing firm adequate time for proposal development, which demands further use of resources or the delay of other key projects. When management changes, the hotel company is more likely to go into a vendor RFP without evaluating the results and contributions of their current vendor, which can disrupt existing relationships and potentially impede the successes to date. Given the arduous process of the vendor RFP process, there could be a sense of entitlement on both sides that could result in a mutually caustic relationship from the onset.
  • Digital agencies may propose lower costs to win the contract and introduce additional fees later only leading to resentment and regret. Hotels will often push needs beyond the original scope in the vendor RFP and use the proposal as leverage to get more services without paying. Not all digital agencies are the same but as mentioned, any agency can demonstrate on paper its superiority to solve any problem and deliver any service. Behind the scenes an agency can outsource and end up costing the hotel twice what is originally proposed in additional fees.
  • Not all digital agencies are the same but as mentioned, any agency can demonstrate on paper its superiority to solve any problem and deliver any service. Behind the scenes an agency can outsource and end up costing the hotel twice what is originally proposed in additional fees.
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    This article discusses how the traditional vendor RFP (Request for Proposal) model is no longer the ideal way to integrate the right technology marketing that a hotel needs. The traditional vendor RFP model is time-consuming and expensive, and with the way that technology is constantly expanding and changing, hotels need to stay up-to-date with technology more and more frequently, which can mean this process is wasting time and money on an ever-increasing scale. Furthermore, it is not always an accurate indicator of the kinds of technology a hotel might need, especially what a hotel might need in the future, and it is difficult to determine who would best be capable of knowing what the property will need or what exactly to ask for in an RFP. The article talks about three alternatives to the traditional model: the Scorecard model, the Digital Marketing Partner Interview model, and the Trusted Partner model. With the Scorecard model, hotels have a checklist of things they need and can check off each point from each potential vendor. With the Digital Marketing Partner Interview model, which is similar to the traditional vendor RFP process, except that the interview focused on finding a Digital Marketing Partner that aligns with the hotel's management philosophy, values, and culture in order to find the right partnership. With the Trusted Partner model, the hotel works with one particular company with whom they share common goals and objectives, and they work together to solve problems and adapt new technology as the hotel's technological needs are manifested over time.
ramomar4

New Year, New Challenges: 4 Changes Impacting Restaurants in 2017 - 0 views

  • In 2017, menus will continue to evolve - as they must! Taking advantage of industry trends while they’re hot is a great way to show your guests that your brand is current. Restaurants that can satisfy that need will excel in the new year. Another popular trend in 2017 will be meal kits. People will not only want an exceptional dining experience, they will want to be a part of it. Restaurants can take advantage of this by offering cooking classes and whole meal replacement packages of their own. 
  • Too many restaurant owners and chefs still think they know it all when it comes to guest wants. Their menus are a reflection of this. We often throw around the term “chef driven,” but for too many, the words “chef driven” should really be replaced with “ego driven.” Perhaps in 2017, restaurants should be more “guest driven.” When you are reworking your menu to be more efficient and to satisfy the cravings of the current market, make sure that you use the data from your restaurant POS system. This is a gold mine of information if you tap into it, decipher the data, and apply it to future menu design. Your product mix report will tell you exactly where your guests are spending their money. If you’re smart, you’ll drop the high food cost egocentric items and create more profitable guest desirable ones. 
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    POS can assist restaurant owners and managers adapt to current trends and find their best selling dishes as well as the least popular and change their menus.
Mengchao Li

Jonas Project Management (PM) by Jonas Construction Software - 0 views

  • Jonas Project Management (PM) helps you steer away from traditional methods of project management like pen, paper and multiple spreadsheets. Our project management system is fully integrated with all aspects of the Jonas core system and is used to manage the workflow of a project from start to finish. Project Management tracks items that must be fulfilled under a contract, including RFIs, transmittals, submittals and change order requests.
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    "Jonas Project Management (PM) helps you steer away from traditional methods of project management like pen, paper and multiple spreadsheets. Our project management system is fully integrated with all aspects of the Jonas core system and is used to manage the workflow of a project from start to finish. Project Management tracks items that must be fulfilled under a contract, including RFIs, transmittals, submittals and change order requests."
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    Jonas management system is a high efficient system i have been using in my working place. Jonas Software is the leading provider of enterprise management software solutions to the Club, Foodservice, Construction, Leisure Fitness & Sports, Attractions, Metal Service Centers, Moving & Storage, Education, and Radiology/Laboratory Information Systems industries. Within these nine vertical markets, Jonas boasts 28 distinct brands, all of which are respected and longstanding leaders within their own domain. Jonas' vision is to be the branded global leader across the aforementioned nine vertical markets and to be recognized by customers and respective industry stakeholders as the trusted provider of Software For Life and as an ambassador for technology, product innovation, quality, and customer service. Jonas Software is the valued technology partner of over 10,000 customers worldwide in more than 15 countries. Jonas employs hundreds of skilled individuals consisting of a cross-section of industry experts and technology professionals. Jonas is headquartered in Canada and also operates offices throughout North America, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Caribbean. With the talents of Jonas employees spanning the globe, Jonas is proud to avail cost-effective training and consulting services to our entire client base.
Akshay Ramanathan

Tailoring cloud solutions for the hospitality industry - 0 views

  • ASCOT, demonstrates the potential for a small company to tailor cloud computing services for
  • the hotel business.
  • ASCOT has provided solutions to French hotels and restaurants
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  • helping their clients become more productive and competitive.
  • helped his enterprise make the transition from on-premises computing to the private cloud, and now to public cloud services.
  • SCOT added public cloud-based office productivity services and successfully created a coherent network that allowed Mendjel’s hotels to function as one entity rather than disconnected organizations.
  • acted as a secure data synchronization tool. As a result, Mendjel’s hotels can cope with the intensity of high levels of guests more efficiently
  • flexibility of the cloud also allows the hotels to collaborate in handling unforeseeable changes in hotel administration and guest documentation.
  • cloud provides Mendjel a more simplified administrative process, meaning the proprietor’s hotels can grow without the burden of maintaining isolated bits of information
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    This article is about how a French company called ASCOT aided local hotelier Christophe Mendjel in utilizing cloud computing services, thereby making his hotels run more efficiently. The first benefit the switch to cloud services provided was that Mendjel's hotels were able to function together as one instead of separate organizations. Secondly it enabled Mendjel to handle larger numbers of guests and more quickly process their information. Lastly the flexibility of using the cloud allowed him to effortlessly embrace unanticipated changes in hotel administration and guest documentation, without being overwhelmed by large amounts of data. Overall the article proves how the incorporation of cloud computing can benefit a hospitality enterprise.
Priscilla Moreno

Companies in need of new POS Systems in order to save their companies - 0 views

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    Companies that are struggling in this day and age are in need of new strategies in order to keep their companies up and running. UTC Retail claims that companies are desperate to find solutions so that they don't go out of business. In order for them not to do so, they need a new Point-Of-Sale system that is capable of the changes in the technology world today. Technology in this era is changing by the day and these systems need to keep up with the changes, as well as these companies who count on the POS system. They will be able to have E- Payments and digital coupons where the customer will be able to utilize on their phones where ever they are.
Deborah Fromer

Efforts Focus on Helping Veterans Find the Right College - US News and World Report - 0 views

  • A high school senior at the time of the September 11 attacks, Paul Szoldra joined the Marine Corps shortly thereafter and, for eight years, served in countries around the world, including a deployment in Afghanistan.
  • he faced an unexpected challenge: finding a college to attend afterward
  • [Find out how to take virtual college tours.]
  • ...10 more annotations...
  • Despite the abundance of information on the Internet, Szoldra found more marketing sites
  • than actual guidance
  • Unsure of what factors to consider, Szoldra looked to expensive schools with small student populations—two marks of quality, he assumed. 
  • he's advising other college-bound service members to ditch his parameters in favor of attributes that will directly affect veterans, such as credits for military service, a community of veterans, and advisers certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
  • To reach more college-bound service members, Szoldra created CollegeVeteran.com, an advising website, and started a Change.org petition for a ranking of colleges that best provide for veterans.
  • Currently, misleading marketing targeted at veterans pervades the Internet, he says, and may persuade those on the GI Bill to choose schools, including some for-profit institutions, that may not be right for them. 
  • It's a cause President Obama has taken a stand on as well. According to a press release from the White House in late April, deceptive marketing includes recruiting "veterans with serious brain injuries and emotional vulnerabilities without providing academic support and counseling; encourag[ing] service members, veterans, and their families to take out costly institutional loans rather than encouraging them to apply for Federal student aid first; ... and not disclos[ing] meaningful information that allows potential students to determine whether the institution has a good record of graduating service members, veterans, and their families and positioning them for success in the workforce." 
  • In an executive order, Obama announced a plan to target those types of online recruiting and to more effectively provide veterans with good information
  • Obama's order "will require that colleges participating in the military and veterans education benefit programs do more to meet the needs of military and veteran students by providing clear educational plans for students [and] academic and financial aid counseling services with staff that are familiar with the VA and D[epartment] o[f] D[efense] programs." 
  • A VA-certified representative working with the college students is a key factor in veterans' success, Szoldra says.
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    This article deals with the necessity to assist military veterans through all the internet marketing on colleges. Veterans or soon to be veterans can find it very hard to weed through all the internet information there is on colleges and which is the best for you to choose. One Marine veteran Paul Szoldra had this problem, he thought a good college would be one that was expensive with a low population, therefore a low student to teacher ratio, not true. To assist other veterans trying to locate a college that is suitable and is not looking for the monies that the GI Bill will provide the institution he created CollegeVeterans.com and created Change.org an online petition to rank colleges that best provide for veterans. President Obama has also pass an executive order to address these veteran issues at institutes of learning making it mandatory to have certified veteran advisers that will lead and insure veterans are not taken down a wrong path with their education benefits or other federal benefits vice more costly loans or funding to the veteran. Some more important factors that a veteran should do is research the institute they wish to attend, e-mail the veteran representative at the institute to get some insight on the institute, there is nothing like communicating with someone who know and cares about you and will help you to avoid the marketing pitfalls, and last look for institutions that have veteran assistance, look for the institute offering military credit towards education in the field you wish to enter.
wenzheng guo

What Is a Telecommunications Network? - 1 views

  • it is now understood to include Internet, microwave, and wireless equipment as well as the more traditional forms of telephony.
  • The main function of any telecommunications network is to provide efficient transmission of information from a point of origin to a point of termination.
  • Along with the PSTA, or public switched telephone network, that most people are familiar with, there is also the Internet, a medium that is increasingly used for both voice and visual communications. Private computer networks are a common tool in many businesses today, as well as many institutions of higher learning. These basic types are all classified into several categories, which include such options as wide area networks, local area networks, and virtual private networks.
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  • there are several basic types of telecommunications networks in use.
  • The main function of any telecommunications network is to provide efficient transmission of information from a point of origin to a point of termination.
  • A telecommunications network that is set up as a wide area network, or WAN
  • As communications in general continue to advance, the definition and scope of a telecommunications network will also continue to change and broaden. However, the core concept will likely remain the same.
  • With a local area network, or LAN, the focus is on providing the same secure communications as with a WAN, just on a smaller geographical area.
  • now understood to include Internet, microwave, and wireless equipment as well as the more traditional forms of telephony. There are several different classes of telecommunication networks, with each of them having a slightly different focus.
    • wenzheng guo
       
      New defination of Telecommunication Net work.As tme goes by, it becomes wider an more detail.
  • With a local area network, or LAN, the focus is on providing the same secure communications as with a WAN, just on a smaller geographical area.
    • wenzheng guo
       
      It is common in our daily life but we seldom recoganize.
  • As long as the form of communication allows for the real-time electronic exchange of audio, visual, and data transmissions, there is a good chance that method of communicating can be classified as a telecommunications network.
    • wenzheng guo
       
      It is the core of telecommunication and it will remain the same.
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    A telecommunication network used to refer to the collection of switches of wirings used by telephone service; it is now include internet, microwave and wireless equipment as well as telephony. The main function of a telecommunication network is to provide efficient and effect transmission of information. A telecommunication network can set up as WAN and LAN. A telecommunication set up as WAN allows reliable communication between nodes that are geographically located across large distance. Hotels chains that located in different area would like to use this network model. With the same level of security, a telecommunication network set up as LAN is used on a smaller geographic area. It provides phone, data, and internet within an enclosed setting. One example is a hotel, where the phones and internet access are all routed through a network located within a hotel. As technologies continue to advance, the definition and the scope of the telecommunication network will also continue to change. But what will remain the same is the core concept. Before I read this paper, my opinion on a telecommunication network is always indicates telephone service, and now I understand it also include internet, microwave and wireless equipment. I have to say that technology have been changed very fast so that we must keep in mind to update our knowledge on these new technology as well.
Sherine Mattison

The Role of Internet in the Hospitality Industry - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com - 0 views

  • E-Booking The first role of the internet in the hospitality industry is online booking. As aforementioned in the past, travel agents were the most common source for booking hotel rooms and other travel components like flight tickets and travel tours. However, the internet has changed this; manual booking and reservations have been transformed to E-booking or online booking via Central Reservation Systems (CRS). As of March 2008, there are over 1.4 billion internet users (Internet World Stats, 2008) and according to the Computer Industry Almanac, this number is assumed to increase to 1.80 billion in 2010 (Clickz Stats, 2005). The Travel Industry Association in the United States stated that in 2002 about 64 million out of 619 million online users were online travelers and used the Internet to purchase travel-related services and products (Zhang, 2004, p.3). "Online leisure travel sales totaled $20.4 billion in 2002 and hotel booked online reached $3.8 billion" (Ibid). In 2005 the online travel revenue reached $27.7 billion in the U.S. alone and has steadily increased (Webmetro, 2005). Now imagine how big these figures would be on a global basis.
  • Another important role of the internet is the use of it as a marketing tool. Before a hotel can offer e-booking it has to set up its own website. The hotel can apply attractive designs and offer guests a virtual tour of the entire property and show various room types. This strategy is considered a minor but may get a lot of appeal from online users. The internet also allows hotels to reach more customers by using search engine optimization (SEO), which is a tool that helps increasing the traffic and page ranking in search engine results (Hotel Travel Check, n.d.). Another internet marketing strategy for the hospitality industry is electronic customer relationship management (eCRM), which are activities to manage customer relationships by using the internet and web browsers (Hotel Marketing, 2007).
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    "The first role on the internet in the hospitality industry is online booking." With the increase in use of online booking sales of travel related goods and services in the hospitality industry has soared. "In the past, travel agents were the most common source of booking hotel rooms and travel components." The use of the internet has changed this as more and more travellers are booking online. "Another role of the internet is the use of it as a marketing tool." Hotels are able to market themselves; when the internet is used they will be able to set up their own websites where they will be able to showcase the aesthetics of the property and the services offered. This could attract a lot of online users. The customers would be able to see virtually what they are about to purchase. This type of technology also allows the business to reach customers globally. This in turn allows the business to have an idea about the kind of customers they are catering to. Since businesses would be using less of travel agents, there would be some savings and so they would be able to offer customers more competitive rates, there an increase in sales.
Yue Li (3011472)

Top 2012 Ecommerce Trend: Retailers Need to Move to Mobile - 0 views

  • Mayan prophecies aside, 2012 is all about mobile customers. If you're not mobile, you're simply not competitive. And your ecommerce business will suffer as you lose sales to competitors who provide a good shopping experience on mobile devices.
  • The biggest game-changing trend we've seen in technology is the growing usage of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, and how consumers use them for ecommerce.
  • "We have seen an explosion in traffic coming from smartphones. We've seen an even bigger explosion in the rate of orders coming from tablets," said Buzzeo.
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  • "We see this as a cultural shift
  • Mobile retail sites have two considerations: smartphones and tablets. The biggest difference between using ecommerce sites on a mobile phone and on a computer is the reduced screen size and the limited capabilities of mobile device browsers.
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    The new trend of ecommerce in 2012 is to move to mobile. Based on the research, customers who are doing online mobile businesses have increased fast during recent years, and it is anticipated that the number of customers doing mobile ecommerce will continue to increase in the future, therefore, many online retailors turn to move their businesses to mobiles. There are some reasons why online retailers need to move to mobile. First, there is a growing usage of mobile devices, such as smart phones and tablets. 30 percent of tablet owners have used their devices to shop online, and 25 of smart phone owners have used their phones to do the same. Second: Mobile is convenience. Mobile-users can do online shopping at anywhere without a heavy laptop or a computer. However, there are some challenges. Smartphone has a reduced screen size and the limited capability of mobile device browsers. Online retailers need to supply their websites in a smartphone-friendly version. And for the tablets, a technology called Flash is not supported by all tablets. These changes can arise some costs for the retailer. In a word, it is a time to go mobile, online retailors need to realize this"cultural shift" and take action or they will get left behind. In my own opinion, I still prefer to use computer to do online shopping, because it is more secure and reliable. However, if the mobile ecommerce become mature, I will not reject to try to use it to do online shopping.
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