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taurus1313

What Is Cloud Computing? A Beginner's Guide | Microsoft Azure - 0 views

  • Top benefits of cloud computing Cloud computing is a big shift from the traditional way businesses think about IT resources. Here are seven common reasons organizations are turning to cloud computing services: Cost Cloud computing eliminates the capital expense of buying hardware and software and setting up and running on-site datacenters—the racks of servers, the round-the-clock electricity for power and cooling, and the IT experts for managing the infrastructure. It adds up fast. Speed Most cloud computing services are provided self service and on demand, so even vast amounts of computing resources can be provisioned in minutes, typically with just a few mouse clicks, giving businesses a lot of flexibility and taking the pressure off capacity planning. Global scale The benefits of cloud computing services include the ability to scale elastically. In cloud speak, that means delivering the right amount of IT resources—for example, more or less computing power, storage, bandwidth—right when they’re needed, and from the right geographic location. Productivity On-site datacenters typically require a lot of “racking and stacking”—hardware setup, software patching, and other time-consuming IT management chores. Cloud computing removes the need for many of these tasks, so IT teams can spend time on achieving more important business goals. Performance The biggest cloud computing services run on a worldwide network of secure datacenters, which are regularly upgraded to the latest generation of fast and efficient computing hardware. This offers several benefits over a single corporate datacenter, including reduced network latency for applications and greater economies of scale. Reliability Cloud computing makes data backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity easier and less expensive because data can be mirrored at multiple redundant sites on the cloud provider’s network. Security Many cloud providers offer a broad set of policies, technologies, and controls that strengthen your security posture overall, helping protect your data, apps, and infrastructure from potential threats.
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    If anybody here is interested to learn even more about cloud computing this is the perfect guide for you. It gives you a breakdown of the cost, pros and cons and much more. This article is also by microsoft which is a top 2 technological company on earth. It is a very educational post that will increase your knowledge on cloud computing and what the future holds for this interesting form of storage and information.
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    Top benefits of cloud computing Cloud computing is a big shift from the traditional way businesses think about IT resources. Here are seven common reasons organizations are turning to cloud computing services: Cost Cloud computing eliminates the capital expense of buying hardware and software and setting up and running on-site datacenters-the racks of servers, the round-the-clock electricity for power and cooling, and the IT experts for managing the infrastructure. It adds up fast. Speed Most cloud computing services are provided self service and on demand, so even vast amounts of computing resources can be provisioned in minutes, typically with just a few mouse clicks, giving businesses a lot of flexibility and taking the pressure off capacity planning. Global scale The benefits of cloud computing services include the ability to scale elastically. In cloud speak, that means delivering the right amount of IT resources-for example, more or less computing power, storage, bandwidth-right when they're needed, and from the right geographic location. Productivity On-site datacenters typically require a lot of "racking and stacking"-hardware setup, software patching, and other time-consuming IT management chores. Cloud computing removes the need for many of these tasks, so IT teams can spend time on achieving more important business goals. Performance The biggest cloud computing services run on a worldwide network of secure datacenters, which are regularly upgraded to the latest generation of fast and efficient computing hardware. This offers several benefits over a single corporate datacenter, including reduced network latency for applications and greater economies of scale. Reliability Cloud computing makes data backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity easier and less expensive because data can be mirrored at multiple redundant sites on the cloud provider's network. Security Many cloud providers offer a broad set of policies, technologies, and c
dominiquewalker

What is cloud computing? A beginner's guide | Microsoft Azure - 0 views

  • Simply put, cloud computing is the delivery of computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the Internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale.
  • Cloud computing is a big shift from the traditional way businesses think about IT resources. Here are seven common reasons organisations are turning to cloud computing services:
  • Speed
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  • Cloud computing eliminates the capital expense of buying hardware and software
  • Productivity
  • Global scale
  • Reliability
  • Performance
  • Security
  • Public cloud Public clouds are owned and operated by a third-party cloud service providers, which deliver their computing resources like servers and storage over the Internet. Microsoft Azure is an example of a public cloud.
  • Private cloud A private cloud refers to cloud computing resources used exclusively by a single business or organisation.
  • Hybrid cloud Hybrid clouds combine public and private clouds, bound together by technology that allows data and applications to be shared between them.
  • Types of cloud services: IaaS, PaaS, serverless and SaaS
  • Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) The most basic category of cloud computing services.
  • Platform as a service (PaaS) Platform as a service refers to cloud computing services that supply an on-demand environment for developing, testing, delivering and managing software applications
  • Serverless computing Overlapping with PaaS, serverless computing focuses on building app functionality without spending time continually managing the servers and infrastructure required to do so
  • Software as a service (SaaS) Software as a service is a method for delivering software applications over the Internet, on demand and typically on a subscription basis
  • Uses of cloud computing
  • Create cloud-native applications
  • Test and build applications
  • Store, back up and recover data
  • Analyse data
  • Embed intelligence
  • Stream audio and video
  • Deliver software on demand
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    A brief but informative look at "cloud computing". This article serves as a beginners guide, spoon feeding novices definitions and explanations in simple language. Cloud computing is defined, and reasons for its use highlighted, with pros and cons listed. The different types of "clouds" among other things is also covered.
laura kaczkowski

Travel Agents Increase Use of GDS to Book Hotel Rooms - 3 views

  • Advanced Search Search Products & Services    News Releases Close Send a release Member sign in Become a member For bloggers For journalists Global sites Products & Services Knowledge Center Browse News Releases Contact PR Newswire
  • he leading global provider of revenue generating solutions for hoteliers, clearly demonstrates how crucial Global Distribution System (GDS) platforms and GDS Shopping Displays are to travel agents:
  • 84 percent of respondents indicated that they were using their GDS platform the same amount or more often than in the past, with 35 percent stating that they are using GDS more.
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  • where 26 percent of travel agents stated that they used their GDS platform more often than in the past and 19 percent said they used the GDS Shopping Displays more often than before.
  • "Travel agents are increasing GDS hotel use, and have once again confirmed their confidence in GDS Shopping and Booking Displays,"
  • Travel agents in 25 countries across the Americas, EMEA (Europe/Middle East/Africa) and Asia/Pacific regions who subscribe to one of the four major GDS systems were asked to participate.
  • n the survey, travel agents worldwide also indicated that promotional messages are effective and often prompt bookings: 66 percent of all travel agents surveyed who were aware of promotional messages requested additional information by looking at the screen attached to the promotional message.
  • "This survey definitively shows that promotional messages are not only an excellent way to reach travel agents, but also a valuable sales catalyst,
  • s the leading provider of revenue generating solutions for hoteliers across the globe. TravelClick offers hotels world-class reservation solutions, business intelligence products and comprehensive media and marketing solutions to help hotels grow their business.
  • is one of the fastest growing marketing research firms in the United States. With offices across the country and in Europe and partnerships with many of the largest companies in the financial services, consumer package goods, automotive, healthcare, media, technology and travel and leisure industries worldwide, PMI also offers advanced advertising and brand measurement along with direct marketing expertise.
  • Learn about PR Newswire services

    Request more information about PR Newswire products and services or call us at (888) 776-0942.

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    FEMA And The Ad Council Unveil New Series Of Ready PSAs As Part Of Ninth Annual National Preparedness Month
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    In the article, "Travel Agents Increase Use of GDS to Book Hotel Rooms," it talked about how the leading global provider of revenue is generating solutions for hotels, it shows how important GDS platforms are to travel agents. "84 percent of respondents indicated that they were using their GDS platform the same amount or more often than in the past, with 35 percent stating that they are using GDS more." Back in 2009, when the last study was conducted, about 26 percents of travel agents said that they used their GDS platform more often than in the past. This study also states that the annual GDS shopping displays will be over $50 million in 2011, which will increase more than a million bookings compared to 2010. There was another survey that was done and they surveyed different travel agents from across the world that were subscribed to a major GDS system. In the survey the travel agents indicated that promotional messages are effective and often prompt bookings. Out of the travel agents they surveyed, 66% said that they were aware of the "promotional messages requested addition information by looking at the screen attached to he promotional message." From this survey it showed that promotional messages are an excellent way to reach travel agents and from reaching the agent, they also reaching the customer, it's a win-win reaction.
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    I enjoyed the part about brand and promotional messaging, that is always a lure for me. When I see an attractive offer, evern If I'm not interested in booking or going to the destination, I often click on it anyway just to see the offer. It is a very effective marketing tool.
Michelle Wilson

Ping Identity Shares Best Practices for Securing and Managing User Access to UltiPro at... - 0 views

  • ing Identity solutions for human resource applications help companies get the most out of their HR technology investments. The company’s cloud identity management solutions allow employees to securely access UltiPro and other Web-based HR applications using Single Sign-On (SSO), while making it easier for Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) to provision and manage user accounts. Whether a customer chooses PingFederate cloud identity management software or PingOne cloud identity management as a service, Ping Identity’s products are designed to work with existing HRIS systems, as well as a wide variety of Web-based environments and business applications. Connections—The Ultimate Partner Forum is Ultimate Software’s annual customer conference. Each year, a dynamic group of more than 1,000 HR, payroll, and talent management professionals come together to learn about UltiPro product enhancements, industry best practices, and compliance regulations. On March 29, 2012, at 10:45 a.m. PDT, Ping Identity Senior Technical Architect Paul Madsen will join Ultimate Software’s Vice President of SaaS Technology Jim Jenson and Director of Strategic Alliances Jennifer Brafman Staffen in a track session for UltiPro Enterprise that will cover “The Advantages of Single Sign-On and How to Get There.” The session will repeat at 4 p.m., PDT, March 29, 2012, in a track session for UltiPro Workplace. To learn how Ping Identity’s cloud identity management solutions work with UltiPro and other HR applications, please stop by the Ping Identity booth. The Ultimate Connections Conference begins today and continues through Friday at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. About Ping Identity | The Cloud Identity Security Leader Ping Identity provides cloud identity security solutions to more than 800 of the world's largest companies, government organizations and cloud businesses. With a 99% customer satisfaction rating, Ping Identity empowers more than 42 of the Fortune 100 to secure hundreds of millions of employees, customers, consumers and partners using secure, open standards like SAML, OpenID and OAuth. Businesses that depend on the Cloud rely on Ping Identity to deliver simple, proven and secure cloud identity management through single sign-on, federated identity management, mobile identity security, API security, social media integration, and centralized access control. Visit pingidentity.com for more information. Contacts fama PR for Ping IdentityWhitney Parker, 617-986-5011pingidentity@famapr.comFollow Us on Twitter: @PingIdentityJoin our LinkedIn Group: Ping Identity CloudSubscribe to our YouTube Channel: PingIdentityTV Recent Stories from Ping Identity UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School Turns to Ping Identity to Solve Identity Management Complexity April 04, 2012 DENVER--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Ping Identity today announced that the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School has selected PingFederate to ease the management of identiti... more » Ping Identity Partners with Macnica Networks April 03, 2012 TOKYO--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Ping Identity®, The Cloud Identity Security Leader™, today announced that it has partnered with Macnica Networks Corp., the leading value-added distributor in Ja... more » Ping Identity Launches Certified Service Partner Program April 03, 2012 DENVER--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Ping Identity announced its Certified Service Partner Program. more » More Stories class
  • Ping Identity solutions for human resource applications help companies get the most out of their HR technology investments.
  • allow employees to securely access UltiPro and other Web-based HR applications using Single Sign-On (SSO), while making it easier for Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) to provision and manage user accounts.
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    This article shares some information about a Ping Identity that was demonstrated at the Ultimate Connections Conference in Las Vegas which was held at the end of March. Ping's experts were on hand to discuss how Ping Identity can help eliminate multi-employee passwords, increasing security. Ping uses cloud identity management solutions which will allow employees to access web-based HR applications using SSO (single sign-on), making it easier for HR managers to monitor user accounts. Pings systems are designed to be used with a wide array of products already in use. This is very interesting and will help the HR department, making their job a little easier by not having to worry about misuse of employee sign ons.
jazminesnyder

Guest Column: How Distribution Systems Are Like Seat Belts - Business Travel News - 0 views

  • global distribution systems use old technology
  • their interfaces aren’t quite as attractive as airline websites
  • they still do what they’re designed to do efficiently and affordably.
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  • agency portals
  • Are not designed to manage high transaction volumes generated by large TMCs.Do not offer comparison shopping on competing airlines.
  • Its strategy seems to rest in shifting distribution costs to corporate buyers.
  • Building out airline websites, keeping website content updated, investing in agent portals and investing in direct connect technology all come with significant capital expenditures or resource costs.
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    My article this week is about how GDS (Global Distribution Systems) can be compared to a seatbelt. The author opens the article discussing the main reasons we still continue to use seatbelts; even though they aren't the most comfortable or fashionable items to use, they still do their jobs in saving our lives when it comes to a collision of some sort. The author is in favor of GDS and makes the claim that like seatbelts, the GDS may not be the most up-to-date or may not appear to be as nice as other local systems to each individual airline, but they get the job done and there are no other systems out there like it that we know of (no other systems that do everything he GDS system does that is). The main topic of discussion that the article is concerned with is the recent decision made by the company Lufthansa to start charging its customers an additional surcharge for using GDS systems instead of going through its own system. The author clearly makes it know that she doesn't believe Lufthansa when they say they are charging this additional surcharge because GDS is the most expensive channel to go through. "Because there's no reason to think that an airline should expect to distribute its products without any cost, Lufthansa's recent gambit seems more of a tactic for increasing lagging direct distribution... Its strategy seems to rest in shifting distribution costs to corporate buyers" claims Rose, the author of the article. The author also points out some of the draw backs of using agency portals, the main reason being that a customer cannot compare rates of other competitors and that agency portals cannot handle high volume transactions like the GDS can. It is also made known that there are costs that come with other channels as well, like the prices you pay for building airline websites and keeping them updated. The author concludes that "Given the history of negotiations between airlines and GDSs, it's impossible to know whether Lufthansa is using DCC as
sophiestein1992

TripAdvisor, Trip Connect Partner, Google Search Hotel Booking Engine - 0 views

  • Make more by spending less!
  • helps you redirect reservations from expensive online travel agents to your own booking engine.
  • Your website is listed in the BOOK Button dropdown, but no price displays. LuxuryRes will connect to the BOOK Button and will display your pricing info to compete with Expedia, etc.
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  • All of the inventory displayed on Google is derived from the Control Center. This means that there is no extra work for you or your staff.
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    Luxuryres GDS brand - How it is extremely simple for hotels to use, and ends up saving them time and money
cjdearmas

How hotel chains are tackling the cybersecurity challenge - 1 views

  • With customers getting increasingly tech-savvy and looking for better deals, smarter platforms, and intelligent options when traveling, the hospitality industry is struggling to protect margins.
  • As a result, the industry is undergoing a period of consolidation.
  • This is exactly how Marriott International became the world’s largest hotel chain — it acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide for US$13.6 billion.
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  • However, at the time, due diligence failed to discover that Starwood had fallen victim to a data breach prior to the deal which exposed customer data of 500 million guests and subjected the hotel to penalties from regulatory authorities.
  • For those in the hospitality industry, looking to acquire properties or not, cybersecurity should be something to pay attention to — after all, the risks of not defending against cyberattacks could be catastrophic with regulators tightening the noose on those that fail.
  • Given Marriott’s size and cash reserves, it was able to weather the hit it took in the stock market, compensate (loyal) customers, and cough up the fines levied on it. Others might not.
  • “The hotel industry is at risk of attacks, such as malware and ransomware, where criminals try to either steal data or exploit organizations for a pay-off. The majority of these threats come through over email, often in malicious links.
  • The incident, of course, hasn’t dampened spirits at Marriott.
    • tcale003
       
      When Mariott bought other smaller hotels and added them to their inventory, they were not careful about their cyber-security and there was a data breach. The hotel industry is at risk of being attacked by things such as malware and ransomeware. Hotels need to pay attention to Cyber-security or risk having criminals steal valuable information.
  • Hotels house banks of sensitive
  • Hotels house banks of sensitive
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    email security is a good defense against cyberthreats in the hospitality space because it not only helps fend off attacks but also sensitizes staff to risks in cyberspace and provides them with basic awareness and education.
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    Mariott learned the hard way about the importance of cyber security! By inquiring a hotel for their boutique hotel line, it wasn't until after the fact that they realized that the hotel had been hit by a huge data breach in their system. Luckily, Marriott has the resources and reputation to deal with the issue. But a lot of these smaller hotels do not, so the damage to them could be catastrophic.
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    "The hotel industry is at risk of attacks, such as malware and ransomware, where criminals try to either steal data or exploit organizations" Majority of threats come through over email, often in malicious links. deploying email security is a good defense against cyberthreats in the hospitality space because it helps fend off attacks.
wei xie

Get Social, or Get Left Out | Column | Hospitality Magazine (HT) - 1 views

  • Given the vastness of their connections and networks, this can quickly multiple into thousands or more potential customers with word-of-mouth insight into your products and service.
  • however, many successful examples of hotels using social networking sites to generate awareness and additional revenue opportunities.
  • While the size of the fan-base is important, the true value is in the interaction.
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  • Though social networking tools are powerful, they must be well planned and carefully implemented to avoid pitfalls.
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    This article discusses about the importance and benefit of adopting social media to your business. At the beginning of this article, the author trying to help us understanding the growing trend of social media by throwing some shocking numbers. Then he brings out the idea that more and more businesses included social media in their marketing tools. The he reminds us while the size of fans is important, that the interaction with customers is the true value of social media. At the last part of this article, the author gave out some suggestion on make the best use of social media. He mentioned that besides using social media as a channel to connect with customers, companies can also discover new employers via this medium, and get to know your customers' inside thoughts by responding to them. At last, the author reminds us the importance of social media once again.
Allen Lok

New Retail Credit Card Standards Affect Quick Service Restaurants | QSR magazine - 0 views

  • By October 2015, all restaurants and other merchants will be subjected to new Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV) standards, which reflect a shift from magnetic-stripe credit cards to chip-and-pin cards.
  • , the chip-based cards require insertion of the card into a terminal throughout the entire transaction.
  • chip-based cards are less susceptible to fraud.
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  • It’s a rather slow conversion over to EMV. But it’s definitely coming.” View the discussion thread. Subscribe Subscribe to QSR Renew Update Address eLetters Advertising Contact &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Articles Food &amp; BeverageMenu Innovations Marc Halperin: Resident F&amp;B Expert Food Safety Health Ingredients &amp; Dayparts ExpansionQSR 50 Franchising Growth Fast Casual George Green: Fast-Casual Expert Emerging Concepts TechnologyOrdering Social Media Promotions Sustainability Denise Lee Yohn: QSR’s Marketing Guru OperationsExecutive Insights Competition In the Store Consumer Trends Charitable Giving Outside Insights Women in Foodservice Human Resources Alan Philips: Trends to Watch Research QSR 50 OneSource Drive-Thru Study Growth 40 Smart Chain Franchise Opportunities Find a Supplier Find a Job Restaurant Management Events NRA Show <a h
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    A new set of standards is coming up for credit card transactions. EMV or Europay, Mastercard, Visa, standards include a chip-and-pin device on the card that requires the card to be inserted into the card processing terminal. While this does not prevent all fraud, it's important that this standard is mandatory by 2015 and business operators should be preparing for changes.
lamia elachchabi

Marketing and e-business for the tourism industry - The Globe and Mail - 0 views

  • Marketing and e-business for the tourism industry
  • With increasing competition in the tourism industry, successful entrepreneurs know that a good marketing plan is vital to success.
  • Tourists and enthusiasts have quickly adopted the Internet as a preferred means of shopping for excursion and destination venues which allow them to quickly compare accommodations, aesthetics, services offered, and prices.
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  • E-mail newsletters and promotions: Consent of the recipient is essential - and the frequency should not be intrusive.
  • Build traffic through Web links with other sites
  • Get involved in discussion sites related to your specialty
  • Simplify off-season bookings: offer online reservations
  • Extend the season through auction-style sales of fringe-season packages
  • customers and by advertising in high-draw areas. Increase a Web site's marketing pull: form a marketing ring of related operators
  • Generate more customer attention and create related product marketing opportunities: become a source of information on your area or industry
  • Grow profitability: analyze customer information to optimize marketing efforts
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    Marketing and E-business for tourism industry A good marketing plan is important to the success of businesses. There are several guidelines and ways to use electronic medium to stay competitive. A business has to always take care of the existing customers and their needs without forgetting to attract new customers. Tourists are using internet to shop for new destinations so an online presence is very important for consumers so they will be able to find out information about the business. There are several guidelines to consider: * Promptness people expect to get a response within a reasonable time. * Quality means that your website should be able to compete with other websites on the internet and this means that it should have good quality photographs and professional tone to the websites. * Consistency means a good consumer service and a professional image. There are many ways to promote services online: email newsletters and promotion, building traffic by working with other websites, offer deals, get involved in discussion sites about the industry you are in. During an off season bookings, simplicity of booking should be a priority. Tourism operators should join travel and tourism "mall" to offer their products and host their site and use these low cost services. Companies can also promote their products online by offering auction style sales that helps consumers have some kind of control over the prices of the different services in tourism. One of the perks of online shopping for travel services is the price transparency and the fact that costumers have choices of different prices in front of them. Company should Increase a web marketing pull by offering different services and also advertising with other companies. Promote and minimize the costs of the services by adding "do-it-yourself" features. A list such as: A FAQ, maps of location of other area attractions and local guides for rental outlets. To improve the way you market your products and
claudia pretelt

Guest column: True e-waste recyclers return goods to commerce - Opinion - Waste & Recyc... - 0 views

  • f a speaker or article uses the words "returned to commerce," or "reused for the material's originally intended purpose," you have a fair likelihood that the person is talking about true recycling. But if a person says that they have produced a "commodity," it's questionable if they are talking about true recycling or, rather, a cheap method of disposal for most of the commodity. The word "commodity" can mean anything bought or sold and not necessarily returned to commerce.
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    This articles talks about what a true recycling is, and how to know whether the things that you are recycling are are being really recycle. Is important to know that if a product is "return to commerce" or "reused for the material's originally intended purpose" is true recycling. So next time that you are recycling make sure that the product is "return to commerce".
zeyupu

What Are The Benefits of E-accounting? - Education - 0 views

  • 1. Speed We can expect a quick result by using the software. The accounting software has in-built data and formatted screens. This is big plus for the organizations. It's obvious that manual work delivers slow results. Therefore, one looks up to E-accounting for managing the data effortlessly. 2. Precision There is less scope for errors; it however reduces the possibility of errors. The accounting software makes our task simpler. We need only one accounting system to manage the transactions. So, it provides no room to errors. The input is precise and to-the-point. 3. Information is updated automatically:- The information pertaining to accounts are recorded in the journal. The recorded items could be anything from transactions to customer accounts. Since it has in-built data, customer accounts are updated automatically. 4. Availability of Information:- The data serves the accounting purpose. It is made available to vast number of people simultaneously. This happens because the data is connected to the internet. Customers can access the web pages or web links to find information about the products or services. 5. Productivity Level:- With accounting software, better resources are used. It saves time and energy. There is an increase in the cash flow and the debt is managed effectively. Conclusion To excel in the accounting field, it is vital to take training from the right institute. The focal point is to appoint people who are familiar with internet. They should know the basic function of computers as well. If they don't fulfil such criteria, they are definitely not fit to enter into the accounting world. E-accounting training institute in Delhi, Ncr takes initiative to turn you into a successful accountant. The experienced trainers guide you to reach the zenith of accountancy.
    • zeyupu
       
      Electronic accounting system will become more and more common
anonymous

Hotels and Resorts Ramp Up Sustainability Efforts - The New York Times - 0 views

  • Hotels and resorts have started to act by ramping up efforts to reduce or eliminate completely their resource and energy consumption.
  • “Sustainability is more than energy conservation or recycling; it is about sustaining communities for the tourism product.”
  • While Marriott International and other large chains have promised to eliminate items that never fully decompose, like plastic straws, there is still a lot more work to be done.
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  • The 114-room Conrad Bora Bora Nui resort in French Polynesia has developed 17 different underwater coral structures around its resort with the mindset to regenerate them. This is done using a “Biorock” technique (passing a low-voltage current through electrodes in the water) developed by the marine biologist Denis Schneider. The process is currently considered among the best ways to fight coral mortality.
  • With assistance of the tour leader, they help transplant the coral to the sea bottom to ensure it is able to continue its growth.
  • The resort also designed open-air rooms to allow natural breezes to cool the areas, eliminating the need for air-conditioning.
  • Solmar Hotels and Resorts in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, heats water (including in its pools) using photo-thermal panels.
  • this energy savings translates into fewer emissions into the atmosphere (or the equivalent of pulling 198 gasoline-run cars out of circulation).
  • The Spectator Hotel in Charleston, S.C., recently established a food waste diversion program where half-eaten food items such as fruit and pastries are put into a digester that turns them into reusable water.
  • The Palms Hotel &amp; Spa in Miami Beach organizes three-hour-long beach cleanups every three months.
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    Sustainability has been a primary focus for many hotel companies around the world. There are many initiatives that are being created other than your everyday recycling. Fairmont Mayakoba has implemented a tour in which guest can assist in the transplant of coral to help their growth. Hosteling International USA has also become the first of it's kind to develop a system that monitors shower to last at most seven minutes in it effort to conserve water. These are just some of the many ideas that are taking into effect to further progress sustainability within hotel operations.
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    As guests are getting more environmentally friendly, being sustainable is an important aspect of hotel operations. Before they book a hotel, a lot of guests will look for or read about the hotel's social responsibility program. Hence, going green would bring in more revenue by attracting more guests.
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    This article explains several ways that hotels and resorts are helping in the fight for sustainability. Some resorts have completely eliminated the use of air conditioning and other ways to get energy for running electricity. For example, the Jade Mountain resort in St. Lucia has designed all their rooms to be open-air rooms which allows for breezes to come through the rooms and ultimately cool down the rooms. This, in turn, eliminates the need for air-conditioning all together. Some hotels are even offering classes on how to live a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. Hotels and resorts have worked towards saving coral reefs, energy and water conservation, preserving food and re-purposing waste, and creating eco-minded communities.
hui wang

How to Plan, and Measure, Online Event Marketing | ClickZ - 0 views

  • Event marketing connects consumers with your product in a special environment to create a compelling, inherently personal experience.
  • Integrated online/offline programs
  • Contests or sweepstakes.
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  • Online communities.
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    The Internet changed event marketing. You can create online events around a product, leverage an existing program to enhance a brand, and build an ongoing online community with a natural brand affinity. As a result, you can cost-effectively engage consumers in a brand experience that extends over time and yields measurable results. Online event marketing enables you to attract new customers, build brand, and increase revenue. Maximize the outcome with a well-coordinated plan of related programs. Consider incorporating other aspects of your online offering, extend the program offline, or move an offline happening to the Web. An event can be implemented on your site or in partnership with a related media site.
Amy Sena

Guest Room Tech Tops Investment Priorities as Locking Hack Makes Headlines | Columns | ... - 4 views

  • Pressure to provide ample bandwidth is on, with high guest expectations for connectivity. But at the moment, it’s room locking technology that’s in the hot seat.
  • Hotel guest room technology — and door locks in particular — received national attention in recent months when Forbes broke the news about a potential room lock security flaw found in Onity locks by a 24-year old software developer and security researcher. In a highly-contested decision (criticized as poor judgment by some and applauded as necessary full disclosure by others), the researcher released specific details of how to perform the lock hack. Since then a handful of hotels have alleged that the method was used by thieves in a series of guest room break-ins.
  • While the threat is limited to one manufacturer’s locking technology, it still could impact as many as 4 million hotel rooms.
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  • Hotels, meanwhile, are putting a priority on upgrading locking technology.
  • But regardless of who is to blame, it’s the guest whose safety is compromised and the hotel whose name will be tarnished — much in the same way a payment security breach impacts consumers and merchants.
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    Technology projects will be the biggest investments among hotel executives in 2013. This article focuses on the recent attention room locking technology has received and the priority hotels have placed on upgrading their locking technology. Although the security flaw is limited to one manufacturer, the impact will be felt among the entire industry. Guest safety must always be the top priority among hotel managers and staff. A guest room break in can ruin a hotels reputation in their respective community. Regardless of how the situation occurred a common perception is that the hotel was somehow at fault and guest safety is not a priority. As an industry we must always strive to create a safe environment for our guests. Upgrading our hotel locks, training staff proper safety procedures when entering and exiting guest rooms and proper check in procedures are what our guests demand of us to ensure their continued safety.
Dongyun Oh

Guest Room Tech Tops Investment Priorities as Locking Hack Makes Headlines - 0 views

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    It's crowded at the top of the to-do list. We've just published the 2013 Lodging Technology Study, where hotel executives reveal which technology projects are top priorities for the year ahead. Their biggest investment (20% of their overall IT budgets) will be in guest room technology, focusing first on Wi-Fi access and bandwidth, and soon thereafter on upgrading door locks. Pressure to provide ample bandwidth is on, with high guest expectations for connectivity. But at the moment, it's room locking technology that's in the hot seat. Hotel guest room technology - and door locks in particular - received national attention in recent months when Forbes broke the news about a potential room lock security flaw found in Onity locks by a 24-year old software developer and security researcher. In a highly-contested decision (criticized as poor judgment by some and applauded as necessary full disclosure by others), the researcher released specific details of how to perform the lock hack. Since then a handful of hotels have alleged that the method was used by thieves in a series of guest room break-ins. While the threat is limited to one manufacturer's locking technology, it still could impact as many as 4 million hotel rooms. Onity responded with a fix, but is charging hoteliers for replacement technology, also a decision under criticism. Hotels, meanwhile, are putting a priority on upgrading locking technology. According to our survey, which was conducted at about the same time that the news broke about the potential lock flaw, more than one-third of hoteliers (35% overall) are planning to upgrade their hotel locks. About 20% will do so by the end of 2013, and another 15% will upgrade sometime thereafter. Right now, there are plenty of fingers being pointed with regard to ownership, if the hack method becomes a repeated source of break-ins. But regardless of who is to blame, it's the guest whose safety is compromised and the hotel whose name will
mikepsantos

VingCard Allure - ASSA ABLOY Hospitality (VingCard Elsafe) - Electronic hotel locks - 0 views

  • Based on VingCard’s RFID locking platform, Allure consists of a variety of wall panels, giving designers freedom of choice with a state of the art design-centric hardware and software solution. Allure integrates VingCard’s most advanced contactless locking solutions into its interior electronics, including Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) compatible locking technology, as well as full compatibility with the Visionline online solution. With ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Mobile Access you can also open your hotel room using your cellphone as a key. Read more about Mobile Access here.
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    The RFID lock hardware are not in all hotels and resorts due to the high expense, but as the technology becomes widespread which will drive cost down it will become the standard.
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    This will be the industry standard in the next decade! Those who do not upgrade will lose market share.
Kamini Ramsaran

Reflecting on the Future for B2B Email | ClickZ - 0 views

  • email certainly remains the king of the digital channels, with an installed base of email accounts growing to 3.1 billion in 2011 and expected to grow to nearly 4.1 billion accounts by 2015.
  • corporate email accounts will increase faster than consumer email accounts because of the growth of affordable cloud-based email services.
  • Subscribers have begun to expect you to keep the conversation going via social media and mobile channels. Witness the increased activity for B2B users on LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social networks and likely on your own corporate blog, too.
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  • Emailing without permission can taint their impression of your brand. They can slam you and your brand in social media channels even if you meet legal minimum standards.
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    It is clear that email is one of the most effective and efficient ways of reaching out to your consumers directly, however there are always the ups and downs to this form of marketing. It is predicted that by 2015 there will be an increase of nearly 4.1 billion email accounts compared to the 3.1 billion email accounts as of 2011.   The most common form businesses used email marketing was to send out newsletters, coupons, ads, alerts, etc., now consumers also are looking for more interaction with the business through social media. They want instant responses through Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs and other social networks.  With using all the social networking sites in relation to the business, consumers can also see other consumer reviews.  Using these forms of communication for the business and client, helps to build their customer relationship with each other. As businesses track the movement of their website and emails by monitoring what the consumer clicks on, they gather information on what the consumer is looking for and can then cater to their needs. As positive as social media can be for a company, it can also be negative with bad user reviews and complaints.  Word of mouth is the fastest marketing tool for consumers when they have a bad review.  
Franc Pulido

Hotels in India going green - Columns - livemint.com - 0 views

  • Rising concern about the environment in response to global warming is driving thinkers to seek some sustainable solutions and are forcing people to reconsider and amend their ways of living to become more eco-friendly.
  • Many, if not all, are seeking to redesign their lifestyles and get into the green mode.
  • green buildings incorporate several sustainable features such as efficient use of water, energy efficiency, eco-friendly environment, use of renewable energy, use of recycled/recyclable materials, effective use of landscape, effective control and building management systems, and improved indoor quality for health and comfort.
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  • It’s interesting that much of the pressure to go green is coming from environmentally sensitive guests who are growing in number and favour eco-friendly hotels to energy guzzlers. The hospitality industry is acknowledging the long-term benefits to be reaped in terms of reduced maintenance and energy saving, especially when energy costs are escalating.
  • The three R’s have an important role to play in the construction of a green building—recycling (of old material), reduction (of wastage) and re-use (of material).
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    The article discusses the Green Mode and how human activities causing excessive fossil fuel emissions are forcing us to change the way we live and become more eco-friendly. This trend can be seen in the hospitality industry as more buildings are utilizing a green approach. These buildings offer sustainable features such as efficient use of water, energy efficiency, use of recycled materials and improved indoor conditions for better health and comfort. Companies using the green approach create value for occupants and increase property values by offering easier maintenance and lower operating costs. In India, The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) have produced over 687 projects that have been registered under IGCB green building guidelines. These projects include hotels, hospitals and different factory buildings. Major companies adopting the green mode include Intercontinental Hotel Group, Starwood Hotels, Hyatt and Hilton. The hospitality Industry is beginning to take advantage of the benefits of going green. With energy costs escalating, reduced maintenance and energy saving is becoming increasingly more necessary. 
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    As the title of the article indicates, Hotels in India have decided to get into green mode. This initiative stemmed from suggestions from the increasing number of "nature loving" guests lodging in their establishments. Consequently, the Indian hospitality industry has realized that adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle would prove to be cost-effective as well as beneficial to the preservation of the environment.
Kamini Ramsaran

Microsoft Teams Bing With Yelp to Enhance Search Results - Search Engines - News & Revi... - 0 views

  • Microsoft has announced a deal with the community review site Yelp to add its reviews of restaurants, stores and other businesses to Bing search results.
  • Microsoft has partnered with Yelp to integrate its reviews into Bing search results.
  • Bing and other search engines have struggled to grow in comparison to the dominant Google
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  • Google acquired Zagat in September 2011 for $151 million as a way to compete against Yelp in the ad-supported review business.
  • Google in May rolled out the Google Knowledge Graph, which helps a user refine their search results.
  • In the Bing redesign that added the Facebook integration, Microsoft also added a middle column to the results page called “Snapshot.”
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    Microsoft announced that they have partnered with Yelp to enhance their search results.  Google being the number 1 search engine, others are always looking for new ways to compete and possibly take over the number 1 spot.  Yelp is a website that provides users with reviews on businesses such as restaurants, hotels, bars, etc., like most free search engines, Yelp makes their money based off of advertising on their page. Aside from the addition to Yelp, Bing also added a Facebook connection to their search results.  If someone looks up a certain company that has a Facebook page, that page and user reviews will also come up in their search.  Recently Google added a feature called "The Knowledge Graph".  This feature can help distinguish the difference amongst your search if the topic you are researching has various meanings.  Bing came up with doing a "Snapshot" of the pages you search for to help you see more information about what you are searching for.    
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