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Alyssa Westmeyer

Hotel technology trends that are changing how hotels do business - 1 views

www.lodgingmagazine.com/...2

pms cloud

shared by Alyssa Westmeyer on 03 Oct 13 - No Cached
  • Choice created the software in 2003 as an inexpensive solution for franchisees of its economy brands.
  • The PMS had a lot of growing pains at first, but eventually it became more and more cloud enabled and was adopted across the company.
  • “A lot of companies had outsourced their IT and now they’re bringing it back in house because they can do almost everything they need on the cloud or through software as a service.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Switching to the cloud from a client server platform pays off with a big drop in both the initial capital outlay and the ongoing operating costs for the property management and other systems.
  • pects of a franchisee’s business, from guest check-ins and housekeeping services to billing and finances. Over time new features have been rolled into the software platform making it more robust and useful for hotel owners—it’s currently distributed in eight countries and available in four languages. And while plenty of cloud-based PMS packages are now available from third-party vendors like Micros, Maestro, and RoomKey, Choice’s internal solution has garnered its fair share of attention. “We had been getting knocks on the door from IT vendors at other hotel companies and individual Choice franchisees that own other brands, saying they were interested in our product,” says Pacious, “So we set up a new division so we could take a look at other opportunities we could develop.” This led the company to launch SkyTouch last year, a new division that develops and markets cloud-based software solutions to hotels inside and outside the Choice system. Pages: 1 2 3 4 2013-06-18 Sean Downey !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })(); (function() { var li = document.createElement('script'); li.type = 'text/javascript'; li.async = true; li.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https:' : 'http:') + '//platform.stumbleupon.com/1/widgets.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(li, s); })(); inShare0 Related Articles attachment-3
  • his led the company to launch SkyTouch last year, a new division that develops and markets cloud-based software solutions to hotels inside and outside the Choice system. Pages: 1 2 3 4 2013-06-18 Sean Downey !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })(); (function() { var li = document.createElement('script'); li.type = 'text/javascript'; li.async = true; li.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https:' : 'http:') + '//platform.stumbleupon.com/1/widgets.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(li, s); })(); inShare0 Related Articles Hotel Market Insight: Cleveland a
  • This led the company to launch SkyTouch last year, a new division that develops and markets cloud-based software solutions to hotels inside and outside the Choice system.
  • Alyssa Westmeyer on 03 Oct 13
     
    Choice Hotels has been a industry leader in the cloud PMS movement. They identified the opportunity to create their own platform 10 years ago when cloud was barely on the radar and have now successfully distributed it to 5,500 of their properties. Unique functionality built into the system is internet redundancy via cellular data plan, company-wide campaign pop-up messages to staff, interface to Pegasus and revenue management through predictive analytics. The platform has been so successful that, in response to inquiries from other companies who wanted to use Choice's proprietary system themselves, they created an additional revenue stream by establishing a separate company that sells and creates custom cloud PMS systems. One advantage pointed out is that managers no longer need to be on property to access and make changes to their PMS. While this is hugely beneficial to the majority of the industry (who already work long hours and visit the property on their day off), there may be some who take advantage of the situation. If this becomes the case, less oversight at the property means that operations has the potential to slip. It doesn't seem that this is a concern for Choice Hotels but it should be considered.
Xu Wang

Emerald | Have human resource information systems evolved into internal e-commerce? - 0 views

www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm

shared by Xu Wang on 01 Dec 12 - No Cached
  • Human resources (HR) have been a well-established function in organizations for decades,
  • the department was typically perceived by many organizations as a “necessary evil,” that is to say, as an essential but in no way profitable or advantageous element,
  • even at the current time HRIS is not limited to technological elements alone, such as computer hardware and software applications, but also includes the people, policies, procedures, and data required to manage the HR function.
  • ...55 more annotations...
  • Nevertheless, these well-accepted attributes of HR have been challenged in the past few years, as several indicators reflect fundamental changes within the HR function,
  • although little has changed in this function over the past decades, there are growing expectations that HR will improve corporate competitive advantages by adding real measurable value to the organization.
  • The apparent difficulties in upgrading HR to a strategic position in organizations result in missed opportunities especially in hospitality and tourism, where the human capital has substantive potential to improve the competitive advantage of enterprises, particularly due to the growing competitiveness of the industry, as well as the centrality of the human element in the delivery of hospitality products and services
  • The second change in contemporary HR which, interestingly, is closely related to the previous one, is the growing trend of incorporating advanced information technology (IT) in HR practices.
  • There is extensive evidence to the growing transfer of HR functions to digital formats, as can be seen in the growing popularity of human resource information systems (HRIS) among organizations. HRIS is currently perceived as one of the important factors influencing the role of the HR function, as well as the workplace as a whole. Although in many aspects, technology remains under-utilized in HR functions (Jones and Hoell, 2005), recently its effects have begun to be evident in many organizational aspects,
  • Furthermore, it is widely argued that the adoption of HRIS is likely to promote HR to the awaited position of strategic partner in the organization. The main reason for this is that by using HRIS, HR professionals can improve their performance by gaining better knowledge of the organization and its employees, thus facilitate participation in strategic planning and implementation. In addition, by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the HR day-to-day administrative tasks, HRIS allows the HR staff to dedicate more time to strategic decision making and planning, which consequently provides more value to the organization to enhance its position within it
  • modern HRIS make optimal use of internet and web capabilities for performing their tasks
  • successful HRIS support the planning and implementation of managerial key processes in the organization, such as executive decision making, technology selection, interdepartmental integration, and organizational reporting structures.
  • Intranet-based employee self-service (ESS) provides employees direct access, mainly through a web browser but also through a centralized kiosk, to personal HR-related information. Thus, the employees can individually handle transactions that used to be carried out by HR personnel,
  • Both MSS and ESS create a trend of delegation of responsibilities and activities that were once considered to be the domain of HR professionals and administrative personnel, directly to employees and managers
  • HRIS was seen mostly as a special form of office automation systems, the emphasis being on reducing costs and staff while making the standard HR tasks more efficient
  • In addition, in today's workplace the HR tasks have become more complex, along with organizational trends such as globalization, consolidations, strategic partnerships, and greater than ever governmental and regulatory reporting requirements for employees.
  • Therefore, from the administrative perspective, by providing powerful computing capabilities, HRIS are changing and improving procedures and processes that were carried out less efficiently before,
  • the automation of routine transactions provides HR professionals with time to perform strategic functions related to the human capital
  • HRIS allow the firm to be proactive in HR planning, by giving managers a constant flow of employee information
  • since HRIS can significantly improve the way employees and managers communicate with each other through various communication channels, this improves the flow of information and expertise throughout the organization, thereby enhancing the firms' strategic capabilities
  • Another prominent perceived characteristic of the HR function has been its reliance on relatively low-tech methods in implementing its tasks
  • Although HRIS can provide both administrative and strategic advantages, it should be noted from the onset that they are usually expensive systems to purchase and implement. Designing and implementing customized HRIS, adapted to the specific needs of the organization, will significantly enhance its functionality, but will result in increased software and hardware costs, as well as time-to-deployment
  • the initial costs of developing such HRIS are high,
  • In order to reduce the costs of HRIS, an organization can purchase off-the-shelf applications composed of HR database programs, aimed at meeting the general needs of HR functions
  • These findings point to the vital need of the HR function to provide evidence of the effectiveness of HRIS, for the purpose of attaining the executive management support for the change.
  • for a successful implementation of HRIS, it is no less important to obtain the support of managers and employees in the organization. Although modern HRIS offer clear advantages to managers, through the use of MSS, for better management of their staff, the implementation of such systems is likely to be followed by a certain level of resentment on the part of the managers. Since MSS transfer the responsibility of performing employee HR-related transactions from the HR staff to the direct managers, many of them are frustrated since they feel that additional administrative tasks are being imposed on them
  • Another relatively common problem, concerning both the implementation and the flowing management of HRIS, is the question of who is in charge of the system. Since the successful development of HRIS requires the input of both the IT and the HR departments, it is not uncommon for disputes over areas of responsibility to break out between these departments.
  • Other territorial conflicts around HRIS may arise when departments feel that the system expropriates some of its authorities; for example, the payroll department might resist HRIS that combines payroll functions. A possible solution to such a problem can be the establishment of cross-functional teams that run HRIS projects
  • the implementation of HRIS raises both ethical and legal issues that need to be addressed by the organization. First, the use of relational database technology provides access to more detailed employee information than ever before.
  • Second, HRIS usually contain private information on the employees, while the access to this information is often allowed to employees outside HR, as well. As a result, some employees feel that their private lives are not protected adequately.
  • The hospitality industry is characterized by a higher turnover rate than other sectors of the economy
  • Traditionally, HR in organizations has utilized low-tech methods in recruitment.
  • Internet recruiting benefits both the organization and the job seeker's perspectives (Pearce and Tuten, 2001; Singh and Finn, 2003). The benefits to the recruiters include: Cost savings, as it is significantly cheaper to advertise on the internet than in a newspaper. Compared to the use of professional search firms (also known as headhunters) the amounts saved are even higher. Recruiters generally receive more applications, which results in a greater pool of candidates from which to choose. Recruiters may receive applications faster, often even on the same day a position is announced. Improved ability to target a specific audience, thereby decreasing future turnover. Time saving, as more unqualified or unfit applicants can be eliminated, through online contact, in the initial phases of the recruitment process.
  • On the other hand, internet recruitment is not without limitations.
  • Once the recruitment process has ensured a large pool of applicants to choose from, the next phase is to select the most suitable candidates.
  • Traditionally, these selection methods involve the visit of the candidate to the organization or, to a lesser degree, to an assessment center, for interviewing, pen-and-paper testing, or situational testing, including group dynamics.
  • The use of advanced technology allows the selection process to complete the widespread online recruitment methods.
  • Nevertheless, the main impact of technology in selection procedures is in relation to employee interviewing and testing.
  • Anderson (2003) broadly described the prominent technology-based selection procedures, along with an assessment of their acceptance and effectiveness.
  • Adequate training is essential in providing quality services, yet traditionally hospitality organizations have not invested adequate resources in training their employees (Conrade et al., 1994). Most of the knowledge and skills of hospitality employees is transferred through on-the-job training,
  • However, as noted by Collins (2004), delivery of organized and structured training programs in the hospitality industry is a constant challenge, mainly because of the size and geographical dispersion of the workforce, as well as the extensive resources – financial, work, and time – needed to establish in-house training programs.
  • Although technology-based training methods have been available for a long time, the hospitality industry has usually lagged behind other sectors in adopting them.
  • Web-based training (WBT) can deliver courses nationwide or worldwide at all time zones to any connected computer, and is easy to update and monitor.
  • Effective performance evaluation plays a critical role in the successful implementation of organizational strategy and in gaining a competitive advantage. Therefore, in addition to important HR decisions that greatly rely on performance evaluation, such as promotions, outplacements, dismissals, many organizations link performance to compensations and rewards. As noted by Bowley and Link (2005), a performance-based compensation plan, often known as “pay-per-performance,” should reflect the organization's goals.
  • the traditional methods, based on a disconnected blend of discrete applications, spreadsheet programs and paper-based systems, to communicate goals, track employee performance and manage compensation, are insufficient in the contemporary challenges of linking performance evaluation to organizational strategy (Bowley and Link, 2005). Yet, although sophisticated HRIS were developed to meet these contemporary challenges, Ensher et al. (2002) found little effect of HRIS on the process of performance management among HR executives, who still rely on paper-and-pencil administration and hard copy documentation of employee evaluation.
  • Nevertheless, CPM has drawbacks that are highly relevant to a service industry such as the hospitality industry (Miller, 2003). The main concern that CPM raises is that reliance only on quantitative criteria is likely to lead to the neglect of more qualitative aspects of performance.
  • Consequently, an effective CPM must be followed by the establishment of an employee development plan, designed in collaboration with his/her supervisor. The second application of technology in appraisal management is online evaluation and appraisal software (Miller, 2003). In contrast to the aforementioned CPM, in these cases technology facilitates delivering performance feedback, rather than generating the actual evaluation outcome.
  • 360° feedback,
  • In addition, evaluation software packages can be used as stand-alone applications or as an integral part of the organization's HRIS, which offers computerized standard evaluation forms. The use of user-friendly software in evaluating employees allows managers to focus more on the contents of the evaluation, rather than on the forms.
  • Therefore, the use of computer software programs allows better coping with these challenges, while saving time and money.
  • While the organization enjoys the reduced need for complex bureaucracy, the employees enjoy better control and enhanced anonymity, as there is no need for dealing directly with HR staff on personal financial matters.
  • The use of HRIS has significant impact on the current affairs between the management and the employees, as well as the characteristics and the environment of the contemporary workplace. From the administrative perspective, through the HRIS the managers and the employees have access to relevant information on employee work rules, policies, and regulations on issues like privacy, illegal discrimination, and work diversity. In addition, the HRIS can assist discharged or displaced employees in finding alternative employment, by providing links to career counselors, training programs, and information, all of which are required for a successful and effective job search
  • technology has changed the nature of the workplace and employer-employee relations more fundamentally than just providing more accessible information.
  • Traditional e-commerce technology provides product/service, promotion, placement, and pricing strategic initiatives to external constituents through the use of extranet platforms merged with intranets (for instance, customer relationship management). HRIS technology provides the same initiatives through the use of intranets merged with extranet platforms (for example, recruitment). Thus, HRIS technology may be considered to represent internal e-commerce systems, which are crucial to the alignment of HR functions within strategic initiatives aimed at sustainable competitive advantages.
  • The evolution of HRIS platforms provides a range of tools for use by enhancing employee-employer relationships. The full service range of HRIS functions brings human capital closer to the strategic direction of the organization.
  • However, the technology is merely a tool that may enhance strategic alignment.
  • There is also evidence from the literature that a disengagement of the HR function from strategic initiatives exist in many hospitality enterprises.
  • It is common knowledge that the hospitality industry is labor intensive with many points of intimate service interactions of long duration. HR will produce sustainable competitive advantages for those firms that include the HR function in a united strategic direction.
  • The literature identifies the advantages of aligned human capital as a means to accomplishing sustainable competitive advantage for enterprises.
  • Xu Wang on 01 Dec 12
     
    This article is a research paper did by Amir and Beer-Sheva. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact of technology on the human resources function in organizations, in general, and in hospitality firms, in particular. At the beginning, it introduced the role of human resources department in organizations for decades. And the trend or changes in contemporary human resources. Then it came out that we cannot skipped the effect of technology on the HR function, especially in tourism and hospitality industry. So, next it gave the definitions of HRIS by introducing technology. And list some advantages and challenges of using HRIS. In the end, it listed how technology put infusion across HR function, including recruitment, selection, training, performance evaluation and compensation, payroll, benefits and pension administration, labor relations and outplacement.
hui wang

7 Benefits of Having a System Evaluation Team for Your Hotel - 0 views

www.propertymanagementsystemguide.com/...nt-system-evaluation-team.html

benefits system evaluation team hotel

shared by hui wang on 13 Feb 13 - No Cached
  • Confirming existing known needs and uncovering further needs.
  • The Evaluation Team may be reassembled to work together on continual process improvement.
  • they can easily transition to assist with phases that follow the purchase of the property management system,
  • hui wang on 13 Feb 13
     
    This article is to emphasize the importance of developing the system evaluation team. The system evaluation team will help to evaluate and select a proper system for the property management such as PMS or Webrezpro, which will get more efficiency and cost saving. What is more, the evaluation team will connect multiple departments in the hotel that includes front-desk, financial, marketing… Since the team will work together and each of those departments they know each other well, and know what those business needs and wants, they can help each other and supervise each other, which will increase the efficiency and fairness.
Gyujin Chae

Selecting the Right Property Management System (PMS) for Your Hotel - 1 views

www.indiangaming.com/...Sep11_Stehle.pdf

Hotel casino PMS selection

shared by Gyujin Chae on 18 Feb 12 - No Cached
  • Gyujin Chae on 18 Feb 12
     
    This article discusses how to select the right Property Management System (PMS) for hotels and specifies procedures that the hotels need to follow. The first step in selecting a PMS is that hotels need to foam an evaluation team that includes managers, staff from different departments, such as front desk, accounting, housekeeping, and IT, in order to make sure the PMS works for everyone. Then, the hotel should determine its budget, making sure they don't waste time for a PMS out of their price range. Once the budget is set, the evaluation team should conduct a needs assessment to ensure that they only buy features they need. Next, researching the PMSs that meet the hotels' requirements and fit the budget is necessary. This article emphasizes some key features, such as user-friendly design, guest-oriented functionality, integration with other system, etc., to consider when evaluating the PMSs. After the hotel has completed its research, they need to narrow the options down to top two or three, and to have the selected vendors demonstrate their products in front of the evaluation team. After all, the hotels can choose the right one which works the best for them. Competition in the hospitality business has been intense, so it is essential to invest in technology, such as Property Management System (PMS), to streamline operations, enhance guest service, and ultimately win competition over others. However, there are so many PMS options to choose on the market, so it is also critical to know what procedures to follow, and to choose the most suitable PMS for each business.
Chi Zhang

Why Implement a Human Resource Information Software (HRIS) System? - 0 views

ezinearticles.com/?Why-Implement-a-Human-Resource-Information-Software-(HRIS)-System?&id=1589993

shared by Chi Zhang on 12 Apr 13 - No Cached
  • Running a business will generate a lot of information, both related to the business and related to your employees.
  • , a human resource information software (HRIS) system is a wise choice because it will reduce the amount of paper generated, organize your data, streamline processes, and help your company's bottom line.
  • Providing benefits for ineligible employees or their dependents. Cost of training new employees. Documenting why people leave the organization because the cost of terminations is high, and if you can track why people leave, then changes can ensue. Not properly recording vacation or sick leave taken. Time and attendance creates a loss of productivity, so having a way to track it to ensure there is not abuse of the system or employees taking time they don't have will help to reduce the risk of losing productivity and, ultimately, revenue. Reduce potential legal expenses in an employee dispute. Accurate and complete records can help build your case or diffuse a situation before it even gets in the courts.
  • Chi Zhang on 12 Apr 13
     
    Ａ　HRIS in hotel industry could help you improve data management. Keep all employee information in one place with Staff Files! And manage time-off accruals. Easily track time off in the Accrual tab. Also, set up and enroll employees in Auto Accrual Policies to allow auto calculations for vacation, sick, and holiday time. Evaluate employee performance, complete thorough performance evaluations by scoring employees on the evaluation categories you select or define and add comments for each category.
jmore044

PMS Software Evaluation Scorecard Ensures Hotels Can Find Their Ideal Property Manageme... - 1 views

www.hospitalitynet.org/...4084559.html

shared by jmore044 on 16 Sep 17 - No Cached
  • Knowing that not all hotel PMS solutions are created equal, StayNTouch® has released a comprehensive PMS Evaluation Scorecard designed to help hotel operators select the right PMS for their needs and budget.
  • The criteria-based approach is created on a quantitative assessment of the PMS in terms of functionality, flexibility, maintainability, and usability.
  • Hoteliers can use the step-by-step scorecard to determine the total score for each PMS vendor and then consider only the technology providers with the highest grades.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • The downloadable scorecard and template address the most critical areas that require consideration during the evaluation process including: Defining goals Creating a list of potential vendors/solutions Annual Costs Implementation Mobility Integration Reporting/Insights Ease of use/User Interface Automation Security and Scalability Service and Support
  • mitchlaferriere on 16 Sep 17
     
    StayNTouch has released a PMS Evaluation Scorecard designed to help brands to decide the right PMS for their needs and budget. The scorecard takes into account functionality, flexibility, maintainability, and usability. Making well-informed decisions when it comes to PMS is especially important, as the PMS represents the backbone of an operation. Moreover, with the multitude of options now available, choosing the right PMS can be quite the ordeal. The market is filled with a variety of products that suit a diversity of needs. From "traditional" PMS to web-based and cloud-based formats, such a choice can be daunting for a hotelier. StayNTouch's PMS Evaluation Scorecard is designed to simplify the process by weeding out the worst options, leaving the prospective consumer with only the highest rated matches.
ivonneyee

Modern Management Technologies in the Hospitality Industry - 2 views

The article talks about how it's worth investing in proximity marketing to increase the speed of a customer's decision, increase engagement, and eloyalty. The article states that marketers who know...

started by ivonneyee on 22 Nov 21 1 follow-up, last by ivonneyee on 22 Nov 21
Hui Chen

Facility Managers Explain How They Minimize Risks and Maximize Rewards of New Technology - 0 views

www.facilitiesnet.com/...wards-of-New-Technology--13113

hospitality facilities

shared by Hui Chen on 21 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • There are plenty of reasons that facility managers should keep the door open to new technology.
  • Marriott, for example, has developed a strategy for contributing to environmental conservation that includes expanding the use of LEED certification for existing properties.
  • Evaluating New Options
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • "New facility technology" doesn't necessarily mean a product left the lab yesterday. There are plenty of technologies that have been out in the marketplace for a couple years or more,
  • Rath says
  • I want new technology vendors to prove their claims," Rath says. "And I want those claims substantiated by an independent third-party engineering firm."
  • Larry Morgan
  • "When you first deployed this technology, what mistakes did you make and what steps did you take to correct them?" Morgan is intently interested in the course correction taken in the product's earliest days, when inevitable flaws appear.
  • Ron Sharpe,
  • evaluated new technology by getting "my hands on it." The goal: "connect it to the building system and see if it can perform and meet the claims made by the representative and/or manufacturer."
  • Kampschroer turns to the national labs — Pacific Northwest, Sandia, Lawrence Berkeley, etc. — for information on new technologies. "
  • Hui Chen on 21 Nov 12
     
    This article suggests that Facility Managers should keep the door open to new technology. It gives an example of Marriott Hotel to demonstrate this point. Moreover, this article shows us several ways to evaluating new options. This methods are shared by  managers with great experience.
delaneyverger

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

www.hospitalitynet.org/...4067389.html

vendor rfp process request for proposal hospitality hotel business tech technology i.t. i.t. investment

shared by delaneyverger on 21 Sep 16 - No Cached
  • 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.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • 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.
  • delaneyverger on 21 Sep 16
     
    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.
rfern243

The 4 Most Important Considerations When Evaluating Hotel Property Management Systems |... - 0 views

www.atrio.com/el-property-management-systems

business

shared by rfern243 on 27 Aug 16 - No Cached
  • Although this may seem like a basic question, it is in fact fairly complicated. Before you can truthfully evaluate a new hotel PMS you must fully and completely understand how you currently run your business. We recommend performing a thorough needs assessment in advance of any hotel PMS demonstrations or trial periods. With a documented needs assessment you can more accurately check-off that the new system meets your basic functional requirements. Beware of taking short cuts in this process. Missing key functionality can lead to major operational difficulties and a lot of stress for your staff. In some cases you may select a hotel PMS planning to work around gaps in functionality, make sure that these gaps and workarounds are identified in advance to gain buy-in from all levels of your organization.
  • vincentsalazar on 27 Aug 16
     
    This articles breaks down the importance of a resourceful management system in terms of needs and wants. It also illustrates how management must truly understand their organization before deciding on what system to acquire. Without identifying your organizations' short ends, decisions on a wrong system can not only be costly but hurt your hotel in the long run. The article then continues to break down steps in which rational decision making can be made.
  • rfern243 on 06 Oct 17
     
    There are many different systems to evaluate, each has particular strengths and weaknesses in relation to your hotel. The article talks about in order to ensure the best system for your property you need the right PMS to make sure its run properly. It also talks about how performing a thorough needs assessment in advance of any hotel PMS demonstrates. Also, hotel now a days do more cooler things than in the past which can open opportunities to exploit new and more efficient ways of operating than you maybe accustomed to with your current system. You also need to trust a company before choosing a new hotel PMS for evaluation purposes. Providing hotel property management systems is a unique and specialized endeavor with many particularities for the hospitality industry. How will I properly use a PMS system and what happens if something goes wrong is a problem issue. The complexity of your hotel operation will help dictate the extent of training needed. As you increase the complexity of your operations, the number of your staff, and hotel PMS requirements you can expect the amount of training needed will increase.
artandmer

Are hotels and outdoor concerts any safer since the Las Vegas attack? | PBS NewsHour - 0 views

www.pbs.org/...fer-since-the-las-vegas-attack

las vegas attack security hospitality

shared by artandmer on 20 Jun 22 - No Cached
  • By now, many details of that October evening in Las Vegas are well known: the lone gunman in a 32nd floor suite atop the Mandalay Bay Hotel, the arsenal of firearms, the terrified concertgoers below.
  • For the first time in Coachella’s 19-year history, organizers used surveillance drones to monitor the vast grounds of the festival.
  • A separate Gallup poll taken days after the Las Vegas shooting found that 39 percent of Americans are “very” or “somewhat” worried that they, or a loved one, will be a victim of a mass shooting.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • The Las Vegas attack was, however, the first mass shooting at a hotel in the U.S., and it served as a reminder that attacks on entertainment events are a worldwide emerging threat
  • The attack Paddock carried out — from a hotel with robust security and a state-of-the-art surveillance system — left many industry insiders and security experts stunned.
  • In a 2017 Gallup poll, 38 percent of U.S. adults said they were less willing to attend events with large crowds out of concern the events could become a terrorist target.
  • For months ahead of the festival, a security company called Emergence also trained Goldenvoice security and police officers in “predictive threat analysis,” a security technique that focuses on spotting signs of trouble and disrupting attacks before they take place.
  • And as security costs for hotels and event promoters increase, concertgoers in the U.S. may see slightly higher ticket prices
  • Police say Stephen Paddock planned his attack in Las Vegas at least a year in advance. In the days leading up to the shooting, Paddock was able to bring more than 23 rifles into his hotel room, set up a hidden camera in the hallway outside of his room, and drill L-brackets into the 32nd floor stairwell door and his suite to delay police from entering.
  • After the shooting, Wynn Resorts, Hilton and Disney Resorts all changed their internal policies regarding do-not-disturb signs
  • artandmer on 20 Jun 22
     
    High profile hotels near large events have had to respond to events such as mass shootings since the 2017 Las Vegas attack where a guest used as hotel room to carry out the shooting. Concert venues and large hotels are now using surveillance drones and predictive threat analysis to enable their staff to recognize patterns that could indicate signs of trouble. Security costs at large venues are expensive, and they are being passed on via ticket prices. Hotels need to evaluate their need for an active shooter plan and evaluate their "do not disturb" policies and train their staff to alert management when they are unable to enter a guest room, or when they recognize something out of the ordinary.
Dian Peng

HR Revolution - 18 Steps to Selecting a Human Resource Information System - 0 views

www.hrrevolution.com/...Selecting_HRIS

HRIS technology

shared by Dian Peng on 24 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Dian Peng on 24 Nov 12
     
    This paper is designed to give human resource professionals a blueprint to follow for any type of human resource software selection, from stand alone applicant tracking systems to fully integrated HRIS and Payroll solutions. Software selection is invariably a more complex process than we originally estimate and one with long term consequences for an organization. It requires a careful and thoughtful approach to fully address the issues and impacts related to your decisions. Some steps may be combined or performed concurrently, but the authors strongly believe that human resource professionals will optimize their selections by following the process as presented Step 1: Teamwork Step 2: Goals Step 3: Big Picture Step 4: Future Needs Step 5: Technical Environment Step 6: Budget Step 7: Specs Step 8: Build vs. Buy Step 9: Research Step 10: Literature Step 11: RFP Step 12: Evaluate Step 13: Demos Step 14: Evaluate Again Step 15: Decision Points Step 16: Check References Step 17: Demo Again Step 18: Evaluate Again and Select.
alibaba0512

Call Accounting Software for Every Enterprise | Dinamo Effect Technology Tips - 0 views

www.dinamoeffect.org/ware-for-every-enterprise.html

Call Accounting CMS

shared by alibaba0512 on 21 Feb 13 - No Cached
  • Management of telephone charges, equipment fees, VoIP traffic, internet usage, and provider discounts is a difficult task. Most communication managers demand the necessary tools to allow administrators to monitor, evaluate, forecast and allocate communications management services and expenses.
  • Communications facilities are continuing to evolve at a rapid rate. Call accounting is generally the centerpiece of a complete communication management solution (CMS) to allow customers to track, process and allocate communications transactions (analog, VoIP and data).
  • Good call accounting software provides exception management reports which highlight long duration, excessive cost and misdialed calls.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Call accounting delivers expense account code, password or authorization code reports. These results can be automatically directed to accounting systems, spreadsheets, HTML, email and a variety of other formats.
  • alibaba0512 on 21 Feb 13
     
    By Call Accounting Software, manager can monitor, evaluate, forecast and allocate communications management services and expenses. 
xiyu wang

Evaluating IT Investments - 0 views

www.statetechmagazine.com/...evaluating-it-investments

technology hospitality business ROI investment

shared by xiyu wang on 28 Oct 12 - No Cached
  • xiyu wang on 28 Oct 12
     
    This article was discussing about the evaluation of information investments of government. It metioned the ROI--the public return on investment (PROI). The Center for Technology in Government defines PROI as a measure of the delivery of specific value to the people and the improvement of the value of government itself as a public asset. PROI gets at the scietal benefits derived from an IT investment including increased efficiency, increased effectiveness, enablement, intrinsic enhancements.When identifying PROI leads to two questions: (1) How does a public-sector IT project generate increased public value, and (2) for whom? The answers are finances, politics, society, strategy, ideology, and stewardship. When considering projects that have benefit to citizens that are more difficult to measure, discussion among government official coupled with traditional ROI measurements may result in more informed and accurate assignment of the public return on the IT investment.
Leann Taylor

MGM Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, Caesars Entertainment to Present with BlackLine at... -- ... - 0 views

www.prnewswire.com/...tality-industry-159405965.html

shared by Leann Taylor on 09 Jul 12 - No Cached
  • Until recently, accounting/finance departments have had to rely on spreadsheet-driven processes that often contain hidden errors, resulting in costly mistakes.
  • The BlackLine presentation will focus on how automating traditionally manual accounting processes, such as account reconciliations, can virtually eliminate spreadsheets – and the errors/headaches that come with them – and ultimately help large hotels, resorts and casinos (which are often operating on a global basis) "achieve balance sheet integrity."
  • Attendees will leave the session with knowledge of how they can: Implement technology to automate the entire financial close process, increasing control and visibility across the board Ensure timely, accurate and documented communications between all departments (accounting, finance, compliance, auditing, etc.) Realize exceptional ROI in a very short timeframe Improve the accuracy and timeliness of compliance reporting Define responsibility and process ownership Manage compliance while servicing multiple locations
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Accuracy, visibility and timeliness of the account reconciliation and financial close processes, as well as the need for real-time access to information with clear, streamlined communications between all parties involved, is more important than ever before.
  • The following panelists will share their insight on how organizations operating in a shared services environment can communicate better, improve efficiencies, increase productivity and reduce bottom line costs by implementing an automated account reconciliation and financial close system
  • BlackLine Systems was the first to develop and offer a commercially available Balance Sheet Account Reconciliation solution.
  • provides quick-to-implement, scalable and easy-to-use applications that automate the entire financial close process
  • Gerardo Collado on 09 Jul 12
     
    This week's article elaborates on BlackLines Systems, a financial software provider is presenting to MGM Resorts, Las Vegas Sands and Caesars Entertainment the first conference called, Shared Services for Hospitality. The conference is focused on providing information about the advances in their new efficient software to evaluate performance, make better decisions making and external reporting for the hospitality industry. The BlackLine Systems wants to demonstrate the hospitality companies how errors can be minimized with the elimination of today's manual accounting spreadsheets towards better accounting software, which will automate the accounting/financial processes and increase accuracy associated with real time information. This type of technology is essential within the hospitality industry for every type of business to incorporate within their structures for greater efficiency and performance.
  • Leann Taylor on 10 Jul 12
     
    BlackLine has helped businesses like MGM Resorts, Las Vegas Sands and more to move from the archaic way of manual accounting on spreadsheets. With a new automated system, users have a better way to reconcile accounts and evaluate performance. 
Theodore Moore

Black Meetings & Tourism - Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver Raises The Bar For Green Initia... - 0 views

www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com/...ouver-Raises-The-Bar-For-.aspx

shared by Theodore Moore on 01 Sep 12 - No Cached
  • Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver
  • legendary service meets uncompromising environmental standards
  • Five Green Key rating - the highest possible rating for hotels
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • operational areas and sustainable practices, including community outreach efforts.
  • 1-5 Green Key rating based on a comprehensive evaluation
  • Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver is one of only 30 distinguished hotels worldwide to be recognized as a Five Green Key Hotel.
  • Sempa Hybrid Heating System, which reduces the hotel's green house gas emissions by 20% to 50% per month
  • comprehensive recycling program and by newly installing energy-efficient, LED lighting sources designed to last up to 40 years.
  • Eco-Luxury program, which allows them to choose how often their bed linens and towels are refresh
  • sustainable dining options, from catered group functions to private dining in YEW restaurant + bar.
  • donates food, shampoos, soaps, bedding and linens to local social assistance organizations and charities.
  • Theodore Moore on 01 Sep 12
     
    The Four Seasons Vancouver has conquered the highest rating for Eco-friendly hotels. This title and rating is only given to 30 hotels nationwide and is extremely competitive in nature. Any hotel has the ability to qualify and is evaluated in several aspects consisting of the following: operational areas, sustainable practices and community outreach efforts. The Four Seasons Vancouver has switched over to a unique heating system that is reducing gas emissions, installed newly efficient LED lighting that will last for up to 40 years, participates in an Eco-friendly laundry system for par linen, offers sustainable dining options and donates to local organizations. Along with public recognition, going green has perks that not only benefit the environment but the hotel as well. The Four Seasons Vancouver has taken many drastic initiatives that will be in place for years to come. This says a lot about this individual property and Four Seasons as a hotel brand. It's exciting to see the opportunity for more hotels to go Green and be the change that we all would like to see.
wanqian

The characteristics of IT investment decisions and methods used in the US lodging indus... - 1 views

www.emeraldinsight.com/...09596110910930188

technology hospitality IT investment

shared by wanqian on 18 Sep 17 - No Cached
  • wanqian on 18 Sep 17
     
    During the 1980s and 1990s, many hospitality companies invested billions of dollars in information technology. According to many authors hoteliers will continue to invest in IT to enhance service quality, reduce costs, improve productivity, gain competitive advantage, and increase bottom line profitability. The key findings of the research are that evaluation activities for hospitality IT investments have not been performed widely and consistently.In this study, significant differences were found in how IT investments are evaluated in hotels with centrally managed IT as compared to hotels with locally managed IT. The research findings highlight the importance of the use of IT investment evaluation techniques in hotels and the major differences between hotels with centrally and locally managed IT.
krehman

Impact of E-commerce on the Hospitality Industry - 0 views

www.ukessays.com/...merce-hospitality-industry.php

hospitality technology business travel

shared by krehman on 31 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • E-commerce solutions are varied, and seller, buyer compatibility with it is necessary to work with a chosen one.
  • It facilitates local community access to tourism market and minimises the financial information leakage. It links local communities and hospitality industry directly with the tourists. It could help building up local finance along with the national foreign exchange. It increases small enterprises by directly marketing the local products and industries anywhere in the world.
  • t monitors, evaluates, creates faster transactions, empowers the participating communities, makes information interchangeable through organised and flexible web services. It
  • ...16 more annotations...
  • he hospitality industry and leisure industries are widely regarded as being extremely competitive and fast moving.
  • It facilitates local community access to tourism market and minimises the financial information leakage.
  • E-Commerce has brought revolutionary changes in tourism and hospitality industry.
  • Local communities get a direct share in the income while traditional cultures, social structures of the hosts get appreciated and extraordinary skills make a come back.
  • More information leads to more influx of tourists that might result in environmental imbalance and deprivation of local livelihood, creating a long-term crisis for locals.
  • Hospitality is a booming industry all over the world today and through Internet, selling their hotels, facilities offered, picturesque backgrounds, food, comforts, cultural attractions, social functions, religious peculiarities are showcased without much expense or difficulty.
  • ation details, with other much needed competitive and quality information. Through Hospitality industry, it develops economies, improves trade competitiveness, expands scope and arena, and facilitates people to have direct access to the marketing destinations.
  • It monitors, evaluates, creates faster transactions, empowers the participating communities, makes information interchangeable through organised and flexible web services.
  • Yes, there are many. It gives unnecessary and complete personal information of the tourist, which might not be appreciated in an underdeveloped part of the world.
  • Hospitality industry has to be thoroughly aware of its own labour market and its problems.
  • Economic, social and technological factors have created a highly competitive business environment in which customers are becoming more powerful, Turban and King (2003, p.25). The highly professional search machines make this possible for them.
  • becoming a steadily bigger part of life without our realising it.
  • E-commerce website should offer a stimulating experience with reliable information that could motivate the customer. Easy Channelling and navigating the customers to full portfolio of all necessary and essentially correct information is very important.
  • It is essential to keep in mind the local environmental sensibilities. Applying the concept of e-commerce for tourism and hospitality has become the most natural outcome in recent years.
  • They could directly talk, write, book and pay for their stay much in advance, with all information about reaching, being welcomed, how and where, meeting points, weather, forecasts, dangers, attractions and day-today itineraries intact with them months in advance.
  • Internet can offer buyer-seller information, eliminate expenses, improve business, and can give clear loc
  • yongwei hao on 31 Jan 13
     
    Face of consumerism through e-commerce has radically changed in the last few years. Buying or selling through Internet and online shops depending on websites, has become an ordinary part of consumer life today. Higher expectations, less tolerance, more demanding and choosy customers are becoming more common. 
  • lin liu on 31 Jan 13
     
    With the development of society, economy as well as technology, customers are becoming more powerful, they have higher expectations, less tolerance, more demanding. In this situation, high quality and professional E-Commerce is needed in more fields. E-commerce solutions are varied, which provide the buyers, sellers, providers more opportunities to run business activities efficient. Revolutionary changes have occurred in tourism and hospitality industry by E-Commerce. In recently years, more agents and organization make the applying of E-Commerce as one important choice to be outstanding. It owns many valuable advantages. It facilitates agent access to market and minimizes the financial information leakage. It provides any agents chances to connect market all over the world. When travelers arrival the destinations, they need huge information, service, facilities, market cash and so on, which all can be obtained by internet. And also, for Hospitality industry, it develops economies, improves trade competitiveness, expands scope and arena, and facilitates people to have direct access to the marketing destinations. What is more, it monitors, evaluates, creates faster transactions by the flexible web services. Thus all the process can be created, facilitated, and monitored by E-Commerce. Absolutely, there are also many disadvantages in E-Commerce. Some information in it may be incorrect or unnecessary. People give important information via internet, so the security problems can't be avoided at any time. If over population come to the destinations, customers may not satisfy the service or the local nature may be damaged. Hospitality industry has to be thoroughly aware of its problems.
  • krehman on 25 Jan 19
     
    This article tackles what E-commerce is in relation to businesses all of the world in the modern day but especially what is occurring in the hospitality industry. How now a days many people are looking to book travels online and the specificity's they are looking for can be featured through the internet. Through these websites provided by companies bookings could be made directly without a third party making the plans or making payments from customers. What's most interesting about this article is about is how it is self realizing and it also highlights the negatives e-commerce can have with the consumer (i.e. too much information given about a destination). But, it does tie in the end how it is a very positive step forward for all business alike and can create more revenue than before e-commerce existence.
avila031

HRIS: Advantages … and Disadvantages - 0 views

hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/...s-advantages-and-disadvantages

shared by avila031 on 25 Nov 18 - No Cached
  • We’re defining it as a software or online platform that assists HR professionals by integrating the management of employee data with the performance of common HR tasks.
  • One-stop shopping. One of the most frequently mentioned advantages of an HRIS is that you enter information only once for many HR-related employee tasks. And, similarly, you need to update only one place when employee information changes. Integration of data. Furthermore, different parts of the system can “talk to each other” allowing more meaningful reporting and analysis capabilities, including internal evaluations and audits and preparation of data for outsiders. Accuracy. Improved accuracy is likely assuming data are entered and manipulated correctly. Self service. This feature can be a great timesaver for HR. Employees may enter the system to change data (for example, change their own addresses) and managers and supervisors may enter the system to enter data (for example, performance reviews) or to retrieve data without bothering HR. Automated reminders. Systems can schedule events, such as performance appraisals and benefit deadlines, automatically notifying and nudging if actions have not been performed. Hosting of company-related documents. The system can host such materials as employee handbooks, procedures, and safety guidelines. The materials are easily updated in one place. Benefits administration. This could include enrollment, notices, changes, and reporting. Recruiting management. This may include applicant tracking, management, and reporting.
  • HRIS users responding to the survey have 100 or more employees; however, 8% of HRIS users among customers surveyed had fewer than 50 employees.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Cloud/Software as a Service (SaaS): Customer logs in to a remote website or Web portal to use the service. The customer’s data are also stored remotely. On-site/on-premises: Customer uses software that is installed on a physical hard drive or server on the business premises. Data are also stored on-site. Hybrid: Customers may download software/modules onto their own networks from centralized databases.
  • avila031 on 25 Nov 18
     
    Doing more research on the topic of this week HRIS, I stumbled upon this very helpful article. It goes into detail about Human Resource Information Systems their use, and pros and cons. The article lists eight advantages that come from having one of these systems. It only has to be uploaded once, it integrates reporting and evaluations, it removes human error therefore improving accuracy, time saving because of self service, reminders, paper saving, administrative tools, and recruitment tools such as those we discussed in our class discussion. Where as there are only three disadvantages mentioned; security concerns just as there are with any online system, cost which is predicted to decrease rapidly in the upcoming years, and staffing because systems like these often require IT team. These three disadvantages are synonymous with that of the disadvantages we have seen on all of the softwares or systems we've learned about this semester. There will always be a concern with security when a business has data online and when a company reaches a certain size it will be inevitable to have an IT team so I believe that these few disadvantages do not outweigh the benefits of HRIS. The statistics provided by the article are very helpful in noting that these systems are most effective for businesses with approximately 100 employees but can be used with those with as few as 50.
delaneyverger

Evaluating Hotel and Hospitality Management Software | By Ahmed Mahmoud - 0 views

www.hospitalitynet.org/...4067672.html

software hotel hospitality management technology business

shared by delaneyverger on 27 Aug 16 - No Cached
  • The growth in the world economy and the hospitality industry has resulted in a clutter of new Hotel Management software companies vying to increase their footprint around the market. This has not only started a price and promise war amongst the new entrants, but has also been creating immense doubt and confusion in the minds of the IT Managers and decision makers in order to differentiate between many. Besides this, the assumption that the value of a Hotel Management Software is obvious and can be rarely defined either in abstract or practical terms fuels the confusion further.
  • For all hotels, resort or Inn and in order not to get confused when deciding to purchase any management software please consider the below 12 steps:- Select the Project Manager. Determine the budget and get sign off. Select the Evaluation Team. Define the property type and identify who the guests are. Identify business needs and identify guest needs. Drill down and identify specific needs in relation to the property management system. Research property management system vendors that offer the majority of features that match the needs assessment. Create a potential vendor list. From the potential Vendor list, break it down to a short list of 5 or less PMS Vendors. Arrange and participate in system demonstrations by Vendors from the short list. Make the decision. Ask for references and contact them.
  • Once you have a good business case with regard to ROI, conducting a TCO analysis helps to conclude the analysis. A thorough TCO analysis will pinpoint where the differences are in solution costs, over a multi-year timeframe. This two-pronged approach ensures that you will not only get a good return, but that you ultimately will work with the most cost-effective solution.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • When evaluating the TCO of software, one should not restrict the calculation to the initial cost of purchase, but should also calculate the cost of managing the software to its complete life and should incorporate the following points in their calculations. Cost of initial deployment and employee training. On-going fees for maintenance, software updates and upgrades as well as help-desk support. Costs associated with downtime Cost associated with the business process re-engineering.
  • In this rapidly changing industry, hoteliers should always look for property management tools that will ease operations, automate procedures, reduce the risk of human errors and give hoteliers enough time to attend to guests.
  • As technologies advance, the old clears a path for the new. Some individuals may be inclined to hang on to what they are comfortable with, but they won't advance if they don't make room for the best and brightest
  • delaneyverger on 27 Aug 16
     
    This article talks about how important software is in the hospitality management industry and the different types of software that particularly businesses may use to best serve their needs. Property Management Systems provide a whole host of functions for hotels, including keeping track of guests checking in and out, monitoring room charges, and supervising the housekeeping of rooms. Because this software is so vital to the hospitality industry, there has been an upsurge by software companies trying to make their mark in the industry, which has led to a market fragmentation due to the numerous options available. This also puts a strain on managers, as there is much confusion about which software is best and the most cost-effective. There is a system to determining which management software best suits any particular company. Two key features in this process are the ROI, Return on Investment, and TCO, Total Cost of Ownership. ROI provides a cost-benefit analysis of a particular software with regards to the speed with which a company will make the money back that they invested in it, as well as the numerous features that a company would need from the software. TCO is an analysis that companies use to accurately ascertain the costs of the software. Companies should seek a lower TCO and a higher ROI when making any software purchase decisions. Because the technology market is ever changing, companies must stay up-to-date with the newest software in order to provide the best service for, and to keep up with the demands of, their guests. This can be exemplified with the recent trend in cloud-based PMS.
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