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Summary: The variety of gifting options has grown from a simple plastic gift card to virtual cards delivered by email, text, debit/credit cards and more. The prediction for 2013 will exceed a billion dollars of digital gifting for the holiday season and continue to grow. Digital gift cards have made giving easy due to the convenience of redemption. Paper coupons have proven to be successful to draw in consumer activity, but the digital revolution in virtual gifting is expected to explode as people are so connected to their mobile devices. Even with the convenience and growing popularity of digital gifting comes barriers and security issues. Such issues include personal banking security and privacy. Some small to midsize businesses may not be able to participate in digital gifting due to cost barriers or lack of technology. Due to electronic process, paper receipts will be obsolete. Computers aren't perfect so how does one resolve dollar discrepancies. One benefit of virtual giving is the bar codes/QR codes. Companies are able to collect and retain additional information of givers and receivers by scanning the bar code/QR Code. Often people are reluctant to provide contact information, but in this case they aren't being asked, they have no choice. This is a benefit to the companies because they can make other promotional offers to engage and possibly retain both parties, thereby increasing sales. There are a variety of methods of virtual gifting and redemption. One example is Giftly. Giftly adds the value of the gift to the recipient's credit or debit card which can be used anywhere. This is super convenient for many people and they are able to choose whatever they wish rather than receive a gift chosen for them. This is certainly the digital age version of sending a check via mail to a loved one. Other corporate examples that have impacted the transition from plastic gift cards to virtual gifting are Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Applebee's and Starbu

E-commerce is based on the process of buying and selling products or services on the internet or other computer networks. Ecommerce rapid growth in these last years can be accounted to very important key factors, such as: Technology, thanks to this important factor now computers are not the only way for ecommerce, you can also use mobil phones and handheld PCs to make any transaction. Easiness, is another important factor, thanks to it you can order anything with the same day delivery option. Price factor, with ths option you can compare prices with the rest of the world so you can decide which is more convenient for you. Safety/Guarantee, online sellers provide safe product delivery guarantee. Online Gift Shops, you can book gifts like flowers, cakes, perfumes, stuffed toys, etc. and send it to your loved ones anywhere in the world. Thanks to their focus on comfort ness, easiness and tension free shopping ecommerce will keep going further and improving their sales.

Yea, I agree with you. Ecommerce proved its significant based on the fact where time is important. In the commercial markets, time plays an extremely important role to both the business and consumers. From the business perspective, with less time spent during each transaction, more transaction can be achieved on the same day. As for the consumer, they will save up more time during their transaction.

This article from the CEO of PayBright discusses the many ways that restaurants can make their POS better at serving its employees. Options such as pre-calculated tip suggestions, flexible ordering options, cash discounts, and gift card management are all ways that more (tip) money can flow into servers' pockets. An intelligently managed POS can lead to happier (and retained) employees and a more efficient operation.

Recently, more and more technologies are designed for wedding planning. For example, 1. Pin Your Plans: Sites like Pinterest and Lover.ly are great ways to find, collect and scrapbook all of wedding likes and ideas. 2.Wedding Photo App: Apps like Snapable let you create an online album and allow guests to instantly upload the photos they take through a mobile app.  3. Online Gift Registries: Try an online wedding registry that allows you to add anything from anywhere, or register for cash, and provides guests with a fun way to collaborate on big-ticket gifts. 4. Wedding Websites: Wordpress has made it easier with customized themes just for your wedding. Set up a free account, choose your favorite wedding theme and customize the images and wedding details, and colors to suit your big day.

"ROLLER, an Australian-based hospitality and leisure software company, has introduced a new solution that will allow every business to manage their own, fully branded digital gift card system" This new system will allow smaller restaurants and retail stores to get a cut of that 2.5 billion dollars spent each year by Australians. The way the system works is simple, the customer goes on your website and purchases an electronic gift card they have the option to use it for themselves or give it as a gift via email or Facebook. Then when they want to redeem it just show the cashier/ waiter their code and they scan it.

Integration of core hotel systems is key to streamlining operations property-wide. In the past, integrating legacy hotel systems was a complicated, lengthy and expensive process, but these days, through open APIs, common Web standards and rapid innovation, cloud based technology is paving the way to easier, faster and more effective system integration, empowering hotels to improve efficiency and share data across departments for a deeper understanding of guests and the market. For lodging operators, on-property points of sale like a restaurant, gift shop or spa add another layer of complexity to daily operations, but a simple interface between the property management system (PMS) and point-of-sale (POS) system can save hoteliers significant time and increase billing accuracy for more satisfied guests and improved revenue.

In today's fiercely competitive market adopting technology to grow your hotel business is essential, to avoid facing operational bottlenecks like Hotel A, unlike Hotel B who uses the latest technology to do smart hoteliering. This means getting a cloud based Hotel PMS which can easily integrate with a POS system that is also on the cloud. This translates into having all your hotel-related data under one umbrella in one single system, on one dashboard, giving you automation, accuracy, time and most importantly convenience. So during the stay, guests can order food from the restaurant, use the spa, the gym, the travel desk or the gift shop and pay for everything during checkout without being over or undercharged so both the hotel and guests remain happy and guests have a pleasant guest experience. In my opinion Hotel A needs to upgrade their technology to integrate the cloud PMS with the POS system also on the cloud and add other facilities to supplement revenue for the hotel when room occupancy might be down.

This gift hunt utilized a mobile shopping assistant app, Nate, to engage customers with various brands. Using location based marketing through QR codes, players found brands and then received information or promotions about the brand.

Shift4 develops payment technology for various types of business. The hotel I work in uses it to process gift cards. This article describes the company's newest endeavor with emerging technologies, in this case Google Wallet. Companies using Shift4 will now have the functionality of letting customers use Google Wallet, paying for a purchase by tapping or swiping your cell phone on a special screen, in a seamless integration with their current POS. Google Wallet or the iPhone Square Card Reader are technologies that businesses need to take into consideration when developing or enhancing their POS. Shift4 seems to be the front runner in offering this add-on. I imagine other payment developers will follow suit.

This article was very enlightening on the recent advances of POS technology in the hospitality industry and the new developments that keep evolving. The article presents areas were recent advances have helped to improve the "effectiveness of a business and relationship with their customers". As stated in the article with the use of "cloud-based systems, the latest i-trends and the growth of Near Field Communications", the hospitality industry POS technology will move very far. Three key areas were discussed; "Point of Sale on the move" which referred to using a browser on any mobile device to obtain necessary information while you are on the move or away from the business. The second area was using a POS system on a tablet or smartphone that would be able to provide more useful information than tradition POS systems in a lightweight manner with more flexibility. I can attest to the real need for this advancement because working in an establishment that has the traditional POS systems has proven when there is a problem trouble shooting can be very difficult. A process as simple as getting your technical support team to make changes in your POS system can be a nightmare, when your system does not have updated software. We experienced that issue this week, when technical support attempted to access the system and could not locate the license agreement after hours of searching for a key we found a device that was attached to the printer cable in the back of the CPU. All of the unnecessary time spent on that one event could have been eliminated if some of this new technology was in place. The last area the article referred to is "Marrying POS and NFC". This new development is hoping to eliminate the need for carrying money or credit/debit cards and enable consumers to use mobile devices to process all transactions. I believe this would be very beneficial in the hospitality industry not only from the point credit card fraud but also it eliminate

When the Valentine's day is so close e-business gives us a new way out if you have forgotten to buy a gift and yet have no time to do it. The main feature - speed. E-commerce start up is going back to basics with the oppotunity to order flowers online. This website is an international venture working 24/7, partnering with thousands of local suppliers all over the world. Flowers as a product of daily need when widely distributed with no time boundaries can be a good deal for you and a segment of market which still has a lot to innovate. At the same time the website has an oppotunity to be dedicated not only to various plants but to gifts of all kinds which is fantastic because every day of a year is a holiday for somebody.

Yes I have ordered flowers online before through 1-800 Flowers because I needed flowers delivered in another state and I was not familiar with the florists in the area. I trusted the Teleflora company (1-800 Flowers) to have the same quality of flowers in all locations but this is simply not true. I was very disappointed on several occasions by having wilted old flowers in small arrangements delivered. Not only is it embarrassing but it is frustrating to the consumer having paid so much money and not been happy with the product. I do not use these online companies anymore. I go to the florist websites and go by word of mouth which is time consuming (something I was hoping to avoid by using the online florist in the first place). That is why I bring up the question of how this FloristAdvisor differs from other companies and how are they succeeding? Bing I like to go to the supermarket and make my own arrangements if they receiver of my intended bouquet is close by. Fresh Market has excellent flowers, a bit pricey but they are great quality and last.

Actually while browsing the website I couldnt find any information about the guarantee... And the prices are unexpectably high which shows that this business has yet a lot to improve. I ve never ordered flowers online and your information, Melissa, was really helpful for me.

This article explains how POS have improved efficiency and reduced the cost of operations. It explains how some locations have seen improvements since the implementation of MICROS called Simphony. The Simphony system allows the central management of the menus, payroll, scheduling and many other things from anywhere on the web. It has many functions and help with many other areas such has staffing and creation of a loyalty and gift card program. It also allows web reporting on mobile devices. The system has even helped with the drive thru ordering at the locations.

I think that this software is definitely beneficial after reading this article. Simphony will help these locations out in many ways, especially as it relates to efficiency.

Heartland Payment Systems has recently partnered up with ToGo Technologies to offer mobile and online ordering payment solutions for restaurants. The companies are actually focusing on expanding their market reach by targeting smaller franchises that typically could not afford the hardware and software cost of purchasing such technology. QSRs are hopping on the tech bandwagon. The article gives the example of Taziki's Mediterranean Café, which is a fast casual restaurant with 35 locations. Their guests have easily made the transition from manual to digital ordering. Like others in this market space, Heartland Payment Systems is offering a cloud-based product that is highly customizable. The software takes into account a litany of restaurant industry standards and methods, such as "takeout, delivery, curbside pickup, catering, order from the table, and gift and loyalty." By giving restaurants various templates, they can work on optimizing mobile solutions, including pay-ahead options for quick service. Moreover, their system integrates and tracks key metrics and analytics, improving data mining and collection efforts. More and more businesses are turning to data collection as a means of increasing efficiencies and decreasing waste. With the amount of waste it must deal with regularly, the restaurant industry is a great market to target with data-driven technology. Heartland Payment Systems already has a history of working with the hospitality industry, so it a recognized name. By partnering with ToGo Technologies, they will be able to provide a quality, whitelabel mobile solution for restaurants looking to stay ahead of the pack with technological advances. Heartland will actually be demonstrating their software at the Food Service Technology-Next Gen conference next weekend at the Sheraton in New Orleans, Louisiana for those interested in this product.

This article presents suggestions on POS selection for companies sized from small to large. I found this article really interesting and reiterates that the selection of the POS is going to be based on company needs/culture. Their research was extensive and conducted market research repeatedly, before suggestions were made. It also touched on the different pricing options, in addition to any special features the POS may offer.

This article talks about the best POS systems for 2020. What I found interesting is that the majority of these systems are cloud-based and offer integrated information services for a variety of industries, not just hospitality. A lot of the systems also are ipad based and work well with third-party POS hardware. They also have automated payment options integrated, for people who like to process payments electronically (i.e. Apple Pay). I think its important to know about these POS systems and what they can accomplish for hospitality companies.

In this article, they talk about the best pos systems to use for 2020. They list each pos system name and then summarize the benefits and give a full review. The first system they talk about is lightspeed, which Ipad pos system has solutions for retail stores, restaurants, and online businesses. It's fully mobile, so you can check inventory from anywhere in the store, show customers product images and descriptions, and ring up orders and accept payments on the sales floor or, for restaurants, tableside. The next system is Vend that has real-time reports, inventory management features, and access to various integrations that can help you run your business, save time, and boost sales. This POS software is suitable for nearly every type of retailer. Whether you run a clothing store, a sporting goods store, or a specialty service-based business such as a car wash or computer shop, Vend has the features you need. Touch Bistro is a simple and affordable POS system that focuses on the unique needs of restaurant owners, with tables, reservations, and delivery management features. It's suitable for all types of food establishments - fine dining, casual eateries, cafes, pubs, food trucks, and more. Lastly, there is eposnow has both retail and hospitality versions of the software are available, each with a robust selection of features to help you run your business. It also has more than 80 integrations, so you can add extra capabilities and connect to the business programs you already use.

Hotels POS systems are at risk for customers. Hackers are using tactics like Phishing and ransomware. Hotels must take action and arm themselves with a "toolbelt" of security options to combat the hackers.

This article explores the issues with cyber security in the hotel industry. it is to be taken seriously because customer information is on the line and so is the company's reputation and revenue. Hotels must look into their POS systems because, according to the article, is a weak security point. However, it holds much of the consumer's information like credit card numbers, expiration dates, and etc. The POS system is vulnerable so the secuiry put in place to protect it must be updated. Personal details for hotel guests are stored in many different places in a hotel's many systems. This includes the restaurant, gift shops, billing, facilities, and etc. According to the article, hotels needs a "toolbelt" of various security technologies to prevent malicious attacks. The three mentioned in the article are File Integrity Monitoring, Unified Threat Management, and Security Information and Event Management. Please look into the article to read what each of these systems can do in regards to cyber secuity for the hospitality industry. A good way to implement these tools is to look into outsourcing a managing security firm that specializes in cyber security. This can help minimize and even diminish things that can cause breaches in systems. In my opinion, this article gives solutions to hotels in regards to cyber security. Sometimes installing a firewall or antivirus is simply not enough. A security firm that specializes in this area can be considered. It may be expensive depending on the business to do that, however, it will be even more expensive to have a tarnished reputation for not securing customer information and to deal with lawusuits.

Restaurants have always been an easy target for cyber security hackers, in particular, hackers who are looking for credit card and ID information. Restaurants provide hackers with a "wealth of client data" due to the high "volume of credit card transactions and CRM data available." Once given access, a hacker could simple install malware and duplicate all customer information. Already facing critical financial issues during Covid 19, restaurants large and small need to take a stronger presence in the protection of their data. If discovered to be the start of a breach, customers will tend to avoid that business. "Chipotle, for example...got devalued by about $400 million after they suffered a breach," and many small restaurants "go belly up six months after an attack." Below is a summary of the types of attachs restaurants face: 1. Unprotected Wifi 2. Social engineering and phishing attacks. This is actually the one that stood out to me the most because of how sophisticated these attacks can be. It is a reminder that we are all at risk, both the technologically challenged and gifted. 3. Malware 4. Covid 19 Scams 5. Grub hub scams 6. Supply chain scams *A particular issue for restaurants and commercial businesses right now as companies scramble to find new vendors who can supply them with the products they require. 7. Public Health scams 8. Government Stimulus scams 9. Technical support scams How can we fight against these? Here are the recommendations: 1. PCI compliance 2. Hire and IT security professional to conduct a risk analysis and if possible, keep on as a consultant or full time 3. Keep a secure network and change free passwords daily 4. Use the latest operating systems, force multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, and use encryption services for data storage and transfers 5. Install and use robust web-filters and security software programs 6. Maybe most important!!! Train your employees. 5.

Technology has taken event planning to the next level. Within the past five years digital administration and mobile engagement are considered to be the two primary causes for change in the events industry. In an article written for Sonburst Communication it states "Digital administration is now key when planning a new meeting. For large events, it's not enough to just sell a ticket online, print them an agenda, and check IDs at the door". Attendees now fall into different categories that may require different forms of check-ins for example someone on the VIP list may receive a gift bag and private cocktail party or someone with special dietary needs once checked in the system notifies the catering term of their confirmed arrival. Digital administration has made it easier for event planners to manage these different kinds of request quickly and on a digital platform. The digital platform is generally tailored for each event before the event. Everything in pre-loaded to the system for example, registration, BEO, event time line, seating chart and set-up and break-down. "If you are not utilizing the smart phone every attendee has in their pocket at your event, you are missing out on a great opportunity and even neglecting attendee expectations." Today's generation is expecting to have the event information available to them at their finger tip. Mobile engagement allows event planners to give them just that weather through email, website, or event app. This also allows event planners to notify guests of any last-minute changes. For example, a change in event time line. Everyone is going digital and most people send more than half the time while at an event on their phones so why not make this information available to them.

From lodging to foodservice, the point of service is the premiere place for customers to get their first - and hopefully not last - impression of an establishment. Streamlining and fine-tuning the service that occurs at the POS is of utmost important and operators are always seeking out the latest technologies to make this possible. The move to mobile payment is always top-of-mind as well, but lingering confusion and trepidation still remains for many customers. Owners and operators must seek out ways to implement the technology without intimidating customers. Last month's POS headlines proved this as stories ranged from a study tracking the public perception of mobile payment to improving drive-thru functionality and reducing maintenance costs with cloud-based systems. Study Shows Interest and Confusion Over Mobile Payments At Mobile World Congress, MasterCard in partnership with Prime Research, has released the first global Mobile Payments Social Media Study tracking 85,000 related social media comments across Twitter, Facebook, Online Blogs and Forums from around the world. The study shows a high volume of conversation and consumer interest in adopting mobile payments but cites security, customer support and confusion over the array of options available today as barriers to entry. Taco Bell Streamlines Drive-Thru Experience Across Franchises Desert de Oro Foods' Taco Bell locations had a range of drive-thru communications systems that were deployed over the last five years. However, restaurants were experiencing poor sound quality due to a limited range of wireless capabilities with the current systems. Poor audio quality led to increased wait times for customers as a result of miscommunications and mistakes. In addition, Desert de Oro Foods knew it needed to move to a digital system as the analog bandwidth of its current systems would be ruled out by the FCC at the end of 2012. Panasonic's Attune® drive-thru communications system offered the o

This article, though a few years old, discusses the implications and overall market share the POS has in the marketplace. While these suppliers saw a downturn in the recent recession (as most businesses did), they are beginning to see their business turn the 'corner' as hospitality companies invest into their companies...primarily getting out of date systems current and adding mobile applications. Proving that they are embracing the technology surge in the hospitality industry.