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According to this article, the IRS is considering changing the way Automatic gratuities are processed in restaurants. Often when gratuity is included, more than one issue arises. Parties tend to not leave additional tips and there is also an issue with what if a customer wants to leave less than the automatic 15 or 18 percent tip? Bennet Ackerman, owner of a Melting Pot in Indianapolis, says that "some servers tend to get a little lazy when they know they already have that automatic gratuity." If a large party is given a check of $200, some parties will tip $20. If gratuity was included, they would receive anywhere from 30-40. After tip out to the bartender, hosts and other support staff, the server is actually making about a 6% tip off of that table. I agree that with large parties, the reward sometimes does not pay off, no pun intended. More money can be made off of smaller parties, and the turn over rate is faster. Some restaurants are doing away with automatic gratuity, and instead, they are adding suggested tip amounts at the bottom of the check. This, will at the very least, give the guests dining, a reference guide. The issue at hand here is whether or not to consider the automatic gratuity as a tip for a server, or as a service charge. This will greatly affect taxes at the end of the year and budgeting for the employees. With the economy the way it is, servers and other tipped workers are seeing less tips. The issue is of great concern for restaurants and come January 1st, there may be some very unhappy employees as well as restaurant owners.

This article is eye-opening as it proves how important technology such as HRIS systems are within the Hospitality industry. This article does this by describing common human errors that occur when working with data and then immediately providing ways that these errors can be avoided or limited by the use of this technology. For instance, the article states "It can become challenging to track each employee's availability and providing updates to all of your staff as soon as possible." The next section responds to this situation with "Having an employee time tracking tool that's integrated with your payroll system ensures that all data can easily be found in one place. This eliminates the need for multiple systems, where information can be easily misplaced." The industry is ever-changing thus it is becoming increasingly more difficult to keep up with all of the duties. Moreover, human error will always exist as we are not perfect. For these reasons, businesses need to incorporate technology systems to create a more productive and effective workplace.

This article goes over the importance of HRIS in regards to the employees. It talks about how the employee must be comfortable with the process and understand it as well. They must have a good experience with it.

South Florida can relax and breathe easy because this summer's outlook is encouraging, because our fellow Floridians are likely to 'come on down' for their vacations this year. The favorable indicators are a combination of an improved economy and low(er) gas prices. The good news doesn't stop there either as international tourism has been noted on the increase as well! One 162-room hotel in Delray Beach anticipates up to 60% Floridians this summer, as well as South Americans enjoying the benefits of their growing economies. "Advance bookings … are up by 50 %" for US tourists and an additional 20% for foreign visitors at a Ft Lauderdale resort, which reports over 90% occupancy booked for July. The owner comments that advance bookings over 15% is considered good, so the 2012 outlook is definitely a boon for the South Florida tourism industry. He plans to increase rates as well, for an added extra shot in the arm to the local economy. With local family members working hospitality jobs, I been hearing for years how they might as well take off of work during the summer due to the low number of tourists, and that those who do visit are very stingy on their purchases and gratuities; all a reflection of the US and worldwide economies' downhill spiral since 9-11. Florida has been taking ongoing hits to its tourism dollars since then exacerbated by the 2009 recession and the BP oil spill in 2010. Only last year did the annual summer slump tentatively raise its sleepy head and squint towards a light at the end of the tunnel. South Florida hotels had an increased in occupancy from 50 - 63%, and were able to charge up to 6% increase in rates, according to Smith Travel Research. With this winters long awaited tourism bonanza this year, the 'Snowbird' season is happily back again in full force, so that industry professionals can go back to business as usual now that summer is also expected to be lucrative. Happy Summer!

Enjoy: Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmRMLILaW3o&feature=colike

Two former restaurant servers have developed software that provides an end-to-end point-of-sale (POS) system that allows taking and submitting orders, printing kitchen slips, customer receipts and processing payments-all using an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. Ambur does not require a computer on the back end. Instead the hand-held device is the hub. The program can be loaded up by any iOS device and run on a wireless network. Waiters can easily fulfill customer requests right at the table. One drawback is that some customers have complained because they thought the waiter was texting on their iPhone.

The future of Hotel PMS is here already, online and cloud supported systems are becoming more attractive because of their convenience and lower costs.