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Patrick Montesano

Fast Talk: Restaurant Software "By Waiters, For Waiters" | Fast Company - 0 views

  • It’s a restaurant management system. It handles everything from taking customers’ orders to modifying tickets as necessary, to handling discounts and gratuities, and processing credit cards. It can also handle inventory management, payroll, and get tip averages.
  • We charge a flat fee of $999 for the software
  • Most setups also involve an iPad, a cash drawer, two printers, and a credit card reader.
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  • You can download it for free from the App Store.
  • If users like it, then they call us and say, “I want to proceed, what do I do?”
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    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.
Akshay Ramanathan

Tailoring cloud solutions for the hospitality industry - 0 views

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

Envysion Implements its Managed Video as a Service Platform with Aloha Restaurant Guard... - 1 views

  • The integration of these solutions enables restaurant owners to monitor cash handling and exception reports, identify trends and validate suspicious transactions identified by Restaurant Guard by viewing the video taken at the time of the transaction.
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    The Aloha restaurant managed video as a service platform which is the leading exception reporting and theft deterrence tool for the restaurant owners. By utilizing Enysion's video, restaurant owners can monitor cash handling easier, identifiy potential suspicious activity faster and monitor the exception report effectively. Moreover, Aloha Restaurant Guard which invented by NCR corporation can identified the common scams through analyzes POS data and transactions. I think that combine Aloha Restaurant Guard to Envysion's video, the owner of the resturant may have a whole picture of the restaurant in their mind through easy used video web interface and secure video clip sharing, data from the two platform and intelligence reports. This is a good model for restaurants to reduce the profit losses from fraudulent activities. It smooth restaurants' daily operation meanwhile employees will regular their own behavior during the work period.
Fang Shu

Tourisphere- The role of information technology in tourism industry - WOW Gambia - 2 views

  • Information technology can reduce costs of information handling, increase speed of information transfer and retrieval and increase customer involvement in the control of transactions.
  • The most important role of information technology is the development of competitive advantages by both reducing cost and enhancing differentiation.
  • Today, information technology (IT) is one of the important resources for increasing the economic growth.
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  • As investment in IT capital accounts for an ever-increasing share of capital investment, it is important to understand how these investments might pay.
  • it is valuable and advisable for companies to increase the impact of IT on overall performance of companies
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    This article introduces the role of IT in tourism industry and then talks about how IT investments might pay in tourism industry. There are some roles of IT in tourism industry such as reduce costs of information handling, increase speed of information transfer and retrieval and increase customer involvement in the control of transactions. And the most important role is the development of competitive advantages by both reducing cost and enhancing differentiation. It's important to invest in IT since IT could really increasing the tourism economic growth. 
Sherine Mattison

Rezlynx, Property Management System (PMS). Full PMS functionality for the hospitality i... - 0 views

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    "RezLynx is a web based Property Management System (PMS) for the hospitality industry, it includes Front of House, Reservations, Back Office, Sales Ledger, Sales & Marketing and Conference & Banqueting. International language, tax and currency requirements are also handled, making RezLynx a truly global application. For most hotel groups, the concept of a single, central database is a key factor in the search for an enterprise solution for reservations and hotel management. The advent of the ASP (Application Service Provider) model eliminates the constraints of database replication by maintaining all data in one central location. As communications become faster, more cost-effective and more reliable, hotel groups are embracing the technology to increase revenue, reduce costs and therefore improve profitability. RezLynx is a comprehensive, Internet native solution designed to take full advantage of this new technology, incorporating a fully featured Property Management System (PMS), Central Reservation System (CRS), Head Office Management and Online Bookings."
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    Travellers all over the world are seeking a way to make hotel reservations in an efficient and timely manner. Rezlynx is another of the systems that is taking full advantage of the internet technology by "incorporating a fully featured PMS, CRS Head Office Management and Online Bookings." This technology is been embraced by the hotels since it reduces cost and increases revenue. Because it can handle international language, tax and currency requirements Rezlynx is seen as a "truly global applicatio."
lvela051

Safety Security and Loss Prevention During Hospitality Emergencies - Disaster Recovery ... - 0 views

  • Emergency preparedness should be a major part of the hospitality managers’ duties; they must work side by side with other tourism organizations to be prepared well to assist and save the lives of the tourist before, during and after the catastrophic events, and should adopt an updated effective emergency plan.
  • Safety and security are classified as the most important factors in the hospitality industry. Pizam et al., (1997) argued that safety and security are the most important factors to the tourist, and the first in mind when planning to travel.
  • The effective usage of safety surveillance such as closed circuit television (CCTV), electric emergency generators, body guards, fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, emergency lights will maintain the security procedures adopted by the hotels to ensure their guests' safety, and updated emergency plans to confirm the emergency preparedness and effective planning to overcome the potential risks.
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  • Furthermore, it is important to consider the proper dress for the security staff to be in line with the hospitality management philosophy.
  • Safety is a term which relates to protecting guests and staff within the hotel from the potential hazards, injury, and death by dealing with dangerous materials and different kinds of accidents. In contrast, security regards the protection of property from criminal accidents and terrorist activities.
    • lvela051
       
      Main goal with safety.
  • Providing the highest levels of safety standards and security ensures good marketing for the hotels by preventing an accident before it becomes a major issue causing loss of life and property.
  • effective information system and being well prepared for emergencies could prevent or minimize loss for the hotels.
    • lvela051
       
      Preparedness helps to know the situation better.
  • four-phase model to plan for the crisis and to deal with the emergencies; this model proposed reduction, readiness, response, and recovery phases to deal with the crisis.
  • Many practitioners imply that regarding the technology evolution in the last decade, Information Technology has become a fundamental part of the hospitality industry,
    • lvela051
       
      The use of technology is becoming a part of how to prevent the problem.
  • the importance of an updated emergency plan
    • lvela051
       
      things change over time, its important to continuously update the plan.
  • The hospitality industry is one of the most vulnerable industries to crises.
  • is vulnerable to both internal and external emergencies.
    • lvela051
       
      Need plan for both to be prepared.
  • updated regularly, and a direct communication system should be employed to respond to and overcome the crisis.
  • The importance of continuous emergency training for the employees is also emphasized.
  • ole of the media, information, and the social media should be reviewed and evaluated continuously
    • lvela051
       
      With the use of technology becoming a bigger factor, its important to have someone assigned to handle the media.
  • causing negative impacts not only for the hospitality players, but also for the tourists and the local community.
    • lvela051
       
      It affects more than just the establishment.
  • biometric technologies could ensure the hotel security and increase the effectiveness of hotel information systems. This will reduce the costs, improve management of the employee and guest activities, and improve the ability to recognize the criminal activities.
  • Preparedness and an updated emergency plan with managers' awareness will help the hospitality industry to provide the necessary resources, as well as effective training to avoid or minimize risks. Safety surveillance and security systems are very important to save guests' lives and hospitality properties. These factors can also be used as a marketing tool for guests and meeting planners. Finally, it's very important to understand the crisis emergency frameworks to mitigate effects and be well prepared before the crisis strike, and furthermore, to minimize losses during evacuation when the disaster happens.
    • lvela051
       
      What can be done.
  • susceptible to epidemics movements,
    • lvela051
       
      Word of mouth is a big marketing tool that can either hurt of help an industry.
  • Hotels should issue a check-list concerning a hotel’s vulnerability to emergencies caused by natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis) or man-made crises (terrorist attacks, explosions, fires, spill, food poisoning).
  • This will transmit a positive image: hospitality may gain a lot by using its safety and security as a marketing tool to attract more tourists to the destination.
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    This article was very interesting and it was about how safety security is very important to the hospitality industry. This article also explained how a study shows the safety and security systems work in the hospitality industry. They also said that it is very important to update the emergency plan because you never know when something going to happen in the hotel and you always have to be ready for anything. This study just showed how an effective information system could prevent and being well prepared can definitely help prevent any emergency.
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    The article is a study that was conducted in regards to the security management within a hotel and how an effective security system can help in preventing accidents or emergencies from occuring. The main priority of a hotel or any establishment, besides the service provided, is having an effective emergency plan set in place to be able to respond and overcome a crisis. International hospitality being a focus over the recent years, has suffered crises, risks, and disasters causing negative impacts on tourism and the community. Hotels should "issue a check-list concerning a hotel's vulnerability to emergencies caused by natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis) or man-made crises (terrorist attacks, explosions, fires, spill, food poisoning)." Another part of the plan is to focus on the loss prevention aspect of a hotel by implementing information technology to secure or improve security. On technology mentioned was biometric to increase the hotel information system and also to help reduce cost and improve the way we recognize criminal activities. With the hospitality industry being one of the most vulnerable industries to crimes and disasters, it is important to recognize, improve and update the plans set into place to ensure accurate information. While it's impossible to say that these preventions are going to stop these problems from happening, it can help other learn about the proper steps to handling these situations. I personally think that as much as employers suggest different way, it's the job of the loss prevention team in every industry to construct a plan that address as many issues and conduct trainings that would help to prepare us for these occasions. Trainings are going to be the best way to properly analyze a problem and improve on the emergency plan set.
kpony001

Japan theme park to replace a third of staff with robots - Nikkei Asian Review - 0 views

  • Japanese travel agency and resort operator H.I.S. plans to cut the number of workers at its Huis Ten Bosch amusement park by a third in three years
  • About 1,200 full-time and part-time employees currently work at the Dutch-themed Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki Prefecture.
  • The displaced workers "will be reassigned to growing businesses within the group,"
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  • The company is counting on robots and the "internet of things" to pick up the slack. It has already introduced about 250 robots at the park and a neighboring Henn na Hotel
  • It also is running a pilot program to automatically monitor and collect garbage at the park.
  • There are more than 200 robots at the Henn na Hotel there, handling a variety of tasks from checking in customers to cleaning and landscaping. The entire 144-room facility requires just seven human employees, just a quarter of a regular hotel its size.
  • "We will introduce customer service robots at the park in a few months
  • He is also trying out an electronic payment system
  • "We will turn the park cashless in a year,"
  • this would "reduce the number of cashiers and wait times."
  • H.I.S. is adding another wing to the hotel by the end of the year, which will be equipped with film-like solar cells and plant-based storage batteries.
  • completely energy-independent, so that the company will pay nothing for its heat and electricity -- two major costs for any hotel.
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    H.I.S., a Japanese travel agency, cut the amount of human workers at its Huis Ten Bosch amusement park, and its neighboring hotel, Henn na Hotel, significantly wherein only 1,200 workers still labor at the park while the others will be reassigned to other branches within the group. Instead of human workers, H.I.S. has replaced with with robots that handle a wide variety of tasks severely limiting the amount of employees that have to work there. Among the tasks that they accomplish, there is a program which collects garbage in the park, as well as cleaning and landscaping. H.I.S. also plans to add customer service robots, an electronic payment system (hoping to go "cashless" in the future), as well as a new wing to the hotel, that will be an energy-independent generator made from film-like solar cells and plant-based storage batteries.
galca008

Improving data security in the hotel industry lets guests sleep peacefully | Hotel Mana... - 1 views

  • The hospitality industry is quickly growing as a favored target of hackers and cybercriminals. In fact, according to the 2016 Trustwave Global Security Report, hospitality is the vertical industry with the second-highest number of data breaches, behind only the retail industry.
  • Hotels are high-value targets for cybercriminals because they not only hold payment card information on guests, but also a wealth of other sensitive personal data that can be used to steal their identity.
  • The fallout from a widespread data breach that compromises guests’ payment card data or personally identifiable information can be disastrous for a hotel chain. The average cost of a data breach in 2016 was $4 million. This figure encompasses everything from breach mitigation to crisis team management costs, business losses and even the more intangible consequences: damages to brand reputation.
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  • However, with more countries migrating to chip cards and EMV-compliant POS systems, attackers have shifted their focus to card-not-present fraud and are targeting industries where consumers are making their payments and reservations over the phone—such as hotel contact centers.
  • If guests aren’t convinced that the hotel is keeping their personal and financial data secure, they will take their business elsewhere. In order to protect their brand reputation and their business, hotels need to create a culture of security throughout their entire organization that focuses on protecting guests’ digital property in addition to their physical property. One of the best places to start is their contact center.
  • In an era of increasing cyberattacks, hotels can make themselves less of a target by adopting technology to ensure that payment card data and other personally identifiable information is kept secure and segregated from the contact center.
  • With such an approach, customers calling to make a reservation or order additional services discreetly type their card numbers into the telephone keypad, rather than reading them out loud to the agent on the phone line. The data is securely routed to the payment gateway or a more secure server so it is never shared with the agent and is not held in the contact center infrastructure. This ensures that there is no possible spillover of the data to the unsecured or unmonitored areas of the business. It also reduces the number of individuals with access to the sensitive data, and makes the hotel contact center a less attractive target for cybercriminals. As an added benefit, this approach makes it easier for the hotel to comply with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards by reducing the scope of compliance. By keeping payment card data out of the contact center, hotels can significantly reduce the high costs and extensive time associated with maintaining PCI DSS compliance.  
  • With stronger security practices for handling guests’ sensitive data, the hotel industry as a whole can transform itself from being one of the most likely targets for data breaches to becoming a model for data security, thereby ensuring that fewer customers ever have to go through the experience
  • Guests can sleep peacefully knowing that their data is secure, and the hotel can rest assured that its name won’t be making headlines as victim of a costly data breach.
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    The hospitality industry is a major target for cyberattacks, resulting in sensitive guest information being compromised. When these attacks happen it leaves guests restless, because they know or believe their information is not safe. This article discusses this issue and how security can be improved to avoid these attacks.
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    The article titled, "Improving data security in the hotel industry lets guests sleep peacefully" shows how the breach of data security can be anywhere. As technologies improve, so do ways in which cyber security can become at stake. According to this article, "Hotels are obligated to maintain the physical security of guests and their belongings during their stay-if guests don't feel safe staying in their room or leaving their belongings there, they won't continue to patronize that hotel brand. The same thinking applies to data security: If guests aren't convinced that the hotel is keeping their personal and financial data secure, they will take their business elsewhere". Thus, hotels need to make sure they are safeguarding information such as their payment information as well as other confidential information. Hackers are becoming even more sophisticated, where they can target specific industries, such as hotel industries since guests speak with hotel representatives over the phone to provide payment information. In the even that a hotel's data has been compromised, what is its responsibility? First, they should send the client a letter of apology, and then handle the complete process efficiently, so the client can at least feel they re supported. The avoidance and handling of data breach is becoming even more common nowadays with the rise of technology.
llaff002

HR Software for the Hospitality Sector | Advance Systems Ireland - 0 views

  • By using HR software, not only will you increase efficiency, you tend to improve your customer service as well. The benefits of a quality software for human resources management extend beyond your workforce.
  • What are the main benefits of using HR software?  It can help reduce administrative costs and improve the efficiency of your HR department. Human resources software is designed to simplify the common tasks that HR members often deal with. This includes the time-consuming tasks of handling payroll and dealing with employee scheduling.
  • The bottom line is that HR software is capable of boosting efficiency and simplifying the way you handle payroll and scheduling requests.
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  • After implementing an HR management solution, Royal Marine Hotel experienced some major changes in their daily operations. Managers were able to access reports that allowed them to better forecast their workload for upcoming schedules. They were able to reduce shift overages and cut down on wasted labour. This reduced salary bills and gave managers a way to monitor problems in scheduling and come up with solutions quickly.
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    In the hospitality industry, HRIS not only can increase efficiency but also can improve customer service. There are lots of benefits for the hotel. Using HRIS can extend beyond the workforce. Hotel place this software to solve lots of problems. It also can help reduce administrative costs and improve the efficiency of the HR department. This includes the time-consuming tasks of handling salary and dealing with employee scheduling. Employees can check their own payroll by HRIS. If employees don't satisfy their schedule they can email leader directly. This HRIS can reduce lots of procedures that you want to contact someone. Customer service is an integral part of the hospitality sector. By increasing the efficiency and morale of the workforce, people can directly improve the ability to deliver exceptional customer service.
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    This article looks at the reasons a property should entertain the idea of using HR software and why? Most managers do not understand all of the functionalities of the software and how it increases efficiency while also providing efficiencies that are not strictly payroll centered. The article also noted that manual processes slow production and efficiency, thus HR software saves time, which equals cost savings.
salmanalabiooani

HRIS systems: What you need to know | HRD America - 0 views

  • HCM The systems that fall under the human capital management (HCM) category are aimed at recruiting and retaining employees throughout their life cycle. They can include anything from recruitment and onboarding tools to salary planning, budgeting, goal-setting, and performance assessment. These tools assist the HR team in guiding employees toward success.
  • HRMS Human resource management systems (HRMS) may contain some elements of HCM solutions, but they also have several tools to help employees as well. These include an efficient and flexible way for workers to clock in and out, manage their schedules, and easily communicate with colleagues even if they are working remotely.
  • Company database An essential HRIS system component is a database where all pieces of information about employees and company HR procedures will be stored for use in other HRIS tools.
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  • Financial components HRIS also includes components for handling payroll, benefits, and employee recognition programs. The payroll and benefits components will maintain information such as salary rates, commission and incentive plans, payment accounts, and paycheck deductions (e.g., taxes, retirement plans, and insurance options).
  • Time and attendance
  • Recruitment and onboarding HRIS systems come with components that ease the work done throughout the hiring process, including posting job applications, handling employee referrals, sending interview requests, and tracking applicants. Often, you can access applicant profiles, record notes from job interviews, conduct employment tests, perform background checks, and send job-offer letters.
  • Centralized employee communication
  • Employee self-service
  • Training and development Most HRIS systems provide an option to design a training path for employees and even integrate training courses, tests, and professional certification preparation in a portal that employees can easily access.
  • Increased HR automation
  • Powerful people insights
  • Software – HR software for small business costs between $1 and $15 per month per employee. Some firms add monthly fees, while others provide only the basics. Setup fees – These are used to pay for the time of configuring the software to a company. Price ranges from zero to thousands per year, depending on the vendor. Consulting fees – These vary from zero (if included in your software subscription) to about $150 per hour if you seek the help of an outside HR consultant. Support fees – Some HRMS software companies charge additional support fees that may run a few hundred dollars per year. Free
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    A human resource information system (HRIS) is a software used for managing employee information while aiming to increase their engagement and productivity. Overall, an HRIS system is made up of the following components: a database, financials, time & attendance, recruitment, and training/development. The tools available in these allow for automated processes, data storage, handling of payroll, benefits, employee recognition programs, track work absences and tardiness, manage job applications, referrals, and interview requests, assist scheduling, employee communication, performance tracking, and goal setting. The costs involved when adopting a HRIS include software, setup, consulting, and support fees.
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    This article talks about the different types, components, benefits, and costs of a human resource information system. The two categories of HRIS are human capital management (HCM) and while the components include financial, time and attendance, recruitment and onboarding, employee management, company database, and training and development. The benefits include increased automation of human resource, employee self-service, centralized employee communication, and more important insights.
taurus1313

4 Must-Have Unattended Payments Features for New and Existing POS Installations - DevPr... - 0 views

  • Security and loss prevention are important to any business, but they are particular concerns with unattended payments. With no sales associate to monitor behavior, self-service terminals may be a target for theft or tampering.
  • Today’s consumers demand that any customer-facing solution is convenient and easy to use,
  • and business owners won’t gamble on a solution that could diminish customer loyalty.
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  • Many types of businesses and organizations that are implementing self-service are doing so to help improve average sales and customer throughput.
  • It’s vital that unattended payment solutions integrate with the business’ systems, such as point of sale (POS), retail inventory management, restaurant kitchen display system, or accounting systems. Your solution will have far less value if it stands alone and requires your clients to manually transfer data to other systems.
  • Lower labor costs
  • Fewer order or cashier errors
  • Better space utilization with fewer checkout counters
  • Reduced risk of employee theft due to less cash handling
  • The number of consumers who prefer self-service is growing
  • 66 percent of shoppers favor self-service technology over interacting with sales associates
  • 77 percent of consumers say they’d be comfortable in a retail setting where there is only self-checkout — no sales associates at all
  • Quick service restaurants are launching self-service ordering and payment, keeping lines shorter and serving customers faster
  • These solutions should meet all Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards, including best practices for skimming prevention.
  • Unattended payment solutions represent the chance for you to enter the market as the opportunity grows
  • Not only does this give you a broader market in which to sell your solutions, it can also differentiate your business from direct-selling POS providers, positioning you more strongly to compete
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    Unattended POS systems are being utilized in spaces beyond vending and self service. Many industries are leaning towards changing to self serve kiosks and this article explains why and shows for benefits to this system. I have seen this system move from grocery store checkouts to the McDonald's located in a busy beach side town.
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    the article highlights the benefits of using unattended pos systems and how there is a growing tendency for self service and less face to face interaction in retail and hospitlaity business
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    "Lower labor costs Fewer order or cashier errors Better space utilization with fewer checkout counters Reduced risk of employee theft due to less cash handling"
gabybilk

Florida Theatre Lifts Curtain on New Point-of-Sale System - : - 0 views

  • With up to ten separate bars, Florida Theatre is challenged to keep up with orders and payments during its nightly events. As host to some of the biggest names in entertainment, the historic venue offers 200 entertainment events each year, catering to all age groups and tastes
  • Florida Theatre’s ten bars were still using standard cash drawers and external credit card machines. Not only was this process slow, but it also posed challenges to the four mobile bars that had to be set up for larger events.
  • They also needed a streamlined solution that required less equipment and built-in inventory tracking. With multiple bars operating at varying intervals, Florida Theatre’s management needed to be able to manage everything from one place, rather than having to aggregate data from up to ten different POS systems.
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  • POS Prophet Systems installed a cloud-based POSExpress system at each stationary bar. Because the theater’s four mobile bars were packed up and stored after each major event, POS Prophet Systems also installed a smaller footprint of the hardware at each mobile bar. These mobile versions were built to safely withstand being moved throughout the theater as needed.
  • At the end of the evening, Florida Theatre’s management was excited to see that all of the drawers balanced perfectly and the evening was a huge success.The Florida Theatre now has a POS setup that seamlessly handles inventory management and accounting processes, while also providing information on sales and revenue for each bar. Reporting and inventory are centralized, allowing managers to oversee operations throughout the theater, even on the busiest nights.
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    The Florida Theatre had been using standard cash drawers and credit card machines to process their guest payments. They had been having multiple issues as far as cash drawer balancing or credit cards not being read correctly. It was affecting their financial statements. They implemented a new POS system to modernize themselves.The POS prophet systems involved the theatre to have to use less equipment and help keep track of their inventory. The POS system overall was a success for the theatre and showed results of having all the cash drawers be balanced . The POS system handles the theatre's inventory and accounting.
clonyr

6 Must-have Features of a Mobile Hotel PMS - 0 views

  • A Hotel Management App, or a Hotel PMS app if you will, is an absolute must in today’s competitive hotel business. With the amount of dependency there is today on a mobile device, being able to handle your hotel operations from the convenience of your smartphone is a winning strategy.
  • If you are still on the fence about investing in a hotel management app for your hotel, then let me run you through some of the vital benefits that come with investing in one.
  • The point of having a hotel mobile PMS app is to have the option and the advantage of being able to stay on top of your hotel operations without having to be physically present at the property. While there are several factors that contribute to the smooth functioning of hotel operations, there are a few of them that you just cannot afford to miss out on. This is where a hotel management app comes in handy.
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  • While there is little doubt about the efficacy of a cloud-based Hotel Property Management System, investing in a mobile Hotel PMS app takes you one more step closer to smoother hotel management.  
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    This article is about the importance of having a hotel PMS in today's competitive hotel business. In this era ,we are dependent on our mobile device and being able to handle hotel operations is a convenience that can not be passed up. You will be introduced to the benefits to having the app and the must have features of a hotel PMS app needed for smoother hotel management.
agrie013

Cloud Storage Security: How Secure is Your Data in The Cloud? - 0 views

  • Hybrid Cloud: Many companies choose to keep high-volume files on the public cloud and sensitive data on a private cloud. This hybrid approach strikes a balance between affordability and customization.
  • Intrusion Detection: Online secure storage can serve many users at the same time. Successful cloud security systems rely on identifying when someone tries to break into the system. Multiple levels of detection ensure cloud vendors can even stop intruders who break past the network’s initial defenses.
  • Internal Firewalls: Not all accounts should have complete access to data stored in the cloud. Limiting secure cloud access through internal firewalls boosts security. This ensures that even a compromised account cannot gain full access.
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  • Encryption: Encryption keeps data safe from unauthorized users. If an attacker steals an encrypted file, access is denied without finding a secret key. The data is worthless to anyone who does not have the key.
  • Authentication: Weak passwords are the most common enterprise security vulnerability. Many employees write their passwords down on paper. This defeats the purpose. Multi-factor authentication can solve this problem.
  • Breach Drills: Simulating data breaches can help employees identify and prevent phishing attacks. Users can also improve response times when real breaches occur. This establishes protocols for handling suspicious activity and gives feedback to users.Measurement: The results of data breach drills must inform future performance. Practice only makes perfect if analysts measure the results and find ways to improve upon them. Quantify the results of simulation drills and employee training to maximize the security of cloud storage.
  • Is the Cloud Secure and Private?Professional cloud storage comes with state-of-the-art security. Users must follow the vendor’s security guidelines. Negligent use can compromise even the best protection.
  • Redundancy makes cloud storage security platforms failure-proof. On-site data storage is far riskier. Large cloud vendors use economies of scale to guarantee user data is intact. These vendors measure hard drive failure and compensate for them through redundancy.Even without redundant files, only a small percentage of cloud vendor hard drives fail. These companies rely on storage for their entire income. These vendors take every precaution to ensure users’ data remains safe.
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    This article goes into how secure is data that is stored in the cloud. There are three different types of cloud storage. one is public, two is private and three is hybrid. The article states that most companies go with hybrid because of its versatility. cloud storage does have built in security that includes intrusion detection, internal firewalls and file encryption. the article does list that there is security risk that come with cloud storage. week passwords are one of the main concerns when it comes to cloud security. Cloud companies do what's called breach drills to see if there are any weakness in the security and if there are how do they handle the situation if the system is compromised. this article does list the pros and cons of cloud services but in the end, it shows that the writer for this article is biased towards the use of cloud services.
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    Breach drills sound like a great idea! It would be helpful in continually maximizing security efforts and determining weak points in the system, especially with technology advances and computer viruses becoming stronger.
jordanskj

The Impact of AI on the Hotel Industry - 2 views

  • AI – artificial intelligence – is everywhere these days. It’s baked into your smartphone, your desktop and laptop, your virtual assistant, your smartwatch
  • They’re bits of code that live in the technology we use every day.
  • The term “AI” doesn’t have to refer to an autonomous robot that handles the cleaning in your home. It can just as easily refer to the algorithm used to personalize the marketing emails you receive.
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  • An AI-powered phone system can intelligently route calls. Chatbots can answer basic questions online. AI-connected remote check-in systems can allow guests to check into their rooms remotely via a smartphone app and never need to stop at the front desk to begin with.
  • Without AI, it would be impossible for your team to deliver the level and quality of service that you expect and your guests deserve.
  • AI is vital to being able to maximize your revenue while automating mundane tasks and reducing the amount of human effort required (and the number of errors caused by humans, as well).
  • Chances are good that you use a property management system (PMS), as well as a point of sale (POS) system. Both of these are powered by artificial intelligence, which is how they can help you manage bookings, sell add-ons, add them to guests’ bills, and more.
  • Room rate optimization Dynamic room pricing based on occupancy Updating your rates across multiple channels and OTAs in real-time Comparing your performance and rating to other hotels in the surrounding area
  • AI is enabling personalization on a much deeper level – one that affects the very core of the guest experience.
  • Artificial intelligence embedded in the software you use every day, such as your PMS and POS, enables better efficiency, a deeper connection with your guests, and, ultimately, more success for your hotel.
  • For instance, an AI chatbot added to your Facebook Messenger can answer guests’ questions and take basic information and add it to your database. That can then be used to personalize further interactions with the guest. You might make special offers that speak to their unique needs, such as child-friendly rooms, all-inclusive stays, or experiences that include a room at the hotel, but also tickets to events or shows in the surrounding area.
  • AI allows you to personalize every aspect of a guest’s stay.
  • offer unique amenities and services
  • make informed suggestions from the travel/concierge desk
  • n fact, data is considered more valuable than any other business asset, including cash.
  • To put the information you have in hand to use on your hotel’s behalf, you must sort, organize, cleanse, parse, and then transform it into something usable by human beings.
  • automating all these processes and ensuring that you’re able to surface key insights that speak directly to your ability to reach and engage with guests while staying abreast of current trends in the industry.
  • to live up to today’s guest expectations, such as less human interaction and more automation (both of which are important for health and safety protocols).
  • Once, science-fiction predicted that we would eventually live in a world filled with robots that make our lives simpler and easier. That day has come, but the robots are largely invisible.
  • Today, you’ll find AI at work in just about every aspect of all industries.
  • You only need to look at the incredible number of tasks that front desk staff are expected to juggle to realize that, without artificial intelligence, the situation would be very different.
  • In addition to juggling all of these tasks, employees are expected to be courteous, kind, to verify guest documents thoroughly, provide their undivided attention, and answer questions promptly. Since human beings are not actually able to multitask, how do you ensure that all of these things happen simultaneously and correctly? The answer is, with artificial intelligence.
  • Personalization is an essential consideration today. Consumers expect the businesses they interact with to personalize all communications. That applies to everything from voice communications to email marketing, social media interactions, and more
  • How is AI enabling better personalization?
  • It’s all about creating a unique experience that’s tailored to each guest or family.
  • From business intelligence in the hospitality industry to automating front desk and back-office tasks, AI is here to stay.
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    Hospitality employees are faced every day with multi tasking which can lead to human error. AI has many benefits in making the majority of these tasks automated. Hatboxes will take a guests information, and record it into the database which will allow the staff to make the stay more personalized with information at hand.
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    AI exists in all functions of our modern lives. It has fundamentally allowed for more processes to happen, while exhausting less human labor. It has created more efficiency and accuracy in the hospitality industry.
  •  
    The article simply describes the ways in which AI is apart of our everyday lives and how it has not only impacted us as individuals but in the hospitality industry. Years ago, when we thought of AI we would think of big robots but now AI is as small as a chip in an iPhone, or as intangible as data on a software. AI has enabled a deeper level of personalization to guest experience as well as added close to maximum efficiency in the data and intelligence realm. It allows for multiple processes to be happening at the click of a button, lessening the potential exhaustion of our human resources in these businesses. In my opinion, AI has brought exponential convenience to our everyday lives and although sometimes intrusive, it makes life easier. Being able to rely on a piece of technology to remember certain patterns and trends is convenient and efficient.
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    In this article, the author thoroughly discusses how artificial intelligence has severely impacted the hospitality industry. The author begins with a short description of what AI really is, stating "The term "AI" doesn't have to refer to an autonomous robot that handles the cleaning in your home. It can just as easily refer to the algorithm used to personalize the marketing emails you receive". They then go on to explain how AI can be and IS extremely helpful to the operations side of the hospitality industry. For example, when the front desk phone rings, AI can be implemented to intelligently reroute incoming calls to the correct department's line, alleviating some of the work off of the front desk staff who would've otherwise needed to stop what they're doing to answer the phone for something as simple as a transfer to a different department. Next is a section dedicated to how AI can personalize the guest experience. By collecting data on guests while they're using your website, you can show them offers and amenities at your hotel that are tailored to them. The example in the article states "You might make special offers that speak to their unique needs, such as child-friendly rooms, all-inclusive stays, or experiences that include a room at the hotel, but also tickets to events or shows in the surrounding area". All in all, AI is vital to the hospitality industry. It not only helps guests have the best experience they possibly can, but it also helps the staff with providing the best service they possibly can to the guests.
Franc Pulido

Event Planning - Technology Solutions - Wi-Fi Wars: What You Need to Know to Negotiate ... - 0 views

  • Internet access for meetings and events has become something of a headache for planners
  • access in the meeting room is a requirement
  • Attendees have come to expect complimentary high-speed access in their rooms, at meals, and even at the gym. The task of assessing your data needs and negotiating a fair price is daunting, at best. 
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  • The site inspection is a planner’s best opportunity to put a property’s Internet setup through its paces
  • Free” Wi-Fi is a tempting perk, but what are you really getting? 
  • Another factor to consider is security; free  Wi-Fi can be accessed by virtually anyone
  •  
    Providing an easily accessible and reliable internet connection to their guests has become a major task for event planners in the hospitality industry. These days, free Wi-Fi is basically a requirement for all hotel guests whether or not their trip involves business or pleasure. As the title suggests, this article provides event planners with suggestions on how to negotiate a data plan that's both effective and efficient. It all starts with a site inspection visit by a technology consultant. In doing so, event planners could ask all sort of questions regarding the proper service (DSL, satellite, T1, etc) proper bandwidth limit and the necessary number of access points. Personally, I stayed a resort a few days ago in which the complimentary wi-fi wasn't reliable in the common areas of the hotel. It was a struggle trying to access the internet and the situation became frustrating since I wasn't able to complete some of my work. Like me, I am sure there were business men and college students who may have experienced the same problem. For the event planning team, this must have been a headache since the wi-fi amenity wasn't up to par as previously advertised. In conclusion, it is every important that event planners conduct the proper research on what type of data needs their establishment requires. The use of the internet is inescapable especially in today's world since guests handle all types of personal and professional business through their technology artifacts.
Qianlin Wang

Introduction to Property Management Systems | Information Vine - 0 views

  • The ideal property management system can help consolidate everything from task lists to accounting ledgers to communication records.
  • No matter what your industry, there are two important factors for deciding on the best software: capabilities and usability.
  • The best-selling property management systems are those with streamlined designs and intuitive interfaces.
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  • Costs are important, and they vary depending on whether you go for physical software or a web-based system, how long you intend to use the product, and how many units you’re operating.
  • And cloud technology is making this process more efficient than ever, ultimately improving the properties where we live, work and play.
  •  
    A property management system is software used to automate the operations of a hotel. It is the hub of a property's operations processing reservations, check-ins and check-outs. It keeps track of how many rooms you have left to sell and at what rate. It handles front office accounting, marketing as well as interfacing to other systems such as phone, reservations, restaurant and pay-per-view movies. Web PMS offers all the features of a traditional PMS-including integrated accounting, GDS connectivity and multiple interfaces-as well as advantages unique to Cloud-based systems, such as remote accessibility, integrated Web and mobile reservations and automatic data back-up. It will be a better choice in the future.
Paige Wuensch

FINALLY... Intelligent Event Planning - 0 views

  • Now hotels have the perfect solution for managing meeting room sales and catering operations — IQbanquet, available from Deerfield Beach, Fla.-based IQware. Designed specifically for the hospitality industry, IQbanquet provides your sales and management team a suite of powerful tools to efficiently handle every aspect of your operation, saving you significant time and headaches while increasing your profitability and service levels. 
  • The IQbanquet difference begins as the event is being created. Too often in the hospitality industry, initial inquiries are just written down on paper, and then later checked for availability and placed into the hotel’s database. With IQbanquet, the client’s information is directly entered into the system as it’s provided.
  •  
    Now hotels have the perfect solution for managing meeting room sales and catering operations - IQbanquet, available from Deerfield Beach, Fla.-based IQware. Designed specifically for the hospitality industry, IQbanquet provides your sales and management team a suite of powerful tools to efficiently handle every aspect of your operation, saving you significant time and headaches while increasing your profitability and service levels. Nevistas Publishing (http://s.tt/1tOFU) This website reports an article about intelligent event planning. It is basically a system designed for the hotel industry to streamline processes and eliminate manual process. The great advantage of the system the ability to track previous guests and preferences from one event to the other. It also helps with contracts and documents that need to be signed and saves time as well. This type of system will assist in keeping track of emails sent and it is very intuitive as well expediting training ultimately increasing guest satisfaction.
  •  
    Newly integrated directly into the IQware PMS, IQbanquet a new solution for properly managing sales, delivers a wide range of features designed and proven to streamline event management, from sales tracking to resource planning. "IQbanquet also serves as a contact management system - all interactions, including phone calls, office visits or emails with the client are tracked. While many systems are integrated with Outlook, much of the client contact information can be lost or misplaced when staff changes." This new system has potential to really go in today's technologically advanced world. IQbanquet really is a system that will increase a positive consumer response rate. 
hui wang

The Advantages of Point-of-Sale Systems | eHow.com - 0 views

  • Point-of-sale systems have replaced traditional cash registers
  • Price Adjustments
  • With a point-of-sale system, you can enter promotion codes for customer discounts
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  • You can have your point-of-sale system tailored to your industry
  •  
    This article is to emphasize the importance of point of sales system, including the advantages that help restaurant operating business every. For instance, counting is the simplest approach to checking your inventory on the shelves in a small business and this is called stocktaking, especially, for small businesses, like a small toyshop, stocktaking is a thoroughly practical approach. However, most of the time stock management is not that simple, and sometimes the practical option is not the best option. There can be discrepancies between the physical and the stock records, especially when it concerns annual stock management. This is why it is advisable for every business owner to use computerized POS systems in stock management. The best thing about having a computerized POS System in the retail business is: as new stocks arrives and as it is sold, it keeps the stock levels current and updated, hence making it is easier to identify which items are selling and which items are not. A POS System is also good in checking for any obsolete or out of date stock that needs to be disposed. For the managers, if they are still counting the inventory manually on the shelves or in the warehouse, something should be thought twice about the lacking of efficiency method, for there are many advantages in using a POS System mentioned in this article. One advantage of a POS System is its ability to help the business achieve detailed real-time stock level information. In addition, a POS System can also give some information such as weather forecasts, public holidays and major sporting events, which can be of great help in determining the stock level of seasonal products. Managers can now efficiently and effectively handle their stock management accurately.
yiran DING

9 Tips To Block Hotel Wi-Fi Malware - Security - Mobile Security - - 0 views

  • 9 Tips To Block Hotel Wi-Fi Malware
  •  
    FBI issues warning to people traveling abroad that free Wi-Fi systems can pose a threat. Malware and other attacks on hotel wi-fi has become a bigger and bigger threat for hotel internet users.  This artical introduced 9  tips to use wi-fi safely.  1. Update Before Leaving 2. Block Pop-Ups  3. Handle Free Wi-Fi With Caution 4. Read Hotel Wi-Fi Directions 5. VPN Tunneling Secures Free Wi-Fi  6. Download Software Updates Directly From Vendors 7. Beware Wired Hotel Connections 8. Consider Using A "Burner" Laptop  9. Don't Be Afraid To Hibernate  All these tips indicate that to use internet safely, we should be alter to potential risks, be wise and have a good habit when access internet. 
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