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Enhance guest service, improve efficiency, and maximize online and offline revenue with Maestro PMS, the industry's most robust and flexible resort software and boutique hotel software solution empowering leading full-service hotels, luxury resorts, multi-property groups, conference centers, condominiums, and timeshare properties

This article presents that many of independent hotels choose the cloud based PMS to make their working systems more profitable. One of the cloud based PMS, Maestro property management system showcases enhanced technology, additionally customer engagement for increasing a loyalty as like as chain hotels. Here are trends that make independent hotels more productive and profitable. First, it makes direct booking that could reduces reliance on OTAs and boost occupancy. Second, its automated e-messaging increase guest retention and revenue. Third, it boast its affordable and secure information. It delivers instant remote access to property and let operators manage multipe properties. Fourthly, it provides dash board to access to real-time data and make on-the-spot decision. Fifthly, it provides guest loyalty programs to compete with chains. It has automated tracking system to redeem points and boost customer loyalty. lastly, it offers to users the knowledge center for 24/7 to let Maestro users to be familiar with the system and provide access to tools and resources.

There are many difficulties with technology implementation in the hospitality industry. Often, as a result of these difficulties hotels, in particular, are left behind the curve. According to the article, "many companies have made it a philosophy not to be the leader on the tech side" and "large hotel chains tend to conduct major [technology overhauls] just once every seven years." The hope is that by adopting technology later, companies will avoid having to deal with the bugs and flaws that come along with brand new technology. However, as it turns out, due to the constant evolving state of technology bumps and flaws in design become apparent at all stages of the life of various technologies. For example, when the room keycard was introduced, it quickly replaced the traditional key-and-lock set of traditional homes. However, after some time hotels figured out that these keycards can become demagnetized-something the industry still faces today. The quick evolution of the television is another example. Consumers typically have a better TV at home than they experience within a hotel room. This is due to the fact that hotel televisions are still largely the same as the ones implemented in 2007. In conclusion, technology can be part of the getaway experience guests have at hotels, but due to the widely accepted "wait and see" approach the industry is currently pursuing, consumers are often left feeling as if they have to bring their own technology and put up with the minimal technology provided in hotel rooms and suites.

Although this article is from 2014, it is a clear example of IT investment in the industry. The implementation of this technology that turns smartphones into Hotel Room Keys cost Hilton Holdings more than US$500 million. Not only it allows guests in 80 countries to bypass the check-in desk, but also to choose their room from a digital floor plan. While there are reasonable concerns about hackers and unauthorized access, Hilton is very confident about its IT security. This IT investment will cause job losses for Hilton staffers around the world. Yet, we have covered extensively the implications of technology in the industry's labor force on previous discussions. On a related article in the financial times (https://www.ft.com/content/28455880-6232-11e7-8814-0ac7eb84e5f1), the breakdown of the investment shows that $100 million were allocated for digital key development and $550 million for technology infrastructure.

This articles describes the importance of E-commerce and social networking on the hospitality industry. The social sites like facebook, twitter and instagram has proven beneficial for the marketing of the hospitality industry. Individuals post their experience on these networking sites, which indirectly helps in marketing of the hospitality firms. The use of internet and hotel website has proven, to increase the revenue of the hotels, many people book directly through the hotel websites, which increases the revenue for the hotels as well save the commission paid to the travel agents. The loyalty programs introduced by various hotel, took a new shape all together after internet became the major source in these hotels. It was convenient for the guest to check how much points the have in their account and the tier level. The hotels also started offering guest extra points to their account, if they booked the room directly through the hotel website. This resulted in an substantial increase in the RevPar of the hotels.

SevenRooms establishes 7X, a marketing and guest engagement platform for restaurants. The software is composed of four aspects: guest satisfaction, automated tagging & segmentation, email automation, and special offers/experiences. The software monitors guest reviews on all platforms including Yelp, Google Reviews, etc. The software sorts through guest profiles and qualifies them as "first time", "VIP", and anything in between. It also automatically sends e-mails to customers, depending on their quantification and last time dining.

Once again technology proved to complement our industry's practice. Monarch Beach Resort story is a great example of the benefits we can derive from investing in technology. In this particular case the RunGo app not only was greatly appreciated by the consumers because they were able actually to enjoy the view while receiving step by step directions. It also reduced printing expenses for the resort and at the same time made it easy for the employees to direct them around the property. There is still a lot more to discover regarding the benefits from investing in technology, but definately after reading articles like this, we can be certain that we are moving in this direction.

The travel marketplace is a global arena where millions of buyers (travel agents and the public) and sellers (hotels, airlines, car rental companies, etc.) work together to exchange travel services. Among the "shelves" on which buyers search for travel services are world's global distribution systems and the Internet distribution systems. There are currently four major GDS systems: Amadeus As the youngest of the four GDS companies, Amadeus has done remarkably well during its short tenure. Yet, in many ways, the company remains an anomaly. Amadeus has the greatest number of travel agency locations with the highest productivity per terminal in the world, yet its booking share is Number 3, and its revenues are dwarfed by Sabre and, to a lesser degree, by Galileo. Galileo Galileo's competitive strengths include market share, well-balanced and global presence, relationships with diverse groups of travel vendors, technologically advanced information systems, highly skilled personnel, and a stable product line. Compared to other GDS companies, Galileo is a cautious follower when it comes to technology. Sabre Sabre's competitive strengths include market position, global reach, stable product line, diversification of revenue streams, and intellectual capital. The Sabre business model is a strong one, and continues to make significant progress in advancing both its electronic travel distribution and its information technology solutions businesses. Worldspan Worldspan has a legacy of industry firsts that are not well known. The company therefore has an opportunity to raise the industry's awareness of its accomplishments and more importantly, its future strategy. Worldspan continues to look at benefits of creating its own consumer brand and has been partnering with different companies to expand the services that it can provide to its customer base.

This article is introducing the new self-serve kiosks on National Restaurant Show. It mentioned some highlights from the shows. there are many different kind of kiosks used for the different restaurants.

This article tells us about the fact, that now days the global hospitality industry is one of the industries which is most frequently targeted by hackers. In order to avoid any attacks there must be tighter control across a hotel and its network of partners. So the main 3 aspects which will help to avoid attacks are: -assess risks everywhere -protect the POS system -find malware and keep data protected

The following article reviews the hospitality E-Business as well as the industries "E-profile". It was interesting to read how the article breaks down the realities of the new millennium and what it has brought to the table for the entire hospitality industry. It is vital for the hospitality industry to be available to evolve with the current technological trends and innovations. The article reviews how e-business has removed the traditional barriers to commerce; for example, time, distance and physical location. The future for "Web-enablement" within the industry has major potential and will soon be implemented. Ex; virtual tours, guest history and loyalty programs, sales force automation, etc.

This article discusses the increasing demand for e-commerce and third party delivery in the food and beverage industry, as well as the costs associated with it. Restaurants are currently facing a growth problem in the United States as foot traffic has declined due to a "millennial generation shift" that sees diners doing more in their homes, while third party companies like Grubhub have seen it's stock rise 141 percent from a year ago. For many restaurants, it is a matter of opportunity cost. As explained in this article by Warren Solocheck, a restaurant industry analyst at NPD, "We're going to see more and more quick-service chains begin to try out delivery," he said. "The margins associated with third-party delivery may be slimmed down. But, the question for restaurants is, 'If I don't do it and I'm not delivering my food, am I in the game anymore? Am I in people's consideration? It boils down to being an opportunity cost. The hope is that at some point people will like the food enough to come in and sit down." I found this article very interesting as a General Manager. We recently decided as a brand to begin offering delivery through third party services as we noticed a decline in covers leading to a decline in revenue. This new revenue stream, although at a higher cost, still brings in revenue that we would be missing out on either way. We also offer free appetizer cards for a consumer's next in house visit to help attract new guests.

This article contains an interview with the CEO of the payments technology company Affirm, Max Levchin. Affirm, established in 2012, is a payment technology firm that allows for travelers to pay for trips via a monthly payment plan. The company fully pays the travel provider and then is responsible for collecting the funds from the traveler. The payment does not need to be paid in full prior to travel. Levchin says that this product is attractive to companies because airline and hotels don't have to worry about interchange, processing fees and fraud. It benefits consumers because they are able to book early when prices are lower instead of "saving up" to book closer to the date of travel, when the trip is more expensive. They have seen an increase in advance bookings with Affirm for trips over $250. He suggests that this will disrupt traditional travel industry e-commerce and make travel more accessible.

StayNTouch has partnered with ARRIVE Hotels & Restaurants to implement its mobile PMS in ARRIVE's properties. StayNTouch focuses on mobility to create long-lasting relationships between hotels and their guests by delivering personalized service.

Technology is in the hands of nearly every person this day and age, so why not take advantage of it? When it comes to hospitality people love to see pictures to see both the venue and the experiences people are having. it lets them imagine their own personal experience and creates a ideas to set up their own personal experience. Digital Marketing also allows to build relationships with clients an is a great place to advocate. It also allows for influences. On top of that, it will allow for people to see exactly what functions, features, attributes, etc. is going on without the hassle of having to call and find out. Technology also allows for easy work for the employees. They are able to use smart watched or portable tablets so they can be mobile with assisting clients and guests with their needs and questions. Digital marketing allows for testimonials of the great place it is.

This article introduces 2017 digital marketing trends for the hospitality industry. The first trend is visual content. Instead of the explanation contents, pictures will influence more to catch customers' attention considering the characteristics of the hospitality industry. Second, social media becomes a great intermediate between potential customers and the business. The business in the hospitality industry should be involved in social media to expose their brand and build client relationship. Third, virtual reality becomes popular to demonstrate the various functions and features lively. Also, adopting wearables or using storytelling production can be a new trend as a marketing tool. It can produce ancillary revenue and get customers more engaged in brand concept. Lastly, digital marketing should be monitored and evaluated for sales trends, supplier orders and employee overtime in a real time to improve more marketing strategy.