Skip to main content

Home/ Hospitality Technology/ Group items tagged key

Rss Feed Group items tagged

Filter: All | Bookmarks | Topics Simple Middle
rrodr658

Mobile Technology Transformation is Innovating Mobile Access Solutions | By Markus Boberg - 0 views

www.hospitalitynet.org/...4108289.html

technology hospitality hotel business mobile software green solution travel tech

shared by rrodr658 on 10 Jul 23 - No Cached
  • hesitation came from a belief that mobile services would prevent guests from having truly personalized experiences as well as reducing opportunities for valuable interactions between guests and staff
    • rrodr658
      rrodr658 on 10 Jul 23
       
      reason why some hotels were not very open to introducing digital services
  • challenged with re-imagining the guest experience and implementing in procedures turned to mobile technology solutions, which reduced touchpoints and gave guests the ability to access property services while maintaining social distancing measures
    • rrodr658
      rrodr658 on 10 Jul 23
       
      the pandemic is what gave the push for hoteliers to begin using technology and create creative experiences.
  • hoteliers have found that mobile technology has enabled guests to have more control over their hotel experience.
  • ...13 more annotations...
  • as much as 67 percent of guests in fact now hold a preference for digital key check-in and room access over more traditional methods such as plastic keycards.
    • rrodr658
      rrodr658 on 10 Jul 23
       
      statistical fact of how many people prefer to use their digital key over the traditional check in at the FD.
  • collecting and storing guest data and preferences, which can then be used by integrated loyalty services to better target guests with rewards and promotions.
  • incentivize downloads and encourage loyalty by allowing hoteliers to better target users with promotions and special offers.
  • ntegrating mobile access solutions with food ordering and contactless payment service vendors has helped hoteliers create convenient, engaging mobile app solutions that also boost their property's bottom-line
  • control in-room amenities.
  • This can include guests being able to use personal devices to effortlessly manage guestroom thermostats, lights, drapes, televisions and more.
  • Digital key service providers have evolved to easily integrate with other hotel services and provide guests with greater convenience and personalization throughout their stay.
  • This is rapidly proving to be a successful method to swift services and meet new demands, as many consumers are increasingly using digital wallet services in their everyday lives: in 2019, nearly 1.5 billion travelers downloaded mobile boarding passes that were stored in their digital wallets, and mobile wallet payments increased by 29 percent in 2020.
    • rrodr658
      rrodr658 on 10 Jul 23
       
      statistical facts about how many people switched to mobile services for traveling and paymemts
  • preventing guests from being locked out of guestrooms due to low battery status on their device, mobile wallet-based digital keys also serve to further provide a more seamless and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish.
  • offers guests increased security and reduces the risk of a lost or stolen room key
  • it meets short-term challenges because it reduces risk
  • it has incredible potential and long-term benefits for the future
  • mobile access solutions will continue to adapt and provide properties with digital convenience, reduced costs, sustainability and efficiency over the next decade and beyond.
  • rrodr658 on 10 Jul 23
     
    This article was very informative about the effect of mobile tech within the hospitality indsutry. It definitely broke down how hoteliers were not very open to using this wireless technology but how the pandemic gave that push to hoteliers and now they are noticing how much travelers enjoy it. Hence, they are innovating the mobile access and enhancing their guests experiences with mobile access solutions such as food ordering, contactless payments, encouraging loyalty with mobile app download and to gain promotions, control in-room amenities, and more. This article also touched upon the increased security and reduction of lost or stolen room key, as it eliminated the need of a phsyical key. Essentially, mobile technology benefits the industry in the long-term.
artandmer

Is a lost hotel card key a financial risk? We found out - 0 views

www.usatoday.com/...554307001

card key technology tech financial risk privacy

shared by artandmer on 20 Jun 22 - No Cached
  • USA TODAY took a stack of used hotel key cards to the Black Hat computer security conference in Las Vegas recently and had an expert see what exactly they contained.
  • “You’ve got nothing to worry about. There’s nothing on here at all except the room number and a date field,
  • the presentation the detective had seen actually featured a blank hotel card key which had been used by cybercriminals to store stolen information about a victim and was in no way connected to a hotel.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • The credit card-sized plastic keys used by most hotels today contain at most four pieces of information — which room the key is for, when the key can begin opening the door, when it should stop working, and, sometimes, a guest number.
  • hotel key cards are a great example of what the computer security world calls “least privilege,” the concept that to maintain security a system should have only enough privilege to access the information it needs to get its work done and no more
  • artandmer on 20 Jun 22
     
    At some point, we've all probably heard that hotel keycards store guests' personal information and that puts our privacy at risk and perhaps even exposes us to credit card fraud. This is pure myth. Hotels encode the least amount of information possible (a term called least privilege) on a keycard, limiting it to room #, arrival and departure date. The only way anyone's personal information could get onto a keycard is for someone to reuse a hotel keycard to program it as a credit card, and that information would not be obtained from a hotel PMS system.
anonymous

Kana Hotel Group Shores Up Guest Security with RFID Locks at 30 Properties | News | Hos... - 0 views

hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/...ID-Locks-at-30-Properties85062

shared by anonymous on 18 Mar 13 - No Cached
  • Kana is upgrading its magnetic stripe locks to new ILCO 790 RFID units.
  • The ILCO brand is known worldwide for electronic locks that offer exceptional quality and technology innovation at competitive prices. 
  • anonymous on 18 Mar 13
     
    The Kana Hotel Group operates over 30 properties from Hilton, IHG, and Marriott. The Kana group is updating security at its 30 properties to ILCO 790 RFID locks. The 790 RFID locks are going to be more reliable for guests to use because the new system eliminates the problem of guests having to return to the front desk to have their keys recoded, due to deactivating the back of the strip. This new system will eliminate the key card from losing its information from other magnetic objects and cell phones. I think upgrading their locks to the ILCO 790 RFID units is a great move. Not only will this bring better security to properties but also this makes a guests experience so much better. More often lately I've had keys deactivate themselves for no reason at all or they were next to something magnetic. It is a hassle sometimes to go all the way back to the front desk after a long day to deal with a key that no longer works. This is a great move since ILCO locks are high quality and this brings additional security to a hotel property.
Diya ZHAO

New Openwars RFID and NFC locks allow for future upgrades | Hotel Management - 0 views

www.hotelmanagement.net/...llow-for-future-upgrades-18346

Hotels locks new openwars

shared by Diya ZHAO on 24 Feb 13 - No Cached
  • OpenWays is unveiling a new, cost-effective solution for making a hotel's existing electronic locks new. Mobile Key Trio with Triple Play Reader combines CAC (Crypto Acoustic Credential), Pure NFC and RFID card reading capabilities. The integrated solution enables hotels using older magstripe locks to upgrade to a triple play reader while gaining the benefit of Mobile Key for guests and Mobile Master Key for staff.
  • Mobile Key Dual with Pure NFC is the only front desk bypass solution on the market that enables guests to avoid lines at check in and use any cell phone in the world as a mobile key, and it adds NFC features while allowing hotels to remain mobile carrier and lock provider independent.
  • It will take several years before any NFC phone critical mass is truly reached. As a result, offering multi-technology reading capabilities is the only way for hotels to enjoy now the true benefit of Mobile Key front desk bypass and build a competitive advantage while ensuring their technologies are future proofed.
  • Diya ZHAO on 24 Feb 13
     
    Mobile Key Trio with Triple Play Reader is giving hoteliers the ability to upgrade the major electronic-locks on the market while significantly increasing security and creating new service opportunities for hotels and guests," said Pascal Metivier, OpenWays Founder and CEO. "Today, less than 0.05 percent of the 6.5 billion mobile phones on the market are NFC enabled.
rebecca Bonet

Keeping hotel locks safe | Hotel Management - 1 views

www.hotelmanagement.net/...keeping-hotel-locks-safe-18180

shared by rebecca Bonet on 02 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Our Classic magstripe locks do not store critical security information within individual locks, such as master key information, and any service device must authenticate itself through diversified encryption methods to gain access to the lock software
  • VingCard Elsafe’s locks can also detect tampering and work to alert hotel security staff using the company’s VISIONLINE system. “[The VISIONLINE system] incudes alarms to alert the hotel front desk if someone attempts to tamper with a door lock as well as providing real time alerts to the hotel’s security staff when activity is detected that a card is being misused,”
  • Other alarms include detecting that a door is forced open, left open, or ‘mule tool’ intrusions when a door is opened from the inside handle without an occupant in the room.”
  • ...18 more annotations...
  • VingCard Elsafe provides comprehensive training on the technology for the hotel staff and encourages everyone who will have interaction with the locks to participate
    • TIANJIAN ZHANG
      TIANJIAN ZHANG on 03 Nov 12
       
      Nowadays, locks security is an essential issue in hospitality industry. Actually, most hotels upgrate their locks systems with advanced technology. The role of technology in the security sector is fundamental, but despite the rapid technological progress, one thing has remained constant: the importance of trust. Whether hoteliers wising up to the fact that they've bought what could be called a flawed security system will be willing to trust the supplier of said equipment for a fix.
  • After installation, hotels must work to keep their staff trained and their system upgraded to keep pace with the latest security issues. 
  • As hotel locks become increasingly automated, preventing them from becoming vulnerable to security concerns has become a top priority for hoteliers.
  • As hotel locks become increasingly automated, preventing them from becoming vulnerable to security concerns has become a top priority for hoteliers.
  • When VingCard Elsafe moved the industry towards RFID technology, security was one key driver, and our primary focus was to add additional security to the RFID card to prevent cloning. To that end, VingCard Elsafe hotel locking systems do not work with cards that have no anti-cloning capability.”
  • As hotel locks become increasingly automated, preventing them from becoming vulnerable to security concerns has become a top priority for hoteliers
  • , preventing
  • As hotel locks become increasingly automated, preventing them from becoming vulnerable to security concerns has become a top priority for hoteliers
  • As hotel locks become increasingly automated, preventing them from becoming vulnerable to security
  • “  Our Classic magstripe locks do not store critical security information within individual locks, such as master key information, and any service device must authenticate itself through diversified encryption methods to gain access to the lock software ,” Shea said. “  When VingCard Elsafe moved the industry towards RFID technology, security was one key driver, and our primary focus was to add additional security to the RFID card to prevent cloning. To that end, VingCard Elsafe hotel locking systems do not work with cards that have no anti-cloning capability.”
  • VingCard Elsafe’s locks can also detect tampering and work to alert hotel security staff using the company’s VISIONLINE system. “[The VISIONLINE system] incudes alarms to alert the hotel front desk if someone attempts to tamper with a door lock as well as providing real time alerts to the hotel’s security staff
  • VingCard Elsafe’s locks can also detect tampering and work to alert hotel security staff using the company’s VISIONLINE system. “[The VISIONLINE system] incudes alarms to alert the hotel front desk if someone attempts to tamper with a door lock as well as providing real time alerts to the hotel’s security staff when activity is detected that a card is being misused,”
  • For instance, a ‘wandering intruder alert’ warns hotel security personnel when a card is presented to a number of different doors.  Other alarms include detecting that a door is forced open, left open, or ‘mule tool’ intrusions when a door is opened from the inside handle without an occupant in the room.”
  • After installation, hotels must work to keep their staff trained and their system upgraded to keep pace with the latest security issues.  
  • VingCard Elsafe provides comprehensive training on the technology for the hotel staff and encourages everyone who will have interaction with the locks to participate ,”
  • As with any hotel upgrade, hoteliers understand that renovation and upgrades are a regular part of running their business
  • Looking past RFID solutions for instance, VingCard Elsafe has made our RFID locks compatible with next generation technologies, like Near Field Communications (NFC), providing our customers with an easy upgrade path at reasonable cost.”  
  • Michael Anthony on 02 Nov 12
     
    This article discusses the security issues with room keys. These hotel locks will not open with cards that are read as duplicates or duplicatable. The locking mechanism has been specifically designed to alert the front desk and secuirty departments in the event these locks are tampered with. I'm sure at one point or another we have all experimented with our room key and tried to open other doors. A system like this will prevent activity like that.
  • ...2 more comments...
  • Yingjie Cao on 03 Nov 12
     
    VingCard Elsafe, the global leader in hospitality security and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, announces that it has phased out the use of brass metal plating and painting in the manufacture of its locking systems, opting instead to use a more eco-friendly process to color stainless steel. VingCard Elsafe has adopted a new method of metal coloration called physical vapor deposition, or PVD, an environmentally friendly process that involves vaporizing an alloy onto stainless steel within a heated vacuum. PVD requires no chemicals and produces no waste or hazardous materials of any kind, resulting in no environmental impact whatsoever. The PVD process has other added benefits, as well. PVD-treated surfaces have high wear resistance for discoloration, and the stainless steel adds enhanced anti-corrosion properties. Besides eliminating the negative environmental effects of the brass plating process, the move by VingCard Elsafe to simplify its lock manufacturing process has had other related green benefits. By doing away with the need for secondary surface treatments of the locks, new product components are now supplied directly from metal stamping to the point of use in the assembly line. This means less shipping and transportation is required for product manufacture, resulting in a diminished carbon footprint.
  • Xue Yan on 03 Nov 12
     
    VingCard Elsafe is a new kind of lock system, which contains RFID technology and is compatible with the Near Field Communications. It has several advantages compared to traditional magstripe locks. First of all, it can add security to the RFID card and prevent cloning, which is much safer than the traditional key card. Another is that it can detect tampering and know when and where staffs use the lock. It can send alert to the front desk. Moreover, the front desk can know when the door is forced open. However, before using the lock system, training program should be provided. So this new kind of lock system brings safety to the guests and to the hotels.
  • rebecca Bonet on 03 Nov 12
     
    This article talk about the issue that hotel are having with their security system lock for guest room. These cards are easy to duplicate. The new system will alert front desk or security if the lock has been tampered with. Other alarms include detecting that a door is forced open 'mule tool' instruction when a door is open from the inside handle without an occupant in the room.
  • Gaby Belardo on 04 Nov 12
     
    This article discusses the current state of hotel lock safety. Monitoring safety has changed as these locks become more automated. The article states that, "Hotel Management corresponded with Tim Shea, president of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality, for ways in which vendors are keeping hotel locks secure." Through VingCard Elsafe's locks, hotel security and safety has increased. VingCard says, "Our Classic magstripe locks do not store critical security information within individual locks, such as master key information, and any service device must authenticate itself through diversified encryption methods to gain access to the lock software." This is just one of the ways the locks increase security. The article also states that the system is cost-effective for hoteliers.
yuzhu li

Mandarin Oriental, Miami Security Scores 98.8% in Independent Security Audit :: Hotel N... - 0 views

www.hotelnewsresource.com/article65867.html

hotel Technology

shared by yuzhu li on 31 Aug 12 - No Cached
  • Mandarin Oriental, Miami expands from one SAMS™ module to five
  • InvoTech’s system makes our property significantly safer and our security operation more effective and efficient,” said Ballester
  • can adapt to their specific security and budgetary needs to automate a variety of security department functions that include
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • Mandarin Oriental, Miami expands from one SAMS™ module to five
  • The property recently scored 98.8 points out of 100 on an independent ‘Safe and Sound’ security audit. “SAMS™ made this possible
  • Control keys, radios, and equipment Manage patrols and assure all check points are properly scanned Process visitors, print badges, and daily log review Control and automatically log all security officer dispatches Document and properly record all incidents on property Process lost and found items and accurately track and return found items Control employee lockers and locks
  • Tighter security comes from our knowledge of exactly which keys are checked out every hour of every day
  • system has the ability to scan each contractor’s driver’s license to capture the ID information and photo and create a record of when the person entered and left the hotel’s property
    • yuzhu li
      yuzhu li on 31 Aug 12
       
      what if some emergency accidents happened in the contract company, it is no longer the original person come to the hotel. The SAMS still  can recognize him/her??
  • “InvoTech’s system makes our property significantly safer and our security operation more effective and efficient,” said Ballester
    • yuzhu li
      yuzhu li on 31 Aug 12
       
      It is an impressive article that a security system could be literally so sound and impregnable. It can monitor and assure all the check points, especially it can scan the contractor IDs while access to the property. As we know the hospitality industry is a meeting ground, labor-orinted and customers diversified, easy to be liable for negligence. There is a news I read in the newspaper years ago, the front desk person accidentally assigned the room key to a guest that has been given to another guest in advance. And that leads to the second guest lost his $5000 in his suitcase. The court decision was the hotel was liable and compensated for the loss of the second guests. The hotel is not only has loss in money but also in the reputation. If the hotel could have the InvoTech's system, it would check all the keys, this situation would never happened. And for the system can automatic scan contractor IDs, all I can say is amazing, it not a easy thing from my eyes.Especially for some luxury hotels, there will have some VIPs, or VVIPs, their security is the top one task for the hotel. 
  • yuzhu li on 31 Aug 12
     
    It is an impressive article that a security system could be literally so sound and impregnable. It can monitor and assure all the checkpoints; especially it can scan the contractor IDs while access to the property. As we know the hospitality industry is a meeting ground, labor-orinted and customers diversified, easy to be liable for negligence.  There is news I read in the newspaper years ago, the front desk person accidentally assigned the room key to a guest that has been given to another guest in advance. And that leads to the second guest lost his $5000 in his suitcase. The court decision was the hotel was liable and compensated for the loss of the second guests. The hotel is not only has loss in money but also in the reputation. If the hotel could have the InvoTech's system, it would check all the keys, this situation would never happened. And for the system can automatic scan contractor IDs, all I can say is amazing, it not a easy thing from my eyes. Especially for some luxury hotels, there will have some VIPs, or VVIPs, their security is the top one task for the hotel
Mirta Echazabal

Hotel Rooms of the Future: New Hospitality Technology Profiled | ehotelier.com News Arc... - 2 views

ehotelier.com/...item.php

shared by Mirta Echazabal on 16 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • Mirta Echazabal on 16 Jan 12
     
    This article basically talks about how much technology has changed and what directors of softwares predict technology will be in the near future. The article informs how the Peachtree Plaza hotel like many other hotels replaced the keys to all the rooms with electronic key cards. Which increased security for the guest and cost saving. Hospitality consultants agreed that in the future mobile phones will be the way to open guest room doors and will probably occur through infrared or wirelesss access to rooms. Neil Roodyn the director of software developers informed that he predicts that in the future people will be sitting around touch sensitive table top computer in lobbies where they can searchfor places to go in the area and make their own restaurant reservations. Neil predicts this can also influence more communication and interaction between guest. My thoughts on this article is that the younger generation is far more technology oriented and feel more comfortable with working all these new gadgets, but for the baby boomers and older crowd have the want and need of having that human interaction. Technology seems a bit to advanced for them. The more technology advances the less human interaction will occur. I think that technology advancement is great for everyone, but human interaction needs to remain for those that are not very technology savy.
  • ...2 more comments...
  • Mary White on 16 Jan 12
     
    I am all for getting rid of hotel room key cards. I have the worst time keeping track of them. I also find your comments on the generation gap to be compelling. My Dad is terrified of anything electronic. I cannot imagine that he would easily trust technology to check him into a hotel and do the basic functions of customer service. He would walk right past the touch screen computers and ask the desk receptionist for area attractions. I do see the decrease in human interaction as a negative. I personally enjoy the opinions of local people when it comes to ideas about where to eat or what to see. All of this rapid technological change can be intimidating, but I am sure that once we all grow accustomed to the new ways of staying in a hotel, then the old key cards will seem like dinosaurs.
  • Mirta Echazabal on 16 Jan 12
     
    My parents are also not very savy with technology and they dont even speak english, so it makes it that much harder for them. They both still have flip phones. Overall, I know in the end there has to be some sort of balance with the advancement of technology and still have that human interaction.
  • Gyujin Chae on 17 Jan 12
     
    This is an informative article, and I also understand Mary's opinion. Over decades, technology has rapidly advanced and it seems to be quite hard to catch up with all the new technology released quickly. For example, I stayed in a hotel called Aria, one of the newly built hotels in Las Vegas, and the hotel is equipped with state-of-the-art room technology (not just room but all over the hotel). To get into a room, unlike other hotels, I just put a room key on a sensor instead of inserting a key; as well as, I just touched a button right next to the door for privacy instead of putting the "Do not Disturb" card on a door knob. This is not something really huge, however this is how hotels are technologically changing. As a person studying Hospitality Management, the change was very impressive, but at the same time, it was intimidating. Obviously, our parents generation should have harder time to use new technology and/or to get used it than I do. I totally agree that there should be a balance between technology advancement and human interation.
  • Marcia Brown-Kelly on 17 Jan 12
     
    I agree with Mary regarding baby boomers may not be as quick to adapt to the advancement of technology, however what is noticeable in resort hotels is that more people are taking family vacation and the kids are the ones driving the technology. It will therefore just be a matter of time where the use of technology within hotels will be just like a regular lifestyle activity.
chunxia gao

OpenWays Announces Next Generation Mobile Key Apps for Smartphones; Mobile Key Apps now... - 0 views

www.hotel-online.com/...Nov11_OpenWaysMobileKey.html

smartphones apps software

shared by chunxia gao on 15 Jan 12 - No Cached
  • chunxia gao on 15 Jan 12
     
    Mobile Key by OpenWays is the hospitality industry's first and only ubiquitous mobile phone-based guest front-desk bypass solution that is truly deployable today and enables guests to use cell phones worldwide as a room key. OpenWays, inventor of Mobile Key announces new apps and makes it possible for ALL smartphone operating systems, including Apple iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone 7, J2ME, Symbian OS, Brew, MeeGo, Bada and more, to run the Mobile Key App. This generation Mobile Key app is much simpler than ever before in deployment, maintenance and updating. New features include: tutorial for new user; messaging function between guests and property; customizable brand information; 3D secured set up and security PIN code management. Hotel chains with existing mobile applications also can enable Mobile Key as a value-added service to mobile guests. In a word, it is fully interoperable, carrier independent and highly secure. This self-service option is meeting guests' demands for more service and it's reducing hotels' operating costs while building competitive advantages.
yoyohad

EVEN Hotels Introduce PDC's Smart Band(R) RFID Wristband System for Keyless Room Entry ... - 0 views

www.hotelnewsresource.com/article79544.html

hospitality business tech solution green

shared by yoyohad on 08 Sep 14 - No Cached
  • yoyohad on 08 Sep 14
     
    One issue that I always get into when travelling is misplace my room key. Every time I leave my room I have to find my room card first, even just for getting the ice, or for finding a microwave in the middle of the night. And when we return to the room, I have to dig into my purse to find the keys to open the door, not to mention when there is something wrong with the key due to all kind of issue. This Smart Band is so convenient and useful, I can simply leave the room anytime and not have to worry about losing the room key or misplace it somewhere else. The only concern I have about it, is that there is fee for it. Although it seems to be reusable, it's not well adopted in the industry, but I'm sure the cost will eventually go away. 
sydneywolfson

Hilton unveils new tech enhancements for guests - hotelbusiness.com - 0 views

hotelbusiness.com/-unveils-new-tech-enhancements

shared by sydneywolfson on 31 Jan 22 - No Cached
  • Digital Key Share will allow more than one guest to have access to their room’s Digital Key, which turns the free Hilton Honors app on their smartphones into a room key.
  • Hilton also unveiled an enhancement to a highly valued Hilton Honors benefit, providing members with early confirmation of a favorite perk—complimentary room upgrades.
  • hese two enhancements join the recently launched Confirmed Connecting Rooms, another industry first that allows individuals to easily and instantly confirm at least two connecting rooms at the time of booking.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • Since its 2015 launch, Hilton’s Digital Key has expanded rapidly. The technology is now available at more than 80% of Hilton’s portfolio, or close to 5,400 of the company’s more than 6,600 properties worldwide.
  • This will enable the member to choose their upgraded room directly via the Hilton Honors app.
  • Earlier this year, Hilton launched a solve for a long-time travel planning frustration and was the first major hotel company to introduce a booking experience that allows individuals to easily book and instantly confirm at least two connecting rooms.
  • sydneywolfson on 31 Jan 22
     
    This article talks about three new technological advancements Hilton is providing to their guests. One is the Digital key share where guest can download the Hilton app and have their key on their phone. Another is, when highly valued guest confirm early, they can have free room upgrades. Lastly, guests can confirm at least two existing rooms when they are booking.
marylauren1717

Motel.com Launches The Green Hotel Initiative | Virtual-Strategy Magazine - 0 views

www.virtual-strategy.com/...aunches-green-hotel-initiative

motel green initiative hotel travel

shared by marylauren1717 on 05 Feb 13 - No Cached
  • Motel.com is an environmentally conscious company, and felt that it was the right thing to do to launch an initiative to make it easy for folks looking for a “Green Hotel”.
  • Motel.com is now maintaining a “green-feature” search, listing all of the Hotels and Motels that are Eco Friendly, and considered friends of the environment. Many such facilities listed in this new Green Hotel Section are actually Certified by the Greenkey Eco-Rating System, administered by Green Key Global. This new site improvement will now identify those Eco Friendly Hotels, as well as show the best rates.
  • The company reports that many Americans are now aware of the benefits of living an environmentally sound life, and want to be a contributor to further this concept. They know that conserving water, electricity, and natural gas can have a huge economic impact. When people are living this sustainable lifestyle at home, they would like to continue it when they travel. Staying at a “Green Hotel” is a natural choice for them.
  • marylauren1717 on 05 Feb 13
     
    Motel.com has now launched an initiative to allow customers to search for green hotels. Before this plan was put into action, customers who possessed that green thumb were unable to decipher which properties would meet their sustainable criteria. With a new "green feature" search, Motel.com lists all of the Hotels and Motels that are considered Eco Friendly or friends of the environment which efforts such as conserving water, electricity and natural gas. These properties listed as Eco Friendly are certified by the Greenkey Eco-Rating System by Green Key Global. "The Green Key Eco-Rating Program and Green Key Meetings Program are graduated rating systems designed to recognize green hotels, motels and resorts that are committed to improving their environmental and fiscal performance." With Americans becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, stay in an Eco Friendly Motel or Hotel has become a priority. Indeed, when I travel, I like to stay at a hotel that is better than my home. With these new initiatives in the back of my mind, staying at a certified Eco Friendly hotel would definitely meet my criteria. 
Yongjoon Ji

IT Investment, Emerging Markets Key to Business Growth - 0 views

www.eweek.com/...markets-key-to-business-growth

shared by Yongjoon Ji on 23 Oct 12 - No Cached
  • A survey sponsored by SAP suggests businesses are looking to make investments in IT and their workforce but struggle to find lenders
  • Effective use of technology was seen as a key priority in achieving growth, and according to respondents, the three main internal obstacles to growth were finding and keeping new customers (79 percent), hiring and retaining people with the right skills (78 percent) and operating the business efficiently (76 percent).
  • When it comes to technology, becoming more efficient and using IT more effectively over the next year is among the top three priorities of those surveyed, with 46 percent saying using technology more effectively was a top business priority.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • Effective use of technology was seen as a key priority in achieving growth
  • The survey indicated this was especially important in emerging countries, including India (72 percent), Brazil (75 percent), Russia (33 percent), China (44 percent) and Mexico (33 percent).
  • In addition, 60 percent of respondents said they are automating more tasks and functions now than three years ago.
  • Shiyuan Peng on 23 Oct 12
     
    According to the article, a survey sponsored by SAP suggests that businesses are looking to make investments in IT and effective use of technology is seen as a key priority in achieving growth. When it comes to technology, becoming more efficient and using IT more effectively over the next year is among the top three priorities of those surveyed, with 46 percent saying using technology more effectively was a top business priority. The survey indicated this was especially important in emerging countries, including India (72 percent), Brazil (75 percent), Russia (33 percent), China (44 percent) and Mexico (33 percent). In addition, 60 percent of respondents said they are automating more tasks and functions now than three years ago.
  • Yongjoon Ji on 24 Oct 12
     
    According to an Economist Intelligence Unit survey, the survey of more than 1,000 SMEs included businesses from the developed economies of France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the United States. 53 percent of those in developed markets said growth were a top business priority. Effective use of technology was seen as a key priority in achieving growth, and according to respondents, the three main internal obstacles to growth were finding and keeping new customers, hiring and retaining people with the right skills and operating the business efficiently. When it comes to technology, becoming more efficient and using IT more effectively over the next year is among the top three priorities of those surveyed, with 46 percent saying using technology more effectively was a top business priority. The hotel industry usually does not invest enough to grow compared to other industries. I believe it is because they consider being a technological leader in this industry does not bring more profit than they invest. Investing on technology might not bring instant profits but it can be one of ways to become a top business priority.
dawn davis

Hacker Will Expose Potential Security Flaw In Four Million Hotel Room Keycard Locks - F... - 5 views

www.forbes.com/...llion-hotel-room-keycard-locks

shared by dawn davis on 23 Aug 12 - No Cached
  • The next time you stay in a hotel room, run your fingers under the keycard lock outside your door. If you find a DC power port there, take note: With a few hacker tricks and a handful of cheap hardware, that tiny round hole might offer access to your room just as completely as your keycard
  • Using an open-source hardware gadget Brocious built for less than $50, he can insert a plug into that DC port and sometimes, albeit unreliably, open the lock in a matter of seconds. “I plug it in, power it up, and the lock opens,”
  • The ability to access the devices’ memory is just one of the two vulnerabilities Brocious says he found in Onity’s locks
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • he company also uses a weak encryption scheme that allows him to derive the “site code”–a unique numerical key for every facility–from two cards encoded one after another for the same room
  • dawn davis on 23 Aug 12
     
    A security researcher discovered that he could unlock certain electronic key card entry devices used at millions of hotels by inserting a plug into the small port in the bottom of the key card device and unlocking the door. When he inserts the plug and turns on his device it triggers the mechanism inside that key card device and opens the door in seconds. Granted when he tested this at a conference he was only able to open 1 of 3 doors but it was still enough to show the flaw in the system. It doesn't sound likely after reading the article that there is an easy or cost effective fix to this problem because so many hotels across the world use these devices supplied by Onity. I think the lesson here is to always be vigilant in securing your valuables in any hotel room. Any time new technology is installed there is going to be someone right behind trying to hack it or find the security breaches.
  • ...1 more comment...
  • Nelson Placa on 25 Aug 12
     
    Dawn, I wrote about the follow-up article regarding this issue. I can not believe that it has taken Onity this long to correct the issue. I can't imagine why Marriott and other companies haven't address their guests regarding this concern. I understand the negative impact this could have to the business, however the companies should keep in mind safety.
  • dawn davis on 25 Aug 12
     
    Nelson, I went back and read your article, very interesting to see the follow up but I am surprised that it has taken this long to come out. I wonder if this would have been more publicised if it would have put more pressure on Onnity to fix the problem without putting financial burden on the hotel owners? I am curious now to see if my own company has been effected by this issue.
  • marilyn diaz on 26 Aug 12
     
    That is scary that you can think you are secure and anyone can hack the system and open your hotel room door. Now paranoid people that think they may be robbed by hotel staff, also have to think of outsiders, not even staying at the hotel. Anyone can enter hotels now a days and start opening doors like a lottery system, until they strike gold. The moral, be vigilant while on vacation, because there may also be someone eyeing your stuff. Also, if you have an in room safe use it.
Chang Ren

NFC mobile phones replace hotel room keys in Sweden - Express Hospitality - 0 views

www.expresshospitality.com/...edge03.shtml

mobile phones hotel

shared by Chang Ren on 29 Aug 12 - No Cached
  • The goal of the pilot is to get feedback from guests and employees using NFC phones for a variety of services.
  • The technology also increases security.
  • experience gained
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • four months.
  • A decrease of smart cards will also have an environmental effect with less material used
  • Chang Ren on 29 Aug 12
     
    Hotel lock vendor SSA ABLOY launched a four-month pilot at the Clarion Hotel Stockholm. The program can allow hotel to send hotel room key directly to guests' mobile phones before arrival.  With the mobile key, hotel guests can check-in and out using their mobile phones.  In addition of increasing guest experience, mobile phone can also increase security, it allows hotel to revoked the key and reissue. At the same time, decreasing using of physical cards can save the environment. 
Michael Anthony

Behold the human-free, fully-automated hotel stay | Tnooz - 1 views

www.tnooz.com/...ree-fully-automated-hotel-stay

shared by Michael Anthony on 31 Aug 12 - No Cached
  • hotel in Norway has joined all the dots together, creating a completely human-free experience.
  • complete passport registration for overseas guests, select a room and other services through Ariane’s system – a platform
  • use their reference details to carry out a number of processes
  • ...12 more annotations...
  • customer has booked their stay over the web or call centre
    • Michael Anthony
      Michael Anthony on 31 Aug 12
       
      They still have human interaction if the guest is booking over the phone, so there is technical support available
  • which effectively automate the entire process.
  • Before arrival at the hotel
  • The mobile key version works by emitting a unique ring tone to open the room door
  • Ariane’s system – a platform which is integrated with the hotel or chain’s back-end reservation platform.
  • customer actually arrives at the property they either pick up a keycard from a kiosk in the foyer or can be sent a mobile key system provided by OpenWays
  • mobile app for  its technology in March 2010.
  • can be used elsewhere around the hotel or for in-room services.
    • Michael Anthony
      Michael Anthony on 31 Aug 12
       
      The mobile app sent right to your phone, can unlock your room, allow enterence to pool/fitness center/conference center, etc. It can unlcok most any door all from your phone. You don't have to worry about misplacing your room key.
  • visitors to the Comfort Xpress Hotel in Oslo will soon be able to complete their entire stay without ever speaking to a member of staff
  • covering areas such as restaurant bookings, leisure services including spa treatments as well as activities in the local area which can be booked through the hotel
    • Michael Anthony
      Michael Anthony on 31 Aug 12
       
      Instead of having to wait for the agents at the spa, or restaurant to print you an itemized receipt. They can just scan your mobile app and you will be charged for the services and products.
  • guests can check-out from their mobile device at any time, even once they have left the property, settling outstanding charges via secure payment systems
  • a string of major hotel chains, including Hilton, IHG and Rezidor, to roll out various parts of its technology around the world.
  • Michael Anthony on 31 Aug 12
     
    This article demonstrates how easy it is to check in and out of your hotel as well use the services that feature at the property. There is no longer a need for room keys or itemized receipts to be printed. All the agents have to do is scan the mobile app and all charges can be seen from your smart phone. Asides from all charges being posted, yourphone will be unlocking most doors including your guest room, spa, and. fitness center. You don't have to worry about misplacing your room key and having to take it out everytime you want to use the elevator or get into your room. This type of technology has been produced in France and has been adopted by Comfort Xpress in Oslo, Norway. I don't think it will be long before the US adopts this policy. All they would have to do is create or purchase the software and hardware from Ariane Systems and Openways or create there own verison. Personally, I would love to be able to use something like this, I always misplace or forget my room key but never my phone. I also don't have to wory about putting change in my pocket and having the room key be defunct. My only question would be how many mobile apps could I have? If I was traveling with a guest or partner, could they get a mobile app as well at no additional costs?
  • Michael Anthony on 31 Aug 12
     
    Many of the individual elements of the tech-led hotel are in place, but a hotel in Norway has joined all the dots together, creating a completely human-free experience. Combining check-in/out and guest management software from France-based Ariane Systems with room door technology from OpenWays, visitors to the Comfort Xpress Hotel in Oslo will soon be able to complete their entire stay without ever speaking to a member of staff.
Yanqiu Li

Unlocking the future: Hotels to see new security technology - Sci/Tech - DNA - 0 views

www.dnaindia.com/...to-see-new-security-technology

unlocking future hotels security technology

shared by Yanqiu Li on 10 Jul 13 - No Cached
  • Your mobile can now literally be the key to your future and open many doors, thanks to a new technology that can have your cellphone talking to your locks.
  • Near Field Communication technology that makes mobiles do your work
  • s automatically loaded with an electronic wallet and encrypted code and hotel room number.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • The technology enables a user with an NFC-enabled mobile and a booking in an NFC-enabled hotel to breeze in and out, sans all hassles.
  • GPS coordinator
  • pay bills i
  • Yanqiu Li on 10 Jul 13
     
    The article give tourists amazing stuffs while they are travel around world. Instead of keeping a key to guest room, a mobile with new technology app enalbles them to enter their rooms without any key or card and so forth. What's more through this technology, guests can get access to places of interests, shoppiing area to get directions, transportation, drink and food, anything that they need during they are out of hotels. It allows guests to use it as a electronic purse to easily consume anywhere at anytime. Now there are some hotels in USA, are now install this new technology, which indicates a new way for guests to enter the properties. And it will be more sate to carry a necessarymobile with guests rather than a little key or card, which are much easier to lose or be stolen, I believe, the new technology both benefits guests and hotels.
mayr0604

Zaplox integrates its mobile key services with Salto Systems | Hotel Management - 0 views

www.hotelmanagement.net/...vices-with-salto-systems-32266

shared by mayr0604 on 29 Sep 15 - No Cached
  • Zaplox is the first mobile key services company to integrate with Salto Systems. This strategic global partnership allows any property with Salto BLE enabled locks installed to easily implement mobile access functionality for their guests.
  • guests of properties with Salto access control systems will now be able to use their smartphones for guestroom access, while allowing hoteliers to offer and promote revenue creating smart services with full customization and hotel branding on the Zaplox Mobile Key Services app platform.
  • ncludes mobile check-in and check-out, room upgrades, restaurant bookings, room service, special offers, and others.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • With recent industry research indicating that more than 70 percent of travelers would opt to use their smartphones as a check-in alternative
  • Zaplox Mobile Key Services allow guests to bypass the front desk altogether. Additionally, mobile keys are highly secure, since a guest's smartphone is less likely to be misplaced than a plastic keycard and typically is password protected. Should a guest lose their phone, mobile keys can easily be revoked and reassigned in real time by hotel staff.
  • mayr0604 on 29 Sep 15
     
    The following article highlights new mobile technology and security within the lodging industry. This new technology is already being implemented in major hotel chains overseas and will soon be integrated in the US. 
tkasischke

Hotels Use Technology to Boost Security | International Meetings Review - 0 views

www.internationalmeetingsreview.com/...echnology-boost-security-98017

shared by tkasischke on 18 Jun 15 - No Cached
  • Smaller and cheaper cameras, smarter key card systems and communication among hotels add up to a more closely watched environment than in the past but criminals are also using new technology to foil security measures and execute scams.
  • tkasischke on 18 Jun 15
     
    As technology advances so do hackers and criminals. Hotels are placing more cameras in public areas to keep their guests safer. Because cameras are becoming much more popular they are easier to attain and cheaper for hotels to have more than one. Another form of security hotels have been using is key systems. You can track what key and who it was that entered into any room. But hotels are even taking it farther where the guests must use their key in the elevator to get to their floor. All of these steps are in place for the safety and security of the hotel guests. But we still need to be careful as hackers and criminals are coming up with new ways to get hotel stayers. They have even gotten creative enough to make their own Wi-Fi to get guests information. Security teams and hackers will always be neck in neck for who is ahead of the game.
Rebecca Pichora

OpenKey Named Exclusive Mobile Key Provider For IBC Hospitality Technologies - 0 views

www.hospitalitynet.org/...4084515.html

shared by Rebecca Pichora on 13 Sep 17 - No Cached
  • An exclusive technology partnership between OpenKey and IBC Hospitality Technologies is now enabling independent hotels worldwide to offer the in-demand mobile service to guests who prefer to bypass the front desk, go straight to their rooms upon arrival, and use their smartphones as room keys
  • OpenKey will grow its customer base by bringing its innovative mobile keyless entry services to IBC's independent hotel clients all over the world, and IBC will further enhance its technology portfolio by adding yet another cutting-edge, convenient and desirable mobile guest solution.
  • The technology further offers guests access to conveniences such as remote check in to bypass the front desk, as well as directions to the property, amenity booking, notification of early or late arrival, and more.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • IBC offers a portfolio of products and services including the proprietary IBC hotel management platform offering managed distribution, advanced Central Reservation System (CRS), and soft brand benefits to independent hotels, villas, and even bed & breakfasts around the world. Considering more than half of the world's hotel properties are independently owned, that's quite a bit of potential.
  • "Guest conveniences are key to drawing clientele, and independent hotels are looking for every technological advantage they offer to both new and returning guests," said Pamela Barnhill, president and COO of IBC Hospitality Technologies.
  • OpenKey will be enabling independent hotel owners and operators to drive their mobile app strategies, improve two-way guest communications, reduce overhead, boost an operation's margins, and increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Rebecca Pichora on 13 Sep 17
     
    Open Key has made a partnership to run their application with the IBC hospitality group which caters to small hotels and boutiques. With this app they will be able to provide the guests with the most convenient and tech savvy way to enjoy their hotel, with being able to open the door, to receiving concierge services, to learning what is in the hotel. This technology is essential as hotels are trying to find the best way to make the guests experience the most convenient as possible and to attract new guests and to bring back returning guests. With this introduction of the Open key app into smaller hotels it will improve the communication with the guests, reduce overhead and increase customer loyalty and satisfaction.
natyangel

How IT Can Go Green | Top Stories | | Hospitality Magazine (HT) - 1 views

hospitalitytech.com/how-it-can-go-green

shared by natyangel on 25 Sep 17 - No Cached
  • In the world of information technology (IT), the green movement is taking shape.
  • Technology is a tool to provide solutions, but regrettably, technology can also be a source of the problem due to factors like energy consumption and the environmental impacts when disposing of obsolete or broken technology (i.e., e-waste).
  • Like any business initiative, green IT projects will require strong commitment from an organization’s top management and investment in time and resources at all levels.
  • ...13 more annotations...
  • The environmental focus is here to stay and must be embraced.
  • Clearly, hotels and resorts are in the business of making money, but they must do so in a conscientious manner
  • The focus on sustainability or "going green" is quickly becoming a major trend. But let’s face it, being environmentally conscious is the right thing to do, and it should be a business imperative for everyone. After all, a significant portion of the hospitality and tourism industries rely on the natural beauty and desirability of destinations: beach resorts, mountain ski lodges and canyon-land ranches
  • Deploying effective technology practices such as Energy Star compliance to power down computers automatically after periods of inactivity and server virtualization: This means having applications which share a common server rather than each application hosted on a separate server.
  • There are numerous opportunities for IT professionals to take leadership roles in helping their organizations to adopt sustainable practices.
  • Using IT responsibly and effectively to reduce energy, water and paper consumption: Energy management systems are effective at controlling guest comfort while saving energy consumption and costs.
  • Tackling e-waste and deploying recycling technologies to reduce environmental waste and impacts: Many electronic firms offer responsible recycling programs for used hardware. Technology can also be utilized to assist in the recycling process
  •  Digital marketing practices: Using digital media instead of print media is a great way to save money while reducing the impact on the environment. By tapping into social media, you can let guests be involved in green practices and spread the word virally about all the good the organization is doing
  • There is a growing environmentally conscious market, a profitable segment to tap
  • .    Educate employees and guests to improve awareness of environmental issues and green practices in your organization and the industry.
  •    Conduct an energy audit to see where and how energy is being consumed and to establish a baseline. Continue these audits on a regular basis.
  • Seek suggestions from employees and guests, and offer rewards for ideas that get implemented.
  • Celebrate and market key successes
  • denisedantas on 25 Sep 17
     
    This article emphasizes the positive and negative aspects of the hospitality industry adopting to sustainable practices. It recognizes that this industry is in the business of making money, while appoints the importance of doing so conscientiously, respecting the environment. It shows the steps that the organizations should take on its journey to action. I believe that sustainability should be a business imperative and not a lifestyle choice, as the sustained interest among consumers in tourism products and services are continuously increasing. That should be beneficial for the organization, positively affecting the operating revenue.
  • ...2 more comments...
  • ruchit0622 on 01 Oct 17
     
    The articles describes, how technology helps a hospitality firm in conserving non renewable resources. It focuses on sustainability of hospitality industry. The article describes one interesting point, educate the employees and the guest, employees and guest are the pillars of any hotel. If they understand the concept of going green, it would be easy for the organization to conserve energy. use of E marketing by the hotels has reduced the use of paper, which mean many trees are being saved from getting cut. Use of recycle bins by the firms makes people aware of the waste which an be recycled should be disposed off separately. The use of tablets in the rooms is another way which the hospitality firms have adapted to go green, it not only saves paper but also gives a new amenity in the rooms.
  • bdolman on 05 Feb 18
     
    The emphasis on sustainability and going green is everywhere, including hospitality and tourism industries. Within the scope of information technology, there are numerous opportunities to becoming greener and more sustainable both in the short and long term. First, using IT responsibly and effectively to reduce energy, water and paper consumption are advantageous and can also be seen as consumer driven. For instance, if a hotel offers a guest the convenience of controlling temperature through their smartphone or using their smartphone as the room key, not only is the hotel becoming greener but also the guest will appreciate these value added features. Instilling technology practices such as Energy Star compliance will lead to less consumption. Additionally, addressing the issue of e waste and creating recycling technologies to reduce environmental waste and impact adds on to the sustainable strategy. Lastly, with the growing environmentally conscious effort, creating marketing strategies to promote green practices improves the company's image, increases awareness on becoming more sustainable, and educates the public on becoming greener. It takes time, as employees need to be trained in order to become aware of environmental impacts (such as printing less paperwork and shutting off a printer when idle), track energy consumption, and instill these behaviors on a day to day basis. According to this article, it was noted that " for many guests, particularly Millennials, environmental stewardship is a key topic that resonates with them. It has become one of the decision-making criteria used to select companies in which they do business, including hotels and resorts". I believe that sustainability and the promotion of green practices is not a fleeting trend, but rather it is a change in mindset in which younger generations appreciate this adopted conscientious value.
  • gabybilk on 26 Sep 19
     
    The article discusses the many ways the IT world is finding new ways to be sustainable in the hospitality industry. Changing the way a hotel runs by introducing e-mails to guest and other companies to reduce the paper flow or allowing guest to do mobile check-ins can reduce a lot of paper waste. Also, having guest use their phones as key cards for their rooms can aid in avoiding wasting and needing to create key cards. By hotels having an energy saving system, they reduce electrical waste by having computers on low power consumption mode. One main thing the article mentioned that I personally see a lot of hotels doing is digital advertising. Instead of relying on paper advertisement, hotels rely heavily on ads on social medias, facebook, google, and third party vendors.
  • natyangel on 30 Sep 19
     
    This article discusses the IT green movement that has been in action since the rise of technology and ways on how IT can go green. Some opportunities in the green IT movement include the following: - Using IT responsibly and effectively to reduce water, energy, and paper consumption. This gives IT teams to take advantage of a few technical enhancements within their hotels to provide key cards available on smart phones, email to reduce paper, and digital signage. - Deploying effective technology practices such as Energy Star compliance to shut down computers automatically after periods of inactivity and server virtualization. This would mean for everything to be on one common server, and companies can save money on computer hardware and power consumption. - Tackling e-waste and deploying recycling technologies to reduce environmental waste and impacts. This could be implementing by introducing a safe recycling system for used hardware. - Digital marketing practices. This could be like using digital media to save money or using social media to encourage guests about the green practices that the hotel is implementing. - Marketing strategies to report and promote green practices. This could be having the business properly use marketing strategies to target these environmentally conscious market and find ways to promote green practices to this market segment. These are all very effective ways for IT teams to go green within their hospitality businesses. These green IT projects will need approval from top management and investment in time and resources.
‹ Previous 21 - 40 of 911 Next › Last »
Showing 20▼ items per page