Group items tagged

Mayan prophecies aside, 2012 is all about mobile customers. If you're not mobile, you're simply not competitive. And your ecommerce business will suffer as you lose sales to competitors who provide a good shopping experience on mobile devices.

The biggest game-changing trend we've seen in technology is the growing usage of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, and how consumers use them for ecommerce.

"We have seen an explosion in traffic coming from smartphones. We've seen an even bigger explosion in the rate of orders coming from tablets," said Buzzeo.

Thanks to the ever-growing presence of portable wireless devices in professional circles, your attendees are likely to find distraction during a meeting in their cell phones, laptops, or personal digital assistants (PDAs). For instance, handheld Internet devices called BlackBerries are proving especially popular among execs--in fact, they're sometimes called "CrackBerries" because of their addictive quality. That's why so many white-collar workers can't stop checking their e-mail while they're supposed to be paying attention. Since portable wireless technology is still relatively new, rules of etiquette have not yet been uniformly established. A 2004 survey by Menlo Park, CA-based Robert Half Technology found that two-thirds of chief information officers think technology-related blunders are increasing in the workplace. This would include behavior at meetings, where the most common offenses include leaving cell-phone ringers on, sending instant messages and e-mail using wireless devices, and typing on laptops out of turn. Internet etiquette, or "Netiquette," is a sore spot as well. The unchecked use of wireless devices at meetings is a drawback of the new gadgets

Hotels, conference centers and other meeting venues are increasing group business with new technology, and it isn’t just a hotel app. To invest in the property’s overall capital, hoteliers are creating cool technology tools that market venues, increase group business and enhance the guest experience. Technology is just another way hotels are winning group business and marketing a hotel or conference center. What are some of these new hot tools for leisure and business travelers?

Investment in Hotel Technology Pays Off with Increased Group Revenue Tuesday, July 10, 2012 by Sarah Vining Hotels, conference centers and other meeting venues are increasing group business with new technology, and it isn’t just a hotel app. To invest in the property’s overall capital, hoteliers are creating cool technology tools that market venues, increase group business and enhance the guest experience. Technology is just another way hotels are winning group business and marketing a hotel or conference center. What are some of these new hot tools for leisure and business travelers? Virtual concierge service on guest room TVs At Hyatt Hotels with in-room HD TVs by Roomlinx Inc., guests are able make service requests, check email/weather, use the Business Center, print documents, and receive customized messages from meeting planners. Service requests like housekeeping and in-room dining are instantly sent through the system, improving the venue’s departmental efficiency. All of these virtual functions are hoped to appeal to new markets and drive group business. More efficient billing In the article, “Insert IACC blog post title URL” we learn that in 2012, meeting and group planners are prioritizing finance as very important during in their planning process (which made the top 10 list for the first time). Hotels making large investments in revenue management systems are taking advantage of new features that automate and process data to improve efficiency and increase revenue for properties. Virtual business centers Socialization through technology and food and beverage outlets is increasing revenue for TRYP by Wyndham in the NYC Times Square South property. Google TVs and access to Google Chrome laptops near the Gastro Bar in the hotel’s lobby offers guests an opportunity to enjoy a dining experience with the comfort of complimentary technology use. On-staff IT team When planners were surveyed, reliability was listed as a top concern of IT services in the white paper “What Do Planners and Trainers Really Want in Their Meeting Service?” All IACC-certified conference centers are required to have an on-site IT team to ensure technology functions properly. Now, the need for a knowledgeable IT team that really understands technology and can cater to individuals and group business is spreading to other hotel markets.   These impressive technology tools improve the guest experience and lead to a quick return on investment, especially in F&B. As we move beyond the discussion of required hotel Wi-Fi services, there will be a focus on technology amenities that provide the same comforts of home or the office. To increase group business, hoteliers are comfortable with this investment knowing there’s a return on investment with generated buzz/venue marketing and satisfied guests. Want to learn about other ways hotels are using technology to build relationships? Check out Enhancing Your Social Networking Site with a Social Concierge! to maximize social media and connect with guests, attendees and planners!

Security researchers have devised a way to offer steep discounts or steal goods by hacking vulnerable point-of-sale systems.

SAP's point-of-sale (POS) systems don't authenticate or check internal commands, allowing anyone with access to the store's network unrestricted access to the checkout system.

All the hacker has to do is upload a new configuration file to the SAP Xpress server, which controls the checkout machines, to gain access to administrative functions.

More than 96 percent of hotel guests travel with a smartphone and nearly 46 percent of guests travel with at least two smart devices, representing a 10 percent increase in just two years

More than 80 percent of guests indicated a desire to wirelessly cast content from their devices onto guestroom televisions and more than 90 percent of surveyed hoteliers agreed that today's guests would prefer to be offered wireless casting abilities, rather than traditional video-on-demand services.

With hotels around the world universally experiencing diminishing profits from VOD, the survey points to entertainment platform functions that hoteliers can deploy alongside wireless casting in order to regain these revenues

With the world becoming ever more reliant on IT, from computers and laptops to smartphones, the issue of how you make it more sustainable, in terms of reducing energy requirements and electronic waste, becomes ever more pressing.

In 2010, it was estimated that 360 million computers were manufactured. A computer is one of the most resource-intensive pieces of equipment, requiring over 10 times its weight in fossil fuels to make

The production of a computer requires 22kg of toxic chemicals, 240kg of fossil fuels and 1,500 kg of water. 80% of life-cycle energy use is accounted for before we even switch a PC on for the first time. Computer Aid International About 2% of the world’s total energy is consumed by building and running computer equipment. BBC Office equipment is the fastest growing energy user in the business world, consuming 15% of the total electricity used in offices. This is expected to rise to 30% by 2020. In the UK, the cost of running this equipment is estimated to be around £300 million annually and rising each year. Carbon Trust 200 million computers and 550 million mobile phones reached the end of their life in 2008.  Computer Aid International 50 million tons of e-waste was generated worldwide, but only 13% was recycled. US Environmental Protection Agency Reusing working computers is up to 20 times more energy-efficient than recycling them. Computer Aid International

One of the major reasons why restaurants go out of business is badly-managed accounts.

So it's wise to think about restaurant accounting software before you open your restaurant.

Get a POS system that ties in with your accounting software

Poll hotel guests on which amenity is most important to them and chances are they’ll vote for connectivity. But it’s more than just raw Internet access they expect these days. In this new always-connected age, guests want easy and persistent access to all things digital that can enhance their experience, both within and outside the premises. It’s a big reason why hoteliers are now spending as much time and resources on network technology and applications as they are on the quality of their linens and food service. Hotel customers expect the same online convenience and customization they have in their homes. And with seemingly every traveler equipped with laptops, iPads, and smart phones, they also expect their hotel to be place of ubiquitous connectivity. Indeed, according to Scot Campbell, chief information officer for MGM Mirage, the core of a hotel’s ‘cool' factor is technology. Campbell says that "we are building rooms where everything is on a network.”(1) Installing new technologies will give hotels a competitive edge with travelers for whom digital devices have become just another normal bodily appendage of sorts.

Poll hotel guests on which amenity is most important to them and chances are they’ll vote for connectivity. But it’s more than just raw Internet access they expect these days. In this new always-connected age, guests want easy and persistent access to all things digital that can enhance their experience, both within and outside the premises. It’s a big reason why hoteliers are now spending as much time and resources on network technology and applications as they are on the quality of their linens and food service. Hotel customers expect the same online convenience and customization they have in their homes. And with seemingly every traveler equipped with laptops, iPads, and smart phones, they also expect their hotel to be place of ubiquitous connectivity. Indeed, according to Scot Campbell, chief information officer for MGM Mirage, the core of a hotel’s ‘cool' factor is technology. Campbell says that "we are building rooms where everything is on a network.”(1) Installing new technologies will give hotels a competitive edge with travelers for whom digital devices have become just another normal bodily appendage of sorts.

t's a big reason why hoteliers are now spending as much time and resources on network technology and applications as they are on the quality of their linens and food service.

The information is stored on physical servers maintained and controlled by a cloud computing provider, such as Apple in regards to iCloud. As a user, you access your stored information on the cloud via the Internet.

By using cloud storage, you don’t have to store the information on your own hard drive. Instead, you can access it from any location and download it onto any device of your choice, including laptops, tablets, or smartphones.

Fees are usually set at monthly or yearly rates, depending on the services you are using.

may have caused a surge in electrical waste heading for landfill

Smaller electrical items such as electric toothbrushes and kitchen blenders are among the most likely goods to have ended up in rubbish bins rather than the recycling system.

Research suggests 60 per cent of people were de-cluttering during the lockdown, Mr Butler told the hearing —  and if all that waste was being recycled, HWRCs should be experiencing a surge in collections.

A new regulation in France called the French repairability index requires a variety of tech products to publicize repairability scores, meaning the planned obsolescence behind major tech companies is finally coming to light.

This planned obsolescence business model is the foundation of many consumer industries, from fashion (especially in fast fashion) to shaving (ever hear of the razor and blades business model?). But one of its most interesting applications is in technology.

France launched the French repairability index. As part of this new program, France is now requiring manufacturers to clearly disclose repairability scores next to prices for five types of products: laptops, lawnmowers, smartphones, TVs, and washing machines.

Now, businesses don’t have to burden themselves by storing data in traditional in-house servers; rather, they can opt for a cloud service that would store their data in secured data centres.

Reducing energy, emissions and waste are concepts that have been around for many years, but one area that is often overlooked is information technology (IT).

it was estimated that 360 million computers were manufactured.

quiring over 10 times its weight in fossil fuels to make.