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This article talks about the impact of artificially intelligent machines in the future job market and how it has gained a significant role in the recent years. Within the article, it explains certain positions that can and have already been replaced with artificial intelligence. For example, in hotels, there are robots/cell phone apps that help you with checking in/out, with check-in process and services. In restaurants, like example, chillis, there is an "ipad" in which you can place your food & drink order, and even pay though thr app. In hotels, the concierge can soon become automated with big screens with answers to most questions. But, I personally still would like the human touch and to ask more questions than the ones the apps provide. In conclusion, many positions can be replaced with Automated machines, but human touch can NEVER be replaced.

The article shows how a unified computing and communication system helps a company implement a new technology. While the new technology system is worth a multimillion-dollar investment; the benefits have provided the company excellent financial results. It allowed the company to consolidate 18 room reservation and telephone operations into a single location. Another advantage from the update is the capability for Station Casinos to connect 15,000 different devices which include some of the newer slot machines that have been installed. The new technology reduces downtime; this is an advantage as downtime could lead to potential monetary loss. Finally, the update while costing millions of dollars, the financial return on the investment is tremendously impactful to the company.

This article speaks about a seemingly successful turn around for a struggling casino group in Las Vegas after making multimillion-dollar investments for I.T. over a period of time. While it has not completely eradicated all their problems, Stations Casinos Inc., which operates 18 hotels, and casinos off the Vegas Strip has saved tremendously by providing a cohesive communication computer system that has allowed greater efficiency ultimately saving money. An example of efficiency is cutting down data center server racks from 12 to one. More advantages showed with reduced cost due to less power and energy being used to maintain more infrastructures. An upgrade in network allowed for their slot machines and security cameras to connect across the board. This is important because, " about 80% of revenue comes from slot machines," said Baltz. These are just a few advantages the Stations Casinos Inc., has experienced since their investment. After reading this article, it just goes to show how important the I.T. department can be to the profitability of a hotel, casino or other hospitality entity. Usually we think of the product or service as the revenue generators of a business, but this type of article shows that, by saving money, the trickle down effect of increasing profits will occur when you cut expenses.

If there was ever any question that IT investment could drastically benefit companies, this scenario is the proof. A group of struggling Las Vegas Casinos really turned there negative situation around with the use of new interactive technology. This interactive technology is not only beneficial in the hotel world, but apparently casinos as well. The possibilities for this technology are endless, as long as it continues to advance. Guests and costumers who continue to be satisfied with their enhanced technological experience, will give companies and businesses large profits. Just as the casinos had a drastic turnaround by utilizing technology, other groups will do the same.

This weekend at the National Restaurant Association conference Coca-Cola has unveiled a Bluetooth enabled fountain drink machine. The beverage market is highly competitive and Coke thinks that Smartphone ordering could give them an advantage. The previous version of this machine which is installed in 50,000 locations used an app and QR codes for ordering. The new Freestyle 9100 relies on Bluetooth and has other capabilities that are not yet activated including a microphone for voice ordering. This machine will allow guests to customize their beverages and is expected to build more meaningful customer relationships between them and the brand. A stronger relationship could lead to more purchases. Coca-cola will also gain valuable insight on their consumers drinking habits, the original iteration of the machine reported a popular combination of sprite and cherry soda, Coke has now introduced this mix in packaged form. I think that this technology has so far proven that it brings Coke closer to their consumers and simplifying the use process by going from an app to Bluetooth will only make it more accessible to consumers.

Unattended POS is growing global trend which industry leaders will soon have to adapt in their business place. Quick service restaurants are quickly adapting to this change as it reduces wait time and increase in customer return rate. Other key benefits for businesses are the decrease in labor costs & minimal errors when processing guests' request. Ideally, merchants must speak with vendors to customize the self-service kiosk and to ensure they are in compliance. In the end this will expand revenue and efficiency.

Unattended POS machines hit a global growth of $9.22 billion in 2018 from 2017, and is still climbing. The unattended POS machine has shown to be particular popular in the quick service restaurant sector. McDonald's has announced a plan to put 1,000 self-service kiosks in their stores per quarter. Taco bell and Subway have also announced they will be adding the kiosks in their stores as an initiative to offer a heightened customer experience. The machines have come with the benefits of reduced wait time and faster customer turnover. POS growth is attributed to aligning with today's consumers' expectations. Customers value their time and rising labor costs can be eased with the machine as it expedites transactions and covers tasks not relied on by human interaction.

This article relates on the growth and efficiency of cashless & contact-less payment systems which are now part of the unattended POS systems. Their use allows for a fast & easy service and prevent people form worrying about whether they have enough change to pay for the parking meter or for the candy bar form the vending machine. The best part is the fact that the payment card can be placed nearby the device and the transaction can be processed; no need to put in a pin number and risk getting any financial information stolen.

New technologies have emerged in hospitality organizations that promote energy conservation while improving guest experience. Hilton has established an initiative called "Connected Room" where guests have an automated assistant in their room for tasks like turning their room lights on or off, adjusting the thermostat temperature, and changing TV channels. This assistant will also have concierge capabilities so guests can ask about attractions in the area or hotel amenities. Another technology that is in the works by a company called Cirq+ is energy management thermostats. Energy management thermostats aid in improving guest experience while conserving energy due to its ability to recognize motion and heat. The thermostat can shut off all uses of electricity once the room is vacant and turn back on once it is occupied. The software can also detect if there are maintenance complications inside of the machines. This greatly helps both the hotel and the guest by keeping up with utilities maintenance and completing check-ups when the guest is not in the room. Another eco-friendly advancement is Eco-Powr fitness machines. These machines convert movement into electricity that can in turn be used by the hotel. These three innovations will help not only to consume less energy, but also to draw in a new consumer generation, the millennials. Millennials are more interested in health, wellness, and Earth conservation more than other generations. In order to earn their business, companies must have initiatives that align with the interests of Generation Y (millennials).

Advanced technologies have always been tested or applied in large airports for operational effciency and better travel experience. This is an interesting article about the latest technology that will be used in major airports. The Transportation Security Administration gave reasons that why they want to relocate backscatter advance imaging technology units to smaller airports. Firstly, it allows the use of advance imaging technology units in some smaller airports. Secondly the newly introduced millimeter wave units can work faster in saving time and perform better in protecting the privacy of travelers since it just shows the outline of the passenger's body, while not a specific one. Thirdly under the economical consideration, it is better to use one type of machine in the same airport so they don't need different training and maintenance.  So larger airports can just use the latest technology for their large amount of work while smaller airports can benefit from the one with backscatter technology because of the smaller workload. Both sides will be satisfied if this transfer can be done successfully. 

The machine learning for hotel properties is dynamic and constantly evolving. Beyond the common uses of Artificial Intelligence such as robotic housekeepers and facial recognition, hotels can deploy machine plearning in different areas such as systems that optimize the use of energy, water and other resources; human resource management such as the one used by IHG; and customer service.

This article discusses different ways that Machine Learning (ML) is affecting the Hospitality industry. Hiltons Energy Efficiency IHGs HR Screenings Accors Personalized Upgrades

As you read and examine the article, you will find that there have been many technological developments in AI and robotics. It has intrigued many on how applying intelligence to robotics will further innovations. Additionally, the article mentions how robotic dates back to 1898 and Nikola Tesla/s story and how fifty years later, Alan Turing, a mathematician explored the potential of AI. Moreover, as the two were combined together to create an AI robot currently many top companies have adapted the use of AI or AI robot technology to help in different industries with different services and duties.

EHL Insights is a Swiss based company that dove into what leaders in the Swiss hospitality industry believe in regard to disruptive innovations for the global industry. The article interviewed a few different leaders and got their take, like Wilhelm Konrad Weber, who believes that technology is affecting the hospitality industry but also poses a threat because hotel leaders are not necessarily ready to adapt/adopt to ever-changing technology. OTAs were mentioned as an example of the industry falling behind as these websites help eliminate loyalty. Weber also mentioned that innovation in the industry is evolutionary rather than disruptive due to the demands and expectations from investors and analysts. One person, Zia Chisti, is a skeptic when it comes to artificial intelligence and works for a company that utilizes AI. He argues that AI is not disruptive as it has existed for awhile and is a slow and steady process. The argument made by Chisti is that guests expect a service with real people rather than machines. Overall, there will be technological advancements but it will be slow and steady. It's just up to hoteliers on how quickly they want to implement it.

This article details the increasing and already abundant role that AI technologies are playing in the day-to-day operations of hospitality companies. It goes into depth about how these advancements are using analytical data to provide a better guest experience while also taking information from outside sources to focus on aspects of the operation that need improvement or things that are being well received. The process of AI implementation has also allowed for the customization of guest experience allowing guests to be catered to 24/7 offering insights and calculated suggestions.

This article mainly describes the current main trends of artificial intelligence in revenue management, guest experience, and daily operations. AI's concierge service, chat robot translator, ultra-dynamic pricing, forecasting utility, team booking software review data collection, intelligent function charts, and intelligent recruitment are the main manifestations of future technological development. Through these artificial intelligence, the hotel can simplify some service procedures, provide more personalized and improve the guest's staying experience. But at the same time, we must also realize that intelligent technology cannot completely replace employees.

"AI is already changing the guest experience across the travel lifecycle, including the on-property experience."

The article highlighted states that every business should have a cash management system either POS or cash register. The traditional cash registers will be adopted by smaller business; however, more developed systems should use a POS. The cost could be high but the life expectancy of the system is very long. To make a decision about which POS system to choose, the decision maker needs to do his/her homework to determine the business' needs including how much it will grow in the future. The system will benefit the business to generate detailed reports, track inventory, easy menu updates and others.

With the development of technology, there are many softwares and machines help business imporved. The POS is a good system, which chould be used in the hospitality and retail industries. It has the ability to save money, quickly process a customer's transaction and accurately keep records. However, it charged more than installing a cash register. When considering about whcih one need to adopt, it's better for the business do a self analysis first. No matter what kind of technology we use, we need focus on provide personalized and customer focused service.

if the owner use the cash register, he can get the money directly. he does not need to take out the money out of the bank when he faces to the emergency situation. also the cash register is more reliable and more real. it does not have high risks of fraud and cheat except the fake money. compare to the POS system, the Pos system is convenient and easy operation. customers only need to swipe the credit/debit card that they can pay for the goods. so the customers do not need to bring much money when they are out of home. it is safe for the customers. nowadays, everywhere can receive the master card and almost everyone has one or more debit/credit card. this behavior promotes the development of POS system. easy to carry and consume make people use this way to buy the goods instead of using the money.

This article discusses a new less invasive type of airport security technology employed in an airport in Montana. Rather than an x-ray machine, this new machine uses electromagnetic waves to identify and locate metallic and non metallic concealed items. The software employed by this machine does not allow the TSA agent to see an image of the person's body, but rather a generic image of a human being to locate any suspicious items. I believe this is a very interesting new type of technology that would benefit both TSA agents and travelers. It is an easy machine to use and it also makes travelers less weary about their privacy when they are going through airport security. All in all, I think this new technology will be an asset to airport security.

Restaurateur's evaluation of machines purchased in move to automate noodle making process in business units owned. Owner reports that machines are working proficiently and cost of ownership provides good ROI vs human wages. Also mentioned were projected cost advantages achieved through greater economies of scale vs variable cost that would be incurred utilizing human-based alternative.

Foodservice automation technology: Robot Serves Up 360 Hamburgers Per Hour | http://bit.ly/18p0HoW SushiBot Serves Up An Order Of 3,600 Per Hour | http://bit.ly/14gEmg3 Foodservice automation technology issues: Fast food strikes NYC | http://nbcnews.to/175TET1

Noodle Power Rangers! Only thing I am worry about is the sanitation standards, not to mention you have no idea what goes inside that noodle dough mix. Other than that, cute little robot with automation technology in food production.

McDonald's has consistently been "beaten to the punch" by its competitors regarding the use of technology in its restaurants, and it has shown in an overall 10.4 decrease in foot traffic from its peak. In a cross-promotional attempt to advertise its new menu offerings while connecting with a younger (i.e. Millenial) market to show off their increased technological offerings (e.g. mobile ordering, digital smart menu boards, self-service ordering kiosks, and even delivery), McDonald's set up a Big Mac vending machine in Boston's Kenmore Square that dispensed burgers in exchange for a video posted to the consumer's twitter account. This multi-facted marketing technique allowed them to deliver their tech-driven message to potentially several hundred new consumers for every burger that was dispensed. This is a highly cost-effective marketing strategy that will allow McDonald's to focus its resources on continued development of the tech solutions that the event is aimed at promoting.

This article describes how technology will affect accounting system, and the reason to adapt new technology. The world has been dramatically changed over 20years. Paper was dominant back in 1990' but now most jobs are done by computer and Internet, and furthermore, the monthly fee for the Internet has been going down a lot. Everyone in the world enjoys the advantages of the Internet, and job efficiency increases. Especially, this article said technology will impact accounting profession a lot in the future. When we consider the current technology development in accounting area, the Web, mobile and social media have had a huge impact on company's operation. This article introduces that artificial intelligence(AI), cognitive computing/machine learning, natural language processing and blockchain will be adapted highly in next 20 years. For example, tax systems will guide us through the calculations and highlighting review section, and provide advice. A Huge amount of data will be collected and generate real meaning about the data and guide the business. Furthermore, continuous and real-time audit will be available. Fraud detection also will be faster and easier. As can be seen here, the profession will evolve very rapidly in next 20 years, which means it will be completely different from what we see today. This disruption challenges us to catch up with the fast pace of change but the potential of new technology provides opportunity, so adjustment for new pace is needed.

Easybar cocktail station costs about $30,000, or roughly half what a human union bartender costs to replace

This article discusses the addition of the Smart Tender at MGM Hotels in Las Vegas. It raised some questions that many people pointed out this week in our discussion posts. What will happen with bartending jobs? Is this the beginning of the shift to more jobs being removed for technology? The article does highlight that not all bartending jobs will be lost, for example, casino bartenders. While this could be a great step forward it could also have some issues. Guests may be upset by the change in experience since you are no longer speaking to a bartender.