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The equipment we use in technology such as out computer is not a determent of what prices we pay. Orbitz is showing mac users higher prices on hotels simply because they use a mac instead of a PC. The CEO states thats not a fact but facts prove that mac users are 40 % most likely to book a 4 or 5 star hotel. The engineers from Orbitz are experimenting with predicting what the consumer will search for and not giving mac users a higher price on hotel nights. Technology has now become a sterotype is how consumers are feeling by the futy posted in twitter. At the end of the day the consumer can search for different hotels prices and rooms no matter if a mac or pc user.

Here is something interesting for you Mac users. Did you knew that you are actually being charged more to use websites like Orbitz or Priceline? Don't believe me, well check it out. Over the last year or two Orbitz has been working on what they call "predictive analytics". Meaning they are able to predict where consumers will likely book their reservations based on what computer they are using. The article states that, Mac users are 40% more likely to book a four to five star hotel than PC users. Since companies like Orbitz (who took a 37 million dollar loss in 2011) are taking big hits from the lack of travelling thanks to the economy, they are trying to create any advantage they can in order to turn the market around. One thing to point out, is that Orbitz's competitors like Priceline and Expedia said that they do not base their sales on what computers the consumers are using, Apple had no comment. Orbitz said the effort to incorporate Mac vs. PC distinctions is still in its formative stages and isn't evident across the site. Other factors have more influence over results, Mr. Liew said, including a user's location and history on the site, as well as a hotel's overall popularity and promotions. Still, he said, use of a Mac can influence results.

CHECK THIS OUT MAC USERS

The best part of the article is how it states a good POS system is one that doesn't let you waste time with the POS. Instead your attention can be turned to your customers and staff. The system will do everything for you just by a touch of buttons from the screen. All you would have to do is print out the information and it will tell you everything you need to run a sucessfull establishment.

With Apple came a new era to the contemporary technological world in which some people and businesses can not operate with PC, because Mac interface and overall features seem to be more user-friendly, but however most of those people and businesses want to operate Mac, using PC features. So, this article suggests how to keep both systems working and what are the means, advantages and disadvantages to that

Technology in the Fast Food Industry, McDonald's Big Mac ATM is free, short-term and Customers friendly. This new method of dispensing food to the public is convenient and it help improve guest experiences versus in store 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.

The article discusses five issues that hotel operations are facing, and how to decrease these issues in regards to data thieves. The first security issue discussed is "Remote Access", the article states "Many hotel operators and franchisors use remote management applications (RMAs)". This enable easy access to manage multiple locations downloads; conduct sales polls, and other systems within multiple companies. A advices to remote control issues are to change vendor default settings, in which you can create unique user IDs and complex passwords. Another advice is to "Configure the RMA", in which users are only allowed to connect to known MAC/IP. I personally don't think that creating a unique ID or account password may solve this issue, but allowing connection capability to a set IP/MAC is a wise intake. Although being able to just connect to a set MAC, will cause a limit on where and when you connect. The second security issue is "Network Security", many transaction volumes are being exposed, brand recognition as well; and that attract hackers. In order to reduce this problem, it is suggested that companies need to install and maintain a fire wall at all time. I agree with this other suggestion which is to Use outside resources to help identify new security vulnerabilities. This is great, because a company will be able to receive an outside outlook in regards to security. The last three issues that are on this list are: Password Management, Wireless Security, and Incident Response Plan. Overall it's evident that any system that has a password requirement is causing a major attraction towards security thieves. The suggestions within this article are great, but from my observation; many companies will have to put in time to track and monitor their systems. Systems can't allow to be left open without monitoring, and the internet is a lead way to all this, so any system that requires the internet must be monitored, and protected.

Technology enables service. That's the idea, anyway. In the hotel industry, thousands of companies worldwide provide hundreds of software applications to help hotels and hotel companies manage operations to provide better guest service. However, the hospitality industry continues to find itself targeted for damaging data compromise events by hackers. There are some good ways to decrease the attack of hackers. For example, Remote Access, many hotel operators and franchisors use remote management applications (RMAs).  Their ease of use in managing multiple locations makes them ideally suited to disseminate business downloads, conduct sales polls or survey inventory. RMAs are often packaged from vendors with default or blank passwords. Creating unique user IDs and complex passwords can reduce the risk of data compromise and help facilitate compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). Another example is about Network Security, transaction volume, brand recognition and the potential for sensitive data retention are all factors that make hotels (particularly franchise networks) juicy targets for hackers seeking to exploit insecure networks via the Internet. The hotel can install and maintain a firewall at all times.  Disabling a firewall can put a business at heightened risk of Internet attacks and potential system compromise.

I found an interesting article about how the big computer companies can recycle the computers. This can solve some of the main problem about the recycling. The article is referring to idea that computers may become bigger size but easier to recycle. In other words we might wanna make a step back in the past, when we was able to just replace one detail from the computer instead of throwing it away.

Consumers change phones often which in turn changes their MAC addresses. Retailers then lose all the the consumers behavior. Most consumers also rarely download retail applications.Although proximity marketing has had its limitations, it has continued to evolve which means that it will be present in the future.

This kind of system can make the trasaction more easier. It will make the world more and more convinient in the future world. The checkout is a fully fledged pos and can be run a good system. We can have a store online and show the existing customers and product.

In the article "Would Your Crew Wear Mobile Apps?" it talks about a new way of advertising through uniforms. On the back of a crew members uniform there is a QR code and the customer just has to scan the code it shows them coupons and deals the restaurant is promoting. I feel that this way of advertising is easy and fun; people love using technology and what better way to incorporate it then by using your Smartphone! In the article they asked different fast food restaurants if they would use this product and although they thought it was a good idea they felt that it would be taking away from a fast paced environment. In the article it states that traditional media is not what it use to be, ""There are billions of dollars being spent on it, and [traditional ads] are driving consumers to the stores, but at that point consumers still don't know what they're going to buy." Overall, I feel that this product would bring in a lot of customers and it's a great way to advertise things on the menu, I'm all for this idea!

This article is talking about the cooperation between the TTI technologies international and the Roosevelt Hotel. In order to provide a better customer service and hotel solutions, the Roosevelt Hotel chooses TTI company to help the hotel build a business center in the lobby. Why was the Roosevelt Hotel selected this company? TTI technologies has its special applications. The application has effectively implementing technology that can search and collect information from hotels, resorts, hostels, airports, retailers, and more by the internet. After installing the application in the PC and Mac, the hotel makes the guest more convenient to get the information about the flight information. This application has solutions to expedite guest check-in, improve operational efficiencies, and protect assets from false charge claims and erroneous personal identification.Also with the help of this application you can gain your guest satisfaction. Meanwhile because of the function of this application, people are willing to stay in your hotel longer. This can gain your reputation and profits. TTI system is a wonderful and useful application. It is a good choice for the hotel which wants to have a better customer service.

This article is about a new technology POS system intergrated with iPad and iPod touch using in the restaurant, Brooklyn Taphouse. The two videos below presents how this system works. This new-tech device does show certain advantages such as saving money - costing about $7000 comapred with $20,000 of traditional system; getting away of paper work and mass in the kitchen; service delivery much faster,etc. However, a shortcoming chould be that new customers may ssume the servers entering orders but accually they texing their freinds. In a word, it is not a bad idea for a restaurant, especially for large-scale to import this technology since iPad and iPod is in the fashion for most of people.

The free app enables hotel guests and visitors to explore hotel facilities and offers wherever they are and at any time. It is available for download from AppyHotel at the Apple store and gives iPad and iPhone users details of business services, hotel facilities, room amenities, services, things to do, updated restaurant events, spa treatments and special offers.

Lately, the Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach has installed a new mobile application offering hotel information. Customers can install this app in their iphone, computer, ipad and Mac. This is a free app that makes more guest use this. Nowadays, people are not only booking a hotel by phone but also acquiring the details of hotel on the phone or ipad. Moreover the information of the hotels is updating every day or even every hour. This is fast, convenient and effective for the guest. In the modern society, the higher satisfaction the customers have, the more successful the hotel can get.

Interactive apps are more effective than tradional ones, because they allow guest's to be more informed. This Hotel Evolution app is also a point of sale, as guests can order things with ease of a touch. Apps like this enhance guest expereinces and drive sales, ultimately increasing the bottom line!!

Romano's Macaroni Grill is rolling out to all 181 company restaurants a system that helps servers boost sales and guest satisfaction by combining data analysis with personalized coaching. Read more: http://nrn.com/article/macaroni-grill%E2%80%99s-interactive-mentoring-system-helps-boost-sales?ad=news#ixzz1lGb0JfiS

I really like this system cause it makes the management so effective. By using this system, manager will recieve information about the areas in which each server has room for improvement weekly which may help managers to figure out the potential problems in their management.

It is a so smart system that makes it easy to analyze and control the operation of restaurant. I think it helps manager save a lot of time and costs due to automated analysis of point-of-sale-system data and comparison with others! What a wonderful system!

SalonPOS is setting the trend in utilizing the point of sale specially created for Ipad. This is following on apple's POS system created for Old Navy last year. SalonPos thought it beneficial to focus on a system for spas as most of the focus is usually on restaurants and perhaps other retail business forgetting that spas and wellness centres are becoming a large revenue generator and growing rapidly. SalonPro system for Ipad is entering the market at a very reasonable cost. The entire system including Ipad retails for under US$2,000.00. The system provides flexible access for manager to monitor business remotely. This POS system does not have much more capabilities than the traditional POS system except that 3G and Wi-Fi are included. A very good feature of the system is also that the Ipad includes close circuit camera that will allow managers to keep tract of activities even remotely. This will also be introduced to the Iphone later this year. SalonPro back up can be done on property as well as through iCloud with full access to apple updates. Though Salon Pro is not offering much more in terms of software capabilities to the spa system, it will be a good move to introduce this into the operations. Mobile check out where a guest does not have to go to a reception desk to sign out is also great. This will also give the spa an image of technological competence.

The iPad POS is a great innovation for the salon. I believe that it can be used very successfully for many businesses that rely on personal interaction; the best example would be hotels. An iPad check-in system would be a great integration that eliminates paperwork, cables, keyboards, mouse, etc. Since the iPad and Mac sofware are very user-friendly to operate, trainings costs could also be easily reduced.

In the article, "Travel Agents Increase Use of GDS to Book Hotel Rooms," it talked about how the leading global provider of revenue is generating solutions for hotels, it shows how important GDS platforms are to travel agents. "84 percent of respondents indicated that they were using their GDS platform the same amount or more often than in the past, with 35 percent stating that they are using GDS more." Back in 2009, when the last study was conducted, about 26 percents of travel agents said that they used their GDS platform more often than in the past. This study also states that the annual GDS shopping displays will be over $50 million in 2011, which will increase more than a million bookings compared to 2010. There was another survey that was done and they surveyed different travel agents from across the world that were subscribed to a major GDS system. In the survey the travel agents indicated that promotional messages are effective and often prompt bookings. Out of the travel agents they surveyed, 66% said that they were aware of the "promotional messages requested addition information by looking at the screen attached to he promotional message." From this survey it showed that promotional messages are an excellent way to reach travel agents and from reaching the agent, they also reaching the customer, it's a win-win reaction.

I enjoyed the part about brand and promotional messaging, that is always a lure for me. When I see an attractive offer, evern If I'm not interested in booking or going to the destination, I often click on it anyway just to see the offer. It is a very effective marketing tool.

The articles list some of the methodologies Apple has been implementing over the last few years for its contribution to Corporate Social Responsibility.