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With the success of having mobile locks for our homes and even our cars, it's no wonder hotels are adopting the technology as well. Technology advances quickly, and like any business hotels must do the same, they're constantly refurbishing rooms and implementing new things to better serve their guests and a mobile lock would be no different. Having keys on a guest's phone would improve efficiency for hotel management because they wouldn't need to replace a lost key, and guests would no longer need to wait in a line to check in, just head up to their room as soon as they get there. This allows hotel staff to use that extra time to ensure guests get even better customer service. Mobile keys do possess a few problems in that, unless a guest is loyal to a particular hotel chain or unless they travel a lot, they might be unwilling to download an app just to be able to get into their room. This can be circumvented by designing an app that can do more than just open their room door such as making/changing reservations, making spa appointments, allowing gym/pool access, and being able to call for a bellboy, and getting help from the concierge. While not quite there yet, mobile door locks will let hotels know more about their guests and how to "better manage assets and the workforce with predictive analytics" that could be used to make guests experiences better and more likely to turn them into repeat guests.

The PCI Security Standards Council published the PCI Mobile Payment Acceptance Security Guidelines for Merchants and End-Users on February 19, 2013. "The PCI Security Standards Council's mission is to enhance payment account data security by driving education and awareness of the PCI Security Standards. The organization was founded by American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB International, MasterCard Worldwide, and Visa Inc." The guidelines educates merchants on risks that they must be aware of in order to protect their customers' data when they are using mobile devices for payments, such as smart phones and tablets. As more merchants turn to handheld devices for payment options, they must consider new security risks. With these new guidelines and procedures, merchants will learn what is needed to isolate and prevent card data from exposure to the public. 

From lodging to foodservice, the point of service is the premiere place for customers to get their first - and hopefully not last - impression of an establishment. Streamlining and fine-tuning the service that occurs at the POS is of utmost important and operators are always seeking out the latest technologies to make this possible. The move to mobile payment is always top-of-mind as well, but lingering confusion and trepidation still remains for many customers. Owners and operators must seek out ways to implement the technology without intimidating customers. Last month's POS headlines proved this as stories ranged from a study tracking the public perception of mobile payment to improving drive-thru functionality and reducing maintenance costs with cloud-based systems. Study Shows Interest and Confusion Over Mobile Payments At Mobile World Congress, MasterCard in partnership with Prime Research, has released the first global Mobile Payments Social Media Study tracking 85,000 related social media comments across Twitter, Facebook, Online Blogs and Forums from around the world. The study shows a high volume of conversation and consumer interest in adopting mobile payments but cites security, customer support and confusion over the array of options available today as barriers to entry. Taco Bell Streamlines Drive-Thru Experience Across Franchises Desert de Oro Foods' Taco Bell locations had a range of drive-thru communications systems that were deployed over the last five years. However, restaurants were experiencing poor sound quality due to a limited range of wireless capabilities with the current systems. Poor audio quality led to increased wait times for customers as a result of miscommunications and mistakes. In addition, Desert de Oro Foods knew it needed to move to a digital system as the analog bandwidth of its current systems would be ruled out by the FCC at the end of 2012. Panasonic's Attune® drive-thru communications system offered the o

This article introduce hotel systemspro system. This is a new idear for PMs to apply in hospitality industry, it is include every traditional function from existing PMs system and also provide mobile device access. That means the hotel manager will not only use the computer to control the software but also the mobile device like IPad or other Android tablet.

This article gave us a five new online travel trends.Because travel is a hyper-competitive industry, the most pertinent emerging themes in onine travel are considered and experts insights and predictions are provided in the Las Vegas TDS North America event. First trend is the travel industry need be ready for a mobile-only world. Researches indicates that the mobile sales will increase extremely. Because it is expensive to develop mobile app, so traditional travel companies and online travel companies do not such into launching a mobile app in a short term. Convergence, commerce, content and how these impact customer behavior will be an ongoing theme. There is a risk of firms focus too much on one channel, Customers are using a range of different devices to plan, research, book and review their travel experiences.  Revenue management became essential for the business. It needs to integrate with sales, marketing, channel optimization, loyalty marketing , and operations. Think new markets and new customers like China, India, Brazil and Russia. Firms need to be actively targeting this market and make adjustment such as develop local website etc. Last trend is that there are lots of new development in the industry. Facebook start to monetize travel. Google and Apple are also developing their travel related products. This social travel planning tools become successful. Technology develops and standards emerge, mobile bookings may not just be for the last minute.

Hospitality Industry is seeing a increase in bookings of hotel rooms, airplanes reservations, and even dining reservations through mobile devices. Expedia website belives there will be an increase to 32 million people using mobile devices to book hospitality venues in 2016. Expedia has also noticed that many people are booking same night hotel reservations from their mobile devices. Many people who are using their mobile devices for booking are under the age of 30 years old. National Restaurant Association also confirm that a younger generation is using mobile technology to find a restaurant, from booking a reservation, to looking at menus, also even ordering their meals and paying for it using their mobile devices. Another thing is that mobile devices are being used to do research on restaurants and reading reviews before choosing a particular venue. A downfall to this mobile outbreak is how do hospitality establishments respond to bad reviews. The response to a bad review can make or break your establishment in my opinion. Many restauant owners are asking themeselves how can I take this social and mobile technology and introduce it to my concept and goals. So my feeling is that the hospitality industry is embracing mobile and social technology as it grows. However, are they embracing it fast enough? It seems to me the customers who use mobile and social technology are growing more rapidly.

It will be soon that all hotels go to using mobile check-in. We have implemented it on our current Hilton hotel and this technology gives the guest the power to pick their own room within the hotel, electronically check in from their phone, as well as use their phone screen code to unlock their room door. It all but eliminates the need of a front desk staff upon a guest's arrival. Without the personal communication I believe that some of a guest's experience is taken away, however there is no slowing down this technology and the use of it within the hotel industry. I agree in the fact that management has to stay educated and up to speed about how all of this technology operates as well as the affects it can have on their operational scores. On a positive side, management might cut some of their labor costs by having this technology act as a sort of hourly employee.

This article surveys varies companies sacrificing mobile security for business reasons. A third (32 percent) of organizations surveyed admitted to sacrificing mobile security to improve business performance and 38 percent of those said that their organization is at significant risk from mobile threats. Unfortunately, many of these business owners are uneducated on mobile security and unaware of less expensive alternates that can keep their sensitive data safe.

Here Forbe magazine offers some tips on how to do proximity/mobile marketing right and some of the advantages. Companies need another marketing avenue to reach customers in this diverse field where competition is so intense. Technological advances will help one stand out in this large crowd.

This article give us an idear about use technology to promote marketing. In 21st century the mobile device is indispensable for everybody, for company, we have to keep forefront on technology.

Mobile users are not just playing Angry Birds or checking the local weather, 38% have used their mobile devices to plan a trip and 60% of respondents said they have downloaded travel apps on their mobile devices, according to a TripAdvisor survey. While travelling, 62% of travelers said they use their mobile devices to research restaurants. 51% check their flight status and 46% research attraction, 28% have checked in to a restaurant, hotel or attraction using their mobile device while on a trip, according to TripAdvisor. (travelmole, May 2011). A research conducted by PhoCusWright shows that 75% of frequent business travelers (those making at least five trips a year) are smartphone owners. About half of frequent leisure travelers have smartphones. There's more than enough evidence for the hospitality industry to use mobile apps, and some hotels have already started and are successfully doing it.

This article mainly talks about the pros and cons for mobile app and mobile web. For mobile apps, it is required that in order to develop a new app for every individual type of device that you want to reach. However, only one mobile website can extend to anyone with devices that can perform web browsing. Therefore, it is a more expensive choice to develop an app if a company has mass marketing goals. Also, mobile websites tend to cost less to maintain over time. That's because to change an app you have to hire a programmer, and you need approval from the app store. Plus, every time a particular device is updated, you'll need to change your app accordingly.

Proximus Mobility a hyperlocal proximity marketing was recognized as one of the top 10 innovative technology companies in Georgia. This new technology is not only improving the marketing and advertisement of new products and services in the industry, but also is putting Georgia on the map. Proximus Mobility is a location based proximity marketing software that provides advertisements in a relevant high value digital content to consumers' mobile phones when they are near the point of sale.

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?

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.

It is a new trend for the hotel to develop the mobile booking system. the hotel should make this system easy to use, and can connect to the social world. While mobile adoption is accelerating in terms of the number of users researching or managing travel, there is no evidence of attrition in website demand. So building both the website and mobile system can benefit to the hotels. 

This article is talking about Bookt, the leader in cloud-based solutions for lodging industry, announced to launch mobile websites for all InsraManager FLEX clients. Nowadays, more and more people would prefer to use mobile devices to check emails, search information and visit websites. The mobile web will be the top two travel touchpoints in 2013. That means mobile websites will be a large platform to search and share information. And that is also the reason to launch mobile websites for InsraManager FLEX to make it convenient for client's booking success. Mobile web would help customers search, check availability, book, and get confirmation via their Smartphone. People could check their room status anywhere and get any room confirmation number whenever. The mobile web is designed to be faster load and built exactly for the smaller screens.

This article talks about the growth and development of mobile technology has had positive effects on society. There are many advantages that are experienced from the implementation and use of mobile technology. It is obvious that mobile devices are intended to play and gradually more important role in the distribution and sale of travel services in years ahead. Hotel companies should capitalize on this technology and make the process of booking travel using smartphone. It will be a more intuitive process for guests. Mobile technology enables you to get real time hotel information and enable you to make speedy and informed decisions. With a big number of people using mobile technology growing each day, businesses are adopting the use of commerce to reach a larger pool of possible clients. By doing so, hotel businesses are able to increase their revenues and client base.

I agree with you, eventually more hotels will start using smartphones which will also give a more personalized service to consumers. For example if a guest has a request he can just send a text to a concierge or someone at the front desk who will meet and exceed his expectations.

This article introduced the importance of e-marketing in today's internet time and in the future. This kind of marketing is growing rapidly. Including the use of portal marketing, mobile app, mobile websites, and so on. The author was from India. He said online marketing will grow dynamically in India, especially in hospitality industry. I think it's not only for India, for the developed countries, a media plan for any service industry product has online e-marketing as the first channel to reach the target audience.

Week 6 Diigo - This article was all about how the use of mobile devices can grow a restaurant's business. The four tactics that were discussed were engaging with customers on their level, offer mobile ordering,stay connected with customers, and offer loyalty programs. Engaging with customers includes posting and responding to customers on social media websites, creating a personal connection with customers. Offering mobile ordering allows for customers to have quick and convenient access to your food. This gives them the ability to still choose your restaurant even if they are on a time crunch. Staying connected with customers involves sending out reminders to customers about specials, coupons, etc to encourage them to remember your restaurant and choose to go to it. Lastly, offering loyalty programs will encourage customers to visit your restaurant more than usual just to receive the free perks that come with the loyalty program.

Great article summarizing various elements a mobile device can be used for in a hotel. Mobile devices are becoming a priority in younger generations & are often used not just for phone calls, but also text messaging, web searching & games. It's no surprise they are now being used to check in at hotels, pay bills & order room service. Cell phones provide guests a unique customer service that is inexpensive, quick & simple to use. Using mobile devices as room keys is an example that will save the hotel money in not having to purchase thousands of room keys & having to deal with replacement cards for guests. There are several benefits to utilizing mobile devices in the hospitality industry, but there are also drawbacks. Guests may choose to play games on their phone or watch movies on their phone's screens instead of paying to watch a movie on the hotel's television or attending activities offered by staff. This reduces the face-to-face customer service that many hotels are recognized for. It may take away from the hotel's superior guest service if a request does not go through the mobile device or it malfunctions when a guest is trying to enter their room. Whether or not hotel managers like it, mobile devices are becoming popular among guests & should be implemented.

This article discusses how technology is changing the experience you have while staying at a hotel, by making it much easier for the guest. The article specifically address 11 areas in which technology is changing the whole experience. First is a mobile wallet, which will make paying the bill a breeze, by wirelessly sending credit card information directly to the hotels computer. Next, how about using your smart phone as a room key, as well as using it as the in room phone, connecting you to the front desk anytime any place. Or using it to order room service, and having it delivered to you anywhere on the property by using your phones location services. Next the article discusses virtual concierge desk, which can be scattered around the property, making it easy to make dinner reservations without having to wait in line. And the last main points that are discussed are controlling the temperature, lighting, and in room entertainment from an app on your smart phone, letting you turn off and on lights from bed, and changing the temperature before you even get back to the room. And one day when you forget your smart phones power cord and think your taking a step back in time, because you cant use any of the new technology, no worries their will be one in the room.

Mobile technology is constantly changing the way we do everything. Smart mobile devices dictate how we live our lives and how we travel. Here is a sampling of eleven items that may be drastically different in some hotels of the near future: 1. Currency 2. Hotel Room Keys 3. In-Room Phone 4. Concierge Desk 5. Room Service 6. Front Desk Attendant 7. Printed Hotel Promotional Material 8. Alarm Clocks 9. In-Room Entertainment 10. Thermostats, Light Switches and more 11. Power Cords

This article discusses why more and more businesses are using mobile point-of-sale systems in 2020. Mobile POS systems can serve a variety of different industries, including the hospitality industry. They provide a convenient way to monitor daily operations from any location. More specifically, they can monitor inventory, employee hours, sales numbers and create custom reports. It also discussed three popular mobile POS systems, which are Payanywhere, Duet and PayPal Here.