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Leanpath Celebrates 15 Years of Food Waste Prevention Technology - 0 views

www.waste360.com/...od-waste-prevention-technology Technology Green Hospitality Restaurants Software
shared by qszero on 20 May 20 - No Cached
  • The company also introduced Spark, a post-consumer food waste tracking product. Plate waste is tracked through a display monitor that shows diners how much waste has been generated and how they can help prevent it.
  • The Leanpath software now incorporates behavioral science in a way it did not initially.
  • Founded in 2004, Leanpath launched the first automated food waste tracking system. Kitchens are outfitted with tracking stations that include a scale, integrated camera and touchscreen to identify what is being wasted and why.
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  • Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Portland, Ore.-based Leanpath continues to hit milestones in its food waste prevention platform, which can be described as an ecosystem of hardware, software and support that allows foodservice kitchens to track and prevent food waste.
  • qszero on 20 May 20
     
    This was an interesting article as a while back this was a subject I touched up on once when researching technology for restaurants and I actually didn't think this software technology was this old already. LeanPath pretty much is a technology to help reduce food service organizations reduce their food waste by 50%. With the UN Sustainability goal it calls in the world to reduce their food waste in half by 2030 so LeanPath has set a goal to start a program in providing free or reduced cost hardware/software to qualified resourced constrained educational and non-profit organizations to further expand in this initiative. When they first started it was software that was installed on the PC but now it is cloud based. They started to incorporate behavioral science so instead of just providing numbers and raw data they are incorporating photography to create a deeper environmental impact as one would be more self conscious seeing a pan of wasted food to relate the data than just reading a statistical number of the same result.
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Sodexo Names Top Facilities Management Trends To Watch For In 2019 - 0 views

www.prnewswire.com/...tch-for-in-2019-300841313.html
shared by sharline86 on 23 Jun 20 - No Cached
  • All are aimed at improving living experiences, which are key to helping achieve better personal and professional fulfillment.
  • The combination of talented people and technological advances are creating smarter, safer, more inclusive and sustainable environments that are responsive to the needs of people.  By understanding and anticipating these trends, Sodexo is able to focus its human-centered and experience-based solutions to most effectively boost client performance," said Jouane.
  • Engineers and technicians can use the augmented reality glasses to communicate in real time with experts, share instant live video, and get the guidance they need to solve a problem.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • New research has shown that shorter wave UV lights can be a safe and effective way to slow viruses, pathogens, mold, and bacteria in public places like hospitals, schools and nursing homes.
  • Providing apprenticeships for high school students through partnerships with schools and giving access to the latest technology are two options to engage younger hires.
  • Providing a path for career growth and leadership opportunities are key to keeping top talent.
  • A single service provider can inventory and aggregate data from the client's facility and equipment allowing the facilities management team to view the client's needs holistically. The data produced by this predictive technology gives FM professionals the information needed to predict how their equipment is maintained, repaired and/or replaced.
  • The most popular systems are fully customizable and can monitor and measure all major manufacturers' building controls equipment. They have the capability to analyze data from a variety of systems allowing data collection on benchmark performance, output and energy savings.
  • Green Buildings
  • sharline86 on 23 Jun 20
     
    This article takes a look at the future trends in facilities management. Including: technology, employee recruiting, data collection, & green buildings. All of which will create better solutions and client performance.
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Pandemic relief fraud suspect, owner of Berlin restaurant, has disappeared - News - tel... - 0 views

www.telegram.com/...lin-restaurant-has-disappeared
shared by rhoff019 on 01 Jul 20 - No Cached
  • The owner of a Berlin restaurant charged in April with fraudulently seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars in forgivable loans designed for businesses struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic has apparently cut off his GPS monitoring device and disappeared, federal authorities say.
  • Staveley, of Andover, and another man are accused of claiming they needed to pay employees at businesses affected by the virus crisis, when in reality their businesses, including On the Trax, 263 West St., Berlin, were not operating before the pandemic began and had no employees on the payroll.
  • They were the first people in the U.S. to be charged with making phony applications for loans
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • sought nearly $440,000 in loans claiming that he needed to pay dozens of employees at three restaurants he owned
  • two of the restaurants weren’t open before the pandemic began, and he didn’t have any connection to the third
  • rhoff019 on 01 Jul 20
     
    A so called restaurant owner applied for $440,000 in forgivable loans to keep employees paid through the Paycheck Protection Program. The man claimed to own 3 restaurants, but 2 of the restaurants were not open before the coronavirus pandemic and he had no connection to the third. The "owner" disappeared after receiving the $440,000.
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MultiBrief: How hospitality will become more sustainable in 2020 - 1 views

exclusive.multibriefs.com/...l-hospitality-event-management
shared by jwilc019 on 01 Sep 20 - No Cached
  • It seems that hotel sustainability is going to top all hospitality trends in 2020.
  • creating innovations to contain the current wasteful way of living. The development and deployment of green technology will help proactive businesses drive change.
  • Preventing waste will be a predominant theme across all sub-sectors.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • “three-zero-concept” approach, which entails prioritizing energy management and lower emissions; using local construction materials and skills; and introducing life-cycle management into the building process.
  • Heat exchangers that use the exhaust heat to preheat water — an innovative way to achieve waste heat recovery — will grow in number.
  • According to research, hotels must reduce their carbon emissions by 66% by 2030 to ensure that growth in the sector is sustainable
  • To achieve the goal of reducing resource use, pollution, and waste hotels are installing high-resolution resource monitoring. They are also coming up with more apps that can engage staff and guests in sustainability and food waste reduction.
  • Eco-friendliness is no longer a nice-to-have concept. It has now evolved into a must-have
  • According to the U.N. World Tourism Organization, the number of eco-inspired trips taken by the end of this year will be close to 1.6 billion worldwide.
  • jwilc019 on 01 Sep 20
     
    This article was pre-COVID and budgetary restraints I fear will force many initiatives to be placed on the back burner for a while. What I really liked about this article is that it shows the hospitality industry being a driving force in sustainability technologies and taking accountability for amount of resources it uses and waste it produces. I found the "three-zero-concept" particularly interesting for new builds, since it takes a ground-up approach to sustainability. It talks about education and training for staff, which is extremely important for sustainability initiatives to be successful. The article highlights different protocols being used to lower waste, emissions, pollution, and natural resources used.
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Managed WiFi Hotel Solutions, Benefits, Features | Blueprint RF - 1 views

www.blueprintrf.com/olutions-do-todays-hotels-need
shared by anonymous on 01 Sep 20 - No Cached
  • Yet, adding IoT solutions or hosting large conferences may strain your existing system. Your tech amenities won’t deliver a high return on investment without a stable and secure wireless network.
  • Overseeing your WiFi system is a full-time job. It requires time and financial resources to update infrastructure, replace old equipment, and patch firmware.
  • Fortunately, managed WiFi providers solve your wireless dilemma with tailored recommendations.
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  • What does managed WiFi mean? With managed WiFi, you outsource your wireless network to a third-party vendor.
  • Hotel owners switch to a managed WiFi service to preserve time and financial resources while providing a secure and reliable guest WiFi network. Managed solutions offer features, like reporting options and capital planning assistance, that support your current and longterm goals. 
  • In short, your managed WiFi network runs seamlessly in the background. Your IT team isn’t overburdened with infrastructure improvements. And management has access to advanced analytics and reporting features to adjust bandwidth and predict future needs. 
  • Enterprises turn to managed service providers for their “skilled human resources, infrastructure, and industry certifications.”
  • With managed WiFi services, your provider develops a secure wireless network and monitors it 24/7/365. You pay a monthly fee, which helps you avoid unexpected expenses.
  • For many hoteliers, the best part of a managed WiFi service is that you can simply call for help. Your provider remotely evaluates your system. They perform updates, identify hazards, and work with you to troubleshoot minor issues. From afar, a managed WiFi provider can even boost a nearby signal as a temporary patch during a device outage. For challenging problems, a certified technician visits your location and resolves the issue. 
  • The system learns, tracks and adapts to your guest and property needs without forgoing essential security and privacy protocols.
  • top managed WiFi providers also offer options like:  Conference management features handle VLAN configurations, bandwidth shaping, extra ports, and even online scheduling and resource guides for events.  24/7/365 customer support services assist your hotel staff and hotel guests for positive experiences with your high-speed wireless network. 
  • It no longer makes sense to employ a full staff to manage your hotel’s wireless network. Instead, partner with a reputable managed WiFi service provider dedicated to the hospitality industry.
  • anonymous on 01 Sep 20
     
    The author presents the argument that optimum performance of a hotel's wi-fi network is critical to a hote and that the demands of IoT, large conferences and the need to update infrastructure require constant oversight. It is argued that outsourcing the hotel wi-fi network to a managed WiFi provider has many advantages over placing the burden and responsibility on the hotel IT team. In my opinion, the article makes a strong case for engaging a managed WiFi provider. What would have been a useful addition to the article is how hotel's should go about managing and overseeing the provider that they engage.
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Top 5 trends in green hospitality and sustainability - Insights - 1 views

insights.ehotelier.com/...hospitality-and-sustainability trends hospitality sustainability green
shared by kelseybarton on 05 Sep 20 - No Cached
  • Over the last decade, guests have looked beyond amenities to decide where they want to stay. Now, they compare a property’s sustainable efforts to see if it matches their firmly held beliefs.
  • When someone decides to go green, reducing their water waste is often the first thing they try.
  • kelseybarton on 05 Sep 20
     
    eInsights has written an article discussing the trends of how the hospitality industry has become green. "Over the last decade, guests have looked beyond amenities to decide where they want to stay. Now, they compare a property's sustainable efforts to see if it matches their firmly held beliefs." It has come to the attention of the entire industry that we are leaving a huge footprint on the environment and we are taking strides to fix something that has been ongoing for quite some time. The first topic discussed was that hotels are minimizing their water usage and waste. This is often the most common first step for any hotel to work on their sustainability. Guests are often already privy to saving water in their own homes and will carry this over to their hotel stay. The second topic covered was that hotels are reducing their plastic products. This is a very popular topic within the industry as hotels have many options such as turning their plastic straws or water bottles into reusable items. Within the hospitality industry, sometimes food waste is unpreventable. Hotels have made great efforts to work with each of their departments to see where their waste originates and find the best solutions to reduce it. "Sustainability promotes a healthier environment," which often leads to hotels introducing new allergy-friendly options for their guests. Items such as allergy-friendly flooring or self-sustaining plants are just a few ways that hotels can create a healthier environment for their guests. Finally, the article discusses the importance of monitoring carbon emissions for the entire industry. "The UN recently called attention to hotel emissions, saying they account for 1% of all carbon waste." Hotels will often employ a professional to evaluate their property and make recommendations of how they can reduce their carbon footprint. After a hotel adds a new sustainability effort, it is important that they get guest feedback.
  • kelseybarton on 05 Sep 20
     
    A combination of positive guest feedback and minimizing energy usage will let a hotel know that they are moving in the right direction. It is so important for every hotel to try their best to employ whatever sustainability efforts they can and reduce their impacts on the environment as a whole. The emissions from the industry were overlooked for such a long time and have gotten out of control. With some of the popular industry trends, it is getting easier for hotels to make strides in the right direction.
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Why Event Management Software? 10 Reasons to Get Started - 3 views

blog.hubilo.com/sons-event-management-software Technology Event Management Software Hospitality
shared by laboygrisell on 22 Jun 20 - No Cached
  • The global EMS market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 8.42% during the period 2016–2020
  • Event management software is an investment with a definite return.
  • Event management software provides detailed analytics of every digital aspect of your event starting from the event website, event app, registrations, ticketing to overall feedback.
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  • Event management software assimilates multiple event planning tasks in one single place. A major plus, in this case, is the time and money that it saves up for the event planners.
  • Why Event Management Software? 10 Reasons to Get Started
  • Why Event Management Software? 10 Reasons to Get Started
  • event website
  • payments online.
  • Event Registration and ticketing– Creation of your event website and event app– Event promotion– Event Networking– Attendee Management– Feedback– Event analytics to track it all
  • networking platform
  • Another benefit of digital check-ins is that it helps in ensuring event security.
  • Every event planner wants his/her event to stand out, to make an impression.
  • Easy answer: customization.
  • very element of your event is customizable. You can design your event website and event app and tailor it as per your brand requirements.
  • Event management software can hand down provide you the value addition of a number of vendors at almost half the cost
  • event management software was created to make planning speedier and more efficient.
  • planning in terms of event website, networking platform, event analytics,
  • Attendees can register on your event website, move on to choose the type of ticket they wish to purchase and pay using the payment portal hosted on your own domain.
  • A QR code is basically a two-dimensional barcode that can be scanned
  • Event management software is the collective term for a wide range of software products used in the management of professional and academic conferences, trade exhibitions, conventions, and meetings.”
  • Making the most of these event analytics can really help you maximize your overall event ROI.
  • Event promotion is one of the most important aspects of event planning.
  • event networking platform feature of the software
  • Event networking platform is a great way to help attendees fulfill their agenda of networking as well as drive engagement throughout the event.
  • Some event management software work on subscription models. This is a great option for event planners who conduct a lot of events within a year. You can create and manage multiple events from a single platform.
  • sharlabrunsvold on 22 Jun 20
     
    Last updated on Feb. 14th, 2018, this article discusses the multiple benefits of event management systems. Event management systems can assist in event registration, promotional efforts, attendee management, and feedback. They are customizable and allow event planners to monitor the event planning process. In addition, they are time and cost-friendly, can track event analytics, and provide an organized way for planners to plan multiple events at a time.
  • laboygrisell on 05 Oct 20
     
    In this article you'll find tips on how crucial is the technology advancement in all types of the events.
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How to manage risks in tourism? | CBI - Centre for the Promotion of Imports from develo... - 0 views

www.cbi.eu/...how-manage-risks-tourism
shared by jessielee214 on 03 Oct 20 - No Cached
  • 1. What is risk management?
  • Risk management is a planned process through which organisations manage active crises.
  • A crisis is defined as a time of difficulty or danger and is usually a time when difficult or challenging decisions must be made.
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  • 2. Before a crisis: Have a Risk Management Process in place
  • A Risk Management Process aims to reduce the uncertainties of actions taken during a crisis. It is important to have this is place in advance, so that your organisation is well prepared for unexpected events that may happen in future.
  • Establish the context
  • Identify the risks
  • Know who your stakeholders are
  • Analyse and evaluate risks
  • Analysing risks involves determining the likelihood of a crisis occurring and their possible consequences, from insignificant up to catastrophic. Understanding which possible crisis would have the most negative impact will enable you to decide on the priority course of action.
  • Treat risks
  • Communicate and Consult
  • Being visible and keeping in touch with your stakeholders is one of the most important factors of risk management, and it must be done on a continuous basis in all stages, before, during and after a crisis.
  • No two crises are the same, and some destinations will be more susceptible to particular crises than others. You should carry out a risk analysis, drawing up a list of crises that might happen based on those that have occurred in your region/country in the past and may happen again.
  • Draw up a list of your stakeholders to get a clear overview, so you can ensure they are included in all correspondence you issue.
  • Use your website and social media to keep in touch
  • ou should revisit your website regularly and publish the most recent information about the impact a crisis is having on your destination/region.
  • It is really important to date your website communications, so that users can be sure they are receiving the most up-to-date information.
  • Monitor and review
  • Crises are often fast-moving; situations tend to be highly changeable and can be volatile. This means that current processes, plans or procedures that you have in place to deal with a crisis should be regularly reviewed and updated. Your plan should be flexible and dynamic, so that you can adapt easily to the changing situation when a crisis happens.
  • Training and testing
  • Once you have formulated your Risk Management Plan, you must train your staff and test the plan.
  • 3. During the crisis: Follow these four steps
  • Once a company is in the middle of a crisis, the first thing to do is to understand the situation as best you can and understand the impact it can have on your organisation. This is a continual process as one of the characteristics of a crisis is that it’s always changing, and the effects on your business will also constantly shift.
  • 1. Mitigation
  • Mitigation refers to the initial actions that the company that is directly in the face of the crisis or emergency needs to carry out. These are the first steps that need to be taken to protect the ones in the immediate line of fire – teams, customers, suppliers, industry partners and finances.
  • 2. Preparedness
  • he mitigation stage of the crisis management could be a very short process or a long, drawn-out process, depending on the immediate effect of the crisis on your business. At the same time, the process to start preparing the business for this particular crisis can be key to the next stages of Response and Recovery.
  • 3. Response
  • The majority of crisis management lies in the response to the crisis. All the preparation you have already done to protect the company and its assets will help you in the response stage.
  • 4. Recovery
  • It is difficult to know when the Response phase becomes the Recovery phase. However, it is clear that, while you are on the road to Recovery, you should to continue to follow the steps you established in the Emergency Response Plan. As in the previous steps, you should be continuously refining and updating the plan, based on the current situation. Flexibility during the Recovery phase continues to be important. Your organisation may look different following all the changes you may have made as a result of the crisis, and your markets may also have changed.
  • jessielee214 on 03 Oct 20
     
    This article uses diagrams and gives the step to let us know the processing of managing the risk. Also, it teaches a four-step process- Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery to address a crisis successfully.
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Smart Hotel Room; What Are the Benefits for Hotel Owners and Guests - 1 views

www.revfine.com/smart-hotel-room technology smart room
shared by kmill139 on 02 Apr 20 - No Cached
  • 5 Benefits of Smart Hotel Rooms
  • 1. Greater Personalisation
  • 2. Improved Sustainability
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  • 5. Faster and More Reliable Repairs
  • 3. Enhanced Customer Experience
  • 4. Remote Room Controls
  • A smart hotel room is a room that makes use of ‘smart’ electronic devices, powered by the Internet of Things (IoT).
  • another.
    • kmill139
      kmill139 on 08 Sep 21
       
      This is such a relevant topic in our society today. Having the ability to wireless and effectively transfer data between devices means an easier and stress-free experience.
  • Perhaps the single most important reason is because it can improve the actual experience of staying in a hotel, by enhancing the convenience aspect.
    • kmill139
      kmill139 on 08 Sep 21
       
      I personally have had a better experience at a hotel when there is technology present, so I can see how this is a thing.
  • This internet connectivity and communication capability allows devices to find information from the internet, and to interact with other devices in the nearby vicinity.
  • With that being said, smart hotel solutions has grown in popularity for other reasons, such as its ability to reduce some of the costs associated with running a hotel.
  • One of the main benefits of a smart hotel room is the ability to offer guests a greater level of personalisation.
    • kmill139
      kmill139 on 08 Sep 21
       
      This is a big thing. Guest like to have that "home-away-from-home" experience. Things like changing the temperature of the room, light setting, and even the water temperature can make the guest enjoy their experience more.
  • For hotel management, one of the biggest advantages of creating a smart hotel is the reduced costs that are often associated with the concept. This is primarily due to improvements to sustainability and energy efficiency within the hotel rooms, with certain devices only being used when they are actually needed.
  • Perhaps the most immediately obvious benefit of a smart hotel room is the improvement it can deliver in terms of the customer experience. A smart speaker, such as that provided through the Alexa for Hospitality service, assists with this by making it possible for TVs, lights, heating and other devices to be controlled through voice commands.
  • Another benefit of smart hotel rooms and the Internet of Things is the ability for hotel staff to access a variety of room controls from a remote location. This is especially useful when it comes to getting a hotel room ready for a new guest, improving the level of comfort they are greeted with upon checking in.
  • e advantage that is sometimes overlooked when it comes to smart rooms is the improved ability to anticipate technical issues with devices and make repairs swiftly. This allows hotels to intervene at the most timely possible moment, avoiding situations where the need for repairs hinders the customer experience.
  • While a growing number of owners are willing to embrace the idea of smart hotel rooms, many are unsure of how to go about actually implementing smart hotel systems. To help out, in the article “7 Ways to Transform a Hotel Room Into a Smart Room” you will find seven ways to transform a hotel room into a smart room.
  • Video: Example of a smart hotel room
    • kmill139
      kmill139 on 08 Sep 21
       
      Great video to see everything in a smart room.
  • duyingli on 02 Apr 20
     
    This article first introduced us to the definition of smart hotel rooms, and then explained the importance of smart room technology. From a customer perspective, smart hotel rooms can provide guests with a higher level of personalized service and enhance the customer experience. From an environmental point of view, smart hotel rooms are conducive to sustainable development. The consumption of lighting or heating in the room can be adjusted according to actual needs, which means that energy waste can be reduced. From the perspective of hotel management, smart hotel technology enables the front desk to remotely manage the room, improves management efficiency, and monitors the operation of equipment in the room through the Internet to achieve faster repairs.
  • kmill139 on 08 Sep 21
     
    This article is great for anyone who would like to understand more about technology involved in the hospitality industry. Recommend this to anyone who is writing about technology.
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How will technology impact the efficiency and sustainability of waste management? - 0 views

www.recyclingwasteworld.co.uk/...189941 impact efficiency sustainability technology green solution
shared by nashalsiddiqi on 28 Sep 21 - No Cached
  • How will technology impact the efficiency and sustainability of waste management?
  • This is the way waste management has always been. New York’s first waste management was an attempt to clean the streets of the thousands of tonnes of horse manure dumped on them every day.
  • The advent of packaging, plastics and electrical/electronic products has changed the way waste managers work. Yet, in 70% of the world, the old pick up and dump model continues sadly unchanged with disastrous consequences, such as oceans being full of plastics. But elsewhere waste management is now a sophisticated, technically and socially complex industry.
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  • Technology has enabled waste management to ensure environmental and human health protection while at the same time handling complex materials, increasing recycling, producing energy and virtually eliminating landfills in some countries.
  • Robotics are already widely present in sorting material facilities
  • The internet allows continuous real-time tracking of waste across countries
  • Hydraulic collection systems are increasingly being introduced in new buildings to avoid bins on the road.
  • Plant management, emission monitoring, chemical/biological parameters within plants
  • These new technologies are creating vast amounts of data. The data allows us to understand the movement not just of waste but of people – how they behave and what products and materials they are buying and will turn into waste.
  • predict the future and plan waste collection, the location of bins on the streets, the amount of plant we need, with some anticipation.
  • It also allows producers of waste to intervene to reduce their waste outputs
  • Add to this the use of artificial intelligence and blockchain computing – technologies that allow the multiplication of the access and transmission of intelligence and its automation. How does this work in practice?
  • First, data collection will be faster and simpler; then automated trend and performance analysis allows the user to see anomalies immediately; finally, this informs employee behaviour and decisions and allows immediate corrective actions.
  • nashalsiddiqi on 28 Sep 21
     
    the article suggests the different ways technology contributes into solving one of the issues production companies face which is managing waste. by suggesting different aspects to limit the negative outcomes of the production also to help in overcoming the challenges in the area. the article also emphasize the importance of data collection and utilization to enhance the efficiency in the industry.
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5 Reasons Why You Need A Travel Agent - More Than Ever - 0 views

www.forbes.com/...d-a-travel-agentmore-than-ever
shared by teresastas on 09 Sep 21 - No Cached
  • The major search sites routinely leave out flights (lots of them) and even entire airlines. A lot of the flights they do show are ones you don’t want, starting with “basic economy” fares that hit you with tons of restrictions and fees, so the price you see isn’t the one you end up paying, along with connections way too short or way too long, ones that no responsible travel agent would let you book.
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 09 Sep 21
       
      This is a very good point that is often overlooked. Southwest Airlines is one of those who do not publish their fairs on most of these OTA searches.
  • The reality is that while it was widely predicted that the internet was going to kill off travel agents when digital tools were placed at every traveler’s disposal, that just hasn’t happened, for several good reasons.
  • “They can find crazy deals”; “They will be your advocate”; “They’ll take care of the little things”; “They’re true experts” and “They don’t usually cost extra.”
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 09 Sep 21
       
      I think that the general public believe that TA's cost extra to use. For the most part that isn't true...unless it's a cooperate travel.
  • ...15 more annotations...
  • Travel agents are a thing of the past - they primarily booked tickets and beds. Travel advisors have taken on a much more complex role - part psychologist, life coach, executive producer, concierge, fixer, dream maker, and ‘Blink Blink’ genie, with the multitude of services that they provide.
  • Anything that causes cancelled flights (or cruises, etc.) means hassles, but the people who get through this process the most smoothly and the ones who get rebooked first and get the few available seats out of Dodge are usually the ones who used a travel agent. It’s that simple. First off, you actually have someone to call, versus long lines at banks of airport phones masquerading as “help desks.” But good agencies are constantly monitoring their clients’ flights and they usually know about your problem before you do - and often have a resolution before you even call them.
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 09 Sep 21
       
      They make a good point about having someone to call.
  • Expertise: No one knows everything about travel, no matter how deeply they are involved in the industry.
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 09 Sep 21
       
      Reason #2: Expertise
  • Emergencies: This is the one most applicable to the average occasional travel.
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 09 Sep 21
       
      Reason #2: Expertise
  • It is important to remember that these advantages are not just for luxury travelers. Good travel advisors do not just know what the best hotel is, they know what the best hotel is for you and your budget and can help you find the right fit.
  • Connections: Whether you are trying to book space at a coveted 8-villa safari lodge in Africa or get a room in a top Paris hotel during Fashion Week, most hoteliers keep emergency inventory and guess who gets it? The travel advisors they have known for years who book a lot of guests and send them a lot of business.
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 09 Sep 21
       
      Reason #3: Connections
  • “Travel advisors provide our clients with access: access to people, places, and experiences that could never be replicated, much less imagined. A great travel advisor has invested time and relationships in creating their ‘black book’ of contacts and relationships, so that when their clients travel, they are treated as a VIPs, not just a credit card number.” In my experience, everyone likes being treated like a VIP.
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 09 Sep 21
       
      I think this lends itself to who your travel agent is and what they are most experienced in. I couldn't agree that all travel agents are going to give their clients VIP experiences.
  • “Information overload, thousands of new hotels on the scene, all sorts of new cruise ships, passport and visa issues, weather, transit strikes, political unrest, natural disasters, travel insurance, travel providers going out of business, it’s never ending. How does one navigate all of this? To avoid the travel landmines that lay in front of you, you need to get a great travel advisor!
  • Extras: When you get more than you expected for the same price, that’s a great deal, and with travel advisors this happens all the time.
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 13 Sep 21
       
      Reason #4: Extras
  • “The millennial generation specifically may have seen their parents use a travel advisor, but don’t feel like they need one - until they are deep in the spiral of research. By shifting gears to planning with an expert, they feel liberated from the immense pressure of choosing the ‘best’ resort - because we’re cutting through the noise of all the conflicting opinions they’re seeing online.
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 13 Sep 21
       
      This is a great point. I know first hand that when booking an actual vacation it can be so much easier to have an expert weed out the options they know won't work for you.
  • Air: If you are trying to buy the cheapest round-trip economy ticket from New York to Dallas, even the best advisors probably can’t get it for less than you can buy it online, though you still have to deal with all the pitfalls of the online travel sites and you will lose the safety net advisors provide when things go wrong. But in a couple of other cases, buying your air through an agent can actually save you money, or miles, or both.
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 13 Sep 21
       
      Reason 5: Air Fare You will usually be able to find the cheapest economy online but there are times when a travel agent might be able to save you fees on airlines.
  • It just doesn’t seem possible, but it is, real tickets, same airline, better seats, less money. I don’t know how they do it, and frankly I don’t care, but if you know who to call this happens all the time (if you are not a client of SmartFlyer booking your vacation or business trip, they will charge you a fee to do the legwork and find you great deals on premium and mileage tickets, but in almost every case I’ve seen, it still saves you money).
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 13 Sep 21
       
      This is a great travel tip!
  • Better Trips! At the end of the day this is the bottom line, the big win you get with a good travel advisor. They know more than you do, they are better connected, they have access to benefits you can’t get yourself, and they can match and often beat any prices you find. They plan a better trip and then provide a safety net.
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 13 Sep 21
       
      Reason number 6: Better Trips Your trip is better all around when you use a good travel advisor!
  • Travel advisors take the overwhelming amount of information out there and distill it into the key points that apply to you - the best hotel/destination/tour for your interests, your budget, and your time frame.
  • 5 Reasons Why You Need A Travel Agent - More Than Ever
    • teresastas
      teresastas on 13 Sep 21
       
      We have been discussing a lot about the role of GDS's and OTA's it has become clear that the role of the traditional travel agent has evolved. The question of what is the role of a travel agent and why should we still use them has come up a lot and this article breaks down the answer giving 5 reasons why we still need travel agents. The reasons are listed as emergencies, expertise, connections, airfare and extras. All of these reason collectively make a better trip all around. After reading this it makes me want to book my next vacation through a travel agent!
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7 Steps to Securing Your Point-of-Sale System | PCMag - 0 views

www.pcmag.com/...ring-your-point-of-sale-system
shared by sdavi111 on 06 Oct 21 - No Cached
  • Consider how the Target store hack in 2014 was one of the biggest point-of-sale (POS) system data breaches in United States history that exposed more than 70 million customer records to hackers, and cost the retailer's CEO and CIO their jobs. It was later revealed that the attack could have been avoided if Target had just implemented the auto-eradication feature within its FireEye anti-malware system.
  • the reality is that most POS attacks can be avoided.
  • be sure your company has a virtual private
  • ...18 more annotations...
  • network (VPN) in place to safeguard data that's traveling back and forth on your company's
  • network.
  • Most of the aforementioned attacks have been the result of malware applications loaded into
  • the POS system's memory.
  • important point to note here is that a second app must be running (in addition to the POS app),
  • This is why iOS has traditionally facilitated fewer attacks. Because iOS is only able to fully run one app at a time, these types of attacks rarely occur on Apple-made devices.
  • otherwise the attack can't occur.
  • Companies such as Verifone offer software that's designed to guarantee your customer's data is
  • never exposed to hackers.
  • These tools encrypt credit card information the second it's received on the POS device and once again when it's sent to the software's server. This means that the data is never vulnerable, regardless of where hackers might be installing malware.
  • install endpoint protection software on your device.
  • Employees can steal devices with POS software installed on them, or accidentally leave the device at the office or in a store, or lose the device. If devices are lost or stolen, anyone who then accesses the device and the software (especially if you didn't follow rule #2 above) will be able to view and steal customer records.
  • Systems that connect
  • to external networks are more susceptible to attacks from hackers
  • Consider keeping things internal and secure, use a corporate network to handle critical tasks like payment processing.
  • you'll want to comply with the Payment Card
  • Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) across all card readers, networks, routers, servers, online shopping carts, and even paper files. The PCI Security Standards Council suggests companies actively monitor and take inventory of IT assets and business processes in order to
  • detect any vulnerability.
  • sdavi111 on 06 Oct 21
     
    Even though this article is from 2019 it is still extremely relevant today. POS systems are found in most hospitality outlets and the chances for a security breach are high. I have often thought when I had my credit card to a waiter and they are gone for 10 minutes are they copying the number, is it being added to a database that can then be hacked? The importance of having the proper securities in place, the proper malware and security software is really important. Having had a catering company for 20 years I had to do PCI compliance tests every 6 months and for years I just handed it over to my IT to do the test. He would suggest things to make us safer and since it usually cost money I would shake it off. It wasnt until the credit card processing company i was using had a security breach that I realized how important these PCI rules were. It is something going forward I will always pay attention to!
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Big Brother is watching: Chinese city with 2.6m cameras is world's most heavily surveil... - 0 views

www.theguardian.com/...worlds-most-heavily-surveilled technology tech security
shared by kmill139 on 07 Oct 21 - No Cached
  • The city’s surveillance system scans facial features of people on the streets from frames of video footage in real time, creating a virtual map of the face. It can then match this information against scanned faces of suspects in a police database. If there is a match that passes a preset threshold, typically 60% or higher, the system immediately notifies officers. Three days later the police captured the man, who eventually admitted that he was the suspect.
  • With 2.58m cameras covering 15.35 million people – equal to one camera for every six residents – Chongqing has more surveillance cameras than any other city in the world for its population, beating even Beijing, Shanghai and tech hub Shenzhen.
    • kmill139
      kmill139 on 07 Oct 21
       
      In the near future you will be able to find camera anywhere you go
  • Eight of the 10 most surveilled cities in the analysis are in China. London ranked sixth with 627,707 cameras covering 9 million residents and Atlanta, Georgia, came 10th with 7,800 cameras for 501,178 people.
  • ...11 more annotations...
  • Many crimes committed in a certain area of Chongqing were committed by non-residents, so facial recognition cameras were seen as a way to combat this.
  • But critics warn such widespread surveillance violates internationally guaranteed rights to privacy. To meet international privacy standards enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both collection and use of biometric data should be limited to people found to be involved in wrongdoing, and not broad populations who have no specific link to crime. Individuals should have the right to know what biometric data the government holds on them. China’s automated facial recognition systems violate those standards.
  • “These systems are being developed and implemented without meaningful privacy protections against state surveillance. The depth, breadth and intrusiveness of the Chinese government’s mass surveillance on its citizens may be unprecedented in modern history.”
  • Cities elsewhere may not be too far behind China’s mass surveillance.
  • media access control address of users’ smartphone devices, a request sent when a device is searching for a wifi connection, to track their travel journeys precisely. It was only after the media raised awareness of the project that TfL widely informed its passengers.
  • “With the rise of things like facial recognition, that is why we need new legislation that decides what is in the public’s interest and the legal structure within which they can be used. We shouldn’t drift there by accident.”
  • And part of that is building trust with the community based on good community information, not on Big Brother technology.”
  • Since then, two more Californian cities, Oakland and Berkeley, have also passed bans on all government use of facial recognition technology. Somerville, Massachusetts, passed a similar law this summer.
  • Some people support facial recognition on the basis that technology has always driven change and is a force for good if used responsibly and proportionately.
  • Omanovic argues that live facial recognition fundamentally threatens free societies. “It might start with the monitoring of just a few thousand people but it definitely won’t end there,” says Omanovic. “Authorities need to permanently ban its roll out now before it’s too late.”
  • “Singapore has plans to install 100,000 facial-recognition cameras on lampposts, Chicago police have asked for 30,000 more, and Moscow intends to have 174,000 by the end of this year.”
  • kmill139 on 07 Oct 21
     
    Super important and relevant article about how big brother is watching us
5More

Why Assessing and Mitigating the Security Risks of PMS Data Should be a Top Priority fo... - 0 views

hoteltechnologynews.com/...iority-for-every-hotel-it-team
shared by cingram21 on 10 Oct 21 - No Cached
  • here are two components of the puzzle: the booking engine used by hotels, and the actual PMS. Since guest data can be self-hosted by hotels, managed on-property by a third party, or handled entirely off site, it’s up to hoteliers to decide what works best for their property.
  • However, even if your hotel’s data is out of sight, it is a hotel’s responsibility to keep their data partners accountable.
  • To stay informed on the status of your property’s data storage, operators should become familiar with the management at work in their hosting facility. Request information on the hosting facility’s certifications for GDPR, PCA, SOC 2, and others. It will also be useful for learning who oversees rolling updates out to your hotel’s machines, as well as firewall rules, antivirus requirements and more.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • No matter how a hotel stores its data, operators will always be liable for securing it on some level. This is particularly true for PCI compliance, as hotels still physically handle credit cards properly and store guests’ card data well locally.
  • In general, hosted environments, whether multi tenanted or dedicated, reduce some of the operational load of your IT team in various ways, dependent on the level of interaction coming from your data partner. A fully managed implementation could absolve hoteliers from overseeing updates, watching alerts for threat monitoring, and more. These systems also give operators the benefit of accessing their systems from anywhere, often through and ideally via browser-based user interfaces.
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What is Network Redundancy and Why Does It Matter? - 0 views

www.vxchnge.com/...network-redundancy-explained redundancy hospitality Innovations; technology
shared by ldeur001 on 26 May 20 - No Cached
  • The underlying concept of redundant networks is simple. Without any backup systems in place, all it takes is one point of failure in a network to disrupt or bring down an entire system. Network redundancy is the process of adding additional instances of network devices and lines of communication to help ensure network availability and decrease the risk of failure along the critical data path.
  • All valuable data should be backed up regularly, preferably in another location. A good data center location strategy maps out the best places to replicate and store data so it can be easily accessed in the event that other redundant systems fail and the main network goes down. By using more than one data center, companies can ensure that even if some disaster occurs, they will be able to carry on with minimal disruption.
  • Colocation data centers regularly conduct tests to assess the integrity of their backup systems and redundant networks. They can test different connections by physically disconnecting hardware to make sure failover occurs as anticipated. If things do not go as planned during testing, data center managers then create an after-action report that lists the items they need to fix as a result of the testing. They also create a procedure to follow for both automatic and manual flip over. 
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • For many companies, their networks are the primary point of contact for delivering products and services to their customers.
  • A network outage, then, whether it's caused by equipment failure, an unexpected cyberattack, or some form of human error, can be devastating for a business. Every moment of system downtime translates into very real financial losses in the form of lost revenue, diminished brand reputation, and missed opportunities.
  • Network redundancy is the process of adding additional instances of network devices and lines of communication to help ensure network availability and decrease the risk of failure along the critical data path.
  • Without any backup systems in place, all it takes is one point of failure in a network to disrupt or bring down an entire system. Redundancy in networks helps to eliminate single points of failure to ensure better network stability and uptime in the face of events that would otherwise take the network offline.
  • fault-tolerant redundant system provides full hardware redundancy, mirroring applications across two or more identical systems that run in tandem.
  • Ideal for any operations in which any amount of downtime is unacceptable
  • A software-based redundant system, high availability uses clusters of servers that monitor one another and have failover protocols in place.
  • there is a brief loss of service while the backup servers boot up applications.
  • anonymous on 26 May 20
     
    Network redundancy is the process of adding network devices and other instances of communication lines to help ensure network availability and reduce the risk of failures on critical data paths. One of the first steps in the network redundancy plan is to create a network strategy that reviews the existing infrastructure. A high-quality hosted data center should have an extensive backup system to ensure that it is always available. All valuable data should be backed up regularly, preferably in another location. By using multiple data centers, companies can ensure that even if certain disasters occur, they will be able to proceed with minimal losses. In addition, a well-maintained UPS system ensures that the server can be switched from power to backup generator power without losing any data or applications.
  • ldeur001 on 06 Sep 21
     
    A network outage whether it is due to a cyber attack or simple human error can be devastating to a company. It makes them look very bad, damaging their reputation, and can cost the business millions of dollars. Network Redundancy can help ensure network availability and decrease the risk of failure. There are 2 forms of redundancy. Fault Tolerance where there is a mirrored backup system that takes over with no loss of service, and High Availability where the backup servers take over and restart applications that were running on the failed server.
6More

Hotel Concierge Software. What it is and why your hotel needs it. - 1 views

www.triparound.com/hotel-concierge-software concierge Tech POS software
shared by jblan183 on 02 Nov 21 - No Cached
  • While room booking has been highly modernized, the same can’t be said for the activities and services offered by the hotel.  Experiences such as spa, tours, and excursions play a vital role in the guest’s overall experience. Modern travelers like Millenials want to dive deep into the culture of the location they are visiting and experience it at its fullest. Even a great hotel room and good service are no longer enough.
    • jblan183
      jblan183 on 02 Nov 21
       
      Since most Millennial parents, according to triparound.com, work remotely, they have become more adventurous compared to prior generations, being able to work while they vacation as well as make enough of a living to afford more adventurous excursions over traditional hotel stays at the Marriott International hotels.
  • By having all activity bookings in one organized, online platform concierge teams and hotel staff can enjoy a much better collaboration. All knowledge and bookings are shared through the software.
  • A big part of the concierge’s role is the development of meaningful relationships with the hotel’s guests in order to better understand their needs, enhance their experience, and delight them.Unfortunately, due to inefficient activity booking methods, concierges often lack the time needed to do that. With a hotel concierge software, all activity bookings can be done with a click of a button (literally) , and thus they have more time to come closer to your customers, assess their needs, and emphasize on the personal touch. 
    • jblan183
      jblan183 on 02 Nov 21
       
      As mentioned below by Remy Merckx, Global VP of Digital from the Radisson Hotel Group, technology is "an accelerator to get in touch with the customer," increasing the nymber of potential interactions and improving the personalization capabilities during traditional touchpoints like check-in or at the concierge desk.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • What is a hotel concierge software?In brief, a hotel concierge software is a digital platform that allows the efficient organization of daily operations, planning, collaboration, and booking of experiences for concierges.In other words, it empowers concierge teams toHave better collaborationReduce downtimeMonitor the performance of your hotel’s experiencesMake bookings without the need for physical presence by the guest
7More

What Will Smart Homes Look Like in 10 Years? | Time - 0 views

time.com/...smart-homes-future sustainable house tech business
shared by jblan183 on 22 Nov 21 - No Cached
  • manufacturers are putting their R&D and marketing budgets behind home-monitoring and security gadgets–they will have 22.6% of the smart-home market share by 2023, estimates research firm IDC, with smart speakers and lighting equipment not far behind, at 15.4% and 11.8% respectively
  • cybersecurity will become all the more vital. Any kind of massive breach that turns off consumers, says Daniel Cooley, chief strategy officer at electronics-component manufacturer Silicon Labs, could be catastrophic for the industry. “I call it a mass-extinction event for the Internet of Things,” he says.
    • jblan183
      jblan183 on 22 Nov 21
       
      This can hint towards a huge improvement with a huge risk; a house with everything you could ask for being automated for your convenience could be easily hacked and just like that, your personal information is taken and shown to the entire world, or used to the hacker's advantage. My tip: tread carefully if you wish to buy a smart home or invest in a smart home company.
  • Smart vacuum cleaners like iRobot’s Roomba are already picking up after us, while products like the Aibo, a robotic dog for children, show how they might help keep us company like a pet. As for the future? Robotic-furniture company Ori Living is working with Ikea on pieces that change based on your needs, getting the bed out of the way when you need a desk, or hiding your closet when it’s dinnertime.
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • A bill put forth by Virginia Senator Mark Warner in March would push the government to set up minimum security requirements for smart devices used by federal agencies; such requirements could eventually become standard for the industry at large.
    • jblan183
      jblan183 on 22 Nov 21
       
      Hacking could become rare with this bill, with any smart device requiring minimum security requirements that would force all smart device businesses to comply to the eventual standard of the industry.
  • All the automated attentiveness will come with a high price tag: consumers will spend $123 billion on IoT gear by 2021, according to advisory firm ABI Research, a number that’s likely to rise thereafter.
16More

8 Hospitality Digital Marketing Trends to Watch in 2021 | WEBITMD® - 0 views

webitmd.com/...keting-trends-to-watch-in-2021 hospitality emarketing digital marketing 2021 pandemic social media influencers retargeting ads hotel business mobile
shared by ldevaul on 26 Sep 21 - No Cached
  • If there is one industry that was adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it is the hospitality industry.
  • And now, with a vast majority of consumers shifting their activities to online platforms, it has become imperative to make use of digital hospitality marketing to maintain a competitive edge.
  • Perhaps the number one most trusted content online is user reviews. This includes everything from testimonials, comments, forums, social publications, and blog posts.
  • ...12 more annotations...
  • Influencer marketing is one of the fastest-growing strategies in the marketing arena at the moment.
  • By doing so, you get access to a broader audience while establishing credibility and trust. It has been associated with an increase in direct bookings
  • Remarketing basically involves focusing your advertising efforts on users who show interest in your business. You can do this by collecting statistics on users visiting your website or engaging with your content on YouTube or social media.
  • At the moment, remarketing ads have a 400% larger click-through rate and nearly 150% higher website conversion rate
  • The trick is to re-engage the users who’ve visited your website but didn’t go all the way booking.
  • Chatbots are becoming an almost standard component of business websites. They apply more so in the hospitality industry, where users need rapid responses to queries they make online, regardless of whether there is staff available to give answers.
  • With a VR headset, you can catch a glimpse of a remote location and feel like you are actually there.
  • Due to the impact of COVID-19, revenues in most hospitality-based industries are a fraction of what they were in 2019.
  • Online reputation scores are basically a measure of the rate that people like and trust your brand. There are tons of paid and free tools which you can use to run automatic assessments for your company. It takes into account positive, negative, and neutral critics made about your business, which is then rated from 0-1000.
  • Perhaps the most fundamental trend in the hospitality industry in the wake of the COVID-19 virus is showcasing your facility’s abilities to guarantee the safety of your customers.
  • The way you advertise your service, be it food or massage and gyms, should be done so they appeal more to the local residents and the popular cultural ideals.
  • Keep in mind that any company’s primary aim in the hospitality industry is to enhance the customer experience and create a more lasting relationship. Therefore, as you try out these techniques, your strategies should ultimately achieve that goal.
  • ldevaul on 26 Sep 21
     
    This article discusses digital marketing trends in the hospitality industry for 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have had to shift a majority of their activities to an online platform. The number on most trusted form of eMarketing for 2021 has been the focus on User generated content (UGC). Restaurants, retailers, and hoteliers have been encouraged to take advantage of UGC and use their guests experiences to share to their social media pages. Another important detail to note from this article was the focus on remarketing/retargeting ads. Currently, these ads have a 400% larger click-through rate and nearly 150% higher website conversion rate. They also discussed how VR has helped with online booking for hotels and highlighting safety protocols have impacted businesses during this pandemic. Ultimately, a "company's primary aim in the hospitality industry is to enhance the customer experience and create a more lasting relationship."
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