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This article is about Disney's new foot tracking technology and how it uses the cloud network, to cater to customer needs and interests, in real time. "As guests become recognized, robots throughout the park are able to greet park goers." "By having all the data uploaded to the cloud, the robots or employees that are designated to greet guests can access information instantly." "This tracking allows Disney to mine data for visitor preferences and how much foot traffic they are obtaining. " "This information is useful so they can monitor the guests' movements from ride to ride to identify the park's most visited attraction. " "By monitoring and tracking the movement of visitor's the park can deploy more employees to the busier areas throughout the park." "Using the cloud's capabilities, robots can access data for each guest quickly to maximize the amount of park goers that receive this innovative technology."

"It is very important to know the differences between both words and how they work. Hardware is the physical device used by your computer (monitor, mouse etc) and software is what makes the system inside the computer works (internet browser, applications etcetera)."

This article describes the challenges that hoteliers face when it comes to accounting principles. There are four major issues that arise: Enterprise Resource Planning, Staff Variations, Data Overload, and Core Challenges. Choosing the proper system to manage your finances is an important issue when dealing hotel accounting. Taking into consideration your varying staff levels into the financial arena is also important. In addition you must choose what data is important to your financial success. Once you determine the data to use its very important on what you do with it. Its important to have someone on staff that will understand how to interpret the information and make it useful. If no one is on staff then the choice to outsource the task will be the next option.

Every hotel company would like to build their own enterprise back-office system. It is more cost effective solution would be to partner up and invest in hotel sector specific technologies. With needs to staff variations real-time monitoring of labor is essentially in reducing labor cost. Another cost-effective and efficient solution is to outsource any finances and accounting practices that the hoteliers can't perform themselves

Its no secret that a hospitality companies financies and accounting tools can be complex with there own unique challenges. Cloud based reporting tools are there to help manage and monitor transactions in real time through an array of data sets.

The article starts off by addressing the most essential desire of the modern traveler, which is well performing WiFi. Based on a study in 2018, 89% of guests decide where to stay based on free reliable WiFi. This makes access to connectivity the top priority hospitality firms should be looking at for their guests. Poor WiFi experiences can lead to negative guests satisfaction which leads to a loss of repeat business and poor guest reviews. Connectivity also plays a crucial role in the operation of the business. As more business applications move to a wireless or cloud base, the need for strong connectivity increases. This allows room for new innovations to enhance the guest experience. A front desk agent can now check someone in on a cell phone rather than a desktop. This enables you to greet the guest at the door and complete a check-in while in route to their room, eliminating the need to wait in the lobby. Another benefit is with the advent of cloud computing, a hotel can reduce their hardware costs by not having to have a LAN at each property. They can run a centralized cloud server that all properties can log into. This also eliminates the need to have dedicated IT staff at each location. A major issue with this though is that IT loses visibility of the local delivery path of the network. This makes it difficult for them to locate and resolve issues that might happen, such as slow WiFi speeds. They are then challenged to develop a network performance monitoring solution that can account for all the apps working off the network, including the guest's, to gain visibility to be able to troubleshoot when issues arise. I think moving to a cloud based system to reduce hardware and labor costs will become standard for large hospitality firms. For brands with thousands of properties, this can be a great way to reduce expenses. There are certainly challenges that go along with this new technology, however I believe the ROI to be greater and I can see these companies m

I can see these companies making the initial investments to perfect this method. You already see it in a majority of software applications moving to a cloud/web based system. This helps to greatly reduce hard drive storage needs and makes the programs accessible from anywhere. In this post-covid environment, remote accessibility has become a necessity.

The major hotel chains are influencing legislation and also now requiring employee safety devices (ESDs) to make the workplace safer for employees (i.e. room service attendants or housekeepers) who find themselves alone in guest rooms with ill-intentioned guests. ESDs can also be appropriate for large resorts with beach personnel, activities personnel, or other positions that find themselves in enclosed, or remote areas with less security. Not every hotel has a security department that can constantly monitor cameras and ESDs. Will these devices present more strain on hotel wireless networks? That depends. Hoteliers need to consider whether these devices will be provided by or monitored through their keylock vendor, through their guest room entertainment vendor, or through a wireless provider. Could there be a benefit to an ESD interface with the PMS? I'm not finding an obvious answer. Hotels, varying in room count, are providing ESDs that range from whistles to wireless to BLE or RFID enabled. Hotel owners and management companies have the responsibility to research the most appropriate solution for their hotel without undermining the safety and privacy of their employees and their hotel networks.

Restaurant Technologies, Inc. (RTI) is a new company that has established filtration Monitoring technology that immediately collects data from sensors in the fryer system and delivers it to the customer's Total Operations Management (TOM) online portal. This portal tracks how often the oil is filtered, when it is filtered, and for how long. Data is automatically compared to the restaurant's ideal filtration processes, so any deviations are tracked. Managers can opt to receive mobile/email alerts that can be used to correct filtration oversights instantly or be used for staff training on standard filtration procedures. They can view one location or many locations data on the portal.

This article tell about the common components of the POS system. The back office servers  store all the information and provide all the information. The Monitor cash drawer and bar-code scanner is what the cashiers always use when selling the product. Key boards and printer is for input and output the information both for store and customers. The MSR part is used to capture the credit or debit card information,

ince its founding as a hotel management company in 2003, Ascenture Hotel Group has evolved into a full-scale development firm with 10 properties in five states and more on the horizon, including a five-star resort in the Dominican Republic. To meet investor expectations and track profitability targets, Moffa relies on Profitvue enterprise accounting and financial planning software from Aptech Computer Systems to calculate and communicate crucial business data on his assets data each day. Ascenture's brands include Hilton, Holiday Inn, and Comfort Suites. One reason his company chose Aptech is because Profitvue accepts performance data from all brands and systems, regardless of flag, and easily creates centralized daily property reports and consolidated financials and delivers them online or by e-mail. Ascenture's move to Profitvue also saves it money. Ascenture has only two people in its accounting office for all its assets. "Aptech creates a more efficient operation so we save about $80,000 in additional salaries," says Joseph C. Moffa, Ascenture president. Moffa's team monitors each hotel's operation against budget with a flexible set of metrics that show property financial health. "Our partners and investors are in business for a profit," explains Moffa. "A hotel is a different investment with a different return than an office building. It is a 365, 24/7 living, breathing business that never closes. We use Aptech to keep our investors and partners informed. I want them to be the smartest owners in the hotel business and understand how we manage their investments to increase value. We use Profitvue reports to show how we manage costs down to the smallest amenities." Profitvue also enables his management team to monitor property performance while they are traveling, explains Lisa Zifer Ascenture's director of operations. "Aptech makes our company and its services portable. We access data remotely us

In this era of technology I think the hotel industry should of accommodated their customers with an excellent mobile site experience. As read in the article, "In 2011, mobile was responsible for $2.6 billion in travel bookings," and the numbers are increasing exponentially by year. Mobile devices are becoming so popular to book travel because todays customer lives a high-paced life and is always on the go. So I think it is extremely important that travel industries understand the customer and targets them accordingly in order to form that customer loyalty. With the popularity of tablets, the smartphone is gaining harsh competition because a tablet user has a smartphone and when it comes to booking travel they would most likely use their tablet because it is more accessible and the screen is bigger and easier to read. The smartphone and tablet experience is completely different because in essence you are targeting different audiences. The tablet user wants to see bigger icons and more visibility on the bigger screen, while the smartphone user wants to have a quick information session where she/he can view everything on the go. I think the travel industry should focus on execution in order to give the tablet and smartphone user the best mobile experience. With that said, the only way to ensure that positive feedback is through "regular testing and monitoring of your mobile site…"

Recently, CCTV/Video Surveillance has had several technologically developments. Security concerns in public places are driving a demand for CCTC/Video surveillance. New software will help CCTV/Video Surveillance monitor and analyze information. The US is the largest regional market for this technology.CCTV Recorders are the fastest growing product segment. I think its a great idea to build upon and make existing technology better especially since it is used across the world.

This article introduce a new energy and labor saving system in Japan. With a brain box of the touch screen system, the computer control all the electronic components, such as lighting, alarm systems. Only one user is required to monitor the system. It not only save the energy that may be wasted because of the negligence of employees, but also save the labor cost. Many buildings, such as hotels and schools, would benefit from this system.

""We have recycling bins throughout the hotel in every guest room," said Barnard. In the newer remodeled rooms they've installed heat and motion sensors. Once you leave or enter the room, it activates the heat and AC system, which makes it energy efficient. In addition to the in-room management system, a monitored hot water system automatically shuts off when not in use."

By Call Accounting Software, manager can monitor, evaluate, forecast and allocate communications management services and expenses. 

The Denihan Hospitality Group incorporates Telkonet's EcoSmart energy system to create more comfort for their guests during their stay at 5 of their hotels in New York. The system has an ability to monitor certain aspects of a room to conserve energy and enhance it when needed for its customers. This EcoSmart system saves an average 30% on energy and extends equipment life which is a plus for hotel businesses.

It is an impressive article that a security system could be literally so sound and impregnable. It can monitor and assure all the checkpoints; especially it can scan the contractor IDs while access to the property. As we know the hospitality industry is a meeting ground, labor-orinted and customers diversified, easy to be liable for negligence.  There is news I read in the newspaper years ago, the front desk person accidentally assigned the room key to a guest that has been given to another guest in advance. And that leads to the second guest lost his $5000 in his suitcase. The court decision was the hotel was liable and compensated for the loss of the second guests. The hotel is not only has loss in money but also in the reputation. If the hotel could have the InvoTech's system, it would check all the keys, this situation would never happened. And for the system can automatic scan contractor IDs, all I can say is amazing, it not a easy thing from my eyes. Especially for some luxury hotels, there will have some VIPs, or VVIPs, their security is the top one task for the hotel

Article speaks about hotel automation systems by vendors, that allow hotels to reduce energy and utility costs that impact the bottom line. The EPA estimated that in 2004 the hotel industry spent more than $5 billion on energy and that the number was likely to increase. Items such as occupancy based thermostats communicate over wireless networks and allow hotel staff to perform maintenance tasks such as detect issues with in-room HVAC systems before guests call in to report the items. Other systems use energy monitoring systems that allow for the hotel to detect room temperatures. This is significant as those rooms temperature and lighting systems can know whether the occupant is in the room and adjust lighting and temperature settings accordingly. Energy waste in hotels is an issue that affects the bottom line so the potential for ROI is great. Implementation of many of these systems is flexible as many are built on wireless networks that do not require heavy physical installation of wiring. Interested in the groups thoughts on this?

This article shows how hotels are using technology to improve their loss prevention and security systems. Hotels, like the ARIA in Las Vegas, are implementing radio frequency identification systems (RFID) to efficiently track their employees' uniforms. This specific hotel has the advantage that it is a new hotel and therefore can start with a blank slate, versus other hotels that will implement it as their budget allows. The RFID chips are sewn into the uniforms and then entered into the inventory system. This allows the hotel to monitor where and in whose hands the uniforms are. Other hotels, like the Arnold Palmer in Orlando, are using RFID for security. The RFID locking technology audits locks and tell the hotel when and who entered a room. In addition, sophisticated cameras with intelligent software are being used throughout different points of hotels' perimeters to safeguard guests. These sophisticated technological breakthroughs are only efficient if organized data management and communication processes are put in place. I think that the use of technology to better monitor theft and security is a great area for hotels to invest their money on. The use of cameras to detect alarming fast speeds of boats near hotels with ocean perimeters is not something that guests look for when deciding on hotels, but it is an added feature that adds value to the hotel in the long-run and one that can save lives.

This is part 3 of a 7-part series about hotel IT security) This article discusses The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, or PCI DSS which is "a set of comprehensive requirements for enhancing payment account data security... which fosters a consistent and uniform set of standards among the five major credit brands (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB). It lists the 12 requirements and six goals which are mandatory for hotels as of July 2010 which include building and maintaining a secure network; protecting cardholder data; having a vulnerability management program; implementing access control measures; and regularly monitoring and testing networks. As a consumer and as a hospitality professional, it is good to know that there has been a data security standard developed, and that it is required for hotels (and other merchants) to implement and develop compliance programs at every property. Also discussed are six goals for making data security decisions, such as "If you don't need it, don't store it." Upon reading these it is refreshing to see such common sense advice and no pretentiousness in the documentation guidelines. The article finishes stating that data security should not be bothersome or inconvenient, that data security is essential in light of hotel liability consequences should a guest's payment and identification data be compromised.

This article talks about the PCI DSS which has been a mandatory standard since 2010. Every credit card processes by hotel has to conpliant with PCI DSS, or the hotel will be fined up to USD$500,000. The PCI DSS has six specific goads with 12 specific requirements. Those are: Build and maintain a secure network, protect cardholder data, maintain a vulnerability management program, implement strong access control measures, regularly monitor and test networks, and maintain an information security policy.

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.