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(First I would like to say I am not promoting this program in any way. Because this article talks about security that is the only reason I use this article.) Security is a word that is spoken about very often; it is on people minds everyday and maybe every second. Privatesky, online cloud base security software, claims to have the best security system on the market. The service is free, fast, one-click encryption for messages, files and information. The security software is activated by a click of a button from within Outlook, a web browser or via any browser-based application on a PC, MC tablet or Smartphone. HTTPS is a very secure system and Privatesky claims to be better.

To know who your guests are and what they like is definitely a competitive strategy for hotels. From this article, there're tons of Apps working to assist and improve Customer Relationship Management system. According to what I searched, infusionsoft is very time consuming and team initiative to customize properly. It's hard to make each application perfect but the purpose behind them is clear: to communicate with customers as more as we can. Those Apps make teams spread across large distances (and businesses set in one location) to collaborate on leads, contacts, discussions and other items and make this extremely simple to do. So being able to collaborate on more aspects of your daily operations is much more beneficial to overall sales and customer experiences. Some applications bring collaboration to a few narrow aspects of CRM, some bring collaboration to the center of the app, and regardless if you're managing other aspects of your business through software you will need to find ways to collaborate on that as well. Many companies accomplish this by using a variety of applications, but it absolutely brings integration issues and high monthly bills. So a lot of helpful solutions are center collaboration with a feature-consolidating environment across a variety of aspects of business management software. WORKetc is a business management app that combines CRM, PM, Finances (expenses, invoicing, etc) and help desk software into one - and brings collaboration to all of these aspects. Thus, it's essential to collaborate them wisely instead of combining as more as possible.

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.

MIS is becoming an important part of any organization, helping collect and analyse data that is relevant to business will facilitate planing and decision making.

As the hospitality industry keeps expanding and the demand keeps accelerating from the increasing number of travelers. Businesses operating under this industry relatively also have the increasing need for maintaining efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. Major B2B software providers are now currently getting into this rapid growth wave to meet the needs of these businesses.

This article points out that hotels are still a huge target for hackers. Hotels need to make sure they reduce the temptation on standalone point solutions. Hotels should focus on having a security framework that stops data from moving outside of he country. To limit hacking as well, hotels should not store information locally. It was surprising to read that 74% of hotels lacked breach protection.

This article introduces an advanced hospitality market performance dashboard which designed by ProfitSword. Hoteliers can make better strategy and decision through this dashboard.

The article talks deeply in NDC from the past to now and is very clear about how it works. NDC can help airlines to know the need for customs and without the commission. I think one day, NDC can instead of GDS, but it still needs to take such a long time.

This article compares the advantages and disadvantages of having a computerized accounting system and then also completing the task by hand. When looking at different factors it is clear that it seems like an owner would run a risk going either way because where the computer would lack in areas, the human touch would prevail and then where a human touch would lack in other areas, the computer would prevail. Therefore, I would conclude that it is probably better to have a little bit of both to help make the process smooth but not over bearing on a human or even on the computer.

This article basically goes over the pros and cons of switching over to computerized accounting systems like Quickbooks and Freshbooks. It goes over the main concerns like data breached and human error, but it also deleves a little deeper to discuss how many of the software require regular system and hardware updates in order to have the software run efficiently.

This article talks about how the hospitality industry has become more susceptible to cyber-attacks. Hotel companies like the Marriott have faced costly fraudulent cases online and have implemented new programs to ensure safety and security.

This article is about how far we are getting with technology in the restaurant business. It shows some examples of places that have acquired some of these innovative technologies.

The article discusses the pros and cons of the GDS. It also addresses the role it plays for helping smaller businesses in standing out to a large group of potential customers. Furthermore, the GDS has gone through many changes since the 1970's, but it is still thriving and overcoming new obstacles today.

This article talks about some of the advantages that cloud computing offers hotels and their guests. Cloud computing saves money for hotels. Is easier, more efficient, and more cost effective.