Group items tagged

This article discusses Southwest Airlines' new strategy to allow bookings through GDS's, beginning with Apollo and Worldspan and continuing later this year wit Amadeus. Previously, Southwest had required its customers to book exclusively through its own platforms. Among the advantages listed are the possibility to sell seats to more more types of flyers (especially valuable during the pandemic) and brand loyalists' ability to book corporate travel through the airline. The article makes a compelling case for GDS's continued relevance, especially in the managed corporate travel sector.

This article is about Hostelworld, which is the global hostel-focused online booking platform and its $3 million investment in a company called Tipi Pty LTD. Tipi provides technology solutions exclusively to the hostel market, enabling guests to check-in and download their keys prior to arrival. Hostelworld is a go-to platform for hostel travellers and have a key focus on investing in the best technology for the hostel market. In my opinion, this article brings out two key points about a couple topics that have been brought out and one that is to come. One being the video about technology revolution and staying ahead of the curve. The other being Proximity Marketing, which is a future topic. By Hostelworld investing in Tipi, it positions them as a market leader in the hostel sector. This will generate a huge revenue growth in the company. In regards to Proximity Marketing, giving customers access to their brand centered platform during their stay, it will increase ancillary revenue and improve guest satisfaction scores.

This article describes 7 travel and tech trends that are shaping the hotel industry this year. With labor shortages and growing inflation, hoteliers are turning to technology to relieve some pressures like using a native-cloud-based PMS platform, using mobile and kiosk-based self check-in, and using a a more consolidated payment processer that can deliver a more secure and seamless experience for guests.

Cloud computing is the delivery of services through the internet with the use of a cloud based remote database. Cloud computing helps businesses with cost savings, productivity, speed, efficiency, performance, and security. There are different types of clouds which include public clouds, private clouds, and hybrid clouds. In addition, there are also three services in cloud computing which are; software-as-a-service which provides the user with a pay as you go model, infrastructure-as-a-service, which provides the user with services via IP addresses, and platform-as-a-service which is a platform delivered via the internet. There are both pros and cons when it comes to cloud computing. Some pros include the ability to use the software from any device, cost savings, and storage utility. On the other hand, some cons include security concerns, internal bugs, and power outages.

I also read this article just for a better understanding of the cloud and to really dive deep into the good and the bad, because as we know you can't have the good without the bad. I didn't realize the many different types of cloud computing so that was interesting to read.

Hello Alejandra, This is another great article that you have posted, thank you! Although I have been doing a lot of reading this week on Cloud Computing, I was truly enlightened by some of the information in this post; for example, Cloud Computing offers both public and private services, coupled with a Hybrid option that allows more flexibility and helps optimize the user's infrastructure and security. Further, creating and testing apps, and audio and video streaming were highlighted in this article, unlike others that I have read. Moreover, it broke down the functions of the components of the system (SaaS), infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), and platform-as-a-service (PaaS). Equally, some disadvantages stood out to me, like if the encryption key is lost, the data disappears. The geographical reach of cloud computing cuts both ways: A blackout in California could paralyze users in New York, and a firm in Texas could lose its data if something causes its Maine-based provider to crash. Additionally, with many individuals accessing and manipulating information through a single portal, inadvertent mistakes can transfer across an entire system. In closing, I have noticed that overall the benefits of Cloud Computing can tremendously assist companies in many ways, but some of the disadvantages can have a catastrophic impact on businesses and their operations. Shineal

Social media marketing is impacting the hospitality industry and if you don't already have a strategy you need to start one. You can do this by reviewing your goals which might include increasing engagement, brand awareness, analytics, acquisition, content marketing or customer service. Next you will want to pick a social channel to implement your strategy on and be creative with it. Whatever you decide strategy wise start small and build on it to reach new customers and build loyal ones.

The article introduces a new digital management tool for corporate events, which is called EventO. EventO is a platform that can help the venue managers, event planners and the customers, for it can help manage registration, promotion, networking, scheduling, social media and feedbacks. Furthermore, it can be used in different platforms, such as desktop, smartphones and tablets. It is convenient that people can get in touch with each other and know the meeting before it is actually held. During the event, EventO can also help register the guests and convey speakers' notes and presentations. After the event, people can get feedbacks and follow up with EventO. Regarding the cost, it can be varied based on its complexity.

A Swedish hotel intelligence organization has chosen Dubai as the location to use a new software product called Hoteligence. This software is about offering guests specific content and services at the specific time. It is a cloud-based software platform that can be operated through TV, iphone, ipad, Android, etc. It offers room entertainment: customers can play Angry Birds, listen to music and connect to social media platforms such as facebook and twitter. This software is also a useful marketing tool which can track and analyze guests' buying behavior. The feedback until now is very good, so I think it is possible to implement Hoteligence to a bigger market and more levels of hotels as this software not only increases the added benefits for guests, but also gives hoteliers a good marketing tool.

Players Network will be entering into an agreement with Ascent Solutions, a software engineering firm, to up their social media game and develop their "company's next generation proprietary broadband-based content distribution." To enhance their Branded Lifestyle Video Channels which can be viewed simultaneously by users on all digital devices, Ascent Solutions will be implementing an Enterprise Web Platform meant for large scale global distribution.  By analyzing online consumer trends, Ascent Solutions will assist in monetizing their content through methods such as subscription, merchandising, etc. Ascent Solutions helps the gaming and hospitality industry find the right technology for their businesses.  I believe today's modern-day companies emphasis and reliance on social media and telecommunications can all benefits from the services offered by Ascent Solutions. With a nationwide footprint and local services, Ascent can help large and small media companies alike monetize content over any interconnected, digital device. With expertise in the gaming and hospitality industry, with major clients such as Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and Speedway Casino. Ascent keeps up with technology trends and can further any business model.

This article is explaining how Henry Harteveldt, an airline and travel industry analyst, believes that GDSs will evolve into value creation hubs, or VCHs, over the next five years. He believes GDSs have served airlines the best among many transactionally based industried; however, many areas of airline marketing, sales, distribution and e-commerce are looking for more. He specifically states that airlines are looking for "more flexible, robust commerce platforms built on contemporary software and architecture", as well as "commerce platforms that can support extensive fare and product transparency, dynamic pricing, rich basic and ancillary product merchandising and retailing and the ability to reliably and securely process the massive volume of shopping sessions." VCHs will be used to support the high-volume, high frequency shopping, similar to GDSs, and the system will the new technology that powers airline CRS/PSS host systems, reducing the need for costly conversion disruption.

After Benchmark invested in the hospitality industry's first 'private' cloud platform to host its properties' systems and data three years ago, the company has expanded to more than 38 properties. All Benchmark systems and property data are centrally hosted at the data center, and Profitvue handles accounting for Benchmark's conference centers, resorts, and condos. The Profitvue enterprise accounting system is flexible so reports can be built that compare metrics from similar properties. PCI compliance was another advantage of Benchmark moving data to the cloud.

Motel 6 deployed the Crossbeam X-Series security platform to ensure traveler security during the online reservations process without slowing the network or negatively affecting the user experience. The Crossbeam X-Series platform runs third-party, best-in-class firewall software to deliver high-performance, highly scalable protection for its e-commerce traffic. As the risk reduction strategy of Motel 6 is to use the best products on the market for all security applications, Motel 6 is expecting greater long-term benefits with Crossbeam.

Having a clear understand of what makes a great hotel, resort, or conference centre and how to run it profitably is an essential part for a successful management company. Benchmark Hospitality International win the market through its day-to-day management decisions on the numbers. They built a  centralized 'private cloud' technology hub and data gathering platform based on which the managers can make decisions every morning while not wait until month end or later to see property financials. The private cloud helps to reduce its ownership costs and to protect data. Benchmark also uses the Internet-enabled Profitvue enterprise back office system from Aptech Computer System to centralized property accounting.  This is technology plays an important part of hotel operations. The Profivue back office accounting system is internet-enabled, so a PC is the only back-office hardware. The same for the front office systems. It is a great saving for its owners. Since Profivue is flexible enough for Benchmark to have a standard chart of accounts and general ledger for all its properties, Benchmark can quickly integrate a new property into Benchmark's processes. It just bring financial team members from other properties, who are familiar with the system and chart and G/L. So a new property can be ran very quickly without the usual hardware and software installation and staff training. Another advantage of this system is that Benchmark's financial stockholders, management teams, and guests benefit a lot from it, so they always support these innovations, which can later stimulate the company's success. Applying new technology in operation management can help company win a larger market share and develop fast.

VingCard Elsafe has received a US patent for VISIONLINE, which is a wireless networking platform that connects electronic locks and other guest room devices. VISIONLINE communicate with the server via radio frequency, so guests no longer have to worry about key cards and hotels no longer have to worry about the battery life of the locks. VISIONLINE uses the only highly secured open platform, making it a safe electronic option. VingCard Elsafe also developed ORION which is used in hotel rooms to maximize sustainability by monitoring guest room conditions.

Google+ launched the business pages platform, which is similar as the platform of Facebook. The advantages of Google business pages is not obviously, but one thing very clearly is that if a hotel joins in Google+ platfrom, it could be more easier to search on Google and show on the top than pages or accounts on their competitors' sites.

The article talks about the new technological advancements Red Lion Corporation has made in order to make customers do their reservations on the website of a company, to learn about their destinations, etc. Employing new search optimization engines, mobile platforms and interactive map technologies really advances this company in all the aspects.

This particular article on hospitality and tourism accounting states that the global travel industry is expanding at an accelerated rate. Although there are high demands in corporate travel and high level of satisfaction in the economy, the ever growing industry is vulnerable to many risks given by its consumers. Just as much as the guests utilizing these hospitality services are becoming more pressing towards great prices and expressing concern in the quality of service they receive, hotel businesses are adamant about increasing awareness in cost and profit. To balance all these exclusive challenges, hotels are insisting on being educated and equipped with the most up-to-date technological advances to keep up with the ever demanding industry. With this in mind, the article states three methods to conquer the challenges faced today. The first method is to utilize a cloud based system to keep track of all the innumerous activities present to keep the business running. Due to the fact that a hotel is run by an overflowing amount of employees, all with different jobs and tasks, all using different systems respective to their departments, and require several types of pay (part-time, full-time, tipped employees) methods, it is a challenge to keep things efficient without a proper system. This is the reason why the article recommends using a cloud based system to keep track of the daily labor costs, overtime management, daily payroll transactions, and incorporate easy accessibility to reporting functions. The cloud based system will be beneficial in keeping everything in record beginning from the moment an employees clocks in to the end where they receive their paycheck, as well as, the ability to manage transactions. The second method is to centralize all the various sources of data. Hotels have a countless amount of data being stored. That can range from guest satisfaction satisfaction survey and comment reports, PMS data, to financial reports. With all these busy ac

The article discusses how hotels can overcome accounting obstacles. Firstly managing payroll is cumbersome, so a cloud-based reporting system can provide an easy way to monitor labour and manage overtime, and daily payroll transactions. Secondly, hotels have a difficult time to read data as data can come from a huge variety of sources: STR reports, PMS data, satisfaction surveys, comments. Hotels need a centralized dashboard which combines all critical accounting and performance data to assist hotels in making better decisions. Lastly, the article talks about hotels needing a back-up accounting team in case of disasters. In-house accounting teams may not be able to tackle on one-time event disasters and there must be a back-up team in place in times of urgency. The author, Scott Watson, executive vice president of sales and marketing at a cloud-based financial platform, sees that hotels are becoming more "cost and profit conscious" and I agree with him. Technology solutions are what hotels are craving right now to increase revenue, minimize costs, and maximize profits without sacrificing service quality.

This article helps guides hotels in how to overcome challenges when it comes to the accounting department in any situation that deals with staff tracking, how to decipher intricate data, and what to do in emergencies. The article details the usefulness of the Cloud and keeping track of staff members that are FOH and BOH that are both hourly and salary. That the accounting department could simply look them up in the cloud rather than searching through paperwork to understand exactly what their role is in the hotel and pay them accordingly. The article also goes over how having multiple centralized data sources can help accountants understand information from reports, guest satisfaction questionnaires, and other forms of reporting to pinpoint exactly what needs to be changed to become more efficient in the company. Lastly, the article covers how having back up accounting teams could be a definite positive just in case of emergencies (i.e. weather) so accounting can still be in progress no matter what situation occurs and the hotel can run smoothly.

VivoAquatics, a software to manage water and energy consumption in hospitality organizations, has received additional funding through a software automation company. This investment allows growth for the VivoAquiatics company to not only to provide more conservation methods to the industry, but also conserve the earth's resources. The platform is already utilized by many hospitality attractions such as resorts and waterparks. VivoAquatics is set apart from the competition because of its expensive experience in the market in energy and water conservation.

The article reads about the new HR management software that is being adopted by different companies, including Trivago, to manage HR responsibilities. This software can be buit to fit the company's needs and help managers and employees have HR information and processes right at their fingertips.

This article discusses how important technology is in the tourism world. Tourism essentially rely on technology at this point and time, hence the need to invest in making enhancements to make better platforms. Tourism is a global thing and it alls for everybody to connect, everywhere. It is said that technology allows for a whole new world to open up at the edge of your fingertips. With websites, booking platforms, apps, social media, etc. travels are able to engage with others and truly do their own research to figure out the experience best for themselves. Tourism companies need to keep up with easy navigation, mobile availability, stay connected, and sharing experiences.