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lismarycedeno1

Quore is Helping Hotels Deliver Exceptional Pool Experiences - 0 views

  • Quore, a hotel workforce communications platform used by more than 3,900 hotels (including 560 management companies and 80 hotel brands in 29 countries) is helping operators ensure that their pools, hot tubs and spas meet water safety standards by automating the water-testing process within its Pool Readings module.
  • enables hotel engineers to test a pool’s chlorine, pH, alkalinity and calcium levels at least twice daily, as well as water temperature and GPM (gallons per minute) and PSI (pound-force per square inch) flow rates.
  • identify if the pool water is safe for guests’
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  • The Quore Pool Readings module enables anyone in the company with access to Quore – from the owner to the area director – to see our daily pool chemistry,”
  • Quore doesn’t allow someone to back date reports.
  • helps with staff training and provides my team with a good education on pool chemistry.
  • one in five American adults admits to relieving themselves in the pool.
  • Quore Pool Readings module is a standard feature within the Quore platform, and the Recurring app that houses it is also being used by hotels to record boiler, water meter and electric meter readings, making the app an invaluable preventive maintenance tool property wide.
  • Flag tasks to be performed and send reminder prompts • View the chemical state of water areas and compare it to days, weeks, months, years prior • Measure the turnover rate of water to see how quickly it is circulating • Compare data from multiple bodies of water simultaneously
  • making a huge difference in keeping pools chemically safe and guests happily enjoying the experience.”
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    A hotel workforce communications platform named Quora is helping operators ensure that all their pools, hot tubs, and spas meet water safety standards within a Pool Readings module. The recurring app enables hotel engineers to test a pool/s chlorine, PH, alkalinity, and calcium levels as well as water temperature and PSI flow rates identifying if the pool water is safe for hotel guests. 
diana morales

A Mobile POS Solution Increases Poolside Food and Drink Sales at the Gaylord Hotels - Y... - 1 views

  • The hotels offered poolside service and with acres of pool area to cover, servers spent a lot of time walking between the pools, bar, and kitchen to enter and check on orders, and process payments.
  • This resulted in long wait times and had a negative impact on sales and customer satisfaction.
  • The servers use the iPod touch in combination with Daily Systems' iAPS sled, which is a unique all-in-one solution with a bar code scanner, credit card reader, smart card reader, and receipt printer.
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  • "The cutting-edge mobile POS solution is also a factor in creating the impression that the Gaylord Hotels is a technologically savvy and modern company."
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    Gaylords Hotels has added the POS system for their customers to experience. POS stands for Point Of Sale. Its a small devices that allows an employee to charge the customers credit card right then and there. No cashier, no register. The article elaborates on how the hotel has implemented this systemin their pool area. It discusses how pool attendants spend so much time walking back and forth which eventually makes the order longer. This system allows the employee to charge the credit card and print the receipt right then and there, saving a few trips. This should be implemented in most places saving time and preventing a slick employee to steal someones credit card information
sanchezgema_

COVID-19 Resource: 5 Technologies for a 'New Normal' Hotel (Part 1) - 1 views

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    This article is about how hotels are able to adjust to the new guidelines with covid. It has adjustments with how to reserve seats at the pool. Options for ordering food and how to do check in and check out.
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    -COVID has affected the Hospitality industry and therefore affects the way consumers behave due to new legislation. Technology is being used in order to reduce the amount of consumers that experience COVID as well as employees. -Technology 1: contactless check in/out and keyless room entry -Fuel (provider of guest facing hotel software solutions) expanded this option for independent and boutique hotels. This makes it more accessible for travelers and reduced the spread of the virus. -Technology 2: touchless menu's for restaurants and hotels -MyMenusOnline is a touchless digital restaurant menu system that was recently launched. -There are many restaurants like Chilis, Carolina Ale House, etc that are also taking part in touchless menu's. -Technology 3: virtual TV remote control launched by Otrum -Hotel TV remotes are difficult to sanitize and makes it easier to spread the virus. -Technology 4: Solay mobile app provides social distancing technology for resort pools and beaches -Solay mobile app provides resorts and hotels an inventory management system so overnight guests are able to make reservations for seating at pools and beaches that are placed six feet apart. -Technology 5: Molekule Air - destroy viruses and bacteria like a pro -Air pro RX was cleared as an air purifier that is meant to destroy bacteria and virus' in the air.
LU DENG

11 Green Hotel Projects Proven To Save Money | Green Lodging News - 0 views

  • Bathroom Light as Night Light
  • Guests frequently leave bathroom lights on as night lights. Assuming this happens on a regular basis, or about eight hours per day, it will cost an additional $50 per room per year to operate this light. We suggest installing a motion sensor in each bathroom.
  • Storerooms generally have one or two 100-watt incandescent lights that are frequently left on continuously. When these lights burn all hours, it will cost the hotel $60 to $120 per year per room in wasted energy. We suggest installing either a motion sensor, or simply placing a sign telling employees to turn off the light.
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  • most rooms provide four table or wall-mounted incandescent lamps. Typically, these are 100-watt incandescent bulbs. When they are left on for four hours per day, the energy cost is $50 per year, per room. We suggest changing these lights to CFLs or LEDs.
  • Small indoor swimming pools are usually provided with two 500-watt incandescent underwater lights.
  • many managers leave these lights on for decorative purposes when the pool room is closed. Turning these lights off for eight hours every night will save approximately $250 per year.
  • If, despite the natural light, lights are turned on continuously in stairwells, it will cost $200 to $300 per year per stairwell depending on the number of floors in the hotel.
  • We suggest installing motion or occupancy sensors to light hallways and stairwells.
  • Assuming the presence of ten 400-watt high-pressure sodium lamps, operating these lights just one hour too long in the morning and in the evening will cost the hotel owner an additional $250 per year.
  • To realize the full savings, we suggest to first make sure the lights are hooked to a daylight sensor (although most parking lot lights are).
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    This is an interesting article that teaches us eleven useful methods to be energy efficient in running hotels. According to authors' experience, it is not unusual for hotels to save $10,000 to above $30,000 per year, per property, by employing the right measures. For me, I like the lights saving part which can be simple and effective. For instance if we install a motion sensor in the bathroom per suit, it can help to keep the lights off when no one uses it and this can save at least $50 per room per year. For the decorative using lights, like the night pool lights, if we turn it off, we can save at least $250 per year. We can also install motion or occupancy sensors to light hallways and stairwells. Besides we can control the parking lot lights to a saving of $250 per year.  Energy saving methods can be everywhere and if we pay much attention to details of energy usage, it puts money in hotels' pockets.
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    This is an awesome article. I think that if people would just think a little more when they are using electricity it can save money but when people are staying in hotels the mind set is that they are not the ones paying for the electricity so who cares -- leave lights on all day and leave the TV on all day. There are so many ways to help save money in hotels by putting up lights with sensors in so many locations that really will help the planet as well as help the property save money. Great article!!
yiran DING

The Pros and Cons of Cloud Computing for Hotels - 0 views

  • starters, automatic scaling can make people extremely lazy. If you’re not paying attention to your usage, you just might get a huge surprise on your next bill. One thing that’s a rising concern is that hackers can run up their victims’ hosting bills. One method that’s being used by hackers is a simple low-level DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service), which won’t take your site down but will keep your server very busy. Since you pay for usage with cloud hosting, your costs can spin wildly out of control. So if you’re using cloud hosting, make sure to pay daily attention to your usage.
  • Your data might not be cloud-worthy. By all means, don't put an application that provides competitive advantage or contains customer-sensitive information in the public cloud. Your application could be too big to scale. The bigger you are, the bigger your IT resource pool. And the bigger your IT resource pool, the less likely it is you'll see any enormous financial advantage in outsourcing to the cloud.
  • Every cloud computing service provider you come across will promise to deliver your demanded services. However, the reality is they provide different levels of quality and services when it comes to actually installing them. Thus, finding a reliable service provider is a tiring and time-consuming job.
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  • The Pros and Cons of Cloud Computing for Hotels
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    This article lists pros and cons of Cloud Computing for Hotels. What is surprising is that Cloud Computing can be costly as opposed to the common belief that Cloud Computing is a great cost saver. According to this article, if your IT resource pool is too big, it is less likely that you'll see any enormous financial advantage in outsourcing to the cloud. In addition, there is a method being used by hackers to increase your Cloud usage significantly and make you end up paying a lot for it. The method is called DDoS(Distributed Denial of Service). Even a low-level of this can keep your server busy and give you an enormous bill. Sure, these problems can be prevented and benefits of Cloud Computing can outweigh them. However, this technology is quite new, you need to think strategically before you pounce on  it.
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    This article introduced the result of a survey for the adaptation of cloud computing global wise. 68% of the global organizations want to adapt this new tech but 51% have concerns that their old system may not be enough for the adaptation.  Then the article describes the pros and cons with cloud computing and solutions for hoteliers.  The pros are : no need to buy many expensive hardware, lower maintenance expense and software installing and updating fee, Cons: security, which is the biggest concern, redundancy, and other things. 
cmick006

COVID-19 Sanitization and Social Distancing Technology for Hotels - 0 views

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    New technologies are helping hotels with ways to open up after Covid-19: Tablets with thermal imaging cameras, UV light sanitizers that guests walk-through, touchless F & B ordering & touchless tipping apps, and social distancing for pools & beaches. All of these innovative ideas and many more will be needed if there is to be a reopening of hotels and if the reopenings will lead to a sustained resurgence in room occupancy. Guests will expect hotels to offer them reasonable health safety measures and hopefully, these new technologies will help them do just that.
kjeewan

Biometric Identification in Hotels and Casinos - 0 views

  • Biometric applications are particularly useful at the places where a lot of customers, members or visitors enters or exits a facility, or require identification or verification.
  • A hotel guard may not force guests to prove their identity, but what when there is a no guard and just a fingerprint scanner, where you need to put your finger to open the door?
  • Since hospitality employees are not expected to be too rigid, this part can be shouldered on biometric technology. Customer issues at hospitality outfits may sometimes be ego-driven, but showing ego to a machine is of no use and customers understand that.
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  • On the other hand, hotel room access based on guest biometrics provides an integrated solution that is connected with the hotel management systems. Since there is no need to card, keys or any other form of possession, there is no fear of losing them or getting them stolen. Biometrically logged entry exit presents strong proof that only guest entered the room and no one else.
  • They can also be provided with access to assigned hotel facility in the package like pool or casino, which are also secured with a biometric access method like fingerprint recognition. The underlying system also keeps record of guest’s whereabouts and generate reports when needs, e.g. at the time of billing, checkout or audit.
  • Managing preferences of returning guests beforehand give them an idyllic experience and more business to the hotel in long run. This can be efficiently achieved with a hotel management system equipped with biometric ability. Preferences of a guest can be associated with their biometric identifiers, which are instantly fetched when they scan their biometrics in future check-ins and hotel staff can surprise them every time they visit.
  • A biometric powered check-in can give guest the experience they want and deserve. Registering their biometrics (for example, fingerprints) and enabling access to the room in the hotel management software will give them frictionless access to their room and concentrate on the next thing they want to do.
  • Biometrically secured entry / exit to a service / facility area will require guests or members to scan their fingerprint or face to enter the facility and will log the time spent in the facility area.
  • It also prevents any outsiders from using hotel facilities such as pool or casino that are reserved only for guests.
  • At the time of billing, a guest may insist on not availing a service that has actually been availed and forgotten. Biometric based entry and exit records present authentic proof of services availed.
  • biometrics is not just about customer convenience or security, it can be deployed for in-house applications like employee attendance, time tracking and to improve payroll efficiency. Keeping track of employee in and out timings brings in payroll transparency and managers can make sure that employees are being paid for the hours worked and not for breaks. It also curbs time theft and timesheet manipulation within an organization. Time theft and timesheet manipulation is a disastrous activity, in which an employee misinterprets amount of time she has put to complete an assignment or a project. When done on purpose, the time is spent in personal or other activities unrelated to the work and logged in payroll system, putting burden on company funds. A biometric based clock-in and out system can eliminate the possibility of timesheet fraud as employees have to be present to clock in or out time, they ask someone else to do it for them.
  • The biometric guest ID and preference tracking system facilitates keyless entry for guest rooms, eliminating the need for cards or keys. It facilitates automated check in fingerprints kiosks, whereby guests can check in with a simple touch of their finger. Billing becomes dramatically easy and reliable and customers can be reliably charged with biometrically authenticated logs of their entry and exit to facility area.
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    I decided to do further research on Biometrics software in hospitality because we use it at the Four Seasons where I work in the Residences department. Biometrics is a technology that scans your fingerprint and grants you access to areas designated by management. This is useful in residences and hotels because as an owner or guests, only you will have access to your apartment or room. The article mentioned how as technology evolves, there is a debate as to whether guests will want to give their fingerprint. Too much security could be seen as a nuisance but too little security puts guests at risk. Having a Biometrics system in place at a hotel ensures that only hotel guests are patrolling the property or floors with rooms. Another interesting aspect is using Biometrics to remember returning guest preferences such as floor height, food choices, allergies, etc. This system could be put into place at check-in so that right away the front desk knows the guest is returning and can be made aware of their past preferences. Benefits of Biometrics mentioned in the article is not having to deal with room key cards, added security on property, seamless check-ins as well as even paying for items on property. A guest might not even need to take their credit card around because they can just use their fingerprint to pay at the pool, gift shop, etc. Behind the scenes, Biometrics is important as well. A hotel can use Biometrics to track employee attendance, clocking out for meals and to ensure only employees are accessing closed off areas of the property.
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    Biometrics can be used by companies for employees to clock in and clock out to ensure timesheet accuracy. It can be used by companies as a security measure so that guests are where they are permitted to be. It can be used for easy check in and billing and payment verification if there are issues. Biometrics can also be used as a way to collect guest information for example their preferences.
mandalysha

How Biometrics Helps Modernize the Hotel Guest Experience | - 0 views

  • biometrics links a user’s I.D. and credit card or payment card info with individual biometrics data like a photo or fingerprint. Hotels can easily identify guests before they arrive and apply the same profile data at other points throughout their stay
  • Many hospitality providers and hotels are using biometrics technology to verify user identity and secure payment information for a variety of guest services: in-room tablet apps, premium on-screen entertainment services, high-speed internet service, and access to amenities like the pool and gym
  • The streamlined ID process frees up staff so they can spend more time and resources on other activities, allowing them to fully commit to their role as hosts
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  • For companies that already have a content management system or guest platform, it’s easy to integrate secure optical character recognition in the form of biometrics facial recognition technology that matches a face with an ID to generate a QR code
  • Case in point: Hoteza, an interactive, guest-facing platform, is using biometrics to verify photo-based identification for mobile check-in. Over 500 hotels around the globe including Hilton, Radisson, Wyndham, Kempinski, IHG, and Accor look to Hoteza’s cloud-based content management system for online check-in solutions, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), mobile and in-room tablet apps, digital signage, and high-speed Internet access
  • Biometrics not only helps recognize users when they attempt to log in to the hospitality guest platform, but it also reduces operational costs by enabling self-service capabilities
  • Hotels and resorts each offer a unique personalized experience when greeting customers as they walk in the door, but if there is one common thread in the industry it’s that hospitality professionals constantly go the extra mile to create a superior experience. Biometrics is advancing that by blending familiarity and ease-of-use with modern, secure, and innovative technology
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    Biometrics usage in the hotel sector have been ramping up. Biometrics links a user's I.D. and credit card information with biometrics like a photo or fingerprint and this tech can be used throughout the hotel for things like in-room purchases and access to the gym and pool. Using biometrics allows the hotel staff to focus on being hosts.
Xu Wang

Emerald | Have human resource information systems evolved into internal e-commerce? - 0 views

  • Human resources (HR) have been a well-established function in organizations for decades,
  • the department was typically perceived by many organizations as a “necessary evil,” that is to say, as an essential but in no way profitable or advantageous element,
  • even at the current time HRIS is not limited to technological elements alone, such as computer hardware and software applications, but also includes the people, policies, procedures, and data required to manage the HR function.
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  • Nevertheless, these well-accepted attributes of HR have been challenged in the past few years, as several indicators reflect fundamental changes within the HR function,
  • although little has changed in this function over the past decades, there are growing expectations that HR will improve corporate competitive advantages by adding real measurable value to the organization.
  • The apparent difficulties in upgrading HR to a strategic position in organizations result in missed opportunities especially in hospitality and tourism, where the human capital has substantive potential to improve the competitive advantage of enterprises, particularly due to the growing competitiveness of the industry, as well as the centrality of the human element in the delivery of hospitality products and services
  • The second change in contemporary HR which, interestingly, is closely related to the previous one, is the growing trend of incorporating advanced information technology (IT) in HR practices.
  • There is extensive evidence to the growing transfer of HR functions to digital formats, as can be seen in the growing popularity of human resource information systems (HRIS) among organizations. HRIS is currently perceived as one of the important factors influencing the role of the HR function, as well as the workplace as a whole. Although in many aspects, technology remains under-utilized in HR functions (Jones and Hoell, 2005), recently its effects have begun to be evident in many organizational aspects,
  • Furthermore, it is widely argued that the adoption of HRIS is likely to promote HR to the awaited position of strategic partner in the organization. The main reason for this is that by using HRIS, HR professionals can improve their performance by gaining better knowledge of the organization and its employees, thus facilitate participation in strategic planning and implementation. In addition, by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the HR day-to-day administrative tasks, HRIS allows the HR staff to dedicate more time to strategic decision making and planning, which consequently provides more value to the organization to enhance its position within it
  • modern HRIS make optimal use of internet and web capabilities for performing their tasks
  • successful HRIS support the planning and implementation of managerial key processes in the organization, such as executive decision making, technology selection, interdepartmental integration, and organizational reporting structures.
  • Intranet-based employee self-service (ESS) provides employees direct access, mainly through a web browser but also through a centralized kiosk, to personal HR-related information. Thus, the employees can individually handle transactions that used to be carried out by HR personnel,
  • Both MSS and ESS create a trend of delegation of responsibilities and activities that were once considered to be the domain of HR professionals and administrative personnel, directly to employees and managers
  • HRIS was seen mostly as a special form of office automation systems, the emphasis being on reducing costs and staff while making the standard HR tasks more efficient
  • In addition, in today's workplace the HR tasks have become more complex, along with organizational trends such as globalization, consolidations, strategic partnerships, and greater than ever governmental and regulatory reporting requirements for employees.
  • Therefore, from the administrative perspective, by providing powerful computing capabilities, HRIS are changing and improving procedures and processes that were carried out less efficiently before,
  • the automation of routine transactions provides HR professionals with time to perform strategic functions related to the human capital
  • HRIS allow the firm to be proactive in HR planning, by giving managers a constant flow of employee information
  • since HRIS can significantly improve the way employees and managers communicate with each other through various communication channels, this improves the flow of information and expertise throughout the organization, thereby enhancing the firms' strategic capabilities
  • Another prominent perceived characteristic of the HR function has been its reliance on relatively low-tech methods in implementing its tasks
  • Although HRIS can provide both administrative and strategic advantages, it should be noted from the onset that they are usually expensive systems to purchase and implement. Designing and implementing customized HRIS, adapted to the specific needs of the organization, will significantly enhance its functionality, but will result in increased software and hardware costs, as well as time-to-deployment
  • the initial costs of developing such HRIS are high,
  • In order to reduce the costs of HRIS, an organization can purchase off-the-shelf applications composed of HR database programs, aimed at meeting the general needs of HR functions
  • These findings point to the vital need of the HR function to provide evidence of the effectiveness of HRIS, for the purpose of attaining the executive management support for the change.
  • for a successful implementation of HRIS, it is no less important to obtain the support of managers and employees in the organization. Although modern HRIS offer clear advantages to managers, through the use of MSS, for better management of their staff, the implementation of such systems is likely to be followed by a certain level of resentment on the part of the managers. Since MSS transfer the responsibility of performing employee HR-related transactions from the HR staff to the direct managers, many of them are frustrated since they feel that additional administrative tasks are being imposed on them
  • Another relatively common problem, concerning both the implementation and the flowing management of HRIS, is the question of who is in charge of the system. Since the successful development of HRIS requires the input of both the IT and the HR departments, it is not uncommon for disputes over areas of responsibility to break out between these departments.
  • Other territorial conflicts around HRIS may arise when departments feel that the system expropriates some of its authorities; for example, the payroll department might resist HRIS that combines payroll functions. A possible solution to such a problem can be the establishment of cross-functional teams that run HRIS projects
  • the implementation of HRIS raises both ethical and legal issues that need to be addressed by the organization. First, the use of relational database technology provides access to more detailed employee information than ever before.
  • Second, HRIS usually contain private information on the employees, while the access to this information is often allowed to employees outside HR, as well. As a result, some employees feel that their private lives are not protected adequately.
  • The hospitality industry is characterized by a higher turnover rate than other sectors of the economy
  • Traditionally, HR in organizations has utilized low-tech methods in recruitment.
  • Internet recruiting benefits both the organization and the job seeker's perspectives (Pearce and Tuten, 2001; Singh and Finn, 2003). The benefits to the recruiters include: Cost savings, as it is significantly cheaper to advertise on the internet than in a newspaper. Compared to the use of professional search firms (also known as headhunters) the amounts saved are even higher. Recruiters generally receive more applications, which results in a greater pool of candidates from which to choose. Recruiters may receive applications faster, often even on the same day a position is announced. Improved ability to target a specific audience, thereby decreasing future turnover. Time saving, as more unqualified or unfit applicants can be eliminated, through online contact, in the initial phases of the recruitment process.
  • On the other hand, internet recruitment is not without limitations.
  • Once the recruitment process has ensured a large pool of applicants to choose from, the next phase is to select the most suitable candidates.
  • Traditionally, these selection methods involve the visit of the candidate to the organization or, to a lesser degree, to an assessment center, for interviewing, pen-and-paper testing, or situational testing, including group dynamics.
  • The use of advanced technology allows the selection process to complete the widespread online recruitment methods.
  • Nevertheless, the main impact of technology in selection procedures is in relation to employee interviewing and testing.
  • Anderson (2003) broadly described the prominent technology-based selection procedures, along with an assessment of their acceptance and effectiveness.
  • Adequate training is essential in providing quality services, yet traditionally hospitality organizations have not invested adequate resources in training their employees (Conrade et al., 1994). Most of the knowledge and skills of hospitality employees is transferred through on-the-job training,
  • However, as noted by Collins (2004), delivery of organized and structured training programs in the hospitality industry is a constant challenge, mainly because of the size and geographical dispersion of the workforce, as well as the extensive resources – financial, work, and time – needed to establish in-house training programs.
  • Although technology-based training methods have been available for a long time, the hospitality industry has usually lagged behind other sectors in adopting them.
  • Web-based training (WBT) can deliver courses nationwide or worldwide at all time zones to any connected computer, and is easy to update and monitor.
  • Effective performance evaluation plays a critical role in the successful implementation of organizational strategy and in gaining a competitive advantage. Therefore, in addition to important HR decisions that greatly rely on performance evaluation, such as promotions, outplacements, dismissals, many organizations link performance to compensations and rewards. As noted by Bowley and Link (2005), a performance-based compensation plan, often known as “pay-per-performance,” should reflect the organization's goals.
  • the traditional methods, based on a disconnected blend of discrete applications, spreadsheet programs and paper-based systems, to communicate goals, track employee performance and manage compensation, are insufficient in the contemporary challenges of linking performance evaluation to organizational strategy (Bowley and Link, 2005). Yet, although sophisticated HRIS were developed to meet these contemporary challenges, Ensher et al. (2002) found little effect of HRIS on the process of performance management among HR executives, who still rely on paper-and-pencil administration and hard copy documentation of employee evaluation.
  • Nevertheless, CPM has drawbacks that are highly relevant to a service industry such as the hospitality industry (Miller, 2003). The main concern that CPM raises is that reliance only on quantitative criteria is likely to lead to the neglect of more qualitative aspects of performance.
  • Consequently, an effective CPM must be followed by the establishment of an employee development plan, designed in collaboration with his/her supervisor. The second application of technology in appraisal management is online evaluation and appraisal software (Miller, 2003). In contrast to the aforementioned CPM, in these cases technology facilitates delivering performance feedback, rather than generating the actual evaluation outcome.
  • 360° feedback,
  • In addition, evaluation software packages can be used as stand-alone applications or as an integral part of the organization's HRIS, which offers computerized standard evaluation forms. The use of user-friendly software in evaluating employees allows managers to focus more on the contents of the evaluation, rather than on the forms.
  • Therefore, the use of computer software programs allows better coping with these challenges, while saving time and money.
  • While the organization enjoys the reduced need for complex bureaucracy, the employees enjoy better control and enhanced anonymity, as there is no need for dealing directly with HR staff on personal financial matters.
  • The use of HRIS has significant impact on the current affairs between the management and the employees, as well as the characteristics and the environment of the contemporary workplace. From the administrative perspective, through the HRIS the managers and the employees have access to relevant information on employee work rules, policies, and regulations on issues like privacy, illegal discrimination, and work diversity. In addition, the HRIS can assist discharged or displaced employees in finding alternative employment, by providing links to career counselors, training programs, and information, all of which are required for a successful and effective job search
  • technology has changed the nature of the workplace and employer-employee relations more fundamentally than just providing more accessible information.
  • Traditional e-commerce technology provides product/service, promotion, placement, and pricing strategic initiatives to external constituents through the use of extranet platforms merged with intranets (for instance, customer relationship management). HRIS technology provides the same initiatives through the use of intranets merged with extranet platforms (for example, recruitment). Thus, HRIS technology may be considered to represent internal e-commerce systems, which are crucial to the alignment of HR functions within strategic initiatives aimed at sustainable competitive advantages.
  • The evolution of HRIS platforms provides a range of tools for use by enhancing employee-employer relationships. The full service range of HRIS functions brings human capital closer to the strategic direction of the organization.
  • However, the technology is merely a tool that may enhance strategic alignment.
  • There is also evidence from the literature that a disengagement of the HR function from strategic initiatives exist in many hospitality enterprises.
  • It is common knowledge that the hospitality industry is labor intensive with many points of intimate service interactions of long duration. HR will produce sustainable competitive advantages for those firms that include the HR function in a united strategic direction.
  • The literature identifies the advantages of aligned human capital as a means to accomplishing sustainable competitive advantage for enterprises.
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    This article is a research paper did by Amir and Beer-Sheva. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact of technology on the human resources function in organizations, in general, and in hospitality firms, in particular. At the beginning, it introduced the role of human resources department in organizations for decades. And the trend or changes in contemporary human resources. Then it came out that we cannot skipped the effect of technology on the HR function, especially in tourism and hospitality industry. So, next it gave the definitions of HRIS by introducing technology. And list some advantages and challenges of using HRIS. In the end, it listed how technology put infusion across HR function, including recruitment, selection, training, performance evaluation and compensation, payroll, benefits and pension administration, labor relations and outplacement.
Xueling Wang

Green Hotels - Hotels Benefit from Environmentally Friendly Policies « Hotel ... - 0 views

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    For hotel, the benefits of reducing the carbon footprint are both social and economic. The green hotel can attract more guests. Studies have shown that guests prefer staying at properties that are actively involved in providing a green environment. A hotel can implement an effective green plan since it is built from ground up. The developer should think about that make use of natural light, how to save water such as rainwater capture or reuse grey water, how to use solar heating for the pool or hot tub, etc.
vincentsalazar

Thriving online firm keeps growing its event-planning business | The Charlotte Observer - 0 views

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    "When you go to SignUpGenius.com, you'll find services catering to the needs of eight different groups. There are schools, looking for help with organizing parent-teacher conferences, class volunteers, and events such as book fairs. Churches and temples can get help with scheduling nursery workers and greeters. Nonprofits can organize donations and fundraisers. Other groups are clubs and groups, sports, business, family and college. The idea is to attract a range of users, from parents organizing car pools to businesses coordinating employee training schedules. "By going broad, we still haven't scratched the surface," said Angel Rutledge, who is married to Dan and is the chief marketing officer. SignUpGenius' users are 78 percent female, and 80 percent are between the ages of 25 and 54. "Our primary user is a mom with kids," says marketing strategist Kate White. "Most people tend to find us through their kids' activities." Monthly fees range from free to $49.99, where users can get additional features such as cloud file storage and access by multiple administrators. These subscription services were significant, Dan Rutledge says, "because we jumped into the organizational level, from coach to league, from teacher to school." While the Rutledges don't disclose specific financial information of the private company, other numbers illustrate its growth. Revenue in August 2015 increased 225 percent over August 2014, according to the company. Between 120,000 and 190,000 events are organized per month, with a groundswell in August and September, when the school year begins. In 2014, SignUpGenius says 1.4 million new sign-up pages were created. Traffic rose 35 percent last year, to 39.9 million visitors. And the company has grown from 13 employees this spring, to 20 now." This article illustrates the idea of on the event planning and I.T. programs working handing in handing. As an example, the article uses the company SignUpGenius wh
AQUEELAH THOMPSON

How Hotel Chains Are Going Green - Articles | Travel + Leisure - 0 views

  • looks at how several hotel companies are going a step beyond those ubiquitous towel- and linen-reuse programs, from their guest rooms to their boutiques.
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    This article highlight what different hotel chains are doing in order to "go green" It looks at different sections of the hotel and explains what the hotel chosen is doing to go green in the different areas. The first are is the Guest Room. The article explains the the Kimton Hotels have recycling bins for bottles, cans and paper and this increase there recycling rate to 75% over 3 years. The second area the article touches on is the Kitchen. It explains how the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts are encouraging their kitchens all over the world to use organic foods. The third area the article explains in the Bathroom. Apparently, the Aloft group has installed refillable shampoo and body wash dispenser at its locations and plan to do it for the future locations they are opening. As it relates to the outdoors, Asia's Six Senses is protecting the seascapes with chlorine fee pool sanitation system in order to protect the coral and marine life. The article also explained that the RockResorts have changed chemical cleaners to cleaners that were more natural. The article also states that changes are being made in shops and boutiques. The Swedish Scandic hotels stopped selling bottle water at 147 of their hotels and Banyan Tree resorts has partnered with local vendors to sell in their boutiques. I feel that all of these hotels and resorts are going in the right direction in order to save the environment in which they operate.
Wei Ding

Mobile Technology Trends For 2011, According To Forrester Research | Mobile Marketing W... - 1 views

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    This article talks about the growth and development of mobile technology has had positive effects on society. There are many advantages that are experienced from the implementation and use of mobile technology. It is obvious that mobile devices are intended to play and gradually more important role in the distribution and sale of travel services in years ahead. Hotel companies should capitalize on this technology and make the process of booking travel using smartphone. It will be a more intuitive process for guests. Mobile technology enables you to get real time hotel information and enable you to make speedy and informed decisions. With a big number of people using mobile technology growing each day, businesses are adopting the use of commerce to reach a larger pool of possible clients. By doing so, hotel businesses are able to increase their revenues and client base.
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    I agree with you, eventually more hotels will start using smartphones which will also give a more personalized service to consumers. For example if a guest has a request he can just send a text to a concierge or someone at the front desk who will meet and exceed his expectations.
Wei Ding

Blog - 0 views

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

How Hotels Are Going Green for Guests - 3 views

  • I make a quick stop for goodies and feel like I’ve entered a miniature Whole Foods: bulk nuts, dried fruit, even local chocolate and salsa from (according to the salesperson) the Lexington farmers’ market.
  • a kitchen full of Energy Star appliances.
  • Filtered water pours into the sink, under which I find two bins for recyclables. The toilets are dual-flush, the showers are low-flow, the shampoo and conditioner are in bulk dispensers, and the bellhop tells me that the art on my walls, depicting a leaf motif, was crafted from recycled aluminum and car tires.
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  • I can grab one of the gratis bikes downstairs and go for a spin on the nearby bike trail into town, or take a dip in the pool that’s cleaned with saline salt solution instead of eye-burning chlorine.
  • Owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Element is the first chain to receive an LEED-certified gold rating, the second-highest standard bestowed on a building by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
  • 212-room property, including saving water and electricity, recycling paper and implementing the towel and linen reuse program now common in most hotels across the country.
  • “It’s a 2 to 3 percent premium above the total cost of the building to go the LEED-certified route,” he says, adding that he hopes to offset that cost from the operational side in the next three to four years.
  • Energy savings include keeping electricity down to a minimum through natural lights and the use of CFL bulbs, low-flow showers and dual-flush toilets that save approximately 942,000 gallons of water annually at Element Lexington, and a roofing material that reflects heat from the sun, so the hotel won’t tax its air-conditioning system in the summer. Keeping with LEED standards, Element also purchases energy that comes from a green source: the wind.
  • Put a compost bin in the back of that megaresort in Cancun, and suddenly you have an “eco-lodge.”
  • Meredith Elbaum
  • says it’s hard to find a resort that actually practices what it preaches. “Seeing if they have LEED is one criterion, but you still have to do your research.”
  • Green Seal has also been vocal in its assessment that a typical average-size lodging uses more resources in a week than 100 families use in a year.
  • Indeed, government incentives and big business could very well be behind this latest surge in new hotel design.
  • “We heard from our global accounts, players like Microsoft, AT&T and Hewlett-Packard, that their goal was to find a hotel company that had some sort of green program in place,” says Brian McGuinness, “and we realized we need to do this.”
  • According to Arthur Weissman, this new initiative has led to an increase in revenue for hotels that join the movement. “The Doubletree in Portland, Oregon, told us they received more than $3 million in business due to their green certification,” notes Weissman.
  • But what about the typical traveler who simply wants a decent shower, a comfortable bed and perhaps a workout before turning in for the night? Workers who have no corporate mandate to go green are known to be extravagant when away from home, indulging in energy-chugging hot tubs and (dare I say it?) forgetting to turn off the lights and the A/C when they leave their rooms.
  • We need to find a balance.”
  • There’s certainly room for more growth in Element’s green design, such as the use of solar panels to heat the pool and the incorporation of a master switch, which many hotels in Europe already have.
  • The latter works by simply inserting your room key into a switch inside the room that turns on the electricity, heat and water. When you leave the room, you have to take that room key with you, thus turning off all the appliances.
  • “We’re just trying to do the right thing,” says McGuinness. “At the very least, we’re at the entry level: eco-friendly and not increasing the carbon footprint.” It may not be a green revolution quite yet, but it seems like a darn good starting point.
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    This article is all about hotels going green and trying to get LEED certified. The one Boston hotel is doing things like having dual flush toilets, low flow showers, shampoo and conditioner in bulk dispensers, and a roofing material that reflects the sun to save energy costs. Another thing involved with getting LEED certified is getting energy from abouther source, this particular hotel is using the wind. It is expensive to do and doesnt appeal to everyone, hotel managers must figure out whats in the best interest for them and getting people in and out of their hotel.
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    This article deals with how hotels are going green. Many have the typical saving shower head, the double flush toilet, or the special roof panels. Some go a little further than just putting a garbage bin to recycle. Many hotels are now placing cards in the rooms asking if you want linens changed when they clean the room, and for example may ask you to do something specific like throw the towels on the floor. While it may be an expensive thing to start turning hotels into green hotels, profits are being seen as big companies are now pushing their employees to stay at green hotels versus non green hotels. This may be the extra push management needs to make the decision to go green. Also, it says not all customers may care about the green issue, but some may try. We just need to find a balance and not expect all people on vacation to be a happy go lucky green freak.
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    To add onto Marilyns comment, not only are hotels doing the basics to go green, but a lot of hotels in california are taking the extra step, such as The Kimpton Hotels, and The orchard. They have changed the carpets and wallpaper for lower emission. They added recycle bins in every room in all 40 of their hotels across the country. Lastly, and one of the the additions I find most beneficial is their implementation of key card energy control, where a room key will be needed to activate the electricity in each room, and also shutting all electricity off when they leave.
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    This article is about how starwood hotels are trying to become fullscale eco-friendly but some are hotels are only greenwashing. This article is stating that it is not enough to use one green practice and call yourself an eco-friendly hotel.
Linfan Cai

Green Lodging News | Short description of the blog - 0 views

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    This article is written by a publisher and editor. It is based on what he saw and heard. The main contents are around the LEED Volume Program. The leadership in energy and environmental design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods. Marriott group opened their first hotel as part of Marriott's LEED Volume Program. The senior design manager indicates the program saves owners about $100,000 in upfront costs and six months of construction time. And it provides a competitive advantage for Marriott. Depending on his article, it is easy to know what is unique about the hotel from a green design and operations perspective. For example, the pool uses salt water to reduce the need for chlorine. Or the windows are high performance and reflect heat. Especially, the shower facility is for employees who ride their bicycles to work. Hoteliers pay much attention to the green development will help them to reduce the cost and pollution. Moreover, the staff prefer working in a green hotel because it helps motivate them daily. The following link is about the detailed of Marriott's LEED Volume Program. http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=8146
anonymous

Why mobile key is taking over in hotels | Hotel Management - 0 views

  • Adoption of mobile locks in the hotel marketplace continues to rise unilaterally across all segments
  • most magstripe locks are nearing the end of their useful life and the recurring maintenance issues that arise are causing hotels to seek replacement options
  • “Mobile applications that allow a guest to directly access a hotel room provide more convenience and result in improved guest satisfaction,” said Michael Cline, Salto Systems' VP of hospitality sales. “In many cases, the guest can skip the check-in line at the hotel’s front desk and go directly to their room.”
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  • Overall, hotel companies exploring mobile keys are seeking to drive guest loyalty and direct bookings, plus improve efficiency so staff can spend more time offering premium guest services. “With mobile access gaining traction, we sees opportunities to further enhance the guest experience and make their arrival even more seamless by enabling access to parking garages and elevators
  • The biggest challenge involved in replacing hotels locks is the cost and concern over the "future-proof" features of new locks
  • The future of hotel door electronic lock technology is the ability to improve the guest experience and to make hotel operations more efficient.
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    With the success of having mobile locks for our homes and even our cars, it's no wonder hotels are adopting the technology as well. Technology advances quickly, and like any business hotels must do the same, they're constantly refurbishing rooms and implementing new things to better serve their guests and a mobile lock would be no different. Having keys on a guest's phone would improve efficiency for hotel management because they wouldn't need to replace a lost key, and guests would no longer need to wait in a line to check in, just head up to their room as soon as they get there. This allows hotel staff to use that extra time to ensure guests get even better customer service. Mobile keys do possess a few problems in that, unless a guest is loyal to a particular hotel chain or unless they travel a lot, they might be unwilling to download an app just to be able to get into their room. This can be circumvented by designing an app that can do more than just open their room door such as making/changing reservations, making spa appointments, allowing gym/pool access, and being able to call for a bellboy, and getting help from the concierge. While not quite there yet, mobile door locks will let hotels know more about their guests and how to "better manage assets and the workforce with predictive analytics" that could be used to make guests experiences better and more likely to turn them into repeat guests.
tgore002

Global Distribution Systems in Present Times - Written By: Samipatra Das - HVS Internat... - 1 views

  • Nowadays, more travel is sold over the Internet than any other consumer product. The Internet is a perfect medium for selling travel as it brings a vast network of suppliers and a widely dispersed customer pool together into a centralized market place. Nearly 37 million of America's more than 162-million active Internet users have already purchased travel online. Online travel bookings exceeded $23 billion in 2001, and are expected to reach $63 billion by 2005.
  • These systems have become electronic supermarkets linking buyers to sellers and allowing reservations to be made quickly and easily.
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    The travel marketplace is a global arena where millions of buyers (travel agents and the public) and sellers (hotels, airlines, car rental companies, etc.) work together to exchange travel services. Among the "shelves" on which buyers search for travel services are world's global distribution systems and the Internet distribution systems. There are currently four major GDS systems: Amadeus As the youngest of the four GDS companies, Amadeus has done remarkably well during its short tenure. Yet, in many ways, the company remains an anomaly. Amadeus has the greatest number of travel agency locations with the highest productivity per terminal in the world, yet its booking share is Number 3, and its revenues are dwarfed by Sabre and, to a lesser degree, by Galileo. Galileo Galileo's competitive strengths include market share, well-balanced and global presence, relationships with diverse groups of travel vendors, technologically advanced information systems, highly skilled personnel, and a stable product line. Compared to other GDS companies, Galileo is a cautious follower when it comes to technology. Sabre Sabre's competitive strengths include market position, global reach, stable product line, diversification of revenue streams, and intellectual capital. The Sabre business model is a strong one, and continues to make significant progress in advancing both its electronic travel distribution and its information technology solutions businesses. Worldspan Worldspan has a legacy of industry firsts that are not well known. The company therefore has an opportunity to raise the industry's awareness of its accomplishments and more importantly, its future strategy. Worldspan continues to look at benefits of creating its own consumer brand and has been partnering with different companies to expand the services that it can provide to its customer base.
mannypinto

Five Ways Brands Can Adapt For The Era Of E-Commerce - 0 views

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    This article is very interesting because it talks about how establishments like Sports Authority and Toys 'R' Us are out of business due to e-commerce sites like amazon, ebay, Jet.com and others. It explains how businesses can adapt to an era of e-commerce. The first thing a business can do is to consolidate inventory, in other words have all the inventory in one single pool instead of different channels like brands have done before. The second thing is to establish a two-day shipping network, here the article explains how consumers expect immediate gratification with online orders. We see grocery stores doing this but with faster shipping within hours. The third thing one can do is leverage from an existing e-commerce channels for visibility. A business can sell its products on networks that are already established such as amazon, Jet.com and ebay. The fourth thing a business can do is use brick-and-mortar channels to increase exposure, meaning using physical stores such as Sports Authority and Toys 'R' Us to help increase exposure. It explains that drop shipping to these companies will help sales, 0% of all retail purchases still happen in physical stores. The final thing a business can do is use its resources. It is important to have an e-commerce expert on your payroll to grow the business online which will help in sales and stay on top of the this era. The article finishes by explaining that adaptability is the future of retail, which I believe adaptability is the future for any business. It is important to adapt and keep making things easier and more convenient for consumers.
Rebecca Pichora

5 Connectivity Considerations for Hoteliers | News | Hospitality Magazine (HT) - 0 views

  • 91% of guests say they make their hotel section based on the property offering free Wi-Fi.
  • Upgrade the details.
  • Knowing the USB’s ubiquity, look for ways to incorporate additional ports throughout the hotel to simplify the charging experience.
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  • Increase connection points and power access in the guest room.
  • Take advantage of common spaces. Hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, and gyms are becoming the preferred spots for guests to work, socialize, and relax. This is especially the case for millennials and younger travelers, who increasingly favor the lobby area as a place for productivity and socializing.
  • Convenient, intuitive access to power to keep them connected is essential throughout the room but should not interfere with the room’s design
  • ffering safe power access in outside spaces is a critical consideration when thinking through connectivity’s role in the hotel experience.
  • Ensure a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
  •   Keep sustainability in mind
  • By implementing products or controls to manage and increase energy efficiency on-property, hotel owners and operators can achieve cost savings that benefit the bottom line.
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    This article shows five easy ways in which a hotelier would be able to improve their guest experience with 5 technological connectivity considerations. Interestingly enough it shows the importance to having a high tech hotel as 91% of guests choose their hotel based off the hotel offering free wifi. Therefore, these 5 considerations are a great opportunity for any hotel in order to ensure guest satisfaction. Firstly, the hotel should upgrade the small details, such as the outlets throughout the hotel and integrating them into a sleek design in the hotel as to not stand out. Secondly, it would be important to increase the connection points and power access in the room, making it most convenient for guest to charge multiple devices in convenient locations. The next point would be to ensure a seamless indoor-outdoor connection, this not only means having wifi in the outdoor areas of the hotel, but to also offer connection spots for charging (eg. by the pool) and this ties into the next point, being to take advantage of the common spaces as these areas are becoming a place for people to socialize and work, therefore the areas should be designed in a way for the guests use. Lastly, the hotel also must take into consideration the sustainability, not only because of the guests growing concerns but with investing in new technological products they could save on cost and be more efficient, especially in the long run.
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