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Hotel de Paris in opulent Monte Carlo, Monaco pleasantly surprises as a forerunner in the hospitality industry's green revolution. Prince Albert II leads by example after having a 'sustainably' lavish wedding using local and fair-trade products. Even though "mullet carpaccio" does not sound delectable to me; I am sure world renowned Chef Alain Ducasse knows how to transform the ordinary into extraordinary. Prince Albert II went so far to even have his cows supply the milk for his ice cream dessert, I call that dedication. With such excellent leadership and funding in the green initiative the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation addresses three major environmental issues: climate change, biodiversity and water consumption. Because of the Foundation visitors to Monaco participate in the green initiative with or without their knowledge. The casino, four hotels, several restaurants and spas all educate their staff on how to "be green." Hybrid shuttles, organic farming, reclaimed watering, on-site herb gardens and the banning of bluefin tuna are all examples of how the hospitality industry in Monaco has gone green. Monaco's will and initiative in the green revolution is inspiring. I hope that every hotel worldwide can try to adopt some of these practices and look to Monaco as a role model.

This article introduces brief suggestions about how to select a hospitality call accounting system. And the best way is to have a checklist identifying requirements in descending order from mandatory through to "nice to have." Such as, (1). A call accounting software package must be proven and specific to the hospitality industry. (2). Because of the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) PBX (private branch exchange) has now superseded the TDM (time-division-multiplexing) PBX, so the solution needs to be compatible with hotels' existing PBX and whatever comes along in the future. (3). Hotels should choose different call accounting systems based on Single-site or multi-site businesses they have. (4). And the hospitality call accounting systems should integrate seamlessly with all major accounting software packages. (5). Software updates should be provided regularly (6). Competent 24x7 support is essential to assure hotels cost recovery and protect against revenue loss. (7). Software is easy to use and clearly but succinctly documented due to the high turnover of staff in hotels. And a web interface is a nice to have, but not an essential feature. Of course the best choice can vary because of different operation in hotels.

For hotel managers, there are dozens of hospitality call accounting options to choose from and depending on the nature of a particular operation the best solution will vary. This article offers a checklist for selecting a hospitality call accounting system.

This article is about an application developed by Big Night Entertainment Group called Tabbedout. This application is a secure mobile application that allows customer to view their account and pay it through their smart phone as the application is integrated with the Micros POS system. The application will be used in four of the company's venues. The application is a secure payment method as well as a marketing tool. The payment information of the customer is saved in the phone and not on a host server. This application gives customers a whole new customer service experience. Customers can close off their tab by simply paying from their smart phone, without having to wait for their server to come back with the bill, only to come back again after the customer has given away their credit card. Also, the server doesn't need to worry as their system has the customer credit card information to close the tab off in the event a customer walked out without paying.

This application is incredible. As technology advances, it makes our lives easier and simpler. Customers who pay through this application should feel more secure because identity theft is less likely to occur. As you said, the application gives customers new experience, and the advantages can result in enhancing customer satisfaction.

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.

By using of Nano Ionic technology, The new interior paint will remove odors that caused be smoking, pets, bacterial proliferation. However, some natural matrix materials ground into a fine powder the mixed with paint to be applied to the interior walls of homes and businesses. Moreover, this new product is non-toxic, not harmful to pets, children or planet earth and no consumption of electricity is necessary.

The article talks about how a business owner was able to reduce the paper used at his restaurant in the back office. While doing this he finds out that it is much easier to control his business, the cloud and technology initiatives provide him with accountability and easier way to expand. This is a lesson in the how to achieve two objectives with one solution. 

I think going green is a must but its not enough. The system of producing-consuming needs to be comletely changed. Actually im happy companies start thinking about bringing less harm to nature.

Going green is such a win for every party. I would argue that there is a big difference between wading through piles of paper and having a clean organized electronic system. The more automated the back office of any company can be, the more efficient and therefore profitable it will be. The popularity of cyber communication, data storage, bookeeping, etc is only going to increase rapidly in the next few years.

The failure of hotels to properly store and transmit sensitive credit card data makes them an easy target for hackers. This article shows that in 2009 a whopping 38% of credit card theft was associated with the hotel industry. These thefts necessitate a level of uniformity for hotel security standards. The biggest key to this article is the reminder that hotels cannot be lacking in their technology security measures. The industry is based on service and must do its due diligence to protect its customers and retain their loyalty and trust.

That article is really eye opening. I couldn't help but notice the article is from a year and a half ago. I wonder how much improvement hotels as a whole have made on this front. I imagine it is significant or else I feel like we would be hearing more about it now. This really teaches you to keep a close eye on your accounts. I thought the Wyndham Hotels' spin about "sophisticated hackers" was kind of amusing. I assume someone forgot to "CYA" but they couldn't tell that to the people whose credit card information had been stolen.

I noticed the time frame as well. I would love to see a more recent article or study done. It is definetely a reminder to consumers that you cannot rely upon hotels or other industries to provide security. Consumers need to be more responsible for tracking their own actions. Hotels also need to recognize that this threat is not going to go away. They must continuously look for new attack angles. It seems to me that the very best amongst the hospitality industry are casinoes. Other hotels should use them as a model and avoid "sophisticated hackers."

IQWare offers a high-tech, high-touch partnership proven to help rental managers boost their business, efficiency, and bottom lines. Vacation rental managers can partner with IQware and create a fully functional, infinitely customizable program for their agency. IQWare software provides easy access to tracking the quality of accommodations their clients are seeking.

This article mainly talks about IQware software provides easy access to the asset information needed to faster impact day-to-day expenses. This software is for running resorts and it serves homeowners. Currently, travelers are becoming progressively demanding and tech savvy. Customer become very smart that they know exactly what they want and know here they can get it. Therefore, it is necessary for vacation rental property manager have an art technology to assist him/her to meet customer expectation. IQware has lots of benefit for vacation rental properties. IQware provides a complete, flexible solution for managing the operations of vacation rental properties. Also, this software offers easy access to the asset information needed to quickly impact day-to-day expenses as well as guest service and satisfaction levels. In addition, IQware online booking solutions help promote any rental property to the world, while allowing guests and travel agents to interactively book against actual inventories. This help save on fees and commissions. There still have lots of advantages of using IQware such as it is safe, secure and reliable support. IQware is definitely is ideal choice for vacation rental properties to expand business and gain more profit.

"IQware is the technology destination of choice for vacation rental properties looking to bolster their business, efficiency and bottom-line results". IQware offers vacation rental businesses to keep up with new technology and as a result provide an optimized experience for guests. IQware's developmental team works with vacation rental managers to provide unmatched functionality. One of the advantages of IQware is that it is "infinitely customizable". IQ ware also has IQ aps (Asset Protection Software) that allows property owners to audit the quality of their accommodations. IQaps can also be used to schedule, manage, and analyze on aspects of maintenance. This software has "online booking solutions" that promote properties and allow guests and travel agents to interactively book. This system is run on a safe and secure network and provides 24/7 support to users. This systems also offers many ROI generating tools.

Unified Computing System (UCS) technology is widely used byStation Casinos Inc., which is a one of high-tech Station Casinos Inc. invested and do a good implement in their properties. It not only help this company do a good business and also help the it employees keep their jobs.

Hotel guests are a captive audience and are often looking for the convenience factor when making their purchasing decisions, such as where to eat that night. If hoteliers take the initiative with their WiFi solution, they could be soon be reaping the financial rewards.

Implementing the right technology can bring a company back to business therefore it is really important to Know what technology is the best for the organization in order to improve productivity and attract potential clients.

According to the article, Colorado College did the survey on some state to looking for the swing voters minds of the November election. This survey asked some questions such as what the U.S. would be like in 30 years if it remains dependent on fossil fuels? And what the U.S. would be like in 30 years if clean energy is developed. Swing voters answers were discussed in this news. As the survey showed, the majority of swing voters in those states agreed with the statement that renewable energy will create jobs in the future. 80% interviewees believe the possibility of improving economy and protecting the environment. Besides, the climate change didn't resonated with those voters; however, they worried about the economic competition from China.

The companies have to do a drastic changes in order to stop destroying the planet and today there are materials or sources that can be substitute the fossil fuels, but they have invested so much money in their infractstructure that they do not want to loose it. The corpotates know that making this changes means invest a lot of money and I think they do not want to do so unless we as society force them to make these changes.

This article explains how POS have improved efficiency and reduced the cost of operations. It explains how some locations have seen improvements since the implementation of MICROS called Simphony. The Simphony system allows the central management of the menus, payroll, scheduling and many other things from anywhere on the web. It has many functions and help with many other areas such has staffing and creation of a loyalty and gift card program. It also allows web reporting on mobile devices. The system has even helped with the drive thru ordering at the locations.

I think that this software is definitely beneficial after reading this article. Simphony will help these locations out in many ways, especially as it relates to efficiency.

This article discusses the "Green Hotel" award that is presented every two years to Asean resorts. The purpose of this award is to bring awareness to hotels about the importance of being eco-friendly and preserving our environment. Thousands of hotels compete for this award based on criteria including water efficiency, air quality management, collaboration with local organizations and external communities. I personally love that collaborating with external communities is a criteria for this award because I find that to be very important. Well-known resorts should help smaller organizations and team up with them to show they care about those around them. Once of the recipients, Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort, focused on protecting and sustaining the rich ecosystem surrounding their resort by constructing their resort using eco-ethical materials and placing priority in sustaining its environment-friendly atmosphere. The hope is for these awards to be an incentive to improve the tourism industry and to provide awareness to the hospitality industry regarding global warming and other important natural effects hotels are having on our environment. While it promotes healthy competition in the tourism industry, it also improves the quality of the hotels in Asean countries which in turn will lead to more tourism and financials for the country.

It is examined that many large hotel chines in our industry work on supporting green initiatives. Clearly, they understand the benefits that would get from being somewhat green such as saving money and getting sometimes some facilities from governments. Although some large hotel chains have not done anything in terms of protecting environments, the others have successfully progressed at this environmental dimension. Amazingly, the green program in international hotel group, for example, is saving around $200 million every year. The Hilton Hotels, Ramada & Days Inn, and Hyatt Hotels are given as supporters of this initiative, and also the benefits that they get by implementing this environmental concept.

One of the most critical elements of becoming an environmentally friendly hotel is the adoption of a new culture that extends throughout the hotel organization, and between the hotel and its guest, local community, and even its vendors. We call this an environmental management system (EMS). An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a comprehensive organizational approach designed to incorporate environmental protection into the operation of any organization.

This article is all about how NEWave a company providing software to the gaming indusrty has just been awarded a new contract for seven new properties. They will be installing myCompliance Manager software which has been proven to protect the casino's. In one case where the software has already been installed at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas has proved to save them over $100,000 annually.

I think this article represents a good balance between the 'wait and see' approach and the 'ahead of the curve'. Biometric technology has been around for a while now and it has been proven to be very effective. This hotel is creating a competitive advantage without compromising service and guest satisfaction.

The hundred year old, Dorchester Collection's Beverly Hills Hotel participates in various green initiatives within the hotel as well as around the world. The hotel purchases only green products, donates partially used toilet paper, donates soap and amenities to local and global shelters and organizations. Most importantly they participate in proper e-waste of electronics.  I think this Beverly Hill Hotel sets a great standard for all hotels. Not only does their hotel practice green initiatives but they take that extra step and their employees participate in beach clean ups. 

The tourism is considered the biggest industry in the world, This industry has also one of the biggest impact on the environment. The tourism and hospitality industries can play a key role reducing our footprint on the planet

This article is about the concern of customers paying their purchase online, and not through a machine as is the most typical way to do it. But for many this transaction is not safe at all, there could be hackers that can make fraud. This is why two of the most popular CC companies has developed the Visa's 3-D Secure™ and MasterCard's 28SecureCode™ to keep their customers safe, these cards requires a personal security code for every transactions and other personal information in order to keep the purchase safe and some others requires a monthly fee to obtain this service.

In this article, the author listed four ways to protect privacy of employees. first is an HRIS stores employee data in a secure and uniform fashion; second is uniformity is generated by the automated nature of a well-designed HRIS; third is Any HRIS worth its salt includes automated updating to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations; forth is an HRIS doesn't hold a grudge or have an ego.