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SevenRooms establishes 7X, a marketing and guest engagement platform for restaurants. The software is composed of four aspects: guest satisfaction, automated tagging & segmentation, email automation, and special offers/experiences. The software monitors guest reviews on all platforms including Yelp, Google Reviews, etc. The software sorts through guest profiles and qualifies them as "first time", "VIP", and anything in between. It also automatically sends e-mails to customers, depending on their quantification and last time dining.

Traveling is becoming a popular trend. People love to visit new locations around the world and are expecting a high quality level of technology. The more people travel, the higher their expectations become. The new technology trends being offered in the hospitality industry include wearable technology and sensors. Guests are able to check in and have a key-less room entry with an apple watch or something similar. Rooms are equipped with sensors for lights, an app to adjust room temperature as desired, TV voice recognition, digital news papers, and much more. Another important aspect of technology in the hospitality industry is providing rich travel related multimedia content. People like to use apps or websites such as Yelp, Youtube, or trip advisor to offer travelers suggestions and real life user experiences and reviews. Thus, providing such brands a way to create significant relationships with their current and future customers. Hotels encourage their guests to use social media to share their experiences. Yelp and swarm allows people to check-in and be rewarded for visiting the locations, by offering a complimentary cocktail, appetizer, and so on. In addition, Hotels encourage their guests to hashtag their stay. Robots are entering the hospitality industry, from serving foods, carrying luggage, and acting as hotel receptionists. You will be able to find this in the Henn-na Hotel in Japan.

Brands can now differentiate themselves from their competitors through the effectiveness of digital technologies such as sensors, robotics and mobile which provide a unique experience for customers. Sandals for example, uses key card sensors to door guest doors and customers are able to control the smart TV programs with an app on their phone. In addition, we uses a predictive system to monitor our rooms forecast as it relates to travel booking per month / year. The article focuses on five common trends: 1. Personalization by using predictive analytics: One example is Kayak, a travel booking site that uses the predictive analytics for their price forecast. 2. Integrating wearable technology and sensors: Hilton Worldwide and Starwood Hotels integrated Apple Watch in their business operation to enable mobile check-in, keyless room entry and special request. 3. Providing rich travel related multimedia content: Customers are able to review valuable information about their destination through various social channels such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, blogs and other websites. 4. Leveraging social media: Social media channels are allowing customers to share their stay experience at a resort and plus give rewards points and discount offers. Marriott Hotels for example, has a PlusPoint reward system. (https://sourceable.net/hotel-design-trends-for-millennial-guests/) 5. Artificial Intelligence: Businesses are using Anybots and Roboceptionist to replace receptionists. (http://www.otrams.com/blog/innovations/artificial-intelligence-in-hospitality-industry/).

This article written by Sharma, is providing a brief explanation of how new technology is taking over the hotel industry. From Apple watch room entry, to robots now taking over luggage and receptionist duties, technology is quickly becoming the essence of the hotel industry. Having a successful hotel is now measured by the level of technology associated with that hotel.

Vizergy has quickly become an industry leader in eMarketing techniques and methods, as highlighted by their relationship with one of the fastest growing, most advanced data centers, Peak 10. Vizergy's proprietary cloud-based, hospitality focused marketing system has created proven strategies that set the pace in a fast-moving digital age, where time is truly of the essence. Its systems allow hoteliers and hospitality professionals to easily and efficiently maintain all aspects of their digital marketing presence. Peak 10's advanced technologies and infrastructure support only further Vizergy's superiority.

This article is give hoteliers some recommendation of how to use property management system effectively and efficiency in the future. Until today there is no PMS (property management system) solution providers can promise the hoteliers use the PMS that can drive ever-increasing levels of efficiency and effectiveness. Therefore, the hoteliers have to focus on the right direction of the potential buyers. First of all, hoteliers have to focus on building the guest database. We can provide the survey for the customers and reward programs. Hoteliers can easy capture the data from the customer's survey. It's necessary to understand customer's behavior and enhance gusts profiles. By check the comments from customers that hoteliers can further maximize the value of guest relationships. In the end, the business can reach their full potential. Second, focus on technology integration. Technology very important for now, every business use the software for their daily works. Hoteliers have to take advantage of technology and make it easier to bring the third party software add on modules into a PMS. This way can help business minimum hassle and expense. Third, focus on revenue management. Next generation is a key to improve the business revenue management activities by capturing and storing customer's data. Revenue manager have to maintain a large data set. For a big hotel, the data set may include dozens of customers segments, more room type, several years of historical booking and reservation data etc. Next, ensure that all necessary module is available. The next generation PMS should provide more options for manage their hotel or resort facilities. For example, spa management solution, the manager can provide an optional module that customers can make appointment which is easy to manager their business by those new optional modules on PMS.

Technology is providing travelers novel experiences and interactions. The new technologies include: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), connectivity, and other technology. Artificial intelligence is currently being integrated into chat bots for phone calls, but there are far greater uses. Facial scanning and voice recognition is starting to gain traction. It offers more secure, faster, ad better customer service. Some hotels have even added Amazon Alexa devices for their patrons. The internet of things features hotel guests to unlock the door to their room using only their smartphone. Blockchain and cryptocurrency transactions eliminate the need for third-party mediators. As a result, hotels that utilize blockchain and cryptocurrency can offer better rates to the consumer without affecting profitability. All of the emerging technology frees up the preexisting staff to provide and maintain excellent customer relationships. "Over the last few years, travelers have been meeting robot butlers and concierges in hotels like Hilton's Connie, powered by IBM Watson AI technology." "SoftBank Robotics' Pepper, a humanoid robot developed with IBM Watson, has been introduced at Munich Airport and Václav Havel Airport Prague, where the robot not only informs but entertains passengers by dancing and offering to take selfies." "Gartner predicts that 85% of customer interactions will be managed without a human by 2020." "At Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland, face scanners enable guests to verify their identity at check-in, pick up a digital room key and gain access to the dining room at breakfast." "Two Roads Hospitality has partnered with Amazon and Volara to develop a customised Alexa for Hospitality platform that facilitates daily tasks for staff, such as identifying maintenance problems or signaling that a room is ready for check-in." "Luxury hotels like The Plaza New York, Aria in Las Vegas, The Torch Doha in Qa

I found this article very interesting, as it touched upon certain pros for events to embrace event technologies, such as event registration software. As mentioned in the article, nowadays, nothing is done manually. Therefore, updating registration spreadsheets, or surveys manually just slows down any process. Additionally, if planners do not plan for a good registration tool, or process, they will definitely not have a smooth check-in process. With technology softwares, like event registration, allows for event planners to have a more efficient experience, as well as, for the attendees. Moreover, these softwares even allow for word of mouth, through social network sharing; giving a greater advantage for attendee show up. Overall, with technology softwares events can run much smoother, and also, allow for tracking of attendee satisfaction, in order to find any improvements for future events. Depending on the event, an event software can surely be a win-win for both the planners and the attendees. 

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.

This article is introduce a successful female --Anna McFarland. She was selected as the 2018 HFTP Paragon Award recipient. She is a global financial services veteran with 30 years of finance and performance management

The article "Why good human resource management is vital for small hotels" focuses on the relationships of high quality service with human resource management. Within the service industry, Human Resources is what creates the company's competitive advantage. Businesses that focus on offering superior customer service need to rely on their workforce to carry out their philosophy. Due to this, the economy of the country in which the business is located is important to take into consideration, since a well educated and motivated workforce stems from the country's economy. Thanks to improvements in technology and globalization, it has become more effective to hire and train staff. While it is true that small businesses have less resources, time and money to invest in human resources, it is still one of their most important assets. According to the article, "The very nature of the industry is to provide hospitality, and that requires the use of HR in delivering proper services. Hence, small- and medium-sized hotels should formalize their HRM practices. Small hotel owners or managers should be more willing to involve further formality in their firm's HR practices, since an 'adequate' level of formality does positively relate to performance". The advantages in Human Resource Management are endless, and as a result, all types of businesses, regardless of their size should value this scope.

This article talks about how property management systems have changed over the years. Previously the main purpose of the PMS system was focused on back-of-the-house functions like guest registration and housekeeping. Now some PMS systems are equipped with everything from the ability to automate transactions with travel agents to in-room entertainment. These systems are enabling hotels to better serve their guests. Typically full-service hotels and resorts would require more complex PMS systems, but smaller select-service could manage with simpler systems. The overall goal of a PMS system is to increase profitability and RevPar. These new systems are more streamlined across all operations, which enables hotels to meet their goals.

"Today's systems now generally include channel management capabilities, including a web booking engine and global distribution system connectivity to automate transactions with booking agents. Many systems now integrate with third-party technologies like point-of-sale (POS) software, accounting software, keycard and access control systems, self-service kiosks, internet and telephone systems and in-room refreshment (minibar) and entertainment applications. Some systems now come with marketing and sales tools for creating targeted promotions and campaigns based on individual guest profiles, behaviors and preferences. Some systems also include robust data analysis capabilities for generating business intelligence, including insights into emerging trends. Built-in customer relationship management features can help engender higher levels of guest satisfaction, which invariably leads to not only more repeat stays but also a larger volume of positive brand advocacy - e.g., favorable reviews on TripAdvisor and other popular sites - ultimately translating into increased hotel occupancy rates and revenue per available room (RevPAR)." This article explains the advancement of PMS systems in contrast to the traditional POS software and its limitations. Todays PMS systems offer not only booking capabilities but operational room features as well. Market capabilities are now also available directly from these new PMS system which were previously handled elsewhere.

My article was very interesting and it was about the evolution of hotel PMS over the past 10 years. Early generations of hotel property management system only had the necessary features and functions like room inventory maintenance and housekeeping assignment. But now some PMS have been developed to meet the end-to-end needs of modern day lodging properties in ways that could be difficult to imagine a decade ago. Some systems now even come with marketing and sales tools for creating targeted promotions and campaigns based on individual guest profiles, behaviors and preferences. With the help of technology, property management systems for hotels have great opportunities to be improved because the goal of every software should be to provide the best service for the guests based on their information.

As this week we are talking about electronic accounting systems, I found this article on the disadvantages of computerized accounting systems to be rather interesting. As mentioned in the article, many companies tend to become too reliant on computerized systems, which leads to them forgetting about the negative outcomes that may arise from using such systems. These disadvantages include high cost, from training staff to repairing/replacing the electronic systems. In addition, like any cloud-based system, a computerized accounting system can also make a company vulnerable to cyber security issues, such as hacking. Overall, while very advantageous, computerized accounting systems still have certain risks companies must address before deciding whether, or not to use them. 

I believe you found a very interesting article on electronic accounting systems. Even though the tendency is all about the positive aspects on electronic accounting systems, I enjoyed reading the perspective on this article which focuses on its drawbacks. Companies need to evaluate whether this investment is functional for them and weight the pros versus the cons. Additionally, the information on an electronic accounting system is sensitive, and it can make the company vulnerable to hacking and data breaches. These are very important points for managers to take into consideration while finding the right accounting system for them.

Hotels are using IT information to "maximize" the guest experience.

"Big Brother is Watching", but in a good way. Hotels are now using guest information to "personalize" their stay. Let's face it, technology is here to stay whether we like it or not. How businesses choose to utilize this technology could be the "key to their success or failure". Hoteliers must now sift through a mountain of information with regards to guest satisfaction. We live in a "microwave" world, and we want results now, faster is better. Hotels must continue to gather information on guest preferences, but utilize this information carefully. Businesses must walk the fine line between excellent service and "stalking".

It is interesting what technologies customers latch onto when traveling. The big fancy technology typically does not wow the guests as much as you would thing. It is actually the tiny details they notice more in terms of technology. My hotel is very technologically advanced and was built with the new technology implemented by our brand, The interesting thing that everyone notices though is the usb connectors in every outlet.

The following article reviews the hospitality E-Business as well as the industries "E-profile". It was interesting to read how the article breaks down the realities of the new millennium and what it has brought to the table for the entire hospitality industry. It is vital for the hospitality industry to be available to evolve with the current technological trends and innovations. The article reviews how e-business has removed the traditional barriers to commerce; for example, time, distance and physical location. The future for "Web-enablement" within the industry has major potential and will soon be implemented. Ex; virtual tours, guest history and loyalty programs, sales force automation, etc.

This article emphasizes the fact that Chinese consumers is thriving in outbound travel. The number of people in China traveling is expected to increase from the current number of 150 million trips to 700 millions trips in the upcoming five years. With its significant growth, Marriott is taking extra measures to capture the eye of the interest of Chinese travelers. The Chinese e-commerce giant, Alibaba Group and Marriott declared a joint venture with their main purpose of building guest loyalty and uplifting the traveling experience for the Chinese market. With the increased income for the average Chinese middle class, traveling to the United States and Europe has become popular. Therefore, enabling "Alipay" through Fliggy (which is Alibaba's travel service platform) assists Chinese consumers to conveniently access digital pay for their trips. This particular venture was a huge stepping stone in forming the relationship with the known e-commerce company. Particular information pertaining to Chinese travelers, such as favored promotions, programs, and content also became more accessible to Marriott as this venture launched. Marriott's owners as well as franchisees are expecting to grasp these information to seize an ever growing Chinese travel market. Although Alipay is only available in certain Asia-Pacific hotels, it is expected to expand to the U.S. markets as well as the European market. Easy to use technology will aid in all steps of the booking process, starting from planning, booking, to paying and even managing a particular trip. Additionally, for Chinese consumers, Alipay, as mentioned above, is the main method of payment for Alibaba. 80% of e-commerce is made in Alibaba. Finally, this joint venture also enhances a crossover loyalty program feature. Through Marriott and Alibaba's loyalty program, point will be exchangeable and redeemable to further enhance consumer satisfaction.

Module 3: Networking (Rebecca Noble)

The article talks about the increased innovation in PMS and hotel systems overall and how technology is necessary to meet guest expectations. The integration of all hotel systems including the PMS allows for an enhanced guest experience. Hoteliers will have a better perspective of their guests and be better able to anticipate requests and manage pricing etc. A suggested new technology in the article is artificial intelligence chat-bots that can respond and assist with customer inquiries. Additionally the use of mobile is a tool that can empower hotel guests to communicate with the property the same way they use their smartphone for so many other activities. With the proper mobile integration with the PMS a guest could order room service to any location on property, view media and make requests. A combination of highly integrated PMS and hotel software with top notch customer service will provide an exceptional experience that will exceed guest expectations.