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Encouraging Return Customers With Rewards Customers are able to earn stamps through a Malibu Poke digital rewards program and redeem them for free bowls or discounts after downloading the app to their Apple or Android devices. "Rewards are just a really easy way to give a value add to your loyal customers." He added that because Malibu Poke's restaurant offerings tend to be more expensive than many other QSRs', loyalty programs work better. Opportunities for customers to seamlessly access discounts can provide the restaurant with meaningful ways to retain customers.

This article discusses the 4 advantages of using facial recognition technology in the hospitality industry. These are security and access improvement, customer service improvement, payment authorization, and collecting data. This article also talks about the disadvantage which is the privacy concern from the customers. As technology advances, and consumers are more accustomed to using facial recognition technology in their daily lives such as Apple Face ID login and payments, and facial recognition social media apps, I believe that it is a matter of time until facial recognition technology becomes a norm in the hotel industry.

This article from "Revfine" details the innovation and implementation of facial recognition into operations within the Hospitality industry. The article not only talks about how it is used to optimize the check-in and check-out process but also how it can be used for security purposes and payment authorization. This article also presented an interesting issue in terms of privacy as hotels also use facial recognition for data collection.

This article suggests that Facility Managers should keep the door open to new technology. It gives an example of Marriott Hotel to demonstrate this point. Moreover, this article shows us several ways to evaluating new options. This methods are shared by  managers with great experience.

Email marketing, is quite old school but efficient way to provide more information to customers.  This kind of email marketing is about "Trigger-based" email, it would send to customers when customers had some specific demand and click at the link, then it would email some more rewarding information back to the customers' email address. From my opinion, this is really good and time saving, not so high-end but quite effective. But the problem is whether the information is complete or correct for customers. I would like to have the email that something I am interested in because it is easy to organize and check about it. Especially when you are not so interested at it first but then you want to figure what it is like but need to google it. 

Author Michael Kasavana's article discusses the advancement and prevalence of mobile technology applications with regard to the hospitality industry.  According to him, "the common goals of mobile technology implementation are acceleration of guest traffic, heightened interactivity, promotion and sales of goods and services, and gathering of feedback relative to the guest's experience". Mobile and proximity marketing techniques are gaining in popularity and in some cases (Buffalo Wild Wings) are a large factor in the company's success. Their mobile marketing campaign was deemed a huge success due to large numbers of repeat customers, improved attendance at special events, and higher sales revenue. Mobile marketing has proven extremely influential in attracting new customers and creating brand loyalty. This marketing method can really make the difference in one company having a competitive advantage over another. Kasavana also advises restaurant and hotel owners to follow some best management practices guidelines. These include: "creation of a mobile-optimized website with simple navigation tools; apply user-friendly, intuitive, and logical lead-through processes; sponsor video (YouTube), social (Facebook), and mobile (LBS) content; employ opt-in marketing campaigns that encourage customer engagement; provide instant rewards, discounts, and incentives to qualified clientele". Mobile technology applications are definitely the wave of the future in the hospitality industry and "getting in on the ground floor" is an excellent opportunity for business growth.

"A New Meeting Frequency" discusses near-field communication (NFC) and its gaining popularity with the meeting and event planning industry. This form of communication enables smart devices to have communication between each other; one acts as the writer, the other as the reader. According to meeting tech consultant Corbin Ball, "NFC marks the next step toward a cashless and paperless society".  Barclaycard and Chase, just to name a few, have adopted ISIS Mobile Wallet which lets customers make payments and collect rewards. "Industry professionals are beginning to see adoption in interactive events and business-to-customer trade shows", and are present in some current NFC applications. Contactless payment, automated ticketing, social networking, exchange of information (maps, business cards), registration, attendance access and control are some of the major ways this technology is utilized presently in the industry. Usage is slowly on the rise, particularly with regard to corporate networking events, and potential is huge.  NFC technology is extremely innovative, saves money and can be a great marketing tool.

This article was about a smartphone application that allows customers to place orders and purchase their meals on their personal phone. Brink Software is leading the way in cloud-based POS and made this application available for iPhones and Andriods. By having this application and software in restaurants it lets the owners and managers focus on what they love doing, cooking. When a customer comes into the restaurant they order off the menu that is at their table using QR codes and their phone. The order immediately is sent to the kitchen. The customer then waits for the food to be brought out by the kitchen. They guest will pay with their phone and then be on their way. It also works with take-out as well. The customer would log onto the app, order off the menu, and then choose a pick up time. Their food is then fired in the kitchen at the correct time so it will be ready for pick up. This software also tracks order history, and reward points for loyal customers. This gives the restaurant the ability to track and analyze their customer's behavior and provide targeted incentives. This software allows the restaurant to connect their ordering, in-store registers, smartphones, and PC's all together to better manage the data. I personally think this type of innovation is great. By using devices that most people use on a daily basis, it helps cut back on wait times and labor cost. It also provides the restaurant with better customer service, especially during fast-paced lunch or dinner rush.

Here's a company RSI International Systems that is launching a cloud based PMS that is rewarding users who practice environmentally friendly operations. In addition to helping hotels save energy, they are matching donations made by the hotel to environmental protection programs that the hotel even has some say to whom to contribute.

This article is about Task Retail Technology which is a cloud based point of sale software being selected for Rubio's Restaurants. The POS system is a touch screen system powered through the internet and has a centralized POS terminal. It also has digital menu boards, mobile applications, and SMS. It uses Microsoft's latest technology and features a loyalty system that can reward customers and has an upsell feature. 

This article summarize "An investment with a few". In 2009 during the great recession the hospitality industry suffered the most the saw revenues go downhill as many people spent their vacations at home while companies cut back travel. Eight years later the hotel occupancy rates are where they were pre-recession about 65%full versus 55% In 2009 the cash flow is coming back in. Many investors who survived those bad years are now being rewarded by the Bloomberg REIT hotels index is up 10.7% year to date. Now that the economy is improving there are still more gains to be had.

As VP of Digital Marketing George Corbin said, "Smart devices are now everyone's indispensable travel companion, as more and more travelers increasingly expect to have their needs satisfied using their mobile phone." Engaging with guests via applications is an excellent marketing tool and Marriott's recent update allows guests to access the application via Apple electronics. The application is now featured in 6 different languages, allows for mobile check in/out, room upgrades, late checkout, and direct request. Marriott wanted to go above and beyond in its offerings for guests. Exploiting this avenue of marketing allows guests to have an hotelier within their pocket. Guest rewards will be directly accessible and the app will be personalized via preference data and destination content. Ensuring guests have an easy and reliable source as this, allow for more bookings. In the future, the application will allow guests to order from restaurants within the hotel and room service, as well as feature a messaging system that will send out offers to guests.

Facebook is becoming more and more popular around the world and it is becoming a social media requirement for companies to utilize for their customers. Grand Millennium Kuula Lumpur realized this and became the first hotel in Malaysia to use Facebook as a booking engine, allowing its 30,000+ followers to book hotel accommodations comfortably and in a secure environment with a special fans only rate. Friends of the hotel's Facebook page feel confident when booking through this mechanism because the page links directly to the hotel's real-time reservations system, allowing customers to check availability and book rooms instantly. This is all done without ever leaving the Facebook page. Sabre Hospitality Solutions understands the growth of social media and is helping hotels engage guests through this new technology by providing the most comprehensive social media optimization solution available. They are helping hotels build loyalty, tap into new market segments, build buzz and grow their business through online communities. This is a very important and relevant marketing tool for Malaysia because their total number of Facebook users at the end of 2011 grew to over 12 million.

This article basically talks about a successful adoption of HRIS system for Wente Family Estates. This company is comprised of numerous business units including a vineyard and winery, a restaurant, and a world class golf course. Their HR team and managers are responsible for a wide range of people, jobs, and related to the company's workforce. So they needed a solution for better talent management, sustainability, and improved time management and selected the Ultimate Software's HRIS system. The HRIS system enables HR team to easily assess employee performance against measurable goals and job competencies, create employee development plans, identity high performing employees for key positions, and build an environment that maximizes talent and rewards their best performers. Besides, it enables their employees to go online to view relevant details about their hours worked and schedules. It also enables managers to log on to the system at any time to stay on top of hours and labor costs so that they can quickly make decisions such as modifying schedules or job responsibilities, if needed, to control costs.  This type of cloud based HRIS system will bring many benefits to companies comprised of diverse business units to manage their human capital.

For large corporations is indispensable to count with the right HRIS that will assist the companies to organize in a logical order all the such as employment activities and job analysis.

This article talk about Intercontinental hotels group is the largest hotel group worldwide by measuring the number of room. IHG produced a mobile-optimised site so visitors could check availability and book rooms at nearby IHG hotels. This hotel brand also uses the mobile to increase the income. IHG's interactive marketing manager, Marco De Rosa says that revenue from mobile search increase by 91% year over year over specially using text aimed at most mobile users. Lately, IHG launched the Priority club reward app for both iOS and Android platforms which offer a easy way to customers to search and book their rooms. IHG takes mobile very seriously, and its "test and learn" approach is providing insights and better decision-making. Mobile technology does bring lots of benefit for hotel organizations. Later, it is a trend for hotel decision maker to invest more money for mobile web and mobile app development.

With over 11% of U.S. adults owning a tablet computer, it's time for more hotels to get savvy with the trend. Utilizing an iPad or other tablet device in everyday practices at a hotel can be a rewarding, impressive, and fun way to interact with guests. Not to mention it can cut down on printing costs! Here are some ideas of how your hotel can use a tablet: Spice up the check-in process. Instead of the same old tedious check-in process, keep things interesting by showing your guests how tech-savvy you are.If they ask any questions about nearby activities or events, flip through a brochure on the tablet that will show them their options in a visually stimulating way. Show enticing photos on your menu.Guests can even order directly from the kitchen through the tablet.You can even take it a step further and use your iPad as a wine list at your in-house restaurant. Provide many in-room amenities.Software like that supplied by Intelity with just a swipe of a finger, guests can adjust the room temperature or turn on a light. They can browse area guides or place dinner reservations. Enhance your customer service. If a room needs more towels, the message can be sent directly to housekeeping. Guests will love the simplicity of the process and will enjoy being able to use iPads or other tablets to do something so straightforward.

Americans eat out at restaurants almost as much as they eat at their own houses. Customers would prefer to eat at a certified green restaurant than one that is not. Americans do care about the environment and want to do things that can help it survive longer. For restaurant the Green Restaurant Association has steps to help you make the changes necessary to become green certified. Some little things that can be changed immediately are using recycled paper products or purchasing locally grown foods. There are immediate and long term savings that are a positive to this as well. Some of these include: installing an energy efficient lighting system, and fixing gaps in any doorways to prevent air from leaking out making the system run harder to produce the air.

The easiest and the most costless way for Green--by the local food.

Hilton is a renown hospitality brand and they have been very successful over the years. Hilton's operating systems is commonly known as System 21. This systems allows employees to save and retrieve data promptly; for example Hilton Honor members can quickly update their points and reward status., they become eligible for upgrades. This system provides enhanced levels of service both during the check-in and check out processes in addition to improved guest recognition.

This article particularly caught my attention because it points out the major advantages of web-based PMS, but it does not mention the risk of transfering such sensitive guest information over the unsecure and unregulated Internet. Surely there are great cost-related and operational advantages to web-based PMS and that alone often motivates hotels to upgrade in that general direction. Afterall, the reason why the hotel is operated is to generate revenues. However, is risking the identity of thousands of your guests worth the money you will save? That is what this article does not cover. As the title points out, web-based PMS is the future of the industry, but securing the identity of the biggest drivers behind all revenue for your hotel is arguably more important. Is the risk worth the reward? I believe the Internet needs to become a more secure highway of information before the industry can fully embrace this new technological advancement. My thoughts on considering an upgrade to web based PMS: Research and proceed with caution.

This article indicated the importance of Internet for hotel industry and also assumed that web based property management systems will widely used in future. The author listed some advantages of web based property management system:1) Central Reservation System: One of the greatest advantages of using an online hotel software is that you do not have any more headaches about reservations.2)   Numerous Point of Sale: Keeping a check on the add-on services your hotel provides can easily be done with the help of the numerous points of sales.3) Sales and Marketing Console. With the help of this console, you can access the database of your customers get in touch with them notifying them of special offers and discounts. 4)Travel Agents and Corporate Clients:It is important that you properly deal with travel agents and corporate clients as they play a very important role in bringing in more guests to the hotel.5)   Connected to 1000s of Travel Portals: Web based PMS help you get connected to many travel portals like Travelocity, Tripadvisor and Expedia helping you reach more people. 

t is the age of the Internet, the age when many businesses solely run on the Internet. From marketing to reaching new people, there is a lot that can be done with the help of this medium. The hotel industry too is not insulated from its effect. Almost all kinds of hotels, from inns to bed and breakfasts to resorts, everyone is trying to tap the energies of the Internet and make optimum use of the medium. The Internet plays a major role in improving the sales and customer relationship.

This article is talking about current situation of how green concepts influences hospitality industry. Become more and more green and sustainable is the goal of many hotels, they've tried to achieve the goal through many ways in recent years. The hospitality industry is recognizing the compelling need to adopt sustainable operating practices for the sake of efficiency, cost savings and green building requirements. And also they are considering whether green can drive greater returns. Corporate travel executives set the rewards to encourage sustainable purchasing by reward. In fact, different people have different opinions of "green". Mostly, hostels chose to become more sustainable through strategic selection of products and services. Such as they use the conserving energy coverlets, shower, window, toilet and so on. Besides, hospitality managers want a consistent guidelines and performance targets to be used by purchase influencers and decision makers to make solutions for cost saving more effective. Now there are more and more people realize this concept and there already has a preliminary guideline for prioritizing actionable, practical solutions to achieve long-term growth of having a "green forest in hospitality".

When Room Key entered the pantheon of metasearch engines, initial reactions varied. While big chains were seemingly excited for this alternative to third-party search engines, independent hoteliers maintained a reserved skepticism, wondering what place, if any, there will be for them on the site. These independent owners are taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to Room Key's potential influence on independents and hotel search-engine landscape.

Good example of the wait and see method as discussed last week. Be interesting to see how this one plays out for Room-Key as well as the smaller independent chains...