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vmorr026

Technology in the hospitality industry - exploring the very latest trends - 3 views

  • Nowadays, hotel guests who travel with devices such as phones, tablets and computers no longer see Wi-Fi as a perk, but as a must-have when they check in at a hotel. Hotel guests expect to be able to connect to the internet seamlessly and without too many interruptions, leading hotels to invest in better, faster Wi-Fi infrastructure so that people can do business and use their technology devices with ease when they book their stay. Hotels are also starting to move away from user pay models. In the past, hotels could charge exorbitant rates and guests knew they would have to pay if they wanted to go online. Installing and maintaining a hotel-wide wireless network may be coupled with costs, but many leading hotel groups have started to install high density Wi-Fi and started to offer in-building mobile phone coverage as guests have come to expect these services during their stay (not only for themselves, but also for their guests if they are hosting a conference or function at the hotel). It might not yet be financially feasible for hotels to completely abandon the user pay model, but many of them are re-thinking their current infrastructure and pricing models.
  • Technology is advancing at a faster pace than ever before, and this is changing both the expectations of patrons as well as the way in which the hospitality industry conducts its business. Some of the trends in industry are leading to great improvements and savings for hospitality industry companies; while some are changing how hotel developers plan their buildings, infrastructure, management structure and staffing requirements.
  • Near field communication (NFC) technology is the next-generation short-range high frequency wireless communication technology that gives users the ability to exchange data between devices.
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  • This technology is also ideal for self check-ins by guests at hotels as well as the next trend in this article: smart room keys.
  • Hotels will increasingly install smart room access systems that allow guests to unlock their doors by simply swiping their phones across a keyless pad on the door. Starwood (owner of the Sheraton, Weston and “W” hotel chains) has already upgraded 30,000 room locks across 150 hotels with this system and Hilton will be implementing a similar system at 10 of their US properties this year. In 2016, they will be deploying the smart room key technology globally. This technology will mean that guests don’t have to worry about picking up keys and front desk staff won’t have to issue new keys in the event that a guest loses their room key. Another innovative way to offer a keyless experience is through fingerprint-activated room entry systems and retina scanning devices. Retina scanning is even more accurate and secure than fingerprint scans and hotels like the Nine Zero Hotel in Boston have already installed an iris scan system in place of key cards to control access to the hotel’s presidential suite.
  • Some hotels are already offering more futuristic experiences, with robots delivering any items ordered through room service to a guest’s door. A boutique hotel that is nestled between Apple’s headquarters and other tech companies, called Aloft Cupertino, has a robot butler called Botlr that is able to move between the various floors of the hotel in order to take items such as toothbrushes, chargers and snacks to guests. These types of digital systems not only make it easy for hotel staff to deliver items to guests, but it also offers a forward-facing digital experience to people who stay at the hotel. Infrared scanners are now also used to minimise disruptions relating to housekeeping (which is a common complaint from customers). Instead of hanging a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on doors or having cleaning staff wake up traveling guests with knocks and phone calls, hotel staff can take a more innovative approach by using infrared scanners that will detect body heat within a room and tell cleaning staff that they should rather come back later if the room is currently occupied.
  • Digital conference facilities Besides being able to offer high density Wi-Fi for conferences and meetings, hotels also need to be able to offer access to audio-visual (AV) and digital facilities for conferences. While the amount of AV and digital equipment that goes into a typical conference room is fairly minimal, staging companies are often hired for various projects in order to equip the facility as required.
  • Mobile communication and automation In many airports, it’s no longer necessary to stand in a queue to check in and people are expecting the same kind of easy, technology-driven check-ins at hotels. Guests want to be able to do everything from checking in at a venue’s automated kiosk to ordering room service with a digital device instead of standing in queues and moving around the hotel premises to order food.
  • Cloud services Being able to provide entertainment on tap and mobile content has led to the trend of hotels investing in cloud services. While hotels want to be able to offer digital content, they don’t necessarily want to invest in IT infrastructure and IT staff, making cloud computing the ideal solution.
  • Feedback on social media Technology has infiltrated almost every aspect of our lives and hotel developers need to realise that almost any person checking in at a hotel, resort, spa or lodge, will have a smartphone in their pockets.
  • Converged LANs to support multiple services Converged local area networks (LANs) will also help hotels to create more intelligent buildings. A variety of computer-based building services can be automated in order to control lighting, refrigeration, air-conditioning and heating. Besides reducing energy consumption, converged LANs can also be set up to provide a smarter, more personal experience. If a guest is known to prefer his or her room temperature at 18°C with the lights dimmed to 65%, for example, this can be programmed before the guest checks in at the hotel.
  • Integrated, seamless experiences Technology doesn’t mean that customer experience can only happen online and through devices, check-ins and online comments. All of these experiences need to be part of an integrated, dynamic system so that the guests’ experiences are at the forefront of the marketing and  operational team’s mind.
  • Marketing, management and hotel developers can no longer work in silos and these technology trends are giving them the opportunities, tools and solutions they need to create memorable experiences that can lead to positive change and growth in the industry.
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    With technology evolving and changing at a fast pace it is changing both what consumers expect and how the Hospitality industry responds to these expectations as well as how they do business themselves. The article highlights the many trends in the Hospitality industry. These trends include the improving and overhauling of a Wi-Fi network, conference rooms that offer Audio visual equipment, Smart room keys and many other different trends.
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    In today's world we are surrounded by technology; however, sometimes we do not realize the extreme of which we are surrounded by until we stop and look around. The Hospitality industry is quickly adapting to the technologically world we live it. I read an article written by Jeff Robinson, Technical Director for Aurecon titled "Technology in the hospitality industry - exploring the very latest trends". This article was beyond interesting because it touched on some on the way technology has already changed the hospitality industry and ways it will be changing it for the future. Robinson tells us in his article that "some of the trends in industry are leading to great improvements and savings for hospitality industry companies; while some are changing how hotel developers plan their buildings, infrastructure, management structure and staffing requirements". This means its not only about the bottom dollar, but the experience of each guest when they stay at the hotel. Robinson also states the obvious fact that travelers these days do not see Wi-Fi as a perk, but more of a must have. Full access to audio-visual is also on the must have list especially for business meetings and conferences. What I found most interesting from Robinson's article was the introduction of the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This technology give you the ability to share information from a short-range frequency wireless communication. This technology is also ideal for self check-ins by guests at hotels as well as smart room keys.(Robinson) Hotel room keys have come a long way. From an actual key, key card in which you insert, to a key card you simply pass close to the reader and now the birth of the smart key. "Smart room access system allow guests to unlock their doors by simply swiping their phones across a keyless pad on the door.". (Robinson) Now how awesome is that. Robinson also talks about other new technology just as the future of hotel in room entertainment, hotels offering
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    It has been well described and defined that technology impacted the hospitality industry in which it has advantage and disadvantages. The update and development of software creates a change in the business. This justifies that better software leads to better customer service. For this development has given most business opportunity to grow as they give them better tools.
Franc Pulido

Hogg Robinson Group plc : HRG China signs landmark deal with TravelSky | 4-Traders - 0 views

  • this seamless integration will benefit clients by allowing them to realise cost savings through increased efficiency and productivity.
  • "We are very privileged to be able to fully utilise BlueSky's CRS and online booking tool.  Its ability to provide accurate real-time information makes it the most advanced travel booking system in the Chinese travel market,"
  • Features such as best buy, lowest fare search and itinerary generator will provide a wider, more detailed range of travel options
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  • offering them increased convenience and a more efficient and quicker travel approval.
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    As indicated in the title, this article is about the once in a lifetime deal between HRG and TravelSky. This collaboration is quite advantageous to both parties since HRG is a prestigious international provider of corporation services and TravelSky happens to be the preferred GDS provider in China. Traditionally, the booking of travel in China has been a manual process for users. However, this integration will provide clients with convenience and cost effectiveness thanks to the CRS technology. Travelers will be able to access real-time information and wide search criteria - which in return will guarantee an increase in productivity and overall winning formula for all parties involved.
jmelilli

Amex GBT buys Hogg Robinson, tech integration at heart of £400M deal | Phocus... - 0 views

  • Amex says the deal will allow it to combine two "advanced travel technology and development platforms" in a bid to create more products and services to the pair's corporate customers.
  • Amex GBT CEO Doug Anderson says: "The technology roadmaps of each business provide a powerful platform from which to drive future innovation. We will deliver a superior client and traveller experience through fully-integrated travel management solutions, including booking and expense management products."
  • The acquisition marks a reasonable shift in the power base of the major corporate travel management companies.
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    While short this article is about Amex Global Business Travel acquisition of Hogg Robinson a B2B travel services company that deals with payments among other expense management systems. This deal centers around a major IT investment and advanced integration in the corporate travel market. 
jennifer amador

ITG NETWORKS : Visitor-Based Network and Phone System Solutions for the Hospitality Ind... - 0 views

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    ITG Networks provides multi-product technology solution at the new Residence Inn by Marriott on Pittsburgh's North Shore. Wexford, PA April 15, 2010 - Kratsa Properties awarded ITG Networks a multiple product contract to install and support Kratsa's technology solution for the new Residence Inn by Marriott, a 148,500 square foot, extended stay hotel offers luxury suites on Pittsburgh's North Shore, within walking distance to Heinz Field, PNC Park and a variety of bars and restaurants. Adjacent to PNC Park's home plate entrance, on the corner of West General Robinson Street and Mazeroski Way, this 10-story hotel will provide an array of the latest digital amenities. When the hotel opened its doors on April 5th guests had mobility with a business-class, wireless, high-speed Internet access (HSIA) solution throughout the property. This solution provides secure, plug n' play access. Wireless is available throughout 180 suite-style rooms and all common areas. Wired Ethernet is also available in all guest rooms. Each desk is equipped with a convenient pull-through desk hub and 10' Ethernet cable. For added convenience, the hotel lobby offers a large social laptop table with twelve built-in Ethernet and power outlets. With a complete understanding of the Marriott requirements ITG was able to engineer the overall network to use common networking gear for both Voice and Data. Kratsa Properties now has a system that will both cost less to operate and offer the features and functionality the company requires to meet its customer service goals. Summary: This company provides mobility internet throughout a property, and in this case is the Residence Inn Marriott with 180 suites. ITG Network works hand in hand with different companies to integrate the property management system. Nevertheless, ITG is a full service management development company whom helps with the maintenance of the hospitality industry properties
olaya5

Monscierge Launches New Hospitality Software Application Tool Monscierge | Connect - WB... - 0 views

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    This article talks about new technological initiatives in the hospitality industry. Connect is the new software that will be launched in January 2013 for Androids, and is currently available for downloads on iOS platforms. The purpose of this software is to improve hotels connections to their guests. This software was created by Monscierge with the idea that hotels can keep connection with their guests through smartphones or tablet where guests can get access to all the information about the brand, hotel in a way that suits the requirements of today's tech-savvy user. Through Connect, guests can now communicate their need via chat or voice directly and quickly getting in contact with any department of service that the hotel offer such as housekeeping, restaurant, valet, spa and any other. At the moment, this software is only available at participating hotels. However, guests still have access to the recommendations and travel information in any other hotel. This efficiently allows reliable information at a real-time delivery. "Guests can add their own messages and send them to friends and family through email, Facebook, and Twitter - facilitating the guest's connection to friends and family while providing added exposure for the brand and location." (Robinson. C, 2012)
nbrac002

Could wristbands turn festivals into games? - BBC News - 0 views

  • Wristbands have long been synonymous with music festivals, but what was once a simple, colourful loop of material now increasingly contains contactless technology. This allows music fans to pay for food, drinks or merchandise but festival directors are now taking the technology further, into the realm of "gameification".
  • Festival director Ben Robinson says it will allow visitors to check-in at stages, talks and stalls, creating a "mission log" they will be sent after the event, listing what they saw and giving further information.
  • Ultimately, he hopes to turn festivals into immersive gaming sites - something akin to Pokemon Go - where, alongside enjoying the festival site, visitors can unlock exclusive rewards. This might include entry to a restricted area for visiting a number of check-in points or free dishes if enough food is purchased.
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  • linking the wristbands to interactive apps and existing technologies, such as augmented reality, to give attendees something beyond the usual festival experience.
  • which is also used in contactless bank card payments,
  • The danger is that you get analysis that tells you 80% of your audience went to see Band X so you should book loads of bands that sound like Band X," he says
  • data can stop exposing you to that thrill of hearing something new and different."
  • "It's simply a device that will tell us how many people bought how many beers and at what time and such like [which is] data that a standard EPOS (electronic point of sale) system would track."
  • and experts also question the security of the system.
  • so somebody could duplicate it - and as it's contactless, you only need to be within a certain proximity.
  • "Also, the visitors are potentially being profiled and this is viewed by the security community as an invasion of privacy."
  • The system they are using provides only "blind data", he says, which means there is "no GPRS [and] no tracking"
  • "That is where people load money on that they never end up redeeming. Most retailers view this as an excellent stream of effectively free money... but it is scamming the punters who are already paying an on-site premium."
  • He says they use "a global encryption standard used by the military... that has only ever been hacked or cloned in a theoretical situation, never in real life" and only use any data collected for "assisting visitors with customer service enquiries".
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    This article explains how music festivals are innovating their use of the RFID bracelets to create a more immersive guest experience. These bands, on top of being used as a cashless payment system, entry pass, and VIP entrance, festivals are now looking to use these bands to in creative ways including linking them to apps and augmented realty technologies to "gameify" the experience. Possibilities include having check- in sites to collect points for real- life prizes, allowing entrance to specialized areas, and creating mission logs so guests can remember their experience.
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