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earagon22

PCI and PSD2 Compliance: Why Are Hotels on the Hook? - 0 views

  • In September 2019 the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) went into effect and applies any businesses who could potentially engage with European customers. Even businesses with little international business should
  • In September 2019 the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) went into effect and applies any businesses who could potentially engage with European customers. Even businesses with little international business should
  • Established in 2006, PCI stands for the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, which contains guidelines for accepting, storing, and processing credit card information
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  • These days, cyber security and regulatory compliance aren’t just necessary skills for the IT team. Every hotel manager - even the “non-tech savvy” ones - must understand these crucial components of data protection in order to protect their businesses.
  • A few rules of thumb include using PCI-compliant POS and PMS providers, storing both digital and paper data securely, and limiting access to sensitive data to only the employees who truly need it.
  • Examples of these guidelines include using an online checkout/payment page controlled by a licensed 3rd-party service provider, storing credit card data via a 3rd-party “vault” provider rather than in your own system, and masking the full credit card number on receipts, showing only the last 4 digits instead.
    • earagon22
       
      As an example, if guests book through a 3rd-party like Expedia then I at the front desk see an Expedia card not the guest's card. The card I see is pre-loaded with the amount of the stay ONLY. Even then, I cannot see the 3rd party's full cc number. I only see the last 4 digits just like guest credit cards.
  • “The attack on Marriott was hapless and still has many gaps to fill on what actually happened. A popular entry point for adversaries is through email spoofing. This tactic is used in phishing in order to get malware onto a target network to then move laterally across all systems,” Ryan Cornateanu, Application Security Engineer @ CrowdStrike.
    • earagon22
       
      This attack mentioned compromised cc details, passport numbers, and dates of birth for 300 million guests in their database. This happened in 2014. https://hoteltechreport.com/news/marriott-data-breach#:~:text=And%2C%20the%20financial%20burden%20is,the%20largest%20data%20breaches%20ever.
  • because of increased payment security, the amount of chargebacks will likely become much lower, which is something all hoteliers can celebrate.
  • In September 2019 the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) went into effect and applies any businesses who could potentially engage with European customers. Even businesses with little international business should still comply, since regulations like these are often mirrored in the United States and other countries soon after.
  • PSD2 includes enhanced guidelines for online payments and the handling of sensitive data to reduce the risk of credit theft, fraud, and security breaches. One major change is the requirement of Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) for online transactions. With SCA, rather than simply typing in a credit card number and clicking “pay,” consumers will need to provide a second layer of authentication, which could be a PIN code or an SMS verification code, before the payment can go through.
  • Guests book nearly three-quarters of hotel reservations online, so PSD2 will likely impact every hotelier as Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) becomes a requirement for payment processing.
  • Are any charges processed after the guest has checked out, such as minibar chargers? To prevent any hiccups with payment after check-out, charge an authorization on the guest’s card for the full incidental amount and have the guest provide two-factor authentication in person, such as chip-and-pin, when the guest checks in.
    • earagon22
       
      A property rule where I work is that each guest must insert or tap their cc at check-in in order to follow this rule and we take an incidental hold each night. Guests that have not traveled for years are surprised by incidental holds which makes sense based on when this was implemented.
  • The key takeaway here is that transactions initiated by the hotel at a time when the guest isn’t present won’t comply with PSD2 requirements.
  • protect consumers’ sensitive data, and, as a result, every merchant that uses credit card information must follow these rules, from small businesses to large corporations.
  • By partnering with a trusted technology solution and investing in PCI and PSD2 compliance now, hoteliers can prevent the potential catastrophe that could come with the theft of sensitive data.
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    PCI compliance is a crucial and necessary set of guidelines that all hotels must follow. The Payment Card Industry Security Standard was created in 2006 and outlines rules regarding accepting, storing, and/or processing card information. These rules were put into place to protect consumers sensitive information. For example, in 2014 Marriott hotels was attacked and 300 million guests information was compromised. This attack led to new regulations being put into place, the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2). These regulations take into account international customers and enhanced guidelines for sensitive data.
Alexander Suarez

Education Week: Data-Mining Faces New Privacy Rules - 0 views

  • The Fe
  • The Federal Trade Commission recently outlined new policies that seek to close loopholes that the agency says too often allow websites and online services to gather information improperly from students and turn it over to third parties for advertising purp
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    In essence this "data mining" related article explains how the FTC recently outlined new policies in an effort to close loopholes which allow websites to gather and turnover information gathered to third parties for advertising purposes.   Changes such as videos, photos, locations, etc, which cannot be pulled without parental approval are making impacts on what can be pulled and shared. Another change includes closing a loophole that gives apps/websites directed at children the ability to collect information through plug-ins, without parents permission. In conclusion, these rules are based on the Children s Online Privacy Act of 1998, which gave the FTC the authority to implement/periodically update rules pertaining to "how the law is enforced". These rules will go into effect on July 1, 2013.
paige rosenberg

NetworkEtiquette.net Netiquette Rules - 0 views

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    Netiquette is network etiquette on the internet through emails, websites, etc. Some core rules would be to always use spell check, never use all caps, tell the truth, be yourself, do not flame or spam, be conservative, do not send email at night, shop on secure sites and use discretion. The common conventions of online communication between users are the rules of netiquette. Netiqutte takes into account the context of how information is shared. Internet etiquette is centered around data and its use. The type of data are; text, audio, graphic and video. Netiquette is social code for network communicatin. The internet is the most popular digital network in the world, therefore it is centered around internet use because its the culture of digital networks and the internet if the most popular in the world.
ianpmyers

India's tightens e-commerce rules, likely to hit Amazon, Flipkart - 0 views

  • India will ban e-commerce companies such as Amazon.com and Walmart -owned Flipkart Group from selling products from companies in which they have an equity interest.
  • The new regulations follow complaints from Indian retailers and traders who say e-commerce companies like Amazon have created an unfair marketplace.
  • India’s retail market is dominated by small corner shops, which are now threatened by the e-commerce giants.
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  • E-commerce companies can make bulk purchases through their wholesale units or other group companies that in turn sell the products to select sellers, such as their affiliates or other companies with which they have agreements.
  • In a statement, the government also said that the companies will be prevented from entering into exclusive agreements with sellers. The new rules will be applicable from February 1.
  • Those sellers can then sell the products to other companies or direct to consumers, often at attractively low prices.
  • New rules will appease small traders and farmers who fear that U.S. companies are making a back door entry into India’s retail market and could squeeze out small corner shops that dominate Indian retailing.
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    This article describes India's more stringent regulations in regards to E-commerce. These new regulations specifically target industry giants like Amazon and Flipkart. The new regulations do not allow companies to sell any products that they have an equity interest in. This is intended to protect small local retail shops in India.
Caroline Hardenbergh

Tightening cruise ships' security: State of access control solutions onboard passenger ... - 2 views

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    This article gives an overview of security considerations of a cruise liner. Initially it cites a comparison between cruise security concerns and that of a hotel, which are basically the same, such as secure doors to cabins (rooms), having an exact record of all passengers and onboard staff, as well as having surveillance such as cameras taking constant video recordings. Whereas hotels are mostly open to outside traffic, cruise ships are limited only to those who have purchased passage, are working there, or are conducting business onboard. This has led to boarding procedures which are as stringent and detailed as those conducted when passengers board a commercial airline. Safety concerns for cruise ships have been a forefront concern since the 1985 hijacking of the MS Achille Lauro (See next comment) which led to minimal security standards issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The tragic events of 9/11 compelled US issuance of an International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) to strengthen security protocols. This includes requirements that any "ship over 500 tons…not (be) allowed into the United States unless their last ports of call conformed to ISPS code." The ISPS code, however, involves minimal adjustment for cruise lines currently in compliance with IMO rules. Newer ships are being constructed to include the infrastructure for video fibre optics and metal detection equipment. State of the art equipment will have crew member's photo and data available to be checked with each swipe of their ID card. Biometric fingerprint detection equipment is another safety layer that is available, but is not currently in use, although it will certainly be put into place promptly if a major incident occurs. The odds of such a major incident are high when considering the volume of cruise passengers in the last decade. Since other commercial ships have witnessed attacks, cruise lines are strongly advised to progressively
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    Additional information regarding the 1985 MS Achillies Lauro hijacking: http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2010/10/remembering-the-achille-lauro-hijacking-picture-of-the-day/
natashacastro

Fyre Festival, a Luxury Music Weekend, Crumbles in the Bahamas - The New York Times - 0 views

  • Promoted by Instagram influencers including Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski as a never-before-seen V.I.P. event, the gathering — with weekend ticket packages starting around $1,200 and topping six-figures with extras
  • On social media, where Fyre Festival had been sold as a selfie-taker’s paradise, accounts showed none of the aspirational A-lister excesses, with only sad sandwiches and free alcohol to placate the restless crowds. General disappointment soon turned to near-panic as the festival was canceled and attendees attempted to flee back to the mainland of Florida.
  • “Not one thing that was promised on the website was delivered,” said Shivi Kumar, 33, who works in technology sales in New York, and came with a handful of friends expecting the deluxe “lodge” package for which they had paid $3,500: four king size beds and a chic living room lounge. Instead Ms. Kumar and her crew were directed to a tent encampment. Some tents had beds, but some were still unfurnished. Directed by a festival employee to “grab a tent,” attendees started running, she said.
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  • By Friday morning, the festival, founded by the rapper Ja Rule and the tech entrepreneur Billy McFarland, was in damage-control mode. “Fyre Festival set out to provide a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience,” the organizers said in a statement. “Due to circumstances out of our control, the physical infrastructure was not in place on time and we are unable to fulfill on that vision safely and enjoyably for our guests.” (A second weekend, planned to start May 5, was also scrapped.)
  • internet programming, the ocean and rap music.
  • But the pair soon discovered logistical hurdles, including a lack of proper water systems and transportation. “There wasn’t the infrastructure we needed. We attempted to build a city out of nothing,” Mr. McFarland said. “Neither of us had developed an island or a festival before.”
  • Still, after a few months of planning — including adding sewage piping and buying an ambulance in New Jersey and shipping it to the island — the organizers thought they were ready for the crowds until the storm on Thursday morning washed away some of what they had built.“Our mistake was trying to own all of it in-house,” said Mr. McFarland, who is also the founder of Magnises, an exclusive members-only benefits card for upwardly mobile millennials. “We were in over our heads.”
  • The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism expressed its dismay in a statement on Friday, citing the festival’s “disorganization and chaos.” It continued: “ We offer a heartfelt apology to all who traveled to our country for this event.”
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    This article is a perfect example of how event planning can go terribly wrong with social media usage. The Bahama music festival hosted by Ja-Rule and his company left hundreds stranded on the Island of Great Exuma. The event started off by being promoted through instagram, mainly by famous celebrities such as Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner. Tickets were sold at $1,200 for the utmost luxurious experience. Come the weekend of the festival, music go-ers arrived into full chaos. Everything that had been promised to the guests such as deluxe lodges, yoga tents and food courts were missing. People showed up to an empty island with no food, water or basic shelter. Clearly the festival was poorly executed and planned and it was canceled. There was a lack of infrastructure on the island to provide safety for the guests along with a lack of proper water systems and transportation. The event planners had not had a proper back up plan for storms that could potentially hit the island (which happened) which completely set back everything. Many viewed this Fryre Festival as a major scam and were extremely upset, but what it turned out to be was a poorly planned and executed music event.
kbakermhd

Walmart and Target Have a Big Problem They Don't Want to Fix - TheStreet - 0 views

  • Retailers and restaurants love to push work off on consumers under the guise that it's somehow better for them. It's like when you order a bagel and a cup of coffee at Panera Bread and you get handled, a blank bagel, frozen butter or cream cheese packets, and an empty coffee cup.
  • Letting me customize my coffee in an app as Starbucks (SBUX) - Get Free Report does is customer service. Handing me an empty cup and pointing me toward a carafe with a milk and sugar station is the exact opposite.Self-checkout is the same principle. If Target (TGT) - Get Free Report or Walmart WMT offers a few stations where people in a hurry can opt to check themselves out, that's very different than replacing your cashiers with automated checkout stations. That's not about convenience, it's about saving money.
  • And, yes, self-checkout has increased shoplifting, but it has also gone from being a convenience offered to customers to a cost-saving method for stores. It's automating an area where people do a better job in a lot of ways.
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  • sacrificed a chance to connect with your customers.
  • Human interaction and connection building can't be automated. Some tools may aid in that relationship, but ultimately people matter.
  • Automate the things people can't see and put as many human beings into helping customers and building connections as possible
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    This article discusses the controversial self-checkout model in major chain stores such as Target and Walmart and the cause and effect of labor issues and how other scenarios appear to be encouraging a time when this model replaces human checkout entirely. It was reported that Walmart loses 3 billion every year to customer and employee theft. For the most part, retailers have been thinking about self-checkout through a financial-savings and customer-experience perspective. But inherently, that means there's going to be less eyes on a transaction, less human interaction and more opportunity for shrink.
acarter001

Expanding global footprint with accounting software for hotels. ~ Friday, 13th July 201... - 0 views

  • What should hotels look for in their financial management system then?Handling currency complexityRapid globalisation means that hotels are likely to report in more than one currency. Thus it would be a tremendous help if hotel accounting software can handle multiple currencies. However, it is worth noting that currency translation is not as simple as it looks. Complexity arises when different categories of exchange rates are required depending on circumstances. This is especially problematic when hotels have to follow more than one set of accounting and business rules. Handling multiple languagesEven though English is the default business language globally, it is not necessarily the case that everyone in an organisation grasps all English terminology and statutory reports, especially those that handle day-to-day operations. They are more likely to do the work in their own language. Moreover, different countries have different units of measurements and formats, which need to be reported as well. Hence, it is vital that hotels’ financial management software can handle all of these. Handling multiple entitiesA hotel chain with various branches in different countries or jurisdictions has the extra workload that entails complexity. As a helping tool, a hotel financial management system should be capable of consolidating results from discrete entities for statutory reporting and tax purposes. In other words, it should help the mother company and its subsidiaries keeping track of one another’s financials without interfering with their various legal structures.Supporting multiple charts of accountsAccording to Ventana Research 2011, “maintaining multiple charts of accounts may prove to be both simpler in the long run and more productive” despite some saying that it is best to have one chart of accounts only. The rigid approach of a single chart of accounts is especially unsuitable for companies with different lines of businesses, those in joint-venture arrangements or those acquiring businesses in different countries. Thus, accounting software for hotels should be able to handle simultaneous charts of accounts.Handling multiple calendarsIt is a fact that businesses around the world do not operate on the same fiscal year. To save time from having to recast figures into different calendars, hotels with multinational operations should implement a financial management system that can create local, regional and consolidated reports as needed for management or statutory purposes.Handling tax complexitiesFor hotels operating in various countries, their accounting software should be able to handle the complexities associated with different tax regulations and help defending tax audits. Apart from addressing issues such as multiple entities, charts of accounts, calendars and depreciation schedules, their system should be configured to be tax-aware. In other words, it should provide hotels with automated maintenance of rules and rates.Reporting using multiple accounting standardsGAAP, IFRS and local accounting standards require different accounting treatments. Thus, accounting software for hotels should allow different books for recording transactions under these various accounting rules. Automating the process from closing these books to creating financial statements and reports using multiple accounting standards also helps hotels save time and effort without risks of errors.Supporting different levels of corporate reportingA multinational hotel’s accounting system should be able to create a consolidated headquarters view as well a consolidated statement of several subsidiaries at an intermediate level. Management should be able to view and analyse these reports right at the source.Supporting global accessFinancial management software that allows web-based access can help hotels avoid incurring costs from installing the system individually at all branches or at branches with limited on-premise support. Having a system that can be installed locally, deployed centrally and accessed globally gives hotels a competitive advantage without compromising security and reliability.
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    It is interesting to see in this article that investing in the proper accounting software in the hospitality saves the hotels more money. You would not think about the time lost by the accounting department simply by correcting errors. This article states that there are also several things that should be required of accounting software to ensure overall productivity. Interestingly, one of the most important aspects that I had not thought of is the need to handle multiple languages. By doing this, you are allowing users to enter data in their own language and be more productive.
Ganna Gorbachuk

3 Ways to Help Your Speakers Help Your Hybrid Event - 0 views

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    Hybrid meetings - meetings where some part of the event is broadcast to attendees tuning in remotely become more and more popular right now! There are few technical requirements for Skype conferences, video calls and so on which need to be done. First rule - try to communicate before the actual event, check up the sound, try to make a plan, what if smth fails. Second rule - less music and live video. People are using different devices to connect with you, so you cannot be sure everyone can get all the audial part of the presentation clearly. Third rule - speaker issues. We should remember speakers are not necessarily bringing the sound up to the listener just as you say it. There might be some glitches, the sound may delay, sometimes you need to check if the audience have heard everything clearly, or you need to repeat several things.
Ted Rood

Mobility rewrites the rules for POS system services - 0 views

  • Mobile technology is rewriting the rules for point-of-sale system services. This is creating opportunities for solution providers with security, wireless and broad e-commerce skills.
  • Tablet computers have accelerated adoption of open system point-of-sale (POS) solutions that integrate multiple transaction methods, including mobile and traditional fixed in-store sales terminals as well as e-commerce sites
  • One motivation is generational: Entrepreneurs are opting for systems that can "follow" clients and support better tableside service
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  • opting for mobile computers that can run POS applications served up via an Internet connection
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    This article focuses on how Mobile technology is changing the way the hospitality industry is utilizing POS systems. Ever since the rise of tablet  computer usage, open system POS solutions that integrate multiple transaction methods have become increasingly more popular. Entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry are opting to go with systems that follow clients and offer better table-side service. Instead of using the traditional POS system terminals, business owners are going with a POS system that can be run on mobile computers through an internet connection.  Mobile POS solutions are becoming more and more popular in the restaurant and hospitality business. Retailers are delivering different mobile applications, such as personal shopping solutions as well as encouraging customers to use their mobile devices to receive promotions and other marketing incentives. In january 2012 it was reported that almost half of all tablet computers are being used for some kind of shopping transactions. 
Kevona Richardson

Email Etiquette: Think before you type - Hcareers - 0 views

  • About 70 percent of North Americans use the Internet and email is their top reason to go online
  • This means it’s a good idea to take the time to create a subject line that’s catchy and concise
  • Nothing is more frustrating than a group of people getting an email that’s directed at a single person
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  • For the most part, “Hi” and “Hello” are for personal emails and “Dear” and “To” are reserved for business emails.
  • A :) (smiley face) and a “LOL” (laugh out loud) might suit a personal email. But when you get down to business, it’s best to stray from abbreviations and emoticons. That means no winks or sad faces and no TTYL (talk to you later). The only abbreviations that might be acceptable are common hospitality-related acronyms, such as ARDA or NRA.
  • About 70 percent of North Americans use the Internet and email is their top reason to go online
  • About 70 percent of North Americans use the Internet and email is their top reason to go online
  • About 70 percent of North Americans use the Internet and email is their top reason to go online
  • Nothing is more frustrating than a group of people getting an email that’s directed at a single person
  • For the most part, “Hi” and “Hello” are for personal emails and “Dear” and “To” are reserved for business emails
  • A :) (smiley face) and a “LOL” (laugh out loud) might suit a personal email. But when you get down to business, it’s best to stray from abbreviations and emoticons. That means no winks or sad faces and no TTYL (talk to you later). The only abbreviations that might be acceptable are common hospitality-related acronyms, such as ARDA or NRA
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    This article is basically the rules and regulations of how to write an email. Netiquette is important because if you make yourself seem professional, the people whom you send these emails to will reply and treat you with respect. Especially if its a business email. The article teaches you about how to write a subject line and the difference between cc and bc. It also teaches you not to use lol and thesmiley face emoticon unless the email is personal. This article also teaches you on how to relax on the punctuations. Too many exclamation marks might seem like your going crazy screaming at someone. It also teaches you about how to properly send signatures. I think everyone should read this article to perfect their emails. Especially students because now and days , there is no need to go to your teachers office. You just shoot your teacher an email and it will make your life easier.
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    This article is about the basic rules of netiquette. It breaks down from everything from the subject to the signature. It shows you differences of writing a business email and a personal email.
Jennifer Koren

Automatic tipping: IRS rules change could be taxing for hospitality industry | Indianap... - 0 views

  • It could affect hiring if restaurants continue to be faced with additional costs and burdens to comply with government mandates and regulations,”
  • thanks to an IRS ruling, restaurants are being thrown into the debate — and are faced with a decision of their own: Should tipping for large parties be left solely to the customer or should the restaurant tack it on to the bill?
  • “When they spend $200 and leave $20, you’re losing out on about $16 or $17 when we already pay a tip out to a host, bartender and bussers. It really makes the income of a server go down.”
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  • Restaurants account for 296,100 jobs in the state — 10 percent of the work force.
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    According to this article, the IRS is considering changing the way Automatic gratuities are processed in restaurants. Often when gratuity is included, more than one issue arises. Parties tend to not leave additional tips and there is also an issue with what if a customer wants to leave less than the automatic 15 or 18 percent tip? Bennet Ackerman, owner of a Melting Pot in Indianapolis, says that "some servers tend to get a little lazy when they know they already have that automatic gratuity." If a large party is given a check of $200, some parties will tip $20. If gratuity was included, they would receive anywhere from 30-40. After tip out to the bartender, hosts and other support staff, the server is actually making about a 6% tip off of that table. I agree that with large parties, the reward sometimes does not pay off, no pun intended. More money can be made off of smaller parties, and the turn over rate is faster. Some restaurants are doing away with automatic gratuity, and instead, they are adding suggested tip amounts at the bottom of the check. This, will at the very least, give the guests dining, a reference guide. The issue at hand here is whether or not to consider the automatic gratuity as a tip for a server, or as a service charge. This will greatly affect taxes at the end of the year and budgeting for the employees. With the economy the way it is, servers and other tipped workers are seeing less tips. The issue is of great concern for restaurants and come January 1st, there may be some very unhappy employees as well as restaurant owners.
ypere044

The Top 7 Online Marketing Trends That Will Dominate 2014 - 0 views

  • top online marketing trends of 2014
  • Content Marketing Will be Bigger Than Ever
  • concentrate on inbound marketing, by producing valuable, engaging content designed for a specific audience
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  • Social Media Marketing Will Require More Diversity
  • it has become common for businesses to branch out and experiment with multiple networks with the aim of reaching the maximum amount of consumers. This diversification seems to prove fruitful for many companies because it often builds brand equity by making it easier for consumers to recognize a particular brand.
  • Image-Centric Content Will Rule
  • well-placed pictures to break content up and emphasize certain points
  • Less Will be More
  • The’re now making efforts to tone-down their campaign messages and not overwhelm consumers with hype
  •   Mobile-Friendly Content Will Be Necessary
  • it’s necessary for companies to create content that’s accessible to mobile users
  • Ad Retargeting Will Grow in Effectiveness
  • it works by utilizing browser cookies to track the websites that users visit. Once they leave a certain site, the products or services they viewed will be shown to them again in advertisements across different websites.
  • SEO and Social Signals Will Become Even More Intertwined
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    This article was about online marketing trends that will prevail in 2014. More and more companies are resorting to using online marketing finding success in its branding and audience growth. The trends that I think will make the biggest impact are that of content marketing being bigger than ever, image-centric content ruling, and mobile-friendly content being necessary. Out of the 7 mentioned trends I believe that these three will have the biggest impact because they are the most necessary. With content marketing, companies should focus more on inbound marketing that is tailored to a specific audience. Image-centric content should be a big hit because its basically that an ad should be simple to understand in order to convey a message. Like the saying says, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Finally, mobile-friendly content is becoming more popular and with the widespread use of mobile devices and tablets, companies are looking for ways to make their content more accessible to users. 
tgore002

Mukesh Ambani may be the surprise winner from India's new rules hurting Amazon and Walm... - 1 views

  • E-commerce in India is gearing up for some massive changes from February 1. Foreign e-commerce players — like Amazon and Flipkart — will no longer be able to offer consumers ‘deep discounts’ or sell their own brands through their respective platforms. It’s a big blow to Jeff Bezos’ and Walmart, and not the best news for consumers in India. Local vendors are voicing their support for the new policy, hoping they can regain some market share, without having to lose more money by offering discounts.
nbakir

'Good Enough' Rules the World - The New York Times - 0 views

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    Technology has become the backbone of today's economy, especially during this pandemic. Technology has become the center of the universe since with the closure of many businesses, and remaining indoors has contributed to people shifting their focus on technology to stay sane and survive (Ovide, 2020). The success of many online platforms during this pandemic like Netflix, Amazon, TikTok has become a worldwide sensation that technology rules the world. This paper will discuss in detail how the aspect of 'Good Enough' contentment in technology leads the world. The article describes how 'good enough' has been embraced, especially in technology, since a company having many small combined Stuff in one platform is more convenient despite them not having something one may need. They have accumulated other Stuff to substitute for that which they cannot offer and package it conveniently and affordably so that it can be useful and a good enough spot to hang out and consume time with (Ovide, 2020). Good enough economy' has contributed immensely to technological growth by creating a balance between content creators and distributors of the information, primarily through the internet, which has become an effective medium in the information distribution-making it easy and available worldwide, as people use it to showcase their talent and share content created during their free time. Companies like Facebook and YouTube have managed to assemble many people since they have a variety of content that, although one content is missing, one can focus attention elsewhere on the pool of the content accessible (Ovide, 2020). In a nutshell, good enough is more appropriate than perfect, which can have extra cost or hard to find. Most companies sell to us what they need us to buy hence keep creating new ideas.
sdavi111

7 Steps to Securing Your Point-of-Sale System | PCMag - 0 views

  • Consider how the Target store hack in 2014 was one of the biggest point-of-sale (POS) system data breaches in United States history that exposed more than 70 million customer records to hackers, and cost the retailer's CEO and CIO their jobs. It was later revealed that the attack could have been avoided if Target had just implemented the auto-eradication feature within its FireEye anti-malware system.
  • the reality is that most POS attacks can be avoided.
  • be sure your company has a virtual private
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  • network (VPN) in place to safeguard data that's traveling back and forth on your company's
  • network.
  • Most of the aforementioned attacks have been the result of malware applications loaded into
  • the POS system's memory.
  • important point to note here is that a second app must be running (in addition to the POS app),
  • This is why iOS has traditionally facilitated fewer attacks. Because iOS is only able to fully run one app at a time, these types of attacks rarely occur on Apple-made devices.
  • otherwise the attack can't occur.
  • Companies such as Verifone offer software that's designed to guarantee your customer's data is
  • never exposed to hackers.
  • These tools encrypt credit card information the second it's received on the POS device and once again when it's sent to the software's server. This means that the data is never vulnerable, regardless of where hackers might be installing malware.
  • install endpoint protection software on your device.
  • Employees can steal devices with POS software installed on them, or accidentally leave the device at the office or in a store, or lose the device. If devices are lost or stolen, anyone who then accesses the device and the software (especially if you didn't follow rule #2 above) will be able to view and steal customer records.
  • Systems that connect
  • to external networks are more susceptible to attacks from hackers
  • Consider keeping things internal and secure, use a corporate network to handle critical tasks like payment processing.
  • you'll want to comply with the Payment Card
  • Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) across all card readers, networks, routers, servers, online shopping carts, and even paper files. The PCI Security Standards Council suggests companies actively monitor and take inventory of IT assets and business processes in order to
  • detect any vulnerability.
  •  
    Even though this article is from 2019 it is still extremely relevant today. POS systems are found in most hospitality outlets and the chances for a security breach are high. I have often thought when I had my credit card to a waiter and they are gone for 10 minutes are they copying the number, is it being added to a database that can then be hacked? The importance of having the proper securities in place, the proper malware and security software is really important. Having had a catering company for 20 years I had to do PCI compliance tests every 6 months and for years I just handed it over to my IT to do the test. He would suggest things to make us safer and since it usually cost money I would shake it off. It wasnt until the credit card processing company i was using had a security breach that I realized how important these PCI rules were. It is something going forward I will always pay attention to!
mmoutsatsos

Travelport Delivers New Retailing Tools for Advisors | Travel Agent Central - 0 views

  • Travelport+, with enhanced, modern retailing tools to make it easier for advisors to offer more choice and deliver better service to their clients.
  • Trip Manager portal on Travelport+, offering travelers the ability to service their own trip and carry out fast, easy transactions on the go.
  • Travelport also updated its servicing capabilities to improve airline connectivity and empower advisors to serve travelers more efficiently, with less back-end work.
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  • undergoing an upgrade with better room, rate and rules details as a result of enhanced connectivity with Hilton.
  • Travelport’s desktop tool, Smartpoint, can access a suite of features aimed at simplifying everyday tasks. Enhancements include more customized itinerary quotes in Trip Quote as well as faster Assisted Ticketing capabilities that streamline complex ticketing and exchange tasks for advisors.
  • Travelport+ tools and agency capabilities continues with simplified access to enriched travel content from multiple sources, including NDC (New Distribution Capability) standard content. Travelport says it is the first and only global distribution system (GDS) to sign NDC content distribution deals with three major European airline groups (Air France-KLM, International Airlines Group (IAG) and Lufthansa Group).
  • self-service option for travelers using the new portal allows agencies to preserve resources while offering travelers an improved experience with the ability to easily add extras to their trip, such as adding meals, bags, selecting seats and automatically checking into their flight.
  • Enhanced APIs make it easier for advisors to understand offers and compare brands with similar attributes on a like-for-like basis. Travelport customers will also be able to easily identify upsell offers with NDC and ATPCO fares for a simpler, more modern browsing and shopping experience.
  • Agencies can better manage the hotel bookings they sell with Content Optimizer, a simple self-service rules engine.
  • so agencies can easily create and customize their own content rules.
  •  
    Travelport+ the next-generation GDS platform.
alo328

Electronic Waste Is Becoming a Global Environmental Problem | Time - 1 views

  • s a tech-hungry nation flush with cash gets ready to upgrade to the next generation of lightning-fast 5G devices, there is a surprising environmental cost to be reckoned with: a fresh mountain of obsolete gadgets. About 6 million lb
  • Workers with hammers hack at the bulkiest devices, while others remove dangerous components like lithium-ion batteries
  • That cycle of consumption has made electronics waste the world’s fastest-growing s
  • ...17 more annotations...
  • “In our society, we always have to have the new, best product,” said Aaron Blum, the co-founder and chief operating officer of ERI, on a tour of the facility
  • 5G promises faster speeds and other benefits. But experts say it will also result in a dramatic increase in e-waste, as millions of smartphones, modems and other gadgets incompatible with 5G networks are made obsolete
  • But less than a quarter of all U.S. electronic waste is recycled, according to a United Nations estimate. The rest is incinerated or ends up in landfills
  • Environmental concerns aside, compacting flammable lithium-ion batteries with paper recycling can be dangerous; recycling centers have reported an uptick in fires
  • Even when e-waste rules exist, it’s left up to consumers to handle their old devices prop
  • ly. But recycling them can be a
  • We don’t necessarily have the measures to make sure people aren’t throwing it away,” Walters said.
  • One solution is to make electronics last as long as they once did. At ERI’s facility, Shegerian showed TIME dozens of televisions from the 1970s and 1980s that stopped working only recently
  • Our products today don’t last as long as they used to, and it’s a strategy by manufacturers to force us in
  • o shorter and shorter upgrade cycles,” said Kyle Wiens, the founder of iFixit
  • Some environmental groups say multibillion-dollar companies like Apple and Samsung should pick up the cost of recycling the devices they sell. Lawmakers in parts of Europe and Canada and in some U.S. states have passed so-called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, which require manufacturers to establish and fund systems to recycle or collect obsolete products
  • Even so, some companies are increasing their recycling efforts on their own, whether for the economic benefit or the public relations boost (mining fresh materials has financial, environmental and human costs of its own). For instance, Apple in 2018 introduced Daisy, a smartphone-recycling robot that can take apart 200 iPhones every hour, and says it diverted 48,000 metric tons of electronic waste from landfills that year
  • About 6 million lb. of discarded electronics are already processed monthly at recycling giant ERI’s Fresno plant.
  • Americans spent $71 billion on telephone and communication equipment in 2017, nearly five times what they spent in 2010 even when adjusted for inflation, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. (Apple alone sold 60 million iPhones domestically last year, according to Counterpoint Research.)
  • That stream is expected to turn into a torrent as the world upgrades to 5G, the next big step in wireless technology.
  • Part of the problem is regulatory. Only 19 states have laws banning electronics from the regular trash. In states without such rules, like Nevada, electronics often end up in garbage and recycling bins, said Jeremy Walters, a community-relations manager for waste collector Republic Services
  • Our products today don’t last as long as they used to, and it’s a strategy by manufacturers to force us into shorter and shorter upgrade cycles,”
  •  
    Advancement in technology every day has led to the dumping of electronic gadgets no longer wanted to the environment. Heaps of unwanted electronic waste, hazardous containing substances like lithium-ion batteries, are dumped into the ground with all their toxicology. As the world upgrades to 5G, it will end in a rapid surge in e-waste. According to John Shegerian thinks people are yet to see the magnitude of the transition to 5G, it is tremendous than changing from analog to digital (Samuels & Calif, 2019). However, it comes with many advantages; its outcome is a drastic rise in electronic waste. The ERI recycles less than a quarter of the United States' e-waste according to the estimate made by the United Nations, and the other dumped in landfills. This waste contains harmful metals such as beryllium and mercury, that have adverse environmental dangers. Among the 50 states in the United States, only 19 States have imposed a law to bun electronics from regular trash (Samuels & Calif, 2019); the rest of the states, like Nevada they are incorporated in recycling and trash bins, according to Jeremy Walters's manager for waste collection. The consumers are left to handle their e-waste even though there are e-waste rules. Multibillion companies should the responsibility and cater for the cost of recycling for the products they are manufacturing. Companies like Apple and Samsung, nonetheless the United States is repelling modifications to the prevailing laws, according to Scott Cassel Product Stewardship Institute found. However, some companies are improving through increasing their recycling efforts. For instance, Daisy, a recycling robot introduced by Apple, can collect more than 200 iPhones for recycling every hour. But this is not enough since e-waste generated annually globally is more than we can imagine, which almost 50 tons (Samuels & Calif, 2019). In a nutshell, technology can bring many benefits to society. Still, it can also harm both the environment and the p
  •  
    the article explores the dangers of elctronic waste and give suggestions on how to better monitor this issue and resolve.
  •  
    This article explains how the rapid advancement of technology has impulsed an increase in the use of technology, however has resulted in a rise in ewaste percentage. This happens because companies have opted for creating products that do not last for long periods of time, since they want to sell future products.
lflor087

Social Media Marketing for Hotels: Expert Tips to Boost Your Visibility | Cvent Blog - 0 views

  • social media marketing for hotels will be the make-or-break factor for many hospitality brands
  • why it’s so important, detailed tips, suggested best practices to follow, and examples you can use
  • real-life examples of social media marketing for hotels
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  • Social media marketing is a vital
  • integral part of every hotel's operations
  • has the potential to increase direct bookings and improve brand awareness
  • eight new users join TikTok every second
  • social media marketing increase visibility
  • generate a higher ROI
  • you’ll really stand out from competitors who aren’t putting in the effort on these same channels
  • advises hotels to consider social media as a channel for direct communication with potential new customers
  • that could lead to bookings
  • clear connection between the multi-touch opportunities
  • 1. Share slice-of-life content
  • recommend an 80/20 rule
  • day to day at the hotel
  • share “daily snippets, small but heart-warming stories
  • keep it personal and relatable
  • 2. Use your Google Business Profile
  • clients tend to overlook is Google’s own business review feature
  • they should be regularly posting new photos and encouraging customer reviews by sharing their unique link
  • Any offers, news, and updates should also be added to the posts section to inform potential new customers
  • helpful for tracking
  • connecting content to bookings
  • we have noticed a quick improvement not only on Google 3-Pack ranking but organic searches and direct inquiries are improved
  • 3. Start with music
  • 4. Follow 80/20
  • Social media marketing also gives hotels creative new ways to interact with their audiences.
  • content creation
  • 80% of the content should be related to your destination, travel tips, encouraging engagement
  • 20% should be self-promotional
  • analytics that prove its success
  • “Always focus on quality over quantity.”
  • posting consistently, the algorithm will likely reward you for it on any platform
  • 5. Partner up
  • one strategy that has worked very well for us has been re-posting traveller (reStayer) and influencer photos
  • the benefits go beyond saving time and money on content creation
  • 8. Use a calendar
  • Doing this has also helped build up our brand because those who visit our page see us as a hotel with real people visiting and following us, rather than only professionally-produced photos
  • We choose our influencer and ambassador partners carefully to ensure that the content they produce, their values and key messages resonate with our audience and brand
  • partner share data on what content performed best, this guides our own content strategy
  • great way to get direct feedback
  • love seeing how our stayers interact with the suites and report on what they value to the most
  • 6. Be playful
  • 7. Don’t overthink
  • By engaging with local influencers and those who have taken photographs of our hotel, we have reached new audiences that we otherwise wouldn't be able to, since the creator will often engage back with our content
  • Plot out the exact times and dates you’ll post
  • Create content ahead of time
  • 9. Project manage
  • 10. Choose content pillars
  • 11. Follow SEO rules
  • 2. Analyze the competition
  • Figure out how you can make it better, fill a much-needed gap, or start a marketing channel none of the others are currently using.
  • What are other hotels in your area posting online?
  • 13. reStays
  •  
    This article gives many tips on how to use social media for advertising purposes. You may think that you know a lot about how to advertise or what to use, but this gives you more ideas as well as better ways ito implement you posts in a better and timely manner so that you know your ROI.
Ryan Jove

Headline Story | equities.com - 0 views

  • tw telecom CEO Keynotes COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2012 Convention & EXPO
  • called for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to embrace "smart, forward looking competitive telecom policy with price and service quality rules where incumbents have market power, regardless of technology used."
  • "The FCC should establish technology-neutral policies, a principle that is central to the Telecom Act of 1996 and competition policy,"
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • "The industry is moving from a physical infrastructure to a logical one. We're moving from circuits to services. Innovation is driving our success as a competitive indu
  • stry." 
  • Intelligent Network
  • Intelligent Network
  • "We as an industry must adapt to new technologies and capabilities as our customers adopt IT strategies for cloud services and solutions. And we must convince the FCC to update its competition rules to accommodate these changes.
  • "Competition drives innovation. Innovation grows the market,"
  • The company's fiber optic networks directly connect more than 16,300 buildings across the United States
  •  
    This article outlines the discussion about whether the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should change their policies that were enacted in the Telecom Act of 1966.  At the COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2012 Convention and EXPO, Larissa Herda, the Chairman, CEO, and President of tw telecom urged the FCC to adapt to the new competitive technologies.  She emphasizes the importance of change going forward and discusses the Intelligent Network as an example.  She calls for the adoption of new IT Strategies for cloud services and solutions.  Above all, this article discusses the convention as a platform for the discussion of change in the tech world.
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