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Information technology serves a big party in keeping up with the latest trends especially in the restaurant sector of the hospitality industry. Restaurants owners have seen an increase in revenue from partnering with application developers to create online ordering applications for mobile devices. Consumer data collected from these mobile applications for online ordering most be processed properly especially if employees are in the mix. Companies must ensure that their property management system integrates efficiently and properly with the application that is being developed to ensure proper completion of orders.

The self-serve kiosks or unattended POS systems are changing the customer behavior and getting consumers to spend more. Many major chain restaurants have incorporated them in their business such as Chilis, McDonalds and Taco Bell. Kiosks tend to upsell the customer while regular cashiers may not. Self serve is bette for business, not so much for the customers wallet.

Capterra is a webiste that offers the proper research for businesses to look for a software that works best for them. The article discusses the most popular software solutions that works best for small hotels. The list of the software's discussed already included what reviewers loved, their advice for improvement, and cost. This is a great article for small hotels to look at because it is an easier way for them to select a software that suits them best.

These are the most popular software that are used by small hotels specifically

Smaller hotels run with tighter profit margins. This article discusses the 7 top softwares that are available to a small hotel that have many features i.e. front desk, bookings, food and beverage - all in one software application.

Week 4 Article Summary 15 Benefits of Having Digital Menu Boards in Your Restaurant. This article discusses the positive ways in having a digital menus and explains the benefit it has on the restaurant. The focus of the restaurant should be more on the quality of food being served. Even though there are a lot of restaurant that give you an experience like no other but if the food is not top quality it will be hard to bring customers back. Having this type of digital menus could enhance the guest experience while helping the restaurant increase revenues. Here are ten of the top fifteen positives reasons of having a digital menu boards. 1) Digital menu displays will make communication easier. This starts form the customer directly to the kitchen. It will also allow the establishment to display videos and animations that will catch the eyes of the customers and could highlight specific menu items. 2) Saves time by easy updates on display. The software will allow the restaurant to update the menu very easy. You could add and take away dishes without having to print all new menus. It will also allow you 86 items that are sold out at any time during the shift. 3) Sound Investment of saving money. With the system allowing you to change menus, it will save money because you won't have to pay to print new menus every time you want revise it. 4) Digital displays create a more memorable experience. With having a digital screen, it will allow the customer to stay entertained by having a right mix of graphic videos and allowing them to keep them occupied during down times. 5) Better Visibility of menu. The display on the tablet will allow the guest to see a nice HD screen with colors that will make it easy to see and read. 6) 24/7 support. No matter what time of day, there will be support for mangers to trouble shoot any issues that might be happing at time. 7) Boost sales up to 21-23%. It has been said that having an emenu will increase revenues by allowing the establ

Computer networking is essential within organizations to build effective communication and allows sharing of resources. Various forms of computer networks each serve a specific purpose based on the size of area being served. Computer networking has many advantages but also has drawbacks that must be considered. Networks have the ability to reduce costs, increase storage, enhance flexibility, and provide easy access to information. Despite this, computer networks are subject to the threat of security breaches and can be very costly for an organization. Employees may also find themselves being distracted by the vastness of information made available by the Internet. In all, computer networks can offer countless solutions to technological problems within organizations.

Global distribution systems have grown immensely in the last couple of years. This article mentions the biggest and first companies to have created and used GDS. These were and are important companies with in the hospitality industry, they started using these systems to track themselves and created a monster that is now the best way for consumers to book and edit their reservations.

This article discusses 10 robots that are helping to revolutionize the restaurant industry. These robots are really making an impact in the food and beverage industry by stepping in and filling workforce gaps due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The article mentioned that even though these robots have the ability to replace humans, it's very unlikely that will be happening anytime soon. Furthermore, a majority of these robotic systems are still quite expensive and are intended to work alongside human employees so they can "focus on more complex tasks." If you are interested in salad making robots, pizza robots, and my personal favorite the fully automated micro-cafe that creates coffee, then this will be a great read.

This article discusses 10 robots that are automating the restaurant industry. There are robots that make cocktails, pizza, burgers, coffee, ice cream, etc. Business are starting to discover the benefits of using robots to improve their productivity. Since the pandemic began, these robots have become increasingly used and all industries have started to take notice. In the future, it is likely that new generation technologies like these will replace front line workers.

This article talked about Sabre Hospitality Solution which is the user-friendly e-marketing tool. The Sabre Hospitality Solution will push your internet marketing program to a higher level of performance through the following five essential elements. First, Sabre Hospitality Solutions developed a proprietary Content Management Tool (CMT) based on the needs of the clients. Second, Sabre Hospitality Solutions provides a full e-commerce solution that enables you to build and manage an E-store that generates significant incremental revenue. Third, behavioral targeting engine of Sabre Hospitality Solutions serves potential guests content based on how they are navigating through the Website; and profiles their keyword search that has led them to the Website. Fourth, flash map solution integrates standard interactive components for any set of floor plans. Fifth, Sabre Hospitality Solutions' Interactive Proposal Service (IPS) is a proprietary system that allows a property to respond to RFP's in a highly customized fashion.

Sabre Hospitality Solutions has designed applications and products to push the e-marketing program to a higher level. It offers a wide range of e-marketing tools. Sabre Hospitality Solutions developed a proprietary CMT based on the needs of the clients. This friendly empowering the clients and is widely used in multiple hospitality websites. It also provides a full e-commerce solution that enables you to build and manage and e-store that generates significant incremental revenue. In addition, the behavioral targeting engine serves potential guests content and the flash map solution integrates standard interactive components for any set of floor plans. Finally, it is a interactive proposal service. This unique online presentation of your proposal will ensure your product stands apart form other competitors.

The article describes the growing importance of a Property Management System. Some PMS companies are continuously integrating modules to their systems to make them more sophisticated for their users. These features can gather specific information about guests so the staff can cater to their preferences. Another element of the article explains how moving the PMS to the cloud can better serve small to mid sized premises, providing them with market insights and pricing trends to better manage the property. The cloud based PMS also proves to be beneficial to serve users who access property information through their mobile devices. Property apps could integrate with these PMS providing an interaction channel so guests can integrate with the property.

The advances restaurants are making with technology are astounding. Because of the rise in minimum wage and health care recently, companies are forced to figure out a way to cut labor costs. With the addition of iPads and tablets, restaurants are now able to use technology to help with reducing the amount of labor needed. Some chain restaurants are providing guests with table-side tablets to order and pay for their meal, which will allow servers the opportunity to take on more tables and allow the customer to assist in the serving process. Managers will be able to evaluate their team based on speed and time it takes to turn the tables over, which could allow for either more customers served or allow managers to make the decision to reduce the amount of servers needed at their establishments. As this technology continues to become more available and user friendly, more establishments will be transitioning to computers/tablets instead of having face-to-face service.

The use of tablets being used in casual dining chains is a great idea that will not only make things more convenient for the customer but will also drastically cut labor costs for restaurants. From a management perspective these tablets seem to be a great idea. Some may argue that part of the dining experience is being able to interact with ones server. However, how many times have you waited at your table hoping to pay the bill? Now guests are able to pay their bill when they are ready and the tablet even prompts the guest on how much to leave as a tip, which may help eliminate or at least cut down on the number of bad tippers. The only negative may be that since there is less interaction with guests and guests have the ability to pay the bill whenever they are ready to leave, could this increase the number of guests who walk out on the check? Nevertheless, many companies are starting to use this technology.

The use of tablets can also cut down on error in the ordering process. Even if the wait staff remains, they can easily repeat everything ordered to the customer and there will be no mistakes for poor penmanship. Payment can be done at the table, also cutting down on potential identity theft using skimmers etc., under the bar or at the wait station.

The growth of e-commerce has had a dramatic effect on travel and hospitality marketing. While consumers once relied on travel agents and other intermediaries to help book and research trips, a number of developments from the growth of sites, such as Airbnb and Google's high-ranking display of travel results for specific geographic terms, is leading a change in the way consumers buy travel and hospitality services. Therefore, marketing techniques are changing too.

This article is very interesting to me and what stood out was when it talked about how today's society, travelers rely more on travel apps and websites to handle their own research and compare prices. The upside for the hospitality technology industry is that there are more companies selling directly to the consumers. Their is an increase in competitive e-commerce environment industries which offers extensive applications to offer everything from owner-listed accommodations to discounted flights. A strategy a company would use is by standing out by offering a wider range of localized content assets in multiple languages. In the article the role of content in e-commerce travel is the research of travelers to conduct an extensive background check and research when creating travel plans and making bookings. In the years to come e-commerce companies plan to grow extensively and serve the International markets . I believe that hospitality sites that offer significant amount of information in the consumers native language and have applications and websites that are responsive on mobile devices are more likely to stand out from their direct competition.

This article talks about the importance of electronic business and the new advances that affect the way that business is done; the growth of sites is changing the way consumers buy travel and hospitality services. As a result, marketers are changing strategies to become successful in this very competitive environment, differentiating themselves offering a wider range of localized content assets in many languages to reach consumers globally. Smart planning and optimizing mobile applications to serve the international markets are the keys that lead to success.

Aloha has been widely used in the hotel industry worldwide. Aloha Point of Sale software is much more than a replacement for a till or cash register. This powerful restaurant EPOS software optimises restaurant and bar management, whilst increasing revenues. It supports handheld devices and that mean serving staff can take orders and payments at tableside. With Aloha restaurant management technology, serving staff can speedier service, it can helps streamline restaurant operations. Further, with the help of the Aloha EPOS system, restaurant can create the perfect dining experience that brings customer back again. Service and payment are swift and accurate , and the Aloha EPOS system helps restaurant managers to create targeted offers that hit the mark and promote loyalty. Also, Aloha EPOS system provides a better cash management. Aloha restaurant POS tracks all transactions in real time and that means total accountability for every bill. In a nutshell, Aloha EPOS system can helps restaurant maximize revenue, reduce costs and enhance customer exp erience with cutting-edge technology developed and manufactured.

This article serves to showcase how beacons can serve as effective tools for hotels. The beacons deploy micro-location capabilities that allow for targeted personalized messaging. Utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy and a property's geo-fencing, beacons can transform the check-in and out processes, room and indoor navigation, keyless room entry and in-room controls, room service, loyalty offers, upgrades and analytics. The beacon technology can also used with staff to maximize productivity and evaluate where resources are able to be saved.

Connected commerce is helping the quick service restaurants. It is meeting more and more of the customers wants.

In the article "Would Your Crew Wear Mobile Apps?" it talks about a new way of advertising through uniforms. On the back of a crew members uniform there is a QR code and the customer just has to scan the code it shows them coupons and deals the restaurant is promoting. I feel that this way of advertising is easy and fun; people love using technology and what better way to incorporate it then by using your Smartphone! In the article they asked different fast food restaurants if they would use this product and although they thought it was a good idea they felt that it would be taking away from a fast paced environment. In the article it states that traditional media is not what it use to be, ""There are billions of dollars being spent on it, and [traditional ads] are driving consumers to the stores, but at that point consumers still don't know what they're going to buy." Overall, I feel that this product would bring in a lot of customers and it's a great way to advertise things on the menu, I'm all for this idea!

This article discusses the changes that businesses are entering with the use of tablets. Restaurants in specific are using tablets to make serve and sell your food. the article further explains the ways in which restaurants are or will be using tablets. Lastly the article also discuses hoe "idevices" are being used in more than just restaurants, it's planned to be used in supermarkets and is currently being used in factories (chocolate factories to be exact).  This article is interesting because it gives more details about the current and future use of tablets in general. I like the fact that restaurants are using tablets to increase business and i like that in society in general technology will really start to be increased in its use. However how will this effect all the non tech savvy people?

Here, NCR reviews the how Mobile POS impacts customers, manager/owrners, and the staff beyond the general buzz and excitement of being able to pay for your dining via mobile device. Starting with the benefits to the customer, it is noted that there is added security for the customer because it is no longer required for the server to take the customer's card away from the table to take payment. The customer never loses sight of their card. As a result the guest is not overcharged for their tip, something that can happen often and they can be assured of the amount they are paying. Another added benefit for the guest is faster more attentive service, with expectations immediately set and met. If something is no longer available in the kitchen, it does not show up on the screen. Preventing the customer from setting an expectation for something that is not available. From a manger's perspective, Mobile POS shortens the order-to-service cycle. This shortens the wait time for potential guests and enables the establishment to serve more people more quickly. Also, having the ordering available table side, it will lead to fewer comps. So they are able to generate more money by serving more guests, and keep money because orders are taken and verified tableside. Having Mobile POS available also adds to the reputation of the establshment. It makes them seem more forward thinking and innovative. Finally, the article sites the benefits for the servers. It first helps server-to-customer relations by verifying every detail of the order right in front of the guest. The server is able to get the order right and be more attentive to the guest by having to do less walking. The server is able to have a higher level of productivity. And because they are more productive and able to provide better service, this results in increase tips and stronger attachment to both the customer and the restaurant.

HP has released two new POS systems, which can be found in Australia. The two systems released are: HP RP3 Retail System, Model 3100, and the HP RP7 7100, Model 7100. One system can be used in higher temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius. This enables it to be placed outdoors, in a building with no air conditioning, at a serving counter, or closer to a kitchen. The RP3 model can be placed under a counter or above a cash drawer. This particular model does not need external cooling and is geared towards hotter locations. The RP7 can be wall mounted if there is no counter space. It is also dust, splash, and smoke resistant. The ability to not have to worry about external cooling for the one system is extremely important. Even today some technology can become overheated and malfunction. With the ability to place the one POS system outdoors or near a kitchen is a great convenience. This would help business owners not having to worry about temperatures or where the POS system is located. The POS system can be in 40 degree Celsius temperature (104 degrees Fahrenheit). I especially feel this would be useful in South Florida where it can be warm and muggy outdoors. Also on the RP7 system I found the splash resistant feature to be useful, especially for a bar where drinks can easily be splashed. Both systems I feel have some advantages in the POS world.

This article is a comprehensive analysis of the problems existing in E-Commerce from the perspective of a CEO in New York. According to Kim, a lot of bad behaviors in offline commerce translate to online. Identifying those problems, he asserted, is the first step toward developing solutions. There are mainly four problems in E-commerce including pushy sales, No-service Sales, No Data, Wrong Data. He suggests four solutions to solve these problem. At first, they remind that not all consumers should be treated the same. The simplest ,most effective way is segementation, dividing customers into several groups. Moreover,he mentioned that merchant should offer different product to people of their own targeted values. The other two solutions are listen and serve, one chance.That means the merchant should be patient enough to let customer tells them what they want and provide updated activities to the customers on time.