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This article is about the new new anti-spam laws that will be enforced in 2013 by the Canadian government. What was pretty interesting was the fact that 60 percent of American marketing companies were unaware of the new law. Funny thing is that most of those who were aware decided that they would simply resort to other forms of spam like telemarketing and postal mail.

This webpage is an explanation of all the effective ways you can market thru email in the hotel industry. Obviously if the guests received an email from your company is because they provided you with their email adress, meaning that they are interested. E- Marketing is not spamming. It is very proffesional. At the end of the guests stay, you can use e marketing tools to lude the guest back in your way. You can benefit from E-Marketing by upselling. It is a very powerful tool that can bring you a lot of traffic if you have a great business plan. E- Marketing is also important because you can get guest feed back and fix problems that might occur and also help them come back as well. E-Marketing has changed the hospitality industry in a great way. People no longer need to walk in to your hotel to find out information. If you have a great website, guests can quicly make their own assumptions. If a guest is coming back to the city, E-Marketing can lure them back in.

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In this article, the author pointed out that nowadays the Internet has played a prominent role in the lives of most consumers, so hotels and restaurants must make the good use of the Internet to send their marketing messages. Through the e-marketing experiences, the article has introduced some best practices as well as tactics for hotels and restaurants, revealing a list of e-marketing Do's and Don'ts. In one word, the author believed that striking the right tone is essential in an e-marketing program. Be clear, straightforward, respectful and fun to score points with recipients, and offer things they value: exclusivity and meaningful rewards. In addition, use database analysis tools to make the most of the data collected: to cater to specific groups and even personalize messages.

Cyber attacks open more and more often and varied since cybercriminals are becoming more cunning and their methods more challenging to detect. This article introduces some types of strategies implemented to protect companies' businesses from cyber threats and cybercriminals. Including using Anti-virus software, firewalls, password managers (very useful while some even free), VPN, patch management program which not only for operating program but also for other applications running on your system, consider the email SPAM/Malware filters and security awareness training for the employee since "humans are the weakest link." An employee who accidentally clicks on the wrong link can put in motion a chain of events that results in a cyber breach. Finally, plan a 24/7/365 network and endpoint monitoring.

Computer on your desk is contributing to global warming? That is not a joke! Actually, most people don't appreciate that fact. It is true that if the electricity comes from coal power plant it produces as much CO2 as a sports utility vehicle! Especial, the total electricity that needed to transmit the trillions of spam emails sent annually equals the amount required to power over two million homes in the US. Unbelievable! As millions more go online each year, which means there comes out more electricity needed and produce more CO2. As the researcher's saying, it becomes part of the whole sustainability picture.

Nowadays, TripAdvisor play an important role in tourism industry. Most of people will review TripAdvisor ranking and then make their own holiday arrangements. On-line user review rankings are important in contemporary society. As the TripAdvisor president said, trip advisor is a honest person's opinion. TripAdvisor website plays the role of trusted intermediary for the independent traveler. However, some hoteliers concern about their personal reputation. I read another article that hotel owner Duncan Bannatyne complains the consumer resource is bad for business. For example, if a hotel was reported for bad bug exist, this definitely is a fatal effect on hotel reputation even this hotel already take proper action to kill all bad bugs. On the other hand, as TripAdvisor CEO stated, "Ninety-eight percent of our audience when we surveyed 'Do you trust the reviews,' the answer was 'yes' because they read the reviews, they go and they stay and it matched expectations. The system works." TripAdvisor also take '"most of hoteliers" concern into their consideration, they have a decade of expertise at catching people who are try to spam their system.

From my experience in the industry. I know how much people really depend on trip advisory to help them decide on where to stay when they choose the destination they will be traveling. But I have heard stories on how the Owner of the hotel I used to work for would write on trip advisor amazing comments of the hotel to bring more crowd in and then he would invite his friends to write in trip advisor as well. This makes me question how real are all these comments posted in trip advisor. If you think about it, anyone can make up a profile and fill out a comment about a specific hotel. What makes us so sure about this website overall?

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.

Summary: The variety of gifting options has grown from a simple plastic gift card to virtual cards delivered by email, text, debit/credit cards and more. The prediction for 2013 will exceed a billion dollars of digital gifting for the holiday season and continue to grow. Digital gift cards have made giving easy due to the convenience of redemption. Paper coupons have proven to be successful to draw in consumer activity, but the digital revolution in virtual gifting is expected to explode as people are so connected to their mobile devices. Even with the convenience and growing popularity of digital gifting comes barriers and security issues. Such issues include personal banking security and privacy. Some small to midsize businesses may not be able to participate in digital gifting due to cost barriers or lack of technology. Due to electronic process, paper receipts will be obsolete. Computers aren't perfect so how does one resolve dollar discrepancies. One benefit of virtual giving is the bar codes/QR codes. Companies are able to collect and retain additional information of givers and receivers by scanning the bar code/QR Code. Often people are reluctant to provide contact information, but in this case they aren't being asked, they have no choice. This is a benefit to the companies because they can make other promotional offers to engage and possibly retain both parties, thereby increasing sales. There are a variety of methods of virtual gifting and redemption. One example is Giftly. Giftly adds the value of the gift to the recipient's credit or debit card which can be used anywhere. This is super convenient for many people and they are able to choose whatever they wish rather than receive a gift chosen for them. This is certainly the digital age version of sending a check via mail to a loved one. Other corporate examples that have impacted the transition from plastic gift cards to virtual gifting are Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Applebee's and Starbu

This article predicts the future of networking and the internet, which is a challenging thing to do, considering how complex this technology is. Among some things predicted are that web site address space will eventually run out and the domain names will crash as human recognition will be able to navigate through web pages. The most interesting thing I found is that broadband routers will soon disappear due to multiple internet capable devices will be able to solely communicate with each other, meaning our phones, watches, and computers will all be connected without a router. It also goes deeper into the possibility of a future without an internet network. It's hard to predict that we will also be able to fight against cyber attacks and spam and keep our internet at use. Imagine a future with no internet! What will be the next big thing then?

Email marketing is a crucial component of the hotel eMarketing and online distribution strategy. The website is a key to establish interactive relationship with customers and capture client email profiles by the company. In hospitality industry, especially the travel agency frequently use the emarketing to retain the loyalty, and offer accurate communication. The permission-based email marketing is very useful and practical for sending the promotional emails. And the precision e-mail marketing used by the airlines has generated up to a fivefold increase in response rates and tenfold lower conversion costs than direct mail. The email marketing provides some benefits for hoteliers, such as low cost, accessibility, protecting brands integrity, hommization, timeliness, good visual sense and positive results. The consumers, travel intermediaries and corporate clients are the significant customers for email marketing. The hotel can stratify the customer list by specific characteristics, communicate and offer value in the message. Hotels must employ new strategies to take advantage of these opportunities to capture this Internet market.

As this class teaches us, along with this article, " the marketing power of the Internet in terms of reach and frequency." This article in particular speaks about the advantages of email marketing. With the low cost for companies in the hospitality industry, email marketing can produce positive results form the masses. The article goes on to explain how and why email marketing have been seen to be so efficient as a marketing tool. One obvious pro for instance is that everyone uses emails in today's society. After reading this article I can agree that email marketing is a very good way to put the internet to use when it comes to marketing. My concern, however, as mentioned in the article is the control the receiver has with the emails. For instance, how many emails are too much, too frequent or just not relevant? Features today have given the consumer the opportunity to now have a bit of control over this issue as I have mentioned. I believe this may be one of, if not the best form of marketing online because it gets directly to the customer, usually requires interaction whether to the main website or further clicking for deals, and sets up a format in which sufficient information can be given.

Many hospitality managers choose email for its low cost, rapid spread, and measurability. There is an incline to online purchasing, which means that Internet is the place to establish relationships with your customer, through email for instance. Email can be easily personalized, include only relevant promotions, and be a tool to keep in touch with your regular and new customers. Permission-based email is sent only to customers who have allowed to be emailed, thus, you are targeting people who gave you permission and who most likely are interested in your product/service. Email is also a better tool because it is cheaper and faster than regular mail. Also, it is easier to track the results, using the tools to see who opened the email, clicked on the link, etc. There are key factors to remember in order to be successful: -interactive relationships -frequency -personalize and relevance -permission-based The article provides a rationale for implementing total email marketing strategy.

This article gives a brife introduction of the functions and advantages of computer networks. There are also discussions about the computer network security issues.

This article gives a brife introduction of the functions and advantages of computer networks. There are also discussions about the computer network security issues.

Computer networks are great for home or small businesses, and can also be wide area networks (WAN) reaching across the world to bring shared technology to large corporations or global industries. Another important facet is computer network security which operators should be aware of when looking at networking through a WAN. Networking will also allow a family or business to share various files. Windows allows for easy entry to another computer's files, making it possible to access information from one desktop to another. Other computer network activities include: sharing a printer, playing games that allow multiple users on different desktops, and sending output devices to other computers in the home. There are different levels of security, and the reason for use of computer networking will determine how much security should be installed. The highest levels of security will block out everything coming into the desktop, even email, with the lowest levels of computer network security allowing in email spam and undetected viruses.

Technology has taken a huge toll on society and business now a day. If our business is keeping itself updated with technology, could mean we are at the top of our game. This article briefly  demonstrates how Beacons can help improve your business by providing how, when and where are customers behaving. For example, Beacons allow customers to order-ahead of time. It attracts a different clientele and allows us to gain others because of a shorter or no waiting time. Like an express line. But  it may become a challenge if the business doesn't know how to ensure a time-effective preparation before customers arrive. Beacons also allow customers to know exactly how much people are at that exact time at the restaurant or business, and thus waiting time, if any. Another advantage would be "push-customized notifications". I believe this is one of the most challenging for businesses. Customers (as myself) hate when we get attacked by too much notifications.  If it were useful in any way or if it called my attention every now and then, but companies apparently don't pay attention to how customers may feel.  It is very important to use the access wisely and give out information customers really want. Offer what they are looking for, by personalizing. It also helps to attract customers by promoting events or special offers and notifying via beacons. People like a place they can see as happy and fun. Also, who doesn't like discounts? A fifth advantage, and as I believe to be one of the best ways to retain and gain customers, is to reward the customer who passes by every now and then, with personalized dishes, and reward first time customers by attracting them with discounts specifically for them. And finally, another must consider, is that beacons help keep track of everything (all happening at a specific given time) to better improve employee wages and specifics of customers that are out-and-about.

Technology has taken a huge toll on society and business now a day. If our business is keeping itself updated with technology, could mean we are at the top of our game. This article briefly demonstrates how Beacons can help improve your business by providing how, when and where are customers behaving. For example, Beacons allow customers to order-ahead of time. It attracts a different clientele and allows us to gain others because of a shorter or no waiting time. Like an express line. But it may become a challenge if the business doesn't know how to ensure a time-effective preparation before customers arrive. Beacons also allow customers to know exactly how much people are at that exact time at the restaurant or business, and thus waiting time, if any. Another advantage would be "push-customized notifications". I believe this is one of the most challenging for businesses. Customers (as myself) hate when we get attacked by too much notifications. If it were useful in any way or if it called my attention every now and then, but companies apparently don't pay attention to how customers may feel. It is very important to use the access wisely and give out information customers really want. Offer what they are looking for, by personalizing. It also helps to attract customers by promoting events or special offers and notifying via beacons. People like a place they can see as happy and fun. Also, who doesn't like discounts? A fifth advantage, and as I believe to be one of the best ways to retain and gain customers, is to reward the customer who passes by every now and then, with personalized dishes, and reward first time customers by attracting them with discounts specifically for them. And finally, another must consider, is that beacons help keep track of everything (all happening at a specific given time) to better improve employee wages and specifics of customers that are out-and-about.

Creative and a bit scary application of existing technologies. Much like Facebook Messenger, when do we cross the line between convenience and forfeiture of privacy? As part of the industry, the responsibility falls to us to manage the line in favor of our guests. They will know when it has become too much, and we will know very soon after when business evaporates. Provide friendly, targeted service without being too invasive. Remembering orders and having them ready on time is fine. Sending a pop-up message every time the guest passes by in a cab may be a bit much. Consider how many Starbucks messages you could receive in any major metropolitan area. Without proper care, we could be giving a whole new meaning to the word Spam.

This is a really short article about Group360 offering their software for free the first quarter of the year. It is a smart move to get more properties signed up and using the software. If their software works as advertised then they stand to convert a number of sales. 

Cybercrime has been on the rise since the outbreak of the coronavirus and hackers are capitalizing on the fact that people are now more concerned about protecting themselves and their loved ones. It is important to be more aware now as an organization in making sure that employees are informed on safety measures on using systems when there at home, using the needed resources in increasing cyber security and backing up important information.

This article discusses the most effective ways for hotels, both small and large, look to email their prospective clients. The ages of emails spam from companies in order to engrave their name onto their client's eyeballs are over. Personalized emails with relevant information, discounts, and rewards are much more effective and are increasing revenues for hotels everywhere. The article goes into all of these aspects with great detail and allows hoteliers to improve on their own methodology with these tried-and-true techniques.

This article stresses the importance of providing cybersecurity training to staff in the hospitality industry.

The aim of this article was to explain what cloud computing is and how it works. The article provided a lot of great information and clarity on the concept and how it can be used by individuals and businesses alike. It also provides a list of pros and cons to cloud computing.

Cloud computing is like the icloud, basically having the data in one location that everyone can have access too. The amazing feature and benefits in my personal opinion is the ability to have an entire department work on a spreadsheet together and have access to the same information.