Group items tagged

Maestro PMS launched a new expansion to its group of system-integrated, online support and training tools for users.

The new support and training initiatives are tied into Maestro’s incident-tracking system. Support tickets are created in the system for each communication and resolution with tracking numbers. This enables Maestro to optimize support response times

“Our new support and training enhancements provide users with answers to system questions whenever and however they want. Personalized support lets them be more productive and confident in system usage.”

“Advances in wireless and mobile technologies, products and services are changing the landscape of the hospitality industry and how it operates,” says Craig Mathias, principal, Farpoint Group. “With a demanding client base equipped with increasing numbers of smartphones, tablet computers, notebook PCs and even rugged devices, successful hospitality IT organizations recognize the need to upgrade their existing WLANs to improve network reliability, capacity and coverage to support customer-facing applications, as well as internal services that enable their own mobile workforce and improve the guest experience.”

HRIS is a database or a combination of databases that share information.

HRIS has three basic components

employee information, payroll and benefits.

The hospitality industry has long been known for high staff turnover rates and a high volume of employees fitting a younger demographic.

Some studies measure the turnover between 31% and 34% as the industry norm. Other studies show employee turnover rates level among non-management hotel employees are up to 50%. This places additional importance on the on-boarding process each hotel has in place, demanding systems and processes that are easy for new staff to learn and master as they embrace their new role.

The new generation of PMS software is easy to use and created specifically to streamline processes such as front desk demands, rate management, reservation, housekeeping and financials. This helps to increase revenue, reduce costs, increase guest service and increase staff efficiency, all whilst also ensuring that your PMS software can connect to all technology partnerships that your hotel has in place (web booking APIs, channel management software etc.), or hopes to implement in the future.

Throughout the life of hotels— from building construction, operation, maintenance and evolution—the environmental issue is the wasteful consumption of vast amount of resources such as water and energy and accumulation of air, soil and water pollution in a built environment. The unique service function and operations of hotel result to a stronger ecological impact when compared to other buildings used for commercial purposes. (Bohdanowicz, Simanic & Martinac, 2004)

It is imperative for hotels to construct buildings, design their facilities, operate, and refurbish structures in a way that causes the least possible harm to the environment. (Straus & Gale, 2006)

Protection of the environment through eco-friendly practices by hotels involves a radical change in operations and a long-term impact, which makes this a sustainability-driven strategy

ecognizing that operating hotels is a global industry, HFTP determined that there is not a globally accepted method that financial professionals, ownership structures, investors and benchmarking information services can use to support efficient operations. There is also not a globally accepted method to monitor investment performance from region to region without significant assumptions and data mining.

Currently, research is being conducted into current practices. This research will identify who is doing what in different parts of the world, with a view to establishing best practice and providing practical guidance for students, practitioners and professionals involved in the industry.

In order to create a global resource for the hospitality finance industry, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) began development on a global hospitality accounting system users guide this past March. Recognizing that operating hotels is a global industry, HFTP determined that there is not a globally accepted method that financial professionals, ownership structures, investors and benchmarking information services can use to support efficient operations. There is also not a globally accepted method to monitor investment performance from region to region without significant assumptions and data mining. HFTP’s Global Hospitality Accounting System Users Guide (GHASUG) will address this need. Where does the project stand right now? Currently, research is being conducted into current practices. This research will identify who is doing what in different parts of the world, with a view to establishing best practice and providing practical guidance for students, practitioners and professionals involved in the industry. The guidance will be formulated by industry experts, based on the research findings. To date HFTP has commitments from major information benchmarking companies, hotel corporations, hospitality associations and globally recognized hospitality schools around the world. Once completed, HFTP will make the outcome accessible online, together with analytical tools. It will be available at a minimal cost and users will have the capability to print versions if they desire. The hotel sector currently enjoys the benefits of an accounting structure developed in the USA specifically for the industry.  The Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry has been widely adopted, principally by US based operating companies, and linked to management contract terms.  HFTP has been involved in this project for many years and will continue to sponsor the 11th edition in support and via a monetary contribution.

The floodgates have opened – last week’s frenzy of activity, when Expedia and then TripAdvisor submitted complaints to the European Commission about Google, has clearly triggered something. To paraphrase, as both pretty much argue the same thing, the complaints centre on accusations of unfair practices in search which, the pair argue, is damaging the industry and consumers. No major surprises there, given that Expedia and TripAdvisor were original members of the FairSearch anti-Google lobbying group in the US. What raised just a few eyebrows was when, a few hours after TripAdvisor’s statement was released, ETTSA (European Technology and Travel Services Association) came out in support of the pair. ETTSA primarily represents the interests of the GDSs, as well as online travel agencies such as Expedia, Ebookers and Travelocity, in Brussels, but the decision to publicly back individual companies effectively puts the GDSs, under the umbrella of their representative body, also up against Google. Fast forward a few days and now Amadeus has decided to publicly back Expedia’s complaint to the EC.

Amadeus, alongside ETTSA, is particularly concerned about the likely impact of Google Flight Search, when it eventually expands outside of the current customer base of the US.

But for Amadeus, which just a few weeks ago saw its UK MD Diana Bouzebiba suggest again that Google needs partners in Europe, to now also come out in support of the anti-Googlers will speak volumes to those that have watched closely ever since June 2010, when Google first announced its acquisition of ITA Software. Clearly Amadeus is not expecting to be forming a major partnership with Google any time soon. Unless it is some kind of weird reverse psychology, of course.

KY assessed several performance management systems to identify a financial system that best supported the company’s expanding needs. “We felt the Profitvue solution and Aptech’s support and service team were superior to the other systems we evaluated,” says Bush. “SKY will have Profitvue and Execuvue fully deployed in nine Microtel Hotels by the end of the first quarter 2011.  We will interface Profitvue with our property management systems for a seamless data exchange and greater efficiency.”

As part of the collaboration, MICROS will establish a Center of Excellence to provide subject matter expertise to support the building, activation and collaborate to optimize merchant and consumer experience.

we were able to quickly integrate PayPal with several popular MICROS hospitality and retail POS platforms, and have the ability to support a mass scale deployment of the solution to merchant locations around the world,"

We are happy to provide our clients with yet another innovative way to accommodate the digital wallet consumer, and we look forward to strengthening and expanding our relationship with PayPal."

offering PMS1, a free web based operating system that unites front desk, reservation system and brand into one low cost and easy to use mobile and Internet dashboard.

PMS1 will offer 24/7 support and connects directly to Magnuson Hotels’ massive global hotel reservation network of Google Hotel Finder, 2000 airline and hotel booking sites, and 650,000 travel agents and corporate travel agencies.

Magnuson Hotels’ PMS1 will offer mobile and remote access reporting, including daily dashboard showing rooms sold, occupancy, source of booking, average daily room rate all in one place. PMS1 supports over 400 interfaces including PBX, Keycard, POS and credit cards.

complete back-office solution built into the software

works with all major credit card processors and POS equipment.

iPad POS system for midsize and large restaurants.

The same property management software (PMS) and the same central reservations and other systems let operators have one central reservations office, standardized data formats, and a consistent staff training program. Maestro works well for multi-property management companies that have independents in their portfolio.

Its branded portfolio is primarily select-service brands from Marriott International, Hilton and InterContinental Hotels Group. Its independent portfolio includes full-service hotels and luxury properties with the distinction of earning the Preferred Hotels designation and Condé Nast awards. 

We first implemented Maestro at Olympia’s independents

The benefits of using event management software It can make your life easier The main benefit of using such solutions is that they can help you maximize registrations, while minimizing the resources that may otherwise have been needed. Once you’ve set up an event on your chosen software, then you should just be able to press go and let it get on with things – leaving you to concentrate on promoting the event. If you’re running multiple events, or a regularly occurring event, then this can be particularly useful. Saves time needed for manual processing Good solutions will help you automate most processes. They will offer features like registration tracking, payment processing and also tools that can aid audience engagement. You’ll be able to grab a quick snapshot of what’s happening, who’s registered, who’s paid, who went on to attend and more. Plus, you’ll have an easy way to track how much money an event is bringing into the business. It will save time for your communication sequences too. With just a few clicks you should be able to send out tailored emails, including “thank you for attending” messages to those that made it and “sorry we missed you” to those who didn’t. Aids professionalism and the overall experience A further benefit is that it can make the management of the process feel that much more professional. The whole experience should run more smoothly. Nothing should be missed, which you can easily risk with a manual system. The payment of any monies can also be managed more easily and you’ll have the ability to manage multiple events easily. Can help increase engagement Engagement is at the heart of all marketing. It needs to start long before an event takes place and be supported and encouraged during and after. Good event management software will provide tools to aid participant communication at all stages. It will also give you the ability to see and analyze the global picture of your overall engagement levels. Supports targeted activity Marketing is at its strongest and most effective when it is highly targeted and tailored to an individual. (The key principal of account based marketing). You can use specialist solutions to tailor your event and all associated marketing activity. For example, by creating unique guest lists and email lists, and sending out targeted emails to those different attendees using certain parameters. A holistic approach Overall, event management software can act as a hub, holding together all elements of the event’s process. It can help keep everything connected, from the agenda, to speakers, any sponsors and the attendees.

From an industry perspective, the next chapter of hospitality accounting will be all about the three “A’s”: apps, automation and analytics. Faced with greater demands in 2019, hoteliers will be forced to find new forms of automation to speed up financial processes and improve visibility on the backend, while enticing guests to utilize mobile apps through enhanced personalization on the frontend.

Mobile app reporting not only streamlines efficiencies and allows easier access to data, it also allows today’s hotelier to be more agile. GMs and other personnel can be on the go and still have KPIs, productivity data and real-time stats in the palm of their hand.

Good data supports good management. As more guests tap into hotel apps on the front end, hoteliers can track, analyze and adjust their offerings on the backend to meet guests’ needs, all while supporting a business synergy and strategy that makes sense.

Hotels can use iPads as "floating front desks", offering guests mobile services like check-in or check-out. iPads could even be employed as support work stations to reduce demand peaks.

Hotels can use iPads as "floating front desks", offering guests mobile services like check-in or check-out. iPads could even be employed as support work stations to reduce demand peaks.

Benefits for the user: Additional hardware and installations in the hotel are unnecessary as the sole requirement is an Internet browser.

When the decision to build a human resources information systems department is made, examine the options carefully and be aware of technology and human resources trends for a small business. Small businesses have unique needs based on company goals for growth, or a plan to remain small with access to technology without the hefty costs. The term "human resources information systems" (HRIS) often is used interchangeably with human resources management system (HRMS) and human resources information technology (HRIT). Any of these terms is used to describe the computer and information technology a company utilizes to automate human resources functions and employment actions.

A very popular use of HRIS is employee self-service. Many employers are utilizing their HRIS to supplement the human resources department staff by enabling employees for find answers to common questions they would have asked a human resources representative.

Bomgar remote support solution

Revention’s search for a new remote support solution began with the previous solution’s inability to meet the company’s growing needs and comply with rigid security standards.

security is a major focus for their business,

Airline distribution will migrate from global distribution systems to “value creation hubs” over the next five years, according to airline and travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt.

Value creation hubs, or VCHs, will be aggregators that enable extensive airfare and product transparency, dynamic pricing, and rich merchandising and retailing,

“The GDSs have served airlines well for many decades,” Harteveldt wrote. “GDSs’ security, reliability, speed and accuracy are among the best in any transactionally based industry. “

Sceptre Hospitality Resources, the hospitality industry's foremost top line revenue enhancement service provider, announced today their "voice services will be powered by Thing5 LLC", the leading provider of telecommunications and reservation services to the hospitality industry

They have a long track record of helping hospitality clients achieve consistent sales revenue growth.

"Thing5 is a managed telecommunications technology leader built on the strategy of offering comprehensive, Communication-as-a-Service (CaaS) and BPO Solutions for the Hospitality and Travel Industries"