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This article brings us main issues about PMS. When it comes to the operation efficiency, time is nevertheless valuable. Then on the top of the head, calling for new technology which can operates smoothly would be very important. The author brought out the detailed reasons why we need PMS tools. Firstly, high turnover needs PMS tools that make onboarding easy. Secondly, to support the team with ultimate ease-of-use would not only make hoteliers enable fast implementation, support ongoing adoption, but also allow staff enhance customer services to a large extent. At last, the author conclude few essential factors to choose PMS system: instinctual and easy to learn; speed; quick implementation and setup; mobile and cloud access; easy integrations; reliability without disruptions.

Great article! Training (and re-training) is such a large investment of labor. It is particular difficult for properties located in destinations that tend to have seasonal staff. Every year at least once a year, we have to go through a time-intensive on boarding process that is a big investment for a smaller property. It also keeps us from making some staffing choices because of the difficulty in getting a replacement shift ready. Thanks for sharing!

It is not possible to hold onto every staff member for forever, however, good technology can help decrease at hotels employee turnover rate. PMS systems that are easy-to-use allow staff to do their jobs better which can add to their satisfaction level. Higher staff satisfaction will have a direct correlation to lower turnover rates.

This article highlights several important security issues in the hospitality industry, followed by the practice of protecting data from loss. The data structure of the hotel industry is complex, customers mainly use bank cards to pay, and the staff turnover rate is high. There are certain internal threats. In order to solve these problems and avoid data loss, it is not enough to strengthen network security. It is also important that employees are trained and familiar with and comply with relevant regulations.

Hospitality offers an ideal target vector for conducting Cyber crimes such as identity theft and credit card fraud due to the existence of multiple databases and devices containing both Payment Card Information (PCI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Restaurants, hotels, and other companies in the hospitality sector often have complex ownership structures with an individual owner or group of owners, and a management company that acts as the operator. Each of these groups may use different computer systems to store information, and the information can also frequently move across those systems.

In this article, we learn about the top five data security risks as well as best practices to help prevent data breaches. According to the article, the hospitality industry is a prime target since it stores a vast amount of sensitive guest information like names, phone numbers, addresses, and credit card numbers. Some of the five risks included complex ownership structures, reliance on paying by card, and insider threats to name a few. In order to avoid these threats, the article suggest that companies become PCI compliant, use cybersecurity measures like firewalls, and know where exactly their data is stored.

This article is about a company, NoWait, that is quickly expanding throughout the U.S. and Canada.  They provide technology in the form of software or apps on an iPad that helps busy restaurants to maximize table turnover and minimize wait times for guests.

This article states that one of the main reasons for digital kiosks in fast food places is because of a high turnover rate. A lot of fast food places are getting less applications and a higher turnover because of the low wages they offer and little room to grow. Some have no choice but to start using these because of the lack of employees. The article states that restaurants are also starting to use this type of technology to save money on other costs they may need to put forth money towards. But some do think this doesn't mean technology will take over. Some even believe it is a way we can work together as one to make more money for the restaurants we may work in.

This article showcases the benefits Uncle Oogie's Pizzeria chain has seen since the installation of Ingenico's Pay-at-the-Table stations. Along with Datacap Systems technology, the new stations are very effective in the restaurants and have shown positive results in various areas. These terminals have increased profitability as a result of high table turnover, reduced wait times, increased customer service, and improved business efficiency. All of Uncle Oogie's payment transactions are encrypted via a multi-layered security approach.

According to this article, the hospitality industry has one of the highest numbers of security breaches. Due to the nature of the business, credit card fraud and identity theft crimes seem to be an ideal target for cybercriminals. Humor error, high turnover rate, and insider threats are just a few primary factors for security breaches within the hospitality sector. The consequences of data breaches can have a long lasting impact on the company, including, customer trust, tarnished brand reputation and legal and financial problems. As we all know, hotel owners and operators do not want anything to impact their revenue. Encryption of credit card information, operating a continuous training program in cybersecurity, adhering to relevant regulations, using firewalls, and a detailed response plan in the event that a data breach should occur are a few practices the hotel sector can implement to mitigate a cyber attacks.

Unattended POS is growing global trend which industry leaders will soon have to adapt in their business place. Quick service restaurants are quickly adapting to this change as it reduces wait time and increase in customer return rate. Other key benefits for businesses are the decrease in labor costs & minimal errors when processing guests' request. Ideally, merchants must speak with vendors to customize the self-service kiosk and to ensure they are in compliance. In the end this will expand revenue and efficiency.

Unattended POS machines hit a global growth of $9.22 billion in 2018 from 2017, and is still climbing. The unattended POS machine has shown to be particular popular in the quick service restaurant sector. McDonald's has announced a plan to put 1,000 self-service kiosks in their stores per quarter. Taco bell and Subway have also announced they will be adding the kiosks in their stores as an initiative to offer a heightened customer experience. The machines have come with the benefits of reduced wait time and faster customer turnover. POS growth is attributed to aligning with today's consumers' expectations. Customers value their time and rising labor costs can be eased with the machine as it expedites transactions and covers tasks not relied on by human interaction.

This article addresses a very sensible accounting tool that can be used to eliminate theft of all types. Integrating video with POS systems is an effective way to see if discounts are being abused, if voids re unnecessarily being done and also to serve as a check and balance on food inventory levels.

The article talks about cyber security threats in the hospitality industry. Threats range from high staff turn over so staff isn't trained thoroughly, to insider threats where employees can sell information to third parties, to Cyber-criminals who infect POS systems with credit cards.

Data information security is very important to a business development.In my opinion, I think the relationship is inversely proportional. In other words, the more effective cyber security budget is invested, the less potential impact there is of customer information being stolen (being hacked). Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyberattacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users; or interrupting normal business processes.

This article talks about planned obsolescence and US e-waste. This article talks about how tech companies engage in planned obsolescence to encourage technology turnover. They talk about ways that the US can stop this planned obsolescence. One way would be to enforce durability standard for products creating a longer life time. This could be partnered with an enforced longer warranty on electronic devices.

This sounds like a great tool to have, monitoring, analyzing and improving is much easier with the help of HRIS. Determining which departments within a specific organization are not performing well and which ones need a different strategy is very beneficial, as future managers and owners it is important to see the importance of these systems. 

The following article mainly focuses on Human Resources Information Systems, HRIS for businesses in particular the article focuses on companies utilizing such IT systems. For instance, since different companies utilize different requirements for their employees customizing such HRIS's will benefit financially and timely; Companies will spend less time working on such types of data if in their requirements they customize their HRISs to produce such data required.    

The article believes that Human Resource Management System can boost business bottom line in several ways. It is an investment to most of the companies, instead of an expense. The system includes HR metrics, which helps the manager get a deeper look at his/her own company by tracking different data from the system. Another is that the system improves the working effectiveness of the HR department. The Human Resource system not only benefits the corporate HR department, but also benefits the non-HR employees by allowing them log in to the system and get some information about the company. Last but not least, the article emphasizes that the system can help boost corporate profits.

This article is a research paper did by Amir and Beer-Sheva. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact of technology on the human resources function in organizations, in general, and in hospitality firms, in particular. At the beginning, it introduced the role of human resources department in organizations for decades. And the trend or changes in contemporary human resources. Then it came out that we cannot skipped the effect of technology on the HR function, especially in tourism and hospitality industry. So, next it gave the definitions of HRIS by introducing technology. And list some advantages and challenges of using HRIS. In the end, it listed how technology put infusion across HR function, including recruitment, selection, training, performance evaluation and compensation, payroll, benefits and pension administration, labor relations and outplacement.

Aloha has a mobile pos that has been proven to increase turnover, customer spending, and customer satisfaction in restaurants.

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.

Computer skills are listed on almost every job description posted. However, companies are now being more selective when choosing the candidate that will be more cost effective for their organization. Employee turnover is becoming more expensive especially if it is a seasoned employee with the database knowledge for the organization. Each employee comes with a cost to train, if the employee enters the job with prior computer knowledge the fees associated to hiring that person are less. From a personal standpoint, when looking to hire a front desk agent and two agents apply one with prior experience on Opera PMS and one without, I would hire the agent with experience. This is a cost savings measure for me on labor as the experienced employee would require less training time. In my opinion, a 2 week notice is very rare in our industry or with the new generation in general. Therefore causing employers to be in an urgent state to hire when one employee leaves. Finding the appropriate candidate with prior computer based knowledge is only more enticing with that in mind.

I recall as a kid joking about the future when robots would be taking over the jobs. Well that time has come as hospitality industries are hiring robots. Robots are taking the time to complete the monotonous tasks and allowing more time for the humans to focus on guest experience. The robots are beneficial in that they can store and recall information more efficiently than the human employee. They can interact with the guests when asked questions and can provide much of the same information a human employee would. The factor to consider when hiring a robot is the initial expense, how long would it take to recuperate your investment. But on a positive note, turnover would decline because you are less likely to terminate a robot.

This article talks about the importance of the pay at the table technology due to cardholder data and new methods of payment such as Apple Pay where you pay via your smartphone. This article also addresses the positives of having an at the table pay system. Some of the benefits are higher table turnover and higher customer satisfaction. I like how the article mentions that the servers need to be trained to use the system but also inform the customers as to why this method of payment is being used- to keep their data secure.

This article touches upon why it is so imperative for sustainability practices to be taught in the hospitality industry. It talks about how the next generation to come will not be able to tolerate today's world's insensitivity to the environment. Sustainability has shifted from a want to a must. Many big name hotels, like Marriott, have set high goals to reduce their environmental impact. They have key performance indicators like reducing energy use and the level of CO2 emissions to help aid the Earth's environment. The goal should be to have zero CO2 emissions and zero landfill waste, but this is a goal that will take time to reach. Profits should not be the only thing businesses are interested in. Sustainability should be included in the training process of employees within the business whether they be in customer service, kitchen or marketing...everyone can help save somewhere. Sustainability has become the new management dimension, right along with providing memorable experiences and providing good service. It has been shown that companies who practice sustainability in the workplace have a lower turnover rate because the employees know they are working towards a greater good and are given a sense of purpose.

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