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This article describes the forward motion of technology to be used in conference center.  The new technology will allow immense technology improvements in the conference centers like using your smartphone to share photos on TVs screens.  This technology is the first step in working towards integration in conventions.

Hotels have been lax on keeping up with the technological advances that have come about in the past few years. This article talks about how a few different hotels all over the world are starting to use these technologies to their benefit. Some hotels have hosts greeting guests with an ipad and making room keys etc.. while they have a drink at the bar. Others have given their guests capabilities to play the movies or music they've purchased on their ipad or iphone directly on the room TV as opposed to purchasing movies from the hotel. It seems like hotels are starting to grasp what their guests really want which is quick, paperless and technilogical convenience.

Hotels are catching up with the technological advances

Samsung LYNK is the new alternative to traditional Digital Rights Management (DRM)  in the hospitality industry. DRM is the hotels way of controlling and maintaining protection of copyrighted material through the use of technological tools. With tools such as Samsung LYNK copyrighted materials such as music and movies can be used on hotel premises without allowing residents to duplicate material. The LYNK provides cost saving efficient solutions that can all be controlled in a remote secure way. Not to mention, all DRM control can be done through hotel room televisions. 

By using this augmented reality-driven app, hoteliers can clearly see the effect of some decoration products during renovation of rooms. Thus hoteliers can do a better financial control and avoid unnecessary losses since they have got a better idea of what the brand's products will look like before they really put them in the room. This products also remind me of the improper or ugly decorations in some hotels. I guess if they apply this innovation, they can avoid this effect to a large degree so they can express a better outlook to their customers.

This article introduces the hospitality industry's first Mobile Management device solution. MVI, an Asia-focused hotel technology provider, partnered with IBM to develop the new enterprise class MDM solution. The MDM solution provides effective management of smart mobile devices to support interactive, live and on-demand video services in hotels. The usage of this new device was recently incorporated at the L'Hotel`elan in Hong Kong. An iPad is provided for guest use in all the hotel's rooms, and it serves as an entertainment device, offering eGuest services such as TV channels and interactive guest services including in-room dining. The MDM solution is fully integrated with hotel PMS and POS systems, which allows the device to become a part of a hotel's overall management ecosystem. This device not only provides the features of an entertainment device for guests, but it also offers hotels unique management features. A few of the features include customized workflow to streamline the installation of hotels' managed apps on mobile device, comprehensive push-based notification management, availability for all Apple mobile devices, and effective protection of guests' own data and personal information for apps that required login. I recently went on a site visit at Turnberry Isles Resort with one of my classes. While on the tour, the lady conducting the tour mentioned that with the rate technology is advancing in the near future many of the hotel procedures will be completed via Ipad (such as checking in and out of the hotel). After reading this article, it seems as if the near future has already arrived!!!

I really liked this article. Personally, I do not have a good experience dealing with people at the front desk. Many people do not want to deal with employees and would find this method a lot easier and stress free. Now you can check in and out from both your TV in your room and also the iPad device. Great article Nicole!

I found this article incredibly interesting, as it is an interview with the co-founder of eMenu, Alexandru. He speaks about how he thought up the idea of eMenu, when he was at a restaurant trying to pay the bill, but after five minutes of trying to call the server and being ignored, he got annoyed; and believed there was a way to fix this. Additionally, he makes great points about why the eMenu is so efficient, such as it being technology based, it is very popular amongst Millennials. He also makes the great point of it being on a tech system, it allows restaurants to have the menu in several language options more conveniently. As well as, it being flexible enough to make changes, such as newly added plates, without needing to reprint several new menus. He then goes on to say, he now looks forward to bringing this technology into the hotel industry, where room service menus can now be available from the TV, rather than in a "small wasted paper menu." All in all, I believe Alexandru makes some very valid points as to why the eMenu should be considered in many aspects of the hospitality industry. 

I believe it is important for hotel brands to evolve with the people who are staying there. Nothing beats being at home; however, it is pretty awesome when you are staying away from home and do not feel as if you are missing out. This article covers just that, making a bold statement with their title; "High Tech and High Class: How Luxury Hotels are Embracing Technology". Modern hotels are on " a deeper level of connectivity than a simple iPod doc, or a reliable Internet connect". Many are using state of the art devices and software which allows their guests to control from the lighting in the room to even housekeeping. The article also talks about Shane Krige, General Manager of the Plaza in New York City. He purchased a few iPads for the hotel lobby for his guests to play with. The feedback led to the hotel putting an iPad in every room at the Plaza. The Star Hotel & Casino in Sydney Harbour now offers a Control4 systems which gives guests a touch screen control for the TV, lighting and temperature and even music. Even better than the touch screen control the suites all feature "a button labeled "Leaving Room" by the entry door that automatically places the suite in an energy-saving mode: With a single touch, it closes blinds, turns off lights and dials back air conditioners for energy savings. Should you forget to press this on your way out, after 30 minutes the system will sense there is no one and trigger the button automatically. Upon return your room will greet you by opening curtains, turning on the lights and displaying a welcome message". Greener might be more expensive; however, it pays for itself and saves the hotel money in the long run.

This article focuses on the ways AI and automation can help the hospitality industry get back on track by helping guests to feel safe while they travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. By using different software guests can have a contactless check-in, request digital room keys, use AI based devices to control lighting/TV and/or make housekeeping/front desk requests, and housekeeping can use electrostatic sprayers to help mitigate the chances of guests contracting or spreading COVID. It notes the losses in revenue and occupancy by several major hotelier groups, especially some Las Vegas properties, as well the high number of furloughed employees that COVID has caused while showcasing ways that hotel groups can help get back on track by easing the fears of guests. It offers data to show that through these technologies, guests are returning because the feel their safety concerns have been addressed. comment by Jwilc019 " https://diigo.com/0ica77

This article discusses proximity marketing within the hospitality industry. Proximity marketing is a growing useful tool. Hotels are among those utilizing proximity marketing. As noted in the article and highlighted in yellow, proximity marketing allows the hotel to reach there guest after they check in. Following check in your phone can be used as increased access to the hotel. Proximity marketing is an enhancement which leads to increased innovation. Per the article proximity marketing is one of the most effective advertising tools to become available for hotels. Through proximity marketing messages are transferred to the guest cell phone. The cell phone access has the ability to lead to increased revenue. The hotel and guest can interact in new ways. This form of marketing caters to guest engagement, provides a new method of communication and allows for guests to receive information. Proximity Marketing is an innovative tool that I believe will continue and grow as the years continue.

Mobile proximity marketing in my opinion will continue more vigorously in the future . This is a captive audience for the hotel to connect with its guests to upsell , inform , drive business to the brand and its affiliates as well as a great tool for guest retention . Undoubtedly , the cell phone has replaced Ipads and computers in the movement for vacation guests for example . A guest would usually not take their laptops to the pool area but will more often than not , take their cell phone. A popup Ad while walking by the boutique or an outlet can stir emotions to visit or purchase that was never planned.

This article discusses how, using proximity marketing and hotels can deliver relevant content to guests' mobile devices at moments of maximum influence, in a contextually relevant environment. With proximity marketing, hotels can advertise to a captive audience without leaving their property or hotel rooms. Messages can be tailored according to the hotel or advertising partner's needs in real-time.

Proximity Marketing is the trend of the marketing sector of the hospitality industry. Based on the statistics, there is a great increase in using proximity marketing recent years. And there are some reasons why hotels choose to use this technology. First, it enables the hotel to reach potential customers and providing electronic forms of advertising. By notifying guests of exclusive promotions hotels have to offer through their mobile phones, hotels and advertisers have a greater chance of customers responding to their advertisements, and therefore a greater ROI on their marketing spend. Second, from the perspective of the hotel, it decrease the advertising cost in terms of decreasing labor cost. It is said that proximity marketing has a tremendous revenue-production potential, and more hotels are engaging in using proximity marketing.

Proximity marketing is the localized wireless distribution of advertising content associated with a particular place. It is now becoming one of the most popular marketing tools in any industry especially in hospitality. Marketing people from hotel industry were looking for new marketing tools past few years. Instead of sending out promotion mails or emails, they need to have better ideas. What they realized is that wish an increase in the use of mobile devices, hotels can communicate and provide better service with guest cell phone. They also realized guests usually watch TV, while they are waiting to be C/I. So hotel is now providing offers while guests are in line. It is a Win-Win situation. The way to find communication is now the key of marketing. Proximity Marketing is a type of eMarketing that will help to communicate with guests with low cost.

According to this article, it said that by the end of 2011, 91% of Americans  owned mobile phones, and Smartphone penetration have been doubled. Obviously, it becomes a trend in hospitality industry nowadays that more and more people use smart phones and tablets. Based on wireless such as bluetooth, it allows hoteliers to interact with customers much easier and more convenient. Proximity marketing is one kind of eMarketing which is very popular in daily life. It is well known that better marketing brings better sales which of course increases revenues of companies. By sending guests nearby informations about promotions and discounts, hotels attract more guests than before. However, too much informations sent to guests will make them sucks and they have no choice to select what they really want. So in my opinion, I think it should be improved.

Green technologies can save energy, improve customer service, and enhance working efficiency. First, through tracking customers' activities and purchases, hotel can gather their information and then improve customer service. Second, providing entertainment equipment and resources such as checking out through a "channel" on the TV, can improve guest services. Third, using key card or other ID tags can make transaction cashless, which is also good for security. Forth, exchanging information through computer system can save a large amount of paper. Fifth, self-diagnosing system can monitor and identify problems and resolve them before customer complaint.

This article was about this new Samsung technology that is now on the market that is better than the traditional DRM softwear that most hospitality firms still use. The article stated "Samsung invested in a multi-year effort to secure the highly selective Digital Transmission Licensing Administrator (DTLA) approval, running the technology through rigorous forensic testing to pass just the first level of approval". This showed that the softerwear was thoroughly tested before it was put on the market ensuring its security. Also the article talked about how it saves money because of the lack of labor required with this system and how it creates a better guest experience because it fosters a home away from home technology environment.

A Swedish hotel intelligence organization has chosen Dubai as the location to use a new software product called Hoteligence. This software is about offering guests specific content and services at the specific time. It is a cloud-based software platform that can be operated through TV, iphone, ipad, Android, etc. It offers room entertainment: customers can play Angry Birds, listen to music and connect to social media platforms such as facebook and twitter. This software is also a useful marketing tool which can track and analyze guests' buying behavior. The feedback until now is very good, so I think it is possible to implement Hoteligence to a bigger market and more levels of hotels as this software not only increases the added benefits for guests, but also gives hoteliers a good marketing tool.

This article presented the possibilities of  the usage of smartphone as the single control device in hotel guestrooms in the near future.  "The newest trend in the hotel space is allowing guests to control everything in the room with one device". Hotel Technology Next Generation(HTNG) recently published a new standard for single remote control to support multiple devices. There already are technology that use television remote for this function. And because of the popularity of smartphones and tablets, guestrooms are now expected to have these devices. HTNG is also working on standards for these devices, they are believed to be able to replace the television as the focal point of control in the future. Although the offering tablet devices in guestrooms is still new to the industry, only several high rank hotels have done. And the usage rates of tables stand much higher than the usage rates for television, These devices have multiple functions vary from ordering room service to turn off the light.   The article also discussed the necessity of television for guestroom control. Many hotels use products that enable guests to connect their own devices onto television and make these devices the remote control for televisions or other devices in the room. 

The newest trend in the hotel space is allowing guests to control everything in the room with one device. With the popularity of smartphones and tablets, experts believe they will replace the television as the focal point of control.  People are familiar with smartphones and tablet applications and therefore adoption using those devices rather than a television is more likely Today. In a hotel, if it has not switched to flat-screen TVs, it is probably angering a lot of customers. On the other hand, the experts  don't think the typical customer expects to find an iPad, the trend may shift to just offering apps because smartphone use is becoming even more widespread.

Forget about whether there is free wifi in room or not when travelling. Hyatt Hotels Corporation has introduced the internet accessed In-Room television where basically your In-Room TV not only performs the normal functions, but everything you can possibily imagine with your laptop, mobile phone, etc... from browsing websites, ordering room service, dinner reservations to receiving customized messages from meeting and group planners and much more! With this new service, I would simply see it as an electornic bulter where every guest could enjoy whenever they stay with such properties.

Hotels are going way beyond in meeting guests' expectations with the modern day's technologies. One example would be the SLS Hotel, a subsidiary of LA based sbe Entertainment, introducing In-room iPads featuring their internal application, which could be used to change TV stations, place wake-up calls, and order room service. Aside from the above mentioned, guests could surely utilize the internet browsing websites, and other features on the iPad which brings up the next question - Invasion of Guest Privacy. SLS Hotel has partnered with AirWatch in developing a comprehensive securing device in order to deliver a customized brand experience to each guests. Securing measures include restricting guests from using the iPad's camera to prevent guests from seeing previously uploaded content by former guests, removal of the native web browser to prevent guests from viewing previous web activity, etc… SLS Hotel is also planning to implement a cross-platform BYOD program for hotel staff which would also create another security concern on managing confidential and sensitive information within the company. Afterall, a comprehensive security plan and measures have to be in place before any forms of technology could be implemented in this industry. One mistake or negligence could cost the downfall of a company.

It appears that American Airline is about to remove itself from the tradition global distribution system and introduce its own distribution system. American Airlines is advocating for distribution companies to utilize AA direct connect which is a direct link into AA's host reservations system. Currently American Airlines fares are no longer available on Expedia or Orbitz sites. This is because no contractual agreement was reached for the distribution of AA products. Travel professionals are waiting to see the result of this bold move by American as this has great implication for the future of airline distribution systems. If American Airlines pulls away from the mainstream GDS, consumers and travel specialist alike will be faced with the inconvenience of going to a separate reservations system to compare fares. Although travel professionals are now urged to use direct connect on a trial basis, the general feeling is that eventually they will be charged to sell American Airline flights. To defend this move American Airline is only saying that direct connect will make it easier for them to tract ancillary fees like priority seating. It was noted in the article that Southwest Airline for the most part is a stand alone reservations system but they do not negotiate with the GDS companies to sell their flights. It is therefore quite evident that this move by American is really to reduce expenditure by eliminating the middle GDS companies while increasing revenue by charging travel partners for utilizing direct connect. American Airlines clearly wants to globally control their distribution system and maximize revenues. Contract renewal for both world span and sabre are due and the experts are waiting to see if American will renew with them. Sabre is owned by American Airlines so its a wait and see game to see how all this will be panned out. The real problem for the consumers and travel specialists are that if other airlines are to follow this move by American the tra

This article explains the distribution route American Airlines is taking to sell their flights. Due to not seeing eye to eye with the two most probably used websites for travel, Expedia and Orbitz, American has now taken their products away from both airline distribution sites. American suggest that all travel agencies and distribution companies begin using Direct Connect, which is a system for only American Airlines flights. If this would happen, travel agencies and companies will then begin having to pay for the system in order to sell Americans flights. At the moment you can still book flights through other distribution sites, but until when will that be? They already stopped Orbitz and Expedia, what's not to stop the others. The future of global distribution systems will be up in the air if all airlines choose to sell their own systems to be able to sell reservations. The only positive that was pointed out in this article was that if this system takes over, then more consumers will have to go back to using travel agents to secure the best reservations for flights and such.

With the contracts for major global systems, Worldspan and Sabre, being up for renewal in the near future, this article analyses the possible outcomes for airlines, and alternatives should they choose not to forgo continuing use of GDS

This is article speaks to room automation in guest rooms as a means to make hotels more green. Through the INNCOM system, hotels are able to customize the guest's stays by allowing them to adjust the lights and temperature. It also allows hotels to reduce cost as they are able to turn off HVAC units and turn on automatic lights. By allowing hotels to do this, they can save money on their utilities. With the INNCOM system, hotels also can upload their room collateral which reduces the cost of print for the hotels.

Technology investment seems a necessity for the upper level hotels. Nowadyas, people are not only want to stay confort, but also want to feel the high technology which can bring them comfort. The expense on the intelligence technology has become one of the most main expence among the expences. The more data can be collected from customer can gain more loyal customers and has a big impact on the revenue.

Yes, technology has a great impact in our industry and it gives a competitive advantage for those that decide to invest in the newest technology.

Hyatt Hotel Corp., one of the world's largest hospitality companies, announced plans to install iTV platform within the next two years in as many as 60,000 rooms. Guests also can order room service, interact with hotel associates, make restaurant reservations, edit and print documents as well as gain direct access to local dining, shopping, night life, cultural events or attractions all through a dynamic user interface on (the TV. I think this investment will bring a faster delivery of goods and services to clients, increased employee productivity and reduced production costs. To make a good decision on IT investment, firms should take into consideration its long-term performance value before investing on a new technology. Looking at the TCO (total cost of ownership) which is far more than just the sticker price would be the right way to determine whether to invest or not.