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Actually, an offline business could be very resource consuming in terms of cost of advertising and promotion through postal mails and networking similar business partners through tele-calling and organizing physical interactive sessions. In e-marketing, the cost of establishing your presence and networking with identical bloggers is nothing compared to offline business. The E-business through the internet obviously has huge benefit for the business nowadays.

Most of the marketing efforts that cater to the organized sector are open 24 hours and 7 days a week. Moreover, the reach is global and customers feel convenient to shop/communicate anytime they want to. The clients are updated immediately about any new modifications and alternations in information through RSS feeds.

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.

Facilities management is an area of a hotel, restaurant, or cruise ship guests do not often think about, but they play a huge role in the hospitality experience. Lately facilities management has a huge influence on making hotels energy efficient and greener. The Hyatt Hotel Corporation is working on creating greener properties like the Indian Wells' Hyatt Regency Spa and Resort. The property and Hyatt recently hired Sixto Ramirez a mechanical engineer to become a force behind making the property greener. The focus has been on new dishwashers that will turn off when no trays are being pushed through the system; guest rooms now have sensors to raise the A/C temperature when no one is inside to save energy; soon the property's stoves will have new exhaust hoods that will turn off when it senses no cooking smoke. The property is also updating cooling towers to energy efficient models to eliminate discharge into the sewer system. Facilities management is working on improving the property and becoming energy efficient. Sustainability is an important aspect to facilities management. Improving green technology in facilities management will help the hospitality industry to become sustainable and energy efficient. Large properties like the Hyatt will help improve energy efficiency by bringing in engineers to work on improving facilities on resort and hotel properties. This is an area that can help bring down costs in the future and improve properties. Facilities management plays a huge role in running a hospitality business and without this department a hospitality experience would never be the same. Sustainability is the future of facilities management. I found the article to be interesting with how the Hyatt has chosen to improve the property for the future.

Mc Donalds is now taking another step towards technology use and providing nutritional information via QR codes. Customers can scan a QR code located on their bag and be directed to a web site that list the nutritional content of their food. This is another way McDonalds is "trying" to be more health conscious with its customers and the meals that they serve. Way to go McD's. I think this technology is beneficial in several ways: 1- the obvious of providing customers with needed nutritional information 2- it is more convenient as it allows the company to make changes to the menu items and update nutritional information without having to reprint all the associated materials 3- possible marketing opportunity to print QR codes to win prizes As a side tip I think other companies should embrace this technology and instead print the QR code on the customer receipt with data corresponding to only items they ordered.

This article introduced a new kind of property management system. The hotelier Bill Murray could not find any platform in the market to fit his need to enable all the managers at Intergral's various properties to have the same capabilities. So he built his own-- ILink. ILink is an online system that collects the accounting information, revenue data and sales reports of all 40 Integral properties with daily updates. But the is system does not interface with reservations or execute much in the way of customer relationship management。

This article discusses the importance of restaurants protecting their systems and data from a security breach. This is a major issue for the food and beverage industry. According to a data security research and investigation firm, "the food and beverage industry accounted for 57% of all data breaches it investigated last year." This finding was a 44% increase from the previous year. Author Barbara King notes important risk management measures for owners and managers. Using strong passwords and non-identifying network web names are simple preventative measures. A few more include firewalls and installation of antivirus software. These must be kept updated to be effective, though.  Another preventative measure she discusses is logging all remote access and utilizing two forms of user verification for access points which are considered higher risk. Still other measures include segmenting the network cardholder data environment so it will not be a target. Finally, one of the most important security measures is complying with PCI DSS. This is essential for protecting payment data from customers and securing networks. This standard also gives important guidelines for proper handling of such data. In the end, these are all things we must do to keep and protect a loyal customer base.

* It's ease of use: look for software with a user-friendly graphical interface. And you can have entry of sales information. Most systems allow you to enter inventory codes either manually or automatically via a bar-code scanner. Once the inventory code is entered, the systems call up the standard or sales price, compute the price at multiple quantities and provide a running total. Many systems make it easy to enter sales manually when needed by letting you search for inventory codes based on a partial merchandise number, description manufacturing code or vendor. Updating product information: Once a sale is entered, these systems automatically update inventory and accounts receivable records.

In order to choose the best business cash management system, it can be helpful to consider the nature and needs of your business, as well as factors such as the need to incorporate analysts or consultants, and the ease of use for individuals who may be responsible for updating or reading the system. Companies will implement these procedures to ensure they accurately report inventory items and do not account for costs prior to being incurred by the production department. Companies use cost management systems to provide information for making decisions. The information provided typically relates to individual products produced and the production capacity associated with the company.

The Kimberly hotel located at 145 East 50th Street in New York City became Manhattan's and New York's first hotel to utilize touch screen technology in its guest rooms. The technology is provided by Intelity, an Orlando based hospitality software solution company. The touch screen use a prgram called ICE (Interactive Customer Experience) to allow guests to order room service, check flight status, express check outs, check destinations using Google maps, and even the ability to print their boarding pass. This software and touch screen technology will definitely increase employee custoemr service and reduce guest wait time. Hotel personnel will be able to spend more time with the guest because many of the tasks will be literally at the guests fingertips. The hotel will save money because they will not need to staff as much because of the automated system. Fantastic technology.

Aptech Computer Systems INC announced four hotel companies have selected Aptech's financial solutions software. All four of these hotel companies represent 17 properties that mange their own hotels. This software is a fully integrated accounting system that has business intelligence and focuses on hotels in the hospitality industry. Aptech can either host the system, or the client or a third party can. The system also helps to maintain data security, maintenance, and updates. This is one of the most widely used Business Intelligence systems throughout the industry. I think the idea of accounting software for hotels in the hospitality industry is important because there are different aspects to hotels than other businesses. A hotel sells an experience instead of a product, so there are different focuses when working on an accounting statement. The system can help a hotel focus on what only pertains to them instead of other businesses. I find the system to be interesting and useful because it can help accountants' only focus on hotel related business.

This article is about the innovation in the back office arena. When many managers are still doubting back office technology efficiency, at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, based in Destin, Fla. with 275 franchise locations, operators there are adding up money saved by setting up RedPrairie's Performance Management (RPM). Benefits could be like control labor cost and food cost, especially for those franchise companies with hundreds of hotels or restaurants throughout the country even the world, RPM will provide a complete compared among different locations reports in a few minutes. Besides, back office begins to meet iPhone, which make it possible to see real-time information about what was going on in the restaurants, including open checks, servers logged in or out and even sales for the managers. Another sign that technology is changing is the ability to combine accounting, inventory and point of sale into one solution without the old challenge of interfacing disparate systems. In a word, it is really convenient to get the back office intelligence.

This article is about a latest point-of-sale technology released by Future POS that occupy a prominent place in Point of Sale software crowd designed for the hospitality industry. The release of two mobile apps for restaurant, Future POS Mobile Ordering and Future POS Remote Control, alters the way restaurant owners and customers interact with the point-of-sale system. With Future POS Mobile Ordering, restaurants now enable their customers to order directly from their Smartphone. Moreover, Future POS Remote Control allows restaurant owners/managers to run their restaurants more efficiently and flexibly by delivering on the go access to store level data and connecting with multiple stores through one phone. One of abilities the restaurants are having is updating menu prices and sending massage to the staff or POS system with that phone. I think although not everybody is willing to use these technologies, there is obvious reason this trend are gaining popularity. These kinds of technologies provide convenience for both the majority of customers and restaurant owners.

I think I posted this article before but...ehh.. It talks about how restaurants will soon be using mobile applications as points of sales for customers. The reasoning behind the development of this company is to provide convenience to the clients and deliver services faster.

MICROS Systems Inc., an IT provider for the hospitality and retail industries, recently announced that they will be integrating  Isis SmartT ap Mobile into their POS platform. Isis SmartT ap allows customers to tap their smartphone on the POS and redeem offers, make purchases and present loyalty cards. ARAMARK restaurants are the first to use this technology. I think this is a good idea especially for restaurant patrons because they will no longer have to carry around their loyalty cards or coupons sent to them through email or mail because this information would all be integrated.  The Isis SmartT ap seems practical for restaurants who already have MICROS Systems, Inc. POS because it is a simple download or update with no additional machinery.

Hey all, Here is an article I found about a POS system that is supported by either an IPAD or an Iphone device. There are many pros to buying a system like this for a company that is just starting out. If someone is having problem you can call and the ISISPOS system will provide 24 hours a day customer service. Because the world is getting faster and more demanding, it is becoming necessary to find other ways of pleasing the customer in a more efficient manner. With this technology, one has the ability to be completely mobile and is not restricted to conventional forms of typical POS problems. It is affordable and easy to use. With cloud computing, your business can save an enormous amount of money versus sticking to the traditional infrastructure. Instead of buying new hardware and software every so often, one can now rest easy with cloud computing technology because it updates on its own and has the ability to be accessed from anywhere, even home! It is literally like having your business in the palm of your hand.

Great Post! Two days ago, I had the opportunity to visit a restaurant where the staff utilized an iPad to take the orders. This was a non-franchise restaurant; I can't imagine how much money the owners spent on such technology. The food came out quickly, I am not sure if the utilization of the iPad helped expedite our order, however it was done quickly. Once we asked for our check, the server was able to send the request to a printer and brought the ticket very fast. I wanted to play with it, but didn't feel comfortable asking the server.

I really enjoyed getting to know more about these POS systems that are supported by Iphones and Ipads. They seem to be very advantageous to restaurants, and I agree with your point that they do not provide the typical POS problems. I feel that the cloud computing technology has really made these systems entirely beneficial. These systems are getting closer to becoming virtually perfected.

This article talks about the many functions an HRIS has and how a business can benefit from having one. From managing payroll efficiently and properly to alerting you of any updates to the FLSA. Having such a system in place can help the HR department comply with the regulations of payroll needs and government audits.

As VP of Digital Marketing George Corbin said, "Smart devices are now everyone's indispensable travel companion, as more and more travelers increasingly expect to have their needs satisfied using their mobile phone." Engaging with guests via applications is an excellent marketing tool and Marriott's recent update allows guests to access the application via Apple electronics. The application is now featured in 6 different languages, allows for mobile check in/out, room upgrades, late checkout, and direct request. Marriott wanted to go above and beyond in its offerings for guests. Exploiting this avenue of marketing allows guests to have an hotelier within their pocket. Guest rewards will be directly accessible and the app will be personalized via preference data and destination content. Ensuring guests have an easy and reliable source as this, allow for more bookings. In the future, the application will allow guests to order from restaurants within the hotel and room service, as well as feature a messaging system that will send out offers to guests.

This article speaks about the possibilities in social media marketing for hospitality outlets as well as the method in which to effectively use these outlets without wasted efforts. Some of the things that this article suggests is simplicity. Once the social media use becomes too complex then employees won't continue to update it and therefore the marketing aspect dies. The article goes on to list several other methods of ensuring that the social media marketing will be effective. For reference and further information the article suggests a paperback by the name of "Social Media Strategy for Hotels". Overall this article is very effective at showing the capabilities and positives of social media marketing.

This article mainly talks about the pros and cons for mobile app and mobile web. For mobile apps, it is required that in order to develop a new app for every individual type of device that you want to reach. However, only one mobile website can extend to anyone with devices that can perform web browsing. Therefore, it is a more expensive choice to develop an app if a company has mass marketing goals. Also, mobile websites tend to cost less to maintain over time. That's because to change an app you have to hire a programmer, and you need approval from the app store. Plus, every time a particular device is updated, you'll need to change your app accordingly.

The Swissotel Chicago hotel was renovated this spring with a total investment of $10 million. The hotel decided to invest in new technology to attract more business and improve the overall performance of the hotel. "Updates to the lobby include a new earth-tone color palette and check-in pods in place of a central front desk. All front-desk agents are now equipped with laptops that allow them to roam and check guests in even when they're not stationed at the pods." This new renovated hotel offers a soundtrack of DJ beats, televisions, and multimedia plug-ins. The meeting space also provides the best in technology. "The hotel is the first Chicago property to offer Nervana's Bonfire Events Management app for meeting planners and attendees." This allow event planners to work more efficiently with schedules, flights, meetings and presentations "connects meeting participants through a social media site, and sends alerts for any schedule changes."

I used Maestro in my first position in the hospitality industry as a front desk agent in a Boutique Hotel. We also used Micros for the POS system for the in-house restaurant but they were two separate entities at the time. I am happy to see the advancements that have been made to this now highly efficient system. After reading this article and doing some research on Maestro's website I feel Maestro outshines its competitors by providing excellent 'Diamond Plus' service to its clients. Compared to the Webrezpro system that I just analyzed for our Discussion assignment, Maestro provides several free tools and resources twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. An impressively North American based Help Desk is available 24/7 to ensure smooth operations of the system and optimal staff training. In addition Maestro provides install, staff training, transition assistance, refresher training, online tutorials, webinars, productivity audits, upgrades, enhancements and much more. Maestro management strategies collaborates with Hotel Executives and staff to increase performance, deliver high quality guest services and increase profits. Their professional team also addresses issues such as under-utilization of the system and ways to get the most value for your investment. Since Maestro supports platform and database independence updates occur instantaneously. To help Hotels save time, increase efficiency and have higher levels of staff productivity Maestro is the chosen tool for the job. Maestro clearly puts their clients' needs first and is therefore trusted by several Hotels worldwide.

Maestro appears to be a good product based on the article. I would say though that both this and webrezpro do have some similarities of operating on cloud computing. The key is that depending on cost and application a company may choose what works best for them.