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This article touches on the advantages of using biometric digital identity verification in hotels. Guests that have traveled a long way are going to be exhausted and irritated if they need to stand in a long check in line. Using digital identification can not only help speed up the check in process, but also make it more secure. Front desk workers will not have to worry about mixing up documents or mishandling the guest's sensitive information, and will also be freed up to focus on other tasks. This can also help the hotels avoid chargebacks or fraud, as they can prove the guest was there and the added encryption will help stop identity theft.

Terrorism attacks on international hotels have turned the industry's focus on security issues. No doubt about it, both government and hospitality entrepreneur pay more attentions on security after September 11, 2001. It is important for hotels enhance security by using technology. Hotels use Vehicle Management System to tab all vehicles entering the property. This VMS also can be tagged with the guest information, drivers' information and vehicle number. Hotel should use the guest history modules to store the information about every guest especially for those 'first time guest'. The information includes the copy of passport detail of the international guests, guests' flight detail, an emergency contact number and copy of photo registration cards. The house keeping module makes report of Sleep-out guest. This system can share the occupancy reports and nationality wise occupancy report automatically with local police. Also the incoming call can be tracked. Hotel should have a stringent recruitment procedure in place. Hotel can use biometric access to restrict employees only allowed access their working place. The gate-pass system, vehicle management system and biometric access control system ensure only authorized staff and vehicles are allowed into the property. The online central passport and ID card verification mechanism can automatically verify the document against data available with the security agencies. The communication engine can send message to stuff, supervisors, in house guests and authorized external security bodies about the emergency like suspicious guest, fake passport and so on. Effective use these technology can save the hotels from the worse that can happened.

This article gives us some tips on how technology could help enhance security at hotels. By summary the article, we can find out that the technology can help enhance security at hotels in maintaining copy of passport or ID card of all guests, noting an emergency contact number always, storing data at an off-site location for easy access in case of mishap, installing a biometric access control system for in-house and supplier staff, scanning baggage and maintaining baggage count of each guest and cross-verify on check-out, and monitoring sleep-out guest report closely. By using these simple technology, hotels can save a lot, and make hotels secure.

The hospitality industry is hassled by the terror attacks at luxury properties, so it is important to use technology to protect the guests. A Vehicle Management System can be used to keep watch on all vehicles entering the property. The property management system is used from check-in to check out to verify the baggage and guests. A stringent recruitment such as biometric access can prevent unauthorized staff or guests step into the specific area. Also, there is an online central passport and ID card verification can verify the guests' identification and give an alert on a fake ID or passport. All these measures can help to prevent worst things from happening.

Every year, NRF hosts a large retail conference in New York City to debut new technology for the new year. At the 2020 Retail's Big Show, some of the most innovative technology was displayed for all to see. Technology including: FaceFirst, Elo, and Kiosk.

Biometric Technology is being implemented in restaurants offering better health and safety, personalised dining experiences and efficient payment methods. Restaurants are using facial recognition for the following: 1. Contactless payments - scanning customers' faces for safe payment verification. 2. Social distancing and capacity measures - helps identify proximity between individuals and tracks number of people inside a store. 3. Loyalty programs and personalized dining - opted-in diners are recognized as VIPs giving them personalized service and suggesting past preferences. 4. Fast-food restaurants - customers don't need to remember a password or long into an app. Facial recognition is being implemented in drive-through lines to save time. 5. Employee systems - technologies can check body temperature and accuracy of mask wearing, it also simplifies cocking in and out and gives them login access to the POS terminals.

I decided to do further research on Biometrics software in hospitality because we use it at the Four Seasons where I work in the Residences department. Biometrics is a technology that scans your fingerprint and grants you access to areas designated by management. This is useful in residences and hotels because as an owner or guests, only you will have access to your apartment or room. The article mentioned how as technology evolves, there is a debate as to whether guests will want to give their fingerprint. Too much security could be seen as a nuisance but too little security puts guests at risk. Having a Biometrics system in place at a hotel ensures that only hotel guests are patrolling the property or floors with rooms. Another interesting aspect is using Biometrics to remember returning guest preferences such as floor height, food choices, allergies, etc. This system could be put into place at check-in so that right away the front desk knows the guest is returning and can be made aware of their past preferences. Benefits of Biometrics mentioned in the article is not having to deal with room key cards, added security on property, seamless check-ins as well as even paying for items on property. A guest might not even need to take their credit card around because they can just use their fingerprint to pay at the pool, gift shop, etc. Behind the scenes, Biometrics is important as well. A hotel can use Biometrics to track employee attendance, clocking out for meals and to ensure only employees are accessing closed off areas of the property.

Biometrics can be used by companies for employees to clock in and clock out to ensure timesheet accuracy. It can be used by companies as a security measure so that guests are where they are permitted to be. It can be used for easy check in and billing and payment verification if there are issues. Biometrics can also be used as a way to collect guest information for example their preferences.

Revel Systems has joined forces with Network Intercept to create a new iPad POS system. It will make Revel Systems one of the most secure restaurant POS providers on the market. Because keeping the customers' credit card information safe is the top priority of Revel Systems, they have a passion to create the software which can provide the highest level of protection by using verification and encrypting all data and payment information from end to end.

Merlin Software has launched a new property management system software for Vacation Ownership. The software uses RCI interface and is one of the first to use the RCI interface for PMS. RCI launched Deposit Simplification Interface in 2012, which linked its system to an external property management system. Merlin Software is one of the first companies to use this link in a PMS. Users of Merlin's newest software can make deposits, which will be automatically validated and deposited into the cloud based software. I think this is an interesting software development in the PMS world. The ability for real time deposit verification makes the customers life easier because they will know if their deposit went through or not. I feel the system is easier since much of it is automatic and can help save time because inbound guest lists and reservations will enter the system in real time. This is a system many people can take advantage of from resorts to multi-site complexes. It makes vacation ownership easier for individuals.

This article is about Merlin Software's newest addition, Merlin Software for Vacation Ownership. This property management software is ideal for everything from single site resorts to multi-site developments. It's also the first cloud-based software served on demand. It's accessibility allows users to access the service through any internet connection."Our team worked incredibly hard on this project because we understood the huge benefits it can bring to our clients who are RCI affiliates," said Mike Pnematicatos, chief architect at Merlin Software. I think that Merlin Software for Vacation Ownership will prove to be very beneficial for the hospitality industry. The ability to have a cloud-based service will allow for seamless remote access for management. In addition, the software will streamline the process of placing new products in the marketplace and creating appropriate marketing packages.

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.

This article list some examples of how Las Vegas is "going green". In recent years, Las Vegas resorts have turned their attention and focused their efforts on becoming more environmentally conscious. From energy efficiency and water conservation to recycling and implementing greener practices, Las Vegas is doing its part to contribute to the sustainability of the planet. Several Las Vegas projects have even achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The process includes independent, third-party verification that a development's design, construction and performance meet accepted high standards for environmentally responsible, sustainable development.

Using biometrics to allow people access to events and keep track of their whereabouts is becoming more and more common across several industries including hospitality. Although seemingly helpful and more efficient that regular tickets or keys, there also seem to be concerns about the security. However, many believe that although these concerns exist, the use of biometrics is one of the safest verification routes currently.

The Schlage HandKey-2 has many possibilities in the hospitality industry, guests will not be hesitant since fingerprints are not recorded or used as an identifier. It also has the advantage of having an antimicrobial coating on the contact surface which will limit the spread of germs. It can be a great advantage to hotels since it will eliminate completely the use of key cards. This technology can be costly, there is no telling whether it is here to stay.

In today's world of heightened sensitivity to security, the hospitality industry finds itself at the front line of this conflict. The biggest concern for the management of any hotel is to provide robust security to its guests, ensuring that their entire stay will be peaceful and problem free. To achieve this goal, hotels deploy a very structured and professional security policy. It ensures safety of its guests, staff and the estate. With changing security threat scenarios, there is a need to revisit existing measures and enhance the system where necessary. The BHMS system takes the security and ease of hotel management to new levels. The system revolves around a core biometric verification system which, when deployed in any hotel provides best in class security and ease of management in all departments. When a guest arrives at the front desk to check-in as part of the check-in process the guest is required to register his biometric fingerprint data with the check-in system. This data is automatically mapped against his room number and the room lock is updated accordingly. in some countries, hotels have to keep identity records and/or biometric records of all guests who stay or have stayed with them. These records are a great help to law enforcement agencies in case of need. To access the room, a guest is required to authenticate identity by placing finger on the biometric door lock. Only on successful authentication can a guest enter the room. This reduces a lot of burden on security systems as unauthorized access of the room and instances of theft are greatly decreased. This also eliminates the need to have any kind of keys to be issued to the guests.

At the company I work for we, are getting ready to implement the Kronos Time and Attendance and HRIS system. Having worked with Kronos time clocks for a while, I can attest to the reliability of this product. Although Kronos targets small to midsize companies, it also provides enterprise solution to larger companies. Some of the applications within the HRIS system include strong HR and payroll interface, time and attendance management, employee data management, employees benefits administration, training and career development. The benefits of Kronois HRIS system includes reduction in labor cost in HR, proper maintenance and tracking of employees activities and the ability to get reports that can greatly assist with company and government compliance. Kronos comes with very practical user friendly training and set up application. The support offered by Kronos implementation team from my experience is great. Two of the major products offered by Kronos include the workforce central offering all the application mentioned above and the Kronos Iseries offing analytical capabilities. Kronos time clocks are used by many companies, but many other time clocks also interfaces the Kronos payroll system. For example the hand punch 4000 clock which uses 3D imagery verification eliminating the need for time cards.

The growing trend of using mobile payment technology could lead to many opportunities for businesses and consumers alike. The hospitality industry is looking towards mobile payments as a way to make transactions more efficient and profitable for both the business and their customers. Hotels such as the Gaylord Hotel are now using mobile payment methods poolside. By using an iPod Touch, the hotel staff is able to collect payment and even print a receipt from their mobile POS system. This option to use the mobile payment system is a great convenience for their guests as they don't even have to leave their poolside cabana. Not only are hotels starting to use this technology to collect payments but major retailers have also begun to use this technology as well. Retailers such as Target and Walmart have teamed with Merchant Customer Exchange to develop an app that allows their customers to pay for their goods by using their smartphone at the store's register. With this growing technology also comes some concern of security. Businesses are being urged to consider the importance of fraud protection as they begin to use mobile payment. If businesses choose to use a mobile payment app or POS they must follow the proper procedures to ensure the security of their software. The benefits of this growing technology could be great for both businesses and their customers.

Criminals compromised a third-party point of sale (POS) vendor's data system and utilized the vendor's assistance tools to gain remote access-and the ability to deploy malware-to some Huddle House corporate and franchisee POS systems," Huddle House said in a security alert listed on its front page.

Huddle House said the malware deployed on its POS system was designed to collect data such as cardholder name, credit/debit card number, expiration date, cardholder verification value, and service code.

Recently Huddle House's POS system was hacked by someone and it revealed thousands of customers debit and/or credit cards information. Hackers were able to take advantage of the software in the POS system by adding malware to different corporate and franchisee locations. Huddle House released a statement to customers to be aware of their credit card/debit accounts to make sure there's no suspicious activity. It's too early to tell if this security breach will affect pre-existing and new customers. Huddle House will need to implement a security software patch, or consider changing its POS systems.

This is an interesting article that describes some of the new technology being implemented to improve how employees are getting paid based on the current workforce's spending habits. These include the ability to be paid by debit cards, ability to be paid daily and have the flexibility to move the money around, AI intelligence to keep track of the employees' work hours on their own devices, and integration of many payroll functions into one platform. With so much technological advancement, it seems that payroll management is one that is still behind with many companies still working with the old clock in and out method which is time consuming.

This article goes over the recent trends that the Hospitality Industry has been adapting to in the past few months. It goes over the importance of Hotels taking the extra time to get to know what will make a specific guests experience that much more enjoyable by paying attention to details of past stays, and making things more convenient and accessible. These goals can be reached by keeping up with technology trends such as Apps giving guests easy and quick access to Check-in and paying for things throughout the hotel.

Its great to see that AI is one of the trends listed. A lot of problems can be automated using AI. Moreover, it can personalize the experience for the customer. In general I think technology should not also offer convenience to a customer but personalization as well!

This article is very interesting because it shows that the accounting in hospitality industry is never safe. It is crucial to have POS system that are secure as well as having managers that are on top of their duties. The article stated that a total of 41 properties were affected by this and that it hasn't been the first time. This is a call to action for Hyatt as well as other hotels to be more aware of their money.