This article is an interesting one, highlighting the changes in trends in Event Management. The article starts off by explaining that the major changes in the meeting and planning areas of a business is due to the introduction of the smartphone technology in the business. It goes on the explain that there are mobile applications used just for events. It seems that the more that people and businesses become aware of the use of the mobile device as it relates to technology, it will make it even easier to customize and request different things for an event. Technology will be the core to different and new trends in the meeting and planning areas of businesses. It evident that the use of different mobile applications will make every thing easier for event managers. It allows managers to communicate with their customers and understand what exactly it is they need.

This article is about the use of I-Phone of Blackberry as your room key. It explains that Holiday Inn will be trying this new technology and many guests are not sure about trying it out. Many guests are not sure about trying it and question how safe it can be. The article explains that this new technology is not required and is rather an opinion. The article explained how it works and is simply a code sent to the customer to their phone and this is used to open the door and the code is only used once and resets every time. The article goes on to explain that there is no issues if the phone is lost or stolen because the codes aren't saved to the phone but rather the server the app runs on. I feel that this is a new cool way to technology. However, I don't see where it is anymore secure than a room key and really it doesn't make the process any easier. I feel its new and innovative but its not the best idea.

"Today's guests arrive at a hotel with a high level of expectations - a hotel room needs to be their home away from home, and offer new services, experiences and conveniences."

The article is a good one that simply shows the benefits of technology even though the economies around the world are down. The article is about the spending on IT even though their is an economic downturn. It starts by saying that even though their is a downturn, businesses are still investing in technology. Technology has become the way to give hotels a competitive advantage. The article states that guests expect the best and they look for new services that they would like. They feel that they best way to serve the guest is having the best technology that also works at making the business more efficient and able to work with guest services and hotel operations. So the improvements in technology has definitely helped the industry and businesses must keep up with the latest in order to keep up business.

This article explains how POS have improved efficiency and reduced the cost of operations. It explains how some locations have seen improvements since the implementation of MICROS called Simphony. The Simphony system allows the central management of the menus, payroll, scheduling and many other things from anywhere on the web. It has many functions and help with many other areas such has staffing and creation of a loyalty and gift card program. It also allows web reporting on mobile devices. The system has even helped with the drive thru ordering at the locations.

I think that this software is definitely beneficial after reading this article. Simphony will help these locations out in many ways, especially as it relates to efficiency.

The article starts off by explaining that management systems are needed in order to compete in the hotel industry. It explains that having a system put in place will give you the competitive advantage needed to compete against other hotels. The writer explains how these systems make the operations of these companies so much easier and efficient. The best quality of this software is that it secures your data and makes it available anywhere that you can log in to view. The article explains of it allows your customers to do all their booking from anywhere and access information provided to them. Another point the article touched on is how having this system cuts costs as it relates to having IT available to assist with issues. Additionally the software is said to be very easy to operate and the staff would catch on quickly.

This article highlight what different hotel chains are doing in order to "go green" It looks at different sections of the hotel and explains what the hotel chosen is doing to go green in the different areas. The first are is the Guest Room. The article explains the the Kimton Hotels have recycling bins for bottles, cans and paper and this increase there recycling rate to 75% over 3 years. The second area the article touches on is the Kitchen. It explains how the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts are encouraging their kitchens all over the world to use organic foods. The third area the article explains in the Bathroom. Apparently, the Aloft group has installed refillable shampoo and body wash dispenser at its locations and plan to do it for the future locations they are opening. As it relates to the outdoors, Asia's Six Senses is protecting the seascapes with chlorine fee pool sanitation system in order to protect the coral and marine life. The article also explained that the RockResorts have changed chemical cleaners to cleaners that were more natural. The article also states that changes are being made in shops and boutiques. The Swedish Scandic hotels stopped selling bottle water at 147 of their hotels and Banyan Tree resorts has partnered with local vendors to sell in their boutiques. I feel that all of these hotels and resorts are going in the right direction in order to save the environment in which they operate.

This article is a good one that demonstrates how GDS are now more often used than times before. The article states that the 2011 Global Travel Agent GDS study demonstrates how important GDS platform and shopping Displays are to the travel agents. They stated the 84 percent of those who took the survey stated that they are using the GDS just as much or even more than they did in the pass and 35 % of these stated that they were using it more than they did in the pass. The article explained how these numbers have greatly increased since 2009 where only 26% agents admitted that they used the GDS systems more than before. This study is 2011 reaffirmed Travel Click's projection, which was that GDS hotel bookings would surpass %50 million in the year 2011. This was far more than that of 2010. The article goes on to explain how the GDS will improve the booking and services of the industry all around. Furthermore, the article went on to explain a worldwide survey conducted for agents who were among the largest GDS in the world and some 495 responses were collected. The survey was conducted by Phoenix Marketing International, which is and independent marketing research firm Travel agents were indicated that promotional messages were effective and prompt during bookings and 66% of these agents request additional information about it. While, 68% of these agents looked into the GDS for more information. After this survey was complete the agents who were aware of promotional messages, 46% of them made North American bookings within 3 months as a result of the promotional messaging and 44% made non- North American bookings. The survey itself shows that promotional messages were and excellent way to get the agents interested. In the article it is quoted how the promotional messages acts in a chain reaction to reach the agent and then the customer, which allows sales all over the world.

This article is a good one about the cloud and how the hotels are finding benefits with using it. The benefits that they are seeing is that the cloud allows them to move their hardware off of the property to a central location to be operated. Another point they focused on is how it allows hotels to run their software and hardware more efficiently and it is also a lot cheaper. They have found that it allows them to get rid of IT in the hotel. They also touched on the cons and one being that if their is no internet or not enough internet connection there will be problems. Another issue is security.

This article is a good one about the cloud and how the hotels are finding benefits with using it. The benefits that they are seeing is that the cloud allows them to move their hardware off of the property to a central location to be operated. Another point they focused on is how it allows hotels to run their software and hardware more efficiently and it is also a lot cheaper. They have found that it allows them to get rid of IT in the hotel. They also touched on the cons and one being that if their is no internet or not enough internet connection there will be problems. Another issue is security. Many people feel that as complicated the industry is, it is somewhat important for hospitality type businesses to have the cloud. With having the cloud, this will ensure that the systems are always updated. A point that stood out to me was how the La Quinta saved 30-50% in telecommunication at each of their locations. Many hotels will find themselves using the cloud in the future

This article is about a new form of software that makes the entire stay easier! The software is called LIFE l WARE. What it does is, when a guest enters the room it provides everything he/she needs. The are able to monitor and view entertainment, control the room temperatures and even helps the the staff with public info and cut operational costs and allowing more efficiency. Life l Ware can be customized for any hotel and when a guest enters the room he can use the TV interface to view and select services and view the amenities that the hotel has to offer. The software can be used to book reservations, watch TV and adjust the lighting and temperature in the room. Management can also use the software with guest complaints and also can be used for the daily running of the hotel; for example, check ins and check outs and also room cleaning. Additionally, management can also use the system to help cut energy costs by monitoring unoccupied rooms. The software helps the Hotel all around!