The article "Why good human resource management is vital for small hotels" focuses on the relationships of high quality service with human resource management. Within the service industry, Human Resources is what creates the company's competitive advantage. Businesses that focus on offering superior customer service need to rely on their workforce to carry out their philosophy. Due to this, the economy of the country in which the business is located is important to take into consideration, since a well educated and motivated workforce stems from the country's economy. Thanks to improvements in technology and globalization, it has become more effective to hire and train staff. While it is true that small businesses have less resources, time and money to invest in human resources, it is still one of their most important assets. According to the article, "The very nature of the industry is to provide hospitality, and that requires the use of HR in delivering proper services. Hence, small- and medium-sized hotels should formalize their HRM practices. Small hotel owners or managers should be more willing to involve further formality in their firm's HR practices, since an 'adequate' level of formality does positively relate to performance". The advantages in Human Resource Management are endless, and as a result, all types of businesses, regardless of their size should value this scope.

The article titled "The Importance of Infrastructure: Planning for the Future" shows a very interesting perspective in order to identify what it means to thrive in the hospitality industry. The combination of certain strategies, including adapting, maximizing the use of technology, having a vision among others, helps hotels stand the test of time. As technology continues to demonstrate that it entails numerous benefits, it is a crucial component to deliver and receive services. According to the article, "That service may be a guest amenity or a data transfer from an offsite service provider; however, the ability to take advantage of innovation, either now or someday in the near future, is dependent upon infrastructure". Hotels need to invest and focus on creating a well rounded infrastructure to support technology, even if it continues to adapt and change. It is also all about the details; besides having a well structured PMS and POS system, technology infrastructures should be created to adhere to the guest's needs. Certain amenities, such as cabling for in-room guest connectivity help increase customer satisfaction. Is all of this technological investment necessary? Recognizing the key to modernization, including investing in technology, is the key to a hotel's long term success.

The article titled " E-Marketing in the hospitality industry" emphasizes that the Internet Marketing is growing in the Hotel industry and it it has contributed in generating more revenue than other traditional marketing strategies. There are several actions Hotel owners can take to achieve their marketing objectives, this includes Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Sponsored search, Social Media marketing, Mobile advertising, Email advertising, and Display advertising. According to the author this actions will allow companies to compete and gain market share, increasing their online traffic and ensuring that their online space is under control and properly managed. Moreover, I believe as it is mentioned in the article that the fact that most hotels had implemented Web 2.0 services had allowed them to transform their websites content becoming a social platform where customers share their photos and content. This together with Mobile and Social media marketing are powerful tools in Hotel marketing.

The article titled "3 Reasons Why Email Marketing is Essential for your Hotel" provides interesting points in terms of the impact of email marketing. Building guest rapport, specifically a personalized point of contact, is crucial for the guest to feel that there is a connection, and in turn will become loyal. According to the article, "Effective hotel email marketing starts the minute a guest has booked and nurtures your relationship with them long after their stay. It's a chance for you to build rapport with your guests-which translates into positive reviews and repeat customers". Therefore, how can hotels create a positive guest experience and environment? Email marketing, when used efficiently, such as through pre-arrival emails, will allow guests to feel appreciated and taken care of. In addition to this, email marketing is an excellent opportunity to extend the brand's online presence and receive guest feedback. Thus, email marketing should not be seen only as communication from the hotel to the guest, but a great start to a conversation.

The article titled "Eight Meetings Tech Trends to Watch for 2018" demonstrates how the rate of technology is increasing through different mediums and strategies. The scope is to alleviate the workload for planners, exhibitors and venues, while also trying to find ways in which a guest's experience can be improved. In terms of major technology trends for events, there is a rise in direct meeting space bookings. Annually, it is interesting to see that there are 1.8 million meetings in the United States. In order to reduce costs, there are streamlined options such as Peerspace, Spacer and EventUp. I also found it interesting how certain technologies are accommodating and adapting to guests' needs. Google Indoor Maps offers directions to users when they are in an area such as a conference or venue which still require mapping and directions. Augmented reality is another useful tool for guests to virtually attend an event or to understand the placement of the venue. Following this same idea, according to the article "Google recently announced at the most recent Google I/O developers conference its Tango Visual Positioning Service, a AR GPS for indoors. Working with Google Indoor Maps and visual data from the camera, Tango will see features in the environment to give users hyper-local directions guidance". Do you think other companies will also invest in these technologies and offer alternatives? As technology increases, I believe that collaboration, as noticed in the article with airbnb, is a tool for success in order to elevate guest experience.

The article "Safeguarding a Hotel Property Against Cyber Attacks" is quite insightful as to what attracts cyberthieves in the hotel industry. According to Garfinkel and Kosturek, " International or U.S.-based hotels can be attractive to hackers because of the disruption, embarrassment involved, but mostly for monetary gain." The authors relate recent examples of cyberthieves hacking an Austrian hotel's computer system so that hotel room doors were lacked, and all guests had to wait in the lobby until this security issue was fixed. This showed guests that cyberthieves have significant access and control, which is alarming and frightening. Credit and debit cards are the preferred target of hacking and these are compromised when cyber criminals access POS systems or property management systems with malware. Apart from the monetary aspect of stealing credit card information, cyberthieves are able to attack franchises and invade internal information such as employee check ins and door locks. In my opinion, this is something that hotels should consistently review and anticipate loopholes in which they think hackers can easily access information. To the eyes of the general public, the hotel needs to build trust so that clients can know that they can give out their confidential information.

The article titled, "Improving data security in the hotel industry lets guests sleep peacefully" shows how the breach of data security can be anywhere. As technologies improve, so do ways in which cyber security can become at stake. According to this article, "Hotels are obligated to maintain the physical security of guests and their belongings during their stay-if guests don't feel safe staying in their room or leaving their belongings there, they won't continue to patronize that hotel brand. The same thinking applies to data security: If guests aren't convinced that the hotel is keeping their personal and financial data secure, they will take their business elsewhere". Thus, hotels need to make sure they are safeguarding information such as their payment information as well as other confidential information. Hackers are becoming even more sophisticated, where they can target specific industries, such as hotel industries since guests speak with hotel representatives over the phone to provide payment information. In the even that a hotel's data has been compromised, what is its responsibility? First, they should send the client a letter of apology, and then handle the complete process efficiently, so the client can at least feel they re supported. The avoidance and handling of data breach is becoming even more common nowadays with the rise of technology.

The article titled "Deciphering ROI from tech investment can be complicated", explores how technology can be challenging within the hotel industry. It is important to note that hotels need to understand what components they need to include, and which are simply a waste of money. According to the author, "Some technology trends are elements that hotels need to survive, while some technology is simply a fad". It is important to keep an eye on consumer trends to filter out what will actually enhance guest experience. Nowadays, guests and staff need mobile needs to optimize their work processes. For some processes and technologies, the ROI may be almost immediate, but for others, they still require more time to see the investment. In terms of investing in technology, do you think room automation is always necessary? In my personal opinion, the more perks a room has, the more it may enhance the customer experience. Ultimately, it all depends on the hotel, its size and its investment opportunities.

The article titled "Why You Should Not Outsource your Hotel's Accounting" sheds light on the importance of having a solid financial and accounting program within the hotel industry. The author misadvises outsourcing the hotel's accounting through a third party provider since it is important for the company to have complete control of the accounting. Although outsourcing is a big trend nowadays, including outsourcing for IT and reservations among other systems, the author firmly believes that accounting should be a task that is monitored in house. According to the article, "A negative aspect of outsourcing is the reduced level of service. Good service in a hotel is everything, not only for external guests, but also for internal guests. In a full-service hotel, the accounting department provides a long list of services: receivables, payables, payroll, revenue control, cash management, systems oversight, audit, food and beverage controls, purchasing, receiving, general accounting and budget/forecasting to name but a few". As hotels require superior service and a wide array of reports to be generated in real time, it is better to hire and train someone with this capability in house rather than calling a company that has other clients. Thus, outsourcing the accounting aspect is quite costly and it is not recommended, as it is a task that needs to be constantly analyzed and controlled in house.

In this article titled, "Importance of Accounting in Hotel Management", the author stresses that accounting is crucial in numerous industries and processes, including the hospitality industry. Hotel accountants need to create month-end accounts, compare profits to previous periods, analyze forecasts, prepare budgets and business planning, financial statements, balance sheets, cash flows and payroll control. Aspects to take into consideration are the amount of total sales achieved per year, average prices of hotel rooms, and month's profit comparisons. An interesting quote I read in this article was that "it is important to distinguish accounting from management. Accounting is a tool used by good managers". Accounting in hotel management is crucial to keep track of cash flows, forecasts and aforementioned reports. While analyzing how accounting can further add value to managers or how it can be optimized, I believe that real time reports and data analysis can create red flags so changes can be performed on time and systems can be optimized. After all, this allows the business to become more efficient in order for them to focus on their core strengths and direction.

In this article titled "What Makes a Good Point-of-Sale System?", the author focuses on the advantages of an efficient POS system along with the key features that a POS system should have. According to Viknesh, "The appeal of POS technology lies in its interoperability - POS technology can function on desktops, laptops and tablets, as well as mobile devices such as Android phones, iPhones and iPads that function on different platforms, making it the optimal choice for small businesses, non-profits organizations and charities". For instance, on a retail level, a POS system not only manages customer transactions but it allows connectivity with cash registers, barcode scanners, receipts and credit card terminals. A POS ultimately offers a competitive advantage to larger players, and thus, it is important to identify key features that the best POS software should have, and which are effective for one's business. These include the whole hardware package, robust inventory management features, sales tracking capabilities, accurate and timely data, security features and reliable POS support. Having a complete POS system ensures quick turnaround times. For instance, if a customer is able to pay seamlessly by being given a choice on the mode of payment, such as credit card, cash, etc.., then they will feel it is effective and quick. Additionally, having a built in inventory system allows businesses to keep track of inventory levels in real time. Identifying which items are running low in order to replenish is crucial to ensuring customer satisfaction. Tracking sales and having the ability to generate reports helps further understand inventory and areas of room for improvement. A POS system should also offer accurate and timely data, especially if it has cloud computing for efficiency. In addition, considering that there is the risk of security and confidential data compromise, it is crucial to have a POS system with data encryption technology. Lastly, a business s

As the Internet has created value-added advantages in terms of PMS, the debate whether a company should migrate from a traditional PMS to a cloud based one continues to arise. This article, titled "5 Reasons to Move your Hotel PMS to the Cloud" explains that the advantages encompass saving time and effort, saving money, increased flexibility, increased security and becoming appealing to today's guests. With regards to saving time, migrating into a cloud based PMS avoids system crashes and failures, which relieves the burdens in these types of emergencies. Hotels can also save money with a cloud based PMS and lower costs with regards to running this enterprise software. The flexibility also has an appealing factor; rather than simply accessing the PMS on a desktop, hoteliers can view it on smartphones and tablets. There is also the factor of security, where the information can be stored confidentially within the cloud. This article further explains that, "According to the 2015 Lodging Technology Study, 22% of hotels surveyed said that migrating their on-premises technology to the cloud this year is a top priority". This shows how a cloud based PMS is a valued trend that is not only advantageous, but can offer long term benefits.

With regards to green technologies and increasing sustainability in the hospitality industry, hotels are incorporating point of sales systems through both a cost effective and "going green" standpoint. There are numerous solutions in terms of upgrading, migrating or improving the point of sale system to a greener, more efficient technology. According to the article, "Even if you don't want to entirely replace your system, there are still some energy efficient changes you can adopt. For instance, you can make sure your system goes into sleep mode when it's not in use or you could upgrade to more energy efficient fan-free terminals". Cloud based point of sale systems are easily upgradable and can lead to energy efficiency. Additionally, any improvements on the system will ease and reduce guest frustrations. Hotels can also incorporate additional procedures that reduce unnecessary costs. For example, instead of printing out paper receipts which require toner and paper, electronic receipts are the preference for both the business and the guest. Not only is this effective for hotels while checking out, but it is also a useful tool for kitchen and bars, not having to print the orders, but instead having a digital order screen. Migrating to paperless books is also a sustainable approach. I think that the hospitality industry can shift towards a sustainable mindset through different approaches and timelines. While some hotels may invest heavily at once to a new, more sustainable POS, others may migrate step by step. This depends on the budget, goals and direction of the hotel. Ultimately, I think this offers a great benefit for both the guest and the company

The emphasis on sustainability and going green is everywhere, including hospitality and tourism industries. Within the scope of information technology, there are numerous opportunities to becoming greener and more sustainable both in the short and long term. First, using IT responsibly and effectively to reduce energy, water and paper consumption are advantageous and can also be seen as consumer driven. For instance, if a hotel offers a guest the convenience of controlling temperature through their smartphone or using their smartphone as the room key, not only is the hotel becoming greener but also the guest will appreciate these value added features. Instilling technology practices such as Energy Star compliance will lead to less consumption. Additionally, addressing the issue of e waste and creating recycling technologies to reduce environmental waste and impact adds on to the sustainable strategy. Lastly, with the growing environmentally conscious effort, creating marketing strategies to promote green practices improves the company's image, increases awareness on becoming more sustainable, and educates the public on becoming greener. It takes time, as employees need to be trained in order to become aware of environmental impacts (such as printing less paperwork and shutting off a printer when idle), track energy consumption, and instill these behaviors on a day to day basis. According to this article, it was noted that " for many guests, particularly Millennials, environmental stewardship is a key topic that resonates with them. It has become one of the decision-making criteria used to select companies in which they do business, including hotels and resorts". I believe that sustainability and the promotion of green practices is not a fleeting trend, but rather it is a change in mindset in which younger generations appreciate this adopted conscientious value.

I found this article very useful because it focus on the common complaint of hoteliers when it comes to paying commissions to OTA's. In order for hotels to attain direct bookings, they need to have a deep understanding of ecommerce and digital marketing. While online travel agencies (OTAs) have continued to flourish due to their understanding of conversion optimization and user experience, many hotels still have not adapted to this mindset. Therefore, if hotels want to compete and succeed in the digital economy, it is important to acknowledge key principles of e-commerce and apply them effectively to the websites. First, mastering user experience includes creating simple yet intuitive design including a clear navigation, easy to find information and a strong call to action. Next, constant A/B testing, which is a process that compares different versions of the same page to measure with converts best, helps hotels understand how to maximize the user experience. Personalization is another useful tool to elevate user experience, since 86% of consumers reported that personalization impacts their purchases. OTA's have been efficient in this area as they have been able to amass booking data and convert this to improve the shopping experience thanks to embedded cookies and marketing automation systems. Also, employing conversion triggers are powerful tools used at pivotal points in the booking process. Just as OTA's have been able to master these conversion triggers, hotels should learn from them to increase direct bookings. For example, creating a sense of urgency on the website, such as "only 4 rooms left", will appeal to customers. Social proof, which entails social persuasion, is a decision making tool, where customers can book their stay thanks to quick access to reviews. Best rate guarantees help boost bookings as well, since customers have the peace of mind that they do not have to sure elsewhere. Lastly, understanding the travelers' booking journey, such

The article the "Top 10 Communication Trends in Hotel Technology" specifically summarizes the top trends on communication in hotel technology. Besides the mobile convergence, not only does the mobile aspect offer advantages such as a door key, remote check in, among other features. We see with all these Internet based connections, there is going to be a demand for bandwidth and the tendency will only grow. One of the major trends related to networks is toward the usage of SIP-DECT, a radio based network, which is widely used in Europe and becoming more popular in the United States. This offers mobility to employees, especially since many Hospitality employees are on the go such as housekeeping and concierge, so SIP-DECT is a great fit. According to this article, throughout the course of time, the role of technology in the hospitality industry and hotels themselves have increased drastically. "In many cases, they're becoming hubs of activity unto themselves. Most of this activity relies directly or indirectly on technology, making IT more important to hotel operations and the guest experience than ever before". IT is an effective tool to improve hotel operations and employee workload. The trends include having the guest's mobile device as a key, offering service automation, fixed mobile convergence, guest apps, battle for bandwidth, location-based services, tech lounges, SIP-DECT, Tech enabled meeting spaces, and social listening. Some are more obvious, such as offering a mobile app for guests to change their temperature, whereas there are others not as evident which include the SIP-DECT networking and maximizes their efficiency with a location-based service. In my opinion, the usage of mobile apps and Internet usage is on the rise, and hotels need to adapt to the increasing demands of its guests.

In this article, the author selected different hospitality technology trends for 2018 based on their practicality and ROI, and always focusing on improving the guest experience. He mentions CRM as an essential tool to personalize the experience; also smart TV's as well as smart thermostat, digital door signage, or any other device that might integrate to the TV. Also casting technology in the rooms, facilitating the guest's phone connection to their TV's. Another important trend is the use of training hardware and software for the employees so the guest satisfaction will never be compromised. The inclusion of tech within the hospitality industry has numerous benefits including cost savings as well as employee morale. For example, the Novility software teaches SOPs and corrective exercises. Employees will be happier and feel more motivated. At the same time, identifying technology trends of customers, such as finding the connection between technology and wellness will surely appeal to guests. A significant trend is to create a connection in which technology can play a role with regards to wellness. These different technology trends are efficient, practical, and cost effective.