This article contains information about the expected event trends this year that will possibly increase ROI. The list of expected trends all surrounded the technological advancements that are enhancing event planning. The advancements include the increased use of smartphones to conduct business. This technological increase will also reduce company costs. It is also expected to improve company value. I agree with technology improving company value. Technology is advancing majorly throughout the world. It is also making it easier for companies and consumers to interact. Smartphones, alone, are very popular in today's economy and are a great example of technological advancement. Being that people already use their smartphones to check emails, save event dates and contact other people (whether over the phone or by video), conducting business will be somewhat simple to adapt to. Increasing company technology to reduce costs is a good move. However, the companies should keep in mind that losing one cost will only open the door for another one. When dealing with technology, there are always risks (usually malfunction risks). So, companies should keep in mind that there is a possibility that expenses will incur for the technological maintenance that will be needed to keep the technology operating.

This article covered information on the projected security of the future in hospitality. The Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) were working on developments that they planned to showcase in the HITEC tradeshow last year. These developments, collectively recognized as the Guestroom 20x, were expected to make hotel rooms more efficient and modern. These developments included obtaining rooms and keys without front desk interaction, video intercoms to replace peepholes, reinforced room safes, and a smoke alarm aid to properly alert guests in case of fire. There were also talks of an energy management system in the rooms included. The developments seem to be a start towards a changing way of hospitality. I believe that these developments are great options for hotels in the future. Of course, there are always risks that must be recognized. These risks could even be the downfall of the developments. Technology's ability to fail or malfunction is too constant at this time. System glitches, hacking possibilities and power outages could inconvenience these developments as well as inconvenience the guests at the hotel that use them. My main concerns lie with the option to obtain rooms and keys through PCs and mobile phones, the smoke alarm aid and the energy management. One technological failure could cause any of these to cease operating, which means that guests could be locked out of their rooms, in danger if there is actually a fire (or inconvenienced because of a malfunctioning alarm), or inconvenienced because of a nonworking room temperature gauge. These issues could lead to many problems for the hotel that hosts these developments. So, the companies should analyze these issues before installing these developments.

This article contains information about how accounting is a key force in the hospitality industry. The article continues with what accounting actually is in business and how it is significant in a business in order for it to run smoothly. The article concludes with information that can be accessed through accounting, such as the amount of available funds in the company and the payroll amounts. I agree that accounting is an essential part of a business. Accounting covers the important part of a business: the finances. When finances are accurate, the business runs smoothly. When finances are not balanced properly, the business will fail to thrive. Accounting can be somewhat considered as the lifeline of a business. Besides the finances, accounting links with many more departments and can provide answers to many questions. The accounting jobs should not be underestimated.

This article contains information about the detection of data stealing malware by researchers in an Israel-based company (Seculert). Follow up research discovered that malware was found in POS systems in hotels and other businesses as well. It is believed that the payment hubs are the next cybercriminal targets. In the article, it explains what the malware was and how to identify it. Researchers agree that it doesn't directly infect the systems, but was created to make analysis difficult. Though it is relieving that this malware had been detected, it shows the importance of higher security for POS systems. So many payments are made through these systems. Any attacks can jeopardize the privacy of customers' payment information and company information. This could lead to a distrust issue and could end badly for companies. So, the security definitely needs improving. However, it should be remembered that hackers get smarter daily. So, information will not always be safe. This leads to the need of companies to constantly improve their security. It would be a good start.

This article is about Marriott International partnering with Micros Systems. This company now hosts the PMS used by all Marriott brands worldwide. This company's program will operate all daily functions in the hotels, regardless of size. The Marriott is confident in its decision and that the cloud program being the best solution for their properties. I believe that utilizing this program could indeed be successful for the Marriott. However, I hope that the company did its research on cloud programs before making this decision. Of course, the cloud programs have many advantages and are deemed promising in the future of technology and the companies it may eventually be a part of. However, the Internet is open to experiencing many issues, especially in security that can jeopardize the hotels. Since they implemented a "considerable evaluation", I assume that they are aware of the risks they are taking when utilizing a cloud based program. But, is the security of the company really the best risk to take?

This article contains the belief that the "green initiatives" of the hotels are more for saving the company money than saving our planet. The article continues to tell how some hotels give their customers rewards for not requiring housekeeping assistance. This leaves the question of whether this initiative is actually saving the company money or harming the employment of the housekeeping staff. I believe that going green is a proper step to take, especially looking at today's economy. Going green could improve our environment. However, this is not what I am seeing in today's companies. The companies are too reliant on profit. So, they use the green initiative as a way to actually cut costs, without actually going green. Companies should focus more on how the green initiative will affect the world as a whole in the future instead of completely focusing on profiting for now. Focusing on profit and covering it with the supposed green initiative will only drive up unemployment and create more problems with today's economy.

This article was about how online travel agencies are attempting to shift their priorities based on the technological advancements and desires of the consumers. These improvements are bringing along challenges in booking trips/ hotels. Booking online was once a smaller portion of businesses. Now, it has gained a major spot in businesses, especially in the areas of consumer sales and research. Now, businesses are attempting to keep up with today's focus in ratings and reviews, mobile, and media and distribution (especially through mobile usage). Being able to research and book trips/hotels through mobile devices is becoming a major move and an important factor for consumers. Most consumers are pressed for time and don't have the opportunity to sit at a computer to research and book trips/hotels. So, implementing this through mobile devices gives the option to book and research from anywhere easily. Any businesses that can keep up with this will definitely be able to thrive in the industry.

This article contains information about the talks that will be occurring between the U.S. and China about hacking and cyber-security. According to U.S. officials, there is a "daily barrage of computer break-ins and theft of corporate and government secrets." These attacks are assumed to be from China. The objective of these talks is to establish some rules and behavioral standards between both countries under the topics of security and "commercial espionage." No changes are suggested to be made immediately, but the U.S. hopes that the talks can result in a small, constant change between the countries. These talks will begin in July. This article seemed important in my opinion since the topic of this week in class was about cloud computing. If these two countries participated in a similar business function and used cloud computing to store important information, there could be arising issues. All of the important information could be jeopardized by hacking. By both countries coming to an agreement on the terms of cyber-security, this could possibly open up new opportunities for both countries to work together or expand businesses to one another. This does not mean that hacking will stop in its entirety. However, it could be the beginning of the step in the right direction.

This article contains information in regards to the technological advancements within the hospitality industry. According to the article, brands are considering the option of outsourcing technology, in detail, their software. The brands are coming to the realization that maintaining company software is not a strength they have and that it is costly. Currently, the brands are considering Software as a Service (Saas) platforms to meet their technological needs. However, the search for the perfect fitting platform continues. I believe the option of outsourcing technology could prove to be beneficial for the brands. By trusting someone else with the technological aspects, it gives the businesses room to focus on their strategies and core competencies . This would result in profittable gains for the companies. However, I suggest that all risks are weighed before a decision is reached.