This article talks about the 5 most important tools that an event planner needs to use. 1.Smart phones- this one is an easy one. We all know how important our smart phones are to us. Smart phones allow us to have so many different applications at our fingertips. 2.SaaS cloud applications-"software as a service" these applications have opened up a new way to view things in the event planning industry. These applications allow the planners to use their ipads and tablets to allow them to connect with other applications like salesforce, to deal with customers in an easy manner. 3.Virtual events-these events like "webinars and live feed "have become popular it gives viewers the sense of being at the event. Webinars are also very popular because it allows planners to get more people to "be" at the event for a lower cost. 4.Social Media- because sites like Facebook and Twitter have become so popular it makes sense that this would be important to events because people are often commenting of places they have been to. 5.iPads and Tablets-because they add a sense of simplicity and organization to the madness that is party planning

This article discusses some of the advantages and disadvantages of technology in the field of human resources. An advantage is that it speeds up the process of employee training and adds to the useful HRIS. It also adds to the organizational factor to play. As far as disadvantages since some of the technology is new to this area and has caused some questioning of these tools by employees who are use to doing their work a certain way.

The first security matter that is brought up in this article is the cloud computing mobile devices on cell phones and laptops. With each device its own danger center of being hacked into a company's systems. The second point is "terrorists." Even though there has not been an issue with terrorists for about 10 years now it is still a big issue. According to the article companies are slacking on being vigilant because of the lack of activity.The third is what are know as skimmers, they are devices that gather information like credit card numbers.The last two issues are liability and security itself. Hotels claim to have security matters under control but when it comes to it, it is for show. Hotels need to buckle down on their security measures.

According the article $290 million will be invested into hotels in the Middle East in 2011. This means that hotel investors need to really pay attention and invest in the right technology for their hotels to keep them competitive. It also goes into the way to create the new guest-centric environment is to have the right new technology.

This article talks about how the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) are in the process of making a user guide for the global hospitality accounting system. This guide will include a glossary of inventory terminology and have charts that are allocated for specific regions of the world. The article also breaks down the process into three parts. First they are gathering data by surveying hotel operations and terms of reference. Next the data will be sent to regional teams of industry consultants. Then to finalize the project they will author a discussion on issues of allocations. I belive that this would be a definite benefit to some people that have to work with these systems. It allows them to really understand the information rather than just trying to figure it out.

This article goes into the advantages of having a POS system on property. Having a POS system helps in the department of revenue management. It is important to have a POS system because it connects front of house, back of house, and the sales operations. The article also goes into the future development of the POS systems in the industry.

This article explains the top three features to look at when in the process of picking out a PMS to use at a property. The first feature is that it should be guest centric PMS focus. This industry is run by guests. They are the reason hotels and restaurants exist. Having an easy to use CRM allows to employees be a bit more personal with the guest. Next, is integrated revenue management.Revenue management to be at the top of its game needs a fast system. When updating information if it takes too long it gets frustrating and can lose some opportunities to increase your daily revenue. Lastly, it should have the ability to connect to online sales channels. The article says that having a two way communication system is a crucial point to maximizing your company's point of sales.

This article is basically talking about the different green ways that a hotel can operate. For instance in Denmark they have stations set up where a guest can pedal stationary bikes to produce energy which in exchange they receive a free meal from the restaurant. To make hotels more green the hotels are using higher technological systems like changing the ventilation systems that provide fresh air indoors and have timers on the exhaust in the bathrooms. These technological advances to the properties will be more pricey than normal systems but in the long run they will save these hotels money and help them be more earth friendly.

Basically the article is talking about how people are starting to fly a lot more now since the economy has improved a little. Domestic travel has increased from 1.9% to 2.4%. The article also talks about how the airlines have compelled the GDS providers to lower their fees before and possible have to force them on doing it again. Which in turn reduces travel revenue for the CDS companies

Basically what the article is saying is that in 2009, Rome's Hilton Airport Hotel has let Swisscom Hospitality Service manage all their connectivity through one shared network. By doing so Swisscom has reduced the operational costs and has increased the speed for both back office and the guests staying on the property.
To manage the multiple data lines Swisscom employs IBM Tivoli. Also to improve the connectivity for the back office the data is isolated from the other circuits.
This merger between Swisscom and the Hilton in Rome has brought many more partners to Swisscom's business.

Basically the restaurant Ruth Chris is going to go high tech. They are tossing out their old menus and upgrading to having their menus presented on ipads along with the pictures to entice the guests to try something new off of the menu. It will also offer wine selections to partner up with certain menu items. I think that this is a smart idea. Yes, they will up their expenses on getting the ipads and keeping them all up to date but in the long run it becomes a novelty that the restaurant can offer. They only thing I would be worries about with this upgrade is that the restaurants would only need food runners and a few waiters for drinks. Most likely any question a guest could have would be answered by the ipad due to the explanations offered by the application.