The Bay Hotel in Singapore has launched a new mobile phone check-in and checkout service. The new technology named QIKINN, and provided by UbiQ Global Solutions, enables guest communications via SMS and browser before they even arrive at the hotel.

Regardless of the type of online reputation management technology a hotel is using, hotels must manage their online reputation by responding to guests accordingly and in a timely manner. Guest review management is becoming critical to the success or failure of a hotel's social media program.

WinTech, LLC, a Las Vegas-based technology company, announced today it has launched "Who's ALICE?" -- an online contest for businesses nationwide to win a 'front desk makeover' featuring the new ALICE Receptionist system.

The ALICE Receptionist software uses features such as motion detection technology to greet visitors, notify employees of the vistor's arrival, and even uses audio communication with the visitor. The ALICE software allows for hotels with small lobbies that cannot afford a 24 hour recptionist to have an opportunity to interact with the guest-at a fraction of the cost. ALICE stands for "A Live Interactive Communication Experience" and it will be introduced to the industry in 2013.

MICROS Systems, Inc. , a leading provider of information technology solutions for the hospitality and retail industries, is pleased to announce that the Moran & Bewley's Hotel Group has invested in MICROS cloud-based technology to help deliver a consistent experience to customers and staff throughout its ten hotels in Ireland and the UK.

Cloud computer seems be becoming more and more the way hotels communication. It has been proven more realiable, consistent, and allow for easy check-in as well as check-out services for hotels. Management is benefiting from being able to control all aspects of the hotel without having to be on property using the the network.

PRNewswire/ -- MICROS Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRS), a leading provider of information technology solutions for the hospitality and retail industries, is pleased to announce that the Moran & Bewley's Hotel Group has invested in MICROS cloud-based technology to help deliver a consistent experience to customers and staff throughout its ten hotels in Ireland and the UK.

Cloud-based technology continues to takeover hotel information technology solutions.

As of today, travelers can now book a room at any of Best Western's 4,000 hotels in 100 countries without ever leaving Facebook. The hotel giant has become the first global brand to try to leverage its popularity on Facebook with the ubiquitous social network's 800 million active users by creating a special booking tool. This is a great innovative way to integrate online booking to social networking. I believe it will be a great success.

The Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) is a trade association charged to advance the application of hotel technology. HTNG is holding a competition to see what technology leaders think was the most innovation technology to be introduced to hotels in 2011. The judges in the competition are the people who select, buy, and deploy technologies in hotels around the world. HTNG's hotel members, which include top technologists from all of the world's top 10 hotel brand as well as from smaller groups and independent hotels. In order to apply, vendors may submit the application at : http://www.htng.org/innovation by February 24th and pay the $500 application submission fee.

IQWare offers a high-tech, high-touch partnership proven to help rental managers boost their business, efficiency, and bottom lines. Vacation rental managers can partner with IQware and create a fully functional, infinitely customizable program for their agency. IQWare software provides easy access to tracking the quality of accommodations their clients are seeking.

Mobile technology is constantly changing the way we do everything. Smart mobile devices dictate how we live our lives and how we travel. Here is a sampling of eleven items that may be drastically different in some hotels of the near future: 1. Currency 2. Hotel Room Keys 3. In-Room Phone 4. Concierge Desk 5. Room Service 6. Front Desk Attendant 7. Printed Hotel Promotional Material 8. Alarm Clocks 9. In-Room Entertainment 10. Thermostats, Light Switches and more 11. Power Cords

When it comes to airports that stand out in offering a welcoming, helping hand to passengers, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and some other airports are notable for deploying customer-service representatives trained to be N.I.C.E. - "Neutralize Irritations Customers Experience." This is a great article on how iPads are revolutionizing the travel industry.

Social media has revolutionized the way businesses are able to interact with consumers - It sets an unprecedented opportunity for brands to raise the bar in providing unique, personal experiences for customers past, present and future. The hospitality industry in particular has an enormous opportunity to market in innovative ways via tools like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blogging, mobile-based initiatives and more. Now is the time for the hospitality business to use social media to target their customers. It is important for hotels to realize the importance of this and invest money in improving their company's image and awareness.

For the hotel industry, Revenue Management is able to steer the overall revenue activity reporting efficiently on For the hotel industry, Revenue Management is able to steer the overall revenue activity reporting efficiently on all segments and channels at the hotel level. Complicated pricing situations within each market and the variations from day to day have made Revenue Management rely heavily on the assistance from systems to price correctly. I can see this every single day as I work for the Sales department of a hotel in South Beach and our prices have been fluctuating tremendously in the past few months. This article covers: - The evolution of analytics for hotels - Expertise in the industry - How hotels deal with the uncertainty - How crucial these IT systems are going to be in 2012