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Contents contributed and discussions participated by gmuno014

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What are the Benefits of HRIS? - HR Payroll Systems - 0 views

  • The human resources department within any organization is considered to be highly critical for the entire organization.
  • Its many functions serve as a supportive background for the company by providing everything from skilled and talented labor to management training services, employee enrichment opportunities and more. Since labor is the single largest expense for most organizations, human resources helps companies derive the greatest value from this important asset.
  • Expedition of recurring tasks through automation
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  • Ability to quickly apply higher selection standards to a number of applications
  • Ease in distributing up-to-date materials concerning company policies and procedures
  • Potential for greater employee engagement through self-service options
  • Streamlining of open enrollment for benefits
  • Scheduling optimization with emphasis on compliance and immediate distribution to employees
  • Reduction of errors in payroll and employee information database
  • Improved time and attendance tracking abilities and accuracy
  • Ability to make more informed decisions in real time by using analytics and integration of organizational data
  • However, the time and effort required to complete them can be drastically reduced when some of the tasks are automated through a HRIS system.
  • Performing analyses and reviewing metrics related with various aspects of the organization can assist with better decision making and also help with spotting patterns.
  • HRIS analytical tools give HR employees the ability to perform many pertinent calculations with speed. Employees can collect the data needed within a short period of time and then analyze all of the data in a concise and effective manner.
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    This is an important point - The hours of labor that can be reduced because of an HRIS can allow HR employees to focus on other projects.
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    The article recaps some benefits of an HRIS system. It also emphasizes on the importance of the Human Resources department, as it is considered to be one of the most critical departments in any company. Human Resources is responsible for tasks that concern employee benefits, payroll, scheduling, rules and policies, contracts, legal documents, and training. An HRIS is able to facilitate the duty of HR employees and automate employee records, payroll and several other tasks. Highlighted below are some of the most important benefits mentioned in the article.
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Top Eight Network Technologies to Invest in for "Hotels of the Future", by Daryl Stokes - 1 views

  • t's a big reason why hoteliers are now spending as much time and resources on network technology and applications as they are on the quality of their linens and food service.
  • Indeed, according to Scot Campbell, chief information officer for MGM Mirage, the core of a hotel's 'cool' factor is technology. Campbell says that "we are building rooms where everything is on a network."
  • While there are many tantalizing new applications hotels can invest in to take advantage of ubiquitous connectivity, we see the following eight technologies delivering the best ROI and competitive advantage.
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  • 1. Digital check-in
  • Guests will be able to check-in from a kiosk or a touch-screen display in the lobby, just as passengers do in an airport concourse.
  • 2. Secure, reliable and scalable Wi-Fi connections throughout
  • The push now is to make Wi-Fi easier, more reliable, and secure―all the while being compliant with Payment Card Industry (PCI) and other Federal and state law enforcement requirements (e.g. the Communications Assistance to Law Enforcement Act). Secure and flawlessly managed connectivity throughout the premises will be mandatory.
  • 3. The smartphone operated hotel
  • Room numbers and entry codes will be sent directly to cellphones for easy, keyless entry. Not only is this a solution to guests losing their keys, it also prevents serious security risks that come with magnetic key strips that store personal information, such as social security and credit card numbers.
  • For example, Marriott Hotels booked $1 million in revenues in the first 100 days after the launch of its mobile website in 2009. Mobile bookings were particularly important in supporting last minute bookings and moving expiring inventory, as about one-third of the mobile bookings were for same-night stays.
  • 4. The television as in-room control center
  • The in-room display will even allow customers to set preferences for lighting and temperature.
  • 5. Guest sensors
  • Energy efficiency is important―both to the environmentally conscious consumer, as well as the economically conscious hotel manager.
  • Not coincidentally, the Aria has received the highest certification from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and 5 Green Keys from the Green-Key Eco Rating Program.
  • 6. Restaurant display ordering
  • Using touch screens in restaurants increases the efficiency of staff, and being able to use dynamic graphics and displays enables the chef to promote specials and upsell on orders
  • 7. Digital employee communications
  • Hotels will increasingly use digital learning to keep employees informed about everything from shift responsibilities, to updates on occupancy rates, to the next wave of convention attendees and security needs.
  • hese 20-minute audio and video modules can be viewed in the hotel or on mobile devices, and be
  • cause they are video-based, they are inexpensive to update and translate into languages other than English. High employee turnover rates are part of the hospitality industry, so having an efficient, consistent training solution is critical
  • 8. Multiple data streams, running through multiple networks that can be both secure and shared
  • Each of these data streams will need to be highly available―that is, a hotel cannot afford to have the system 'go down'. Network performance will have to be optimal as travelers will expect transactions to happen in real-time. And most importantly, all this data will need to be secure. PCI compliance requires a high level of security for each transaction. Information needs to be able to flow securely and efficiently with built-in redundancy.
  • According to iProspect, a search engine marketing firm, two thirds of consumers begin their shopping experience―including hotel shopping experience―online
  • A key part of competing in the new marketplace is having the technical capability to capture every consumer touch-point opportunity on the hotel grounds―from the time they step into the lobby, to the time they leave for the next destination.
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    This brings up a topic that we discussed in one of the earlier weeks in class. Being PCI compliant is a very critical role in guest satisfaction. It makes the guest feel secure and confident that their information is safe and not being shared through other channels.
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    This article highlights top technological improvements in a hotel that have proven to be successful, and in return have reflected a positive ROI. The article discusses ideas that are new and upcoming. Some of these ideas include: Digital check-in/check-outs, secure and reliable Wi-Fi, smart phone operated hotels (use of keys), TV as in-room control center where guests can control room temperature and lighting, and restaurant display ordering.
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    Another topic that is mention, previously discussed in class, is how paper menus will be replaced and guests will now have access to order via touch screen devices. This does not eliminate servers, but increases efficiency of staff, and increases turnover of tables.
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The 5 Most Popular Hotel Management Software Solutions For Small Hotels Compared - Capt... - 1 views

  • For hotels, finding the right software fit is especially important, because without a suitable software solution, you’re wasting time and money—big things that take you away from your customers and keep you from providing a stellar guest experience.
  • Below, I’ve gathered the most popular hotel management software, specifically for smaller hotels.
  • Oracle also understands independent hotel needs, notably powering small hotels like the Ampersand Hotel in London’s South Kensington neighborhood.
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  • Oracle Hospitality’s OPERA Property is a comprehensive and scalable solution that comes in three levels (Premium, Standard, and Lite) and is also available for both cloud and installed deployment. Any property from boutique to chain hotels can make use of this popular solution.
  • InnQuest’s flagship roomMaster solution is for hotels of all sizes (great for flexibility if you see growth in your future), leading to their top three spot with 5,200 customers and managing more than 450,000 hotel rooms every day.
  • Charged for bookings processed through third party OTAs
  • Multi-Systems, Inc.’s CloudPM is fifth on this list with 5,800 customers in North America
  • This cloud-based property management solution has been around since 1990 and is great for hotels looking to keep costs down by bypassing the purchase of additional hardware.
  • RDP (Resort Data Processing) provides customized software for clients and says it can handle properties of any size, whether it be a small vacation rental or a huge resort.
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    This is a very important feature. Where the system can go either work off the cloud or can be installed.
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    This article compares the top 5 PMS systems for smaller hotels. Some of these software's are able to function on any size properties, but some are very limited. The most recognized PMS system, Opera by Oracle, is able to function through a cloud or it can be installed. This article provides pros, cons and costs for all PMS's and emphasizes the importance of finding the right match for a hotel.
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How does the GDS fit into your revenue strategy? - Duetto - 0 views

  • Most recently, TravelClick reported the industry is seeing an all-time record use of the GDS for booking hotels. In its annual Global Travel Agent GDS study, TravelClick says over half (51%) of global travel agencies have reported using GDSs more often than compared to the past two years.
  • Just because the few travel agents that are left are using the GDS a bit more doesn’t mean it’s a lucrative channel for your hotel inventory.
  • “The growth reinforces the importance for hoteliers to pay extra attention to the GDS, especially as it is one of the highest average daily rate channels for maximizing revenue per available room (RevPAR).”
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  • The safe bet is to analyze your own booking data and crunch the numbers yourselves.
  • You can use this information to calculate Net RevPAR, or revenue per available room after subtracting all the costs it took to acquire that guest.
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    According to this article, there is a common misconception that Travel Agents always book through GDS's and that they are the reason for increase in GDS bookings. This is false. As years pass, Travel Agents are losing their value over the online world that now consumes everyone's time. According to the article, in 1995 there were approximately 35,000 accredited travel agencies and last reported, in 2015, that number dropped to 12,780! I personally thought that Travel Agents were the main reason for the grand majority of these GDS bookings, but in the article they mention a fair point - Travel Agents have access to GDS, but if rates are lower elsewhere, they will not book through the GDS. It is important for a hotel property to track what rates they are showing on all channels.
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    This is one of the topics that has greatly affected the hotel industry. When guests seek the lowest rate possible, we are losing potential revenue and considering a travel agent seeks commissionable rates, our net profit is much less than the displayed rate.
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How to Control the Problem Of E-Waste - 1 views

  • Of the 100 million tonnes of e-waste produced across Europe, only a quarter of medium-sized electronics are collected for reuse or salvage, whilst smaller appliances such as MP3 players are abandoned altogether.
  • One stipulation of the new regulations dictates that companies must have proof that their WEEE was given to a waste management company and afforded environmentally sound treatment and disposal.
    • gmuno014
       
      One of our class discussions was based on how can we as a nation regulate e-waste, and this is an example of how to regulate it. Stipulating rules and following through with them.
  • so it’s important to check whether the company complies with WEEE legislation and can provide details regarding their Waste Carriers License.
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  • OFFERS/Ex-IT is a reuse and recycling project that aids students, low income citizens and small start-up businesses by giving them access to cheap IT equipment. Another respected group is Computer Aid International, which distributes refurbished PCs all across the globe.
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    This article talks about some of the alternatives to control e-waste. We recently had a discussion in our course, and my argument was that we needed to educate or inform people of the issue. This article provides examples of all the trusted companies that handle e-waste correctly, and some of the regulations already in place, such as WEEE. The article reviews multiple ways of distributing and handling e-waste correctly. Some examples given are sending the items back to the manufacturers and if they don't accept them, they present the Waste Online website that provides information on trusted e-waste management companies. They also present ideas of donating old electronic devices to start up business and small communities that may be in need of them.
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