This article was about the 5 technologies event planners can't live without. These technologies are: smart phones, SaaS cloud apps, virtual events, social media and viral marketing, and finally iPads and tablets. Smart phones are important to the daily activities of an event planner because they are able to look up phone numbers, response to emails, update a status on a social media site, review or add to lists for events, and so much more all on the go. SaaS cloud apps let planner take advantage of accessing all devices and execute aspects of an event for any web enabled device. With SaaS cloud apps you are also able to link up your event management system with a customer relationship management system. Virtual events allow planners to fill seats at a cost that won't cost a burden. Social media and viral marketing allows event planners to market themselves and get event details to different consumers. iPads and tablets get rid of the need for a large heavy binder stuffed with event details. Now event planner can carry a tablet that allows you to access anything you need. In conjunction with the SaaS cloud apps you can also access contracts, registrations, and room blocks and also link up a CRM system as mentioned before. The technology advances we have now let event planners do even more on the day to day, but also make it easier for them to do so.

This article was all about the hotel security concerns for 2012. The 5 things the article lists as issues are: IT, terrorism, skimmers, liability and insurance fraud, and finally security as taboo. IT in a concern for hotel security because mobile and cloud technology is becoming very popular. Companies that do not protect their information with passwords are even more at risk. Data protection needs to include end to end management so companies are not just patching the security. Terrorism is another issue that was a concern in 2012. Hotels need to keep staff and travelers knowledgeable about possible threats, but in a way that does not scare them. Campaigns were placed in airports to educate travelers about notifying security upon seeing something suspicious. Another thing that hotel security should be concerned about is skimming. Skimming is a device that catches credit card numbers. Usually there is a need for an inside man for this type of threat. These people usually aren't criminals, but opportunists. Prevention of this in your hotel could be to hire an investigative team man making that known to the employees. This will keep honest people honest. Insurance fraud is one of the greatest business risks and it's the most expensive. Claims could be as small as a guest seeking a free room for stubbing his toe to a drawn out worker's compensation case. Liability is the label that hoteliers are held liable for criminal acts of a third party. Hoteliers should properly educate themselves on these issues and consulting an attorney if necessary. The final issue is security as a taboo. Security should become a part of day to day operations and hoteliers will be better able to address it. Hotel executives should insist their GM's make security a priority. This article was written for the year 2012. I still think that all these issues are relevant in 2013.

This article was about Aptech Computer systems and their development of Aptech Next Generation Accounting Solution. This web based system is able to support financial accounting for individual operators and multi-property hotel companies. Aptech has been developing performance management tool for the hospitality industry since the 1970's. Aptech noticed that there was a demand from hospitality owners for a system that was able to provide more detailed accounting information about the company's assets. In 1997, Aptech developed its Executive Business Intelligence system, which is now used in many hotel chains around the world, including Starwood Hotels and Resorts, La Quinta Inns & Suites, and Extended Stay Hotels. The hospitality industry has been embracing technology more and more as it has become more affordable and easier to use.

Point of sales systems have been increasing popular in all retail and service industries. POS systems help companies integrate their accounting systems, track inventory, cut operating costs and more, while keeping all their company information in one place. Having a dated system in place could potentially cause frustration with the stores customers. Having an older system or cash register in place could cause long lines and inaccurate register transactions like it did for Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt. Before using a POS system it would take even the most experienced worker 2 minutes or more to process a credit card, now it take 20 seconds. This keeps the lines shorter and the customers happy. There are issues that still arise from POS systems, for example security. One retail store based out of New York City had issues with people hacking into their DSL routers and accessing 3 months of credit card information. This company didn't seem to have any real security in place as far as accessing the system, as all employees used the same password to log in. The company used password policies and tougher procedures with credit cards to beef up security. Another company, also based out of NYC, has seen a faster and easier way to control inventory through the use to POS systems. This system can tell the managers what needs to be repurchased if an item is popular, or what's still sitting on the shelves and not being sold. This helps controls losses at the end of the season with less merchandise needed to be sold at discounted prices. Whether it's a hotel, retail store, or restaurant, POS systems help organize a company's most important and valuable information.

This article is about how global distribution systems are still in demand even though they were said to be dying out. Industry leaders thought that with the development of online travel agencies, GDS's would soon be out of business. This isn't the case though. Well it is proven that member travel agencies have been using GDS's less this could be linked to the economy. The people who are purchasing travel through online travel agencies are still using the GDS every day. Business travel is also up in the past 10 years and also an increase in business travelers extending their stays for leisure. With that leisure and corporate traveler are help keeping GDS's alive. But GDS's would be even more profitable if they lowered their transaction fees.

This article was about how going green saves money in the hospitality industry and how the guests like the hotels that are changing. University of Arkansas researcher, Godwin-Charles Ogbeide, found that most consumers are more likely to stay at hotels that take steps in becoming more environmentally friendly. The three things consumers said matter most were: water, energy, and waste reduction. These three things are also the biggest concerns for hotel operations. Air conditioners are used in most hotels and they use a large amount of water and energy. By leaving the units off until the guest arrives instead of leaving it on all day will save money, water, and energy. Another thing these hotels are doing for guests that stay more than one night is giving them the option to re-use their towels or not having the bed linens changed daily. This can save a large amount of water. These hotels place small signs in the room explaining that the hotel is "green" and what to do if they don't want their towel or linens changed. Going "green" can be expensive if you have a large hotel that needs new windows and door seals. But for smaller hotels the simply changes will save money. By turning off the lights and air conditioner when no one is in the room will save money. By following these changes and charging the same amount per room as non-green hotels, it will also help increase the company's profit margin. It also helps the future generations have a good environment to live in.

This article was about a smartphone application that allows customers to place orders and purchase their meals on their personal phone. Brink Software is leading the way in cloud-based POS and made this application available for iPhones and Andriods. By having this application and software in restaurants it lets the owners and managers focus on what they love doing, cooking. When a customer comes into the restaurant they order off the menu that is at their table using QR codes and their phone. The order immediately is sent to the kitchen. The customer then waits for the food to be brought out by the kitchen. They guest will pay with their phone and then be on their way. It also works with take-out as well. The customer would log onto the app, order off the menu, and then choose a pick up time. Their food is then fired in the kitchen at the correct time so it will be ready for pick up. This software also tracks order history, and reward points for loyal customers. This gives the restaurant the ability to track and analyze their customer's behavior and provide targeted incentives. This software allows the restaurant to connect their ordering, in-store registers, smartphones, and PC's all together to better manage the data. I personally think this type of innovation is great. By using devices that most people use on a daily basis, it helps cut back on wait times and labor cost. It also provides the restaurant with better customer service, especially during fast-paced lunch or dinner rush.