HRIS (human resource information system) is a human resources software that allows for electronic HR activities. According to the article, the interest in core HRIS software remains strong as more companies move away from in-house/on-premises solutions. Yet, the article indicates some HRIS systems are aging and need to be updated. Although these programs may be well engineered on the IT side, they lack potential on the side of evolving Human Capital Management (HCM), Talent Management (TMS), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Therefore, Employers of all sizes are pushing for new HRIS design and direction. Despite the current benefits, companies are looking for more than record keeping. A well designed HRIS program should do more than just upgrade and integrate core and cloud-based performance, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) with HRMS. The author indicates the new generation of HRIS programs should be able to align data with the ability to track and manage workers external to the organization.

This article is about the replacement of Halon 1301 as suppression agent in server rooms. Halon 1301 was an effective and popular clean agent alternative to traditional water-based fire suppression system in the 1980's and early 1990's. Yet, in 1994 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned it because it was determined that Halon 1301 aided in the depletion of the Ozone layer. The articles indicates that two great alternatives were found to replace it. One of these choices is inert gases. Naturally present in the atmosphere, inert gases extinguish fire by reducing the level of oxygen between 15% (the minimum needed to burn fire) and 14% (minimum safety oxygen level required). The second alternative, according to this article, is synthetic gas, which extinguishes fire by removing heat rather than suppressing oxygen levels. The average cost of an unplanned data outage is about US$7,200 per minute, therefore, under-protecting an IT data room is unacceptable.

This article is about the top technology trends for meetings and events. One of these trends is to have a dedicated high speed WIFI network available to guests, allowing them to download and share media in real time. This is very appropriate for weddings, birthday parties, and baby showers. When it comes to business meetings, having high-performance mobile computing is a must. With top Hi-Tech manufacturers concentrating on mobile solutions, presentation materials can now be shared via portable screens in 3D formats, whether it is on site or through video streaming. Another trend in modern event planing is online photo and video publishing. Given the growing disposable nature of media content, especially on mobile devices, publishing efforts should be a part of every event. Encourage guests to share stories, and incorporate quotes and commentaries. Finally, something I found very interesting in modern event planning is content marketing. In a world where businesses are defined by online footprint, content marketing efforts should be an integral part of promotional efforts. Whether it is business or private, events provide the perfect venue to promote or market anything.

The article is about the use of biometric technology being tested by CBP to authenticate cruise passengers as they enter and exit a ship. The trial was conducted at Cape Liberty Port, N.J. with passengers disembarking a royal Caribbean ship. The test not only demonstrated high-quality and high-speed facial matching but also expedited inspections. CBP is also testing exit biometrics in a number of international airports across the nation, including Houston Hobby and George Bush, Las Vegas' McCarran, Washington Dulles, and Chicago O'Hare. The article was published in November 2017 and indicates that by early 2018, CBP would have already implemented this technology at the top 20 U.S. airports. Furthermore, CBP is working with JetBlue on a facial recognition program that uses a picture in lieu of boarding pass.

Although this article is from 2014, it is a clear example of IT investment in the industry. The implementation of this technology that turns smartphones into Hotel Room Keys cost Hilton Holdings more than US$500 million. Not only it allows guests in 80 countries to bypass the check-in desk, but also to choose their room from a digital floor plan. While there are reasonable concerns about hackers and unauthorized access, Hilton is very confident about its IT security. This IT investment will cause job losses for Hilton staffers around the world. Yet, we have covered extensively the implications of technology in the industry's labor force on previous discussions. On a related article in the financial times (https://www.ft.com/content/28455880-6232-11e7-8814-0ac7eb84e5f1), the breakdown of the investment shows that $100 million were allocated for digital key development and $550 million for technology infrastructure.

Hotels have always considered theft a cost of doing business. From linens to furniture, for some guests everything is up for grabs. However, guests are not the only ones responsible for missing assets in a hotel. Staff is also responsible for miscounting, misplacing, and missing items, uniforms and supplies as well. As a result, hotels are now turning to tracking technology to account for their assets. Since asset tracking can mitigate loss and increase revenue in the long run, modern asset management will necessarily have to rely on tracking devices. According to the article, radio frequency identification system (RFID) is now the latest and most efficient uniform inventory technology available. It allows MGM, for instance, to track 125,000 uniforms of its ARIA Resort inventory in Las Vegas. Chips are either pre-installed or sewn into the uniforms. This technology was first implemented in 2009 and has resulted in balanced inventory ever since. Moreover, these chips can also be installed in expensive bed comforters, paintings, lamps and even TV sets. Asset tracking enables not only accurate audits of items like towels and bathrobes but also deters guests and staff from theft or misplacement.

This article is a good overview of POS benefits. Although it is also a sales pitch, I thought it was worth posting it because it serves as a general guide for different business applications. As the concept of smart cash register is becoming the norm, the new trend for modern businesses is point of sale. Regular cash registers simply record sales, give change, and store money. Moreover, they don't even take credit card payments since you need a separate processor for it. Yet, POS systems not only take credit card payments but also cash, can provide detailed sales reports and analytics, marketing tools, customer relationship management, and loyalty programs, just to name a few. It can also tell us the busiest times of day or week, the best-selling items, when stock is running low, and how many are new or returning customers. It can even be used to manage employees' schedule. For bars and restaurants, a POS with menu options that can split the check and accept cash seems like a good choice. For retail stores, the most appropriate POS will provide inventory management and could be connected to a bar code scanner and receipt printer. For contractors, a mobile POS that can be used in offline mode or remote locations would be the best option. Because a POS can be adapted and customized to different business needs, it will soon become business standard.

Judging by its title, this may not seem like a breakthrough article. However, there are some important points worth discussing. The article indicates that some GDS companies, traditionally serving the airline industry, are now venturing into hotel property management systems. Since SABRE and Amadeus no longer want to depend exclusively on airline service, they are investing heavily in PMS technology. Furthermore, since the new trend is the implementation of cloud based PMS's, they are focusing their resources exclusively on cloud technology because it gives hotels more flexibility on services and integrations. The article suggests that while Oracle might still be a leader in this field, way ahead of its competitors, industry dynamics change so fast that SABRE and Amadeus will eventually become fierce competitors. Oracle is still the most used tool in this market and most hotel employees have received Oracle training at some point. Nevertheless, although that's an advantage for Oracle when it comes to savings in training cost, innovations on cloud based technology can provide more opportunities not available on conventional system servers.Therefore, this move by major GDS providers can prove a wise investment. Finally, another significant development in this article is the fact that SABRE will eventually add alternative lodging to its inventory such as Airbnb or corporate serviced apartments. This, in my opinion, will be an absolute game changer.

This article is about AI (Artificial Intelligence) and its impact in the hospitality industry. Although innovations in voice recognition, biometrics, and AR (augmented reality) are not expected to replace human contact, AI technology will revolutionize the industry by taking over mundane, simple, and routine work. Since these ordinary tasks could be time consuming, AI will allow hospitality personnel to focus on more meaningful and complex transactions. AR, for instance, was already implemented by Holiday Inn during the 2012 Olympics to provide realistic thematic and virtual representations. Biometric technology allows customers to authenticate their purchase without a wallet or human interaction. Nevertheless, the article also touches on an interesting concept called 'tech detox.' Some hotels already have promotions for guests willing to stay disconnected in order to be aware of their surrounding environment. In my opinion, AR is the best innovation, especially in a hotel. From TV programming, internet access, interactive city maps, hotel information, restaurant menu, and room service, this technology has endless opportunities to make any hotel experience unique.

This article is about IATA's (International Air Transport Association) New Distribution Capability (NDC) that will give Airlines GDS systems more flexibility in delivering fares and inventory. Right now, the top 4 GDS systems used by major carriers are Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre, and Worldspan. The airline I work for uses Sabre with a QIK overlay and, based on personal experience, the implementation of NDC is long overdue. It will make it especially easier during irregular operations (cancellations, delays, misconnections) when we need fast and accurate access to other airlines inventory. Since most airline passengers travel only once every few years, the NDC will also emphasize the role of travel agents. They will be provided with enhanced tools to access more accurate inventory, better routing, fares, and packages that may be unnoticeable to non-frequent travelers when they book directly on the airline's website or OTA's. Furthermore, it will allow airlines and travel agents to collect data about passenger's preferences in order to provide future tailored business or leisure packages.

On my previous article about Oraculo, the world's first predictive algorithm for hotels, I described how personalization in hospitality is no longer a trend but an obligation. By posting this new article I wanted to dig a little deeper into tailoring guests needs through e-commerce. In 2015, American Express Travel reported that 83% of millennials would not object to have their habits tracked if they get a more customized experience. This strong message has prompted the hotel industry to develop and implement website personalization technology that suggests, intuitively, specific room categories or packages to online lookers. Since building loyalty is an investment, improving the direct booking ratio is now the main goal of the industry. From experience, when I travel I try to stay at the same hotel and book directly from the hotel website. The most important thing to me when I shop around is furniture and bathroom. Although these are not generally specified in detail in room descriptions, the brand I'm loyal to is usually very consistent with my needs. If new technology would give me a more personalized stay somewhere else I would definitely change my membership. I have friends who don't travel much except for vacation and long weekends. They are lookers who go to online travel agencies (OTA's) and bounce from site to site trying to find the perfect place. The article explains this newer technology will be crucial to prevent lookers from bouncing to other websites, and encourage them to book directly from the hotel and avoid OTA's. The idea is to make it so personalized that it will be appealing on the spot. These new technologies not only can tailor room types and resort packages based on IP addresses, but it can customize your TV programming based on your web history. Personalizing the guest experience during the stay is no longer enough. Data shows that in order to build loyalty and make the customer return, personalization has to begin in the booking pr

Although we already know hotels can tailor their guests experience by analyzing their purchase history and habits, a new software called Oraculo allows hoteliers to personalize the experience of potential customers who haven't booked or stayed at the hotel at all. This is the first predictive software that will increase revenue directly from bookings on hotel websites. In my opinion, this tool is especially great for those who aren't seasoned travelers and those who are unfamiliar with certain brands or places. According to the article the results have been outstanding, with a potential 65% increase in revenue from those low-intent buyers who otherwise may not have spent at all. The algorithm used was built using learning techniques that analyze behavioral data patterns of millions of travelers around the world.