More than half of IT professionals believe that data consolidations and storing is very important for a business. Although almost all agree with it, the vast majority have no plans to consolidate at all. Meanwhile only "a quarter" have completed with consolidation projects. As we have stated previously in past class discussions, the cloud technology/computing/storing is a software that has revolutionized the technology industry. Cloud technology has allowed companies to access and store information, and even share it, in a much quicker and cost-efficient way. Seemingly, still many believe it may be too soon to trust 100% on cloud technology, since security is a big issue. Yes, they are monitored periodically; but hackers nowadays can accomplish a lot. Thus, resulting in a security challenge for many IT professionals. Among many other reasons, companies seem to lack the required staff to implement these methods. Although IT professionals believe in it, at this moment it is too hard to achieve.

With the pass of time technology keeps improving, allowing entrepreneurs to find loop-holes or ways of creating/using new systems to improve service and productivity. For years restaurants have been doing business the same way. It's time to improve this, by allowing certain "gadgets" and systems to facilitate both, your job (as owner) and employees. The previous article mentions POS integration as a "must-have" in restaurants. Although it helps the operating side and the customer-facing side, it takes time and money to allow the integration between systems. The new issue is that before an integration was merely impossible, since the API's didn't communicate well or at all with other systems, thus restaurant owners had to stay with the same vendor because the system only worked with them. It was less the hazzle than trying to find/have different vendors for each aspect. Nowadays, API's are commonly known to synchronize well with others, such as Twitter, Facebook, Google, among others. Having said that, large POS companies believe this change, of public API's, will make them change their business to allow what newer companies are already doing. Lastly, cloud technology has allowed for this integration to be successful, since it's "making the prospect of integration easier for operators as more owners are looking to above-property hosting systems", because of its "one-point contact" with other systems (all in one, with less than half the time and work than before).

Our Philosophy "We believe that independent hotels and smaller chains deserve the chance to compete with well-established hard brands with massive budgets. With that in mind, we develop smart, innovative and affordable tools to help even the playing field. May the best hotel win!" This company (evolution) looks to distinguish their brand by giving the opportunity to independent or small chain hotels the chance to fight with big chain hotels. Having said that, in this article they (evolution) state that a 40% of a corporate negotiated rate is no visible on the hotels' GDS. As stated previously, this percentage refers to that of a small chain hotel or independent hotels, not big chain hotels. After researching this sector, of corporate customers, they found that the GDS nor the CRS nor the CM (Channel manager) are sufficient for a satisfactorial system. Thus saying that these systems do not work on this specific market because the information provided through them is probably erroneous for many reasons. Such reason are stated by the article as follows: 1. wrong access codes provided by travel agents (miss communication) 2. hotel's rates are visible but not go according with the contract. 3. incorrect access city codes have been supplied (miss communication). 4. availability for those rooms are not applied in time by the hotel (probably because of lower staff). 5. lower rates from other sources (other sites give better rates than corporate GDS). 6. wrong rates loaded for the corporate customers (wrong information and not having glanced at it on time); among other possible reasons. I believe all this can be fixed by taking proper actions (evolution also offers solutions to these problems), but not everyone has a desire or the focus to attack them, thus falling on these situations.

Just wanted to add to the group.

Just wanted to add to the group.

Technology has taken a huge toll on society and business now a day. If our business is keeping itself updated with technology, could mean we are at the top of our game. This article briefly  demonstrates how Beacons can help improve your business by providing how, when and where are customers behaving. For example, Beacons allow customers to order-ahead of time. It attracts a different clientele and allows us to gain others because of a shorter or no waiting time. Like an express line. But  it may become a challenge if the business doesn't know how to ensure a time-effective preparation before customers arrive. Beacons also allow customers to know exactly how much people are at that exact time at the restaurant or business, and thus waiting time, if any. Another advantage would be "push-customized notifications". I believe this is one of the most challenging for businesses. Customers (as myself) hate when we get attacked by too much notifications.  If it were useful in any way or if it called my attention every now and then, but companies apparently don't pay attention to how customers may feel.  It is very important to use the access wisely and give out information customers really want. Offer what they are looking for, by personalizing. It also helps to attract customers by promoting events or special offers and notifying via beacons. People like a place they can see as happy and fun. Also, who doesn't like discounts? A fifth advantage, and as I believe to be one of the best ways to retain and gain customers, is to reward the customer who passes by every now and then, with personalized dishes, and reward first time customers by attracting them with discounts specifically for them. And finally, another must consider, is that beacons help keep track of everything (all happening at a specific given time) to better improve employee wages and specifics of customers that are out-and-about.

Technology has taken a huge toll on society and business now a day. If our business is keeping itself updated with technology, could mean we are at the top of our game. This article briefly demonstrates how Beacons can help improve your business by providing how, when and where are customers behaving. For example, Beacons allow customers to order-ahead of time. It attracts a different clientele and allows us to gain others because of a shorter or no waiting time. Like an express line. But it may become a challenge if the business doesn't know how to ensure a time-effective preparation before customers arrive. Beacons also allow customers to know exactly how much people are at that exact time at the restaurant or business, and thus waiting time, if any. Another advantage would be "push-customized notifications". I believe this is one of the most challenging for businesses. Customers (as myself) hate when we get attacked by too much notifications. If it were useful in any way or if it called my attention every now and then, but companies apparently don't pay attention to how customers may feel. It is very important to use the access wisely and give out information customers really want. Offer what they are looking for, by personalizing. It also helps to attract customers by promoting events or special offers and notifying via beacons. People like a place they can see as happy and fun. Also, who doesn't like discounts? A fifth advantage, and as I believe to be one of the best ways to retain and gain customers, is to reward the customer who passes by every now and then, with personalized dishes, and reward first time customers by attracting them with discounts specifically for them. And finally, another must consider, is that beacons help keep track of everything (all happening at a specific given time) to better improve employee wages and specifics of customers that are out-and-about.