Group items matching

in title, tags, annotations or url

RateGain is a company that offers services that allow hospitality establishments to retain a "seamless" distribution with central reservations systems, global distribution systems, and property management systems. RateGain claims to enhance growth and offer support for revenue management decisions. Utilizing a central reservations system, a global distribution system, and the property management system, from a hotel standpoint, seems like you are gaining a ton of additional business and additional rooms sold. But what happens when the hotel sells out, and the inventory continues to flow in, overselling the hotel, upsetting the guests and creating an angry mob in front of the front desk, blaming the hotel for the issue instead of the lack of seamless communication between all of these systems providing this revenue? That is where a service such as RateGain comes in handy. This article focuses on the issues that have been identified regarding electronic distribution, including updating multiple system with rates and availability, manual entries, lack of synchronization between the systems, non-delivery complications with reservations and information, and lack of information provided by the source channel. Rate Gain notes these challenges and focuses on ways to improve and bridge the gaps between the services, to provide a seamless revenue gaining opportunity for an establishment. The article continues to explain how their RG Bridge implementation enhances these systems and eliminates these issues utilizing two way connectivity and allowing the hotel employee to work with channels to generate demand. It also states that they customize each connection to live up to the expectations and needs of the hotel, so that nothing will be lost or not understood. This service is a great investment for a company that continues to have these communication issues with their systems. Sometimes with the lack of communication between the global distribution system, the pr

Summary: This article is about a study done at Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne on the investment of PMS training and its relationship to a hotels performance. The study resulted in positive correlations between PMS training and revenues. Opinion: Training employees on the PMS seems like common sense but most hotels do not believe it is necessary. This study and its results make perfect sense but I am also a little surprised by the significant increase in revenues that is created from properly training employees on PMS. 

This article is about a current study, in which about 150 mid-scale and up-scale hotels around the world answer the questionnaire. This study analyzes the relationship between PMS training and business performance, and the investment in training in PMS. Although every hotel manager knows the PMS is the key factor for hotels development, not only for getting customer data but also for decision making. The result shows that most of PMS system in hotel have not been made full used, there are many potential abilities can't be exploited. According to the study, most hotels don't have budget on PMS training. And also 32% of hotels don't provide training to all employees on the PMS. Plus, even they have training, it is very short and just in internal, no using the PMS providers. This study also shows us the hotels have a higher level of occupancy when they allocate more budgets on PMS training and have PMS suppliers training. There is also a relationship between PMS training budget and hotel revenues, the more budget on training bring a higher revenues. And the revenues are much higher than budgets. Hotels also need efficient management of PMS training, which means more revenues and full use of PMS.

The property management system is a tool not only is customer data but it can also help strategic and operational decision making. The study undertaken investigates the investments in training in PMS and the relationship between training and business performance. A big majority has no training or offer a very little training. There is a support that underutilization of the PMS is due to the lack of training. There is a higher occupancy level when hotels allocate higher budgets to PMS trainings. There is a significant positive correlation that shows a relationship between PMS budget and the gross operating revenues of hotels.

This article introduce what the difference between a PMS and a POS and it specific illustrate what benefits the PMS-POS system can brings to the hotels. This article give us a deepen understanding of PMS and POS systems.

Generally, PMS and POS are quite different systems. A PMS is used in front desk operations and a POS is used in processing transactions. However, they can be integrated and reduce errors in data transfer, comparing to manual systems. PMS-POS integration can provide much more than simply managing transactions. The additional benefits include intelligence on customer behavior and the occupancy-revenue relationship, along with helping in identifying the most contributing marketing segment.

This article contains information about the talks that will be occurring between the U.S. and China about hacking and cyber-security. According to U.S. officials, there is a "daily barrage of computer break-ins and theft of corporate and government secrets." These attacks are assumed to be from China. The objective of these talks is to establish some rules and behavioral standards between both countries under the topics of security and "commercial espionage." No changes are suggested to be made immediately, but the U.S. hopes that the talks can result in a small, constant change between the countries. These talks will begin in July. This article seemed important in my opinion since the topic of this week in class was about cloud computing. If these two countries participated in a similar business function and used cloud computing to store important information, there could be arising issues. All of the important information could be jeopardized by hacking. By both countries coming to an agreement on the terms of cyber-security, this could possibly open up new opportunities for both countries to work together or expand businesses to one another. This does not mean that hacking will stop in its entirety. However, it could be the beginning of the step in the right direction.

The main focus of my article is about the financial connection between India and the U.S. The article discusses a few key issues about India and their tech support in relation to the U.S. It tells us that "India's burgeoning tech sector is responsible for creating more than 400,000 American jobs, according to a report released Monday that prompted calls from leaders in both nations to reform business practices so the industry remains a bright spot in an often unreliable global economy". The article goes on to list some more interesting statistics. For example, "The new study from the National Association of Software and Service Companies, a trade group representing Indian technology firms, said business deals between firms in the two countries have generated $22.5 billion in tax revenue for the U.S. since 2011". I feel that these two statistics are important because in too many cases, Americans feel that "foreigners" are coming to the U.S. and "stealing" all of our jobs. That is clearly not the case with every situation, as the article points out. The article further explains that India is seeking to ease the process of coming into the U.S. to work. They feel that if they are providing their highly skilled techs to come work here and/or gain their American education here than the process of getting the visa should be much more lax than it is for other countries. I don't know if I agree with that one, but I understand their point.

In sum, this article discusses the long awaited partnership with Southwest airlines and global distribution channels Amadeus and Travelport. In the past, there have been many debates regarding the topic of "full content" between airlines and travel intermediaries. However, according to Southwest, this agreement will bring "the highest level of participation." As Southwest continues to revamp and improve the way it competes in the global market arena, Tom Nealon, President of Southwest has stated that, "GDSs are the third leg of the stool in Southwest's distribution strategy for business travel. With its great business product, Southwest is hoping to improve the way consumers book, transact and settle by using global distribution systems. With a conservative outlook, Southwest is hoping that the newly formed partnership with Amadeus and Travelport will generate between $10-$20 million in additional revenue in the second half of 2020.

The article demonstrates the benefits of implementing GDS in the hospitality industry. According to the article, installing GDS will enable Southwest Airlines to improve its level of participation by allowing buyers to not only book but also to "change, change, cancel, and modify reservations" via the system. Besides, the implementation of GDS will lead to increase revenue for the company.

In this article, the difference between CRS and GDS in the hotel industry. These two systems may be similar but cater to different business and different markets.

This article talks about the differences between CRS and GDS, their similarities, and how they both help hotels gain exposure. GDS help inform travel agencies and other organizations about travel arrangements like hotel room availability and flight schedules and prices whereas CRS is designed specifically for the hospitality to manage room availability and rates. According to the article, although these systems are both helpful, it seems more valuable to have both, as CRS in combination. With GDS will help to promote establishments to a greater market through various booking platforms.

This article is about partnership between FAMA tech and PAR Springer-Miller Systems. It is explaining the advantages of partnership between two different IT companies. FAMA Technologies is an Information Technology Company based in Saudi Arabia. This company provides Software, Infrastructure and Consulting Services to the Hospitality, Leisure, Retail and Public Sectors. PAR Springer-Miller Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of hospitality management solutions in different types of hospitality enterprises worldwide. Hotels and Spas in Saudi Arabia are managing with the increase sophistication of their client base and thus need to equip themselves with the best tools. They require software and hardware that make their operations efficient which means reduce check in time and increase customer responsiveness. They are looking forward to grow service market in the region and maximize the service advantages of partnership.

"When you go to SignUpGenius.com, you'll find services catering to the needs of eight different groups. There are schools, looking for help with organizing parent-teacher conferences, class volunteers, and events such as book fairs. Churches and temples can get help with scheduling nursery workers and greeters. Nonprofits can organize donations and fundraisers. Other groups are clubs and groups, sports, business, family and college. The idea is to attract a range of users, from parents organizing car pools to businesses coordinating employee training schedules. "By going broad, we still haven't scratched the surface," said Angel Rutledge, who is married to Dan and is the chief marketing officer. SignUpGenius' users are 78 percent female, and 80 percent are between the ages of 25 and 54. "Our primary user is a mom with kids," says marketing strategist Kate White. "Most people tend to find us through their kids' activities." Monthly fees range from free to $49.99, where users can get additional features such as cloud file storage and access by multiple administrators. These subscription services were significant, Dan Rutledge says, "because we jumped into the organizational level, from coach to league, from teacher to school." While the Rutledges don't disclose specific financial information of the private company, other numbers illustrate its growth. Revenue in August 2015 increased 225 percent over August 2014, according to the company. between 120,000 and 190,000 events are organized per month, with a groundswell in August and September, when the school year begins. In 2014, SignUpGenius says 1.4 million new sign-up pages were created. Traffic rose 35 percent last year, to 39.9 million visitors. And the company has grown from 13 employees this spring, to 20 now." This article illustrates the idea of on the event planning and I.T. programs working handing in handing. As an example, the article uses the company SignUpGenius wh

http://www.capetown.travel/blog/entry/real-world_e-marketing_implementation_insights_from_global_agencies/ This article is a summary of a roundtable meeting between four top online agency leaders. It introduced their thoughts and insights about e-marketing. These marketing, communications and creative agencies help build brands, find customers, manage reputations and convert awareness into profitable purchases. They discussed the key advantages of online media, difference in marketing tourism products and services compared to those in other industries, how it is different to market to a travel consumer as opposed to other consumers, the primary challenge facing in creating online experiences in tourism, whether branded company websites are on longer the most valuable online presence or not, the relation between video and conversion rates and the ways companies monitor and track their brand appearing in cutting-edge social media.

This article mainly talks about icloud basics and the cost of icloud. Icloud has lots of benefit for the customer who uses apple devices. Icloud do not replace local storage on iPhones, ipads and iPod touches. Icloud keep data in sync between any apple device and PC that you own. Every data are available across devices from Iphone to ipad. All the documents can be shared in any apple devices and people do not need e-mail or USB to store and transfer files. It brings lots of conveniences to the customers. Also, icould provide excellent backup function for customers. Another advantage of apple devices is that third party apps are able to use icloud as well. The cost of this service is not really expensive and apple will provide 5GB I cloud storage for free. Apple charges some extras money for additional storage, but it is not very expensive. Icloud will help apple not only enhance current market, but also can expand the future PC and other digital devices market. People who own multiple iOS devices will get the most out of iCloud, because it saves the hassle of manually transferring data between iPhones, iPads and so on. Therefore, more and more people will purchase apple devices in order to get the most out of icloud.

This article indicates that there are three majors shaping our world between now and 2020. Those are the cloud, mobility, and Cellular Offload. We should determine the major trends, and then invest in solutions that align with those trends. Interestingly, it is mentioned some insights provide clues as which investments will be future proof to and witch will be risks. From hospitality perspective, equipment and maintenance performed by on-site or locally based staff, which is great for all owners. Also, It can be seen that the cloud allows investors to make big investments in its service.

This article introduced three major trends that we think will shape our world between now and 2020. The author thought one of the biggest challenges for any technology executive is predicting the landscape of toolsets and IT infrastructure that will be available in the future. The correct choice can last at least 10 years and there are three major trends, cloud, mobility and cellular offload. For cloud, the author thought it is good for hospitality. It holds the promise of relieving the hotel owner of responsibility for managing the operation and integration of premise-based systems, with associated costs for deployment, equipment and maintenance performed by on-site or locally based staff. Also, the author thought the mobility creates both opportunity and challenge. It can be used to both define new service models and revenue streams, and to improve existing ones. Today's challenge is that mobility requires massive investment in wireless infrastructure and bandwidth .Finally, the author thought as it is far cheaper for a cellular carrier to build or fund a Wi-Fi network, than to install an additional cell tower and/or buy additional spectrum, it is good news for hotels. It means that cellular companies have an economic reason to help fund hotel Wi-Fi networks.

this article introduces the two mainly cloud computing platform, one is Windows Server 2012 from Microsoft, the other is VMworld 2012. As an industry giant, Microsoft wants to provide a platform for companies to be able to manage between different data centers. As a NO 1 OS provider, Microsoft can ensure the consistency between its products. On the other hand, VMware would like to provide multivendor clouds where customers wish to move across environments with different workloads. 

"The partnership between the two leading hospitality software specialists will help hotels streamline their sales by using only one integrated platform for seamless distribution management."

FIFA has paid noticeable attention to the environmental impact of the World Cup since the 2006 World Cup and green management has increased with every World Cup since with the biggest plans already staged for years 2018 and 2022. The Green Goal environmental program has been in effect since 2005 when FIFA partnered with Local Organizing Committees (LOCs) in order to champion green initiatives. This program has been adapted for every World Cup since. The program combines the resources of host cities, governmental departments, local environmentalists and international partners. Now, FIFA is implementing green initiatives into the bidding process for 2018 and 2022 by requesting information pertaining to the reduction and control of negative environmental impacts from bidders prior to making a decision on where to host the World Cup. In my opinion, FIFA has adequately worked towards environmental sustainability over the past ten years and has powerful plans to continue and improve green initiatives going forward. Previously, the indoctrination of the Green Goal program in 2005 laid the foundation for green goals and growth. Each subsequent World Cup has relied on a Green Goal program to set and measure environmental initiatives. Also, FIFA has already begun working on the Green Goal for 2018 and 2022 by requiring potential host destinations to incorporate environmental sustainability into the management structure of the mega-event. Management is required to set measurable objectives in six key areas: water, waste, energy, transportation, procurement and climate change. In addition, potential host destinations are required to plan and explain how they will incorporate stakeholders and the community via an Environmental Advisory Board. All of these aspects must be outlined in the bid submitted for consideration by FIFA and will be weighed heavily during the host location decision process.

FIFA's decision to use involved green standards as part of the bidding process for World Cups 2018 and 2022 is ingenious. The rigorous standards and expectations eliminate cities that are unwilling or unable to do the research and prep work required for the environmental concerns associated with such a large and prestigious event. However, these same circumstances caused increased competition between the remaining cities and come with some sort of financial cost. The increased competition between potential host cities and the associated higher costs pertaining to the implementation of green strategies may be seen as negatives to involved commercial/government entities and community conservatives. The following comparison explains how this may be so. Companies often design buildings with minimal closets despite having a large need for storage space. The philosophy behind this is "closets don't make money." On the contrary, entertainments space (i.e. Casinos), larger sales floors (i.e. Car Dealerships) and management offices are all spaces in which money is generate and therefore income is maximized by maximizing the "money-generating space" and minimizing spaces (i.e. closets) that do not do so. Similarly, green initiatives guarantee extra expenses and do not generate a significantly increased income. Some entities may view green initiatives as "closets." In conclusion, FIFA is a powerful force in the green initiative campaign. The organization has worked tirelessly the last 15 years to implement and improve environmental initiatives related to the World Cup. Despite the outside chance that a significant portion of the population will view green initiatives as costly non-necessities, I believe that FIFA's Green Goal program will be a success. It provides an expanding platform for each subsequent Word Cup by requiring environmental initiatives to be implemented at the management level and begin at the earliest point possible: bidding.

This article describes the importance of investing in training between front of house personnel, and the IT department. While maintaining the efficiency of both of these departments is half the battle, it is also important to make sure they understand each others roles and needs in challenging situations. Cross training for both of these departments enhances the guest experience, and helps both teams understand the other more.

This article touches on GDS bookings and bookings via Expedia specifically. It is one of the most well-known websites used by consumers. Many don't know that cutting out Expedia and selling rooms via GDS systems only costs hotels about 10% of the share, which is much lower than the usual standard for bookings through other agencies. Some data from travelport showed that there was a 30% growth in GDS direct bookings in 2014. Some brands are taking GDS properties from their sites because they feel they don't offer the level of customer service they require. With this example it's clear to see that the relationship between the hotel, GDS systems and sites like Expedia, can get very complicated. Expedia acts as the middle person between the GDS systems like Pegasus and the customer using the site for booking. Each outlet provided for bookings has pros and cons, so it is best to do your research on what is best for your hotel.

Ok so this article is lengthy but comprehensive. And the general consensus is the GDSs are never going away. They will likely change with new technologies, but they won't be replaced completely by something new. Heck, even though air travel is dominant among travel options, we still have trains, right? Overall this article takes the reader through the birth of the GDSs, their evolution to today and thoughts about what to expect in the future. One part of the article of particular interest is the talk about New Distribution Capability for airlines that uses XML coding language to allow airlines to sell ancillary products like seat upgrades. This layers directly into revenue increases through revenue management of seats on flights. There are already price differences between cabin classes. But instead of all seats being one price in the main cabin, seats closer to the front of the plane could be sold for a slight premium. There could be a different fare for window or aisle or exit row. There are 3 levels of this certification for an airline and although some airlines like American Airlines has been certified as level 3, full capability, most airlines have not gone beyond level 1. None of the GDS companies offer level 3 for New Distribution Capability which means you need to go a company's site directly to be able to purchase the specific desired attributes of your seat. By not having that capability, the GDSs disadvantage themselves as a distribution channel.

A Property Management System (PMS) is essentially a company's accounting system. In an article written by Preno a Property Management System company they talked about the importance of a Property Management System in the Hotel industry. The right property management system plays a key role in the success of a hotel. The right PMS is not only good from an accounting stand point, but also for building the guest experience. The article covered 5 benefits of having the right PMS in your hotel. First, guest's first impression Preno states "having a system that makes front desk workflows easy, will create a seamless guest experience". How frustrating would it be to finally getting to your hotel after hours of traveling only to have the person at the front desk unable to find your reservation in their system? This would definitely paint a bad picture for the guest; however, it would be a much better feeling if upon your arrival your information is already printed and your guest preferences are already noted and your room keys already printed. Secondly, streamlined check-in and check-out. This is important because the hotel industry has made the process so easy by making applications available for your phone or ipads in the rooms or hotel lobby. Third, clear communication. "Having clear lines of communication between all departments of your property and with the guest is integral to a successful accommodation." This is very important especially between house keeping and front desk. Having an effective PMS allows house keeping to clearly communicate what rooms are clean and available for check-in and upon check-out the front desk is able to change that room status allowing house keeping to see the room is ready to be clean. This also work well for room service and room repairs. Fourth, and one of the most important is no double booking. With clear communication from each department the system will be constantly updating, this saves the hotel time and decrease or eli

Advantages and Risks of Networking Operating Systems NOS help connect people at a much faster and more organized rate than pen and paper- even email. But with this, there are threats that can come with this convenience. It is important to know the precautionary measures to take and when done properly, how with risk, can come reward. But if measures are not taken properly, the reward can be greatly sacrificed by data being stolen, information being taken and destruction of digital property. We learned that the server can communicate a lot of data to individuals at different locations at once and how this becomes a very big advantage and allows for an increase of productivity. There are also more ways to communicate data with technology as the intrAnet. This allows for a company to use their network to communicate messages between their devices. But when the inter-network is mixed with the internet, the security can become compromised.