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This article highlights three hardware trends that is shaping the modern hospitality industry globally by focusing on the advances experienced in POS technology. The writer emphasizes that since the hospitality industry has been more focused on services than on retail, restaurant, bars, hotel and pub owners should pay keen interest on the technological developments. This technology is beneficial to the hospitality industry, as it will help the operators improve on customer experience. Hardware plays a critical role in improving the services offered in the hospitality industry. The three emerging trends in hospitality mentioned in the article relate to the trends in EPOS hardware in the industry. The first trend mentioned in the article is mobile EPOS (M-POS), which helps in taking orders, inputting them into the EPOS system, have the order forwarded to the kitchen and processing for the order payment by using wireless broadband. The second trend is kiosks that are self-service points in the hospitality industry. Kiosks have several uses like checking availability, making reservations when the patrons arrive in restaurants and allowing guests to order room service in hotel rooms. The last trend is the use of scanners, which is modern EPOS software for setting up a loyalty scheme for businesses. Scanners have not been a necessary part of the hospitality EPOS but their demand has grown due to the increase in popularity for loyalty schemes among businesses.

This article talks about the three hardware systems that are trending now in the hospitality industry. The Mobile EPOS, Kioks, and Scanners are all meant to make the job of the company run smoother and more efficiently. The EPOS makes it easier to get everything done in one place, for example placing an order, paying and receiving a receipt. Kiosks allow customers to place their own order and have the food delivered to them. Lastly, scanners are a great help when it come tp updating records.

Retail operators are now understanding that point of sale systems can also be used to not only assist in processing the final phase of the checkout but also throughout the entire process to increase the service aspect. The advancement in POS technology is the driving force behind this initiative. Operators of restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels, etc., are using POS technology to improve the customer service experience. The main focus of this is placed on modern specialised EPOS software and hardware systems and how they can help to integrate operations across an entire business. There are three emerging trends in hospitality EPOS hardware that are used to run the software. They are mobile Epos (M-Pos), Kiosks and Scanners. Mobile EPOS (M-POS) use single devices at the table to take orders, input into the EPOS system, forwarded to the kitchen and process the order for payment. Kiosks, on the other hand are self-service points that allow users to process orders and payments separate from collection they can also allow users to check availability and making reservations, allowing them to perform tasks like choosing tables and dining times themselves. Kiosks could play a similar role in hotel rooms, allowing guests to order room service or offering a smart concierge option. The final hardware option mentioned was the use of scanners. Scanners are used in conjunction with the loyalty schemes which are growing in popularity as a way to incentivise repeat business and for updating records.

Laguna Beach welcomes more than 6 million visitors annually to its sandy shores. Now visitors who stay in the beachside city's 22 hotels and lodging establishments will be inadvertent participants in a citywide effort to recycle all of the soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, lotions and bath gels that are left over after a night's stay. Starting Monday, Laguna Beach becomes the first city in the nation to have all of its hotel properties with more than 20 rooms participate in Clean the World -- a Florida-based nonprofit that provides recycled hotel soaps and hygiene products to those in need. Montage Laguna Beach, Pacific Edge Hotel and Best Western Laguna Brisas are among the 18 participating hotels, along with four of the city's six bed and breakfasts, for a total of 1,229 rooms. In an average year, with an estimated 75% occupancy rate, Laguna Beach hotels generate 336,000 bars of soap and a slightly lesser number of shampoo, conditioner, bath gel and lotion bottles, all of which were previously thrown in the trash. Working with Clean the World, those hygiene products will be reclaimed by the housekeeping staff and set aside in a separate receptacle to be shipped to a Las Vegas processing facility. The bars of soap are cleaned of hair and paper, sterilized, ground into pellets and pressed into new bars of soap that are distributed to non-governmental organizations in 45 countries that do not have ready access to soap. The bottled amenities are likewise reclaimed. If they're full, the bottles' exteriors are sterilized and redistributed to homeless shelters and soup kitchens inside the U.S. If the bottles are 25% empty, the plastic is recycled or potentially upcycled for use in other products. Founded in 2009, Clean the World has 1,200 partner hotels across the U.S. and Canada, 126 of which are in California, including the Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Resort & Spa and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel in Anaheim. Since joining the Clean th

TouchBistro is the best POS system for restaurants. It focuses solely on features that restaurants need and it is a perfect solution for a small business. From a management perspective it has a a lot of positive time-saving features. -mobility, it can be taken anywhere -table or bar, easy to open tabs -lock in register -bill splitting, easy to split entire bill -custom orders -automatic pricing -send orders directly to kitchen -reports, help to identify trend and boost sales -anytime support -personalized training program As for disadvantages: -it relies on a Apple-based infrastructure, if you are looking for an Android POS system, it's not for you -it is not cloud-based POS system, it's work depends on the device and local network.

The Four Seasons Vancouver has conquered the highest rating for Eco-friendly hotels. This title and rating is only given to 30 hotels nationwide and is extremely competitive in nature. Any hotel has the ability to qualify and is evaluated in several aspects consisting of the following: operational areas, sustainable practices and community outreach efforts. The Four Seasons Vancouver has switched over to a unique heating system that is reducing gas emissions, installed newly efficient LED lighting that will last for up to 40 years, participates in an Eco-friendly laundry system for par linen, offers sustainable dining options and donates to local organizations. Along with public recognition, going green has perks that not only benefit the environment but the hotel as well. The Four Seasons Vancouver has taken many drastic initiatives that will be in place for years to come. This says a lot about this individual property and Four Seasons as a hotel brand. It's exciting to see the opportunity for more hotels to go Green and be the change that we all would like to see.

The Smokehouse is a 230-seat casual restaurant and bar located in Ann Arbor, MI (www.thesmokehouseannarbor.com) that, because of inefficiencies with its POS, was paying for customers' sales tax whenever food was ordered from the bar. General manager Duane Owens explains: "When you have both bar and restaurant customer clientele, there are some tricky tax issues. This article describes how a good POS system, can help save money if used properly. Everyone knows "Uncle Sam" (the government) will get the money owed to him from us personally or professionally, either by choice or by force. This restaurant shares it's experience of having to pay taxes unnecessarily for tax exempt organizations. I believe the frequent dining card, also helped them to identify returning guests and increase employee engagement.

PayPal is making its debut in restaurants and bars with a new partnership with Tabbedout, which lets people pay their tabs using an app. Tabbedout users will able to add PayPal as a payment option alongside existing options for credit and debit cards.

Smokey John's Bar-B-Que is a family-owned and operated restaurant. Current owners Brent and Juan recently installed a POS system to aid in the processing of day-to-day operations and data-gathering, including but not limited to table assignments, sales, orders, and server flow and timekeeping. The result has been savings in overtime by being able to track it more accurately; ability to track revenue streams between catering and in-dining; calculation of taxes; implementation and tracking of a loyalty program; and wireless credit card processing that has improved the overall customer experience.

All Business creates this article to show the importance and revolutionary aspects of Location-based Mobile Marketing. Text messages, push notifications, in-app messaging all can be used to lure new guests into your business. It also includes a section of the best practices for this type of e-marketing.

The articles discusses about the eight major function of PMS. The PMS has become on of the key factors for the operations in hotels. The system literally connects all the departments of the hotel under one umbrella. It is easier faster and useful for any hotel organization. The PMS should include these 8 parts: Dashboard: The dashboard should be simple and easily understood by the employees, this will make the check in and check out process quick, even in restaurants the staff would be able to handle orders from the guest quickly. Sales and Cancellation: This will provide a better daily picture about functioning of the hotel rooms. Calendar: This function will help in tracking the booking, noting down occupancy for a particular day. Housekeeping: The housekeeping department would be able to have a proper track of rooms, dirty, clean, dirty vacant and occupied. The housekeeping staff would not have ton call at the front desk all the time to check status of a particular room. Best available rate: The system will give a broader image of rates which needs to be set for the future months, comparing the sales from previous years. Direct booking engine: This what all the hotels wants, to save commission which needs to be provided to the third parties.

The article discussed the significance of hotels using the Global Distribution System and how the GDS helps promote and influence bookings.The GDS is basically the main source of booking reservations for a travel agent. The GDS shows all rates and inventory for hotels, airlines, and rental car centers. According to the article, GDS is used mainly by international travel agents, but it is used my travel agents all over the globe. When looking at the GDS, travel agents ted to focus mainly on the rate information it is advertising, usually the BAR rate is what travel agents are aiming to get for their clients. The GDS is relied on heavily by travel agents to offer the best rate to their client, which in return will help them gain more clientele. The more accurate and visually appealing the GDS is, the more the agents are willing to use it.

This article emphasizes the importance of management information systems within the hospitality industry. Depending on an organization's need, whether a restaurant, hotel or bar, there are specific programs that can assist the company in streamlining processes and activities. This allows the company to access the companies data to ensure efficient operations. The importance of management information systems is evident even in hotels through the housekeeping department. Per the article, these systems allow for management of workflow, priorities and tasks.

This article mentions ways in which an owner can detect if theft is taking place at his restaurant, ways in which this could be prevented and also what do in the case of an actual theft.

This article have mentioned the reality that restaurant theft and embezzlement are pretty common and are causing problems, yet the most owners and managers are not willing to deal with the issues with law enforcement. The reasons include unwilling to ruin the employees' lives and the threshold of establishing a theft case. However, the article suggested that seeking advice from accountants (preferably CPAs) and lawyers is a brilliant way of dealing with these issues. It can give the owner better understandings of the situation, and deal with the wrongdoers in a cleverer way.

Robo Bars seem to be a great investment when it comes to entertainment. According to James Nicolases', CEO of the easdyBar system its a money boomer. Its geared toward casinos and movie theater and possible stadiums. It ev en says that its sort of like entertainment for the guest and can cost them more then an average drink which is more profit for your Bar.

This article tell about the common components of the POS system. The back office servers  store all the information and provide all the information. The Monitor cash drawer and bar-code scanner is what the cashiers always use when selling the product. Key boards and printer is for input and output the information both for store and customers. The MSR part is used to capture the credit or debit card information,

Silver Reef Casino in Ferndale, Washington implemented a web based program called Bigfoot computerized maintenance system (CMMS) to solve the challenges such as the lack of a system for managing, tracking and analyzing repairs over time. Now, the casino has a preventive maintenance program in place so they can notice for everything from the glass washers at the bar, dishwashers in the kitchen, to the rolling press ironers because they are all in the PM scheduler. Also, the CMMS provides valuable information after repairs are made to equipment or other system. Another advantage of a CMMS system is that the managers can easily find information, such as the model and serial number of a piece of equipment, without having to sort through spreadsheets or repair manuals. Therefore, the maintenance team can quickly address customer complaints, and maintain the customer experience. Bigfoot PMs for industrial equipment prevent costly repairs and disruption of guest service. 

Summary This article is talking about a new software "Monscierge I connect", which launched by the company Monscierge, Dec 6, 2012. Monscierge | Connect is a new tool harness smartphone technology to keep guest constantly connected with hotel service. This is first phase of mobile applications complementing the product line designed to enhance hotels' connections to their guests, which allowing guests access to the full array of a hotel or brand's services in a way that suits the needs of today's tech-savvy consumer. Guests can communicate their needs via chat or voice, quickly putting them in contact with valet, housekeeping, or any department the hotel provides. Monscierge | Connect wraps itself in the approved brand voice for each hotel, and makes that hotel and brand's specific content available at their fingertips.  Monscierge | Connect also allows for a hotel to deliver real-time information to their guests as well. For instance, some hotels have utilized Connect to alert guests of parking availability, discounts in the bar or spa, or when a room is ready for early check-in.        I think it's a great mobile app, it could keep guest constantly connected with hotel service, and it not only provide more convenience for customers and hotels, but also improved service's quality and work efficiency. Forrester Research predicts by 2015 eighty-two million people will rely on mobile devices as a primary reference tool. So I think this new software and other mobile applications will widely used in hospitality industry. 

This article introduced De Santos, a high-end restaurant runs completely off iPad 2. It is the first restaurant in NY to do so. This is considered the future of restaurants. Servers in this Italian-American restaurant use tablets to take orders and swipe credit cards. Although this is very expensive comparing the $1.5 notepads with $500 iPad. The owner claims that it actually help to save money. And it is much cheaper than the traditional POS system. The tablets are used in every aspects of the business. Take ordering as an example. All the menus are stored on the tablets. Waiter just select the orders and send it to the kitchen and bar wirelessly. It enables waiters to save time.

Hotels have been lax on keeping up with the technological advances that have come about in the past few years. This article talks about how a few different hotels all over the world are starting to use these technologies to their benefit. Some hotels have hosts greeting guests with an ipad and making room keys etc.. while they have a drink at the bar. Others have given their guests capabilities to play the movies or music they've purchased on their ipad or iphone directly on the room TV as opposed to purchasing movies from the hotel. It seems like hotels are starting to grasp what their guests really want which is quick, paperless and technilogical convenience.

Hotels are catching up with the technological advances

Breadcrumb, the iPad POS system, and its impact on daily operations are discussed in this article. This POS system has sped up daily operations and made them less difficult for restaurant staff. An upgrade has been released and it was formed by "conversations with hundreds of merchants and insights from millions of restaurant, bar, and cafe transactions". The new version offers some very helpful features such as smart swipe, less keystrokes for PIN-based access to terminals, single touch order modifications, and splitting checks has been simplified. Breadcrumb 1.2 is really helping restaurants to make the dining experience seamless and hassle-free for customers and employees.