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This article talked about some features need to be considered when choosing a restaurant POS system. It suggested that restaurant should pay attention to the ease of use, customer database, tableside ordering, online reservations, online odering, scalability, pringting, and data recovery. It emphsized that live system changes, terminal flexibility, menu, menu firing, and discounts should be considered. It also talked about the important features for bars to choose a POS system. They are fast pay, tabs, repeat, job types, and credit card hold.

This article introdeced that GrandStay Hotels selected ZDirect for its eMarketing. This toolwill enable each property to send eletronic guest comfirmations, pre-arrival email promotions, psot-stay satisfaction surveys. It also can help to establish twp-way communication between the hotel and guests. GrandStay will use ZDirect to manage custom databases, optimize dilivery rates, create w-questionaires, analyze ststistical reports, and use purchasing habits and shopping preferences to attract the best customers, and so on.

An unssuspecting person check into a hotel like any normal person would. The ever so common exchange, credit card for room key took place. The only difference was that the person that checked had done so with other intentions. The "guest" utilized an IP Telephone that was in this hotel room to hack into the hotel credit card database and steal credit cards, transmit them to a foreign country and then have money transferred to his offshore bank account. This happened but at the hands of Jason Ostrom, aa Vigilar senior security consultant. Ostrom was able to unplug teh telephone in his room, plug in the phone's ethernet canle into his laptop and hack away. Of course, he did this as part of his job in testing a company's security agaisnt viral hackers. His company offers free security testing using a downloadable software called VolP Hopper This article was extremely interesting because as a frequrnt traveler as well as a perosn in the hospitlaity industry I was very shocked at the ease that the credit card information could be stolen. When it comes to credit card security it is of the utmost importance for companies to be PCI compliant and spend whatever it is necessary to safeguard the information of their customers. The detrimental damage that a security breach can have on a person can be debilitating as leaders in the hospitality industry we must do everything possible to prevent attacks like this from happening. made me become extra cautious about using my credit cards.

This article summarized seven reasons to switch to a point of sale system.1. Your "sudden shrink" no longer goes undetected. Almost every modern POS has a receiving and inventory module that, when used properly, can help pinpoint the cause of the shrink. 2. Markdown management is much easier. The trends in POS are not just inventory accuracy but the use of pricing models to allow for markdown management. 3. Promotions can be tracked more successfully. 4. You can maintain control in absentia. Many operations suffer in employee efficiency and customer service when the boss is away. Automating a host of functions via a POS can help boost those areas, no matter where the head honcho happens to be. 5.Your prices are consistent from one location to the next. a POS system automates overall inventory control, helping to keep stocks in proper balance depending on demand and other factors, which can vary from one location to the next. 6. You get many tools in a single package. Most POS systems have add-on modules like payroll time clocks and customer preference databases. That removes the need for small businesses to invest in separate systems for those purposes. 7. You can make better use of your personnel. A good POS allows you to allocate your human resources to the customer service area of the business. That means they no longer have to be counting, calculating, ordering, and checking cash-register accuracy.

POS go online nowadays. There are two online POS, one is through Facebook, and the other one is cloud-POS. When utilize properly, Facebook can act as a powerful sales and marketing tool because it enables word of mouth marketing. Cloud POS have many advantages: first, it is accessible from anywhere at any time. Second, it is cost saving. Third, it decreases the risk of losing data in the case of disaster. Cloud POS is the trend of implicating new technology in the hospitality industry, and it is accepted by more and more hotels and restaurants.

In the event booking business, timing is crucial. The problem the today's event teams face is in managing the volume of inquiries, and responding promptly so that the planner doesn't choose another venue. According to the article, to safeguard against losing business, a solution for the Heartland Brewery company was implementing New York-based Imbookn.com which is an online database to give their potential customers immediate result. Party planners can use the online tool to search and book event venues at no cost. Heartland now has not only more dynamic data, showing a venue's most accurate availability, prices and package offers but also increased revenue and higher guest satisfaction

I used Maestro in my first position in the hospitality industry as a front desk agent in a Boutique Hotel. We also used Micros for the POS system for the in-house restaurant but they were two separate entities at the time. I am happy to see the advancements that have been made to this now highly efficient system. After reading this article and doing some research on Maestro's website I feel Maestro outshines its competitors by providing excellent 'Diamond Plus' service to its clients. Compared to the Webrezpro system that I just analyzed for our Discussion assignment, Maestro provides several free tools and resources twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. An impressively North American based Help Desk is available 24/7 to ensure smooth operations of the system and optimal staff training. In addition Maestro provides install, staff training, transition assistance, refresher training, online tutorials, webinars, productivity audits, upgrades, enhancements and much more. Maestro management strategies collaborates with Hotel Executives and staff to increase performance, deliver high quality guest services and increase profits. Their professional team also addresses issues such as under-utilization of the system and ways to get the most value for your investment. Since Maestro supports platform and database independence updates occur instantaneously. To help Hotels save time, increase efficiency and have higher levels of staff productivity Maestro is the chosen tool for the job. Maestro clearly puts their clients' needs first and is therefore trusted by several Hotels worldwide.

Maestro appears to be a good product based on the article. I would say though that both this and webrezpro do have some similarities of operating on cloud computing. The key is that depending on cost and application a company may choose what works best for them.

Terrorism attacks on international hotels have turned the industry's focus on security issues. No doubt about it, both government and hospitality entrepreneur pay more attentions on security after September 11, 2001. It is important for hotels enhance security by using technology. Hotels use Vehicle Management System to tab all vehicles entering the property. This VMS also can be tagged with the guest information, drivers' information and vehicle number. Hotel should use the guest history modules to store the information about every guest especially for those 'first time guest'. The information includes the copy of passport detail of the international guests, guests' flight detail, an emergency contact number and copy of photo registration cards. The house keeping module makes report of Sleep-out guest. This system can share the occupancy reports and nationality wise occupancy report automatically with local police. Also the incoming call can be tracked. Hotel should have a stringent recruitment procedure in place. Hotel can use biometric access to restrict employees only allowed access their working place. The gate-pass system, vehicle management system and biometric access control system ensure only authorized staff and vehicles are allowed into the property. The online central passport and ID card verification mechanism can automatically verify the document against data available with the security agencies. The communication engine can send message to stuff, supervisors, in house guests and authorized external security bodies about the emergency like suspicious guest, fake passport and so on. Effective use these technology can save the hotels from the worse that can happened.

This article gives us some tips on how technology could help enhance security at hotels. By summary the article, we can find out that the technology can help enhance security at hotels in maintaining copy of passport or ID card of all guests, noting an emergency contact number always, storing data at an off-site location for easy access in case of mishap, installing a biometric access control system for in-house and supplier staff, scanning baggage and maintaining baggage count of each guest and cross-verify on check-out, and monitoring sleep-out guest report closely. By using these simple technology, hotels can save a lot, and make hotels secure.

The hospitality industry is hassled by the terror attacks at luxury properties, so it is important to use technology to protect the guests. A Vehicle Management System can be used to keep watch on all vehicles entering the property. The property management system is used from check-in to check out to verify the baggage and guests. A stringent recruitment such as biometric access can prevent unauthorized staff or guests step into the specific area. Also, there is an online central passport and ID card verification can verify the guests' identification and give an alert on a fake ID or passport. All these measures can help to prevent worst things from happening.

Hotel Concepts- Brilliant, a leading global provider of advanced PMS, recently announced its integration of Flip.to into RezExchange. For a small monthly subscription, Flip.to acts as marketing platform for hotels, restaurants, and airports. Customers can use it to comment, post feedback, and recommend the establishment to friends who in turn can get discounts. It also allows loyal guests and customers incentives to spread the word. RezExchange allows customers to manage their sales channels directly from the hotel management system and will receive all reservations from these channels directly into their own database. With this integration customers don't have to present printed coupons and any earned incentives are automatically credited to their hotel profiles. Hotels, restaurants, and airports that already use RezExchange and integrate Flip.to into their system will become more streamlined making it that much easier for customers and guests to build up and use their incentives.   L'Auberge Carmel hotel in California is the first property to go live with this integration and thus far, this integration has proved successful. Approximately 15 to 25 percent of guests who book rooms at participating hotels engage with Flip.to, and for every 100 engaged guests, an average of 10 to 20 additional room nights are booked within six months. 

Commentary - Corporate meetings and events are on the rebound after the recession, but many organizations are also rethinking how technology can help them plan a more budget-friendly and productive business meeting.

Since corporate meetings and events have been suffered recession for quit a while, new they are facing a revolution of high-tech event planing to be more cost saving and more productive. This article mainly introduces those tochnology tools like database tools, attendee registration tools, video/web conferencing tools and even room diagramming tools for event and meeting planing oever the Internet.

This article discusses some current trends in property management systems and how Maestro by NORTHWIND is ready to deliver. Maestro by NORTHWIND is a PMS used by many independent hotels and resorts and offers 20 integrated modules. One of the top trends for 2012 is mobile optimization for management and guests. More and more people are turning to mobile apps for personalized services, and express check-in and check-outs. Maestro Xpress Check-In App allows properties to use iPads and other tablets to do this anywhere there is WIFI. Maestro's App will also allow managers access to reports, and real-time activity from anywhere allowing managers more control over their business. Another growing trend is cloud PMS. Maestro has a cloud based system that claims it can increase productivity at the same time reducing costs. Managers can manage multiple hotels from a single location and reduce costs because they won't have to maintain an in-house PMS. There is also a steady increase in direct online booking from mobile apps and social media sites. Maestro Web Connection reduces the commissions paid to online travel agencies and 3rd parties by allowing guests to book reservations directly. Another way Maestro helps independent hotel chains is by offering them a guest loyalty system to help them offer some of the same incentive and reward programs offered by larger hotel chains.

Northwind Maestro leads the innovations of industry. Cloud system platforms are not just for the large chains. Small, independent operators also can use web-enabled platform with lower cost. Mobile is another trend of PMS innovations. Customers can check in and checkout on iPad by using Maestro Mobile Apps. In addition, direct-booking online from Mobile is the third top trend in 2012 PMS technology. Maestro's Guest Loyalty System with online capabilities is the first application to offer independents the same benefits as major chains to recognize, reward, and retain guests.

Seeing the rapid development of mobile devices and social media, hoteliers are connecting PMS with mobile devices and social media. NORTHWIND Maestro™ is a kind of software which satisfies hoteliers' current requirement. NORTHWIND Maestro™ is an Internet-based PMS. It brings plenty of benefits to hotels. To illustrate, Maestro can reduce cost, create operating efficiencies, secure cardholder information, and to have instant remote access to their property or hotel group's data. Furthermore, since more and more people are using mobile devices to book rooms, make dining reservations or some other services, Maestro also develops mobile apps. "The Maestro Mobile App enables operators to wirelessly connect to their Maestro centralized system and provides access to management reports, real-time activity and other features found in Maestro." Maestro also thinks of customer loyalty by tracking customers and establish database.

While the article I have chosen does not directly speak about GDS, it does show the importance of a system like such in the hospitality industry. When you enter you hotel or establishment into the GDS, travel websites such as TripAdvisor, utilize this database to book trips for its customers. Therefore the contents of the booking site are just as important to the hotel/ establishment. This article goes on about the consumer-based commentary that is allowed on sites as such and how organizations need to know what is it that is being said about them on the electronic Internet stage. "TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 50 million unique monthly visitors and over 60 million reviews and opinions," notes article author John Fareed. What does this tell us? That with a database so large and accessible by these booking sites, as a hospitality entity, one needs to ensure that they are shown in the best light with the best service. The hospitality industry requires attention to detail and a unique experience to stand out from the rest. When travel sites have other hotels readily available for viewing one cannot have most of its influence on the website being negative. I just took a different approach on this article concerning the relevant topic and saw how crucial it could be on the company for using GDS if everything else is not in order. Although the GDS may make your establishment easier to find, if there is no substance behind the product or service in this industry, the competition will leave you no choice but to fail.

As the title, this article is talking about that the MAESTRO PMS was selected by 3 multi-property groups and six independent operators for peak efficiency. They recognized that Maestro PMS increases revenues by cross-selling from single database, perfectly runs two hotels on one system, ties all operations together and the guest history and analytics solutions enable hotels to provide more personalized service.

Good to see more properties take this approach with the goal of more personalized service. The cross sell opportunity is one of the biggest benefits I see...

Hospitality point of sales systems are computerized systems incorporating registers, computers and peripheral equipment, usually on a computer network. Like other point of sale systems, these systems keep track of sales, labor and payroll, and can generate records used in accounting and book keeping. They may be accessed remotely by restaurant corporate offices, troubleshooters and other authorized parties. Point of sales systems have revolutionized the restaurant industry, particularly in the fast food sector. In the most recent technologies, registers are computers, sometimes with touch screens. The registers connect to a server, often referred to as a "store controller" or a "central control unit." Printers and monitors are also found on the network. Additionally, remote servers can connect to store networks and monitor sales and other store data. Newer, more sophisticated, systems are getting away from the central database "file server" type system and going to what is called a "cluster database". This eliminates any crashing or system downtime that can be associated with the back office file server. This technology allows 100% of the information to not only be stored, but also pulled from the local terminal. Thus eliminating the need to rely on a separate server for the system to operate. The efficiency of such systems has decreased service times and increased efficiency of orders. Another innovation in technology for the restaurant industry is Wireless POS. Many restaurants with high volume use wireless handheld POS to collect orders which are sent to a server. The server sends required information to the kitchen in real time.

Nowadays, the Point of Sales system is very important not only in hotels but also in any kind of business. The popular reason is that the POS is convenient, fast and promptly. The POS could be changed neatly. It will make the cashier compute for the expenses and costs more efficiently. The data used by the POS has been applied connection through the Internet. The customers could register by their private computer quickly. The POS also connect many kinds of service aspects that include restaurant, housekeeping, receiption and so on. It will make the whole system operate more integrate.

Optima is global leading software in the hospitality industry, Designed for both the mid - market and luxury hotel sectors. All Optima line applications are integrated, using a single image open database, allowing full access to data across all modules and all hotel departments. Whether it is Reception or Banqueting, Spa or Accounts receivable, all modules read from the same database. And in addition all modules have the same recognizable user interface allowing staff to easily switch between applications. It's efficient,easy,flexible and customized configuration.

Considered the technology of the next generation Optima PMS, with advanced icons and color codes which gives managers an overview of hotels operations and maintain management controls. The windows graphical user interface helps simplify data entry by employees, user friendly, quick and easy. The system is able to change to a variety of languages, automatic or semi automatic night auditing procedures, guest history and mail merge, unlimited number of folios for guest, interfaced with all leading PBXs, housekeeping and room maintenance. Optima PMS has a report module with an extensive report generator which provides statistical reports and occupancy and work assignment forecasting reports. This new upcoming system seems to be well suited and user friendly, but does not seem very far from opera. Opera is a very user friendly system which really provides convenient use for the employees. It is even possible to email reservation confirmation through the system to a guest. In other PMS systems like brilliant or Epitome that was not possible. These new and improved systems really make a front desk and reservation agent life a bit easier. The system is interfaced with the phones in the rooms, which allows us to see in the system when a housekeeper is in the room cleaning which is called pick up status" so that we can provide adequate information for the guest informing them that the room is currently being cleaned instead of having to call housekeeping every 5 minutes.

This article talks about what is mobile technology, mobile technology is widely used in the world today and a variety of communications technologies are based on mobile devices. Those devices are such as wireless fidelity, Bluetooth, third generation and so on so forth. It is lots of benefits for mobile computing. Mobile computing can increase the service you offer your customers. Also, more powerful solutions are able to link you directly into the office network when working off site. You can access your accounting systems or database while working off site. However, some drawbacks of mobile technology also exist. There are costs involved in setting up the equipment and also training required to let people know how to use mobile devices. In addition, the data are not secure under mobile IT devices.

Workday Inc provides a cloud based application for human resources called Workday Human Capital Management, Workday Payroll, and Workday Time Tracking. A television broadcast company called WBGH has just started using Workday Inc as their provider. They are condensing all their information from multiple databases into this one cloud based system for human resources.

Computer skills are listed on almost every job description posted. However, companies are now being more selective when choosing the candidate that will be more cost effective for their organization. Employee turnover is becoming more expensive especially if it is a seasoned employee with the database knowledge for the organization. Each employee comes with a cost to train, if the employee enters the job with prior computer knowledge the fees associated to hiring that person are less. From a personal standpoint, when looking to hire a front desk agent and two agents apply one with prior experience on Opera PMS and one without, I would hire the agent with experience. This is a cost savings measure for me on labor as the experienced employee would require less training time. In my opinion, a 2 week notice is very rare in our industry or with the new generation in general. Therefore causing employers to be in an urgent state to hire when one employee leaves. Finding the appropriate candidate with prior computer based knowledge is only more enticing with that in mind.

This article talks about how there is a serious concern in the hotel industry when it comes to credit card and identity theft. They talk about how all the major brands in the hotel industry were all victims of highly publicized, major breaches in the last year alone. Also, including airline and banks, hotels maintain a wealthy amount of database of personal and financial data. For example, with new technology systems being created, POS systems are a weak security point for many networks because they are constantly in use and are not always updated or even protected from vulnerabilities. The article talks about personal details for hotel guests are frequently stored in a variety of locations including restaurants, facilities, and government buildings, so hackers have a greater possibility to access your personal information. The bigger hotels are in more danger because of the volume of guests that come in and out of the location. Smaller hotels should be concerned not just about their security but also by ransomware, an increasingly favorable tactic to extort hoteliers by hackers who encrypt the hotels data making it inaccessible until ransom is paid for. I believe hotels need a toolbelt of various securtiy technologies that can be used to prevent future malicious attacks. I think by managing and implementing a firewall is essential which helps get rid of dangerous traffic from coming onto the network and preventing sensitive data from being hacked.

MOD 10: This article discusses the main tactics of cyber hackers that target hotels. Point of sale (POS) systems are easy targets for hackers due to their constant use during operation hours and because of that their security measures aren't always up to date. Hotels have large data banks since they're storing consumer profile information such as home addresses, phone numbers and credit card numbers. There's a large risk when it comes to security breaches within franchises because they have access to their parent company's regional, national and global systems. If their systems are hacked and breached, then that puts the whole system of the brand at risk. Security breaches within a system can also damage a brands reputation with the public. According to the article, "Recent major breaches at Fortune 500 companies and household names across the retail, restaurant and hotel sectors demonstrate that anti-virus, anti-malware and firewalls alone are not enough to secure businesses from the ever-evolving threat landscape." Smaller properties are even at a greater risk because not only do they have to monitor their compliance with PCI but also monitoring their security systems for their database and PMS system. Some of the recommended software's that should be used by hotels looking to be proactive with their company's cyber security is File Integrity Monitoring(FIM), Unified Threat Management(UTM), and Security Information and Event Management(SIEM).

This article explores the different tactics hotels should use after a cyber attack. The article mentions several different type of attacks such as Phishing when hackers trick customers into giving up their login credentials. Ransomware, when hackers encrypt data making it unusable and inaccessible for the hotel. Not one solution but rather companies should be equipped with a series of technologies from firewalls to file monitoring programs. Some of these technologies, like SIEM requires an intelligent IT team to have the capabilities of analyzing and monitoring the reports produced. This may be more difficult for smaller businesses to implement and maintain.