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Network computing has enormous implications for marketing to customers on a global basis, as well as hotel operations. Consider the potential for the industry to connect with vendors worldwide for electronic purchasing, potentially achieving economies of scale and leveraging not yet possible. World purchasing functions will allow companies to customize their own catalogs. Virtual channels of distribution using computer networking capabilities will also allow hotel companies to market products and services - some traditional to our industry, others not - to customers whether they are in the hotel, at work, or at home. This will require a migration from today's central reservation systems to tomorrow's customer information systems using network-centric solutions. Development of customer profiles and guest recognition will make it possible for hotel organizations to interact in entirely new ways with customers, regardless of their physical location. Clearly, the large hotel companies will need to be the first to address questions raised by global networking capabilities and what this will mean in terms of technology investment. But for many hospitality companies presently struggling with the high cost of technology and the confusing state of our industry's technology affairs, this will not be an easy task. And the decisions will ultimately become further complicated by the opportunity to outsource certain functions into subscription-based networks. It is unlikely that the hospitality industry will be forced to bear the entire burden for networking infrastructure. Strategic alliances with major technology companies will be the catalysts in building this capability as they become strategic providers of networking capabilities to hospitality and other industries. And as network-centric computing comes of age and a company's proprietary information is stored in cyberspace, security will become an ever-more important issue requiring solutions. Whether it is an e-mail gateway through an internal network or customer access via the Internet, network fire walls and encryption systems will be required to mitigate the concern many will have with system security.

Network computing has enormous implications for marketing to customers on a global basis, as well as hotel operations. Consider the potential for the industry to connect with vendors worldwide for electronic purchasing, potentially achieving economies of scale and leveraging not yet possible. World purchasing functions will allow companies to customize their own catalogs. Virtual channels of distribution using computer networking capabilities will also allow hotel companies to market products and services - some traditional to our industry, others not - to customers whether they are in the hotel, at work, or at home. This will require a migration from today's central reservation systems to tomorrow's customer information systems using network-centric solutions. Development of customer profiles and guest recognition will make it possible for hotel organizations to interact in entirely new ways with customers, regardless of their physical location. Clearly, the large hotel companies will need to be the first to address questions raised by global networking capabilities and what this will mean in terms of technology investment. But for many hospitality companies presently struggling with the high cost of technology and the confusing state of our industry's technology affairs, this will not be an easy task. And the decisions will ultimately become further complicated by the opportunity to outsource certain functions into subscription-based networks. It is unlikely that the hospitality industry will be forced to bear the entire burden for networking infrastructure. Strategic alliances with major technology companies will be the catalysts in building this capability as they become strategic providers of networking capabilities to hospitality and other industries. And as network-centric computing comes of age and a company's proprietary information is stored in cyberspace, security will become an ever-more important issue requiring solutions. Whether it is an e-mail gateway through an internal network or customer access via the Internet, network fire walls and encryption systems will be required to mitigate the concern many will have with system security. In the final analysis, networking solutions will drive down the cost of technology investment "on-property" where hotel real estate and business interests merge. The solutions that hotel organizations will be able to choose from in terms of networking should also be less expensive than the current profile of technology spending. And we can expect that change to occur sooner rather than later, given the present rate of investment in Internet-based technologies.

With his previous credit-card processor, Cotter says he would have to keep track of receipts and manually add up his daily income to calculate tax at the end of the month. “This does all that,” says Cotter,

The tools at a merchant’s disposal are mostly limited to a handwritten or computer booking system, a credit-card processing machine, and a cash register, all of which tend to work independently. “They have a point-of-sale system that doesn’t talk to their reservation system that doesn’t talk to their online ordering system,” Mason says. “Each one of the solutions provided to them they loathe so deeply that they don’t even get around to wishing that they were all integrated.”

"I think that you will begin to see more hotels going to RFID and smartphone entry before using biosystem recognition," says Wolfe. "These systems are expensive, and there are many consumers who just don't want this information stored somewhere -- for a variety of reasons."

Systems that track the other qualities that make each human unique are in development as well.

Yet more card-free security systems are on the way.

Many industry watchers are keeping an eye on Houston's largest hotel, the vast 1,200-room Hilton Americas–Houston. The hotel has a facial recognition system that can identify and track guests, employees, and even suitcases. With 700 employees and an annual $16 million payroll, the system offers benefits such as employee time-theft monitoring and prevention for the hotel. But travelers aren't that concerned about employees taking an extra cigarette break. What it means for you is that the system includes alerts if unwanted people are on the property and a response time of mere seconds if there's an incident. Customer service is heightened as well: Returning guests will be recognized and greeted by name. And with 1,200 rooms worth of luggage in transit, the system makes it a lot easier to find lost or misdirected bags.

not everyone wants to be on-camera, all the time. With concerns about "snooping" and a Truman Show-like lack of privacy, might guests feel that systems such as this are too intrusive in our hotels? "

Technology is opening new doors to hotel safety, and the way we navigate hotels is set to change in the blink of an eye. Or the swipe of a cellphone. Or the print of a finger. With futuristic systems like scent and iris scanners and digital facial-recognition, hotel security is being taken to the next level. #plain_module { width: 590px; height:170px; border: none; float:left; margin:0px; font-size:12px;} #plain_module img {border:none; width: 13px; height:14; border: 0px; margin:0px; } #plain_module .mini_main { margin: 0px; padding:0px; width:585px; height:220px; repeat scroll 0 0} #plain_module .mini_item_header {padding:10px 0px; margin: 0px 0px; font-size:16px; color: #555555; border-bottom:1px dotted #CCCCCC;} #plain_module .mini_item {padding:5px 0px; margin: 0px 0px;} #plain_module a { color: #49A3CA; text-decoration:none; } #plain_module a:hover { color: #F98419; text-decoration:underline;} span.gray {color:#949494;} .mini_main li{list-style-type: none;background-image: url(http://www.aolcdn.com/travel/bullet);background-repeat: no-repeat;background-position: 0 1px;padding-left: 10px;} Those plastic key cards that once seemed so innovative will soon go the way of the actual key. The new thing is contact-less Smartcards and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) cards that need just be waved to allow room access. Much like the cruise world's one card system, these cards may soon make hotel stays easier by allowing guests to pay for services, as well as to check-in and check-out, through a single device. Travelers may even be able to save preferences on the cards, from pillow type to floor choice. RFID cards are already in use at New York's Plaza Hotel, and Starwood Hotels are considering introducing them into their hip Aloft and Element properties. But travelers worried they will constantly have to traipse back to reception every time they lose their card need not despair. Security systems in some hotels do away with cards altogether. "In addition to Radio Frequency Identification, there are also systems that use a smartphone, such as an iPhone," says Frank Wolfe, CEO of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals. "When a guest checks into a hotel and provides their phone number, they get an encrypted sound code via text message." You can then play back the code to unlock your room door.

Systems that track the other qualities that make each human unique are in development as well. Movement-activated video-capture systems were showcased in New Zealand in September 2010. Researchers are at work on devices capable of recognizing an individual's gait or walk and even their DNA. Frank Wolfe says, "If you want to go 'way out there', there are some systems being explored that can allegedly sniff someone, and also systems that can recognize the pattern of blood veins on a human being which are apparently unique to the individual," says Wolfe. Quite common in Japan, vascular-recognition systems such as this are still "several years off," according to Wolfe. "I think that you will begin to see more hotels going to RFID and smartphone entry before using biosystem recognition," says Wolfe. "These systems are expensive, and there are many consumers who just don't want this information stored somewhere -- for a variety of reasons."

“They’re not just an amenity,” says Alex Attia, general manager of The Charles Hotel in Cambridge, Mass., a Preferred Hotel. “It’s what the customer is looking for. It’s convenient for them and gives them another reason to come to our hotel rather than go to another one.”

Staying ahead of new and emerging trends is important in the hospitality business. “It keeps us fresh,” says Attia. “Nobody can say we’re out-of-date. We’re up-to-date. We want to be ahead of the game if we can be.” 

“We think today’s traveler is more aware and committed to responsible travel, feeling a personal responsibility to lessen their carbon footprint,” says Steve Pinetti, senior vice president, inspiration & creativity for Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants. “As hybrid and electric vehicles become more affordable and practical, we see them moving away from being trendy to becoming a mainstay in the years ahead.”

Fairmont Pacific Rim, a 377-room luxury property that opened in 2010  in Vancouver, British Columbia, installed a electric vehicle charging station in October.   It’s free for guests to use. “It’s not a marketing tool,” says Samatha Geer, a spokeswoman for Fairmont Pacific Rim.. “It’s about doing the right thing.”

“It differentiates the brand. We want our consumers to come to us because we’ve met a lot of their needs. I think it does add value and we don’t charge for it. It’s what we see guests want. It’s a trend we’re seeing.

The InterContinental Vienna is taking the trend a step further. It has electric cars for hotel guests and local area residents to rent for a slightly higher price than gas-driven automobiles. The hotel also has a complimentary charging station.

Therefore, it is highly likely that, merging mobile marketing efforts with iBeacon technology could result in higher click-through, quicker conversion, more sales and greater loyalty.

busy a restaurant is at a particular time

real-time information

not overwhelm users with notifications

deep understanding of the value offered to customers and deliver it in the best way possible.

delivering personalized deals and messages

prevent boredom

offer customized discounts for first-time customers, encouraging them to come back often

deliver custom menus to valued customers based on previous orders and visit history

awarding crawlers

ollect massive amounts of untapped data

According to Hotel News Now, more hotel guests are turning to social media sites to vent when complaints arise.

3. Social Media-Based Customer Service

Hotels have begun to jump on the bandwagon and are utilizing mobile payment at restaurants, bars, and events that is more convenient for travelers who tend to carry less cash these days. On the other hand, it allows hotels have better inventory management systems and to be more creative with menu selections.

4. Mobile Concierge and Room Services at the control of your fingertips

Guests that usually go through a traditional concierge will soon have access to a mobile application where they will be able to seek information on hotel, dining and transportation needs.

5. Expense Report Summary

To wherever the business traveler may stay, any E-receipt suppliers will automatically send the guests travel expenses and itinerary data to the expense management system so that the traveler won't ever have to worry about scanning their receipts or lost expenses.

ensure that your landing pages clearly reflect the offer promoted in the ad copy and includes clear calls to action and conversion factors.

Maps, photo galleries, videos and press releases are creative ways to distribute content on different channels.

93 percent of social media users expect companies to have a social presence. 85 percent of social media users want companies to interact with them on social sites.

changing one word in a headline increased sales over 3 times

Give yourself enough time for preparation and getting everything settled. Set deadlines to better enable team performance and let the countdown begin!

Brand your event

Build your own event planning manual from scratch, by establishing a working solution (plus a backup solution) for the venue/registration/entertainment/promotion/volunteer management and another relevant aspect

Again, don’t forget to double check whether you have at least one dedicated team member standing behind each of these spheres of responsibility.

Minimization of technical work gives you a space for creativity

Identify corporate partners and community organizations that could provide you with assistance for making progressive steps in planning an event.

One of the most hard-to-ignore stages of planning an event is aligning your needs with the real budget you have.

establish a working system to monitor your success. This process has to be done on the stage of goal setting. Make sure your progress is scalable!

if you stay positive and calm, there’ll be no place for anxiety onsite! Not to mention that only by keeping a cool head, you’re able to find a logical solution to any problem.

STAY SPECTACULAR

As the internet is supposed to add value to all stakeholders in the value chain, the experience of the hospitality industry is a case in point about how the online transactions can result in a win-win situation for all.

since providing guests with the same high-quality viewing experience they would enjoy in their homes, the hotel has improved its customer satisfaction rating by eight percent.

seems that every generation enjoys top-notch television viewing.

Seattle Hotspot boasts rooms “with heat-detecting body sensors that indicate to housekeeping staff when a room is occupied…a 21st- century ‘do not disturb’ notice.”

the Hotel 1000 in Seattle has found a new way to determine if your room is, indeed, occupied.

the biggest drain on hotel utilities is unnecessary heating and air conditioning and that the installation of energy controls throughout a property could “shed utilities costs without compromising quality.”

A new initiative by the Four Seasons, however, involves an innovative new bed that enables guests to customize their sleep experience.

hese beds include three mattress toppers that can be switched in mere minutes, offering a Signature, Signature Firm, or Signature Plush sleeping experience, and a Gel Touch Foam Center that absorbs extra heat in order to ensure maximum comfort.

the Aloft Cupertino Hotel in Silicon Valley recently introduced its first robotic staff member, a butler named “Botlr.

Botlr can be found delivering amenities to guests throughout the property donning his custom-fit butler uniform.

Thanks to new innovations and advancements in current technology, hoteliers can provide guests with modern conveniences that surpass even their wildest dreams