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This article is all about Aptech and their new software. This is a web based software and able to work with just one company or be linked to multiple building or properties if you would like. They really see this software helping out in the hotel industry. This is a big tihng in the industry and will help out a lot of companies.

Aptech Computer Systems, a provider of hospitality software and enterprise financial accounting, has developed a system that has the ability to help a hotel enterprise or the common Innkeeper. The is system is Web-based and was developed by the company Microsoft. The Company Ap tech has been around for 40 years and have been hotels with their performance management tools. Originally, they started working on interstate motel with their technology and from then on have been a huge success. I am sure people will be very sceptical when using this product because it is Web-based, however it does seem to be much easier to use and if something were to happen you have access to 24/7 customer service. For a business just starting out, this seems like a perfect tool.

An advanced hospitality financial accounting system is launched by Aptech Computer Systems, which is a hospitality software and financial accounting company. The system is based on internet and can be used by both individual and multi-property hotel companies. The president of the company thinks that with the help of internet, hospitality staff can access to the tools more easily. Also, he has positive attitude towards using new technology by more hotels. There is also an example for the technology's expanding role in hospitality industry. Smith Travel sent its research reports from two to three weeks a time to once a day. I think a good accounting system is very important for a hotel. In the globalized world, many hotels expand themselves in the world, and this system can bring convenience to multi-property hotels.

Saudi Arabias national oil company, Aramco, was attacked by a computer virus, Shamoon, and it is suspected that an insider or employee assisted the hackers. The virus spread through the network and infected about 30,000 PC business computers and wiped their hardrives. This is one of the worst attacks against a single business. The hackers who claimed responsibility, The Cutting Sword of Justice, were politically motived. The companies more important documents including plant operating networks were not affected by the virus because they were on a separate and higher security network. Recently, other Middle Eastern natural gas firms with relations to Saudi Arabia have been hit by cyber attacks. Because the Aramco hackers admitted their motives against the Saudi Arabian government income sources, I think that all the cyber attacks may be politically motivated. As a Middle Eastern oil company with relations to Saudi Arabia, this is a major indication to take precautionary measures and increase network security. This attack demonstrates that no matter how much security you have in place, if an insider is willing to assist hackers or provide hackers with necessary information, you are no longer protected. It would seem imperative that employees with this access are chosen carefully or network access is very limited.

By this time next year, thousands of people will be using a new, longer-range kind of Wi-Fi, commonly called "super-Wi-Fi". Super Wi-Fi isn't used like regular Wi-Fi. It uses underused spectrum known as white noises and this allows the Wi-Fi to run at lower frequencies, thus causing it to run at a lower cost and at greater distances, and through obstacles, such as trees and buildings. It is being championed by companies such as Microsoft and Google, and got the final okay last December after original opposition from broadcasters. Although not many strides have been made in the super Wi-Fi industry, Spectrum Bridge, a key company in the development of super Wi-Fi, just announced a new program to help equipment makers get white spaces radios approved to be sold, so they will be more readily available in 2013. Many universities have already announced that they will deploy super Wi-Fi on their campuses across the country. Super Wi-Fi is exciting because it is more powerful than existing Wi-Fi. I would have to agree with this because it is unbelievable the strides technology has made. They are able to take something and make it more powerful and at lower cost. This is also great because if they are able to extend it to greater areas, more rural areas will be able to receive high speed Internet for the first time in history.

This article talks about how events have changed throughout the years and especially because of 9/11. before this day the event planners and safety personel were focus on traffic control but now it is more safety concerns and the prevention of terrorist attacks. It discusses how and why technology can help them and shows many different examples that were real life like the super bowl an the presidential debates. it also stresses how important it is to know the technology and not to learn it in a crisis. Also it helps in choosing what technology to use. There are so many options out there and there is definitely a way to do all this without technology but technology can help and make it a lot safer and more effective.

Events can be successfully planned, executed and reviewed without the use of technology. However, there are affordable technology solutions that can ease the burden and provide enhanced situational awareness during an event. And the new high tech, E-Sponder, really assist in the automation of business processes, expecially the event planning. E-Sponder was used to automate many critical business processes during the debate and consequently provided real-time information sharing and reduced resolution time for unplanned events. In addition, it gave complete situational awareness both inside and outside the command center to all of those involved in securing the debate activities.

Microsoft is releasing in October 2012 the new version of the most popular computer operating system Windows 8. This new feature is not only for laptops or desktops, it is mainly focusing on touch screen devices. Lenovo also unveiled their Lenovo Yoga hybrid. This computer allows you to tuck the keyboard flat behind the screen and transform the device into a tablet shape, it can rotate 360 degrees. Windows 8 allows you to put your favorite app such as Facebook or Twitter into the start screen, you can add more apps, customize them and it refreshes constantly so the information stays current.

This article is all about hotels going green and trying to get LEED certified. The one Boston hotel is doing things like having dual flush toilets, low flow showers, shampoo and conditioner in bulk dispensers, and a roofing material that reflects the sun to save energy costs. Another thing involved with getting LEED certified is getting energy from abouther source, this particular hotel is using the wind. It is expensive to do and doesnt appeal to everyone, hotel managers must figure out whats in the best interest for them and getting people in and out of their hotel.

To add onto Marilyns comment, not only are hotels doing the basics to go green, but a lot of hotels in california are taking the extra step, such as The Kimpton Hotels, and The orchard. They have changed the carpets and wallpaper for lower emission. They added recycle bins in every room in all 40 of their hotels across the country. Lastly, and one of the the additions I find most beneficial is their implementation of key card energy control, where a room key will be needed to activate the electricity in each room, and also shutting all electricity off when they leave.

This article is about how starwood hotels are trying to become fullscale eco-friendly but some are hotels are only greenwashing. This article is stating that it is not enough to use one green practice and call yourself an eco-friendly hotel.

Today, going green is one of the defining movements of our time. The movement to conserve and replenish the earth's resources continues to build momentum and meeting planners and suppliers are doing their share to advance the cause. It is really a very good phenomenon that some major hotel chains are making to help planners organize eco-friendly meetings and events. This article talked about what the major hotel chains are doing to support eco-friendly meetings. 1. Toronto-based Fairmont Hotels & Resorts' Eco-Meet program. 2. Hilton International has declared that all of its 3,600 properties will be using its carbon calculator program, which the system analyzes 200 operational practices, including housekeeping, paper product usage, food waste and transportation, and determines their environmental impact in terms of energy and water use, waste production and carbon output. 3. Hyatt Hotels & Resorts' Meet and Be Green initiative, offers clients a 3 percent rebate on qualifying charges on the final pretax master bill for following the chain's 10-point green guidelines. 4. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants became one of the first hotel chains to offer a dedicated green meetings package brandwide, attracting immediate interest from corporate clients such as Microsoft and Aveda. 5. Marriott has offered green meetings standards across its JW Marriott, Marriott, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts and Courtyard by Marriott brands. 6. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide recently announced it would implement its new Sustainable Meeting Practices (SMPs). According to those hotel chains , by following the Eco-Meet guidelines, groups can save up to thoughts of plastic water bottles, aluminum cans, writing pads, pencils, paper cups and other else per year.

Though essentially an update from one company regarding personnel acquisitions, this article features the next generation of cloud-based property management systems. It also indicates, based on the growth of this company, that properties are willing to invest in cloud-based technologies rather than suffer the constant depreciation and maintenance that goes with traditional, in-house servers. As with other systems, the two most important items will be reliability and security. If both are provided by PAR Springer-Miller while reducing cost for hoteliers, both sides can potentially benefit. This system is also "built for the cloud", so it's not an online adaptation of a previous system. This may again help improve reliability and security.

This article explains the basics of Cloud Computing and how more companies are converting to the "Cloud." The article will also detail the pros and cons of Cloud Computing and highlight current issues concerning this growing technology.

I found an interesting article about how the big computer companies can recycle the computers. This can solve some of the main problem about the recycling. The article is referring to idea that computers may become bigger size but easier to recycle. In other words we might wanna make a step back in the past, when we was able to just replace one detail from the computer instead of throwing it away.

The article heavily emphasizes how reliant mega events are on successfully recording and analyzing data across several different sectors. The paper aims to examine the overall network infrastructure required in order to broadcast large scale sporting events such as the super bowl, world cups and the Olympics. Many different factors come into play during these events and the use of accurately recorded data and efficient technology is key. Monitoring attendee flow, as it pertains not only to attendance numbers but foremost security shall remain a priority for any event - large or small.

Here are 8 common questions and concerns among hotel executives wanting to know more about the use of cloud computing at their property.

In the article, "Travel Agents Increase Use of GDS to Book Hotel Rooms," it talked about how the leading global provider of revenue is generating solutions for hotels, it shows how important GDS platforms are to travel agents. "84 percent of respondents indicated that they were using their GDS platform the same amount or more often than in the past, with 35 percent stating that they are using GDS more." Back in 2009, when the last study was conducted, about 26 percents of travel agents said that they used their GDS platform more often than in the past. This study also states that the annual GDS shopping displays will be over $50 million in 2011, which will increase more than a million bookings compared to 2010. There was another survey that was done and they surveyed different travel agents from across the world that were subscribed to a major GDS system. In the survey the travel agents indicated that promotional messages are effective and often prompt bookings. Out of the travel agents they surveyed, 66% said that they were aware of the "promotional messages requested addition information by looking at the screen attached to he promotional message." From this survey it showed that promotional messages are an excellent way to reach travel agents and from reaching the agent, they also reaching the customer, it's a win-win reaction.

I enjoyed the part about brand and promotional messaging, that is always a lure for me. When I see an attractive offer, evern If I'm not interested in booking or going to the destination, I often click on it anyway just to see the offer. It is a very effective marketing tool.

This article describes how many companies are reluctant to add "green" initiatives. However, it notes that this is a growing and important area that many companies are deciding to become involved in because of its importance. Moreover, it points out that by reducing the power consumption of computers in a business the effect is to produce a green result. Additionally, this not only saves the company money, but it also has the result of being a good public relations outcome. Then, the company can advertise how it is following a greener path.

This article discusses the negative aspects of cloud-based software.The hospitality industry found the software to be expensive and lacked the functionality that was expected from the software. What seems to be taking the place of cloud software are business software environments, which the author refers to as a eco-system of vendors. SAP Cloud platform HANA is the center of one of these eco-systems. Another eco-system that is discussed in this article is the one around salesforce.com and last but not least the Microsoft Office Environment. The author concludes his argument by saying although there is no hotel industry eco-system, cloud-based hotel software will not resurface as an eco-system.

This article talks about how hotels/hotel chains as well as organizations help to go green. They for instance mention the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) who tries to improve the quality of tourism by promoting greener "habits". They for instance try to be proactive in regard to reducing carbon emissions - in this regard they launched the Hotel Carbon Measurements Initiative with the International Tourism Partnership (ITP) and 12 international major hotel chains including Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt to name a few, to reduce the carbon footprints hotels produce.

This article provides insight on three various types of IT providers and there methodologies. It definitely emphasizes the benefits of specialized companies that focus on cloud computing as their IT service and business model and their ability to b=continually adapt to the changing environment and their desire to create long term relationships. It also talks about how larger IT companies are more focused on strategy rather than implementation of systems. It also talks about how the larger IT companies are much more focused on their own profit than providing services to the client and how cheaper off shore IT companies basically provide the same services at a lesser quality

"Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews Systems, writes about why he feels that software giant Oracle's hospitality division contradicts its technology competency, operational excellence and efficient customer support." This article highlights some of the reasons why Oracle have found it difficult to integrate the Micros Fidelio business that they purchased. It is subjective in its view but addresses a common theme amongst major hotel companies which is that Oracle are struggling to meet their needs and that this could give new PMS/POS providers such as Mews, Shiji and Impala.

This article outlines the differences between General Purpose Application Software and Function-Specific Application Software.

This article depicts how AR (augmented reality) is being implemented in the hospitality industry to improve the physical environment and experiences the hotels are offering to the consumer. It provides a real time data feed to customers at the right time and place giving great customer service in the end result. Some examples how it is being implemented is that with AR you are able to transport the customer directly to the room they want to explore in real-time and in real retrospective as if they were there. With the creating of AR apps like "Pokemon Go" hotels can create similar games in which it rewards the customers with discounts and other incentives. So with the rise of technology we can definitely look forward to how technology can hep us prior to our choice of booking experience the outcome of what to expect without leaving the comfort of our living room.