Skip to main content

Home/ Hospitality Technology/ Group items matching "have" in title, tags, annotations or url

Group items matching
in title, tags, annotations or url

Sort By: Relevance | Date Filter: All | Bookmarks | Topics Simple Middle
kpony001

Cloud security: The reason hackers have it so easy will infuriate you - 0 views

  • hackers time and again have outwitted the cyberguardians.
  • HashiCorp offers an open-source tool called Vault that stores sensitive credentials, encrypted themselves, and strictly limits what people, servers and programs can access them
  • The mass movement of company and personal data to the cloud has only complicated things.
  • ...15 more annotations...
  • Companies have uploaded VPN and cloud access credentials to cloud storage systems that are easily accessible.
  • security breaches are routinely made worse when hackers who enter one system are then finding the keys to another lying around unencrypted.
  • developers are still regularly storing the digital keys to company assets and even user data in source code, configuration files, and other miscellaneous, unencrypted locations.
  • Unlike typical users who can memorize their passwords or store them with a secure password manager, developers and IT workers often need to keep security credentials in places where automated software can find them.
  • Cloud managers are playing catchup to close the door on the critical data left out in the open.
  • Sophisticated new cybersecurity tools designed to securely store these kinds of credentials in a way that legitimate, automated processes can access, and intruders can’t
  • hackers time and again have outwitted the cyberguardians.
  • cloud industry leader Amazon launched AWS Secrets Manager, its own credential management tool. And Microsoft offers what it calls Azure Key Vault to securely store and monitor and control access to this kind of data.
  • The main problem is that companies really don’t have policies for it or they don’t follow up and make sure those policies are followed
  • Until recent hacks made it clear that few organizations can hope to keep their networks entirely free from intrusion, many companies paid less attention to the security of data within their firewalls
  • UpGuard, known for its frequent role in detecting leaks tied to data stored on insecure cloud machines, has released BreachSight, which scours the internet for its clients’ exposed code, credentials, personally identifiable information, and other sensitive data.
  • Since last year, Amazon has also offered a service called Amazon Macie, which uses machine learning to detect unusual access patterns to cloud storage and uploads of potentially sensitive data like access keys.
  • Amazon also released open source software to help prevent accidentally storing passwords and keys to source code repositories
  • other developers have offered similar tools to scrub credentials from existing code.
  • it’s possible that those types of tools will automatically be provided as part of cloud computing contracts, as standard as seatbelts in new cars.
  •  
    Cloud computing has created a very hacking prone storage system because companies have not been paying as much attention to security as they should. Thus, by not taking the logical measures such as not uploading credentials to cloud storage systems, they are becoming prone to hacker raids. However, with the turning of the tide, new methods of security have presented themselves in the form of online tools such as HashiCorp's Vault Microsoft's Azure Key Vault, and Amazon's AWS Secrets Manager, which stores sensitive credentials in very limited access windows, as well as UpGaurd's BreachSight which detects online data leaks containing exposed and volatile client data, and Amazon's Amazon Macie, which learns the access patterns of your cloud storage,
cpaez007

The Future of Retail: 6 Ways the Cloud Will Reinvent the Sales Floor - 0 views

  • New web-based, cloud-hosted software-as-a-service solutions are making data available in real time and are poised to unite the digital and physical retail environments, disrupting the retail landscape.
  • Retail management teams can see sales trends develop as they are developing. They can see traffic patterns in real time and be able to see conversion rates at the product level.
  • Making real-time data available on the store floor can change the game.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Store associates should always know which styles have been selling on instantly consumable dashboards. Armed with this information, they will be empowered to take action to turn lagging styles into leading styles.
  • Making inventory data available across all stores in real time allows associates to create customer orders for items they want but are not in stock in their store. Fillable orders are instantly visible and ship quickly.
  • Suppose a retail chain has one store that historically underperforms based on average units per transaction. Set the goal of reaching parity with other stores, create an attractive reward for reaching the goal, and make the average units per transaction metric available in real time to all store staff.
  • No longer must there be a physical barrier between sales associates and their customers. No longer will customers be frustrated by sales associates that stand behind the counter and never greet or approach them.
  •  
    Today we will discuss the 6 ways that a cloud based system could change the impact of retail forever. This update will make specific information available in real time, and make the experience better for the guests and the staff members. 1. The system will be able to track the live data from the actual floor of the store. For example, it would be able to tell the items that are actually being tried on, and the ones that are bought. This will be a great advancement in marketing, because it helps the business to figure out what it is that their demographic is attracted to. Second, the employees will have access to this data while they are working. This will make it easier to market items to guests, instead of wasting time trying to figure out what it is that they might be looking for. Third, have a track record of their inventory. Employees will have in depth information of their inventory and the inventory of other stores, all real time. This will allow for custom orders and greater guest satisfaction. Four, the system will be able to track the sales associates who are creating the best sales. The store can use this to create contests and provide rewards to the winners. This increases employee motivation and will to work. Five, mobile point of sales system. We had discussed the convenience of a mobile system with the cloud PMS, and now we can see it with a POS. This will have associates engaging more with guests on the floor, and the guests might not even have to wait a line to receive their products anymore. Lastly, it works for any sized company or store. Pricing and accessibility adapt to the size of the location, and is indeed less expensive than bulky software and hardware.
berkley7

8 Best Hotel Management Software | Global Hospitality Portal - 2 views

  • What makes a hotel management software best in the business?
    • berkley7
       
      I have experience working with My Cloud PMS and compared to some of the other software systems I have experience with, such as Opera, this is hands down one of the most convenient PMS software I have used. It truly makes it easy for every department to edit, update and stay connected within the hotel and other departments.
  • There are a lot of hotel management software but myCloud PMS is trying to retain the innovative edge within the hospitality industry.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • A competitive hotel property management software provides you with financial and business reports regarding your hotel business. You can learn about room occupancy ratios, the duration of stay of your guests, payment collection methods, and similar statistical forecasts about your hotel.
  •  
    Module 2: Hardware/Software (Berkley Alessandrini) The following article compares the current top/trendy management software programs within the hospitality industry - specifically within lodging operations. Obviously manually updating your hotel's information is no longer an effective way to do things. The following article breaks down certain software programs like; My Cloud PMS, Oracle, roomMaster, etc, and gives information on each that differentiates them. I can relate to the article because I have experience working with a few different types of software programs and I know first-hand how important it is to have a software that is convenient, organized, and user friendly. Depending on the program, they have the ability to be customised based on needs of the hotel and can even add certain features if necessary. After analysing the article, I believe that it is vital to compare the different programs available to find a PMS that fits best for your specific hotel. In some cases, maybe your property will not benefit from the "top" management software system; therefore you must compare and find one that will work best with your needs, requirements, budget, etc. It is important for the Lodging Industry to take full advantage of the technology that is provided to them and as technology is constantly evolving - you must (as a business) evolve with the changes and update your current technology to lead and stay ahead of the trends. Having a software that provides your hotel with the best features, availability, etc. is a must!
smgarcia

Digital Transformation Doesn't Just Increase Revenue, It Can Impact Employee Productivity Too - 0 views

  • Lack of proper technology tools can hinder productivity and kill morale.
  • 53% of surveyed employees said they would be more empowered to better manage workflow if they were provided with the needed tools
  • 42% said these tools would not only speed up boring tasks but also result in better worker morale
  • ...14 more annotations...
  • 38% believe a focus on worker empowerment via IT would allow the company itself to change faster.
  • 76% added that having the digital tools they need at work makes them more productive and more than half, 53%, said it makes them more successful.
  • 31% of the employees said their company has a wait-and-see approach to new technology
  • investment in new technology can lead to higher revenues in the long run
  • 37% of higher-level employees and 47% of white-collar employees said their bosses understand their technological needs.
  • not only are most professionals happier and more productive when their employers provide the technology they need, they also feel more connected to colleagues and their companies.
  • Half of the survey group said they would find it easier to collaborate with coworkers if their employers’ digital transformation efforts focused more on employee empowerment.
  • Separate research also notes that companies that are digital laggards don’t perform as well as those that embrace digital transformation
  • Technologists at Harvard Business School wrote, “organizations that scored in the top quartile of our digital transformation index obtained much better gross margins, earnings, and net income than organizations in the bottom digital quartile. Other financial and operating indicators showed similar disparities.”
  • people tend to assume only the youngest workers place a high value on having the technology they need at work. But research reveals that these digital natives are not alone.
  • 68% of the 18 to 34 age group said having the digital tools they need at work makes them more productive. That’s a significant share. But it’s even higher – at 80% – for the 35 to 54 age group. And a whopping 83% of workers age 55 and older agreed.
  • financial considerations shouldn’t be the sole focus of digital transformation.
  • Mapping out a digital transformation plan should include a critical assessment of which digital tools employees need to efficiently get the job done.
  • experience is the centerpiece of everything businesses do.
  •  
    ROI is not the only consideration for a business when updating technology and software; employee productivity is also a factor. Employees that feel that they have the tools to do their jobs are more likely to be productive during the work day. By increasing employee productivity and happiness, ROI already increases beyond the benefits of having better, quicker technology and software.
bhern082

11 new ways technology is transforming cruise ships - 6 views

  • from passport credentials to food preferences, and
  • you will be sent your wearable Ocean Medallion (the size of a coin, this can be worn as a bracelet or necklace) in advance.
  • . But some cruise lines have put millions into developing multi-faceted wearable technology that solves the problem entirely.
  • ...12 more annotations...
  • Royal Caribbean’s WOWbands ($4.99/£3.70 or free depending on ship and class of travel) look like watch straps, but use radio frequency technology to open your cabin door. You can use Carnival Corporation’s wearable Ocean Medallion (free to all guests) with the Ocean Compass app to order food, drink and retail items on demand. It also unlocks your cabin door as you approach
  • Interactive maps are becoming far easier to use than expected thanks to the digital way-finder on the MSC for Me app. Just indicate where you want to go, and a map will demonstrate how to get there from your current location.
  • A rather futuristic option is available on some AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises ships in the form of a robot called Pepper, which provides guests with information, including how to ge
  • t from A to B
  • on board.
  • MSC Meraviglia has 114 interactive screens that allow you to book dinner as well as other activities, such as the theatre or spa, with few clicks and a swipe of your wearable bracelet
  • Carnival is launching MedallionNet soon (prices currently unavailable), which it says will be the fastest internet connection at sea and will provide pervasive cabin coverage. 
  • With MSC Cruises’ wearable bracelet, however, you can monitor your children in real-time and know where they are at any moment. T
  • With MSC’s interactive bracelet (or the Cruise Card) you can pay for everything, from your shopping session at the 100-metre high street to your evening meals. The wearable technology means staff quickly know who you are and your first language, which adds a sparkle to the customer service.
  • Personalised recommendations (such as which bottle of wine to try) will be offered on MSC Meraviglia in the not-too-distant future as part of the digital concierge service.
  • A modern take on arts and crafts can be enjoyed with the HP Sprout, scanner and 3D printer. Here children (around 7-12 years old) can design their own creations in the computer and then print 3D versions to take home
  • The days of cruise passengers feeling disconnected from the rest of the world while at sea are gone, which is good news for first-timers who may not have got their sea legs yet. 
  •  
    This article features 11 new tech features that cruise ships have implemented.Technology is transforming these floating hotels into smart cities. From remote check-in, wearable technology, to geo-locating your children aboard. These tech gadgets are helping cruisers enjoy their time aboard as stress free as possible. As stated by the author "Once on board, it didn't take too long to figure out how the MSC for Me app, public interactive screens, cabin TV and wearable bracelet, available for the first time on Meraviglia, all worked together to streamline and enhance life on board."
  • ...2 more comments...
  •  
    This is great technology and can most certainly be studied while in use to better assist guests in having that "stress free" vacation. The technology is personalized and almost seamless in using since they have made it into something of "jewelry" to help avoid it being an irritating app. I see this being developed in many more places other than just cruise ships and Disney. It is very convenient for the guests.
  •  
    I agree that this technology is very useful for guests. Personally, it would make me feel less like I was in a floating hotel and more like a floating city. I would enjoy the possibility of finding a solution to a problem that I was having without having to wait in line at guest services, which would potentially save me time and give me the ability to return to whatever onboard activity I was engaged in.
  •  
    I agree. I think this technology will be very beneficial for not just guests but also for the cruise lines. This helps collect data and help personalize the guest experience. This will have guests coming back time and time again. This also provides an incredible guest experience since they won't have to wait in long stressful lines. I think this technology is very beneficial for both the guests and employees.
  •  
    Cruise ships have really stepped up their game when it comes to technology. I wrote a paper last semester about Princess Cruise Line's latest technology, the OceanMedallion. This little wearable device allows guests to unlock a whole new level of different features such as room key, tracking system, and a bunch of different amenities. It will be interesting to see what other cruise lines come up with to compete with this.
Ling Xiang

Recent technology trends in Event Management " Event Registration and Management Software Blog | Eventzilla - 2 views

  • attendees can ask questions to the speaker via tweets or Facebook comments real time during an event.
  • FIFA World Cup
  • cool application that had been created especially for the World Cup that highlighted the real time schedule of the games and results as they took place. This event alerted us to the huge potential that has hardly been scratched.
  • ...16 more annotations...
  • The drastic improvements in the Audio-Video equipments, staging and lighting instruments have made sure that you need to make your event stand out.
  • Recently – online registration for events has taken the center stage with a lot of small players like Eventzilla. 
  • Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have completely altered the way we think about event promotion.
  • Technology has made sure that geographical impediments no more stop you from attending an event half way round the world. The webinars and live meetings are the newest venues for events the world over.
  • Now the event attendees can ask questions to the speaker via tweets or Facebook comments real time during an event. With the world tweeting away night and day, there is no doubt that technology has changed our life completely
  • The drastic improvements in the Audio-Video equipments, staging and lighting instruments have made sure that you need to make your event stand out. No more can you pass off an event with just a great speaker. Even with the best of the content and ingredients, you need to upgrade the stage show to make sure that the attendees are left wonder struck.
  • The barriers have been stomped down and the walls have fallen.   Technology has made sure that geographical impediments no more stop you from attending an event half way round the world. The webinars and live meetings are the newest venues for events the world over.
  • The FIFA World Cup this year was a lot of fun for us. And we are not talking about football. Our excitement was because of this cool application that had been created especially for the World Cup that highlighted the real time schedule of the games and results as they took place. This event alerted us to the huge potential that has hardly been scratched.
  • has made sure that geographical impediments no more stop you from attending an event half way round the world. The webinars and live meetings are the newest venues for events the world over. Planners and
  • No more can you pass off an event with just a great speaker. Even with the best of the content and ingredients, you need to upgrade the
  • stage show to make sure that the attendees are left wonder struck.
  • The barriers have been stomped down and the walls have fallen.  Technology
  • Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have completely altered the way we think about event promotion.   Letters are antiquated and emails outdated. Nowadays, you ‘tweet’ and ‘poke’ your way around the events
  • Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have completely altered the way we think about event promotion.   Letters are antiquated and emails outdated. Nowadays, you ‘tweet’ and ‘poke’ your way around the events
  • With the advent of the iPhones, Androids and Blackberrys, smart phone applications have become the next-gen platform for event management. From charting an event to locating it on the map, you can do it all on your mobile. 
  • With the advent of the iPhones, Androids and Blackberrys, smart phone applications have become the next-gen platform for event management. From charting an event to locating it on the map, you can do it all on your mobile.
  •  
    The event today is not only between planner and organization; it's more like the communication and interaction among attendees. The technology assists the needs and expectation of attendees, which allows them to engage more during meetings and events. Besides, App or other online software facilitates attendees to get full knowledge of location, content and activity in one event. In addition, Audio-Video equipment mentioned in article also emphasized that lighting plays an important role to make one event stand out. In another words, creating great experience is definitely what technology is for.
  •  
    This article talks about how technology has changed the world completely, especially Event Management. For example, the FiFa world cup puts out cool application so people could know the highlight, real time schedule of the games and result. Some other example are the stage show, this drastic change improved in the Audio - video equipment, stage and lighting. Technology has change in Live Meeting. Live Meeting webinar and live meeting are use halfway around the world. Also, the Social Explosion like facebook and Twitter is the big thing around the world. Even the Mobile Application are used now in iPhones, Androids, and Blackberrys has become the next -gem platform for Event Management
  •  
    Now the event attendees can ask questions to the speaker via tweets or Facebook comments real time during an event. With the world tweeting away night and day, there is no doubt that technology has changed our life completely.
Cecilia Lucas

New Hotel Technology Likely to Bring Sticker Shock - 3 views

  • The need for a new generation of computers, data centers and security equipment for the nation’s hotels is driving up the expense of technology in the hospitality industry,
  • The average [technology] cost for a 400-room hotel has been about $50,000 a year. That   cost is going to go up as the brands start implementing new technology to take the place of systems that have been in place for quite some time,” says Shah.   “That cost could be significant. It could be several hundred thousand dollars in additional costs over the next three, four or five years.“
  • “The average [technology] cost for a 400-room hotel has been about $50,000 a year. That   cost is going to go up as the brands start implementing new technology to take the place of systems that have been in place for quite some time,” says Shah.   “That cost could be significant. It could be several hundred thousand dollars in additional costs over the next three, four or five years.“
  • ...15 more annotations...
  • cost is going to go up as the brands start implementing new technology to take the place of systems that have been in place for quite some time,” says Shah. 
  • significant. It could be several hundred thousand dollars in additional costs over the next three, four or five years.“
  • The need for a new generation of computers, data centers and security equipment for the nation’s hotels is driving up the expense of technology in the hospitality industry, says Mitesh Shah, chief executive officer at
  •  The average [technology] cost for a 400-room hotel has been about $50,000 a year. That  cost is going to go up as the brands start implementing new technology to take the place of systems that have been in place for quite some time,” says Shah.   “That cost could be  significant. It could be several hundred thousand dollars in additional costs over the next three, four or five years.“
  • The upgrades involve both communications that make life more convenient for travelers, and the unseen hardware that makes hotels function more smoothly.
  • Hackers are more aggressive than ever, and the cost of protecting hotel systems has risen accordingly
  • The hotel industry hasn’t kept up with the state of the art to the degree other industries have, says Shah, particularly with regard to pricing and customer convenience.
  • Traditionally, too many hotel managers focus on the condition of the carpets and walls  — whether they need painting or new pictures, or fresh plants in the lobby, rather than scrutinizing their technological infrastructure.
  • Examining how people buy and use media shows that bandwidths are growing more sophisticated, and the trend in a hotel experience is to become more connected,
  • And too many hotels are unable to provide that level of technical response.
  • Costly upgrades don’t always translate into higher rates, however. “The question really is, can you charge more for it? Or is it part of the experience?”
  • high-speed Internet, for instance, it’s an amenity that customers demand, but they’re not necessarily willing to pay extra for it.
  • Another expense involves business intelligence technology — the detailed analysis and tracking of a hotel’s daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly performance.
  • Operating teams then analyze the results and plan their financial strategy on a day-to-day basis, says Shah.
  • When it comes to creature comforts, travelers don’t want to compromise, says Shah. They want the same comforts on the road that are available at home
  •  
    The Hotel Industry has not kept up with the state of the art technology to the degree other industries have. It's at a point where a great investment is needed to upgrade technology they use both in communications as well as the unseen hardware that make hotels function on a day to day basis. The cost of replacement and and expansion of business data centers and security is very large. But who bears the cost?, since guests have come to expect ammenities such as high speed internet, but aren't necessarily willing to pay for it. This is an inevitable cost hotel corporations are going to have work in to their budgets in order to stay relevant and competitive
kenziemoody

Safe Meetings and Events: Your COVID-19 Playbook | Cvent Blog - 1 views

  • l become expected for venues to be equipped with thermal scanning,
  • showing symptoms and can be immediately quarantined
  • a security measure expected by planners and attendees
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • have virtual or hybrid alternatives as a replacement
  • thermal cameras at entry points
  • Event Diagramming tools to ensure you adhere to those guidelines
  • hotels and venues play a key role in the recovery of the industry
  • deliver safe experiences for everyone involved.
  •  
    Event planning and in-person meetings have been affected by COVID-19. Event planners and venues are taking major efforts to begin hosting in-person group functions again. To begin safe meetings again, industries have implemented increased levels of safety precautions. One of these steps industries are taking is thermal scanning. Thermal scanning is a product that gives an indication of COVID-19 symptoms. Venues are industries are expected to provide this service to stay ahead of the game. Hotels such as Wynn Las Vegas have implemented thermal cameras at entry points throughout the hotel. At my office, we have also added thermal cameras at entrances to the building. Majority of events have shifted virtually until there is a vaccine. Event diagramming tools can provide event planners with photo-realistic site tours in 3D. Event diagramming can also display to potential clients a diagram of thermal scanning stations, and social distancing floor signs. Event diagramming is a diagramming tool where you can update existing layouts. Overall, it can provide future clients with the satisfaction that events can deliver their vision while maintaining safety guidelines.
jessielee214

How to manage risks in tourism? | CBI - Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries - 0 views

  • 1. What is risk management?
  • Risk management is a planned process through which organisations manage active crises.
  • A crisis is defined as a time of difficulty or danger and is usually a time when difficult or challenging decisions must be made.
  • ...29 more annotations...
  • 2. Before a crisis: Have a Risk Management Process in place
  • A Risk Management Process aims to reduce the uncertainties of actions taken during a crisis. It is important to have this is place in advance, so that your organisation is well prepared for unexpected events that may happen in future.
  • Establish the context
  • Identify the risks
  • Know who your stakeholders are
  • Analyse and evaluate risks
  • Analysing risks involves determining the likelihood of a crisis occurring and their possible consequences, from insignificant up to catastrophic. Understanding which possible crisis would have the most negative impact will enable you to decide on the priority course of action.
  • Treat risks
  • Communicate and Consult
  • Being visible and keeping in touch with your stakeholders is one of the most important factors of risk management, and it must be done on a continuous basis in all stages, before, during and after a crisis.
  • No two crises are the same, and some destinations will be more susceptible to particular crises than others. You should carry out a risk analysis, drawing up a list of crises that might happen based on those that have occurred in your region/country in the past and may happen again.
  • ou should revisit your website regularly and publish the most recent information about the impact a crisis is having on your destination/region.
  • Use your website and social media to keep in touch
  • Draw up a list of your stakeholders to get a clear overview, so you can ensure they are included in all correspondence you issue.
  • It is really important to date your website communications, so that users can be sure they are receiving the most up-to-date information.
  • Monitor and review
  • Crises are often fast-moving; situations tend to be highly changeable and can be volatile. This means that current processes, plans or procedures that you have in place to deal with a crisis should be regularly reviewed and updated. Your plan should be flexible and dynamic, so that you can adapt easily to the changing situation when a crisis happens.
  • Training and testing
  • Once you have formulated your Risk Management Plan, you must train your staff and test the plan.
  • 3. During the crisis: Follow these four steps
  • Once a company is in the middle of a crisis, the first thing to do is to understand the situation as best you can and understand the impact it can have on your organisation. This is a continual process as one of the characteristics of a crisis is that it’s always changing, and the effects on your business will also constantly shift.
  • 1. Mitigation
  • Mitigation refers to the initial actions that the company that is directly in the face of the crisis or emergency needs to carry out. These are the first steps that need to be taken to protect the ones in the immediate line of fire – teams, customers, suppliers, industry partners and finances.
  • 2. Preparedness
  • he mitigation stage of the crisis management could be a very short process or a long, drawn-out process, depending on the immediate effect of the crisis on your business. At the same time, the process to start preparing the business for this particular crisis can be key to the next stages of Response and Recovery.
  • 3. Response
  • The majority of crisis management lies in the response to the crisis. All the preparation you have already done to protect the company and its assets will help you in the response stage.
  • 4. Recovery
  • It is difficult to know when the Response phase becomes the Recovery phase. However, it is clear that, while you are on the road to Recovery, you should to continue to follow the steps you established in the Emergency Response Plan. As in the previous steps, you should be continuously refining and updating the plan, based on the current situation. Flexibility during the Recovery phase continues to be important. Your organisation may look different following all the changes you may have made as a result of the crisis, and your markets may also have changed.
  •  
    This article uses diagrams and gives the step to let us know the processing of managing the risk. Also, it teaches a four-step process- Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery to address a crisis successfully.
Qike Chu

Hotel Industry Trend: Mobile Proximity Marketing Gives Hoteliers and Their Advertisers an Innovative Way to Reach Guests & Increase Revenues | Global Travel Media - 3 views

  • andexclusivity. 
  • Today, hotels and advertisers have a new tool to reach their guests after they check in: interaction via the guests’ mobile devices—only now, it won’t be by dialing a number or sending a text message. 
  • Proximity marketing is one of the most effective advertising tools to become available for hoteliers.
  • ...10 more annotations...
  • Proximity marketing offers hoteliers capabilities that traditional advertising never could alone, which is why it is such an effective marketing for hoteliers. 
  • Proximity marketing provides a tool to reach guests beyond just traditional advertising campaigns by adding to existing digital signage and television advertising. 
  • Proximity marketing appeals to what guests want, offering hotels and advertisers increased customer engagement, interaction andexclusivity.  By notifying guests of exclusive promotions hotels have to offer through their mobile phones, hotels and advertisers have a greater chance of customers responding to their advertisements, and therefore a greater ROI on their marketing spend. 
  • Changing technologies provide a new way for hotels to interact with guests.
  • As hoteliers search for new marketing tools to increase interaction with their guests, and advertisers switch budgets from traditional advertising to newer, more interactive “new media”, it is clear that the future of hotel marketing is ready to evolve.
  • With such an increase in the use of mobile devices, hotels and advertisers are now provided with an interactive and immediate way to connect and engage with their guests.  Research shows that 98% of hotel guests turn on the TV within five minutes of entering their room.  This means that within the first five minutes of checking in, hotels are provided with a captive audience that is primed for information and offers.
  • By the end of 2011, 91% of Americans will own mobile phones, and Smartphone penetration will double.
  • by using wireless Bluetooth® capabilities—95% of mobile phones, including Smartphones are Bluetooth-enabled – to reach guests via their mobile devices, hotels and their advertisers can now offer promotions to guests after check-in, directly onto their mobile phone.
  • Research has shown that proximity marketing increases the response rate of traditional mobile marketing making it more effective: through mobile advertising, over 1.2 billion in digital coupons were issued in 2010 (over 41% growth) and response rates for mobile location-based couponing was 23-33 percent.  By adding proximity marketing into the mix, hoteliers can encourage guests to react to an advertisement immediately, create repeat business, and in turn generate larger ROI for hotel advertisers.
  • Increased interaction engages the customer in a hotels promotion.
  •  
    Proximity Marketing is the trend of the marketing sector of the hospitality industry. Based on the statistics, there is a great increase in using proximity marketing recent years. And there are some reasons why hotels choose to use this technology. First, it enables the hotel to reach potential customers and providing electronic forms of advertising. By notifying guests of exclusive promotions hotels have to offer through their mobile phones, hotels and advertisers have a greater chance of customers responding to their advertisements, and therefore a greater ROI on their marketing spend. Second, from the perspective of the hotel, it decrease the advertising cost in terms of decreasing labor cost. It is said that proximity marketing has a tremendous revenue-production potential, and more hotels are engaging in using proximity marketing.
  •  
    Proximity marketing is the localized wireless distribution of advertising content associated with a particular place. It is now becoming one of the most popular marketing tools in any industry especially in hospitality. Marketing people from hotel industry were looking for new marketing tools past few years. Instead of sending out promotion mails or emails, they need to have better ideas. What they realized is that wish an increase in the use of mobile devices, hotels can communicate and provide better service with guest cell phone. They also realized guests usually watch TV, while they are waiting to be C/I. So hotel is now providing offers while guests are in line. It is a Win-Win situation. The way to find communication is now the key of marketing. Proximity Marketing is a type of eMarketing that will help to communicate with guests with low cost.
  •  
    According to this article, it said that by the end of 2011, 91% of Americans  owned mobile phones, and Smartphone penetration have been doubled. Obviously, it becomes a trend in hospitality industry nowadays that more and more people use smart phones and tablets. Based on wireless such as bluetooth, it allows hoteliers to interact with customers much easier and more convenient. Proximity marketing is one kind of eMarketing which is very popular in daily life. It is well known that better marketing brings better sales which of course increases revenues of companies. By sending guests nearby informations about promotions and discounts, hotels attract more guests than before. However, too much informations sent to guests will make them sucks and they have no choice to select what they really want. So in my opinion, I think it should be improved.
Michelle Munne

High-tech hotels a hit with geeky guests - CNN.com - 0 views

  • the Andaz hotels, guests are greeted by a host bearing an iPad,
  • produce a room key via the iPad en route to the room.
  • keys that unlock the room door when flashed over a sensor
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • to control audio and video and play files from their MP3 players or laptops through the room's 40 inch flatscreen TV.
  • investing in apps for the mobile market, which allow users to find nearby hotels and check their
  • which allow users to find nearby hotels and check their room rates.
  •  
    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
Dongyun Oh

Sba Green Loan Program Breaking Ground For New Hotel Development - 0 views

  •  
    The financial crisis of 2007-2008 is considered by many economists to be the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. It resulted in the threat of total collapse of large financial institutions, the bailout of banks, and downturns in stock markets around the world. The bursting of the U.S. real estate bubble, which peaked in 2006, caused the values of securities tied to U.S. real estate pricing to plummet, damaging financial institutions. Prior to this crisis strategies to develop new hotels or acquire existing assets with a small percentage of cash out of pocket were plentiful. Today to secure funding it may take 30%-40% of hard cash to move a deal forward. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering a way to leverage funds at well below market rates for major renovations and new construction with as low as 10% cash down. The catch? Some money-saving energy efficiency or renewable energy measures must be in the mix. Millions of dollars in SBA 504 loans have been available for decades to help small businesses grow. The greening of the program began when the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 added 3 public policy goals that could qualify businesses for a loan for construction, renovation, or refinance to: 1.Build a new facility (or retrofit an existing building) that consumes at least 10% less energy. 2.Incorporate sustainable design such as LEED into the new construction or renovation projects or building purchases. 3.Incorporate the production and use of renewable energy onsite for the business and/or for the local utility. Another area the 504 green loan program can assist the hospitality industry is to bring cash to the table for major renovations. Hotel franchise companies have been lenient over the past several years on product improvement, as not many hoteliers have had the financial ability to perform major renovations. In the past several months the need for franchise companies to protect their brand have
jingyaoxie

Hospitality Solution - 1 views

  • POS systems have revolutionized the Hospitality industry. The deployment of these systems have decreased service times and increased efficiency of the orders.As a result, the hospitality industry is able to provide better and efficient services to their guests. Further, these systems help the hosts differentiate themselves from their competition; thereby increasing their market share and improving their revenues.
  •  
    POS systems have become a key in the hospitality industry. With these invention the hospitality industry, is able to provide the best and efficient service to their guests. Also, POS systems allows to have the correct information on profit, inventory, etc. In the market, we have hundreds of companies that are competing in providing the best prices and services....
  • ...2 more comments...
  •  
    There are so many reasons why a business should choose to go with a point of sales. The ability to track and record sales, marketing and promotional sales allows you to gather data from previous promotions and security is also a plus for adding a point of sales. You can monitor sales without being present; instead of focusing on ensuring that employees don't take money, POS would allow you to perform other jobs within your role.
  •  
    This article discusses only the positives of POS systems. I do agree with the fact that there are many advantages of these systems such as monitoring sales. These systems are also cost-effective and convenient. However, I personally would have liked to see some disadvantages in the article, even though I do feel that these systems are very advantageous to the hospitality industry.
  •  
    POS systems have revolutionized the Hospitality industry. The deployment of these systems have decreased service times and increased efficiency of the orders.As a result, the hospitality industry is able to provide better and efficient services to their guests. Further, these systems help the hosts differentiate themselves from their competition; thereby increasing their market share and improving their revenues. Moreover, these systems help the industry in managing compliance & regulations into their business practices. Hospitality is the act or practice of reception and entertainment of guests with kind and generous liberality. It is a relationship between a guest and a host. The hospitality industry includes hotels, restaurants ,casinos,catering, resorts, membership clubs, conventions, attractions, special events,and other service for travelers and tourists.
  •  
    POS systems have revolutionized the Hospitality industry. The deployment of these systems have decreased service times and increased efficiency of the orders.As a result, the hospitality industry is able to provide better and efficient services to their guests. Further, these systems help the hosts differentiate themselves from their competition; thereby increasing their market share and improving their revenues. Moreover, these systems help the industry in managing compliance & regulations into their business practices. Hospitality is the act or practice of reception and entertainment of guests with kind and generous liberality. It is a relationship between a guest and a host. The hospitality industry includes hotels, restaurants ,casinos,catering, resorts, membership clubs, conventions, attractions, special events,and other service for travelers and tourists.
Sasha Bravo

Industry Outlook | Top Stories | | Hospitality Magazine (HT) - 0 views

  • Steve Barrow, VP of IS, Luby’s Inc
  • have seen some next generation hotel management systems that are truly cloud-based (no thin client installs). They have the ability to integrate with social media outlets, CRM and all the other major management modules, allowing the guest to ultimately have a better interaction with their online hotel profile and booking abilities.
  • I believe a mobile payments standard such as Google Wallet or NFC on smartphones is an emerging technology with profound implications. The service will allow a customer to access all of his account balances and payment methods
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Tech is experiencing an innovation boom, and many in the hospitality industry are ready to replace the “slow to adopt” mentality with strategic IT investments. From cloud computing to mobile devices, hotels and restaurants are monitoring, testing and deploying new solutions that improve the guest experience, streamline operations across vast franchise networks, and bring greater security to their enterprises.
  • I would expect apps to be available to give the guest a new, unique experience to their guest room, not only from the booking side, but also the experience once they have entered your hotel; much more than just a booking widget.
  • I hope to see a single mobile device be your unique and secured identifier for everything from loyalty programs to payment transactions, to hotel room entry. This might be NFC or something else. Such a large percentage of our guests are carrying mobile devices, we should be able to identify them uniquely and have them authorize the sharing of this information for multiple purposes. Personally I hate having to carry 30 cards in m
  • y wallet for varied functions. I know there are multiple vendors doing some facets of this chip-based ID, but the entity that standardizes and creates buy-in from consumers will be huge in the future of hospitality and retail markets.
  •  
    This article looked at the views on IT investments of Hospitality Technology's Editorial Advisory Board. The Board represents a variety of hospitality industries. The article focused on areas of improvement, emerging technologies, IT priorities for 2012, "wish list" IT investments, and more. Among the areas for improvement, guest Wi-Fi and mobile apps, loss prevention technologies, and social media targeting older clientele topped the list. Older guests connecting to and understanding social media are a worry among many of the Board members as well as lack of standardized, secure payment methods. Many also mention that their current systems (POS in particular) tend to hold them back from implementing new IT technologies because they would not be compatible.  Most Board members listed having mobile devices that could be used for a variety of purposes on the guest end as well as on the business end would be top on their "wish list" for IT implementations. With almost everyone owning smartphones today, I think this would be the smartest and most effective IT implementation to invest in. Many customers and guests are looking for easy and accessible ways of navigating through the hotel and restaurant environments without extensive help from others. Since many people, especially the generation coming up, are more and more attached to their phones and tablets, mobile apps for nearly everything seems like the smart way to go.  Cloud-based servers were a close second in terms of what they wanted in invest in. Many of the Board members pinpointed technologies that have been around but are still new, especially in their respective areas, when speaking of useful emerging technologies. Mobile apps, tablet and 73456
  •  
    this article gives a great overview of the steps leaders in the Hospitality industry are taking towards new technology. In this article members of the industry were interview regarding weaknesses in the current hospitality market as well as emerging trends that each believe is in rapid increase. Some of the answers give very interesting approach towards technology. Although, overall it seems that the number one emerging technology is the use of cloud-based/mobile-based services.
sophia edwards

ASUS Launches First Intel Thunderbolt Certified Motherboard | Hardware Secrets - 0 views

  •  
    The thunderbolt will have high-speed data connection technology that provides a maximum of 10 GBPS transfer rate. This will be the first thunderbolt motherboard to be certified by Intel. By having a motherboard as unique as this one, computers will be able to operate a higher speed, which can optimize work performance. This motherboard will also have six USB ports, 4 PCI Express slots and much more accessories. I believe having a Computer with this hardware can be beneficial to any company, especially when working with various projects and software. How do you feel this motherboard can impact a business on a day to day basis? below i have included the webpage for you to check out the articles on this motherboard.
frank rodriguez

Reservation software, guest & property management software by Reservation Nexus - 0 views

  • Reservation Nexus is the most popular and most used all-in-one seamless reservation system for U.S. bed and breakfasts and inns. All-in-one systems are the future and are here to stay, replacing outdated synch or partial reservation systems. With Reservation Nexus you get all the tools you need to capture more reservations and run your inn with ease. From online bookings to guest management to built-in automated marketing, you get it all from Reservation Nexus. Come see why hundreds of bed and breakfasts and inns have switched to Reservation Nexus
  • Automated marketing done right is a recession buster. How great would it be if all your guests received a happy birthday and happy anniversary email card from you each year? Simply powerful! Schedule your email promotions and newsletters for the entire year and watch them go out. Automatically thank your guests for staying. Automatically send your guests directions and a map a few days before their arrival.
  • With Reservation Nexus , you will capture more reservations online from your website than from any other hotel software or bed and breakfast software system. You will be able to quickly record phone reservations and perform front desk duties. Personalized and professional emails automatically thank, welcome and congratulate your guests at the right time and throughout the year. You will have more time and more freedom to better take care of your guests as well as yourself!
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • Reservation Nexus is 100% web based and can be accessed at work, at home and on vacation. There are no additional costs for having it on all your inn's computers. There is no software to install or upgrade. Reservation Nexus is a living system, with new innovations every quarter. With Reservation Nexus , you avoid having to buy a new software version every couple of years.
  •  
    This article talks about the nexus reservations software and how it makes the lives of hotel managers much easier. Some of the things mentioned within the article are that the system is a quick and simple way to make reservations, saving the hotel manager time and money. Another great thing that this system is able to do is keep in touch with people that have already stayed at your establishment. Nexus reservations has the function of emailing previous clients and keeping in contact with them by sending birthday wishes or letting them know about upcoming events. Another important aspect of this article is that it talks about the company service that Nexus provides. Reservation Nexus is 100% web based and can be accessed at work, at home and on vacation. There are no additional costs for having it on more than one computer in your business. There is no software to install so there is no limit to its potential. It removes the headache of dealing with updates and the fear of possibly becoming obsolete. Reservation Nexus is a living system, with new innovations every quarter. With Reservation Nexus , you avoid having to buy a new software version every couple of year
laura kaczkowski

Why the Future of Online Hotel Marketing is Cloud-Based Utility Computing - 1 views

  • Technology advances incredibly fast, not least in an industry such as travel which has seen incredible levels of disruption across so many disciplines.
  • build a website, start a blog–but now we’re being told that a website is not enough!
  • Imagine no more: it’s called utility computing in-the-cloud and has been used by technology giants for years.
  • ...11 more annotations...
  • Utility computing is a broad concept that encapsulates cloud computing and software as a service (SaaS).
  • “This time, it’s computing that’s turning into a utility. In the years ahead, more and more of the information-processing tasks that we rely on, at home and at work, will be handled by big data centers located out on the Internet.”
  • The concept of paying a subscription for a utility has gone online as well. Instead of setting up web servers in our home or office, we purchase a web hosting subscription. While interest in personal tax and finance consultants decreases, use of in-the-cloud-solutions like TurboTax and Mint continues to explode.
  • The current and future dominance of utility computing is evident, but even so, SaaS can be an intimidating concept for some hoteliers
  • By purchasing a utility, you own all benefits that come with it. You use it, consume it and master it – it is yours. Renting, on the other hand, demands a return.
  • When I rent a movie from Blockbuster, I have a limited selection (whatever fits in the store) and when I’m done with the video, I have to return it and rent it again to watch it again.
  • Netflix, I have open access to hundreds of thousands of videos that took billions to produce, which I can stream as much as I wan
  • When technology advances, SaaS companies pass those latest advances on to their client
  • Like Netflix, which delivers video content that took billions to produce, utility computing delivers web design built with an information architecture that took millions to produce.
  • This means that when you embrace SaaS, you gain million-dollar technology that never grows outdated instead of buying a static website built on thousand-dollar technology that can’t help but grow outdated.
  • My advice is to put in the tough work and choose a solution that delivers amazing results now and adapts to technology changes later, so you don’t have to go shopping again.
  •  
    The article I read was called, 'Why the Future of Online Hotel Marketing is Cloud-Based Utility Computing.' In the article, it says that technology is moving super fast these days and companies are trying everything they can to keep up, for example building websites and starting blogs, but they feel that it's not enough. Up until now companies could not manage all of their marketing efforts from one place but now they can and it's called utility computing in-the-cloud. "Utility computing is a broad concept that encapsulates cloud computing and software as a service (SaaS)."Some hotel owners feel intimidated because a website does not seem as permanent as owning something. One example that I really liked that they gave in the article was, "When I rent a movie from Blockbuster, I have a limited selection (whatever fits in the store) and when I'm done with the video, I have to return it and rent it again to watch it again." Compared this to Netflix, where you have access to hundreds of thousands of videos and you can watch them as many times as you want and for any long as you want for no additional cost. When you embrace SaaS, you gain million dollar technology that never grows outdated, compare this to a website that is only built on thousand-dollar technology and can get outdated, and it sounds like a great investment!
rebecca Bonet

hospitality ebusiness strategies news, hotel marketing - Google Search - 0 views

shared by rebecca Bonet on 15 Sep 12 - No Cached
  •  
    In this article it talks about e business strategies. One of them being mobile device because research and booking travel have been so critical for people on the go. The HeBS is a big digital marketing firm for the hospitality industry. There are profitable online strategies to come by in the hospitality industry. These opportunities do not come easy many time it very complex but also very successful if it done right .Hotel budget have come to a plateau. Hotel need to step up the plate because online travel agencies have taken over the industry. In addition social media and smart phone have added new dimension for market that require new skills with their ideas. HeBS face a challenge by multichannel marketing success, improving return on ad spend, and making more online marketing to be able to come back by doing this they would have the solution and the result. The solution being, keeping clients of the curve of the competition by building direct online revenue. The result for that is providing insights. The market and the driving force for the differentiate competitors. The benefits will build a leading- edge for the hospitality industry
wei xie

POS in the Cloud | Top Stories | | Hospitality Magazine (HT) - 0 views

  • are taken, a cloud-based POS is no different than a hardwired system in this
  • Moving technology systems into the cloud is becoming more accepted in the hospitality industry
  • from the ability to update software at multiple locations in minutes rather than weeks, to savings in both cost and labor
  • ...20 more annotations...
  • many operators are waiting until their current POS systems need upgrading before making the change, and many vendors who aren’t offering a cloud-based POS today will be in the future.
  • But what about utilizing the technology for point-of sale (POS) systems
  • Industry experts
  • believe
  • cloud-based POS is not only reliable and safe, but is also on its way to becoming the norm rather than the exception.
  • Most chain operations have a lot invested in their current POS systems, and if they are currently working in their stores, there is no immediate payback for switchi
  • But when it gets down to it, who has the better IT department, a large technology vendor or Joe’s Bar and Grill?”
  • However, for the single-unit restaurant, a cloud based-solution is an easy and cost-effective solution
  • “A cloud-based solution allows him to get up and running from an IT standpoint without a lot of servers, hardware and infrastructure needed.”
  • One of the biggest fears for a restaurant operator is downtime at the POS, and when the entire system relies on the Internet, this fear hits an all time high
  • high . However, as long as backup measures are taken, a cloud-based POS is no different than a hardwired system in this regard, according to Dolan
  • regard, according to Dolan
  • When operating in the cloud, data resides in the hands of someone other than the restaurant operator
  • “You always need to have firewalls, be sure to segment your local area network, and change your passwords. But when it gets down to it, who has the better IT department, a large technology vendor or Joe’s Bar and Grill
  • software at multiple locations in minutes rather
  • ? Industry experts, as well as operators who have taken the plunge, believe cloud-based POS is not only reliable and safe, but is also on its way to becoming the norm rather than the exception.
  • And since his café offers catering, he can accept payment on location with the iPad or iPhone, something not possible with a hardwired system, he notes.
  • “When you look at the concept itself, it is attractive to the guy that is just starting up,” explains Lee Holman, lead retail analyst at IHL Consulting. “A cloud-based solution allows him to get up and running from an IT standpoint without a lot of servers, hardware and infrastructure needed.”
  • However, as long as backup measures are taken, a cloud-based POS is no different than a hardwired system in this regard, according to Dolan.
  • Not only does it shift responsibility to the vendor, but more than likely they will have more money and resources to dedicate to it.
  •  
    This article talks about how more and more people in the hospitality industry are using a POS based-cloud instead of hardwire systems. According to some experts in some years most of the hospitality industry would have change into using the cloud. For now most of the users of the cloud are single unit restaurants as it is an easy system to adopt and cost efficient. On the other side for chain restaurants to make this change can be costly; therefore it is believed that it will take some time for them to change. Still some people believe that this can be an unreliable and unsecured system. Some of the reasons for this are: -The lack of privacy; as the data will be in the hands of somebody else. -This system relies on the internet so when a connection problem occurs a downtime would take place creating complications for the restaurant operator. According to experts and users both of these ideas can be debated. Leaving the data handling in the hand of experts can bring advantages and lower the costs. On the other hand when the internet fails if the correct backup measures are taken it has no difference with the hardware system.
  •  
    This article talks about the benefits of POS in cloud, and eliminates some misunderstanding about its downtime and security concerns. The author start selling POS in cloud by pointing out the trend that it is becoming more accepted. CEO and president of the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) says it will be mainstream in the next two to five years. Though POS in cloud would be a easy set up and cost saving solution for a starting up single-unit,"Large chains are more likely to turn to cloud applications for business intelligence solutions first because there is not as much investment or change in infrastructure compared to the POS" says Dave Matthews. But since multi-unit chains have already invested lots of money in the old POS, they are going to wait for those POS pay back before they switch to POS in cloud. Then author switched to what concern people most about cloud computing, downtime and security. A cloud based POS can have as reliable backup plan as a hardwired system. Although POS in cloud does not have backup servers in the location which should be provided by vendor, it can have several connection backups, like wireless, 3G or 4G, phone line. And about the security concern, just ask yourself is you have the security system than a technology vendor.
Jia Kim

Choosing the 'Right' Mobile Solution to Maximize Bookings - 0 views

  • it is apparent that having a mobile site is critical to having a successful hotel marketing campaign
  •  
    This article says about the right mobile solution to maximize bookings. It is apparent that having a mobile site is critical to having a successful hotel marketing campaign. Most hoteliers have to design a mobile-friendly site, it's not an option. The more positive user experience created, the more bookings expected. User friendly application surely influence the users' purchasing decision. Thus, the hoteliers need to optimize various devices in order to keep users engaged from the moment of searching to researching and to booking. Two kinds of solution was introduced. One is Responsive design solution which enables one site to fits all kinds of device from desk top, lap top to smart phone or tablets. It is not necessary to optimize teh contents for each device so easy to manage the contents and images on the site. Second type is Multiple site solution or traditional mobile site. This solution is ideal for hotel sites that have many pages within the site. Building a seperate site in order to cater to mobile users who are interested in specific information. It is important to acknowledge that which device the guest is using to optimize the contents. To be short, providing an optimum user experience is very important to convert visitors into guests.
« First ‹ Previous 61 - 80 of 3602 Next › Last »
Showing 20 items per page