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Because a wireless network can support many applications, hoteliers are finding that adding services can be fairly inexpensive

Cameras can communicate wirelessly and video can be cached off site.

VoWiFi: Voiceover Wi-Fi is one way a mobile handset can be integrated into a voice-over-Internet-protocol network.Development kit: A software development kit typically is a set of development tools that allows a software engineer to create applications for a certain software package, hardware platform, computer system, video game console, operating system or similar platform.Browser-based: An application that is accessed via Web browser over a network such as the Internet or an intranet. Also a software application that is coded in a browser-supported language.Two-way: A radio that can both transmit and receive, unlike a broadcast receiver, which only receives content.RF: Radio frequency is a frequency or rate of oscillation, which corresponds to the frequency of alternating current electrical signals used to produce and detect radio waves.LAN: A local-area network is a computer network covering a small geographic area, such as a home, office or group of buildings, that consists of high data-transfer rates, a small geographic range and lack of a need for telecommunication lines.Mesh: Mesh networking is a way to route data, voice and instructions between nodes. It allows for continuous connections and reconfiguration around broken or blocked paths by “hopping” from node to node until the destination is reached.

A related threat is that of “skimmers,” or devices that catch credit card numbers when consumers use them for payment. The problem primarily is contained to the restaurant industry, but Callaghan is concerned it could spread to hotels.

“Security” still is something of a taboo in the global hotel industry, said Paul Moxness VP for corporate safety and security at The Rezidor Hotel Group, a Brussels-based hotel management company, with more than 400 hotels and nearly 90,000 rooms in its portfolio.

HFTP is working with members of several organizations including, EHL, HFTP's Research Institute at the University of Houston, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA).

To create a global resource for the hospitality finance industry, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) has begun development on a global hospitality accounting system users guide.

According to the company, it is one of the largest information risk management solutions and services providers in Asia with an annual revenue run rate of $35 million. With this capital infusion, Paladion also plans to consolidate its leadership position in Asian markets and pivot to a global canvas with security intelligence technology and cloud security services.

"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."

nvesting in your property website to maximize revenue from the three screens

Keeping the consumer engaged and reaching them multiple times throughout their journey (through which you will also be competing with the OTAs and other hotel websites) requires using multiple channels to tell your hotel's story.

Mr Emuang says: “As a fragmented market, it is hard to build significant numbers. So it is always important to involve cross-border initiatives.” Especially, the tourism and hospitality businesss. “Boutique accommodation places could register with aggregating travel websites like www.booking.com and www.tripadvisor.com.”

Under Budget 2015, the government is giving funds for SMEs to equip themselves with IT facilities for expansion purposes and to venture into overseas market using e-commerce. There is RM80 million (US$24.4 million) to encourage the use of new technology, automation and innovation.

“In my consultancy practice, I do not see companies incorporating social media in their crisis communications plans, even though it is very evident that many crises today stem from social media or can spread and be magnified through social media channels. It is only after they are caught like deer in the headlights are they likely to change or take social media seriously,” the Trinetizen Media Sdn Bhd director tells The Establishment Post.

“The crux of the matter is that social media forces companies to be more open, transparent and accountable to their stakeholders. But the management culture here, especially with family-owned companies, is closed, almost secretive, and opaque.” Time and the need to expand will force many a business to get into e-marketing.

went so far as to confiscate items, and some claim they even riffled through their bags

some folks said they aren’t going back to the conferences if they are held in Las Vegas.

Our goal with the new features is to rescue hotel event and sale managers from software that was developed over 25 years ago,” said Jonathan Morse, founder and CEO of Tripleseat. “When it comes to selling and managing group business, hotels do things differently than our restaurants customers. We developed these new features specifically with hotels in mind. Tripleseat is a complete web based sales and event management application that is simple to use and will help hotels increase their group business sales.”

Tripleseat is the fastest growing sales and event management platform that helps restaurants, hotels, and unique venues streamline the planning process and increase event sales. Tripleseat was founded in 2008 by Jonathan Morse and Kevin Zink. To date, the Tripleseat platform has helped venues book over 5.5 million events and captured $12 billion in event leads. More than 45,000 event managers use Tripleseat every day to book and plan the perfect event for their customers.