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Karyn

Best 10 Upselling Software 2020 | Find Reviews, Pricing, Buying Guide - 0 views

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    This article is by hotel tech report which is a company that provides reviews of various hospitality technology products and allows users to compare an contrast a variety of software to determine which is best for their particular business.
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    This article takes a look at a segment of revenue management software--upselling software--with an emphasis on how this type of software can increase a hotels RevPar, or revenue per available room. When used correctly, the article states that the software will provide more incremental revenue and better guest satisfaction.
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    This is achieved by getting the right guest to spend more money at the right time, by offering valuable services at the right time, and at the right price. Hotels can add personalized offers to the guest. It also allows hotels to anticipate special requests from guests.
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    The most important features of upselling software are as follows: --PMS integration (automated connection with database) --Exclusion lists (ability to exclude some guests from certain offers) --Cross-device platform (guests can redeem offers from various devices) --Customizable CMS (staff can customize and test offers) --Multi-language --Email automation for offers --Data security protections compliant
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    Hotels that wish to invest in this software can expect 25% increase in incremental revenue. Implementation takes from 7-30 days depending on the PMS being used by the hotel, which causes a variance.
nellyvero71

Research Proves the Benefits of Getting Ahead of the AI Curve - 0 views

  • As marketers, we see it everywhere: Affixed to the claims of the latest marketing tech, alongside warnings that it will eradicate jobs like content production, and peppered into predictions of coming trends.
  • “the next big thing.” In this case, they either become numb to mention of AI because it’s usually not actionable or approachable, or they’re disillusioned because it’s just a catchy term for tools that aren’t really AI.
  • At the Marketing Artificial Intelligence Institute, we’ve talked for a long time about the importance of AI, and more recently, about the massive impact of early adoption on an organization’s ability to get ahead.
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  • Early AI adopters, or AI “Pioneers,” are actively “establishing positions in both customer and labor markets that may make it hard for others to draft off of their hard work. The many advantages reported by Pioneers suggest that early AI movers may be especially hard to catch.”
  • That caliber of competitive advantage is hard to ignore. And research is continually proving the benefits of getting ahead of the AI curve.
  • AI can deliver true value to the serious adopters—vast improvements in day-to-day business functions, higher profit margins, and a widening performance gap. 
  • the companies that moved past the uncertainty and seriously invested in AI saw real results.
  • Those who combined an already strong digital foundation with proactive strategies saw massive increases in profit margin, and the performance gap between them and the AI laggards will continue to grow.
  • Not only are they set up for success as AI continues to take off, they aren’t implementing to save on business expenses. Instead, early AI adopters focused on increasing revenue and market share—the cost reduction potential comes secondarily.
  • Many organizations are taking a “wait and see” approach, but the need to act is urgent. Going from a theoretical understanding of what's possible with AI to understanding the actual use cases for your business is difficult—but essential.
  • But you and your organization have the opportunity now to be proactive in advancing knowledge and capabilities before your competitors beat you to it.
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    The article talks about the companies that are implementing Artificial Intelligence in their business and in the market. The benefits of to be the pioneers of having this technology.
anonymous

Survey Shows US Cybersecurity Attacks Costing Orgs More Money - 0 views

  • Survey Shows US Cybersecurity Attacks Costing Orgs More Money
  • Cybersecurity attacks are leading to estimated financial losses of an average of $884,000, according to an IDG survey.
  • "As organizations prepare for various attacks and breaches, hackers continue to be savvier in their approaches,”
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  • “Resilient organizations must have all employees embrace security practices, from awareness training to behavior monitoring to gap protections."
  • Firewalls, spam filtering, network-based antivirus tools, access controls, and encryption were listed as the most effective solutions for detecting or deterring external threat factors.
  • The top three types of cybersecurity incidents also differ depending on whether it was an insider or outsider threat. The report found that outsider threats tend to consist of the following: Unauthorized access to/use of information, systems, or networks Customer records compromised or stolen Confidential records (trade secrets or intellectual property) compromised or stolen
  • The average cost of a data breach is $3.62 million globally, according to the 2017 Cost of a Data Breach Study: Global Overview sponsored by IBM Security and conducted by Ponemon Institute.
  • "Data breaches and the implications associated continue to be an unfortunate reality for today's businesses," Ponemon Institute Chairman and Founder Dr. Larry Ponemon said in a statement. "Year-over-year we see the tremendous cost burden that organizations face following a data breach.”
  • Cybersecurity incidents stemming from insider threats will include private or sensitive information being unintentionally exposed, customer records being compromised or stolen, and employee records being compromised or stolen.
obena010

When It Comes to a Cyberattack, We Are All Vulnerable - By David Trumble - 0 views

  • When It Comes to a Cyberattack, We Are All Vulnerable
  • Cyberattacks have nearly paralyzed mega enterprises including Facebook, Target, Wells Fargo and even the venerable credit reporting agency, Equifax. 
  • Here are some compelling, if not terrifying, statistics on the growing threat of data breaches:
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  • organizations must take preemptive measures not only to mitigate the financial and reputational impact of these events but ultimately to protect their customers.
  • Deploying the latest software protection is only the beginning. Transparency to customers and actionable steps to correct such a catastrophic event are critical to an orderly recovery.
  • An effective plan includes a risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities across a wide spectrum of threats including, but not limited to, cyberattacks.
  • Here are six important questions to ask your crisis management team:
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    Talks about the effects and the importance of being prepared for a cyber attack.
davidclark33

In A Covid-19 World, Here's Why You Should Use A Travel Agent - 0 views

  • Back in March, I wrote about how travel agents helped clients get home as walls of travel restrictions went up, and as airlines cut flights.
  • That story led a number of travel advisors to contact me, sharing their tales. With pictures of stranded travelers sleeping in airports still fresh in my mind, and thousands of others unable to get ahold of their airlines, I thought now would be a good time to remind you why it pays to use a travel advisor. From Classic Travel Connection in Birmingham, Alabama, Christen Perry recalled, “On March 11, during the middle of the President's speech to our nation regarding travel to and from Europe my team began making immediate contact with our clients who were still traveling in Europe.”
  • Closer to home, as millions of folks who booked direct were getting busy signals, Alexis Sherry of As Travel Pro was swinging into action. A family she had in the Dominican Republic were notified by their hotel that the airport was shutting down. Since they had used a travel advisor, as in real person, not an online screen bot, they had no problem getting through. After finding no flights available, Sherry contacted a private jet company, which arrived to pick the family up just seven hours after the hotel notified them of the shutdown. She also obtained a credit for the remainder of their interrupted stay.
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  • She continued, “We could only assume how crazy the European airports would become when they woke up the next morning to the news from the press conference. Even though it was the middle of the night for them, we called them, woke them up, calmly communicated the situation, and asked them to pack their bags and head to the airport. “While they were doing so, we began immediately changing their flights to get them home as soon as possible. By acting quickly, calmly, and as a team, we were able to communicate with the clients, with each other, and with our suppliers. Our clients were among the first out of Europe that morning.”
  • Back across the Atlantic, Louisa Gehring of Brownell Travel affiliate Gehring Travel, didn’t need to look far to see how quickly the situation was deteriorating. A reporter from The New York Times posted about “bedlam” at Charles de Gaulle Airport as throngs of Americans sought to get home.
  • When the ban was announced, Gehring reached out to a couple were in the City of Lights celebrating the wife’s 40th birthday. She talked them through options to return home, even though it was 2 am. Her clients decided to leave the next day. In cutting their trip short, they were going to miss going to the top of the Eiffel Tower and a dinner cruise by celebrated chef Alain Ducasse, which was also nonrefundable. Within hours, the star advisor moved both experiences to that day, their final day in Paris. They were among the last visitors to the Eiffel Tower before it closed, followed by dinner, where they were among only a guests.
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    This article is about the value of using a travel agent. The article describes several real-life situations that unfolded as borders and countries were shutting down travel.... all while tourists were still visiting these countries. Luckily these tourists booked their vacations using travel agents so they were able to work with their travel agents on navigating home and not with a computer screen.
mannypjr

Technology in travel agencies: 7 fundamental changes that impact the travel agent's revenue - KeyForTravel - 0 views

  • the market scenario of their business has changed dramatically in recent years (and will continue to change)
  • Why would any travel agent really want to return to costly, inefficient booking and communications systems anyway?
  • from services to clients to a more experiential-based kind of travel
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  • The goal is no longer the Destination but what you can take from it, in terms of emotions, feelings and experiences above all
  • a new way of booking that no longer requests the presence
  • it is difficult to sift through the options and opportunities to find the one that fits the needs of your business. And, even the most tech-savvy travel agents, may find some obstacles on their way
  • disruption, modernization, techie platforms, big data, robotization and artificial intelligence
  • Internet is helping to create the modern travel agency
  • no longer have to physically visit an agency
  • the rise of online booking
  • The same is valid for airlines and hotels where customers are now allowed to book tickets and lodging directly from these companies' websites.
  • creating a new kind of relationship between travel agencies and clients
  • travel agencies have widened the ways in which they can communicate not only with customers, but also with their business network and partner services. 
  • "get a personality"
  • Social media is one of the more significant tools nowadays
  • a 24/7 booking service and customers accept no less than that
  • "Digitization in aviation, travel, and tourism is expected to increase profitability throughout the ecosystem, creating up to 305 billion dollars (270 billion euros) in value over the decade spanning 2016 to 2025", according to Accenture and the World Economic Forum report.
  • the huge amount of customer data at the disposal of travel agencies is allowing for a more pervasive analysis and efficient predictions based on behavioural information
  • intelligent virtual assistants are increasingly being integrated into mobile devices and messaging apps, assuring travel agencies can offer a truly on-demand service which makes clients happier
  • Virtual reality is allowing agencies to "transport" customers to their dreamed destinations
  • . It is all about making clients happier and assure revenues are growing, turning the business into a profitable one. 
  • Transformation in the travel sector is all about increasing speed and creating the agility to spot and respond to customer needs better than ever before
  • Maximum efficiency, agility, end-to-end experiences based on real-time data, hyper-personalized services are some of the "must do" nowadays.  
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    This article talks about the 7 fundamental changes that are impacting travel agents. Specifically it speaks about the internet's role, self-service, forming new types of relationships with clients, social media, mobile access, digitization, and data/AI use.
nbakir

Shifting ahead of the curve when re-opening your F&B business with the right technology - 0 views

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    The article by Shiji Group (2020) focuses on how companies can utilize technology in responding to post-crisis operations, increasing their competitiveness in their respective industries. In itself, the Shiji group is a software solutions company that provides its services in the Food, hospitality, entertainment, and retail industry. The company was founded in 1998 and currently employs approximately 5,000 individuals in its over 80 subsidiaries. As of 2020, Shiji Group serves approximately 200,000 restaurants, 74,000 hotels, and 600,00 retail businesses (Shiji Group, 2020. To this effect, the Shiji Group (2020) provides that the utilization of point-of-sale software and technologies is the best suit technological alternative for foods and beverages companies in the post-crisis period. In this line, the article indicates that the best alternative in implementing such technology is ensuring that the company's systems can communicate effectively. In this line, Shiji Group (2020) notes that approximately 65% of all purchasing decisions are affected by the availability of point-of-sale features, modules, and functionalities. Shiji Group (2020) further provides one of the transitioning alternatives: the utilization of cloud-based technologies that provide secure, convenient, flexible, and open application programming interfaces (APIs). Some of the accrued benefits include better customer experiences due to software ease of use, multi-function applications and reports building, and capacity to alter the software and hardware accessibility. Having noted these advantages, Shiji Group (2020) provides an example of its software business partnership with Barstock Exchange. They focused on helping Food and beverage businesses extend their capacity through the upgrading of its technological base. This was achieved through the upgrading and integration of the point-of-sale software and their cloud-based software functionality, hence increasing their operational capacity and effi
jamigovaerts

Capturing Travel Agent GDS Bookings in Challenging Times - 2 views

  • While the travel industry faces ongoing challenges from COVID-19, travel agents will play a key role in connecting hotels and travelers, especially given the flexibility and changes that may be required of travelers in the coming months.
  • To best capture the travel agent audience, use global distribution systems.
  • Even through this period of uncertainty, global distribution systems have consistently remained one of the highest ADR channels. And travel agents have some excellent reasons to keep booking hotels through these systems:
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  • They earn a commission
  • It’s more convenient.
  • It’s more efficient.
  • Optimizing your presence on the gds and boosting your visibility is essential to connecting with and winning bookings from the travel agent audience.
  • That includes rates on your website, metasearch, all gds, and online travel agencies. Rate parity is important to 89% of travel agents worldwide – if they see a better rate elsewhere, they’ll actively book away from your property.
  • Make sure your property is correctly geocoded or indexed.
  • Evaluate your photos.
  • Update any modified or additional hotel services and amenities
  • Revise cancellation, flexible rate, and rebooking policies for impacted travelers.
  • List your commission policy.
  • What is most important to travel agents booking hotels on global distribution systems?NORAMLATAMEMEAAPACProperty rating and photos59%57%53%58%Hotel Services57%54%52%51%Hotel Amenities65%45%45%46%Policy information53%36%43%30%Attractions/Points of Interest28%34%33%45%Other12%15%8%10%
  • GDS isn’t the only type of marketing that can help.
  • Ad spend via global distribution systems is only used when an impression is delivered to a travel agent actively searching for a property in your market.
  • Identify and target your top source markets
  • Select promotion dates that are 90 days in the future: 
  • Focus messaging on cleanliness and safety:
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    Module 3: This article focuses on the importance of GDS systems during the challenges of COVID-19. With an emphasis on travel agents using the GDS, hotels will be able to continue to thrive and survive. According to the article, " travel agents will play a key role in connecting hotels and travelers, especially given the flexibility and changes that may be required of travelers in the coming months." This article provides insights for hotels to best optimize using a GDS for travel agents to find them. The article states, "Rate parity is important to 89% of travel agents worldwide - if they see a better rate elsewhere, they'll actively book away from your property." I believe using a GDS will be the only way in the future to continue to travel and save money. Tripadvisor is my go to when it comes to finding out about a resort and which website has the best rate for the same room.
mannypjr

5 Best POS Systems for Hotels | Book Guests With Ease - 0 views

  • It works with a variety of amenities such as restaurants, travel desks, spas, minibars and much more. It comes with unlimited built-in POS System terminals.
  • Hotelogix lets you settle payments through different modes. It accepts multiple currencies, processes credit cards or generates bills directly to the company.
  • Allowing management to gain greater control of all departments by merging operations together, like Housekeeping POS, Front Desk POS, etc.
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  • Making packages and inclusions will help up-sell services.
  • The main focus is to make lasting connections that enhance guest satisfaction, boast an efficiency of staff and operational workers and grow revenue opportunities with automated engagement.
  • Restrictions can be set up to restrict users to perform critical actions like night audit.
  • On-premise or installed deployment feature is not available in the POS System.
  • You can easily promote your hotel through various channels with a variety of inclusive packages and rates.
  • This avoids the need to print multiple receipts and cause inconvenience to the guest.
  • This POS system caters to scheduling activities, food and beverage and more.
  • It also expedites the traditional check-in and out experience which mostly causes dissatisfaction.
  • It protects the guest’s payment data and reduces the risks, costs, and compliance by tokenizing each transaction with point-to-point encryption (P2PE).
  • The customer service staff is not always able to solve your issue at once, but their team can submit a ticket and get any errors fixed within a reasonable timeframe.
  • Allow customers to pay their entire bill and room costs at checkoutVerify that the billing is accurate by putting all charges on one billCombine bar, restaurant, and room service charges for any roomMatch specific menus to any display device to any area in your hotel
  • You can connect and share data in real-time with this POS system.
  • Assign special permissions to managers or cashiers, giving them the ability to view sales numbers or simply manage inventory.
  • The interface also allows for seamless billing for any and all room service requests.
  • You can track products easily and see if they are near the minimum or maximum level.
  • If you own multiple businesses, you can use Bepoz to keep track of all of your businesses.
  • Bepoz does not provide installation or an on-premise option.
  • LS Retail provides a holistic solution to all your worries by giving you a transparent and enhanced view of your hotel’s entire business operations.
  • With LS intelligent analytics tools, businesses can track and study their customer’s past interactions and preferences to make their guest profiles more meaningful.
  • LS Central for hotels gives an option where it can be deployed solely in the cloud, on the hotel premises, or both at the same time – whichever way suits your business profile in the best way.
  • It gives a complete overview of your hotel’s current occupancy, its housekeeping, along with all the extensive analysis required by the management to make necessary decisions.
  • It is a single platform that minimizes costs because it reduces the number of vendors and other systems that are otherwise needed for resolving all hotel-related business issues.
  • There is nothing more important than booking guests. Using a hotel POS system can help this process become quick and easy.
  • The average consumer is more likely to go for a package deal, given that they are getting good value for their money.
  • If the client makes an online reservation, the information will be distributed in real-time.
  • You can print these reports and give a detailed review such as payment balancing totals, customers served, average customer and much more.
  • Rewards deals can often increase sales.
  • Our recommendation is to consider Hotelogix or Agilysys, as they are user-friendly and have effective loyalty and sales tools.
  • The features are very comprehensive and fit for both large and small hotels.
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    This article looks at the 5 best POS systems for hotels including Hotelogix, Agilysys, Lightspeed Retail, Bepoz, and LS Retail. It breaks down what makes each system different and the pros/cons associated to each of them.
anonymous

Why Oracle Must Hate Oracle Hospitality - 1 views

  • 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.  
  • Larry Ellison and his team must absolutely despise the relatively new Oracle Hospitality division of the company (formed after Oracle bought Micros back in 2014)!
  • Oracle famously despises all things Microsoft and Opera remains, to its bones, built around the notorious client-server architecture Bill Gates’ company used to champion.
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  • Second, the success of Oracle has always stemmed from Larry’s passion for finding great programmers to fix fundamental issues. Oracle Hospitality and its adherence to legacy rules suggests they are interested in none of the above.
  • Oracle has always done one thing amazingly well - maintain a ruthless focus on performance and speed at the expense of the more intangible parts. Once again, Oracle Hospitality goes against company principles: it offers functionality at the expense of speed and performance. To compound things further, and ironically for such a service-oriented industry, customer service is an afterthought at best. It doesn’t even offer performance for the processes that truly matter, such as customer check-in speeds, report creation or those painfully slow night audits. On all the key hospitality benchmarks we’ve been able to track (more on that in a post coming later), Oracle is nowhere near the top.
  • Fourth, he can barely disguise his hatred for system integrators and has always preferred an all-in-one solution to an ecosystem of connected apps and software.
  • With Oracle Hospitality lacking what the current market demands in so many different ways, the company has been forced to work closely with the old hospitality tech guards such as Sabre, TravelClick, Amadeus, Duetto and IDEAS, as well as newer entrants including Expedia’s AliceApp and TinkLabs.
  • The result is a product lacking proper interfaces to standard functionalities, let alone the conveyor belt of new must-have integrations (TripTease and HotelChamp to name a couple), which also suffer on account of Opera’s six month minimum integration lead time.
  • The problem with property management systems, and the hotel tech landscape in general, is that they are innately consultative. For example, there is no definitively correct way to check someone in or out, nor is there a set-in-stone rubric on how best to run a hotel. Why? I believe it’s because hotels are inherently human and complex machines. Unlike a POS, for example, a hotel’s PMS is a de facto processor and analyser of human behaviours rather than just pure robotic tech. The POS, on the other hand, simply serves as a general system of record with an external point of contact for transactional security.
  • So why did Oracle acquire Micros in the first place? I believe the real prize was the POS and not the PMS.
  • Unfortunately for Larry (but fortunately for us), PMS systems are a far cry from their core business. Unlike a POS, a PMS is not simply about the speed of execution. They involve developing deep knowledge around a number of processes connected to unique human behaviours and then managing those processes efficiently.
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    "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.
Xueling Wang

protel to launch world's first PMS for the iPad - 4 views

  • Hotels can use iPads as "floating front desks", offering guests mobile services like check-in or check-out. iPads could even be employed as support work stations to reduce demand peaks.
  • Hotels can use iPads as "floating front desks", offering guests mobile services like check-in or check-out. iPads could even be employed as support work stations to reduce demand peaks.
  • Benefits for the user: Additional hardware and installations in the hotel are unnecessary as the sole requirement is an Internet browser.
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  • Data security is also taken care of by protel. With its extended range of functionalities and based on the latest technology, this easily scalable cloud application is the perfect solution for all hotels who value flexibility, reliability and security.
  • With protel Voyager protel presented a mobile app for hotel guests.
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    The article reveals how tablet devices offer many advantages to hotels, because many business processes become more and more independent of location. Allowing your employees to work more effective is the main objective for the hospitality and tourism business. A few examples: Hotels can use iPads as "floating front desks", offering guests mobile services like check-in or check-out. iPads could even be employed as support work stations to reduce demand peaks. The ability to having a floating front desk and being able to accomodate guest is beneficial." The app offers access to guest relevant functions of the property management system like booking services. It also offers access to location based services, advertising local events and facilities, and to the hotel's social networking sites" Having the application to allow guest to have 24 hour service is a convenience comparable to none.
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             This article introduce us a new hotel software technology, the iPad property management system. Nowadays the table devices offer many advantages to hotel. Ipad is a good example for the table device use in hospitality industry. A German company design a PMS on iPad for hotel, its name is protel Air. Use this device, hotel can provide the mobile service like check-in and check-out to support the employee's job. Protel Air is a full-service solution and a true "Software-as-a-Service" application, that is hosted in a secure data centre environment. The only requirement of this device is the Internet; it can update and maintain the date through Internet. It also protects the data by its security system. They also design an application called protel Voyager for guests. It offers access to location based services, advertising local events and facilities, and to the hotel's social networking sites. The protel Voyager will encourage guests to report positive feedback.          I think to use new technology to help the operation of hotel is a good idea. Even it will cost some money to purchase the equipment and training the employee. It will save time for the employee especially in the peak season. My only concern is the app for guests. Guests may not use to this kind of new technology. They prefer the human service more. But it is worth to try.  
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    German protel hotelsoftware presented the world's first property management system for the iPad. The tablet devices give hotel a lot of benefits.  It helps the hotel reduce demand peaks, and offer guests more convenience. Protel doesn't need the support of additional hardware and installation. it can run in the internet browser. One of Protel's product is Protel Voyager, which is designed as a web app, the customers do not need to install this app, because it can runs in the mobile browser. It offers access to guest relevant unctions of the property management system like booking services. It also offers access to location based services, advertising local events and facilities, and to the hotel's social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook or You Tube.  
jlewinsky

Facial Recognition Market Expected to Reach $9.6 Billion Worldwide by 2022 | News | Hospitality Magazine (HT) - 0 views

  • According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, World Facial Recognition Market - Opportunities and Forecasts, 2015 - 2022,  the global facial recognition market is expected to generate revenue of $9.6 billion by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 21.3% from 2016 to 2022.
  • North America is expected to dominate the market throughout the forecast period, owing to the high expenditure on security systems by government agencies in the region.
  • Facial recognition technologies include 2D, 3D, and facial analytics. The 3D facial recognition technology segment holds a significant share in the world facial recognition market, owing to its high accuracy in terms of recognizing facial features as compared to the 2D facial recognition technology.
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  • 2D technology is also widely used due to its low installation cost and operational ease as it uses 2D appearance
  • Among the component segments, hardware accounted for the maximum revenue share in 2015, owing to high cost of 2D and 3D cameras. The facial recognition software market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 23.9% during the forecast period. Development of effective and efficient facial recognition software applications is expected to drive this market.
  • In the year 2015, homeland security contributed the highest revenue share, accounting for around 21% of the overall market revenue. From a growth perspective, intelligent signage is likely to be the most prominent application of facial recognition, anticipated to witness the highest CAGR of 25.1% during the forecast period.
  • North America offers lucrative opportunities for market growth, exhibiting a huge demand of facial recognition technology for homeland security and criminal investigation.
  • Some of the leading players in the facial recognition market include Cognitec Systems GmbH, NEC Corporation, FaceFirst, Inc., and 3M amongst others.
  • These players have adopted product development, acquisitions, agreements, and partnerships as their key strategies to strengthen their market position and expand their geographical presence. For instance, in 2015, Cognitec Systems GmbH launched and incorporated a superior version of the face recognition algorithm B9 in FaceVACS-DBScan, one of the its leading facial recognition products.
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    According to this article the technology of facial recognition is expected to grow tremendously by 2022. Also, mentioned industries such as homeland security who has been using this form of technology since 2015. When comparing the 2D and 3D technology, 2D technology is more widely used due to its low cost and ease of use. The use of 3D technology has its place in the industry as well due to its ability to recognize facial features more accurately than 2D technologies.
kristenagosto21

AI in the Hospitality Industry: Pros and Cons - Hotel-Online - 0 views

  • AI can assist hospitality professionals to improve the experiences of travelers. In fact, the use cases of AI in the industry is quite impressive, and the technology seems to be well-positioned to enable people to enjoy their stay.
  • Six service delivery robots perform such duties as taking amenities to guest rooms and patrolling the buildings. According to reports, the company has saved the security team 111 manhours, as human employees could now watch live footage provided by robots instead of monitoring the facilities themselves. In addition to saving time, the robots also help with handling unexpected staff absences and high occupancy periods more effectively
  • Pro: The Ability to Enable Travelers to Research Travel Options with a Chatbot This one is also about personalization. A recent study done by Booking.com revealed that 75 percent of customers preferred self-service options to get answers for simple requests, which makes chatbots a perfect option in this case.
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  • According to ChatbotGuide.org, Booking.com’s chatbot is capable of handling about 50 percent of users’ post-booking accommodation-related requests. In case it can’t provide an appropriate answer, it redirects the user to a human customer service team member.
  • Con: AI is Still Developing Even though AI has made tremendous progress in recent years, the field is pretty much in its infancy. In fact, Andrew Moore, Google’s vice president and an AI leader, has the following to say on this matter, according to CNet: “AI is currently very, very stupid… It’s not something we could press to do general-purpose reasoning involving things like analogies or creative thinking or jumping outside the box.”
  • Con: Data Privacy Issues This is one of the most pressing concerns that all businesses looking to take advantage of AI will face. Data collected by the technology during interactions with users can be potentially used for other purposes, therefore, the risk of data privacy violation is involved.
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    In this article, Donald Fomby discusses the Pros and Cons in the Hospitality Industry by giving great examples of AI being used in the industry today.
ovila009

Global distribution system (GDS): Complete guide for hotels - SiteMinder - 1 views

  • More than 600,000 travel agents plug into the GDS every day on behalf of companies to book flights, hotels, car rentals and destination activities.
  • Despite the growth of third party online travel agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com and Expedia, the GDS remains the number one way to promote your hotel to the corporate travel market globally.
  • A GDS is a worldwide conduit between travel bookers and suppliers, such as hotels and other accommodation providers.
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  • The history of global distribution systems dates back to the 1960s when a more sophisticated method was needed to keep track of flight schedules, availability, and prices
    • anonymous
       
      This is how GDS started back in the day in order to keep track of things however nowadays it is used for so much more.
  • Hoteliers are always looking at ways to increase their reach to attract more customers, increase revenue, and make a profit
    • anonymous
       
      Hence why GDS is so beneficial for hotel companies and other industries.
  • As soon as a reservation is made on the GDS or an online booking website, the channel manager instantly reduces inventory across all channels, including the hotel’s own website, and automatically delivers the reservation details back into the PMS or central reservation system (CRS).
    • anonymous
       
      Reservations are now made quick and easy with this system. It gives customers a pleasant experience.
  • There are several major global distribution systems that house and process the majority of data from hotels, airlines, and other distributors. These include Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo, Worldspan, Apollo, and Pegasus.
    • anonymous
       
      Here we can see some examples of GDSs.
  • The Apollo reservation system was used by United Airlines until 2012, when it switched to SHARES, a system used by its former Continental Airlines subsidiary.
  • Sabre is seen as a pioneer for online travel agencies, corporate booking tools, revenue management, and web and mobile itinerary tools, to name a few.
  • Galileo traces its roots back to 1971 when United Airlines created its first computerised central reservation system
  • created by other airline groups in an attempt to gain market share in the computer reservation system market.
  • Worldspan is a Travelport platform, and is the technology leader in web-based travel eCommerce, offering solutions for all facets of travel business online. As a leading GDS, Worldspan provides travel distribution, technologies and services for thousands of travel companies worldwide, including travel agencies, corporations, travel suppliers and travel websites.
  • Amadeus has the biggest global footprint of any of the GDSs, with a potential reach to millions of guests.
  • Abacus was founded in 1988 and became a leading provider of travel solutions and services in the Asia Pacific region.
  • Pegasus Solutions pioneered the hospitality reservations industry.
  • The best systems will connect your hotel directly to the world’s most prominent GDSs
  • Using a software provider to tap into the GDS saves a lot of money and time.
  • Essentially, the GDS can increase hotel bookings and revenue by placing hotels on more ‘supermarket shelves’ globally.
    • anonymous
       
      It gives hotels the ability to expand and increase the number of customers they get by exposing them more internationally.
  • there are still more bookings being generated through the GDS than through hotel websites.
  • The GDS is indeed a unique and direct marketing tool for your hotel.
  • booked quickly and efficiently.
  • The GDS can help hotel managers uncover new market segments to promote their products to
  • More travel agents are relying on the GDS to find the best places for their clients to stay.
  • the GDS improves search positioning and displays your brand messaging during the search and booking process
  • Hotels generate more revenue through a GDS because it places the hotel’s information, availability and rates in prominent locations where it is easy for travel agents to find.
  • you can market all of your rooms to all of your distribution channels at one time.
  • Your GDS should help you maximise your bookings and increase your revenue
  • the capability for the GDS to integrate completely with your existing PMS, online booking engine and channel manager.
  • help you make the best decisions regarding your marketing strategy and distribution plan.
  • discover and tap into the most powerful and motivated market segments.
  • trial the GDS for a short time and measure results before continuing your subscription.
  • Because cruise travellers rely heavily on travel agents for their trip arrangements, it’s highly likely any hotel bookings will also be made through this channel.
  • A GDS is a worldwide conduit between travel bookers and suppliers, such as hotels and other accommodation providers
  • Cruises tend to rely on more conventional channels like travel agents to reach and convert guests.
  • With the cruise industry currently in a state of growth, it represents a chance for hotels to get a slice of the revenue.
  • It appears travel agents are driving most of this success, with 70% of cruise bookings made via this channel.
  • Cruises do all the hard work to book their guests but often they will arrive a day or two early or depart a day or two after their cruise, booking at hotels for the extra time.
  • Most prominent is your hotel description
  • you eliminate the frustration of signing up with each individual platform, and you can connect to all of the top providers without paying the individual fees.
  • The GDS is often used to tap into the corporate travel market because it has the ability to present hotels, flights, and car rentals in one simple interface which is convenient.
  • Live rates and availability are sent from a hotel’s property management system (PMS) directly to the GDS and online booking websites via a channel manager.
  • What are the major GDS systems?
  • here are several major global distribution systems that house and process the majority of data from hotels, airlines, and other distributors. These include Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo, Worldspan, Apollo, and Pegasus.
  • There are several major global distribution systems that house and process the majority of data from hotels, airlines, and other distributors. These include Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo, Worldspan, Apollo, and Pegasus.
  • Amadeus GDS
  • Sabre GDS
  • Galileo GDS
  • Worldspan GDS
  • Apollo GDS
  • Abacus GDS
  • Pegasus GDS
  • – like the ones mentioned above – so you don’t have to worry about signing up to each one
  • individually.
  • In one fell swoop you can access all the retail and traditional travel agents you want:
  • There are a few specifications which will greatly aid successful GDS connectivity: Being centrally located Being located close to an airport Room capacity of more than 20 rooms Lodgings that are set up for corporate markets and not affected by seasons
  • Here’s a checklist to ensure you’re using the GDS to its full potential:
  • 1. Pooled inventory
  • 2. Commission-free structure
  • 3. Integration capabilities
  • 4. Comprehensive reporting
  • 5. Ability to target specific markets
  • 6. No lengthy contracts
  • 7. Simple and affordable connection
  • Essentially, the GDS can increase hotel bookings and revenue by placing hotels on more ‘supermarket shelves’ globally. This approach is particularly effective at capturing international corporate travellers. You can gain lucrative international corporate business, particularly if you’re near a major airport gateway or close to government or commercial enterprises.
    • yoevelyn
       
      This article goes into how to optimize the use of GDS for a hotel operation and the author touched on a point we have discussed in the class before: how to market your local hotel to an international audience. The author suggests that adding your property to a GDS can be a cost-effective way to bring those international business travelers, specially if your hotel is near an airport.
  • The number of bookings generated through a GDS generally outpaces that of direct bookings
  •  
    This article goes in depth into GDS. It explains the concept of the GDS is and how eaxctly it works. It also gives examples of some major GDSs. It talks about the benefits of using GDS in hotels.
  •  
    The global distribution system in the hospitality industry is beyond vital in the act of keeping the ball rolling. GDS provides live products and offers to travelers across the globe. Whats really amazing about GDS is that live availability and rates are transferred through a channel manager directly to online booking sites. This allows guests to acquire the best rates the soonest as opposed to waiting to call a hotel or resort to see what they have and at what price.
  •  
    This article shows us everything we need to know about Hotel GDS. It includes GDS in the hotel industry, GDS work way in travel, seven major GDS systems, the way to access leading GDSs with GDS software, GDS conditions of use, benefits of connecting hotel to the GDS, and how to use the GDS to capture cruise travel bookings at hotel.
akallison93

Biometrics, Digital Identity To Save Travel | PYMNTS.com - 0 views

  • “The World Travel & Tourism Council, a London-based trade group, recently issued new recommendations in its Global Guidelines for Safe & Seamless Traveller Journey report, underscoring requirements for the swift and coordinated implementation of biometrics and digital traveler identity services.”
  • outlined several key considerations for public and private sector entities striving to collaborate on biometric verification measures. It notes that governments must work together on solutions so that data collection and sharing can be based on official documentation. It also explains the importance of establishing an industrywide consensus on privacy standards, interoperability and functionality that would make any solutions easier and more secure for users.”
  • American Airlines recently adopted a biometric health wallet app designed that allows passengers to track and verify their COVID-19 test results and documents. The solution, VeriFLY, allows consumers to leverage facial biometrics and ensure that their data matches countries’ requirements, with the app displaying a pass or fail message on their devices once the information has been processed.”
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  • That goes together with concepts like digital “immunity passports” that ride along with travelers carrying vaccination data and other encrypted personal health information.
  • but some hotel chains and management firms have looked to digital ID solutions to address consumers’ safety concerns.
  • MGM Resorts debuted a contactless check-in process that allows customers to use its mobile app to verify themselves, pay for their rooms and even receive digital keys.”
  • Biometrics are playing a huge role in new identity needs, and that function is widening.
  •  
    Informative article on the role of Biometrics in the travel industry during Covid-19.The article explains the concept of immunity passports and what you have to do now, and what you will have to do in the future, regarding air travel. The article also briefly explains how biometrics are affecting and changing the hotel industry.
ovila009

Proximity Marketing Examples: 28 Retail Companies Nailing it with their Campaigns | Beaconstac - 0 views

  • Unacast’s latest Q4 Proxbook report confirms that beacon deployments are on track and the numbers align with ABI Research’s forecast of 400 million beacons to be deployed by 2020
  • we bring you a comprehensive list of 28 retail companies that are making a mark with their proximity marketing campaigns via beacons.
  • Eat touted this move as a “strategic pillar” in its communications because it allowed the company to access more information about customer behaviour and drive business intelligence to make precise decisions about how consumer behaviour can be influenced.
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  • As a part of this program, the chain tapped a popular Turkish loyalty app called Shopping Genie, to target customers while they were around the premises of a local McD Café.  Customers got mobile coupons, via the app, which prompted them to purchase a coffee and receive a beverage from the new drink line for free. This proximity marketing campaign via beacons helped McDonald’s achieve 20% conversion rate with 30% of users who received the promotion!
  • Bluetooth beacons were deployed at the point of purchase, where customers were waiting in line to pay or just moving around.
  • These beacon notifications offered two Red Bull cans for $4! Apart from making a profit out of campaigns, Red Bull also monitored the entire campaign in real-time and captured customer behaviour.
  • The retail giant used GE light bulbs to house beacons and send push notifications of specials and discount coupons to in-store customers. These beacon-equipped LED bulbs can track shoppers within a store by using the beacons hidden inside them
  • Carrefour has extensive iBeacon networks in all 28 of its hypermarkets in Romania through which the retail chain offers its consumers a simple, intuitive, and fun app for orientation inside hypermarkets from area to area
  • The retailer’s beacon-enabled app automates the commercial content delivery and collects essential data about in-store consumer behaviour. Its proximity marketing campaign keeps consumers informed about the products, services, and actual special offers from each of the store departments.
  • Popular convenience store group Nisa piloted iBeacon technology to track its shoppers by attaching Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons to trolleys and baskets
  • These sensors picked up the signals emitted by beacons and collected location data which was then fed to a cloud-based server for analysis.
  • used iBeacon technology to gamify the Ladies’ Night event with brands providing offers, discounts, freebies, and prize giveaways. Many retailers such as Hotel Chocolat, Krispy Kreme, Cath Kidston, and House of Fraser, participated in the event
  • The event was highly successful as it saw more than 500 app downloads within the first three hours, with over 500 offers redeemed. All 120 hotspot offers were redeemed within the first 52 minutes of the event.
  • Best Buy implemented a beacon strategy to help boost sales and improve personalisation of experience. The retail giant chose to use their own application as well as Shopkick retailing app to offer rewards to shoppers, simply for stepping foot in the door.
  • Hammerson rolled out beacons across their shopping centres to improve personalisation of consumers’ shopping experience. Their beacon-enabled Plus app was initially trialled at Les Terrasses du Port in Marseille and it ranked among the top 10 lifestyle apps in France.
  • The app also allows a consumer to call for assistance. A member of the staff receives the request informing them that a customer is waiting for help
  • UK supermarket Waitrose started using iBeacon technology at its relatively new experimental Swindon store to deliver price promotions to consumers when they were near a particular aisle or food counter
  • UK supermarket giant Tesco launched its “biggest trial” of iBeacon technology, in partnership with consumer goods company Unilever, by deploying beacons in 270 stores across London. They launched the ‘Mpulse app’ as a part of the Pink and Black marketing campaign
  • using beacons to target passers-by based on their interest. They change campaigns based on distinct seasons including prom season at colleges
  • Oscar Mayer worked out an interesting deal with the supermarkets which would allow them to place beacons at the deli counter. This location helps them convince shoppers to buy the specials of the week while waiting at the counter.
  • Amazon, the retail giant started a new convenience store in Seattle, U.S. in Jan 2018. Amazon Go is an 1800 sq feet mini market filled with food and technology. They have deployed an array of cameras, beacons and other proximity sensors to make the store one-of-a-kind
  • World-famous brands such as Hamleys, Armani, Longchamp, and Hackett form the 80% of the retail companies that have deployed beacons in their Regent Street stores with the aim of pushing exclusive and personalised marketing messages to customers via iBeacon technology. Shoppers receive alerts and tailored content about everything, from new in-store promotions to exclusive offers only available for visitors to Regent Street, as they pass
  • Neiman Marcus, the high-end retail chain, piloted beacons at three stores—Austin, TX, Walnut Creek, CA, and San Antonio.
  • Rite Aid has installed beacons in over 4,500 US stores for retargeting and personalization of user experience. This large-scale beacon deployment by the Pharmacy chain is the largest beacon installation program in a retail setting till date. In fact, it has even surpassed the one undertaken by the famous Macy’s
  • a collection of beacon-level proximity data to strategize their retargeting plan and achieve personalization capabilities similar to those that have been used in e-commerce
  • Walgreens has innovated considerably in the mobile retail space by using iBeacon and other technologies at over 7000 locations.
  • leveraged iBeacon technology at ten of its stores to boost its loyalty program.
  • Target, the second largest general merchandise retailer in the US, announced that it will start testing beacon technology in 50 of its stores nationwide.
  • The recommendations may appear both as push alerts and in-app updates on the Target app’s “Target Run” page, which is designed like a social media news feed offering deals, top-pinned items on Pinterest, and more
  • beacons to bridge the gap between online shopping and in-store experience. Their beacon-enabled app notifies consumers if any item in their mobile shopping bag is in stock,
  • The store has deployed beacons with individualized campaigns for each department, which makes the customer experience interesting and focussed
  • Macy’s expanded its beacon program to all stores nationwide, by installing more than 4,000 beacons. This step was a part of the retailer’s efforts to make bigger investments in omnichannel retail technologies. This Thanksgiving, Macy’s also used a beacon-triggered mobile app game at its 700 stores, to engage shoppers
  • Urban Outfitters announced that they will be rolling out beacons at 15 of their stores located in Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Atlanta, New Jersey, and Delaware, more than a year ago. The US multichannel fashion and homewares retailer decided to take a different route unlike the conventional route of using aggressive promotions.
  • Kenneth Cole is using beacons to create more compelling, personalized customer experiences with an aim to “provide value and offer at the time of need when customers are in the store
  • launched beacon networks in more than 100 of its top-performing stores located in states such as Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York, and San Francisco. The idea was to implement iBeacon technology at the stores with the highest traffic levels and best traction with Shopkick.
  • Supermarket giant Woolworths successfully completed a beacon trial with one store using iBeacon technology to improve customer service around click-and-collect. Thereafter, the chain announced that they are looking to roll out beacons across all of its 254 click-and-collect stores with the aim of allowing consumers to place their order online and pick them up in-store
  • it has decided to distribute free BLE beacons to about 150,000 gas-station convenience stores in the United States and Canada
  • Alex and Ani used beacons in all of its 40 stores to optimize store layouts and product placement. Contrary to popular belief that beacons are only for ‘pushing’ ads, the popular Rhode Island-based jewellery brand used beacons differently in its trial period without using them to promote flash sales and other discount promotions.
  •  
    the article gives examples of retail stores and how they use proximity marketing to promote their products
akallison93

Cleaning robots are powering an automation revolution in hospitality - The Washington Post - 0 views

  • While Vi-YO-Let, the product of a partnership with Denmark-based UVD Robots, might play cute tunes and light up as she moves, she has a serious job: disinfecting the air and surfaces around her. And she does so remarkably well: Her array of UV lights, which look like a bundle of lightsabers, kill more than 99 percent of viruses and bacteria, including the coronavirus.
  • More and more guests are requesting the robo-cleaning package
  • But as the pandemic rages into its second year, major brands are increasingly turning to the world of high-tech disinfection to strengthen their cleaning protocols
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  • It’s a trend that’s slowly transforming housekeeping — and accelerating the pace of automation in hospitality.
  • Until recently, only health-care workers would frequently interact with disinfecting bots, which cost upward of $125,000 each. It’s a steep investment, but if it boosts travelers’ confidence, it’s worth it,
  • The appeal to the hospitality sector of virus-slaying UV light is obvious. Hospitals have found Xenex’s patented machines kill “22 times more pathogens” when compared with a room cleaned to CDC standards alone, Miller said.
  • certain hospitality jobs, those where face-to-face customer service is a key part of the experience, were less vulnerable.
  • Today, travelers might stumble on UV bots anywhere from five-star hotels and convention centers to train stations and cruise ships.
  • Verified Market Research that projects the market for UV disinfecting bots will grow to more than $5.5 billion by 2027.
  • Some robot makers refer to these kinds of bots as “cobots,” a portmanteau of “collaboration” and “robots,” because they’re intended to work alongside people rather than replace them.
  • a report that predicted more than 60 percent of jobs in hospitality-dominated cities like Las Vegas could be automatable by 2035
  • Take the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. The iconic hotel, famous for hosting the annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony, boasts in one promotional video that its Xenex robot staff “zaps every inch before your arrival,” leaving you a “pathogen-free sanctuary” where you’ll “rest assured you’re sleeping in the safest room possible.”
  • the pandemic is likely to accelerate the automation of jobs in sectors like hospitality.
  • “If they can develop driverless cars, if they can develop the whole variety of different things I saw there, certainly the jobs in our industry are going to change.”
  • Unite Here negotiates “extensive technology language” into its labor contracts. This helps ensure that workers can retrain for new skills, transition to other roles or at least receive severance pay if their jobs are automated out of existence.
  • Even as new technologies create new roles, some types of jobs may go away for good.
  • For now, even a state-of-the-art robot sometimes requires the delicate human touch.
  •  
    This article explains how robotics in hospitality is becoming far more common because of Covid-19. They go into detail about how, right now, all robotics require the assistance of humans. But they also go into how that can change in the next few years. The better technology gets, the less need there is for human support.
shanegmark

Do job seekers' social media profiles affect hospitality managers' hiring decisions? A qualitative inquiry - ScienceDirect - 0 views

  • Social media plays an ever-increasing role in recruitment and selection
  • Likewise, many hospitality businesses are now using social media as a powerful recruitment tool, which is believed to be cost-effective and can quickly generate candidates for vacancies
  • Although SMPs could provide additional valuable information to hiring managers, they found that Facebook ratings actually did not do a better job in predicting job candidates' future performance, such as supervisor ratings of job performance, turnover intentions, and their actual turnover than the more traditional predictors, including personality, cognitive ability, and self-efficacy.
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  • Moreover, they disclosed that recruiters using Facebook ratings tended to favour female and white applications, raising cautions of whether organizations can legally justify using SMPs in screening candidates.
  • According to their findings, job candidates' SMPs can also reveal personal information prohibited by the U.S. employment law.
  • Contradicting other studies that suggest social media has been widely used in employee screening (e.g., Kluemper et al., 2012; Sameen & Cornelius, 2015), the informants in this study hold reservations of such practices due to privacy concerns
  • LinkedIn was used by 45% of the informants (M2, M3, M5, M6, & M9) in screening candidates, but nearly all (10 out of 11) of the informants said they did not screen candidates' profiles on other social media networks than LinkedIn.
  • While most informants did not admit they screen candidates based on their SMPs, they showed favour to the following posts shared by the candidates: pictures about food, catering, and events (M1, M2, M3, M9, & M11), news articles (M4, M6, M7, & M10), organizational social activities (M3, M6, M7, M8).
  • Specifically, the informants looked for extroversion (M1, M3, M6, & M10), professionalism (M2, M5, & M6), good match (M6, M8, & M10), conscientiousness (M5 & M7), and agreeableness (M1 & M8), supporting the hospitality literature about the Big Five personality traits
  • Contrary to the business reports that suggests social media plays an increasingly important role in recruitment and selection (e.g., Becton et al., 2019; Evuleocha & Ugbah, 2018; Kwok, 2011; Ladkin & Buhalis, 2016), our findings suggest that hiring managers in the hospitality industry are screening candidates' SMPs with caution primarily due to the concerns of legal compliance.
  •  
    This research article looks at how social media has been used in recruitment for the hospitality industry. It highlights that while it has become common practice, there are many layers of concerns including it violating certain legal rights of potential employees, generating biased decisions based on gender and race, and the practice not producing demonstrably better results than hirings done without reviewing potential employee Social Media Profiles (SMPs).
zhuan007

The Importance of Offsite Backups - IT Directorship - 0 views

  • Just as saving a file periodically is good practice, keeping an offsite backup will help to mitigate the business risks associated with corrupt or lost data. Offsite backups combined with a disaster recovery plan allow businesses to get back up and running faster
  • The key to protecting your business and its stakeholders, is the proactive prevention of data loss – never keep all your data in one basket.
  • A cold site is usually an empty space with basic facilities which may or may not have equipment available.
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  • A hot site is the most expensive option but requires the least amount of time to get back to capacity following a disaster.
  • Its important to stay up to date on policy changes to ensure you are protecting both the business and business stakeholders.
  • Monitoring, reporting and testing your business's backup solution are all best practices to mitigate the risk of data loss for your business.
  •  
    This ariticle briefly summarizes the important of offsite backups for business. A couple offsite backup solutions are provided as cloud backups, remote disaster recovery sites, tape backups. The concerns of policy changes and improving backup practices are mentioned as well.
jlewinsky

Hotels: Are Your Cyber Defenses Ready for 2021? | Hospitality Technology - 0 views

  • Two of the top five biggest data breaches made public in 2020 were at hotel chains. Attackers stole personal information including names, emails and addresses from 5.2 million guests at Marriott and 10.6 million guests of MGM Resorts.
  • To ensure a swift recovery from COVID-19, the hospitality industry must shore up its cybersecurity protections — or risk more headline-making breaches in the future.
  • Risk is especially high at hotels because attackers have multiple points of entry.
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  • Breaches undermine hospitality brands’ reputations and erode customer trust. Eighty-one percent of consumers will stop engaging with a brand after a breach, according to a 2019 study.
  • When it comes to cybersecurity, companies today have two options: Defend the fort or devalue the data. The former is the more traditional approach. By strengthening the digital “walls” around your data — via firewalls, intrusion detection, 24/7 monitoring and other security protections — the defend-the-fort approach works to keep attackers from accessing your systems at all.
  • However, one of the biggest vulnerabilities may be on the hotel grounds themselves.
  • hotels have multiple point of sale (POS) terminals across different locations, from the front desk to restaurants, all of which are connected to each other. If a POS device is not properly secured, attackers can use malware or other attack vectors to steal clear-text credit card numbers and other data.
  • POS attacks remain one of the most common causes of data breaches in accommodations and food services.
  • Guests may share their credit card numbers with the hotel in advance via a booking app or website, opening up the possibility of web-based attacks. Loyalty programs are another source of online vulnerability, with an estimated $1 billion a year lost to account fraud and related crimes.
  • One important and underutilized aspect of cyberdefense is employee training.
  • Make sure your employees use strong passwords and know how to spot fraud and spear phishing attacks. You may also want to limit employee access to confidential data, so if an account gets hacked, private guest information doesn’t go with it
  • You should also make sure your software is up to date with all security patches, as attackers often exploit known weaknesses in programs. Isolating POS devices from the rest of the network can also limit the damage from malware infections at that entry point.
  • it’s unlikely that even the strongest digital “walls'' will prevent all incursions. Defenses are important, but the ever-changing nature of technology means that new, hard-to-catch vulnerabilities will pop up all the time.
  • important to devalue your data, rendering it unusable to attackers who gain access to your systems. One way to do this is to implement point-to-point encryption (P2PE) by encrypting payment information from the moment it enters your network at the POS
  • Encrypted data is unintelligible to anyone who doesn’t have the right digital key. Implementing P2PE is the only way to ensure that clear-text payment data doesn’t fall into the hands of attackers targeting POS systems with malware.
  • Data that’s stored for the long term, like passport information or credit card numbers saved to a loyalty program, can also be devalued through tokenization. Data that’s tokenized gets replaced with an alphanumeric pseudonym, so the actual sensitive information isn’t stored on your servers. This method helps secure guest information beyond the initial transaction at the POS.
  • Hotels that reckon with their security vulnerabilities now will protect themselves from fines and other fallout from data breaches as business rebounds. They’ll also build deeper, more trusting relationships with customers by keeping their personal information secure. By strengthening security protections and devaluing their data, hotels can set themselves up for a brighter future. 
  •  
    This article describes the vulnerabilities in the security systems of the hotel Industry. The POS system was recognized as one of the most vulnerable areas that are more targeted by hackers. This is due to the multiple stations where the POS systems are located on the premises of the hotel. Likewise having POS systems independent of the hotels security system left the system open to hackers. Two options to defending the cyber-defense, are digital walls and employee training. Digital walls works by keeping hackers from accessing the systems. Although even with a strong firewall it is recommended to implement point-to-point encryption (P2PE), this encrypts payment information of guest. the other is tokenization. This uses alphanumeric pseudonym to protect data stored for long periods of time. Another way to prevent cyberattacks is employee training, encourage the use of strong passwords an dhow to detect fraud and phishing attacks.
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