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JIACHEN LI

Cash Registers vs Point of Sale (POS) Systems - Which is Better? - 1 views

  • The one item in a retail store a business owner can't do without is the cash management system. Whether it's the traditional, electronic cash register or an elaborate computerized point of sale (POS) system, every store needs a machine to process sales.
  • he one item in a retail store a business owner can't do without is the cash management system. Whether it's the traditional, electronic cash register or an elaborate computerized point of sale (POS) system, every store needs a machine to process sales.
  • Benefits of POS Systems More detailed reports Better track inventory Improve accuracy Easily grows with business
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  • Benefits of Cash Registers Low cost for startups Most models easy to use Fewer components Basic functions and reporting
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    The article highlighted states that every business should have a cash management system either POS or cash register. The traditional cash registers will be adopted by smaller business; however, more developed systems should use a POS. The cost could be high but the life expectancy of the system is very long. To make a decision about which POS system to choose, the decision maker needs to do his/her homework to determine the business' needs including how much it will grow in the future. The system will benefit the business to generate detailed reports, track inventory, easy menu updates and others.
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    One reason for the high initial expense involved with a cash register or point of sale system is that a business can expect to get many years of service from the first machine they buy. The life expectancy of a cash register is between 10-15 years, with upgrades around 5-7 years.
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    With the development of technology, there are many softwares and machines help business imporved. The POS is a good system, which chould be used in the hospitality and retail industries. It has the ability to save money, quickly process a customer's transaction and accurately keep records. However, it charged more than installing a cash register. When considering about whcih one need to adopt, it's better for the business do a self analysis first. No matter what kind of technology we use, we need focus on provide personalized and customer focused service.
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    if the owner use the cash register, he can get the money directly. he does not need to take out the money out of the bank when he faces to the emergency situation. also the cash register is more reliable and more real. it does not have high risks of fraud and cheat except the fake money. compare to the POS system, the Pos system is convenient and easy operation. customers only need to swipe the credit/debit card that they can pay for the goods. so the customers do not need to bring much money when they are out of home. it is safe for the customers. nowadays, everywhere can receive the master card and almost everyone has one or more debit/credit card. this behavior promotes the development of POS system. easy to carry and consume make people use this way to buy the goods instead of using the money.
rebecca Bonet

Study Touts Mobile Innovation as Major POS Influencer | News | Hospitality Magazine (HT) - 0 views

  • that current POS were not well integrated into other IT systems (28%); that the POS is not ready to grow with their company (26%); and that it is difficult to add additional modules or functionalities to the current POS (30%).
  • negative perceptions of wireless POS have given way to a more positive outlook
  • E-wallet payment was the most widely recognized new payment option with 36% of respondents indicating they wanted it with their next POS.
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  • Three quarters of respondents reported that mobile POS capabilities were the top technology features they wanted for next POS solutions.
  • that current POS were not well integrated into other IT systems (28%); that the POS is not ready to grow with their company (26%); and that it is difficult to add additional modules or functionalities to the current POS (30%).
  • and this was echoed in the VSR study. Three quarters of respondents reported that mobile POS
  • echoed in the VSR study. Three quarters of respondents reported that mobile POS capabilities were the top technology features they wanted for next POS solutions.   Reasons for this vary from improving the customer experience (63%); mobile POS providing associates with better tools (54%); speeding up checkout (39%); and providing a more mobile workforce (32%).
  • Reasons for this vary from improving the customer experience (63%); mobile POS providing associates with better tools (54%); speeding up checkout (39%); and providing a more mobile workforce (32%). 
  • According to the report, restaurant operators have a wish list of anticipated POS platforms that go beyond mobile POS (49%).
  • Improving payment options remains also was named as an important—if not dominant— POS technology for many respondents.
  • All of these payment options require a POS that is PCI Compliant and capable of recognizing the new payment technologies. E-wallet payment was the most widely recognized new payment option with 36% of respondents
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     In the customer survey the mobile POS requirement is high, and the online payment is also popular among consumers. The trend is obviously and the development of such technology will become beneficial investment for the company.  
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    This article shows us the result of VSR Magazine's first annual "2012 POS Study". The result indicated some developments and some worries of end users. 28% current POS were not well integrated into other IT systems, the POS is not ready to grow with their company, and it is difficult to add additional modules or functionalities to the current POS. But it also indicated negative perceptions of wireless POS have given way to a more positive outlook. Most of them wanted mobile POS capabilities to be the top technology features for next POS solutions because of three reasons. Firstly, mobile POS is vary from improving the customer experience. Secondly, mobile POS providing associates with better tools. In addition, it speeding up checkout and providing a more mobile workforce. Most of them wanted E-wallet payment in the next POS. some others were interested in near-field communication payment, while very few people want future POS to recognize near-field communication coupons.
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    The article talks about the results of first annual "2012 POS Study." The study were POS were not well integrated into IT systems 28% that the POS is not ready to grow with their company(26%) and to the additional modules or functionalities to the current POS ( 30%). Secondly, the study also shows the negative perceptions of wireless POS have given way for positive outcomes. For example, they want mobile POS capabilities were the top technology features they want for the next POS solutions. According to reports, restaurant operators have a wish list of anticipated POS platforms that go beyond mobile POS. Finally, E-wallet payment was the most widely recognized new payment option, with 36% of respondents that they want it with their next POS.
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.
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    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....
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
Joshua Frost

Onity releases firmware upgrade, mechanical cap for its locks to address hacking vulnerability concerns - 0 views

  • Onity provides lock upgrades following hack
  • Black Hat cyber security conference in Las Vegas
  • According to a story published by Forbes, the hacker, using less than $50 worth of equipment, was reportedly able to exploit a port located underneath each lock to read their memory and find a decryption key, at which point he was able to gain access to the lock’s firmware.
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    As close to home as this hits, with a security breach at my hotel recently, I'm happy to see that companies are upgrading their systems. The Black Hat cyber security conference in Vegas had a hacker present how easy it was to gain access into a hotel room. He had less than $50 in equipment that he used to infiltrate the locks on the hotel doors. In response to this, Onity, the company whose locks were tested, came out with a plan for a "two-tier" security upgrade. This makes me feel a little bit better but at the same time, it seems like hotels aren't being proactive about protecting their customers, so maybe more hotels needs to be exploited.
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    I don't see this how it make anyone feel a little better, all the company is doing is giving price discounts and tightening up some locks, make it harder to pick apart. The problem is the avg their or experienced theif can take a part a lock in minuets if not seconds. Chances are you wouldn't even hear it if you were asleep, on the phone, watching TV. The system isn't very good if it can be hacked with up to 50$ of equipment
anonymous

Investing in the IT That Makes a Competitive Difference - 0 views

  • To better understand when and where IT confers competitive advantage in today’s economy, we studied all publicly traded U.S. companies in all industries from the 1960s through 2005, looking at relevant performance indicators from each (including sales, earnings, profitability, and market capitalization) and found some striking patterns:
  • Most industries have historically been fairly immune from this kind of Schumpeterian competition. However, our findings show that the internet and enterprise IT are now accelerating competition within traditional industries in the broader U.S. economy. Why? Not because more products are becoming digital but because more processes are
  • One interpretation of our findings might be that IT is, indeed, inducing the intensified competition we’ve documented—but that the change in dynamics is only temporary.
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  • To survive, or better yet thrive, in this more competitive environment, the mantra for any CEO should be, “Deploy, innovate, and propagate”: First, deploy a consistent technology platform.
  • As corporate IT facilitates the implementation and monitoring of processes, the value of simply carrying out rote instructions will fall while the value of inventing better methods will rise.
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    This article talks about how accelerated competition has coincided with an increase in the quantity and quality of IT investment. A lot of companies have change the operating model that they have with the Internet and enterprise software. I learned that the link between competition and technology has become much stronger. In 2008 it was projected that the worldwide enterprise software revenue would approach $190 billion. We learn that it is not easy for most companies to deploy enterprise IT successfully. The technologies themselves are complicated to configure and test, and changing people's behavior and attitudes toward technology is even more challenging. The IT has changed dramatically for a long time and it is still growing and developing.
mjbengo04

Oracle puts Micros Opera hotel services in the cloud - Tnooz - 0 views

  • It was June 2014 when Oracle, the IT giant, bought Micros Systems, one of the biggest providers of software and hardware to hospitality businesses.
  • Today, Oracle rolled out cloud-based versions of those Micros solutions under the name Oracle Hospitality cloud services.
  • They aim to enable hotel staff to provide guests with services via smartphones and other mobile devices, while using mobile devices (such as Oracle Micros tablets and other major brand tablets and smartphones) on their own for running property management services.
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  • The tools are supposed to make it easier to collect details on guest preferences to build customer profiles and provide better service.
  • Oracle is offering an additional set of tools for managing rates and allocation of room inventory to various distribution channels via its new Distribution Cloud.
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    This article speaks about the powerhouse called Oracle Micros, which was created in 2014 when Oracle bought Micros Systems. As we have talked recently about cloud computing, Oracle has now began to use the cloud in its Micros systems. This is in order to be able to provide an even better service to all guests, while making it easier on the management to collect information on guests. It also talks about how by using these cloud-based versions of Micros that staff will be able to provide service to guests through means of mobile devices.
anonymous

What is eMarketing and how is it better than traditional marketing? - 0 views

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    this article introduces the concept of eMarketing
Yekaterina Ponomareva

Social community encourages post-conference relationships | SmartPlanet - 1 views

  • Originally, conference organizer Maven Cast conceived of social business community software as a way to drive interaction and accelerate recruitment before events.
  • a social business software platform created by enterprise software developer BroadVision, has turned into a powerfu
  • Approximately 84 percent of any fresh members become community members after an event,” Malik said.
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  • Clearvale is an enterprise social networking platform that allows companies to build communities and collaboration spaces that are unique and specific to their corporate mission.
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    An article talks about very intelligent system created for the businesses and specifically for event and meeting planners, which calls for communication after the events and discussion of various topics such as how to improve the next projects.
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    Event planners must take into consideration this system that will bring them a competitive advantage while creating a better communication among event planners and clients to provide a better product and service.
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    That's a good point you make Ligia, this is a good resource for both planners and their clients to exchange feedback.
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    Very nice idea, to exchange experience in order to make the service better. I wish it was used in many other spheres.
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    It is a really good idea.The ability to add guest to a hybrid network in a secure and controlled way helps company achieve our goal of connective a social community for sponsors, speakers and delegates around all our events that spans across the entire lifecycle in a very cost-effective manner.
Ashley Reed

Virtually There: Property Management Systems Expand Far Beyond Their Original Scope-and Head for the Clouds | hospitalityupgrade.com - 0 views

  • Over the years PMSs have steadily improved by adding more
  • Virtualization
  • Speed of Implementation
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  • The Cloud
  • Flexibility.
  • Connection Loss.
  • More Complete Range of Applications
  • Data Security.
  • Better Security.
  • Virtualization
  • The Cloud
  • Many vendors have also expanded their coverage into revenue management, sales and catering, spa/golf/activities and so on, within their own software and/or by interfacing to specialized systems from other vendors.
  • a search for a system (or system set) with much broader capabilities.  These usually include marketing, multiproperty reservations, distribution channel management and coverage of every aspect of the guest experience, both on and off property. 
  • Property management systems (PMSs) have been fundamental software in every hotel for decades
  • As more guest and operating information needs to be captured and managed, many hotels and resorts need multiple other systems to complement the PMS. However, the more applications are required, the greater the amount of computer room hardware needed to run them and the more complex the support requirements become. 
  • Cloud computing takes virtual server tools one stage further, using them to allocate the resources of vast numbers of servers quickly and flexibly among many different companies’ needs
  •   Further, the on-demand flexibility means that hoteliers no longer need to worry about buying and implementing more hardware resources as their businesses grow; they just call up the cloud vendor and ask for it to be allocated.
  • Data storage is another factor,
  • toring all this data on cloud-based servers is cheaper than continually expanding on-site storage, though of course selection of a trusted, secure vendor for the cloud is even more important.
  • There’s one link between the PMS and the revenue management system, one to S&C, one to the GDSs and Web booking sites, and so on, not one per system per property.  Traditional remotely hosted approaches do outsource the support and security issues but can’t provide the economy-of-scale savings nor the flexibility of clouds.
  • Alternatively, since many cloud-based systems are accessed via Web browsers it’s also possible to use 3G (and soon 4G) high-speed cell phone connections to access them if the Internet or other main communications line goes down. 
  • The best approach, though, is to keep a copy of enough critical data on property at all times so that operations can continue even if connection is lost completely.
  • Traditional PMS functionality is still the essential core at every property.  By tracking and managing all aspects of guests’ stays, it’s both a source and collection point for the crucial activity and preference information that forms the basis of all future relationships with them, on and off site.
  • At the same time, the move to cloud-based architecture makes all of these combinations simpler to create, implement and support.
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    Traditional PMS functionality is still the critical core at every property. By tracking and managing all aspects of guests' data, it's both a source and collection point for the crucial activity and preference information that forms the basis of all future relationships with the guest. But with the change of technology and the manner we do business today, hotels now need a wider function set than what a traditional PMS provides. Having a PMS on the web and in the clouds is getting more popular. These new Web services make it easier for new vendors to develop fresh approaches and link them quickly and effectively into established systems, providing hoteliers with richer and more varied options. There are more advantages than disadvantages when using cloud computing. The world is changing rapidly and in other for hotels to survive, they have to keep up with those changes.
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    Overall this article gives an overall prospective of how PMS are run. The basics include how PMS systems have move from a completely paper run process to a completely virtual program. This article also speaks of how the us of Clouds has changed the possibilities for PMS systems. Now information can be stored over the internet and accessed from anywhere. The article does mention many draw backs to this process such as outages and server errors. Internet advances have made the speed and flexibility of PMS much more vast.
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    Hey all, here is an article I found that talks about the traditional PMS systems for hotels and how it once rained supreme. Now a days, traditional PMS systems are not cutting it anymore because businesses are growing and are trying to find systems that have more functionality. This article brings up a few different options that a business could adopt and put into use. Installing software applications at the property is becoming unmanageably complex. Despite very worthwhile gains in functionality, no PMS will ever cover everything a hotel needs; none offer telephone service, for example. As more guest and operating information needs to be captured and managed, many hotels and resorts need multiple other systems to complement the PMS. The first option the article bring up is Virtualization, Server virtualization is not a new technology, but its adoption by the hospitality industry is relatively recent. The basic concept is that specialized control software allows the physical resources of a single computer server-memory, disk space and computing power-to be divided as needed between several different software applications, each perceived to be running on its own dedicated server. The second option is running a cloud based system, we all know what that is so I will let you read the article. Enjoy
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    The author attributes a growth in 'hotel complexity' that is driving the need for a change with traditional PMS systems and the limits of their capabilities. According to the article, the current PMS system is unsustainable and will need to evolve to meet client's demands- such as cloud computing, which is highlighted as being beneficial to hotels especially with regards to flexibility, better security, speed of implementation, etc. The pros and cons of cloud computing are clearly described, the cons mainly being loss of connectivity and security breaching. Although traditional PMS are essential for most hotels, cloud computing could put them at a competitive edge.
Xiameng Zheng

TripAdvisor Advertising - CPC Case Study and ROI | The Hotel Internet Marketing Blog - 0 views

  • a deeper look at the performance of TripAdvisor PPC
  • These conclusions were derived by Mirai after investing €27,000 with 58 hotels:
  • Your direct rates, your hotel’s website rates, can now appear on Tripadvisor dealing face to face with intermediaries such as booking.com and expedia.com. Should you join this program? What can you expect regarding the required investments and the return you will obtain? Does this return affect your hotel’s position within your city’s ranking? After a comprehensive three-month study, we have got answers.
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  • what is the key point in the decision making processes about whether to invest in Tripadvisor’s PPC program?
  • As a prerequisite, and as for any investment that will bring traffic to your official website, make sure that it is optimized to convert, offering the potential client the best experience regarding design, reservation engine, rates and also enough room availability.
  • High cost: 25-45%
  • (again, this is related to your position). Compare it with other channels and decide whether the same investment would offer you a better return by other means. If you totally bet on your official website (which will probably collide with intermediation), the costs will be lower. Think that Tripadvisor is enabling the user to compare the rates, so even if the rate is not the only thing to take into consideration, the fact is that Tripadvisor really focuses on it.
  • Limited expenses control
  • The better your hotel’s position is within the pages of your destination, the more chances you will have to receive reservations by this means.
  • It is better if your average reservation value is high.
  • If you don’t participate directly, you will be feeding your intermediaries.
  • Satisfy your clients.
  • Trial and error.
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    This article analyzed the performance of TripAdvisor PPC activity in detail, and showed the results of an investigation regarding to hotels' commission level, traffic ranking, and conversion rate, then talked about whether it worth to invest by hotels.  That is useful for hoteliers to work on the ROI, and make right decisions.
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    This article is about whether to invest in Trip advisor's PPC program. It offers some benefits and correlations between the commission fee and Trip advisor's score. It introduces this program through several aspects, like the cost, the prerequisite. And the program do has some limitations, like the limited expenses control and hotel position preference. But it can provide properties social network, customer satisfaction, word of mouth through this new distribution way.
Hanlu Hu

Hospitality industry can benefit from upgraded telecom tech | Subsidium Technologies - 0 views

  • Businesses in the travel industry are often required to connect, collaborate and communicate with other entities all over the globe. Companies within that sector that specialize in hospitality services need to have particularly efficient telecommunication processes if they want to vie for an elite position among their competitors. Outdated telephony and collaborative platforms can be unreliable, and for businesses that provide a service that depends on optimum customer satisfaction, poor accessibility can make the company appear to be unprofessional.
  • Maestro PMS is a cloud-based hosted storage and backup system that businesses can integrate to replace their old physical, in-house servers
  • Businesses that are looking to improve their own telecommunication systems should first contact a professional technology consulting agency before beginning their implementation planning process. With their evaluation and unbiased advice, decision makers can rest assured that they are investing in the best possible solution for their company.
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    In this article talk about hospitality industry has to upgrade to make more benefit for making more profit than now. There is more telecommunication technical solution that is able to hospitality telecommunication problem entities. Notrhwind, the inventor of the PMS software system in hospitality industry since 1987. Northwind offers PMS (Property Management System) in hotel software. Maestro PMS is a storage and backup system based on the cloud computing system and replace from their old data to in hotel server. Tim Belcher assitant general manger of Legacy Hotel and Conferences, one of the telecommunication companies, said that the problem of the telecommunication system could replace duties of their IT staff since maintain and resolve problems with storage provider. Business that are looking to improve their own telecommunication system, the company should contact a professional technology consulting agency before set up the implementation planning process.
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    More and more companies in hospitality industry are focusing on telecommunication, for telecommunication system could help them better manage the company and enhance customer service. Before choosing the right system, companies have to consult a professional company and conduct lots of development and research work. Then they can find a right one for the company. A right telecommunication solution, like PMS in the article, could help reduce cost and time, as well as providing great customer service.
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    This article is indicating that hospitality industry can benefit from upgraded telecommunication technology and hospitality serviced need to have particularly efficient telecommunication process if they want achieve success among their competitors.  A new system is introduced in this article: Maestro PMS. It is a cloud-based hosted storage and backup system that business can integrate their old physical, in-house servers. And the system backups and upgrades in secure network operation hosting facility, which could let operators focus their attention on guest service and revenue generating activities. This article also suggest that if company looking to improve their own telecom systems, it is better to contact a professional technology consulting agency before beginning implementation planning process.
Ted Rood

Mobility rewrites the rules for POS system services - 0 views

  • Mobile technology is rewriting the rules for point-of-sale system services. This is creating opportunities for solution providers with security, wireless and broad e-commerce skills.
  • Tablet computers have accelerated adoption of open system point-of-sale (POS) solutions that integrate multiple transaction methods, including mobile and traditional fixed in-store sales terminals as well as e-commerce sites
  • One motivation is generational: Entrepreneurs are opting for systems that can "follow" clients and support better tableside service
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  • opting for mobile computers that can run POS applications served up via an Internet connection
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    This article focuses on how Mobile technology is changing the way the hospitality industry is utilizing POS systems. Ever since the rise of tablet  computer usage, open system POS solutions that integrate multiple transaction methods have become increasingly more popular. Entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry are opting to go with systems that follow clients and offer better table-side service. Instead of using the traditional POS system terminals, business owners are going with a POS system that can be run on mobile computers through an internet connection.  Mobile POS solutions are becoming more and more popular in the restaurant and hospitality business. Retailers are delivering different mobile applications, such as personal shopping solutions as well as encouraging customers to use their mobile devices to receive promotions and other marketing incentives. In january 2012 it was reported that almost half of all tablet computers are being used for some kind of shopping transactions. 
Hanlu Hu

E-Commerce for the Hospitality Industry | The Moscow Times - 6 views

  • E-commerce has been defined as "the buying and selling of products and services by businesses and consumers over the Internet."
  • Accelerating Internet usage worldwide The Internet is the lowest cost hotel-booking channel Most travelers research hotel reservations on the Internet Social media and online hotel reviews are an increasingly important decision factor The web is the preferred media source for travel information, favored 17:1 over television and 6:1 over newspapers and magazines.
  • Adding real time search functionality to your site, capability to generate user reviews, launching contests helps to build fresh content and quality links
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  • Heavy graphics, animation and flash demos cause your site to perform slowly. Sites that are built keeping these guidelines in mind will deliver better user experiences, will perform better on search engines, and ultimately drive higher ROI.
  • As things stand now, mobile queries represent about 10% of all queries made on Google. People are using mobile devices to conduct searches, as well as share content, connect with friends and browse the web
  • Embracing social media. 93 percent of social media users expect companies to have a social presence. 85 percent of social media users want companies to interact with them on social sites. A well-planned social initiative can turn fans into brand evangelists.
  • The Internet has consolidated itself as a very powerful platform that has changed the way we communicate, and the way we do business.
  • The growing importance of e-commerce in the modern hospitality industry has created an urgent need for simple solutions to manage companies' online presence. Now that each hotel is involved in e-commerce, why is hotel e-commerce so important today?
  • We forget that the human brain can only consume limited information. It is important to take a holistic approach and prioritize information. Good web site architecture and organized content improves site usability and its efficiency when used with search engines.
    • yan xie
       
      It is true that we always forge how many information the human brain will take at once. Although the e-commerce is the good way for customers to know the new products and new service from the hotels, sometimes the hotels provide so much information to customers. It lets customers confused and does not know what the specifice products can meet their requirements. And sometimes, they feel some hard to understand your service so that they give up hotels service or new products to choose the one they are familiar. So how to make e-commerce usability and efficiency is a new point, which the hospitality industry company need to consider.
  • make sure your ad groups are made up of tightly knit keyword themes and that those keywords are reflected in your ad copy; ensure that your landing pages clearly reflect the offer promoted in the ad copy and includes clear calls to action and conversion factors.
    • yan xie
       
      As the point two mentioned, the customers cannot get so many information at once, and they also cannot search lots of information at once. So the keyword themes is also another important thing for company to do the promotion and ads. This ads need to have the keywords to clearly reflect the offer promoted for customers. In this way, the customers will catch the information as possible as they can.
  • Top e-commerce sites are continually testing new things. It's the only way to achieve continual improvement.
    • yan xie
       
      To do the continually testing new things is always a best development way for the developing company. If the company cannot test the new things in their e-commerce sites and e-commerce process, the e-commerce of this company will be far away from other companies. Company need to have the innovation to make some new things for their e-commerce and do the test all the time to select the best way for the business and customers' expericence.
  • hospitality industry has always been among the first to capitalize on new technologies
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    The hospitality industry along with the resourcefulness of the Internet has allowed the Russian hospitality industry to benefit and grow with the technology of e-commerce. E-commerce is defined as "the buying and selling of products and service by businesses and consumers over the Internet". This technology is significant due to its beneficial factors of lowering costs, accessibility, decision-making, and media exposure. As well, the article provides for methods and advice regards effective strategies to utilize the Internet. Primarily, the speed of the website's functionality is essential, along with providing compatibility of browsers, thus, allowing for a better experience for users. The information in the website should be efficient, allowing for real time search whether using a mobile phone or a computer. It was informative to read the multiple functionality, that social media is playing in the hospitality industry regards the exposure and marketability. E-commerce has change the market of goods and services, from a tangible experience to digital experience, through the use of online shopping estimated at $228 Billion in 2010, a third derived from the purchase of travel and flight websites, thus, demonstrating the importance of the Internet in relation to consumerism.
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    This article talks about why hotel E-commerce is essential today and how to go about having E-commerce work for your business/hotel. The article says, "The internet has consolidated itself as a very powerful platform that has changed he way we communicate, and the way we do business." This is the reason why businesses need to utilize the internet. According to the article these are the reasons that hotel e-commerce is important today: the internet is being used worldwide, the internet is the lowest cost hotel-booking medium, the internet is used, by travelers, to research hotels and their reservations, the internet is the home of social media and hotel reviews and the internet is preferred 17:1 over television and 6:1 over newspapers and magazines for travel information. It would be at a hotel's detriment if they do not utilize the internet and e-commerce. It isn't enough to use e-commerce for business but there must be an upkeep. It is extremely beneficial to research or monitor how customers and potential consumers are seeking information and what attracts them to a site. According to the article, e-commerce strategies that would 'help get the best from the internet world' are: 1. Search-friendly website design 2. Improving Conversion and Usability 3. Paid Search 4. Real time Search 5. Mobile Device Market 6. Social Media 7. Testing
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    This article mentioned why the ecommerce important for the hospitality industry. And also there are more things they hospitality industry companies need to know. Although the e-commerce is the good way for customers to know the new products and new service from the hotels, sometimes the hotels provide so much information to customers. It lets customers confused and does not know what the specific products can meet their requirements. And sometimes, they feel some hard to understand your service so that they give up hotels service or new products to choose the one they are familiar. So how to make e-commerce usability and efficiency is a new point, which the hospitality industry company need to consider. As the point two mentioned, the customers cannot get so many information at once, and they cannot search lots of information at once. So the keyword themes is also another important thing for company to do the promotion and ads. This ads need to have the keywords to clearly reflect the offer promoted for customers. In this way, the customers will catch the information as possible as they can. It is true that we always forge how many information the human brain will take at once. To do the continually testing new things is always a best development way for the developing company. If the company cannot test the new things in their e-commerce sites and e-commerce process, the e-commerce of this company will be far away from other companies. Company need to have the innovation to make some new things for their e-commerce and do the test all the time to select the best way for the business and customers' experience.
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    This article discusses about the application of e-commerce in hospitality industry. Internet has become a very powerful tool for customers when they are planing their travels. As the same time, it has become an important media for hotelierss to improve their businesses. Internet can provider a lot of online sources to customers when they make any dicisions. And how to make your web site become more competitive and attract more customers is the topic of this article. First of all, a good design for the web site is the most important thing for hotelierss. And the download speed is the basic factor. Quick download speed brings a good experience to users, and improves the ranking in organic search. Secondly, improving usability needs to be focused on by hotelierss. Large imformation may not be took in by users. You need to make your customers seethe most important information first. In other word, you need to prioritize your web site and make the imformation more understood. Paid search and real time search are also focused on by the author. Sometimes, paid search can make your hotel more compelling on the search engine. And some tips have been given in this articel to help the hotelierss to maximize conversions. Real time search is similar with paid search, and it needs compelling fresh content and quality incoming links on the web site. Maps, photo galleries, videos and press releases are creative ways to distrivute content on different channels. With more mobiles customers using, mobile represent about 10% of all queries make on Google. Hotels can exand the mobile market and improve the download speed of their site by avoid heavy graphics and flash, making their site is mobile compatible. Social media is in the same condition with mobile. Customers need more connections on social sites, so they want companies to interact with them through the social media. The last point is testing. Every new thing needs a lot of tests. It can provides changes and improvement for
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    The article discusses power of internet and how different it is from magazine and television ads. "In terms of time your travel websites are available for are accessible for a longer period of time, the flexibility that the content can be changed without asking someone,if you have a content management system." Also travel websites will help your business potentially reach a wider audience. Another big advantage of having a travel website is it's availability even when your business is closed or no one is available to answer your phone. Everyone knows that there are so many time zones, and the visitors can come from any part of the world. So having a travel websites gives your travel business visibility for all 365 days of year 24x7.
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    In hospitality industry, customers are constantly seeking new sources of information to help them make decisions before purchasing services. E-commerce in hospitality industry is about the online buying and selling services. And it's become such an important source for the company and customer. Hospitality businesses are all involved in the trend. Smart hoteliers need to keep a sharp focus on the fundamental shift in ways customers are seeking information and channels that drive maximum return on investment. This article listed several basic e-commerce strategies that will help hoteliers to get the best from the Internet world.
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    As new technological advances are being made, the hospitality industry has always been among the first to capitalize on new technologies. The term e-commerce has been defined as the buying and selling of products and services by businesses and consumers over the internet. Now that hotels are involved directly with e-commerce it becomes even more important today because of the accelerating internet usage worldwide,the internet is still the lowest cost channel for booking, many travelers make their travel decisions via the internet. Embracing social media, 93% of social media users expect companies to have a social presence and 85% of social media users want comoanies to interact with them on social sites. A well-planned social iniative can turn fans into brand evangelists. This article dealt mainly with a brief introduction of what e-commerce is in terms of its defining and what it means to the hospitality industry. With more and more people utilizing the internet each day, the potential to have a person book a hotel room greatly increases. Several search engines have advertisements relating to many hotel companies offering specials and customers will see these ads and book. With more technological advances bound to come into play, its only a matter of time before the practice of e-commerce is taken to another level.
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    Over the last decade the population of Internet users has increased rapidly. The hospitality industry has always been among the first to capitalize on new technologies. E-commerce has been defined as "the buying and selling of products and services by businesses and consumers over the Internet." With hotel e-commerce, the landscape of the hospitality industry is forever changed. Online sales are an important part of the business. The growing importance of e-commerce in the modern hospitality industry has created an urgent need for simple solutions to manage companies' online presence. Now that each hotel is involved in e-commerce, reasons why is hotel e-commerce so important today may because the accelerating internet usage worldwide, the Internet is the lowest cost hotel-booking channel, and social media and online hotel reviews are an increasingly important decision factor.
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    E-commerce has become more and more important in our daily life, because many customers today prefer to use internet to help them make decisions. In hospitality industry, e-commerce also plays an important role, as internet is a very cheap and convenient booking channel and many people use the internet intensively. There are many e-commerce strategies for hoteliers, such as making friendly web site design, embracing social media, etc. As e-commerce has so many advantages, I think e-commerce is an opportunity for hoteliers to grasp. It is important for hoteliers to use different strategies to get the best from the internet world.
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        This article introduced the function of ecommerce and the ecommerce effect for the hospitality industry. The author listed some important reasons about why hotel ecommerce is so important:1)Accelerating Internet usage worldwide.2)The Internet is the lowest cost hotel-booking channel. 3) Most travelers research hotel reservations on the Internet. 4)Social media and online hotel reviews are an increasingly important decision factor. 5) The web is the preferred media source for travel information, favored 17:1 over television and 6:1 over newspapers and magazines. This article also listed some basic e-commerce strategies that will help hoteliers to take advantage of ecommerce from the Internet world. 1) Search-friendly web site design.2) Improve conversion and usability 3) Paid search. 4) Real time search - natural ranking.5) Mobile.6) Embracing social media. 7) Test, test, test. Top e-commerce sites are continually testing new things.      In a summary, the author suggest smart hoteliers need to keep a sharp focus on the fundamental shift in ways customers are seeking information and channels that drive maximum return on investment. Moreover, hoteliers have to constantly learn and look for ways to harness the power of new developments and trends.
Nicole Dudley

GDS usage on the rise as travel demand grows - 0 views

  • Industry leaders’ speculations that the global distribution system is dying a slow death have lingered for the last decade, ever since online-travel agencies made their debut in the hotel distribution space.
  • A study conducted by the American Society of Travel Agents in 2009 found the percentage of member travel agencies that used the GDS channel declined from 98% in 1999 to 79% in 2009.
  • However, despite the decrease in GDS usage amid the most recent global economic downturn, hotel companies and travelers still find value in the channel, according to sources interviewed for this report.
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  • Sabre Travel Network, for example, saw an increase of more than 7% in its GDS bookings during the first quarter of 2012 over the same period last year
  • “And it’s a steady trend that’s gone up over the last several years,”
  • Many hoteliers are attempting to leverage those increases in demand through dynamic pricing models, which offers clients a percentage off a hotel’s best available rate on each travel date as opposed to a fixed, negotiated rate for the year
  • But that does not mean leisure travelers are not using the GDS as well.
  • “If they are shopping online with (the OTAs), then they are using the GDS
  • Indeed, overall demand has increased from both leisure and corporate travelers
  • Corporate travel demand is primarily responsible for that uptick
  • “Hotels that have typically had a negotiated rate for each corporation can actually work better with corporations with dynamic rates, as long as they are able to ensure they are giving that corporation access to whatever the deal of the day is
  • One of the trends she is seeing in the GDS channel is the increase of combined business and leisure trips
  • “Insurance companies are also pushing today that (companies) know where their employees are,” which the GDS facilitates,
  • There’s more opportunities for hotels to put promotions, put leisure opportunities on there … It enables hotels to really take value of the GDS.”
  • More and more, Kennedy is seeing corporate account managers ask: “What would you offer our travelers for their weekend stay if they wanted to stay longer or extend?” “What can you offer for group rates?”
  • The GDS is not going away any time soon because of the unique solutions it provides for hotels and travelers alike
  • For instance, it is better-suited to handle incredibly large look-to-book ratios
  • The GDS also provides enhanced marketing support
  • Although these and other benefits will continue to attract hoteliers’ inventory, Cole said the GDS would provide additional value if distribution costs were lowered
  • Travel-management companies are coming up with many security reporting and informative ways to show corporations where people are at any point in time, which can be important for insurance purposes
  • . “People are traveling for business in parts of the world and extending it to stay for leisure.”
  • The pricing model provides corporations with a lower rate when demand decreases but also gives hoteliers the opportunity to achieve higher rates when demand increases, Kennedy said. “It’s a win-win for both sides.”
  • Many hoteliers are attempting to leverage those increases in demand through dynamic pricing models, which offers clients a percentage off a hotel’s best available rate on each travel date as opposed to a fixed, negotiated rate for the year,
  • Corporate travel demand is primarily responsible for that uptick
  • Sabre Travel Network, for example, saw an increase of more than 7% in its GDS bookings during the first quarter of 2012 over the same period last year,
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    This article is about the current rise in the use of the GDS system again. This rise has been seen primarily with corporate travelers, but has also been used by the leisure traveler. While GDS usage percents dropped from 98% in 1999 to 79% in 2009, it has slightly started to increase again. Sabre one of the larger GDS companies has seen a 7% increase in use of the system in 2012. Hotels have tried to give companies better rates to their consumers, for example as more corporate travelers are extending their stays from a business trip and then turning it into a leisure trip for a few more days. This gives the traveler a lower rate a night at the hotel, as they are staying for more nights. Overall, while there was a decline in the use of GDS because of the OTA, there is now a slight increase, bringing life back to the GDS system.
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    This article gives an in depth explanation of the importance of GDS's in the hotel industry and the increased usage of the GDS due to the rising travel demand. The American Society of Travel Agents conducted a study in 2009 and found the percentage of member travel agencies that used the GDS declined from 98% in 1999 to 79% in 2009. A significant portion of the decrease was due to the economic downturn, but regardless hoteliers and travels still found value is the GDS channel. According to Sabre Travel Network, there was an increase of more than 7% in GDS bookings during the first quarter of 2012 over the same period last year. The demand for corporate travel is the main reason for the increase. Many people that are traveling for business want to extend their trips for leisure. This allows hotels the opportunity to adjust their pricing strategies by putting travel promotions for leisure for the business travels as well. Many people utilize the GDS to find the most affordable prices, but it is also beneficial to hoteliers as well. Elaine Kennedy, one of the two interviewed in the article, stated the pricing model provides corporations with a lower rate when demand decreases but also gives hoteliers the opportunity to achieve higher rates when demand increases, which ultimately is a win-win for both sides. The GDS also provides many opportunities for hotels to cut costs. Robert Cole, the other person interviewed in this article, stated "The GDS also provides enhanced marketing support….immediately when you use the GDS to put your product, your service, your room, your rate, you're getting it in front of an audience without using your own marketing budget." According to Robert Cole, the GDS is not going away any time soon because of the unique solutions it provides for hotels and travelers alike. I believe this article was very informative on how the GDS is currently being utilized and where it is going in the future. It basically helped answer question 3
Dalton Draper

Tech Trends: In-Room Telephones | Hotel Management - 2 views

  • Although much in-room telephone development has focused on the move to VoIP technology, there are still ways to upgrade the telephone hardware to continue to satisfy guests and protect the bottom line.
  • Bittel Americas is the integration of the phone, alarm and dock with USB port.
  • “I’d rather leave my iPhone on the nightstand than on the desk. We recognized this as a universal issue for all hotels and figured there’s something we can do to provide an integrated device that includes a phone, alarm, mp3 iPhone dock and so on.
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  • adding a desktop device, but it takes up too much space
  • very little revenue comes from phones. The less money hoteliers spend maintaining phones, the better.”
  • That’s people’s content on there, they have almost all their info at their fingertips on that device. … An in-room device probably makes more sense if we were to design our product in such a way that works well with these smartphones instead of trying to compete against them.”
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    This article talks about how hotels are trying to upgrade the in room phones to better serve the guest they receive. They have started to think of ways to integrate the phones to have USB ports for charging smart phones or thinking of ways to actually have a tablet available on the night stand. Some companies have even decided to downgrade their phones to save on maintaince cost since most people have smart phones or tablets with all their information on it.
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    I think this is a great article that you found. It is true that people do not really use the in-room telephones anymore unless it is to call down to the front desk and then still the hotel is not making money on it. If they had an all-in-one phone, alarm, USB port, mp3 people would get a lot more use and be happier with it. These devices should start to come to major hotels and see how they work and then go from there to be everywhere
Sherine Mattison

What Makes Hotel Reservation Software Important for Hospitality Industry? - 1 views

Exchttp://www.articlesbase.com/software-articles/what-makes-hotel-reservation-software-important-for-hospitality-industry-1644702.htmlerpt from:

Shiyuan Peng

Wi-Fi firm looks to hotels, universities - 0 views

  • The United States wireless network provider Meru Networks Inc is eyeing the Chinese market with the company expecting its revenues in the Asia-Pacific region to double in the next two to three years.
  • The country's thriving hospitality industry and higher education institutes will be the biggest customers for Meru
  • China has been one of the fastest developing markets for Meru because of increasing demand despite slowing gross domestic product growth
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  • Meru is hoping the next-generation of Wi-Fi products will boost sales in China
  • China's education industry could be a safe place to find profits.
  • Meanwhile, the rapid-growing hospitality industry in China is likely to become another gold mine for Wi-Fi providers.
  • The number of five-star hotels in the country hit 651 in January and there are another 500-plus luxury hotels waiting to open
  • The association estimated that the nation's five-star hotels could exceed 1,000 by 2015.
  • Chinese telecommunications carriers have been able to develop their own third-generation telecom standards. Overseas communication network providers seem to have trouble adapting to the different industry standards.
  • The company is trying to team up with China's telecom carriers to better develop the market.
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    Because of increasing demand, China has been one of the fastest developing markets for Meru--an American wireless network provider. The company expects that its revenues in the Asia-Pacific region will double in the next two to three years. The company thinks that China's education industry could be a safe place to find profits and the rapid-growing hospitality industry in China is likely to become another gold mine. It is estimated that China's five-star hotels could exceed 1000 by 2015. However, China has a habit of adopting its own communication standards so that overseas communication network providers seem to have trouble adapting to the different industry standards. Therefore, Meru has reached a decision to cooperate with China's telecom carriers to better develop the market.
Ryan Jove

iPhone 5 Apple Announcement Roundup & Review | iOS Affairs - 1 views

  • iPhone 5 Apple Announcement Roundup & Review
  • the iPhone 5 was announced. The
  • The screen will now be 4 inches
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  • 18% thinner
  • 20% lighter.
  • That means that your eye
  • literally cannot distinguish one pixel from another.
  • there will be a 5th row of icons
  • 44% more color saturation
  • The A6 chip is 2 times faster than the A5 chip running the new iPad and the iPhone 4S.
  • 2 times faster graphics.
  • chip that is 22% smaller than the A5,
  • Apple has added LTE
  • It is an 8mp camera
  • the hybrid IR filter, 5-element lens, and f/24 aperature.
  • will snap photos 40% quicker than the iPhone 4S does
  • Video shot with iSight is 1080p with improved stability and face detection.
  • use FaceTime over cellular networks, 3 integrated microphones for better audio, and wideband audio.
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    Apple has made an announcement regarding the release of the iPhone 5 this Friday September 15.  How does this affect hospitality?  With all of the enhancements that apple has pressed forward with this new iPhone, hospitality will feel pressure to adapt and change with the times and you nailed it, they will have to continue to buy new tech.  If apple is able to make their iPhone 18% thinner and 20% lighter while making it larger and more durable, the hospitality industry will have to respond in their own tech.  Also, this new technology enables hospitality firms to direct their efforts more effectively with better tech.
Yi Sun

ILCO Electronic Hotel Locks - ATLAS - 0 views

  • Encoders can be connected at any workstation, whether at the front desk, the concierge desk or VIP check-in station. The system is OS-independent for the ultimate in compatibility, and it can be integrated with most point-of-sale (POS) and property management system workstations.
  • ATLAS targets small boutique style hotels to large-scale, full service resorts, including spa, ski and golf resorts, all inclusive, as well as gaming and casino hotels. Military market is another segment that would greatly benefit from the ATLAS system.
  • With its intuitive Web-based interface, ATLAS is also simple to learn and use. The menu-driven software provides on-screen help so that operators can resolve issues quickly and easily. Plus ATLAS will support a variety of languages, allowing operators to work in the language of their choice.
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  • ATLAS is a web based system that can be installed on existing IT infrastructure. It easily interfaces with other systems, uses standard encoding and device support.
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    ATLAS sands for Advanced Technology Lodging Access System is designed for hotels that need to have a better control over their back office operations and that can rely on a system to provide secure access to their premises and accurate.
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    I used to use this systme to make key cards for the customers in the hotel. It's really easy to make a key card and safe for both of the customers and hotels. For example, if a customer lost his/her key card, we can remake a new one that the old one is not able to open the door in case of a theive pick up the room card to access to the guest's room. I think in the future the access system will be more advanced like you can use a cellphone to access to your room or you just use your finger print or pupil to access your room. It also works for the access for the employees. Employees may access to the working area by using their figer print or pupil to in case of some of the stranger to access to the working area. This locking system may be still have a large space to develop. This will make the hotel more fashionable and more intersting for the customers. We used to have the oringinal keys but now most of the hotels use key cards. Today also some of the hotel use mobile phones to access to the room, here still some security issues to be pay attetion like if someone lost their mobile phones. So from my opinion the future room key fotr the hotels will be better to use the unique identity of the human to access to the room.
Jiaqi Xu

How to Generate Revenue with Hotel Call Accounting Software - 2 views

  •  
    Billing software is important for the hotel. It can helps the hotel account for telephone charges, Internet usage, equipment fees, surcharges and taxes in real time. With the declining of the telecom revenue the new call accounting modules should adapt to new market competition. Some of the hotel adjusting room rate to balance the telecom revenue lost. Even though the use of the telecom is declining, proper use hotel call accounting system can still bring profit. The accounting system can provide traffic reports identify grade of service, peak calling hours, and the number of trunks the hotel should have to run telecom smoothly. The calling accounting report can show where guests are calling. It is easy for hotel find its target market and negotiate better tariff plans. The call accounting system can make fewer mistakes than the night auditor. All calls are being record with the help of calling accounting system. Hotel should update the critical information in calling accounting system monthly and all the properties use the same tariff table and follow the same guidelines. In this way hotel can avoid inaccurate billing and lost revenue.
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    This is an interesting article as hotels have to adjust from guests using the room telephones and hotel internet to using their cell phones and mobile networks. Hotels do need to compensate for that loss in revenue but it is hard to charge much for internet service when guests can go down the block to Starbucks and get it for free. With these changes, it makes it even more important to hotels' bottom lines to have the right call accounting system in place making sure they don't miss out on any collectible monies. Good article Jingyi.
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    This article is about how to generate revenue from the hotel call accounting system. Travelers involve the business travelers and family travelers all need to keep in touch with others. Therefore, it is important for sophisticated hotel billing software to account for telephone charges, Internet usage, and equipment fees. Sometimes your telephone charges could account for a larger cost than the room rate. The article also compared the old call accounting system and the new ones. Old call accounting system would generally been left in the back room logging long distance call records from a PBX serial port. Nowadays, hotel managers become creative in using new call accounting modules or more appropriately a communication management system .Properly utilization of a hotel call accounting system can help hotel generate high profits. Proactive hotel properties use call accounting reports to determine calling patterns that show where guests are calling. These statistics help the hotel target marketing and negotiate better tariff plans. As hotel provides more communication facilities, the communication management system will be required to account for hotel cell phones, calls made with authorization codes, internet service, hand held devices and other guest amenities.
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    Hotel call accounting software or hotel accounting software in short is a system records telephonic activity, translates it into relevant data and arranges it in reports, graphs, charts etc for analysis. In the hospitality industry, the call accounting software plays an important role as an interface between the hotel management/staff and the customers. Call accounting products allow hotels/motels to bill guests for all phone calls that the property will have to pay for, recovering costs.Managers can also detect phone misuse or abuse, optimize phone system performance, allocate telecom costs by department or extension, set special rates for VIP guests, and decrease billing errors.
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    Using accounting system to generate revenue for hotel is a great way. Today, revenue management is strong relay on those more accounting system. Properly use accounting system can support hotel generate more profits. Also, proactive hotel properties use call accounting reports to determine calling patterns that show where guests are calling. All these data help the hotel target marketing and negotiate better tariff plans.
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