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Event Organizers will Connect to Attendees with Smartphones

Event budgets are being more scrutinized, SMM, strategic meeting management technology, such as http://www.cvent.com/ or http://www.starcite.com 

-Paper will Surrender to Technology

-Event Planners will gain Increased Efficiency via Solution Consolidation

Switching to the cloud from a client server platform pays off with a big drop in both the initial capital outlay and the ongoing operating costs for the property management and other systems.

pects of a franchisee’s business, from guest check-ins and housekeeping services to billing and finances. Over time new features have been rolled into the software platform making it more robust and useful for hotel owners—it’s currently distributed in eight countries and available in four languages. And while plenty of cloud-based PMS packages are now available from third-party vendors like Micros, Maestro, and RoomKey, Choice’s internal solution has garnered its fair share of attention. “We had been getting knocks on the door from IT vendors at other hotel companies and individual Choice franchisees that own other brands, saying they were interested in our product,” says Pacious, “So we set up a new division so we could take a look at other opportunities we could develop.” This led the company to launch SkyTouch last year, a new division that develops and markets cloud-based software solutions to hotels inside and outside the Choice system. Pages: 1 2 3 4 2013-06-18 Sean Downey !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })(); (function() { var li = document.createElement('script'); li.type = 'text/javascript'; li.async = true; li.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https:' : 'http:') + '//platform.stumbleupon.com/1/widgets.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(li, s); })(); inShare0 Related Articles attachment-3

his led the company to launch SkyTouch last year, a new division that develops and markets cloud-based software solutions to hotels inside and outside the Choice system. Pages: 1 2 3 4 2013-06-18 Sean Downey !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); (function() { var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true; po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s); })(); (function() { var li = document.createElement('script'); li.type = 'text/javascript'; li.async = true; li.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https:' : 'http:') + '//platform.stumbleupon.com/1/widgets.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(li, s); })(); inShare0 Related Articles Hotel Market Insight: Cleveland a

This led the company to launch SkyTouch last year, a new division that develops and markets cloud-based software solutions to hotels inside and outside the Choice system.

sometimes we waste a lot of money doing so

no one really knows what technology is best to invest in to maximize return on investment,

ack-of-house systems such as financial reporting are key to operational success

Front-of-house technology is more of a gamble,

Sometimes we have to play along with those, and those can tend to be more of a fad, but some are critical for differentiating from neighbors.

need to survive, while some technology is simply a fad.

Invest in a change-management program to make sure you are getting best bang for your buck

But with investment in mobile infrastructure, it’s more about trying to stay ahead so we can continue to innovate and deliver new solutions easily.

ROI on some of these solutions might not be immediate, but by starting to develop solutions for these technologies we begin learning how to integrate them into our systems and processes.”

ind the right solutions and technology in which to invest time and money.

matches with your organization

but that’s rarely the case

Take the time and look at the process and what and why you’re doing it

mobile requirements to continue changing as more and more devices come online,

some tech, such as supporting core processes, is required for operations, but isn't necessarily ROI-based.

HVMG invested in technology that pulls all of its operational reporting systems together so that management and ownership can see hotel performance in one place.

It is (the IT) a department that evolves on a daily basis and you owe it to your organisation to consider any "new" development ... IT experts must always make a clear differentiation between an investment and an expense.

One of the critical challenges for hotel technology managers is convincing upper management to approve investing in the latest technology.

You will see an increase in Information Technology (IT) spending within the hospitality industry, with guest experience cited as the top driver for investment

91 percent of hospitality decision makers realise the increasing importance of mobile and wireless technology, while 78 percent recognise the role mobility plays in ensuring a competitive advantage for their business.

"It is a challenge to demonstrate that the proposed technology infrastructure will indirectly reflect into a benefit to our business and will keep us up to date with the technology trends and market competition."

That makes virtual concierge a must-have for modern hotels. The AI-powered application allows hoteliers to offer conversational assistance and give prompt replies to the queries all day and night

Smart devices like occupancy sensors, smart ventilation, air conditioning systems, thermostats, other suchlike technologies can increase the resale value by reducing costs.

The energy savings from IoT technology also include smart lighting solutions to utilize for a better understanding of your energy needs, automation of consumption, adaptation to current occupancy.

Thanks to the IoT solutions, you can forecast your maintenance needs according to the system usage and eliminate failures resulted in reducing costs.

it comes with back-end features like reports, built-in CRM software, a timeclock with payroll exporting, offline mode and web orders.

iPad POS solution for bars, restaurants, retail shops and professional service providers.

prefer a Windows-based POS system

cloud-based POS system for independent retailers as well as those with multiple locations, such as chains, franchises and buying groups

accounting programs, property management systems, gaming and casino systems, and liquor dispensing systems

an inventory database, e-commerce solutions, a built-in timeclock and 24/7 customer support.

s, Cake has table and guest management features such as reservation and waitlist management as well as a mobile solution, OrderPad, that helps your staff take orders and payments quickly. Cake is cloud-based and provides 24/7 support.

inventory, purchase orders, loyalty programs, gift cards, reports and multi-store management.

It has a built-in timeclock and accounting system. Its restaurant-specific features include reservations, table and delivery management tools, and a kitchen display system.

Features include inventory management, sales analytics, digital receipts and loyalty programs.

employee management, inventory, and reporting tools. It also has an app marketplace and its own API, giving you plenty of options to fully customize the software. The company offers 24/7 phone support.

It supports omnichannel sales and has tools for inventory management, tiered pricing, purchase ordering, analytics, and email marketing and customer loyalty programs.

like stadiums and theme parks.

quick-service and fast casual eateries

he company partners with software vendors, system integrators and value-added resellers in many industries, including retail, healthcare, hospitality, kiosk, gaming and manufacturing.

Features include appointment scheduling, employee management, inventory tracking, integrated payment processing, and gift card and loyalty programs.

It also has multiple customer support resources, including free 24/7 phone and email support, live chat, and community forums.

ERP company that offers both retail and restaurant POS software that you can use as an on-premises system or as a web-based platform that you can access from a browser on any computer, tablet, or phone.

Clover has its own API, so your developers can create custom integrations if needed.

A good PMS offers unprecedented visibility that allows you to take full control of your hotel's administration, and will come with a wide array of options when it comes to data report dashboards. Having said that, it's still important to find out what level of custom reporting is available to you before buying.

With the constant development of new technologies, having a PMS with a growing integration partner list is becoming more important. An integrated partner could be anything from a channel manager to a mobile app or online guest feedback system. Less integration opportunities could mean that you end up with data spread over a number of different applications, or having to settle for apps that don't serve your needs like they should.

It's important to have a clear understanding of the PMS platform's customer support process before making a buying decision. It's also important to consider what kind of training is provided to hotel staff who will be using the system for the first time. More than 80% of hoteliers agree that user training is a key success factor in getting the most out of a PMS.

Thanks to rapid developments in technology, PMS platforms today aren't nearly as expensive as their predecessors. However, whether you choose a cloud-based or traditional computer-based system for your hotel, it's important to find out if you'll be making any surprise payments down the road – some examples include future software updates, technical support, infrastructure or maintenance etc.

How much time your new PMS will save in terms of managing front desk activities, like check-ins and check-outs, consolidating guest accounts, and managing rates and availability across all of your different channels (OTAs, travel agents and so on) is a critical consideration to make.

Lastly, it's important to look at the company's track record before making a buying decision. Even if they've been in business for years, check their client base to determine how reliable they are. The last thing you want is to be promised the world, only to be let down by poor service delivery.

Does the solution offer flexibility in functionality, including data access and performance reporting? How easily and seamlessly does the PMS integrate with third-party technologies and data? How long will it take for problems to be resolved? What is the total cost of ownership? Are there "hidden" costs? What return on investment (ROI) can be expected? What is the PMS solution provider's track record of success?

“Cutting down waste, using smart technology to manage buildings and possibly generating their own power are all options for hotels to consider, and E.ON can help throughout the whole process, from concept to management.”

is now ready to invest significantly in energy solutions across other hotels in the Thwaites chain.

Getting to grips with energy costs is important for all businesses, and minimising the impact that rising energy prices will have is important for every organisation’s long-term security.

One e-commerce solution is Shopify's POS system

the Shopify POS synchronizes and streamlines your financial and product information in a centralized dashboard.

real-time data and customer insights

without the hassle of running reports on multiple systems.

Businesses should consider allowing mobile payments, as customers are shifting away from cash. 

businesses don't need any heavy equipment overhauls

Mobile credit card processing services (Square, PayPal Here, Flagship ROAMpay) simply require a credit card reader attached to a smartphone or tablet with the necessary mobile app, while mobile wallet providers (Google Wallet, Visa Checkout, Apple Pay) and loyalty mobile apps (Starbucks, Daily Deals) allow customers to pay directly from their smartphones or by using a POS scanner to read barcodes or QR codes on their screens.

New POS systems integrate real-time transactions with CRM solutions to help businesses increase sales and boost revenue

POS integration lets businesses create client records, CRM tasks and email marketing lists

ability to extract valuable information from POS transactions to help business owners make smarter business decisions.

to improve customer experience and acquisition

enable businesses to collect all types of customer data from POS transactions,

POS software tool

data-gathering and reporting features

Detailed reports include inventory and volume analysis, top-selling items, revenue and profit margin optimization, and staffing needs

Toast is a POS system

"restaurant operations by combining POS, front of house, back of house, and guest-facing technology on a single platform"

"monitor restaurant sales, labor costs, food costs, and more in real time, at home, and on the go with powerful reporting capabilities."

, POS systems need more security as the technology advances.

(IoT) – the interconnectivity and communication of devices, networks and physical objects over the internet

POS systems are more vulnerable than ever to hacks and data breaches

US-CERT recommends protecting POS systems by using strong passwords, ensuring you have the latest POS software updates, installing a firewall, using antivirus programs, restricting unauthorized internet access (such as for purposes other than POS transactions) and disabling remote access to POS systems.

Post the options and let your team note their availability on Doodle. Everyone can take a vote for their preferred times or venues

Event planners live in a mobile world and Meet.fm was created to streamline communication and collaboration between business teams and their clients. Meet.fm allows you to create a branded “online meeting room” if you will, for each of your events by providing a simple live file sharing, screen sharing and video conferencing resource

with Asana. You can create “projects” for each event and then assign tasks with due dates to appropriate team members within each event.