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How proximity engagement turbo-charges QSR loyalty| Q | QSR Web - 0 views

    • cingram21
       
      This article does a nice job of explaining how to effectively utilize proximity marketing to grow loyalty. It discusses the importance of understanding privacy and how important it is to monitor app downloads and deletions to determine if the strategy is aligned with guest expectations.
  • That's the beauty of proximity engagement. Not to be confused with location-based marketing, proximity engagement is about engaging your customer with a message they will actually want, not simply sending them the message you want them to get.
  • The aforementioned study also found that only 39% of respondents said they would keep an app for more than six months, with 28% admitting they deleted an app after using it. So, if offering an engaging app is the way to your customers' hearts, you need to figure out how to get them to keep yours on their phones.
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  • This is happening despite the fact that most restaurant leaders and marketers know consumers don't want to be shouted at or nudged. In fact, when the signal-to-noise ratio gets too weak, consumers will not feel the value and are much more likely to delete the app.
  • There's an increasing amount of pressure to restrict the sharing and use of consumer data without consumers' explicit permission, which is fantastic from a consumer protection and privacy perspective.
  • Stanford University's Behavior Design Lab founder, BJ Fogg — considered the father of behavior design — explains that it takes motivation, ability and a prompt to converge at the same time for a behavior to happen.
  • When a customer is nearby, their ability to patronize your restaurant is high. When it's around mealtime, or if it's been a couple weeks since that customer has had their favorite dish at your store, their motivation to act is also likely high. When both of those criteria are aligned, then the probability they will respond to the right prompt with action is high.
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Three ways technology is improving hotel security | TOPHOTELNEWS - 3 views

  • Mobile keys are making an entrance, and this means added security for guests. In some instances, the technology can alert guests and hotel management when someone has entered the room or tried to get in.
  • Many properties are expanding the number and locations of cameras, upgrading hardware, and using better software to run and monitor the cameras. Some of the more advanced systems offer low-light vision, facial recognition, and movement and color recognition analysis software.
  • To combat cybercrime, hotels are taking steps to incorporate more advanced firewalls, limiting who has access to data, and securing mobile devices of employees.
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  • Mobile keys are making an entrance, and this means added security for guests. In some instances, the technology can alert guests and hotel management when someone has entered the room or tried to get in.
  • Mobile keys are making an entrance, and this means added security for guests. In some instances, the technology can alert guests and hotel management when someone has entered the room or tried to get in.
  • 2. Hotel security monitoring systems get an upgrade
  • ware to run and monitor the cameras. Some of the more advanced systems offer low-light vision, facial recognition, and movement and color recognition analysis software.
  • 3. Hotel security and cybercrime
  • New technology, such as mobile key cards, advanced monitoring systems, and cybercrime initiatives are working to protect property and personal information, so travelers can always feel more secure.
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    In this article, TOPHOTELNEWS highlights three ways technology is reducing incidences of theft, assault, and data breaches in the hotel industry. Mobile keys allow guests and hotel staff to monitor who enters a room and when, limiting the chances of theft. Security cameras now offer low-light vision and facial recognition, and their decrease in size allows for discrete placement. Cybercrime initiatives are also working harder than ever to secure delicate information by developing advanced firewalls. Each of these advancements allows travelers to feel more secure in their "home away from home."
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    This is a great article as the hotel that i work for as many of these same features including the mobile keys, and high definition security cameras and a great team at the back of it. Although it is all good to have those features having the right team makes a huge difference. I have many examples with while being at the hotel probably having a difficult interaction with a guess the security team call me to make sure that i am ok. This made me feel safe to the highest extent that they are watching and alert.
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    This article discusses three ways that hotel security is being enhanced by technology. One way is by mobile keys. Customers no longer have to use physical keys. They can simply use their mobile phone to open room doors. They don't have to worry about their keys going into the wrong hands. The second way is cameras. Modern cameras are smaller and are more easily hidden and can more accurately take pictures of the faces of persons who enter and exit hotels. The third way is to enhance the cybersecurity of the hotels' computer systems.
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    This article discusses the ways a hotel can implement security measures to keep guest information and company's data safe.
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Cloud computing 101: Advantages and disadvantages - 0 views

  • cloud computing is the delivery of on-demand computing resources – everything from applications to data centers
  • Worldwide access means teams can collaborate from widespread locations.
  • Hardware failures do not result in data loss because of networked backups.
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  • “utility” pay structure means users pay only for the resources they use.
  • Service providers regularly update offerings to give users the most up-to-date technology.
  • Cloud-based applications and data are accessible from virtually any internet-connected device.
  • Downtime: This may be one of the worst disadvantages of cloud computing. No cloud provider, even the very best, would claim immunity to service outages. Cloud computing systems are internet based, which means access is fully dependent on internet connection.
  • Cloud computing disadvantages – security and privacy:
  • emote access is the user’s responsibility and, in any case, no system is perfectly secure.
  • Cloud computing disadvantages – vulnerability to attack: In cloud computing, every component is potentially accessible from the internet.
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    This article talked about the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing. Some advantages include the accessibility, savings, security, the world-wide access, the data backups, etc. The disadvantages mentioned were the vulnerability to attack, meaning hackers can potentially access your data from the internet. Also, since cloud computing depends on the internet, there can be issues when the wifi is working properly.
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Hilton Hotels Hit By Payment Malware - 0 views

  • Hilton has revealed that some of its payment systems have been infected with malware that organised the theft of targeted customer informat
  • ion.
  • nfected POS (Point of Sale) systems in hotels.
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  • i
  • we identified and eradicated unauthorised malware that targeted payment card information in some point-of-sale systems at our hotels
  • 54 North American locations were compromised by point-of-sale malware
  • hospitality service providers face extraordinary challenges with customer data security at point of sale (POS)
  • often the weak link in the chain and the choice of malware,
  • Encrypting the data in the card reading terminal ahead of the POS eliminates the exposure of live information in vulnerable POS systems
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    This article is about the POS system at Hilton hotels and how it was breached by malware that put consumer data at risk. I found this article interesting because Hilton does not use unattended POS systems, which are what are most commonly targeted in information phishing attacks. This is definitely something that affects all aspects of the hospitality industry, and we know that consumer data is very sensitive. Hotels and other hospitality agencies are trusted to maintain high levels of confidentiality. It would be interesting to see how such a malware would have affected a smaller company with less counterattack resources.
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e-Concierge App for your Hotel - AppHotel - 1 views

  • Your guests no longer need to make a call or go through the reception to call upon your services.
  • Concierge On Mobile
  • An e-concierge service on smartphones and tablets to satisfy your guests and boost your sales
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  • Book a flight, obtain information on arrivals and departures schedule and track the position of any flight
  • Your guest can view menus and order from his device and be served in his room.
  • The guest can discover attractions and points of interest around your hotel
  • your guest can add a message with specific requests and be informed with a notification when it’s ready.
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    This Concierge On Mobile will revolutionize the hospitality industry. Guests can now make hotel and flight bookings; organize airport shuttles; order room service; make special requests; discover points of interest in their geographic location, among others through the AppHotel.
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The difference between CRS and GDS in the hotel industr... | Mews Blog - 0 views

  • The primary function of a GDS is to assist travel agents who are looking for hotels that satisfy certain criteria
  • This technology gives travel professionals a common point of entry to access real-time data about travel reservations.
  • central reservation system, or CRS, is designed for the hospitality sector – and in particular for hotel operations – to manage room availability and rates.
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  • Amadeus accounts for roughly forty percent of travel bookings, making it the world's biggest reservation system.
  • Sabre accounts for roughly thirty-five percent of travel bookings, making it the world's second-biggest reservation system.
  • , it is still commonly used by business travel agents to book hotel arrangements.
  • a GDS can link your hotel to business travel planners and travel agent networks. A CRS can connect you to these partners as well, but also to customers themselves through your booking engine,
  • metasearch websites and OTAs. 
  • Undoubtedly, with this technology, you can connect with more distribution channels, streamline your reservations department, sell more rooms and increase your bottom line.
  • a CRS can integrate with on-property systems like your revenue management system and generate reports automatically.
  • a CRS streamlines your booking processes by storing all your reservations in one location
  • These business-to-business systems are used by organisations to keep abreast of information about travel arrangements, like hotel room availability. This allows customers to make bookings on demand
  • Whenever rates are adjusted or bookings are made, the CRS updates your hotel’s rates and availability on each channel appropriately
  • If you use a CRS, your hotel will be more visible on lots of distribution channels. This offers a greater likelihood of increased occupancy and revenue. 
  • without a CRS, you would spend ages updating availability, inputting rates and recording new bookings.
  • A CRS promotes your establishment to a wider market, without you having to do any extra work
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    In this article, the difference between CRS and GDS in the hotel industry. These two systems may be similar but cater to different business and different markets.
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    This article talks about the differences between CRS and GDS, their similarities, and how they both help hotels gain exposure. GDS help inform travel agencies and other organizations about travel arrangements like hotel room availability and flight schedules and prices whereas CRS is designed specifically for the hospitality to manage room availability and rates. According to the article, although these systems are both helpful, it seems more valuable to have both, as CRS in combination. With GDS will help to promote establishments to a greater market through various booking platforms.
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GDS – is It Relevant for You in 2023? - 0 views

  • more than 600,000 travel agents worldwide still accessing the global distribution systems, its relevancy has not diminished post-pandemic.
  • One of the oldest distribution platforms, a GDS
  • Feeding in real-time rates and availability is important in this highly competitive platform that attracts high-value guests.
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  • is it still relevant in 2023?
  • provides a property to high-value and higher volume guests
  • is last-minute and very specific with requirements and locations
  • 3) Travelport
  • What are the types of GDS?
  • 1) Amadeus
  • ; 2) Sabre
  • effective channel mix
  • GDS is evolving
  •  
    The article "GDS- is it relevant for you in 2023" discusses GDS and their benefits and relevancy for the upcoming year. GDS provide "real-time rates" and "availability" which is important in this competitive market. GDS provide unmatched, personalized service tailored for each customer and it also ensures you have "effective channel mix" of both tourist and corporates. This article is great in understanding how one of the oldest distribution platforms is still so relevant almost 50 years later!
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Disruptors in the hotel industry | Colliers - 2 views

  • Underpinning this is an intermeshing of technology development, shifts in demographics, and globalisation which has also brought about rapid urbanisation
  • This in turn has led to a change consumers’ expectations and needs
  • Although disruptions are commonly perceived by incumbent players as threats to their businesses, disruptors could also be sources of significant opportunities for incumbent players to create newer and better services as well as experiences for their guests, hence entrenching themselves even more within the industry. 
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  • In addition, whilst this may well serve high volume and ‘business’ hotels,
  • consumers’ increasing desire for personalised experiences is expected to continue for years to come.
  • use of biometric technology such as the facial recognition technology to speed up guests’ check‐in time and thereby improve the customer experience, make processes more efficient and enhance security.
  • By eliminating the process of performing manual checks on travel documents, the amount of check‐in time is expected to be reduced by up to 70%.
  • its use in luxury hotels, where the personal touch matters, may well have to be adapted to ensure it is seamless and less impersonal.
  • use of hotel robots may yield operational and cost efficiencies to hotels, it is however critical that a balanced approach is adopted by hoteliers to ensure that automation does not supplant quality service hence alienating hotel guests as a consequence
  • Voice assistants ‐ such as Amazon Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant – are one of the fastest growing technological fields today, becoming commonplace as a feature of the internet of things
  • According to Hospitality Technology’s 2019 Lodging Technology Study, nearly eight in 10 respondents named voice‐enabled technology as the top choice when asked to identify technology that has the most potential in the near‐future, and 62% of the respondents listed voice technology as a transformative technology that makes an impact.
  • voice assistants could potentially be used by hotels to gather actionable insights and feedback
  • the data gathered can be analysed and utilised to enhance the hotel offerings
  • Separately, hotels could potentially streamline operations processes and thereby improve operational efficiency and achieve cost‐savings through automating some of the daily hotel operations via the voice assistant.
  • The use of robots within the hotel industry is a form of automation that is becoming more prevalent as hotel chains and individual hotels have become increasingly cognizant that the concept of automation and self‐service is playing an increasingly vital role in the customer experience
  • pop‐up hotels have the agility of providing on‐demand accommodation in locations that traditional hotels could not and/or travelers would not necessarily have access or ease of access to alongside customisable accommodation settings, thereby delivering an entire bespoke guest experience.
  • New technologies, online platforms and markets are seen manifesting in new initiatives of all sorts ranging from metasearch engines evolving into one‐stop reservation options, chatbots, and robots providing butler services to alternative accommodation options. 
  • In Asia, Singapore had its first shipping container hotel in operation in January 2020. Targeting millennials as its primary consumers who are more adventurous and looking for an experience
  • Key players of the pop‐up space are predominantly boutique groups although major brands such as Marriot and Accor have started to experiment with pop‐ups
  • applicable
  • it is imperative that hotels recognise and make it a top priority to address these privacy concerns and adhere to the applicable regulations concurrent to ensuring the quality of the stored data and system
  • Check‐in and check‐out services; provision of tourist information; butler service to deliver amenities such as towels; transport luggage; and meal deliveries.  
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    This article discusses some of the technological disruptors in the hospitality industry and provides a couple examples specific to hotels. Some of these examples include pop-up hotels, facial recognition, and robots. The article provides a couple reasons why each of these innovative technologies could be beneficial or negative for hotels. Overall, the article provides some good insight into the future of technology in hotels.
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    This article covered various disruptors in the hotel industry from the check in process down to automation & self service for guests. Implementing facial recognition to speed up check ins for guest, using voice assistants to substitute daily hotel operations, & using robots for automation are all things that can become more prevalant amongst the hotel industry as it may seem more cost efficient.
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    Every year, technological advances are made in each industry, including the hospitality industry. These advances are often seen as threats according to this article, however, they might also pose as great opportunities for the industry and its stakeholders. The article highlights some of the major disruptors in the hospitality industry. Trends such as facial recognition and robots were among those mentioned. I found that both of these trends have negative and positive aspects to them. Facial recognition would reduce the time spent checking in significantly, however guests would still be concerned with the storage of their personal data. Additionally in regards to robots, they aid in operational efficiency in check in and check out services also but they could possibly omit the human touch factor of certain roles that guests appreciate.
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Insights | Technology in the hospitality industry - exploring the very latest trends - 2 views

  • Technology is advancing at a faster pace than ever before, and this is changing both the expectations of patrons as well as the way in which the hospitality industry conducts its business.
  • of the trends in industry are leading to great improvements and savings for hospitality industry companies; while some are changing how hotel developers plan their buildings, infrastructure, management structure and staffing require
  • Hotel guests expect to be able to connect to the internet seamlessly and without too many interruptions,
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  • Like many of the other technology trends in the hospitality industry, investing in a check-in/cocierge app requires a small initial investment and can lead to greater efficiency and savings as hotel staff are able to focus on customer service
  • Communication between NFC devices can transfer data at up to 424 kbits/second and the communication is enabled when two devices touch each other,
  • This technology is also ideal for self check-ins by guests at hotels as well as the next trend in this article: smart room keys.
  • Some hotels are already offering more futuristic experiences, with robots delivering any items ordered through room service to a guest’s door
  • nfrared scanners are now also used to minimise disruptions relating to housekeeping (which is a common complaint from customers). Instead of hanging a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on doors or having cleaning staff wake up traveling guests with knocks and phone calls, hotel staff can take a more innovative approach by using infrared scanners that will detect body heat within a room and tell cleaning staff that they should rather come back later if the room is currently occupied.
  • Hotels will increasingly install smart room access systems that allow guests to unlock their doors by simply swiping their phones across a keyless pad on the door.
  • While hotels want to be able to offer digital content, they don’t necessarily want to invest in IT infrastructure and IT staff, making cloud computing the ideal solution.
  • Many companies in the hospitality industry are already using social media to their advantage as guests check-in on location-based social media apps,
  • Converged LANs to support multiple services
  • Marketing, management and hotel developers can no longer work in silos and these technology trends are giving them the opportunities, tools and solutions they need to create memorable experiences that can lead to positive change
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    Technology is growing every day and staying up to date with what customer needs and wants are, are very important to being a successful business. This articles main focus is about the growth of technology in the hotel industry and how hotels are adjusting to new and upcoming technology. Customers expect certain tehcnologies now when staying in a hotel such as high speed wifi or electric key swipes now. Also new Developments such as social media. Businesses have started using mobile apps such as twitter or Facebook to learn about the needs and wants of their customers before they have even walked through the door.
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Data Security in Hospitality: Risks and Best Practices - 0 views

  • Best practices for companies in the hospitality sector to protect data include:
  • Always encrypt payment card information. Operate a continuous training program in cybersecurity to maintain a well-trained workforce. Always adhere to relevant regulations, such as PCI DSS. Use cybersecurity measures such as firewalls, network monitoring, anti-malware, and traffic filtering to protect against common threats. Conduct tests against your organization’s cybersecurity defenses in which you mirror the behavior of an actual hacker. Know where your data is and enforce the principle of least privileges to limit access to sensitive information.
  • groups may use different computer systems to store information, and the information can also frequently move across those systems.
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  • five of the biggest data security concerns in the hospitality industry and highlights some best practices for protecting hospitality data.
  • Data Security Concerns in Hospitality
  • complex ownership structures
  • From the perspective of cybercriminals, hospitality appears to offer an ideal target vector for conducting crimes such as identity theft and credit card fraud due to the existence of multiple databases and devices containing both Payment Card Information (PCI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
  • challenge to maintain teams of well-trained staff.
  • t was reported in 2017 that out of 21 of the most high-profile hotel company data breaches that have occurred since 2010, 20 of them were a result of malware affecting POS systems.
  • can go unnoticed for months.
  • High Staff Turnover
  • In the U.K., for example, the job turnover rate in hospitality is as high as 90 percent.
  • Reliance on Paying By Card
  • t involves employees selling data to third parties without the knowledge of the organization that employs them.
  • Insider Threats
  • Compliance
  • Hotels, motels, resorts, and rented apartment complexes all gather and electronically store a range of sensitive personal guest data, such as names, phone numbers, addresses, and credit card details.
  • The high level of turnover and high degree of staff movement between different locations makes it a real challenge to maintain teams of well-trained staff
  • Each of these groups may use different computer systems to store information, and the information can also frequently move across those systems.
  • ospitality appears to offer an ideal target vector for conducting crimes such as identity theft and credit card fraud due to the existence of multiple databases and devices containing both Payment Card Information (PCI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
  • ybercriminals use this reliance on cards to infect point-of-sale (POS) systems with malware that steals credit and debit card information by scraping the data
  • A case in point was the Wyndham Worldwide breaches of 2008 and 2010. Hackers gained access to the systems of an individual operating company through easily guessed passwords, and the attack easily proliferated through the entire corporate network, with the result that 619,000 customers had their information compromised.
  • While GDPR protects individual data within the EU and EEA, its ramifications have rippled through industries globally, and organizations are realizing the need to put greater compliance measures in place. PCI DSS is another important global regulation that protects credit card data, and fines for non-compliance begin at $500,000 per incident. The risk here is not just to data security but to the future survivability of hospitality companies, many of which would not be able to absorb the s
  • This type of data risk is more subtle and it involves employees selling data to third parties without the knowledge of the organization that employs them
  • Always encrypt payment ca
  • rd information. Operate a continuous training program in cybersecurity to maintain a well-trained workforce. Always adhere to relevant regulations, such as PCI DSS. Use cybersecurity measures such as firewalls, network monitoring, anti-malware, and traffic filtering to protect against common threats. Conduct tests against your organization’s cybersecurity defenses in which you mirror the behavior of an actual hacker. Know where your data is and enforce the principle of least privileges to limit access to sensitive information.
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    This article highlights several important security issues in the hospitality industry, followed by the practice of protecting data from loss. The data structure of the hotel industry is complex, customers mainly use bank cards to pay, and the staff turnover rate is high. There are certain internal threats. In order to solve these problems and avoid data loss, it is not enough to strengthen network security. It is also important that employees are trained and familiar with and comply with relevant regulations.
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    Data security is a major issue in the hospitality industry. A lot of personal information is stored on the computers specifically credit card information of the guests staying at the hotel. It is the responsibility of the hotel to ensure that the data is protected. High turnover rate in the industry can make this an even bigger challenge. Ensuring that your staff is properly trained to ensure the highest level of security is maintained is highly important.
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    This article speaks about the data security concerns in hospitality. Restaurants, hotels, and other companies in the hospitality sector often have complex ownership structures in which there's a franchisor and a management company that acts as the operator. Businesses use different computer systems to store information. The nature of the hospitality industry is such that it is extremely reliant on cards as a form of payment. Cybercriminals use this reliance on cards to infect point-of-sale (POS) systems with malware that steals credit and debit card information by scraping the data. A vital part of protecting data is training staff to securely gather and store personal information. Well-trained staff also know how to recognize social engineering attempts and they understand an organization's compliance requirements. Data security risks in the hospitality industry extend far beyond the reputation hit that a hotel can take if guests' data is compromised. Industry and political regulators are becoming stricter in governing how organizations process and store personal data. Some of the best practices for companies in the hospitality industry to use are: always encrypt payment card info, operate training programs in cybersecurity regularly to keep everyone informed, adhere to regulations, know where the data is, and enforce limit access to sensitive info, and more.
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    This article explains how data security is at an all time high in the hospitality industry. Focuses on the 5 security concerns and what are some practices that leadership can help employees detect when someone is trying to hack into sensitive information. Also, making sure employees are in compliance with company policy when leaving the company if they have access to sensitive data and making sure employees are not using to their advantage when leaving the company.
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    Hospitality offers an ideal target vector for conducting Cyber crimes such as identity theft and credit card fraud due to the existence of multiple databases and devices containing both Payment Card Information (PCI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Restaurants, hotels, and other companies in the hospitality sector often have complex ownership structures with an individual owner or group of owners, and a management company that acts as the operator. Each of these groups may use different computer systems to store information, and the information can also frequently move across those systems.
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    In this article, we learn about the top five data security risks as well as best practices to help prevent data breaches. According to the article, the hospitality industry is a prime target since it stores a vast amount of sensitive guest information like names, phone numbers, addresses, and credit card numbers. Some of the five risks included complex ownership structures, reliance on paying by card, and insider threats to name a few. In order to avoid these threats, the article suggest that companies become PCI compliant, use cybersecurity measures like firewalls, and know where exactly their data is stored.
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The Restaurant of the Future: 12 tech predicitons - 1 views

  • The Restaurant of the Future: 12 tech predictions
  • New developments in machine learning and artificial intelligence, twinned with more efficient and effective data capture, look likely to have a significant impact on the restaurant world in the coming years
  • Companies such as tech giant Acrelec, for example, are harnessing artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide menu recommendations based on other factors. In Acrelec’s case, its technology learns what menu items are typically purchased together to give customer more intelligent recommendations
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  • Developers are also already working on digital menus that change depending on the user. So, for example, a customer who has shared data about their allergies or diet choices, such as being vegan or vegetarian, will only see menu items that meet this criteria
  • Restaurant groups including SSP, Big Table, Boparan Restaurant Group and Din Tai Fung are among those trialling robotic waiters designed to support staff members with tasks such as delivering food and clearing tables
  • As recruitment challenges continue to bite, more restaurant groups are likely to look to automation for help
  • Could machine learning stop restaurant operators avoid opening the wrong venue in the wrong place? That’s the pitch from US company Borne, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse a wide range of data points to help predict the viability of a concept in a particular location
  • The company says that through ‘superior analysis and pattern identification’ its The Borne Report service can reduce restaurant failures by eliminating what most would agree is the root cause of closures - the wrong site in the wrong place
  • intuitive technology that automatically adjusts aspects such as lighting, volume and music tempo in a restaurant based on a number of important factors, such as that offered by tech company Startle
  • Tech start-up Karakuri has developed an ‘automated frying solution’ that can integrate with existing systems to drop fries and other items when required. As well as labour savings, the company says food waste is reduced thanks to portion control technology that ensures fry baskets are filled with the right amount of product to match demand
  • The company even considers the likely mood impact of music using a model of neuro-typical responses to individual tracks
  • Startle also provides digital signage and can set rules that change what’s on the screens depending on the weather or footfall, such as ice cream promotions during heat waves, or hot drinks during cold spells.
  • Chris Sanderson, founder of shiftworking marketplace limber, believes that apps such as his will give rise to the ‘portfolio career’.
  • employers embracing tech to pull from a larger pool of staff and lower the barrier to entry for new joiners
  • The pitch of apps such as limber is that they can help hospitality businesses connect with a growing generation of talent who are looking to work more flexibly and help them hire
  • As the global hospitality industry looks to combat crippling staff shortages, robotic fry cooks are now being deployed back-of-house
  • The US is leading the way, with burger brands including Jack in the Box and White Castle experimenting with burger flipping robots and Panda Express having rolled out a robotic wok
  • According to Startle, increasing the bass of music has been proven to make listeners feel more confident and increase levels of dopamine
  • Acrelec’s QTimer 2.0 which, during busy periods, can automatically switch to a simplified menu and recommend items that are quicker to prepare and guide customers to make a decision more quickly to avoid a back-up of traffic
  • Biometrics looks set to further shake up how payments are made, with fingerprints more likely to become the norm than facial recognition, which is generally considered less reliable
  • Yet many brands, particularly those with a global reach, are already seeing the metaverse as the next big thing in both marketing and customer experience, including in the hospitality sector
  • For the restaurant of the future, sustainability will be more than just a buzzword related to the procurement of ingredients. Instead, it will refer to much-wider remit of considerations to help operators reduce the pressure on their bottom line
  • Energy control devices that can communicate with different kitchen units and regulate their power supply are likely to be key in helping restaurants reduce their energy costs. “Such technology will be able to cut down on peak demands,” explains Threlfall. “These devices could help restaurants reduce their total electrical costs by between 5% and 25% and decrease peak power consumption by 20% to 40%
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    In this article, BigHospitality describes 12 tech predictions that will take place in the restaurant sector. With advances in AI, robotics, and payment technology, the impact will effect the restaurant space to shift towards adopting these technologies for everyday use. Such technologies are: harnessing AI to provide menu recommendations depending on user, robotic waiters and kitchen equipment, intuitive dining rooms, and using biometrics for payments.
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Future of distribution: How changes in consumer behaviour will impact hotels - 0 views

  • While demand makes its way back to pre-pandemic levels, the way consumers spend has changed forever. It is critical for hoteliers to rethink their hotel distribution channels and products.
  • Greater digital adoption is critical for the hospitality industry 40 million new internet users came online in 2021. This brings the internet penetration in Southeast Asia (SEA) to 75%. As a reference, Europe was sitting at 82.5% in 2019.
  • Changes to operations for food and beverage outlets as a result of constant closures and re-openings, as well as seating restrictions caused by the pandemic, have forced more profound and long-term changes to the dining-out experience. The more agile operators have adapted by embracing basic take away options or by creating restaurant alike experiences at home. Some took it further by moving to a full cloud kitchen concept.
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  • According to an Accor internal survey, while most employees do not want to go back to the office five days a week, 70% do not want to work from home either.
  • He bets his hotels, mainly located in major cities, will be busy from 9am to 9pm with local demand. His hotels will compete with venues like Starbucks that has catered for that particular demand for the last ten years.
  • Marriott made a move towards that direction when it announced last November the signing of an agreement with Amadeus to modernize its reservation and commerce infrastructure.
  • With hotel stays being increasingly marketed as experiences, hotels that enable guests to purchase complementary products like spa and golf when booking a stay will gain a competitive advantage.
  • A sound distribution strategy can no longer be limited to selling rooms through a branded website, online travel agents or the GDS. It is time to get creative, look around and commit proper resources to transform and modernize practices.
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    As the world comes back from the pandemic, hotels are looking for other experiences to entice guests to stay with them, and providing it through new avenues of technology. Hotel flags are working with groups such as Amadeus for a new experience with their reservation system while exploring other avenues for a competitive advantage.
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A GDS Primer: What is the GDS and Which Travel Agents Need It? - 0 views

  • The advantage to travel agents is that the GDS not only can show you many fares from multiple airlines, but it also offers a great depth of information about each flight in one place. The carrier, the times, the costs, the class of the seat, aircraft type and so much more. It’s a smorgasbord of options. So if you’re booking a high volume of tickets, it’s great to have access to every minutiae of information from multiple carriers in one go.
  • In today’s world, the GDSs have a bit of a split personality. There is the old school, traditional GDS commonly called “the green screen.” Then there’s the hip side of the GDSs, which people will call “point and click” or “GUI” (Graphical User Interface). Essentially, it’s a more intuitive and prettier looking version of the GDS.
  • To learn the GDS green screen takes intense training, and to become proficient takes tons of practice and constant use. That means daily use with a mentor (for at least 6 months to a year), not just booking a ticket for a client every few weeks.
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  • While new agents can partially navigate the GDS with the GUI interface, the code that comes back still has important information like fare types and rules that the agents really needs to understand. So many agents, in the end, need to learn the green screen (and find it faster) regardless.
  • One of the reasons that most leisure agents don’t need the GDS is because the air will be included in a vacation package by the tour operator, or you can book it with the cruise line and you don’t need to use the GDS.
  • Global Distribution System (GDS) is a travel agent’s motherboard for booking airline tickets and other sorts of travel goodies (like hotel and car)
  • It can be easy to confuse the GDS with a Central Reservation System or Computerized Reservation System (CRS). CRSs are automated inventory-tracking systems that were (originally) owned and run by individual vendors (like airlines, car companies and hotels).
  • GDSs function as an umbrella for many many CRS systems. It’s like a CRS motherboard. (In fact, many vendors outsource their CRS systems to a GDS.)
  • an show you many fares from multiple airlines, but it also offers a great depth of information about each flight in one place. The carrier, the times, the costs, the class of the seat, aircraft type and so much more. It’s a smorgasbord of options. So if you’re bookin
  • If you are a leisure travel agent, there’s a huge whopping huge chance that you don’t need to use a GDS
  • American Airlines created the first CRS system in 1946. And while this helped automate inventory for vendors, travel agents did not have direct access to that inventory. Travel agents would need to call the airline’s booking center, who would then contact one of their CRS operators, then relay the results to the travel agent over the phone (literally, like playing telephone). It took a lot of people power to book a single airline ticket. Travelers booking their own ticket? Forget about it! 
  • There are many GDS options, and each GDS system will has access to their own pool of carriers. The four largest GDSs are: Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport (which is the parent company of Apollo/Galileo and Worldspan).
  • Let me be blunt: unless you’re some kind of prodigy, the GDS green screens are not user friendly. Be afraid, be very afraid.
  • he GUI is the point-and-click version of the GDS. You may have heard of options such as Sabre Red Workspace and TravelPort Smartpoint. So why doesn’t everyone use it? Here’s the problem: At its current stage of development, even GUI users need to understand the language of the green screen.
  • Essentially, the GUI interface isn’t quite there yet . . . and developing this technology is reeeeeally expensive and comes with a lot of growing pain
  • To book in the GDS, you must have an IATA/IATAN accreditation number, in addition to an ARC accreditation number if you’re located in the United States.
  • As a new agent, you can’t get these accreditation numbers because they require a lot of experience. So you come into the industry under a host agency (more on what a host agency is) and use their accreditation number instead.
  • Corporate travel agents book a whole lot of air, so the GDS is pretty much a must for them.
  • If your specialty is around the world tickets or you have a steady stream of clients with multi-stop itineraries, the GDS will be a necessity. 
  •  
    This article looks at GDS and GUI systems and gives a holistic viewpoint of performance, positives and negatives, and what type of agencies can utilize each system. I felt that the more complicated system and its requirements for agency users to have and understanding of coding, made the GUI system more likely to have a higher utilization in the future.
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    The article delves into the importance of GDSs and travel agents along with the controversy surrounding their evolution as airlines are trying to encourage more direct bookings to make more profits and avoid paying commission to travel agents.
  •  
    This article goes into detail about GDS's, the history of GDS's, and if travel agents actually need to use them. The article first explains what a GDS system is, a brief description stating "Global Distribution System (GDS) is a travel agent's motherboard for booking airline tickets and other sorts of travel goodies (like hotel and car)". The article then quickly goes into a brief history of the GDS. GDS was created by America Airlines in 1946, making it easier to check inventory for vendors, though it would still take some time for this technology to reach the travel agents. "Travel agents would need to call the airline's booking center, who would then contact one of their CRS operators, then relay the results to the travel agent over the phone (literally, like playing telephone). It took a lot of people power to book a single airline ticket". We then take a turn, and learn about the usability of a GDS, and that it's quite low. GDS's are not user-friendly, but sadly sometimes a necessity for certain types of travel agents. These types mostly being the ones who book lots of corporate travel arrangements. Lastly, the article discusses if a GDS is right for your business, and if you decide it's not, how to go about booking things without it.
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AI Robots: 18 Top Examples of Artificial Intelligence in Robotics 2022 | Built In - 0 views

  • Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science that seeks to develop technology to simulate the workings of the human brain.
  • AI has been used to develop and innovate intelligent machines that can be used for everything from manufacturing to assisting healthcare providers.
  • Robotics dates back to 1898, when Nikola Tesla used radio waves to remotely direct the movement of a robot boat in a miniature man-made pond during an electrical exhibition at Madison Square Garden in New York
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  • British polymath Alan Turing explored the mathematical potential of AI. He believed if people could use information and reason to solve problems, why couldn’t computing machinery do the same thing,
  • Top Companies Using AI Robot Technology
  • AI robot Shakey
  • marked the first mobile robot that could reason about its actions, according to the Computer History Museum
  • Companies Using AI Robot Technology
  • Miso Robotics creates AI robots for use in commercial kitchens.
  • Piaggio Fast Forward’s AI robot acts as an extra set of hands
  • Cruise combines AI with machine learning and robotics to develop self-driving, autonomous cars.
  • Starship creates autonomous robots that help to deliver items within a 4-mile radius.
  • Brain Corp’s proprietary technology makes AI robots adaptable and flexible so they can navigate unstructured environments like warehouses and store floors.
  • Outrider produces autonomous, zero-emission systems for yard operations to promote safety, efficiency and sustainability.
  • Skydio is a drone manufacturer using AI to develop technology for autonomous flight
  • Diligent Robotics uses AI to build robotic assistants for the healthcare industry.
  • AMP Robotics puts AI to work to automate recycling.
  • Perceptive Automata uses machine learning to help autonomous vehicles predict human behavior.
  • Hanson Robotics creates AI robots that not only have a human appearance, but also operate with human-like characteristics.
  • Autonomous aircrafts play a role in delivering goods to remote locations, where it’s difficult to get vehicles into the area or cost prohibitive to attempt the delivery.
  • Elroy Air uses AI in its autonomous Vertical Take-Off and Landing cargo aircraft called Chaparral. The AI robot can carry 300 to 500 pounds over a 300-mile range. 
  • UiPath’s Robotic Process Automation software instills AI into robots to help them perform repetitive tasks more efficiently and learn while they go.
  • Neurala created “The Neurala Brain,” AI software that makes an array of devices more intelligent.
  • Sea Machines creates autonomous technology for the marine and maritime industry.
  • Veo Robotics creates industrial robots with 3D sensing, AI and computer vision capabilities that enhance manufacturing operations.
  • iRobot uses AI in engineering home robots like the Roomba robot vacuum and Braava mopping robots.
  • Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot looks like an AI dog robot, and it “has an inherent sense of balance and perception” that’s a product of an AI style the company refers to as “athletic intelligence.”
  •  
    As you read and examine the article, you will find that there have been many technological developments in AI and robotics. It has intrigued many on how applying intelligence to robotics will further innovations. Additionally, the article mentions how robotic dates back to 1898 and Nikola Tesla/s story and how fifty years later, Alan Turing, a mathematician explored the potential of AI. Moreover, as the two were combined together to create an AI robot currently many top companies have adapted the use of AI or AI robot technology to help in different industries with different services and duties.
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2022 Top Hospitality Industry Trends - 1 views

  •  
    "Major technology firms will replace most hotel brands, because they can offer technology solutions and create markets to attract customers. The traditional hospitality industry will evolve into niche markets..." -> This quote from this article is able to summarize where this industry is headed in just a few sentences, but the article as a whole was able to pinpoint the top trends that this industry will have faced in 2022 due to the rapid changes that had to be made due to the COVID-19 pandemic which we still face today. Such as sanitation and other safety protocol that is still enforced. Companies have had to adapt because of this to make up for their lack of revenue. For example, "This means that hospitality venues are being used as make-shift offices for bleisure travelers, as well as locals seeking a change of work environment. This is a great opportunity for hotels and F&B venues to capitalize on the trend and adapt their offering to meet the needs and wants of this emerging segment; ample plug sockets, free high-speed WIFI and great coffee are good starting points." The author of this article stated that the number of guest book long term trips have decreased, but when it comes to reserving hotel conference rooms as office space, staycations have increased with this transition. "Videos providing 360-degree views of restaurant ambiance, café terraces enveloped in greenery or hotel beachfront locations, for instance, are just the ticket to make an establishment stand out this year. As ever, keeping the access threshold low is key to reaching as broad an audience as possible with virtual reality material: making content accessible on a variety of devices, without the need for a VR headset." Another point made in this article mentions how virtual reality is now being used to enhance the customer experience. As a personal observation this has also helped with the transition post Covid-19. The changes that have been made and implemented and have opened the door fo
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Apple expands global recycling programs - Apple - 1 views

  • Apple will also be supporting the efforts of environmentally-focused non-profits Conservation International, SEE Foundation and The Recycling Partnership — expanding on its conservation and resource efficiency work from last year.
  • Today, Apple released its 2019 Environment report, which contains additional information on the company’s climate change solutions, including its recent announcement that 44 of its suppliers have committed to 100 percent renewable energy for their Apple production
    • jalipman
       
      Apple is working to cut down their carbon footprint in all facets further than just e waste.
  • Apple today also announced the opening of its Material Recovery Lab dedicated to discovering future recycling processes. The new 9,000-square-foot facility in Austin, Texas, will look for innovative solutions involving robotics and machine learning to improve on traditional methods like targeted disassembly, sorting and shredding. The Lab will work with Apple engineering teams as well as academia to address and propose solutions to today’s industry recycling challenges.
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  • Starting this year, aluminum recovered through the Apple Trade In program is being remelted into the enclosures for the MacBook Air.
    • jalipman
       
      The other question that comes from this information. While it is very good that they are doing this. Would they be doing it if they had the option to cheaply ship it off to china.
  • he company’s engineering of an aluminum alloy made from 100 percent recycled aluminum allows the new MacBook Air and Mac mini to have nearly half the carbon footprint of earlier models
  • Apple also uses 100 percent recycled tin in a key component of the main logic boards of 11 different products.
  • Once materials have been recovered from Daisy, they are recycled back into the manufacturing process. For cobalt, which is a key battery material, Apple sends iPhone batteries recovered by Daisy upstream in its supply chain. They are then combined with scrap from select manufacturing sites and, for the first time, cobalt recovered through this process is now being used to make brand-new Apple batteries — a true closed loop for this precious material.
    • jalipman
       
      Here they have closed the loop and allowed for them to not be taking away from our natural resources as was discussed in "the story of stuff" Shows apple is being environmentally conscious. Would be very interesting to see the ratio of how many phones they implement the old cobalt and how many are new.
  • Daisy is now able to disassemble 15 different iPhone models at the rate of 200 per hour, recovering even more important materials for re-use.
  • Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. “We work hard to design products that our customers can rely on for a long time. When it comes time to recycle them, we hope that the convenience and benefit of our programs will encourage everyone to bring in their old devices.”
    • jalipman
       
      This is very interesting considered apple has been known to create products that DO NOT last very long. Also it is surprising that this position within their company even exists.
  • In 2018, the company refurbished more than 7.8 million Apple devices and helped divert more than 48,000 metric tons of electronic waste from landfills. 
    • jalipman
       
      Apple clearly has been working to brand themselves as a green company. Since they are one of the main companies that quickly cycles through products and getting rid of your old one it is smart that they are now moving towards putting used products and materials back into the cycle for a second time.
  • Customers can also turn in their eligible devices to be recycled at any Apple Store or through apple.com as part of the Apple Trade In program.
  • pple today announced a major expansion of its recycling programs, quadrupling the number of locations US customers can send their iPhone to be disassembled by Daisy, its recycling robot.
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How E-Waste Affects the Environment - Human-I-T - 1 views

  • As the world’s fastest-growing waste stream for almost a decade now, e-waste affects the environment in truly detrimental ways. And it’s not slowing down
  • e-waste generated annually has grown by over 7% since 2020
  • 59.4 million metric tons projected by the end of 2022
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  • expected to grow 26% by 2030 and double by 2050
  • two big factors contributing to its current acceleration.
  • first is growing incomes in low- and middle-income countries which allow more people than ever to access consumer electronics
  • second is the increasing availability of previously unthought-of electronic products to consumers in middle- and high-income countries
  • Products like e-cigarettes and electric vehicles are just two examples of products that, due to their increased popularity, have begun contributing more e-waste to landfills over the past decade.
  • electronics which power our lives are composed of substances which are harmful to the environment and our health.
  • e-waste negatively impacts the environment: air, water, and soil.
  • E-waste pollutes the air primarily as a consequence of improper recycling processes that are typical at informal e-waste processing plants located in developing economies
  • E-waste workers dismantle and shred electronics at these plants, which flings large amounts of dust and other particulates into the air.
  • e-waste workers use acids, desoldering materials, and other chemicals to dissolve e-waste with high-value materials like gold and silver . These techniques then release additional damaging fumes into local communities.
  • Recyclers dispose of acids and other chemicals they rely on to strip precious metals from e-waste into streams, ponds, and rivers. Then, the heavy metals inside of e-waste – like lead, arsenic, and cadmium – then compound this damage by seeping into water tables from landfills and e-waste dumps.
  • Increased acidification of waterways leads to more marine life and fish dying.
  • The heavy metals that are present then leach into those same waterways where they damage fishes’ tissues and gills.
  • two contaminants – acid and heavy metals – decimate biodiversity. This creates a domino effect where some organisms – previously constrained by predators – are then able to flourish and dominate the area
  • increased exposure to e-waste leads to ecosystem collapse in and around our waterways.
  • the dismantling, shredding, or burning of e-waste can also release large, coarse particles into the air.
  • due to their size and weight, these particles then quickly fall back to Earth where they subsequently contaminate soil. Shredding and burning of e-waste also produces toxic ash containing heavy metals and flame retardants which then leach into soil.
  • If we want to protect our planet from scourge e-waste, we’re going to have to start prioritizing reuse above all. By embracing this central principle of the circular economy, we can begin diverting valuable electronics away from landfills and back into the hands of people who need them
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    To summarize, E-waste has been the fastest-growing waste stream in the world for nearly a decade, and it has a really negative impact on the environment. And the pace is not decreasing. E-waste is made of the materials that make up the electronics that run our life which are bad for the environment and for our health. Additionally, the three primary impacts are air, water, and soil that negatively affects the environment. Finally, to protect our planet from e-waste is prioritizing reuse of products.
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4 Use Cases of Facial Recognition in The Hospitality Industry | revfine.com - 0 views

  • Facial recognition systems are an example of biometric technology, and can be used to identify people by analysing their faces. This is usually achieved by comparing a scanned image or a frame from a video with the faces contained within a database, matching them up based on facial features and skin textures.
  • The hospitality industry deals with large volumes of customers at once, and for hotel owners, airlines and other companies, it is a top priority to deal with them efficiently, without compromising on safety. As a result, it is an ideal field for facial recognition technology to be implemented. In particular, facial recognition systems can be used to automate certain verification or authorisation processes along the customer journey, and to improve the customer experience. Moreover, the ability to identify specific people, even in large groups, can be extremely advantageous, helping to make security systems more robust.
  • 4 Ways Facial Recognition Can Be Used in the Hospitality Industry
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  • 1. Security and Access
  • One of the main ways facial recognition can be deployed within the hospitality industry is for security and access purposes. Within a hotel setting, this might mean using the technology to grant guests access to their hotel room,
  • When it comes to security, the technology can also be vital in helping to identify troublesome guests, or guests who have previously been removed from the premises.
  • 2. Customer Service
  • The technology can also be used by those within the hospitality industry to deliver a greater level of customer service. For example, facial recognition can allow employees to quickly identify guests, perhaps before they even check-in, and deliver more personalised greetings and a more tailored service.
  • 3. Payment Authorisation
  • Facial recognition also has a role to play in helping to authorise payments, making that process more efficient. Companies like MasterCard have already implemented systems powered by facial recognition, where a customer can confirm a payment using the camera on their phone, or a camera supplied by the vendor.
  • 4. Research and Information
  • The technology can be set up for market research purposes, helping companies to know exactly how many people are in a location at a particular time. Additionally, it can be used to draw conclusions about customers too, reading their expressions to ascertain their mood, or their facial features to ascertain their age or gender. Most impressively, this data can be gathered automatically, at any time of the day or night.
  • One of the challenges for hotel managers and others within the hospitality industry looking to introduce facial recognition is balancing the benefits with privacy for customers. Indeed, many people have concerns about facial recognition, due to the fact that it means even more data about them being collected and stored.
  • Furthermore, many people fear their data being sold on to other companies against their will, and dislike the idea of businesses being able to track their every move. It is, therefore, important that the hospitality industry takes these concerns seriously and takes steps to avoid misusing data. In some cases, one of the best solutions may be to make facial recognition an opt-in or opt-out service, so that users have a choice in the matter.
  • If a company has a customer reward scheme, members may be given the option to upload a photo during the sign up. Facial recognition can then allow that company to instantly identify members and provide them with rewards. The technology may also identify returning customers, allowing them to be rewarded too.
  • To date, one of the most effective uses of facial recognition within hospitality management has been as part of the hotel check-in process. In two different Marriott hotels in China, for example, guests now have the option to bypass the traditional check-in desk and instead head to a kiosk. There, facial recognition technology scans their face, identifies them and provides them with a key card, all in the space of around one minute.
  • imagine a hotel where guests go to a kiosk, check out using facial recognition and confirm their payment in the same way, with no need to interact with a single hotel employee. Kiosks can also be used in restaurants, allowing customers to pay seamlessly on their way out.
  • Finally, in order to understand customers, improve services and optimise processes, hotels and other companies need to be able to gather feedback and data. This is an area where the uses for facial recognition may be less immediately obvious, but where those uses can be extremely beneficial.
  • The technology can also be used more generally to recognise certain things about faces, such as whether a face belongs to a man or a woman, or what age range the person is likely to be in. Facial recognition is used by security services, law enforcement and technology companies, and is becoming more prevalent in the hospitality industry.
  • Facial recognition technology can help hotel owners and others in the hospitality industry to improve the customer experience, make processes more efficient and enhance security. In particular, it allows for queues to be avoided, check-ins to be automated, and security and research to be more comprehensive.
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    This article discusses the 4 advantages of using facial recognition technology in the hospitality industry. These are security and access improvement, customer service improvement, payment authorization, and collecting data. This article also talks about the disadvantage which is the privacy concern from the customers. As technology advances, and consumers are more accustomed to using facial recognition technology in their daily lives such as Apple Face ID login and payments, and facial recognition social media apps, I believe that it is a matter of time until facial recognition technology becomes a norm in the hotel industry.
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    This article from "Revfine" details the innovation and implementation of facial recognition into operations within the Hospitality industry. The article not only talks about how it is used to optimize the check-in and check-out process but also how it can be used for security purposes and payment authorization. This article also presented an interesting issue in terms of privacy as hotels also use facial recognition for data collection.
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Business on Cloud: Hospitality | Cloud technology | Cloud Kinetics - 0 views

  • The hospitality industry has undergone a transformation in the last decade, mostly due to data explosion, social media boom as well as changing customer expectations and behaviour
  • Working together with other cloud-based next-generation technologies, Cloud technology is helping hoteliers gain a deeper understanding of their operations and their customers, across locations
  • Strong demand growth with hotel software spend forecast to grow at 7-8% over the next three years globally
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  • The Hospitality Industry, like any other service industry, can gain the ability to monitor, test, and implement better solutions to improve guest experience, streamline operations, and provide better data security by migrating their applications to the cloud
  • Hospitality industry is a competitive space with hotels looking to offer promotions to attract guests
  • Cloud services allow for information to be readily available in a user-friendly set up, with access from multiple devices
  • Most cloud providers operate on a Pay-as-you-use model. This means that cloud services can be obtained in timely manner when the need arises. In other times, cloud resources can be shut down, when not in use.
  • It is important to partner with the right cloud solution provider in pursuing your company’s most important objectives
  •  
    The article discusses the various applications of cloud computing in the hospitality and hotel industry. It focuses on the use of cloud servers in property management and includes several benefits such as scalability due to the seasonal nature of demands, ease of connectivity, better accessibility and reduction to IT and infrastructure costs. The article also shows how cloud computing helps hotels transform the guest experience. Various categories of cloud-based apps have been discussed as well including marketing, booking appointments, POS transactions, and managing reservations and events. The article concludes by cautioning hoteliers to partner with the right cloud service provider as it is necessary to align the business objectives with the service offering of a particular provider and ensure synergy.
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The Top Five Cyberthreats Hotel Brands and Franchisees Need to Know About | Netsurion - 0 views

  • ay for guests, it also opens hotels to digital threats perpetrated by malicious actors. Consequently, hotel operators should be aware of the types of cyber attacks, which can significantly hurt their brand reputation and bottom line, not to mention the safety and welfare of employees and guests.
  • In January, for example, cyber criminals took over a luxurious Austrian hotel’s computer-controlled key-card system, locking 180 guests out of their rooms until hotel managers paid a nominal ransom
  • A ransomware attack may disable or alter performance of hotels’ computer-driven systems such as air conditioning and lighting, putting guests’ comfort and, worse yet, safety at risk. In addition, booking systems are extremely vulnerable to ransomware attacks because they process information belonging to the hotels, third-party applications and their customers.
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  • 1. Ransomware:
  • hey present further ransomware opportunities to hackers by using computers to automate functions.
  • distributed denial of service, or DDoS
  • One of the largest data breaches in history was conducted through a third-party vendor when hackers stole data from 70 million credit cards by gaining access to a mega-retailer’s network through credentials belonging to an HVAC contractor.
  • 2. Remote hacking through third-party vendors:
  • 4. DDoS attacks on the hotel network:
  • 3. Phishing scam targeting customers and hotels:
  • Train employees. Hotels should train employees to not open suspicious emails or links inside them as they may contain malware.
  • Statistics indicate that such incidents will become more frequent, so it is not a matter of if but when the next cyber attack will occur.
  • Integrate a managed SIEM. Hotels should bring on a managed security information and event management (SIEM) platform for their remote locations to be warned right away of cyber attacks. They may also want it for inside the perimeter if they lack the expertise and resources to properly use SIEM internally.
  • Maintain PCI compliance. The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) has put forth a set of stipulations, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), in response to rapid PCI expansion. Hotels should make sure they are compliant with these regulations, which require businesses to send credit-card information in a secure environment, to prevent paying heavy fines and losing data, revenue, and customer trust.
  • Install antivirus on all devices. Hotels should ensure they have reliable anti-virus and anti-malware software installe
  • 5. Theft of personal information over public Wi-Fi.
  • According to the FBI, the number of cyber threat occurrences quadrupled to 4,000 per day last year from 1,000 per day in 2015
  • The number of cybersecurity incidents worldwide increased 38 percent in 2015 from 2014, according to the Global State of Information Security Survey 2016 by PwC, CIO, and CSO.
  • In addition, there are large volumes of payment card transactions between restaurants, on-site shops, spas, parking, and the front-desk, ensuring there is plenty of customer data for a hacker to compromise.
  • Hotels are especially vulnerable to this type of attack where a type of malware disrupts access to a system until a ransom is paid. This is because they often use integrated POS systems
  • Hackers can break into hotels’ payment systems through a remote access point belonging to one of its vendors, so they should closely monitor third-party access to their networks
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    This article outlines some of the main cyber attacks on the Hospitality industry. It exposes the threats due to the wealth of data stored in PMS, POS and CRM and suggests steps to take to protect against malware and randsomeware. The article further highlights the necessity for antivirus software on all devices.
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    The article describes the five most common cybersecurity risks for hotel brands such as ransomware, remote hacking and DDoS attacks. The operational elements of each risk have also been discussed. It also covers best practices that hotels and other hospitality organizations can adopt to curb breaches.
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