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How is Point of Sale Software Changing in 2020? : Tech : Tech Times - 1 views

  • a retail POS system is like a Midas touch to your business; it enhances it and enhances it for good, adorning it with golden profits. 
  • The idea of POS software is simple. It excludes every chance of human errors and inconsistencies, holds back your company's loss, and increases the productivity of your checkout counter
  • It has been a high time since businesses have advanced from conventional cash registers and card swiping machines to cloud-based POS Systems. The very retail POS systems have proved to be a business bliss encouraging greater flexibility, brilliance, and control in business terms
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  • Some restaurants which have adopted such highly technical software have observed some fine changes in their business sales. For instance, a restaurant adopted a cloud-based POS system; this allowed the restaurant owner to split bills, quickly scan the items they are searching for in the menu, track server performances and process online orders, train employees, look for trends, and build customer directories. This obviously led to positive results and increased their overall sales by 30 percent. 
  • here are a few ways you might want to behold to believe that POS systems have changed in 2020 for the better
  • Integrating The Transactions Into One Through Shared Commerce
  • A Step Towards Cashless Business Schemes: Mobile POS
  • With revolving time and turning generations, most customers prefer to make payments through their mobile wallets. The statistics suggest that by 2025, 75 percent of all transactions will be cashless, assuming the hyped popularity of mobile wallet systems. Therefore, looking upon such predictions requires the businesses to notch up their technical sides and promote cashless transactions.
  • POS Systems Have Advanced To Feature CRM
  • The featuring of CRM has tended to increase sales, boost revenue, and help the business outgrow itself. Where the previous form, if POS systems only tend to provide general and basic data insights regarding customer behavior, the new integrated POS with CRM gives more advanced and clear visions on customer insights.
  • POS Systems With The Mighty Powers of Big Data
  • The big data feature tends to provide you insights on how the performances of your business, how many deals you closed, and how many sales you made. It also analyzes how wl you are doing on an annual level. It accounts for your profits to compare each month, thereby making you aware whether your performance is improving or degrading.
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    This article provides an overview of the ways POS systems are advancing and evolving in 2020. It goes on to explain the most important developments in POS.
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6 0cBenefits 0c 0cof 0c 0ca Food & Beverage 0cPOS 0c 0cSystem 0c 0c 0c - 1 views

  • An effective POS solution for restaurants, bars or food service at attractions, entertainment and leisure venues can streamline a restaurant’s activities, saving time processing orders and money due to potential human error and customer loss.
  • The great thing about restaurant, entertainment or fun center POS systems now is that as they revolve around cloud-based software, the costs to upgrade to update is much lower as the equipment is already there and ready to go.
  • Once you’ve set up your entertianment POS or fun center POS system you must transfer your menu into the POS software to enable your servers to quickly record the customer’s order and allow for the customer to be charged the correct amount. To make the most out of the inventory management you will additionally have to record existing levels of stock, and how much each item on your menu depletes the respective products within your inventory. This will also mean that you must consistently update the inventory levels when they are replenished.
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  • Waiters have continuous mobility around the restaurant, while clearly communicating and recording orders. This gives the customers the convenience of table side ordering, whilst also allowing the orders to recorded and distributed seamlessly.
  • Another great benefit of using a entertianment POS or fun center POS system is that it avoids a lot of human errors in the communication between the waiters and the kitchen or bar staff. The cloud based system means that the orders are clearly recorded for the staff, forgoing any potential penmanship or shorthand issues.
  • Inventory management is another great feature of the entertianment POS or fun center POS system and it will allow your business to keep up to date with its inventory levels and knowing exactly when to restock their goods.
  • Through the continuous tracking of your levels of inventory, you’ll be able to identify trends in how each of your individual levels of stock are used in specific times. Not only can this aid in the planning and managing of stock, but it will also identify which products are popular within specific times of the year. This is valuable information and can be effectively utilized through your promotion and marketing, enticing more people to your family entertainment centre.
  • A entertianment POS or fun center POS system with a modern payment processor can allow your business to stay up to date with the majority of businesses, accepting credit cards and allowing customers to use their tap and go cards or functions like Apple Wallet and Google Pay. A entertianment POS or fun center POS system will also greatly improve the overall speed of the checkout process, making hard copies of orders expendable and recording them digitally in real-time.
  • Theft control may not seem like a particularly pressing issue, especially if your products are behind the counter and require customers to order and pay for them before accessing them. Regardless, a entertianment POS or fun center POS system will make you aware of any potential issues of theft through tracking what is ordered and what is paid for.
  • It is important to have set measures for staff to follow in recipes, which allows you to see how much inventory is actually left compared to how much should be left based on the inventory management system.
  • it can also be utilized in the building of customer relationships. Collecting customer details, namely an email address, will mean that you can communicate with past customers after their visit.
  • Managing an entertainment business requires a great deal of organization throughout all levels of the business. POS systems offer a great range of benefits aiding in the simplification of many business processes, from inventory management to staff management.
  • Clearly managing time clocks, scheduling which employees work each shift, keeping payroll up to date are all tasks entertianment POS or fun center POS can potentially assist with.
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    In this article the food and beverage POS systems are described and discussed. The author explains why POS systems are important for the restaurants and entertainment centers, how to build those systems, how much would it cost to the businesses and what POS is exactly. Other than that, the benefits of installing POS systems are pointed.
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Hotel Management Software: What Are the Benefits for Hotels? - 2 views

  • hotel management software refers to any software package that is designed to assist with the day-to-day management of a hotel, resort or similar property. Examples of this include property management systems (PMS), revenue management systems (RMS), rate shopper software, reputation management software and channel managers.
    • jamigovaerts
       
      This article focuses on a general understanding as to why Hotel Management software is beneficial. The most important item learned from this article is that these softwares are able to assist in lowering human error and costs while also increasing revenue. By cutting down on error, the customer experience is increased which will then create a competitive advantage against competitors.
    • jamigovaerts
       
      This article focuses on a general understanding as to why Hotel Management software is beneficial. The most important item learned from this article is that these softwares are able to assist in lowering human error and costs while also increasing revenue. By cutting down on error, the customer experience is increased which will then create a competitive advantage against competitors.
  • Automation allows certain hotel operations to be carried out even when staff are not available to intervene manually, while the ability to share data across the property and even across hotel chains can help to remove barriers. Moreover, software solutions also have the potential to reduce instances of human error.
  • Review management software can boost your reputation, saving on marketing costs, while channel managers can save on costs linked to distribution.
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  • Another reason why hotel management software can be beneficial is because it can significantly enhance the customer experience you offer. One of the most obvious examples of this is the use of mobile hotel check-in and check-out systems, which allow for much more seamless arrivals and departures.
  • Finally, one of the single most convincing reasons why you should utilise hotel management software solutions is the potential to gain a competitive advantage over rivals. Many software packages will provide valuable real-time industry insights, allowing you to be more competitive in terms of room rates, or package discounts.
  • Hotel management software has become widespread within the hotel industry and there are a number of different types of solutions available. Crucially, these systems and applications have the potential to streamline processes, reduce costs, increase revenue, improve the customer experience and provide you with a competitive advantage
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British Airways taps fintech startup Banked for new loyalty offering | PhocusWire - 1 views

  • British Airways Executive Club members who make an online purchase with a Banked merchant can collect Avios, the rewards currency of BA Executive Club
  • far more accessible and fair loyalty system”
  • Merchants, meanwhile, can offer Avios to customers without having to accept credit cards with high processing fees
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  • Merchants that integrate the Banked and Avios checkout option stand to gain increased customer loyalty, conversion rates and a higher average order value.
  • With 78% of consumers making purchasing decisions based on loyalty points, being able to offer Avios through the Banked network will help our merchants increase conversion rates and improve customer loyalty
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    Fintech startup company, Banked, has partnered with British Airways to provide a new and effective form of payment for their airline loyalty members to pay for online purchases using BA Avios. BA Executive Club members can now use their bank account via Banked and merchants will be able to offer the Avios option at a fraction of the cost of credit card processing fees. (2-4% vs 0.1%) This new partnership will lead to increased customer loyalty, conversion rates along with higher average order value. Banked is currently integrated with may of the largest banks in the United Kingdom, including Barclays and HSBC. Banked CEO stated that 78% of consumers in the UK are making purchasing decisions based on loyalty points, which will extremely increase customer loyalty from the British Airways Executive Club members. In my opinion, this is an excellent way for loyalty club members, especially airline and hotel rewards members, to be able to utilize their points or miles that have been of no use due to the pandemic. This has already been integrated in the United States through Chase, American Express, and Citibank where rewards points can be used for purchases online and even on Amazon. This was the correct step for BA because they will be able to retain loyal customers until travel restrictions are lightened.
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The Applications of Environmental Technologies in Hotels: Discovery Service for FIU Lib... - 1 views

  • This article investigates
  • the use of environmental technologies in the hotel industry. Data was collected via a series of in-depth, semistructured interviews with hotel professionals. The research findings reveal that the environmental technologies most commonly used in the sampled were light-emitting diode lights, T5 fluorescent tubes, motion sensors, the key-card system, and water-cooled chillers
  • However, the escalating number of environmental laws and increasing pressures from the market have raised their environmental awareness. Many hotels and other hospitality businesses now implement environmental programs to save energy and water, reduce waste, and improve their environmental performance in response to increasing pressure from "green" customers, local government, business partners, and the shareholders of their holding companie
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  • . Many hotels do not intend to take a lead in implementing new environmental technologies as hotel managers are not often well educated in these technologies, causing the hotel industry to lag behind in their us
  • Energy, water, and waste in the hotel industry
  • . Hoteliers can use technology in a number of ways, from taking guest reservations to saving energy and water in hotel guest rooms. Energy and water saving require environmental technologies. Examples of environmental technologies related to the hotel sector are a key-card system for energy saving, a centralized air conditioning system that can reset a guest-room's temperature to the hotel's established temperature when integrated with a building management system to save energy, and light-emitting diode (LED) lights and heat pumps. In addition, many advanced environmental technologies have entered the market such as solar heat pumps, solar control film, solar batteries, light pipes, energy efficient lighting, light sensors and dimmers (Chan, [17]), different types of food decomposers, and water-saving devices.
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    This is an excellent, comprehensive article and research study that fully looks at environmental technology through interviews with hotel professionals. It has many specific examples of hotel environmental technologies. It also specifically looks at energy, water and waste in the hotel industry.
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Managed WiFi Hotel Solutions, Benefits, Features | Blueprint RF - 1 views

  • Yet, adding IoT solutions or hosting large conferences may strain your existing system. Your tech amenities won’t deliver a high return on investment without a stable and secure wireless network.
  • Overseeing your WiFi system is a full-time job. It requires time and financial resources to update infrastructure, replace old equipment, and patch firmware.
  • Fortunately, managed WiFi providers solve your wireless dilemma with tailored recommendations.
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  • What does managed WiFi mean? With managed WiFi, you outsource your wireless network to a third-party vendor.
  • Hotel owners switch to a managed WiFi service to preserve time and financial resources while providing a secure and reliable guest WiFi network. Managed solutions offer features, like reporting options and capital planning assistance, that support your current and longterm goals. 
  • In short, your managed WiFi network runs seamlessly in the background. Your IT team isn’t overburdened with infrastructure improvements. And management has access to advanced analytics and reporting features to adjust bandwidth and predict future needs. 
  • Enterprises turn to managed service providers for their “skilled human resources, infrastructure, and industry certifications.”
  • With managed WiFi services, your provider develops a secure wireless network and monitors it 24/7/365. You pay a monthly fee, which helps you avoid unexpected expenses.
  • For many hoteliers, the best part of a managed WiFi service is that you can simply call for help. Your provider remotely evaluates your system. They perform updates, identify hazards, and work with you to troubleshoot minor issues. From afar, a managed WiFi provider can even boost a nearby signal as a temporary patch during a device outage. For challenging problems, a certified technician visits your location and resolves the issue. 
  • The system learns, tracks and adapts to your guest and property needs without forgoing essential security and privacy protocols.
  • top managed WiFi providers also offer options like:  Conference management features handle VLAN configurations, bandwidth shaping, extra ports, and even online scheduling and resource guides for events.  24/7/365 customer support services assist your hotel staff and hotel guests for positive experiences with your high-speed wireless network. 
  • It no longer makes sense to employ a full staff to manage your hotel’s wireless network. Instead, partner with a reputable managed WiFi service provider dedicated to the hospitality industry.
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    The author presents the argument that optimum performance of a hotel's wi-fi network is critical to a hote and that the demands of IoT, large conferences and the need to update infrastructure require constant oversight. It is argued that outsourcing the hotel wi-fi network to a managed WiFi provider has many advantages over placing the burden and responsibility on the hotel IT team. In my opinion, the article makes a strong case for engaging a managed WiFi provider. What would have been a useful addition to the article is how hotel's should go about managing and overseeing the provider that they engage.
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Impersonally personal: Guest connection through technology | Hotel Management - 0 views

  • After an estimated $28 billion dollar sector bleed through COVID-19, hoteliers and hospitality professionals are facing record challenges. The first is the challenge of adaptation. Increased health and safety demands have created new barriers to normal operation. Most barriers require more staff or more capital, and with the concurrent decreased revenues and restrictions on personnel, owners are left at an impasse.
  • Next comes the challenge of maintaining client connections. Public concern has skyrocketed, motivation to safeguard finances is at an all time high, and maintaining physical distance compromises customer care to no end. After decades of perfecting the art of personalized guest interactions, the path forward is daunting and unclear.
  • Smart tech makes it possible to execute new health and safety protocol without needing more staff or impossible capital.
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  • Smarter Cleaning Solutions One of the more intuitive applications, technology offers huge potential to solve the greater need for thorough cleaning and dependable sanitation without obliterating profit margins or compromising the safety of the janitorial team. From product design to virtual checklists, many tech vendors have stepped up to offer their services in this arena.
  • Pure employs a seven-step process to equip any space with purified, allergy-free air and ensure complete elimination of invisible toxins.
  • LightStrike’s Germ-Zapping Robots are another great example of tech-improved safety. Used first by the Westin Houston Medical Center Hotel, the robots can be used to sanitize guestrooms and common areas, reducing the threat of the virus.
  • Smart tech solutions can be integrated into personalized guest technology, whether at the time of check in or during their stay, allowing guests to learn as much or as little about the precautions their host is taking. With the option to request more attention in certain areas, cleaning can, for the first time, be a customizable experience.
  • Most bookings are made online and the check-in process is moving in the same direction, with many hotels investing in facial-recognition technology.
  • Some platforms can integrate with any access-control system, allowing it to be part of a more personalized guest experience.
  • Concierge apps are becoming standard, and most hotels are extending in-app offerings to include unlocking the doors, contacting room service, and ordering from the hotel restaurant. The Solay Mobile App is allowing guests to book pool chairs or beachside reservations ahead of time and from a distance. The same philosophy can be applied to gym use, pool time, and restaurant management.
  • Social Media and Social Good Social media is the best avenue to keep potential guests informed and motivated.
  • many hotel owners have stepped up to be of service where they’re needed, and they’ve used various forms of social media to spread the word about their offerings. 
  • Industry leaders are capitalizing on smart solutions, using new technology to rise to new demands and foster deeper client connections. Far from impersonal, tech offers new ways to offer a tailored guest experience. As a permanent part of the new industry normal, smart tech should be embraced and pursued as another opportunity to excel in guest accommodations. 
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    The article is about how technology solutions can be a great investment and reduce capital to face the challenge of "new normal" adapatation and safety demands. Using technology such as as self-check-in, digital key, robots for sanitation of public areas, and social media to promote could result in less payroll costs and maximize revenue.
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A Primer on Human Resource Information Systems - businessnewsdaily.com - 0 views

  • With a good human resource information system in place, your HR department can collect and parse workforce data to streamline processes. By putting all relevant HR data in one location, an HRIS can make sure your business is properly organized and compliant with existing regulations. When looking for an HRIS, consider features such as automated applicant tracking functions, payroll processing and customizable reports for your business. This article is for any small business owner, employer or HR professional interested in learning about human resource information systems and their potential benefits.
  • HRIS software (also known as a human resource management system, or HRMS) organizes all kinds of worker-related data points, including sensitive identifying information like a worker's age, gender and address; an employee's workplace information like their title, pay scale and department; the benefits they've opted in to; and their timecard and time-off requests.
  • allows your HR leaders to work on new initiatives that could benefit your overall company.
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  • an HRIS creates an easily searchable database of items that administrators can access in seconds.
  • Once hired, that new employee can use the HRIS to go through company-sanctioned training modules and continue the onboarding process.
  • A good HRIS will be immediately visible to any new hires, since the platform can help with the talent acquisition and onboarding process, while existing employees will be able to manage their timecards and request vacation time more easily through the system.
  • The moment you notice a bottleneck in HR should be the moment you consider adopting an HRIS.
  • A good HRIS gives you, your HR department and your other employees access to contact information for anyone on the team.
  • It helps HR staff work efficiently.
  • With an HRIS in place, both parties have a centralized location to track their 401(k) plans, manage their healthcare plans and make adjustments when able.
  • Through an HRIS, managers can track staff's time and attendance, while employees can use the system to clock in and out, request paid time off, and track their paychecks.
  • Through an HRIS, you can create meaningful reports that highlight where your company is succeeding and where it can improve.
  • Operational HRIS: These systems try to reduce – if not eliminate – the repetition in filing and organizing employee data.
  • Tactical HRIS: These are employee-facing systems by nature.
  • Comprehensive HRIS: As the name suggests, a comprehensive HRIS closely organizes and examines human resource files.
  • Strategic HRIS: A strategic HRIS deals with the entire workforce rather than just employee-facing functions.
  • Paid accounts range from $1 to $20 per user per month, depending on other factors like features and add-ons.
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    This article covers everything you need to know about an HRIS including benefits, types, and pricing. An HRIS is a great way to keep information organized, frees up time for HR employees to take on more important tasks, ensures compliance. and makes it easy for employees to see time cards, vacation time, etc. You should consider getting an HRIS when you start to see growth in your company, and it soons becomes a hassle to handle HR by hand.
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    This article describes what a HRIS is, as well as the vast benefits of using one in your small business and when businesses should consider getting it.
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How Hotels can use Beacons to Improve Experiences | Beaconstac - 0 views

  • For an application, location is one of the most powerful triggers of action
  • technologies available have suffered from three significant limitations: accuracy, granularity and power consumption.This is where beacons come into picture
  • ibeacon, one of the most ‘disruptive’ technologies of 2014, is already making waves across various industry verticals for all the revenue opportunities and enhanced customer experience it offers businesses
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  • beacon’s micro-location capabilities to deliver specifically targeted personalized messages, alerts and more on mobile devices
  • iBeacons implements a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) profile for micro-location, which opens up new possibilities for hotels and resorts using geo-fencing
  • Hotel apps in combination with beacons can take away many of the hotel formalities and make aspects such as room service, contact with staff, and in-room entertainment more interactive. The app is thus, more than just a tool, it is a personal concierge in itself
  • Check-in
  • Passbook integration, the reservation details would pop up on the phone screen when the guest crosses the geo-fence threshold of a defined iBeacon location
  • Finding the room and indoor navigation
  • Using beacons, you can define targeted ‘micro-locations’ to trigger an alert, an offer, or a special discount for a beverage to a guest who is already at the ba
  • These can also be used to build an interactive tour of a hotel or a resort, where users’ attention is directed to specific exhibits as they walk freely within the building. This feature enables indoor navigation similar to GPS
  • Using beacons you can provide guests with virtual maps and turn-by-turn directions to their favorite destinations inside the premises of your hotel
  • Keyless entry into rooms
  • iBeacon picks up the guest’s phone when in close proximity and unlocks the room door, giving the guest a keyless entry to his room
  • In-room controls
  • Room service
  • Offers, Loyalty programs
  • One can enable a mobile user to navigate and interact with specific regions geo-fenced using beacons. These devices can be used to determine the position of a guest in a large hotel, and direct him to his room
  • iBeacons, you will be able to customize promotions to specific locations in the hotel premises and send them right to a user’s smartphone
  • Check-out
  • Upgrade and upsell
  • Analytics
  • Gain customer insights
  • measure dwell times, measuring how much time visitors spend at different locations of the hotel, or which areas are most popular, when guests walk around the property
  • Staff Productivity
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    This article serves to showcase how beacons can serve as effective tools for hotels. The beacons deploy micro-location capabilities that allow for targeted personalized messaging. Utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy and a property's geo-fencing, beacons can transform the check-in and out processes, room and indoor navigation, keyless room entry and in-room controls, room service, loyalty offers, upgrades and analytics. The beacon technology can also used with staff to maximize productivity and evaluate where resources are able to be saved.
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How fabricators can continue to survive the pandemic - 0 views

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    The article by Conrad and Branton (2020) focuses on the need for technological changes in the metal fabrication industry as a means of compensating for the declined operations for metal manufacturing companies. The article's data was collected from a sample of 330 individuals from the metal manufacturing industry, from different demographical groups. While focusing on the current coronavirus pandemic, Conrad and Branton (2020) note that approximately 90% of people are affected by the pandemic, with 60% being directly or severely affected. The resulting effect is noted as the reduction in the companies' productivity, resulting in dormancy or loss of investments. Approximately 70% of businesses are recorded as expecting lower sales for the year 2020, with 90% registering declined sales in the food and beverage industry. Conrad and Branton (2020) provide that, in solving the issue of dipped productivity and sales, companies may focus on improving their strong points. This focus may be aimed at the issue of uncertain demand in the market, resulting in the need for more effective product mixes. On the other hand, they may focus on meeting the specific customer need through partnerships with vendors. The proposed strategy, in this case, is adopting the Design for Manufacturability (DFM) framework. This means organizing and automating the entire manufacturing process, retaining only the most relevant members of staff. Further, this focuses on standardizing the products to serve multiple purposes, making them easier to manufacture in bulk. The article further provides that approximately 34% of manufacturing companies have considered automation to increase quality and productivity (Conrad and Branton, 2020). Moreover, such aspects as marketing may also be considered in the redesign process. Overall, the article provides that businesses cannot exercise laxity by waiting for normalcy to return, but must be innovative and adapt to the changes in order to survive.
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Reopened restaurants reveal dining's 'new normal': Masked waiters, e-menus and booth di... - 0 views

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    Heil and Carman (2020) begin by highlighting the current changes in the restaurant business, where social distancing, protective gear, and reduced capacity are the norm as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The resulting effect is the limited interaction with customers, eliminating the warm, welcoming customer service nature of waiters and waitresses. The focus of the paper, in this case, is on Georgia, Alaska, and Tennessee, which allowed the reopening of restaurants and other eateries. Some of the provisions instituted include limiting the restaurant capacity to 25%, such as in the case of Alaska. Resultantly, with expected low revenues, only approximately 5% of restaurants in Alaska have opened. However, in Georgia and Tennessee, restaurant owners provide that they may not be able to implement safety guidelines among their employees, given the surprising nature of the reopening provisions. However, some businesses are prepared, instituting internal measures to couple the governmental regulations (Heil and Carman, 2020). However, those reopening are faced with logistic challenges, as issues such as storage space for extra furniture are required. Other costs, such as air scrubbers, which are expensive, may also be required in addition to the mandatory sanitizers, increasing the costs of operations. With regard to technological focuses by the restaurants, some have developed disposable menus, while others have generated QR codes for customers to get access to digital menus. On the other hand, restaurants have had to pay above minimum wages, as they seek to attract employees back to work despite the coronavirus pandemic. The creation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is highlighted as the underlying survival of businesses during the pandemic period. However, while the pandemic appears as having resulted in a need for high adaptability, Heil and Carman (2020) provide that "opening at limited capacity means (ability to operate) at full force once normalcy
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7 POS Trends for 2020/2021: Latest Predictions You Should Be Thinking About - Financeso... - 2 views

  • global point of the sale terminals market is expected to reach USD 108.46[1] billion by 202
  • One of the biggest POS industry trends right now is mobile payment transactions which saw a 40.2% year on year growth[2]
  • it’s also important to have a reliable billing and invoicing program together with your POS sale
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  • 54% of consumers[4] in the US preferred to use their debit cards to make payments
  • 46% of US consumers rarely use money[4] anymore
  • 45% have security as their top priority. Offering a secure payment method improves the trust your customers have with your business.
  • using mobile devices like tablets and mobile devices to make transactions faster
  • 53% of retailers and business owners are upgrading their POS[3] systems
  • Asia Pacific countries have fully embraced the use of mobile payment methods. eMarketer found that more than 45.2% of China’s population use mobile payment[8] for their everyday use. 
  • 61% of quick-service restaurants in the US have embraced cloud-based POS[5]. In fact, 60% of new merchants are asking for cloud POS[6] rather than legacy POS.
  • 61% of merchants[7] are looking into getting cloud-based POS
  • Cloud-based POS replaces all of that with a single app. Any update will come from the cloud to whatever device you are using.
  • you can make the transition to the cloud-based system slowly
  • Most cloud-based POS can integrate with the programs that your business is already using
  • Accepting mobile payments for your business is easy. It mostly consists of scanning codes or tapping the smartphone on the terminal and authenticating the transaction
  • Mobile POS offers convenience as it takes the point of sale system to the customer, rather than the other way around
  • Accepting mobile payment methods allows lines to move faster and gives your customers a sense of satisfaction
  • Mobile payments are safe to use. A lot of these systems are EMV compatible and use the latest secure credit card processing technology to protect you and your customers
  • 15% of businesses in the US are already using AI-enabled POS
  • Prevent fraud and ensure customer information is secure through an AI
  • AI can personalize a customer’s behavior and offer relevant product displays based on their past purchases
  • AI lets you know your customer’s buying habits. That way, you can order more of what’s being bought, increasing profits
  • 83% of shoppers are willing to provide their information[11] in exchange for a personalized experience
  • Get insights on what your customers are purchasing more of. This gives you an idea of what they are going to buy next based on their most recent purchase from your store
  • create a comprehensive marketing strategy that can help promote your brand and products
  • present real-time data in an easy to understand format like a graph
  • payment options include smartphone payment options that support RFID like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay
  • instead of waving the device over the POS terminal, customers will need cellular data to complete the transaction
  • A mobile POS system often consists of a tablet that accepts card, cash, and mobile payment options. Additionally, these systems can also be used as a standalone register for a self-checkout kiosk
  • a reliable POS system, you can easily keep track of everything in your store
  • It can also serve as a digital menu, where customers can input their orders. The orders will be sent directly to the kitchen, encouraging customers to order more
  • Rather than giving the card to a server and letting them run the transaction at the counter, customers can pay from the table
  • retail shops that offer self-checkouts, you can make your mobile POS into a static till
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    The article focuses on trends that companies utilizing a POS system should look at deploying. Bolstered by figures supporting the success of the emergent trends, the article seeks to encourage operators to make the move sooner rather than later. The most prominent trends revolve around more efficient payment access. Customers appreciate the speed and available payment options. Companies are also able to manage customer data effectively and securely while also managing inventory and marketing. AI integration is also a forward trend that is allowing businesses to tailor their tactics to each customer individually. Perhaps the most important trend that is affecting other transaction systems as well is cloud based POS.
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Hotel Kiosks | Five Key Benefits of Self-Service Check-In/Out - 2 views

  • Mobile hotel kiosks are digital touchscreens or smartphone applications where guests complete tasks themselves instead of relying on hotel front desk staff.
  • Almost 78 percent of their respondents admitted they wanted to see self-serving mobile kiosks to complete the check-in process at more hotels.
  • provide guests with a convenient, hassle-free way to check in
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  • Mobile hotel kiosks
  • enables individuals to bypass the line at the front desk, so they can go directly to their rooms
  • Each hotel kiosk check-in app has an intuitive interface and simple commands to walk the guest through a secure, fast, check-in process
  • Guests can also use these kiosks to order room service, extra towels, set reminders, or complete other essential tasks
  • Mobile hotel kiosks can provide a more personalized experience for your customers. They connect to your hotel’s property management system (PMS).
  • These kiosk software solutions collect valuable data on your guests, including which rooms they prefer to book
  • Mobile hotel kiosks increase the opportunity to upsell packages and services to people
  • Mobile hotel kiosks increase accuracy because customers enter this information themselves during the check-in process. So the possibility of errors is minimal.
  • Mobile kiosks also offer an uncomplicated way to speak with your hotel’s brand throughout the customer journey from the pre-stay registration, hotel kiosk check-in/check-out process, reviews, and re-discovery
  • Increase revenues: Our application helps your hotel brand upsell services to customers.Improve Staff Coordination: Our hotel kiosk software allows your housekeeping and maintenance staff to communicate and collaborate better.Self-Check-In – Your customers can check-in using their mobile phones instead of relying on the front desk.
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    This article was provided by Protel - a developer of hotel check-in software. The focus of the article is to convince hotels of the benefits of the check-in software. The article acknowledges that the technology allows guests to complete the check-in/out process without having to endure log lines and also by customizing the guests' stay. The software also allows the hotel integrate with their PMS. This allows for the teams on property to communicate more effectively about the guest experience, provide much needed marketing data and helping to eliminate many human-related errors.
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Technology Innovation (and Other Trends) in the Hotel Events Space Shaping 2020 | - 0 views

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    (1 of 3) This Hotel Technology News article discusses the various technology advancements in Hotel Event Planning and what their effects were predicted to be for 2020. As the article states, "With each passing year, events seem to get bigger and better, boasting exciting new technology, catering to attendees' needs in finer detail, and bringing guests together in unique venue spaces for a variety of occasions." The event industry continues to grow as people continue to desire more unique, memorable experiences. Event planners struggle with advancing their experiences, but with the help of technology they are able to continue to grow each year. This process starts with the booking experience and Venue Management Technology has gained popularity in creating seamless booking experiences. "Whether marketing to a transient guest, event attendees, or a corporate group, hoteliers and event planners are in the business of meeting and exceeding expectations." With venue management technology, event planners are able to make memorable experiences starting with the booking of the venue all the way until days after the event. Venue management platforms provide everything to the event planners at their fingertips.
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    (2 of 3) The article continues on to discuss that while large events are extremely lucrative, venues must make sure to consider smaller events as well. "Ensure your venue space is equipped for events and meetings of various scale, and work closely with planners to ensure an attentive, personalized experience while bringing their event or meeting to life." Meetings are going to continue to grow so venues must continue to adjust and be equipped for anything a consumer might desire. This may include non-traditional events or venue spaces as well. While classic hotel convention spaces may not be as popular anymore, hotels are challenged to utilize and market their space differently to attract new consumers. With the event industry, as with any segment in hospitality, the ultimate purpose is to leave lasting impressions on guests. In recent years, the use of technology has been great in assisting this idea. Venues who have mastered creating a memorable experience have often done so by "using new-age features and platforms to create a frictionless event, engage attendees on a deeper level, and create meaningful, memorable experiences." Venue management tools are also used in making these experiences for guests. The article left readers with three takeaways. The first being that venues need to utilize technology to make them more effective in areas such as RFP response and the way that they offer their services. The second takeaway is that businesses need to evaluate their current technology partners and make sure to choose a partner that will allow them to best create memorable events. The final key takeaway is that venues must increase conversions and improve venue listings with things such as real-time availability and strategic pricing.
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    (3 of 3) This article was very interesting in its description of the technology used in the event industry and predictions for the future of events. It is quite apparent that this article was written at the beginning of 2020, though. I do believe the event industry was headed in this direction, but, as with the rest of the hospitality industry, I believe events will see a massive decrease over the next few years and then pick back up in the future. Due to the risks associated with Covid-19, consumers are not finding in-person meetings or events necessary. Many organizations have resorted to digital meetings and cancelled any events, causing a huge loss for the industry. I believe that as the rest of the industry recovers, events will slowly follow and eventually make their way back to their pre-pandemic predictions.
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Why Update Your Computer? Because Updates are Important! - 0 views

  • Old equipment requires more maintenance or replacement more often than the newer stuff.
  • Older equipment and software can also lead to additional pay for overtime for those IT professionals you already have working on it.
  • These improvements lead to fewer steps, or less time it takes your employees to complete tasks.
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  • These more streamlined efforts lead to increased productivity among your staff
  • Older software and hardware are more prone to viruses or hackers attacking.
  • It takes up so much time to make things work, saving files differently to be compatible, or transferring data to a different machine that will work together.
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    This article shows us some reason to update computer or office equipment. Updating software and hardware would be helpful to reduce costs on fixing equipment, increase employees productivity which takes employees to complete tasks faster and easier. Then, having a secure system is so crucial, because older software and hardware are more prone to viruses or hackers attacking. In addition, updating computer equipment will avoid incompatibility issues.
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The New Hotel Stay: Welcome Back - 0 views

  • For hotel executives seeking to survive (and thrive) in a post-COVID-19 world, there are practical solutions—both short-term and long-term—that can add joy back into the hotel guest experience.
  • They require the designer to really understand how users will move into and out of these spaces and interact with them.
  • Immediate fixes, such as six-foot spaced tape on the floor and acrylic panels at check-in, are both inelegant and temporary.
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  • designers must become leaders in finding creative, hygiene-driven solutions with attractive, budget-conscious, non-porous, non-transmitting and sustainable materials for future crises
  • the guest could experience a physical cleansing with UV-C light (400–470 nanometers (nm), an antimicrobial against numerous bacteria) as well as a metaphoric one, an abstracted feeling of rebirth and joy due to the use of art, music, lighting, and planting.
  • The UV-C light fixtures that can be programmed to activate when a guestroom, elevator, cab or corridor is unoccupied may soon become standard design practice
  • As hotel operators navigate the new normal, expect to see innovations in hotel welcome packages. Especially with limited staff, hotels will need to rely on visual cues that indicate and reassure cleanliness.
  • A brightly-colored seal on the room’s exterior door or towels wrapped in clear wrap to show items have been cleaned and hygienically packaged
  • next phase of guestroom should integrate separately-zoned HVAC supply and return HVAC systems, which have the ability to immediately evacuate air from infected rooms. To make the guestroom bathrooms ideal for privacy and infection control, restroom exhaust systems should be inspected and made to filter out air continuously.
  • Guestrooms worldwide are shrinking because space is expensive, which presents a challenge to designers looking to optimize already small spaces in line with social distancing guidelines.
  • Technological improvements to touchless entry doors, smart HVAC systems, and room lighting will occur, as information will now be imparted to the guest via phone or touchless television system. Smart spaces are not a new trend. In fact, a MarketsandMarkets™ report reveals the global smart home market size is expected to grow from $78.3 billion in 2020 to $135.3 billion by 2025. As more and more consumers rely on smart devices and sensors like Alexa and Google Nest, hotel businesses will need to adapt the same contactless technology solutions to their guestrooms and common spaces.
  • Elevated experiences to increase joy might include innovations in higher-end materiality, comfort, spa-quality guest baths, interactive workout systems, in-room workout equipment, and elaborate mood lighting systems. In the manner of the guest experience, the hotel needs to remain a peaceful, calm, and safe alternative to the more urgent, chaotic world outside.
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    This article addresses how hotel design must change to be successful in a COVID/Post-COVID world. The emphasis the last few years has been on meeting spaces and smaller square footage in guest rooms, but with social distancing those wonderful new high-tech meeting spaces are empty. More guests are having to use their hotel rooms as a place to sleep, socialize, be entertained, and even work out. First impressions are crucial in all aspects of life including hotels meaning adding things like UV-C- lights can help to make guests feel safe and rejuvenated. Also we must redefine the guest "room" experience, such using Smart technology and intelligent room design.
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    Staicoff (director of Oculus Inc.) stated that the covid-19 epidemic emerged as altering the settings of multiple organizations from healthcare facilities to the corporate ambiance. The designers created various changes in hotel infrastructure to meet the criteria of social distancing in the pandemic. Recently, the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) business elevated to provide technical and innovative solutions to control the spreading of infections with physical distancing. Also, the emerging AEC technologies encourage check-ins and elevators of the hotels to be compatible with smart solutions. The intervention of "Zone of Calm" and UV-C light impresses the guest to ensure that the hotel is reliable, safe, and caring. UV-C light is an antimicrobial technology with a unique fixation of light, music, and art to influence the people. The describe that multi-use facilities (housekeeping, room service, laundry, remote control, menus) have been eliminated for safety features. Visual indication facilitates cleanliness in diverse settings. The coordination of hotels with hygienic corporations enhances responding protocols to prevent infection. The structure of guestrooms are preferred from the perspectives of reducing OA (outside air) and EA (exhaust air), but the approaches are costlier practices to meet the demands of the pandemic. The intervention of "separately-zoned HVAC supply and return HVAC systems" acts as a filtration tool to remove EA from infected rooms and control the spreading. Usually, guestrooms are created for multi-functional management, but the guidelines of the pandemic representing constructive and financial challenges. According to a report presented by Markets and Markets, the implementation of smart devices in the markets would double by 2025 worldwide. At a minimum, the materialistic quality is designed considering long-term goals with comfortable and mood elevated facilities.
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Coronavirus cybercrime can attack your restaurant system, too | National Restaurant Ass... - 0 views

  • Protecting your business from a data breach is a constant struggle, and it’s even more important during a disaster.
  • Eliot, director of education and strategic initiatives for the NCSA, says cyber incidents and attacks, such as coronavirus-themed email phishing scams, increased as much as 300% to 350% in the first quarter of 2020 and adds that cyber scammers are now trying to target restaurant companies in particular.
  • Cybercriminals have mostly directed malicious emails at telework employees or people donating time and money to those impacted by coronavirus. “We're seeing a huge increase of cyber-related scams promoting coronavirus information or relief efforts. “It’s a big issue.”
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  • The PCI Security Standards Council claims that since March, malicious virus-related reports are up 475%. The reason for the uptick is that cybercriminals are trying to take advantage of rapid changes to the payment-card data environment. In addition, 41% of small businesses have said they’ve suffered breaches costing more than $50,000 to fix.
  • Contactless payment is one of the big changes within the payment data environment. Several restaurant companies – from chains to independents – are offering it because it reduces customers' physical interaction with the restaurant's POS system. As part of this move, some businesses have eliminated credit-card PIN numbers.
  • Eliot says malicious email is usually the easiest way for cybercriminals to access your networks. The emails typically show up as urgent requests for sensitive information, often pretending to be from the Small Business Administration or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When the intended victim types in his or her credentials and clicks on a specific link or downloads an attachment, criminals are in.
  • Anyone looking for easy-to-implement security tips can try these six to start. Reduce areas where payment-card data is stored. The best way to protect against a data breach is to avoid storing any card information at all. With many small operators offering curbside pickup and accepting payment over the phone instead of through face-to-face transactions, it’s important they train employees not to write down payment card details. Instead, have them enter numbers directly into a secure terminal. Use strong passwords. Using weak and default passwords is one of the leading causes of payment data breaches among businesses. Effective passwords must be strong and updated regularly. The most recent guidance is: the longer, the better. Think of it almost as a “passphrase” rather than a password. Use it in the form of a sentence, but mix in different characters within the phrase. It’s much harder to break a long passphrase than it is a short, complex password. Weak and vendor default passwords often result in small business data breaches. Also, don’t repeat your passwords. Update your software often. Criminals look for outdated software to exploit flaws in unpatched systems. Timely installations of security patches are crucial to minimizing the risk of a breach. Whenever updates are available, use them. They will improve performance and close out some of the vulnerabilities cybercriminals are searching for. Enable two-factor authentication. It's so important for restaurateurs, especially where their POS systems or any of their sensitive databases are concerned, to have two-factor or multi-factor authentication enabled. If an instance where credentials are stolen occurs, there will be a second layer of verification the operator can rely on to potentially reduce the chances that information will be breached. Segment your networks. If you are going to store payment data, make sure your POS system has its own separate, secure network. Do not store sensitive documents on public cloud services such as Google Docs or DropBox. If you’re going to store sensitive documents, house them in an encrypted, locked down location.   Be hyper-vigilant. Criminals are going to try to take advantage of this pandemic situation as much as possible. You can protect yourself by not giving out sensitive information, especially within unsolicited emails. Don’t click on links you’re not expecting and do everything in your power to protect all sensitive information.
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    This article is about data breaching and cyber crime in the restaurant business. The article specifically talks about the increase in cyber crime during a crisis, and in this case, a pandemic. It talks about contactless payment as a great form of protection for restaurants as well as customers. At the end of the article, it lists six easy to implement security tips.
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The Importance of Hotel Staff Safety Technology During and Post-Pandemic - By Robb Monk... - 0 views

  • he discussion of hospitality staff safety has gained significant momentum, as workers from hotels around the world have come forward with cautionary stories of workplace injury, guest misconduct, or harassment.
  • many properties are using this downtime to make sure they comply with the deployment of personal alert systems, also known as panic buttons.
  • he devices are intuitive, require little training, and easily integrated with existing hotel systems
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  • The Stand-Alone LTE device offers hotels an all-in-one solution capable of protecting employees both on and off property without the need for a tethered smart device.
  • Sidekick
  • s designed to pair with company-issued mobile devices to provide a truly seamless safety solution for the mobile workforce
  • BLE beacon device is a discreet, easy to conceal device that allows our safety platform to deliver precise room level location accuracy indoors in multi-story buildings.
  • In a crisis scenario, hotel staff can press their React Mobile Sidekick panic button to transmit an SOS signal.
  • making personal safety accessible at the touch of a button
  • mmediately identify the precise location of an incident.
  • he device identifies the closest BLE beacon. It then reports the precise room number and GPS coordinates,
  • a Stand-alone LTE panic button, which transmits the same, location-specific information
  • apable of connecting to any available cellular network, and is compatible with third-party hardware.
  • better reliability and lower service costs for hoteliers.
  • the system relies on GPS coordinates to follow an incident in real-time, relaying that information back to support services
  • BLE 5.0 Beacon provides incredibly precise location information even within a high-rise building.
  • Bluetooth beacons placed throughout the property,
  • o remedy any concerns, hotel properties will be expected to adopt frequent and stringent disinfection measures of guest rooms and public areas, with some staff members dedicated solely to the upkeep of new protocols.
  • housekeeping department
  • ill be more integral to successful operations than ever before. Ultimately, workers should feel confident, and with the peace of mind of knowing that help is just a click away,
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    The article is interesting as it talks about the use of proximity beacons that we have been learning about this week for marketing purposes; however, this article highlights the technology being used in employee security. In recent years hotels have increasingly committed to enhancing employee safety policies, training, and resources such as employee safety devices or ESDs. These are mostly implemented in the housekeeping department, where the employees are often alone in guest rooms and can be vulnerable. Amid the global pandemic, safety for both guests and employees is at the forefront of the industry's priority list. Many companies are taking advantage of this downtime to install personal alert systems or panic buttons. While ESDs are not necessarily new and have been around for some time, the technology has drastically improved. React Mobile, a leading provider of panic button solutions for hotels, has three updated products for the modern age. The Sidekick, which needs to be tethered to a smartphone, is a small panic button that transmits an SOS signal to alert management that an employee is in an emergency situation and requires assistance. The device is discrete and wearable, and with the aid of Bluetooth beacons, it can identify the employee's precise location. The Stand-alone LTE panic button has all the same features of the Sidekick; however, it does not need to be tied to a cellphone. It automatically connects to any available 4G cellular network to send out the SOS transmission. The BLE 5.0 Beacon offers the most advanced and incredibly accurate location information, even within high-rise hotels. When activated, it is so precise that it can provide the exact room number in which the incident occurs. These technologies can also be used outside the hotel property, where the system sends out GPS coordinates to follow an incident in real-time. This security technology provides hotels with the ability to immediately respond in emergency situations and gives t
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How proximity marketing can help the high street | The Drum - 0 views

  • beacons haven’t taken over the marketing world in the way so many predicted, however, some of the world’s biggest brands are redefining the customer experience with proximity marketing - with or without beacons.
  • Amazon is trying to reshape the in-store customer experience with a fleet of Amazon Go stores where customers can simply walk in, pick the items they want and walk right out - no queues and no physical payments action whatsoever.
  • One of the most successful uses of proximity marketing also happens to be one of the oldest, though. The Starbucks mobile app allows customers to place orders, pay in-store, collect rewards and receive custom offers from the biggest name in high street coffee.
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  • shopping habits are changing and online spending continues to increase. Yet, there are parts of the consumer journey that online-only technology can’t fulfil - and this is where retailers need to innovate most.
  • The technology that powers proximity marketing is only going to improve as smart cities grow and IoT becomes a part of our everyday lives. But the technology, in its current state, is already there to redefine customer experiences and the way consumers engage with brands, based on their immediate location.
  • When Apple launched iBeacons in 2013, proximity marketing became the industry’s favourite trend. With the right technology, this hyper-localised strategy was supposed to bridge the divide between online content and offline consumer action but Apple’s iBeacon platform ultimately failed to take off.
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    Module 6: Proximity Marketing This article focuses on the use of proximity marketing in 2020, and discusses how beacons have not taken over the offline and online market like Apple and Google originally hoped they would. Discussed in the article is how Amazon is utilizing proximity marketing in their Amazon Go stores This technology in a COVID-19 world will allow shoppers the flexibility to go outside of their homes and continue to social distance as all payments occur as, " customers can simply walk in, pick the items they want and walk right out - no queues and no physical payments action whatsoever." Similar to Starbucks where guests pay directly on their phones, the proximity marketing market will continue to grow as technology continues to advance. According to the article, "The technology, in its current state, is already there to redefine customer experiences and the way consumers engage with brands, based on their immediate location."
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Proximity Marketing: Often Creepy, but It Doesn't Have to Be. | Center for Digital Ethi... - 0 views

  • Imagine you’re out shopping one Saturday afternoon. You walk into a department store and see a big sign that reads, “Get our app and save!” You love a good deal so you scan the QR code and select “download.” You scroll through a user agreement with about 10,000 words of legalese and click “agree.”
  • As you walk down the street later, your phone is abuzz with notifications you’ve never received before: a constant stream of ads from each store you pass. You wonder how they’re reaching you, until you realize the department store app is still running — it must connect to other stores.
  • Target merged its “Cartwheel” coupon app — used by 27 million shoppers, saving them more than $1 billion — with the main Target app and incorporated new features.
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  • This beats traditional advertising, which connects to consumers before they’re in a store — while they’re sitting on the couch at home watching television, for instance — and relies on them to remember the message later.
  • By using proximity marketing technology, stores can catch up by providing some of the perks of online shopping in person, like easy access to discounts, saved shopping lists and personalized recommendations.
  • Lastly, proximity marketing tools allow companies to gather behavioral data about their customers, including how often they visit a store and when, how long they stay and what areas of the store they gravitate toward.
  • Proximity marketing — location-based direct marketing in which a business or other organization sends offers, promotions, alerts or other messages to a person's smartphone based on the device’s location — is annoying, creepy and downright invasive in this story. But it doesn’t have to be. When implemented ethically, proximity marketing can provide worthwhile benefits to marketers and consumers alike.
  • But completely opting-out of proximity marketing — agreeing to all or nothing — should not be the only way consumers can protect themselves.
  • Their recommendations include displaying in-store signage notifying shoppers that their location data is being collected, letting consumers opt-out of analytics services, limiting how data is used and never selling personally identifiable data to a third party.
  • If retailers want their customers to shed the “malicious” connotation that comes with data tracking, they need to be upfront about how they are using that data, including location.
  • Target’s privacy notice is currently 4,359 words and the top of the page reads, “We may change or add to this privacy policy, so we encourage you to review it periodically.” How many customers read the whole statement and check back periodically for updates?
  • So let’s reimagine our scene in the department store: Again, you download its app. This time, the user agreement is a few clear bullet points. The app walks you through a quick Q&A to find out if it can access your location to make your shopping experience easier. It asks if it can share your information with its partners — other stores, whose names the user agreement lists out explicitly — and gives you an option to opt out.
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    This article addresses what proximity marketing is and how it can be beneficial to marketers and consumers if done right. It talks about how companies throw hundreds of pages of legalese when downloading new apps that people never read. They recommend to include displaying in store signage notifying shoppers that their location data is being collected, letting consumers opt out of analytic services and limiting how data is used without selling personal identifiable data to third party. I believe if companies make it easier for us to trust them with our data more people will use this style of marketing.
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