Hospitality Technology

" It is a reasonable argument that the only reason millions of workers have been able to successfully work remotely over the past year is because cloud computing has reached a level of maturity that now makes working without the cloud unthinkable. Microsoft 365 is arguably the most widely used. Cloud computing is no longer a choice, but rather the default position of any organization that wants to remain competitive. The number of ShareGate desktop users performing on-premises SharePoint upgrades decreased by 19.7 percent in 2020. On-premises operations decreased by 60.63 percent. Operations to migrate from on-premises to the cloud increased by 37.2 percent. Cloud-based operations jumped by 50.1 percent. Cloud-to-cloud migrations increased by 67.9 percent and included the transfer of 144 percent more terabytes of data in 2020 versus 2019. Microsoft also made significant investments in industry specific certifications in financial services, energy, health and manufacturing to meet the stringent requirements of these heavily regulated environments, making it an even more attractive option for enterprise clients. He pointed out that companies that need extreme low-latency transactions, have geographical proximity restrictions or highly secure data handling needs should consider traditional methods as well as the cloud While security is improving, some old and new attack vectors remain for cloud-based applications. That threat landscape will continue to grow as the market for cloud and SaaS networks and platforms expands and bad actors follow the money. The cloud service providers are asking businesses to trade off convenience for control. That will never happen. Further, there is only one cross-cloud provider standard, K8. The other area in need of standardization is security notification. Every cloud provider reports security events to customers separately, with different languages and syntax. Cloud consumption is linear but cloud security notification is exponential.

This article describes the various cloud computing trends in travel and tourism and how they could be beneficial for all travel companies to adopt. It further goes into detail on how cloud computing is becoming utilized by approximately 81% of the travel & tourism companies and how it creates a positive impact on the industry. It mentions the advantages that cloud computing brings to the table like a personalized experience for users as it facilitates data synchronization between channels, is more reliable than holding one singular framework so it lessens the security risks, is being more widely utilized on a global scale, provides scalability and flexibility throughout the peak season and low seasons, saves the company potential expenses that would have otherwise been spent on other infrastructures, software, systems, etc., and benefits tourism on a socio-economic degree which helps fight environmental degradation.

This article explains the hardware (i.e. failover routers, dual-WAN routers) that are the key to internet redundancy when large business can not afford to have an outage. As businesses rely more and more on cloud-based computing, it is becoming more and more costly to have an internet outage. While the article might sell a good story, I don't feel like things are quite as good as advertised when trying to apply this in a hotel setting where oftentimes franchisor IT requirements only allow one static IP address and these routers require multiple IP addresses. I've personally experienced failures in the "last mile" of infrastructure (i.e. construction cuts a line or gophers chew fiberoptic cable) that even if the hotel has a failover router with multiple ISPs, the hotel would have experienced a complete outage due to the fact that both carriers were physically sharing the last mile. Maybe wireless network failover routers have more of a chance to thwart gophers and construction equipment? Conduct proper research to make sure your franchisor could accommodate a failover router.

This article explains some of the trends most relevant to the topic of cloud computing, as well as explains some of the benefits and disadvantages of cloud computing currently. The top four trends include artificial intelligence, cloud delivery models, security and compliance, and new cloud technologies. The article further explains each of these trends and the impact they will have on the industry. The main concern when it comes to cloud computing is the safety and security, following dependence on the internet. The new and incoming innovations within cloud computing aim to eliminate theses challenges and improve overall efficiency and adoption. Cloud computing is expected to grow over 22% this year alone and adoption rates are expected to remain increasing.

To summarize, the article talks about how cloud use has been increasing for over a decade, forcing many employees to embrace digital and adapt to the work-from-home concept. For continuity and expansion, the workforce transformation strongly relies on the cloud model. Given the extensive development, acceptance, and cloud deployment in corporate IT in recent years, the anticipation of stronger and more robust automation and AI has grown and should expect cloud delivery strategies to shape the cloud ecosystem in 2022 and beyond. Also, the demand for cybersecurity is rising, as is the desire for cloud-native programs that are quick, efficient, and robust.

Software as a Service is becoming an essential part of the healthcare community. The time saved researching information about a patient, searching for medications or treatments could be valuable time needed for saving a life. It is project that "the number of businesses using cloud-based apps is expected to increase by 19.6%." With the increase in the use of cloud-based applications, there is a stronger need for the attention given to data security. Especially when it comes to patient information. Multiple cloud based options may initially be utilized before phasing into singular sources over time. This will alleviate some of the pressure needing to have the increased security for two platform rather than one.

The airline sector will continue to rely on automation to deliver service to travellers. Critical challenges will be focused around passenger experience, forecasting, privacy, and data security. One of the main areas for opportunity is enhancing the checkin experience. Cloud computing and technology in general will be at the forefront of the industry's development, and will allow for improved cost efficiency, more streamline operations, scalability, passenger and crew safety, as well as continued industry transformation.

I found this article about cloud computing and the hospitality industry on the website eHotelier. The article focuses on the hospitality industry's unique relationship with technology. Technology has helped the hospitality industry grow throughout the years. With technology, the hospitality industry can offer better services to its customers, and technology also helps develop the tourism industry. The hospitality industry has included technology innovation as it continues evolving with better technology. For example, hotels can now handle information on internal servers and record customer visits through bookings and in-house data systems. Nowadays, hotels are now using cloud computing because it is inexpensive, provides an accessible service, offers faster service and stronger security, and reduces service and cost because it can be flexible when it comes to business demands. Cloud computing in the hospitality industry is very helpful because the services are faster and more efficient. It decreases wait times, which is valuable for offering customer services and customer satisfaction. Customers can have a more personalized service upon arrival or when checking out. The hotel staff also be aware of guests' room preferences, food, activities, and everything the guest likes before arriving on the premises. Hotels can also partner with travel agencies through the cloud because it offers the opportunity to share applications of data-sharing services. In addition, the cloud also has the benefit of reducing workforce and administration tasks.

As the need for a one-stop-shopping experience increase does the demand from the lodging industry for a system that can simplify the process for marketing, reservations, check in, check out and just follow up. The Property Management System (PMS) is designed to do just that, simply the management, administration, reservation and booking. This article speaks about a cloud-based system called Cloudbeds that provides, among other things, Property Management Software for the lodging industry.This PMS is advertised as a way to simplify the reservation process as well as maintaining correct room inventory, rates and availability, housekeeping room status, and ease of retaining guest preferences. The PMS system also sends real-time availability to all online channels. Cloudbeds promise is to "Reduce errors and save time by automatically updating room inventory across all distribution channels with a click". According their website, "Cloudbeds PMS helps you deliver an exceptional guest experience while avoiding costly errors by automating repetitive, manual tasks." The PMS offers: -A Calendar - Reservations tool for direct bookings - Rates and availability Matrix - Reports

The origins of SABRE in the industry

The major hotel chains are influencing legislation and also now requiring employee safety devices (ESDs) to make the workplace safer for employees (i.e. room service attendants or housekeepers) who find themselves alone in guest rooms with ill-intentioned guests. ESDs can also be appropriate for large resorts with beach personnel, activities personnel, or other positions that find themselves in enclosed, or remote areas with less security. Not every hotel has a security department that can constantly monitor cameras and ESDs. Will these devices present more strain on hotel wireless networks? That depends. Hoteliers need to consider whether these devices will be provided by or monitored through their keylock vendor, through their guest room entertainment vendor, or through a wireless provider. Could there be a benefit to an ESD interface with the PMS? I'm not finding an obvious answer. Hotels, varying in room count, are providing ESDs that range from whistles to wireless to BLE or RFID enabled. Hotel owners and management companies have the responsibility to research the most appropriate solution for their hotel without undermining the safety and privacy of their employees and their hotel networks.

The relationship with OTAs should be about finding the right balance (or mix of business) for your specific hotel. A commonly held point of view is that OTA commissions are exorbitant (in dollars, or as a % of revenue), but shouldn't we be glad if they sold a room we were not going to sell otherwise?

This article explains how the restaurant business has adapted new technologies to overcome changes that came after COVID-19. The usage of these technologies allow the restaurants to minimize the contact points during the experience while also giving the option to the patrons to customize their experience as they want. It also talks about how technology is not a replacement for server or bartenders because the human contact is still part of the hospitality business

This article explains how PMS, property management system, is integrated to manage and grow customer loyalty independent hotels. It is no secret that some of the best loyalty programs keep guests coming back to the same company/hotel. They attract these guests by incorporating a strong loyalty program that provides rewards, incentives, and exclusive access to certain amenities. It is believed that this is what is needed to attract more bookings that were lost during the pandemic in 2020 up until today. The way to most effectively do so is by integrating a PMS system that allows guests to grow the relationship with the hotel during every transaction and interaction they have prior to, during, and post their stay. There needs to be much more than free wi-fi integrated in hotels as loyalty access as it is becoming so popular that it is not considered an exclusive access feature. Hotels should offer incentives for those who book repeatedly, like free nights, credits at the hotel's restaurant, premium guestroom amenities, hotel spa, and much more. Guests like to feel special, and doing so will guarantee their return to this hotel brand as they want to indulge in this experience every single time.

There are several pros and cons to self-service POS systems. Technology innovations will result in an increase in the amount of service businesses that will utilise self-service kiosks for contactless payments. Every business must evaluate which type of system would work best for the specific type of product or service offering. Retailers, restaurants, ticketing businesses and businesses with appointment checkins are likely to benefit from these systems. There are many solutions that can enhance customer service and business efficiency. Each business must carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages prior to investing in order to identify a system that fits.

Cloudbeds Best PMS and HMS in 2022 HotelTechAwards This 2022 the Hotel Tech Report honored Cloudbed with five awards. Cloudbeds is recognized as one of the industry-leading technology Hotel Tech Report provides. In addition, Cloudbeds won the Best Property Management System, Best Hotel Management Software, and many others. Cloudbeds was founded in 2012, and it is the hospitality industry's fastest-growing technology partner. Cloudbeds currently serves 22,000 independent properties in 157 countries with a global customer base. Cloudbed Hospitality Platform combines operations, revenues, distribution, and growth marketing tools with a marketplace with third-party integrations that helps hoteliers and hosts grow revenues and streamline operations. The HotelTechAward is one of the most contested, has 513,600 visits from hoteliers and 11,622 verified product review contributions; the competition is challenging, and Cloudbed won among the best out there. They proved to have a great integration compatibility system, organizational health, market share, partner network strength, and customer support quality.

This article gives a great explanation of how these technologies are changing the industry. AR giving the guests a 'try it before you buy it' experience where guests can virtually visit a hotel room, and walk around 360. With the projections of how the demographics will travel and their demands, millions are now being spent on adding these technologies from the booking process though the entire guest cycle. Major hotel brands have begun implementing AI,AR and VR into their product offerings which shows there will be no slowing down anytime soon.

AI, AR and VR have increased their technology and their purposes inside the hotel industry over time. However because of covid and the necessities it got more trendy and became more useful. Know a days all of these technologies are used in many ways from helping the operations, to providing clients with a seamless and contact-less experience, with creating experiences for kids, showing details of the amenities in a hotel, tours to make reservations and unique opportunities to grow. These technologies will change tremendously in the upcoming years and will change completely the way the hospitality industry operates and how clients interact with it.

This article foresees the benefits of Ai, AR, and VR technology within the hospitality industry. It also provides statistical analysis of revenue and customer expectation. Additionally, it gives a prediction of innovations to come.

There is often talk about how robots are replacing or eliminating hotel jobs. This article is a good balance of how human workers can co-exist with their co-bots (co-workers). ROI's on robotics are starting to pencil and this favors owners as robotics can help bridge the gap in labor shortages. Robotics can be used to do mundane and repetitive tasks (mostly cleaning and delivering items) and leave the more personal interactions up to the humans.

The article discusses a new robot that is designed to access multiple stories, allowing it to serve more than just one area. It highlights its capabilities such as an "interactive touch screen, security doors, large video display screen for advertising, and mobile app integration." It proves it self to not only be advanced technologically, it could be a great revenue stream with its available advertising space. The robot delivering to the wrong room is also not an issue as it will call/notify the receiver of its arrival along with the items being locked via passcode access.

Throughout this article, service robots are discussed, which communicate, interact, and provide services to clients of an organization. It is possible that service robots can reduce the chance of infectious diseases spread via interpersonal interactions, which could increase the likelihood of visits. There are different types of artificial intelligence that can be incorporated into service robots: mechanical, empathetic, analytical, and intuitive. Standardized and transactional tasks can be handled by mechanical robots, while analytical robots can handle logical thinking in the decision making process. During the implementation of service robots, companies should consider the crucial factors that influence the adoption/acceptance of the new technology by consumers. Robots can also provide social-emotional and relational factors that can be perceived as human by users.

As Covid-19 hit, it came with the implementation of more robotics and AI systems in the hospitality industry. The systems allowed for less human interaction which aided in avoiding being infected. This resulted in customers wanting more of these systems in place as they now prefer the robotics to human staff when it comes to their safety concerns. The robotics have different roles based on their configuration levels.

The use of service robots in the hospitality industry is on the rise. They are equipped with different levels of artificial intelligence in order to handle functional tasks as well as provide more personalized services.