Hospitality Technology

There are three reasons why point of sale retail systems are easy to use, first of all,this software was designed with merchants like you in mind, not computer programmers or web designers. Once you have the hang of it, you may find that the program is almost intuitively simple. All you have to do is follow the instructions. seondly,.These programs were created to make running a retail operation as smooth and seamless as possible. Rather than making your day more difficult, With an Internet-based system, you can even manage your store remotely, from any computer with an online connection. Finally, your software provider to offer hands-on guidance and support. If you have any further questions down the line, call or email them for instant support.

Interesting article. I agree with you its easy to use.

When you think of where point of sales systems are typically used you think of a restaurant, hotel, stadium, retail store, etc. A medicinal marijuana store is the last place that would come to mind, at least for me personally. I think this article really shows how common and wide spread POS systems have become. MJ Freeway software tracks the sales and inventory of medical cannabis dispensaries. Their tagline is encouraging better business practices because their software is "guaranteed to always be state compliant." I love the literal naming of their software. GrowTracker and GramTracker are the inventory tracking tools that address discrepancies due to issues such as spillage or even evaporation. The incorporation of WeedTracker, WeedMaps, and Quickbooks also makes life a little easier for their clients and patients. Having a product specific point of sales which tracks patients names, status and transactions is very important in the medicinal cannabis industry and MJ Freeway delivers. The one thing I don't quite understand is how the POS allows for flexibility at POS for "buds that weigh heavy." However if that is an issue it is good that this advance system already has a solution. I found it refreshing to read about a POS in a completely different environment then a hotel yet with very similar capabilities.

Hospitality point of sales systems are computerized systems incorporating registers, computers and peripheral equipment, usually on a computer network. Like other point of sale systems, these systems keep track of sales, labor and payroll, and can generate records used in accounting and book keeping. They may be accessed remotely by restaurant corporate offices, troubleshooters and other authorized parties. Point of sales systems have revolutionized the restaurant industry, particularly in the fast food sector. In the most recent technologies, registers are computers, sometimes with touch screens. The registers connect to a server, often referred to as a "store controller" or a "central control unit." Printers and monitors are also found on the network. Additionally, remote servers can connect to store networks and monitor sales and other store data. Newer, more sophisticated, systems are getting away from the central database "file server" type system and going to what is called a "cluster database". This eliminates any crashing or system downtime that can be associated with the back office file server. This technology allows 100% of the information to not only be stored, but also pulled from the local terminal. Thus eliminating the need to rely on a separate server for the system to operate. The efficiency of such systems has decreased service times and increased efficiency of orders. Another innovation in technology for the restaurant industry is Wireless POS. Many restaurants with high volume use wireless handheld POS to collect orders which are sent to a server. The server sends required information to the kitchen in real time.

Nowadays, the Point of Sales system is very important not only in hotels but also in any kind of business. The popular reason is that the POS is convenient, fast and promptly. The POS could be changed neatly. It will make the cashier compute for the expenses and costs more efficiently. The data used by the POS has been applied connection through the Internet. The customers could register by their private computer quickly. The POS also connect many kinds of service aspects that include restaurant, housekeeping, receiption and so on. It will make the whole system operate more integrate.

Choice Hotels International has deployed its cloud-based property management system ChoiceAdvantage to Comfort Hotel De L' Europe of Saint-Nazaire, France. This systems allows franchisees to fully operate every stage of the guest interaction process due to the linkage between the central reservation system and the customer relationship management system on the internet.

More hotels will start using a Cloud-Based Hotel PMS because of low cost and variety of functions.

I-pad POS system may become a future trend of the hospitality industry.

MICROS began a partnership with Trump Hotel Collection which will start using in all its properties MICROS OPERA and MICROS POS to provide a unique and superior guest experience. The main focus is that MICROS states that with MICROS OPERA AND MICROS POS will provide to Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto the most advanced technology for operating the premises, managing accurately customer data, and consolidating Customer Relationship Management. One of the factors why MICROS RES was selected was because of the great operation performance "MICROS RES was selected for its rich restaurant operations functionality." The Corporate Director of Finance of TRUMP HOTEL COLLECTION, Mike Straube, is very satisfied with this new partnership with MICROS because of all the services the company provides "We are pleased to have a single partner that can provide us with the most advanced technology in the industry for both our hotel and restaurant operations. By standardizing on MICROS technology, we are able to replicate our processes to become more efficient and secure, and provide a consistent and superior experience to our clientele."

This is a great article about relatively new point-of-sales systems, that are implemented in a number of places worldwide. Have you ever experienced your card being swiped on iPad of a server when you ordered a coffee? No? And how about your iPhone to become a POS? You walk in a mall, scanning stuff, getting your groceries and the devise is offering you recipes with the food you're getting. The other trend is social POS. It post automatically on a facebook whatever you got in a mall in order for you to remember your shopping history in case you lose the track of your purchases.

It is amazing that all the customer transactions can be done through Ipad or Iphone. This technology create new shopping experience and may attract more young customers.

This article is really interesting because it incorporates two concepts that we have touched on in class, cloud systems and Points of Sale (POS) systems. Cloudtise, is a type of cloud advertising service that is part of the new online marketing trend that allows businesses use real time data for advertising to consumers. Its versatile form allows both users and consumers to instantly update and gather information. By partnering up with Revel System's cloud based Apple iPad POS system, it will help businesses obtain data about client trends. The coalition enables Cloudtise to mold their data based on the geographical area and use data to create ads in real time for specific areas. Using the POS system, Cloudtise will be able to give businesses information so that they can target ads to demographics in local and specific areas that are the most likely to buy the products. Businesses will be able to track inventory levels, customer characteristics, and details from local competitors that will boost their knowledge of what products sell best and to whom. The overall advantage will be providing information what advertising campaigns work and which do not. I think this is a great way for businesses to gain a competitive advantage in their market because consumers are moving toward an instant gratification plane, where they expect products and services immediately. Using cloud and POS systems as an advertising tool will enable users to specifically target consumers and adapt to them instantly.

Whether you are looking for a web-based or software-based POS system, you will want it to be a complete package. It should not only improve customer satisfaction, but also meet your needs as a retail business. The following criteria are what we looked for in these systems to meet both points. This article provides 10 Pos systems, and all of them are above good level in experts' and customers' eyes. It offers a detail analysis from hardware aspect which should include a PC or module, display, keyboard and mouse, high-quality cash drawer, barcode scanner, credit card reader, receipt printer and label printer, from the inventory & Other Features that will help track, organize and supply your inventory, from the customer tracking & labels that is quite beneficial to be able to retain customer information for future transactions, from employees & security that has multiple levels of security access and password protection, from help & support that provide training, technical help and warranty.

According to the July 2011 results of the Sustainable Asset Management Survey by Gartner and TRIRIGA, an IBM company, only 8% of their 130 respondents in large corporations and public sector organizations indicated that they did not have an energy and environmental strategy. However, I suspect that this problem is more prevalent in medium and small organizations.

Article discusses results of study on sustainable facilities management and provides a rubric to set and reach energy efficient goals. Key point of the article I think was item number three in which the article instructs managers to focus on energy efficiency rather than renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and other areas. See also link below to study... http://1105govinfoevents.com/custom/IBM/sustainability_white_paper.pdf

It is well-know that utilizing the right technology can greatly increase profits, reduce inventory, help a manger (and a staff) to stay organized and efficient. Further to that Point of Sale Systems are good example of technology that can practically run a restaurant. It can record labor costs, inventory, 'enter' an order and send it back to the kitchen, tabulate the diner's bill and process payments. It is true that POS can be costly, but on the long run, it is an investment that pays back with interest. In addtion, it is to mention that today it is hard to imagine Point of Sales Systems without sophisticated Financial Software, Credit Card Readers, and Order-Entry Touch Screens. With technology that improves on a daily base, each and every restaurant manage should be ale to find POS that exactly satisfies his/her needs and his/her pocket.

This new Cloud-Based POS software will benefit a lot to the retail industry. First, this system is cloud based, which means it saves its data through internet and can allow different stores to share with the same data base. Second is this system it makes the decision making more efficiently. Third, it is very easy to learn, so that it can save the cost for the employee training. Forth, this system integrates with APPs providers. Since the social media has much more influence today and will be more in the future, this function can be very useful. With the cloud database bing used these days, I am very positive with this new come-out Cloud-Based POS sofware. And one thing I think this one can be very useful is that it integrates with thw APPs.

Highlights: 4 FAQs for Savvy buyers While mostly associated with retail ventures, cash registers have uses within many businesses. Restaurants, hotels, and other service providers have a need for a cash register, and when integrated with a POS system, have found unparalleled benefits. But if you're unsure of the equipment you need, or your security system is lacking, your POS system can be doing you more harm than good. My Descriptions: This article is a quick guide to POS, and it mentioned four questions about POS cash registers: what equipment does a POS register need, are touch screen monitors worth the cost, does integrated equipment save time and how can I keep my POS cash drawer safe. It mentioned that cash registers have been used in most restaurants, hotels, retail shops and other service providers. POS system can bring benefits to them, while POS system can do harm than good if your security system is laking. The author showed equipments which are needed for a POS register. Besides the basic equipments such as computer, monitor and printer, it also needs either a keyboard or a touch screen monitor. Most retail stores will also have a security tag desensitizer near the scanner .As more customers use debit and credit cards, a credit card reader and pin pad are essential for every point of sale location. In addition, the touch screen will help to increase efficiency and eliminate the need for employees to remember codes for the keyboard and reduce problems with keyboard and mouse cords, and it leads to a quicker check out. In this article, the author proves nowadays Handheld scanners are more popular for businesses where items are big and bulky. To keep the POS cash drawer safe, one can program a feature to let cash register to be only opened after a transaction, or it can be a complex procedure where money is only counted under the supervision of a manager or team of employees. Or managers can install a camera to monitor the process of employees to use t

Trump International Hotels & Tower in Toronto has selected to use MICROS Opera and MICROS RES. The MICROS OPERA system includes property management, vacation ownership, and customer information to manage customer data and provides the most advanced technology. Trump selected MICROS RES because of it's rich restaurant operations functionality. Trump is pleased to be working with just one company that provides so much advanced technology. The company looks to gain more efficiency and secure processes and enable employees to provide superior experiences to their clients/guests.

As of today, travelers can now book a room at any of Best Western's 4,000 hotels in 100 countries without ever leaving Facebook. The hotel giant has become the first global brand to try to leverage its popularity on Facebook with the ubiquitous social network's 800 million active users by creating a special booking tool. This is a great innovative way to integrate online booking to social networking. I believe it will be a great success.

This is another great way of making customers book a hotel directly. Even though Best Western doesn't see sales growth in a short time, it would be a terrific marketing tool and/or a way to stay in touch with potential customers.

Good move by Best Western. It would be interesting to see number of confirmed booking compared to the hotel chain's official site. I am sure other hotels will follow suit. It seems like having fans follow page on Facebook is a great idea. I am surprised that Best Western has more followers than some of the larger chains.

Cellebrite, one of the global company known for its technology breakthroughs in the cellular industry, has announced the launch of its Diagnostics Solution. According to the article, this system can be installed to the POS in retail stores, and faults can be easily and quickly removed without sending the POS into the lab. With this new software will reduce the operating costs and eliminate the inconvenience for customers. In addition, the article lists others benefits of Diagnostics tool, including reducing the need for expensive phone serving, speeding up the service process and better customer support.

Travelers who checked in to the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in Los Angeles between April and December last year are being advised to review their credit card statements and credit reports this week after hotel officials warned of yet another security breach.

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites in Los Angeles had a security breach where their point of sale system for processing debit and  credit card transactions have been hacked. Data such as guests name, cedit and debit numbers and expiration date were jeopardized. Hackers had not been able to access information from the Hotel's computer system and neither did they affect guest room charges. The Director, Michael Czarcinski apologized and offered free credit monitoring services for those who used their cards during that nine month period.