Hospitality Technology

The eMenu has many potential to improve your business. This device you can create unique banding to highlight what makes you outstanding, grow social media and have opportunities to run ad's on specialties.

This article focuses on ways that eMenus can be beneficial to restaurants. With so much competition in the restaurant business, restaurant owners must constantly find ways to improve and make it more notable. An eMenu is a way to keep things fresh. For starters, it offers a sense of personal branding in a way that one is able to personalize the menu with a branding that sets apart from competitors. In addition, social media integration also helps with the branding by enhancing reach to possible customers. Finally, advertisement is a big part of the eMenu. Specialties within the restaurant may be advertised which will feel personal to the guest.

This article gives an excellent brief introduction to the history of POS systems and how they have evolved over the years. It is evident that as other technologies (such as smart phones, the internet, etc.) improve, so too do the POS systems. They adapt as new capabilities become available and to the ever changing needs of the consumer. I also chose this article because my research paper is on POS systems and I believe this will be a great resource for me to use.

This article discusses why we should have a backup internet supply. As it mentions, companies lose lots of money when this happens and if you don't have some sort of backup to get you up and running then it won't be good for you business and you may also lose lots of information that you may have not saved. This really applies to those companies that rely on the internet to do their jobs, which nowadays is most.

Hello Emily. This is a very informative article on Internet Redundancy. One of the articles I read this week had similar details. However, this one provided more information about possible alternative sources of the internet. It focused on the fixed wireless internet, a broadband internet connection from a point of presence via radio waves. This makes a lot of sense since it does not run on the same wires as cable internet; and as such, it is unlikely that outages on the primary internet service would impact a fixed wireless connection. This is actually a great secondary option that businesses should seriously start looking into.

This article highlights several important security issues in the hospitality industry, followed by the practice of protecting data from loss. The data structure of the hotel industry is complex, customers mainly use bank cards to pay, and the staff turnover rate is high. There are certain internal threats. In order to solve these problems and avoid data loss, it is not enough to strengthen network security. It is also important that employees are trained and familiar with and comply with relevant regulations.

Hospitality offers an ideal target vector for conducting Cyber crimes such as identity theft and credit card fraud due to the existence of multiple databases and devices containing both Payment Card Information (PCI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Restaurants, hotels, and other companies in the hospitality sector often have complex ownership structures with an individual owner or group of owners, and a management company that acts as the operator. Each of these groups may use different computer systems to store information, and the information can also frequently move across those systems.

In this article, we learn about the top five data security risks as well as best practices to help prevent data breaches. According to the article, the hospitality industry is a prime target since it stores a vast amount of sensitive guest information like names, phone numbers, addresses, and credit card numbers. Some of the five risks included complex ownership structures, reliance on paying by card, and insider threats to name a few. In order to avoid these threats, the article suggest that companies become PCI compliant, use cybersecurity measures like firewalls, and know where exactly their data is stored.

As spending on cloud services jumps up almost 21% from last year, everything seems to be positive for this fast growing technology. It is, however, facing some challenges along the way that companies are going to need to take into consideration when spending on these services. Making sure they have a well qualifies and capable team to keep these services secure without burning them out is one of the concerns employees are bringing up in recent conversations. The security and safety of the data held by these services is very important, and needs to be prioritized in the day to day decisions made by all companies that utilize these services. Threats and malicious code taken advantage of by hackers is ever growing, and requires a constant, educated team with empowerment to protect to constantly watch out for these threats. Cloud computing still continues to grow, and is still a great advancement in business, but it also still needs to have it's threats carefully assessed and addressed to make sure it remains secure.

Cloud computing is the delivery of services through the internet with the use of a cloud based remote database. Cloud computing helps businesses with cost savings, productivity, speed, efficiency, performance, and security. There are different types of clouds which include public clouds, private clouds, and hybrid clouds. In addition, there are also three services in cloud computing which are; software-as-a-service which provides the user with a pay as you go model, infrastructure-as-a-service, which provides the user with services via IP addresses, and platform-as-a-service which is a platform delivered via the internet. There are both pros and cons when it comes to cloud computing. Some pros include the ability to use the software from any device, cost savings, and storage utility. On the other hand, some cons include security concerns, internal bugs, and power outages.

I also read this article just for a better understanding of the cloud and to really dive deep into the good and the bad, because as we know you can't have the good without the bad. I didn't realize the many different types of cloud computing so that was interesting to read.

Hello Alejandra, This is another great article that you have posted, thank you! Although I have been doing a lot of reading this week on Cloud Computing, I was truly enlightened by some of the information in this post; for example, Cloud Computing offers both public and private services, coupled with a Hybrid option that allows more flexibility and helps optimize the user's infrastructure and security. Further, creating and testing apps, and audio and video streaming were highlighted in this article, unlike others that I have read. Moreover, it broke down the functions of the components of the system (SaaS), infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), and platform-as-a-service (PaaS). Equally, some disadvantages stood out to me, like if the encryption key is lost, the data disappears. The geographical reach of cloud computing cuts both ways: A blackout in California could paralyze users in New York, and a firm in Texas could lose its data if something causes its Maine-based provider to crash. Additionally, with many individuals accessing and manipulating information through a single portal, inadvertent mistakes can transfer across an entire system. In closing, I have noticed that overall the benefits of Cloud Computing can tremendously assist companies in many ways, but some of the disadvantages can have a catastrophic impact on businesses and their operations. Shineal

This article addresses a main point, "cloud computing is a growing sector". it further accents the economic factor in cloud computing and the need for capital for its maintenance and viability. The article specifically speaks to the limitation of providers due to the high cost required for its implementation. Specifically, where it says " given", the substantial upfront capital needed to be competitive in the field, addresses directly the point that only large developers with deep pockets will be able to not only enter this arena, but also sustain themselves in it. The article also makes a compelling point which is not contradictory , but thought provoking which is that although it is expensive and there is extensive competition, the market and the need is "huge". This means that potentially regardless of the resources it takes to start up, there will be a demand and need for cloud computing services in the future, particularly as more entities refrain and stay away from development and maintenance of their own in house services. The article focuses on the largest players in the sector which one expect are the tech giants; Amazon, Microsoft and Google and the fact that they have a two thirds of market share in the present day, which is a lions share of the market by any standards. The article further discusses this sector in foreign markets and the effect economies such as the Chinese economies will have on these sectors, and in fact addresses how instability in Asian markets directly affect the stability of cloud computing domestically. This is a key area to watch in the future.

Cloud computing allows you to store and access files via the internet rather than the computer's hard drive. Switching to this system saves on costs, extra security measures, and connection and access issues you may be experiencing when working remotely. Data loss is always a risk when your files are stored in a place with only one access point, with cloud computing the files are stored on the internet making it more secure. Cloud computing also allows you to easily work with others in different departments or offices altogether since the files can be shared and accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

There is a lot more to the cloud than I thought. As an owner of a macbook i do store lots of things on the "cloud" but I can't help to feel like not being able to physically touch something that has my files, like a hard drive..is real. I know it is but maybe I'm just real old school. I think I need to start trusting the cloud more, especially this day in age.

The article covers a great deal of the technology products in all of the hotel aspects. it also focuses on the fact that hotels are investing a lot in offering technological tangible services to the clients where must shift its focus a bit and invest more in the guest engagement technology to close the gap between them and OTAs.

Hospitality is being transformed into a 100% digital technology-enabled industry; however, it is very challenging to maintain. Employees are overwhelmed by the amount of technology they need to lear to do their job efficiently

This article focuses on the fact that technology is now being used in almost every aspect of the hotel industry. This is because hoteliers are beginning to understand that guests are expecting to enjoy the same level of technology used in the comfort of their homes when they are at hotels. Therefore, hotels that are more technologically advanced are more empowered to satisfy guests' technological needs, but the information collected by the hotels' systems also enables the hotels to acquire new guests, engage current guests and retain past guests; as such, there are benefits to both the hotels and guests when the level of technology offered is updated.

In this article, you will find several practical applications to hotel data security. The most interesting point was the role staff plays in data security. Hotel staff needs to be trained on the proper way to handle sensitive data .

This post helped me better understand cloud computing and the benefits associated with doing so through an industry-focused lens.

Cloud computing continues to transform the hotel industry by providing the opportunity to reduce cost, improve experiences, build responsive infrastructure and personalize guest offers. Cloud-based software can save the industry money and seamlessly implement a new system without the lengthy installation process. A great way to meet hotel objectives and increase guest experience.

Cloud computing contributes to many different factors in hospitality. From the moment the guests arrive cloud computing is already playing a role in providing a better experience. By saving guest information and make it readily available to all members of staff, personalization is provided form the start. Cloud computing will also keep previous stay information which allows employees to see customer preferences. "Predictive maintenance can handle by cloud computing to reduce downtime, especially during peak seasons.The cloud offers a true end-to-end solution for hospitality, restoring the thrill of travel."

A report from CBRE analyzed the costs of phone and internet services within the information and telecommunications systems department of nearly 3000 hotels. There is an upward trend in telecom-related expenditures with a decline in revenue generation from phone call charges and internet access. Three ways to control these costs are undergoing IT audits, consolidating vendors across portfolios, and upgrading technologies.

The article I chose was based on disruptive innovations (DI) in a post pandemic world. In this article DI is represented as a necessary change through the additions of increased safety measures by implementing contactless ordering and payments to keep not only the guests safe but staff as well. This article describes how DI will not only give customers a stronger sense of safety but also give staff the opportunity to collect more data on customers in turn enhancing the guest's possible future experiences. This is just one example of how DI is helping to make customers experiences better during the COVID pandemic.

New advancements in technology and the hospitality and tourism industry have led to the collaboration of both sides to create better guest experiences. By using new technological products in the hospitality industry, guests can have contactless interactions to reduce their health concerns, brought on by the pandemic, as well as increase a business's productivity at the same time. The new innovations can also give more data on guest interests and help businesses learn more about their audience to make better decisions later on.

"Disruptive innovation is nearly as old as the hospitality business itself." A post pandemic world has taken a new direction towards contactless service, and DI technology has played a huge role in how we now operate going forward. Sevenrooms is a online reservation software similar to open table that allows for a seamless reservation process. It tracks data such as how much a guest has spent, how frequent they visit and even table preference. "This helps tailor the guest experience and personalize your communications with guests, resulting in increased loyalty and retention." Sevenrooms also uses an SMS messaging feature to notify guests about any updates to their table, which allows them to enjoy themselves freely while waiting instead of being crammed up in the front of the restaurant.

Technology can be found at almost every tourism destination from the moment you get to the airport to getting into your hotel room without passing the front desk. The pandemic played a huge role in this overnight chance in the industry. While logistical challenges have become a part of daily life for hospitality management, communications technology such as wayfinding and digital signage can be leveraged to both maintain public safety and keeping people safe.

I chose this article because my paper will be on POS systems in restaurants and this article outlines a bit about Cloud-Based POS systems. It explains how the data storage works remotely through the vendors servers. It also outlines a list of reasons why Cloud-Based storage could potentially be more secure than local storage. I think that if I were opening a restaurant I would definitely use a cloud-based SAAS POS.

As we know, cloud computing provides an ease of access system for data storage and on-demand computer system resources. This is something that certain industries, especially the hospitality industry, have used to reduce overhead costs and increase profits. This article discusses a few key players in this fight to be as innovative as possible while saving money and promoting new business practices that contribute to the industry. When looking at things like regulatory compliance and industry-wide needs, cloud computing is a great way to keep up with the ever-changing demands of today's modern consumer marketplace.

This article discusses the controversial self-checkout model in major chain stores such as Target and Walmart and the cause and effect of labor issues and how other scenarios appear to be encouraging a time when this model replaces human checkout entirely. It was reported that Walmart loses 3 billion every year to customer and employee theft. For the most part, retailers have been thinking about self-checkout through a financial-savings and customer-experience perspective. But inherently, that means there's going to be less eyes on a transaction, less human interaction and more opportunity for shrink.

Expenses relating to telecommunications in the hospitality industry have seen an increase despite a decline in returns for products offered to guests like fees for phone calls and internet. The article explains the rising costs and how operators can control costs regarding telecommunications. "Between 2015 and 2019 telecommunications costs went up faster than operating costs across the board." One reason was due to the complimentary phone and internet offered at some properties. IT Audits, consolidation of telecom providers, and technology upgrades are three ways organizations can manage costs. IT audits involve looking at an organization's current tech plan and its performance. What does it need beyond what it has? Then consolidating the vendors used. Controlling costs especially when technology is changing will benefit owners and operators as it helps them "limit disruption and use the best tech".

Coming from a culinary background controlling costs is everything especially when it comes to food. In tech, it's way more than just what the customer sees or eats. I think IT audits would be a must nowadays in the hospitality sector as it provides a clear view of what is being utilized and a road map to where we can go and how we can skim the fat to make a better product for management and customers. I suppose consolidating tech would be like using one provider for a variety of tech solutions or software that includes many BOH applications in one place. That would be handy to have and management effectiveness would increase as you wouldn't need to educate employees on multiple platforms.

The article "Making Shipping More Efficient Through Disruptive Technologies" discusses the opportunity of using augmented reality and computer vision to improve efficiency within the shipping industry. Safetytech Accelerator in collaboration with CYENS and Oceanic will be assisting crews in the safe handling and storage of vessel provisions. The goal is to become efficient, safer, and sustainable through this process. For example, some of these projects include using technology to fight fires on container ships.

This article gives an in-depth view on the good and bad of disruptive innovative technology to suffice customers within the hospitality sector. It also provides information on the impact that COVID-19 has on the advancements of technology in the hospitality sector. This article also gives an insight into future innovations within the hospitality sector.