Tag Archives: Technology

Aside

Hospitality Industry Technology Update: “The Power of Cloud for Hotels”

“…Early adapters like InterContinental Hotels Group have seen a vast improvement in the operational systems and guest services with cloud systems. The cloud being cost effective, flexible, and easy to integrate, Image with increased data security eliminates chances of owning a capital investment that is outdated. Cloud PMS is now the go-to choice for the intelligent hotelier who wants to stay ahead in the competitive hospitality and travel industry…”

Technology and innovation has stopped taking us by surprise. Every year numerous new innovative solutions and technological concepts enter into the market addressing issues, solving problems, easing operations and keeping the industry vibrant and ever changing.

For more: http://bit.ly/St7jRO

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Technology Update: “The Power of Cloud for Hotels”

by | May 5, 2014 · 8:37 am
by | May 2, 2014 · 8:46 am

Hospitality Risk Solutions Technology Update: “A Child’s Efforts To Save Her Mother Lead To Changes In Hotel 911 Calls”

“…According to a survey conducted by the American Hotel and Lodging Association, which found that guests can’t simply dial 911 for help in 55 percent of all franchised hotels…But Imagethe good news here is it seems like the majority of hotels who do not have direct-dial 911, those changes can be made by reprogramming the equipment rather than replacing it…”

As her mother was being attacked, a 9-year-old girl frantically dialed 911 for help from inside an East Texas hotel room. She dialed once, twice… four times that December day, but the call never went through.

Her mother took her last breath.

What the girl did not know was that the hotel’s phone system requires a “9″ first to reach an outside line. “She told us she did what she was supposed to do,” said her grandfather, Henry Hunt. “And it didn’t work.”

For more: http://cbsloc.al/1oa8Vtw

Comments Off on Hospitality Risk Solutions Technology Update: “A Child’s Efforts To Save Her Mother Lead To Changes In Hotel 911 Calls”

Filed under Claims, Crime, Guest Issues, Hotel Industry, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Technology

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | May 1, 2014 · 8:27 am

Hospitality Industry Technology Update: “Hotels Continue to Invest in People and Technology”

“…Given the increasing use (and cost) of third-party resellers and intermediaries, the expanding influence of technology, and the growth of regional shared-services, on-site sales and marketing departments are under scrutiny. Image Like they have in the past, hotel operators will need to adapt to these external and internal influences in order to define the proper role for unit-level sales and marketing personnel…”

The introduction of technology has influenced the duties of on-site hotel sales personnel over the years. The Internet, sophisticated revenue management programs, and social media provide marketing professionals with an array of new tools. Investment in technology is often justified by increases in productivity and reductions in labor costs.

However, at U.S. hotels, investment in technology within the sales and marketing department has led to shifts in marketing strategies, with only slight increases in salaries, wages, and benefits.

For more: http://bit.ly/1n6YEhJ

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Technology Update: “Hotels Continue to Invest in People and Technology”

Filed under Hotel Industry, Management And Ownership, Technology

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | April 28, 2014 · 8:57 am

Hospitality Industry Technology Update: “Accor Puts Digital Technology at the Heart of the Customer Experience”

“…With the massive deployment of this digital solution Accor is clearly providing an online service that is consistent with new consumer habits. Image Over two billion people currently have a smartphone and 47% of travel searches are made from mobile phones, making them the preferred device for finding, preparing and organizing a trip…”

1,000 Accor hotels worldwide equipped with innovative new digital welcome by end 2014

Accor announces the worldwide implementation of a digital solution that revolutionizes guest welcome in its hotels. The objective is simple: use digital technology to offer customers an unprecedented personalized welcome. Guest welcome is less devoted to administrative formalities, making the hotelier entirely available to greet guests, cater for their individual needs or simply help them save time.

For more: http://www.mynewsdesk.com/sg/accor-hotels/pressreleases/accor-puts-digital-technology-at-the-heart-of-the-customer-experience-988715

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Technology Update: “Accor Puts Digital Technology at the Heart of the Customer Experience”

Filed under Guest Issues, Hotel Industry, Management And Ownership, Technology

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | April 23, 2014 · 8:42 am

Hospitality Industry News Update: “Restaurant And Hospitality News For VARs”

This week the news includes a warning that hackers are using third-parties to gain access to data through vulnerable systems. Also, hotels and other retailers are adopting new mobile technology for check-in. Image And finally, in an interview with Forest Key of Buuteeq, we find out why hotel marketing is flying to the cloud.

Hackers Lurking In Vents And Soda Machines

This article from The New York Times discusses how your clients could be vulnerable to cyberattacks through solutions and devices be tied to a leaky third party, such as online menus, or even heating and cooling providers who now monitor and adjust office temperatures remotely, and vending machine suppliers who can see when their clients are out of Diet Cokes and Cheetos. Vendors are tempting targets for hackers because they tend to run older systems, and once hackers have found a way in, the devices offer them a place to hide in plain sight.

For more: http://www.bsminfo.com/doc/restaurant-and-hospitality-news-for-vars-april-0001

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry News Update: “Restaurant And Hospitality News For VARs”

Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Hotel Industry, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Technology

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | April 15, 2014 · 8:34 am

Hospitality Industry Technology Update: “Tiered Wi-Fi Emerges as New Industry Model”

“…major hotel companies that have offered free Wi-Fi for several years at limited- and select-service brands have recognized that free basic Wi-Fi is indeed now a consumer expectation. Wifi In response, they have begun developing tiered offerings that satisfy customer demands while also leaving open the possibility of revenue for premium service….” 

After seeing complimentary Wi-Fi service become ubiquitous at limited- and select-service hotels, owner-operators of full-service properties are now facing growing pressures from consumers and brands to provide a tiered program that features free, property-wide basic service while charging for premium broadband access.

 “What we’re seeing now is more brands responding to consumer demand, because there has been a clear indication from consumers that basic connectivity is something they now expect us to provide (at no cost),” said Bill DeForrest, president and CEO of Chicago-based Spire Hospitality, which manages 22 properties including two full-service hotels under the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.

For more: https://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Article/13509/Tiered-Wi-Fi-emerges-as-new-industry-model

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Technology Update: “Tiered Wi-Fi Emerges as New Industry Model”

Filed under Guest Issues, Hotel Industry, Management And Ownership, Technology

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | April 3, 2014 · 8:58 am

Hospitality Industry Technology Update: “How to Protect Your Online Presence”

“…Starkov suggests that franchisees put pressure on the brands to gain access to their own listings so they can better manage their online reputation. Image ‘If there is no ownership of the listing and no responses from the property, even the positive reviews don’t sound credible,’ he says. ‘And negative reviews without a response sends a signal that the hotel doesn’t care’…”

In January, spammers hijacked official website links for thousands of hotels listed within Google+ Local, rerouting visitors to third-party booking services. Since these listings feed results into Google Search, Maps, and Hotel Finder, Google worked quickly and quietly behind the scenes to correct the links. And despite the irritation of this hack, there are key takeaways for hoteliers that can help them protect their online presence.

For more: http://www.lodgingmagazine.com/how-to-protect-your-online-presence/

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Technology Update: “How to Protect Your Online Presence”

Filed under Guest Issues, Hotel Industry, Management And Ownership, Social Media, Technology

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | March 31, 2014 · 9:10 am

Hospitality Industry Guest Issues: “Operator Of ‘Mobile ID Theft Lab’ Sentenced To Prison For Bank Fraud And Aggravated Identity Theft”

“…In asking for a lengthy prison sentence, prosecutors noted that Suryan’s operation not only enriched him, but also helped thieves and burglars profit from the information they stole.  Suryan ‘served as a lynchpin of identity theft activity in Snohomish County in the latter half of 2012;Image the forgery service provided by the defendant helped incentivize countless break-ins of mailboxes, homes, and vehicles by criminals searching for victim data…”

The man who forged multiple ID documents and financial documents for mail thieves in Snohomish County was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 65 months in prison, five years of supervised release and $59,177 in restitution, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.  MICHAEL JOHN SURYAN, 54, formerly of Everett, Washington was arrested in January 2013, in a Shoreline, Washington motel where he had set up a mobile identity manufacturing operation.

Using documents his co-schemers stole from burglaries, mail thefts and car prowls, SURYAN manufactured fake IDs, and forged checks with the co-schemers listed as the payees.  A search of the room revealed more than 50 fake Washington State driver’s licenses, handwritten notes listing the names, addresses and personal information (including dates of birth, social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and credit card or checking account information) for numerous victims.

For more: http://www.justice.gov/usao/waw/press/2014/March/suryan.html

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Guest Issues: “Operator Of ‘Mobile ID Theft Lab’ Sentenced To Prison For Bank Fraud And Aggravated Identity Theft”

Filed under Crime, Hotel Industry, Management And Ownership, Privacy, Risk Management

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | March 27, 2014 · 9:11 am

Hospitality Industry Technology Update: “Managing by Text: Using Tech in Back of House”

“…For many hotels, it starts on the guest services side. For example, guests who need assistance can send a text that will be routed directly to the appropriate department, such as engineering or roomservice.Image This simple interaction already removes a traditional element of hotel operations—the front desk—from the equation. From there is a progression for hoteliers to use similar methods to communicate internally among staffers…”

Hoteliers are increasingly using electronic formats such as text, email and FaceTime for back-of-house communications, and are finding the strategy is both highly effective and cost-efficient. Just like in the front of the house, where guests increasingly rely on phones and handhelds while traveling, mobile devices are now becoming critical for back-of-house operations, according to sources.

With cellphones essentially ubiquitous and younger staffers particularly reliant on them, many hoteliers are smartly tapping into this technology base to replace outdated procedures, reshaping everything from staff meetings to service calls.

For more: https://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Article/13408/Managing-by-text-Using-tech-in-back-of-house

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Technology Update: “Managing by Text: Using Tech in Back of House”

Filed under Employee Practices, Hotel Employees, Hotel Industry, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Technology

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | March 26, 2014 · 8:19 am

Hospitality Industry News Update: “Deadly Hotel Fire Raising Safety Concerns in New Jersey”

“…One woman, who stayed at Mariners Cove days before the fire, says the motel had battery-operated smoke detectors, but fire victims say they never went off.  ‘That’s the thing, they were battery-powered fire alarms. Once they get hot and they melt, they are not going to work,’ said Tammy Tilton…”

The deadly motel fire in Point Pleasant, New Jersey is raising safety concerns at other motels in the area.

Activity has died down at the scene, but the probe continues into Friday morning’s deadly fire at the Mariners Cove Motor Inn in Point Pleasant Beach.

The blaze killed four people, including 66-year-old Albert Sutton, formerly of Mount Laurel.

Based on surveillance footage pulled from the rubble and restored by computer experts at the Ocean County prosecutor’s office, detectives have determined the cause of the fire was careless smoking.

For more: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=9479643

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry News Update: “Deadly Hotel Fire Raising Safety Concerns in New Jersey”

Filed under Claims, Fire, Hotel Industry, Injuries, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Technology

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,