Software Systems
News, features and insight into the software systems used in hotels and resorts, including property management, central reservation, customer relationship management and more.
Vantage Hospitality Stays On the Move
In June of this year, Vantage Hospitality hit the 1,000-property milestone in the12th year since its founding. Last week at its annual convention and trade show, founder and CEO Roger Bloss made it clear Vantage was far from done. ...
Vendor News Nov. 15, 2011
A roundup of hotel vendor news and notes....
Digital Distribution: Metasearch, Mobile and More
Doug Carr, executive director of distribution for Fairmont Raffles International, recently discussed the evolving world of digital distribution and the challenges faced by hoteliers. Here are his thoughts on Google, metasearch sites and the way consumers are shopping and booking hotel rooms....
Using Online Ratings and Reviews in Revenue Management
The webcentric world of business has brought myriad changes to hotel owners and operators in every area, department and practice. Among these changes is the fact that smaller, independent properties are competing head-to-head with larger properties, as well as with major national and international brands. While this helps level the playing field, it also requires that smaller properties “up the ante” when it comes to pricing and revenue management. ...
Tech Bytes Sept. 1, 2011
Roundup of hotel technology news and notes....
Vendor News Sept. 1, 2011
Roundup of hotel vendor news and notes....
Tech Bytes HITEC Wrap
Highlights from HITEC...
Technology Handbook 2011
The Technology Handbook is a catalog of information on the products and services offered by vendors serving the lodging industry. You’ll find an index with 10 major categories of hotel-related technology products and services. In each, we list all the companies who responded to our survey, and then you’ll find a directory listing each company in alphabetical order, including the categories of products they offer, where they are located, a phone number and their website....
New Hotel Technology Likely to Bring Sticker Shock
The need for a new generation of computers, data centers and security equipment for the nation’s hotels is driving up the expense of technology in the hospitality industry, says Mitesh Shah, chief executive officer at Atlanta-based Noble Investment Group, a privately-held company that invests in and manages hotels. ...
Do You Know The Total Value of Your Guests?
It’s good business for a large, multi-faceted lodging property, like a casino hotel, to approach revenue management from a different point of view. That’s what The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa does. The 2,000-room casino hotel in Atlantic City sets its rates using what it calls “total guest value-based revenue management.” In short, the hotel sets rates depending on how much total revenue a guest will spend at the property, not just what he or she pays for a room. ...
Benchmark Hospitality Embraces Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is the next big thing in hotel technology. Sometimes called software-as-a-service, cloud computing refers to hotel systems and software hosted at a brand or management company headquarters, a server farm or even a vendor facility. Hotels on the cloud no longer have the burden of housing and servicing hardware onsite; instead, a secure high-speed Internet connection gives them access to all their operational technologies....
Security of Guest Data Worries Hotel Technology Executives
The Hotel Technology Next Generation North American members meeting held in San Diego last month gave attendees an inside look at what keeps the industry’s top C-level technology executives awake at night. IT leaders from Hyatt, Starwood, Marriott and other companies put the spotlight on what is required from technology suppliers to earn their keep. ...
New Leadership in the Wings for Marriott Technology
When Marriott’s long-time Chief Information Officer Carl Wilson retires next week, Bruce Hoffmeister, also a seasoned technology executive at the lodging giant, will succeed him as global chief information officer. During his tenure, Wilson oversaw the development of the company’s technology infrastructure, the rollout of Marriott.com and the introduction of the industry’s first high-speed Internet access to guestrooms....
Digital Signage Expo A Draw for Hoteliers
The Digital Signage Expo last week drew a record number of exhibitors, registrations and offered the most educational opportunities in its eight-year history. The event held at the Las Vegas Convention Center covered a broad spectrum ...
How to Find the Right Hotel Software Partner
There’s long been a perception within the hospitality industry that some of the technology solutions sold to the hotel community don’t live up to their hype. While flashy PowerPoint presentations that promise a product can do everything under the sun may sway a prospect, it’s really up to the hotel to conduct its due diligence and choose a provider that provides a competent, flexible product to meet its needs, invests in the future and is financially stable....
Tech Bytes Jan. 15, 2011
A roundup of tech news....
Digital Signage Expo Offers Track for Hoteliers
More than 4,000 attendees and 180 exhibitors are expected at the 8th annual Digital Signage Expo that returns to Sin City Feb. 22-25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. It is the world’s largest trade show and conference covering digital signage, interactive technology and out-of-home networks. Multiple panels and sessions will appeal to hotel owners and operators, including several with moderators and panelists who work in the hospitality industry....
A Step Closer to the Worker-Less Hotel
Every hotel owner secretly fantasizes of having a property that operates without any employees or, more realistically, minimum staffing. The MaxHotel,...
A Guide to Discounting as Demand Recovers
As the dust settles and the lodging industry starts moving into recovery this year, now is the perfect time for hoteliers to revisit their discounting strategies to start gaining more value for their properties and stop giving money away when they don't have to. ...
