The Top 7 Pain Points in Hospitality Procurement and How to Overcome Them
Johannes Vocke | July 24, 2024
Brandt Hospitality Group Getting Great Results From Accounting Software Partner
Aptech | June 5, 2024
Technology
AI May Make Mistakes, But It Won’t Shoot a Customer
Shep Hyken | July 25, 2024
Customers are not yet 100% comfortable with AI technology. It still makes mistakes, which is frustrating. Consider these findings from our annual customer service and CX research (sponsored by RingCentral): 70% of customers said they would rather use the phone than self-service solutions including AI-fueled technologies like ChatGPT or voice recognition software. 63% of customers are frustrated when using AI or ChatGPT technologies. 56% of customers admit to being scared of AI and ChatGPT. Even with customers’ concerns and trepidation about interacting with an AI-fueled chatbot or voice recognition technol...
The Top 7 Pain Points in Hospitality Procurement and How to Overcome Them
Johannes Vocke | July 24, 2024
By Johannes Vocke, FutureLog Chief Financial Officer Siloed and fragmented procurement software often complicates the procure-to-pay process. Outdated solutions are typically expensive, inflexible, and inefficient, yet many organisations persist in using these antiquated systems. This reliance on old-fashioned procurement management systems hinders operational efficiency. A 2023 Procurement Insights report reveals that 80% of organisations still depend on manual or semi-digital tools to manage their P2P cycle. These businesses typically utilise ERP or accounting software—an approach comparable to using a flashlight to crack a nut. W...
Artificial Intelligence Agents as a Next Step for Hotel Tech
Adam and Larry Mogelonsky | July 24, 2024
By Adam and Larry Mogelonsky Coming out of HITEC 2024 in Charlotte, Generative AI (genAI), specifically large language models (LLMs) and generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs), are moving beyond only chatbots for use cases in the hospitality sector. These AI tools are primarily recognized for handling guest inquiries and managing standard room reservations. However, their potential extends far beyond these capabilities. The future of AI in hospitality lies in agents trained for complex tasks, offering advanced solutions across various departments such as HR, finance, sales, and marketing. Despite the promising advancements, there ar...
The Impact of Technology Trends on Transforming the Hospitality Industry
Ahmed Mahmoud | July 24, 2024
By Ahmed Mahmoud Digital transformation and the leverage of technology play an important role in today’s hospitality industry, especially in the post-pandemic era. Facing the challenges of labor shortage, the rising cost of operation, and the changes in consumer needs and behaviors, hospitality businesses need to pivot their services and products with the latest technology in order to keep their competitive edge. Every year, new technology emerges and dies. hotels either adopt them and thrive, or are left behind by their competitors, but technology doesn’t stop for anyone. Just like the hotel industry. In 2024, the hotel industry...
Is AI Over-Hyped? Or Do We Actually Need to Learn This Stuff?
Daniel Craig | July 23, 2024
After so much buzz about AI over the past two years, things have grown a bit quiet. Was it all just marketing bluster, or is generative AI still poised to transform how we work and live? For hoteliers, is it enough to dabble occasionally with ChatGPT or Gemini, or do you actually have to learn how to use these tools? To find answers to these questions, it’s helpful to look at the path new technologies typically follow from inception to mass adoption. Charting AI on the Hype Cycle Decades ago, Gartner introduced the Hype Cycle to map the maturation process of emerging technologies. The model is intended to help people and compan...
Harmonizing AI and Human Touch in Hotel Management: Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Opportunities
HFTP | July 22, 2024
By Are Morch, Digital Transformation Coach for Hotels This article explores common pain points faced by hotel management and owners when integrating AI, along with actionable strategies to address them, all while maintaining a focus on the harmonious collaboration between technology and human expertise. In the era of AI, we must remember that the heart of hospitality beats with human warmth. The true power lies not in AI alone, but in its harmonious fusion with human empathy and creativity. This synergy elevates service, creating experiences that are both efficient and genuinely memorable. The Investment Hurdle Cost Concerns While A...
AI’s Impact on Hotels
CBRE | July 18, 2024
By Rachael Rothman, Jack Corgel, and Christine Bang Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology enhancements for hotels promise enhanced customer service, higher margins and expanded research and booking, with improved experiences for guests. Of equal importance is the likelihood that AI and broader technology improvements will materially shift the relationship between hotel brands, third-party management companies and hotel owners, as well as the relationship between the online travel agents (OTAs), metasearch platforms and the brands, owners and managers. Key Takeaways Potential implications of artificial intelligence and technology en...
AI’s Flight Path: The Emergence of the Chief AI Officer (CAIO) in the Hotel and Airline Industries
Ivana Johnston | July 15, 2024
By Ivana Johnston The "Chief AI Officer"—or CAIO—is one of the hottest new job titles in the corporate circuit, and both the hotel and airline industries are embracing this role to stay competitive in the digital era. LinkedIn reports that the number of companies with a “Head of AI” position has more than tripled in the last five years. When IBM and Dell cut the ribbon for their Chief AI Officers last year, the race was on, and it wasn't long before Accenture, Arizona's renowned Mayo Clinic, and WPP heard the call and announced their very own CAIOs. In 2023, President Joe Biden pulled all the federal agencies into the AI race, ...
The Impact of Advanced Technology on Employment
Christopher Martinez | July 11, 2024
As our world has evolved, so has companies' hiring process across the workforce. Advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence or AI, have changed how employers review applications. Many employers have become reliant on technology and AI to identify quality candidates, and such a practice has negatively impacted applicants, as the usage of AI technology to review applications has significantly decreased individuals’ chances for employment. With algorithms and AI being used to review submitted applications and evaluate applicant responses in online assessments, qualified individuals who apply for open positions can be reje...
Assessing the Digital Infrastructure of Your Hotels
CBRE Hotels | July 3, 2024
By Robert Mandelbaum, John Pomposello, and Adam Barry In 2023, U.S. hotels faced rising operating expenses outpacing revenue growth, resulting in declining profit margins. To combat this, hotels are leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and guest satisfaction. Key areas of technological investment include employee productivity tools, automated guest services, and improved cybersecurity. Analyzing IT expenditures from 4,121 properties, CBRE found that IT costs represented a relatively controlled 1.4% of total operating revenue, despite a 7.4% increase in 2023. Higher IT spending was noted in Resort and Convention hotels due to their e...
Taking Hotel Guest Experience to the Next Level Through Technological Integration
Imke Burger | June 28, 2024
The hospitality industry has always been centered around providing exceptional guest experiences, aiming to create memorable and comfortable stays that leave guests eager to return. In recent years, technological advancements have introduced new tools and methods that significantly enhance this mission. Today’s travelers are more tech-savvy and have higher expectations, seeking not only comfort but also personalized and seamless experiences during their stays. This shift presents hotels with an unprecedented opportunity to elevate guest satisfaction and streamline operations simultaneously. By integrating cutting-edge technology into hotel ...
GrowthCurve Capital Acquires Duetto
Duetto | June 27, 2024
San Francisco, CA – June 27, 2024 – Duetto (“Duetto” or the “Company”), a leading provider of revenue management software for the hospitality industry, today announced that it has been acquired by GrowthCurve Capital (“GrowthCurve”). GrowthCurve is acquiring the business from affiliates of Warburg Pincus and other shareholders. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Duetto offers innovative solutions that simplify hotel operations and optimize revenue. With a focus on organic product development, data and integrations, Duetto connects disparate systems into a cohesive, efficient platform that drives profitability and g...
Navigating the Complex World of Conversational AI – Part 1
John Smallwood | June 27, 2024
Questions Every Hotelier Should Ask When Considering Guest-Led Conversational AI By John Smallwood, President of Travel Outlook June 2024 In the rapidly evolving hospitality industry, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become crucial for hoteliers looking to enhance guest experiences and stay ahead of the competition. As AI technology continues to develop, hoteliers need to ask the right questions to ensure they select the best guest-led conversational AI solutions for their needs. Not all conversational AI solutions are created equally, and what works for one industry may not be effective in hospitality. In this series, we d...
Clairvoyix Announces a World-Class Email Reservation Confirmation System for Oracle Hospitality’s OPERA Cloud PMS.
Clairvoyix | June 26, 2024
The latest OPERA Cloud/OHIP enabled solution from Clairvoyix allows properties to send worldclass reservation confirmations/modifications/cancelations emails directly from OPERA Cloud. LAS VEGAS, NV (June 26, 2024) – Continuing their strategic objective of leveraging the Oracle Hospitality Integration Platform (OHIP), Clairvoyix has added to their growing portfolio of OPERA Cloud enabled revenue driving solutions with a leisure email reservation confirmation system that complements their previously released OPERA Cloud Block Room Confirmation system. The Clairvoyix email reservation confirmation system allows hotel and resor...
Meyer Jabara Hotels Enhances Employee Communication, Collaboration With Beekeeper
Meyer Jabara Hotels | June 26, 2024
Employee engagement platform shares company information in real time and keeps everyone engaged with the MJH’s Journey culture, HR, leadership, and peers for optimal enterprise performance [Danbury, Conn., June 26, 2024] — Employee empowerment has always been a key operating principal for Meyer Jabara Hotels (MJH). To take its Journey culture to new heights this year and boost employee engagement, the owner and operator of 32 hotels has partnered with Beekeeper, the leading app for frontline teams. Beekeeper features an intelligent dashboard that connects property leaders and the corporate management team with all frontline emp...
Cloud5 Earns Third Consecutive Win as Mitel’s Hospitality Partner of the Year
Cloud5 Communications | June 26, 2024
Chicago, IL — JUNE 26, 2024, Cloud5 Communications, a leading provider of IT solutions and services for more than 5,000 hotels across the Americas, has been awarded Mitel Hospitality’s Partner of the Year Award for Hospitality. This marks the third consecutive year that the provider has earned this designation, and it serves as the latest example of Cloud5’s dedication to leading-edge technology, industry expertise, and customer service. Presented during the annual Mitel Next Partner Conference, Cloud5 was recognized for its commitment to delivering modern, Cloud-based telecommunications solutions to the hospitality market, and for ...
RFID Hotel and ID&C Enhances Strategic Collaboration With Vingcard for RFID Credentials in US and Canada
RFID Hotel | June 26, 2024
Providers approved to supply RFID credentials for Vingcard Locks [Florida 26, 2024] – Avery Products Corporation is thrilled to announce an expansion of a strategic collaboration between its hospitality-focused businesses, RFID Hotel and ID&C, and Vingcard an ASSA ABLOY company. This collaboration cements Avery as an approved vendor within the US and Canada for RFID credentials, including key cards and wristbands, enhancing the convenience, security, and access control solutions for the hospitality industry. Vingcard, hospitality’s leading provider of hotel access solutions has now accredited Florida-based businesses ID&C an...
Cendyn and Glowing Integration Redefines Omnichannel Messaging for Hotels
Cendyn | June 25, 2024
Cendyn CRM integration with Glowing offers connectivity to all messaging platforms with personalized messaging and AI-generated recommendations that synchronize to the master guest profile Boca Raton, Florida – 25 June 2024: Cendyn, a global integrated hotel technology and services company, has partnered with Glowing,a provider of omnichannel messaging solutions, to help hoteliers facilitate more meaningful conversations with their guests. This collaboration aims to transform how hoteliers communicate by providing an integrated system to manage communication across various channels, including WeChat, Line, WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger...
Cloud5 Experiences Strong First-Half Growth as Hospitality Industry Demand Continues
Cloud5 Communications | June 25, 2024
Chicago, IL — June 25, 2024, Cloud5 Communications, a leading provider of IT solutions and services for more than 5,000 hotels across the Americas, is pleased to announce it strong performance for the first half of 2024, welcoming nearly 100 new clients, beginning several high profile IT managed services projects, and completing 188 telecom and high-speed Internet installations at properties across North America. With a total of 10 new hotel brand logos added to its roster, Cloud5 credits its growth to both its award-winning reputation as well as the hospitality industry’s pent-up demand for IT services and solutions. “Now that...
Duetto and SHR Partner to Transform Casino Loyalty Pricing
Duetto | June 25, 2024
The partnership enables casinos to maximize revenue by delivering personalized online guest experiences. San Francisco, June 25, 2024 - Duetto, a global leader in revenue management solutions, and SHR (an Access company), a leading provider of innovative and intelligent technology solutions for hotels and resorts, today announced a strategic partnership designed to revolutionize the casino resort industry. Using Duetto’s Dynamic Rate Engine (DRE), SHR Group will enable its casino customers to deliver real-time personalized pricing online to maximize revenue, as well as increase occupancy and guest satisfaction. The newly certified SHR&l...
Nomadix Showcases Its Cloud, Software and Networking Technology Suite at HITEC Charlotte
Nomadix | June 25, 2024
Highlighting a Year of Expansion in Products, Partnerships and Vertical Markets CHARLOTTE, N.C. – June 25, 2024 — Nomadix® Inc., bringing connected experiences to life, today announced the company will demonstrate its newest suite of cloud, software and networking solutions at HITEC Charlotte, June 24-28, 2024, in booth #1445. The company will also showcase its TV Casting, Cloud Telephony, Staff Safety Buttons, Passpoint, Payments Gateway and Voice Assistants, and will discuss its expansion into additional vertical markets. “We’re thrilled to be meeting with customers, partners and colleagues at HITEC Charlotte where we...
Agilysys to Highlight AI Advantages Along With PMS and POS Innovations at HITEC 2024 June 25–27
Agilysys | June 24, 2024
– Agilysys Guestsense.ai™ artificial intelligence now powers revenue management and operating efficiency across PMS and POS hospitality solution platforms – – InfoGenesis omnichannel enterprise POS platform now available for ‘sell anything to anyone anywhere’ flexibility – – IG Fly™ light-to-carry, unified all-in-one POS system for managing orders, payments and printing ‘on the fly” is now available – – Mobile-first Agilysys Guest App is a unified hub to enhance guest experience and revenue upsell opportunities – ALPHARETTA, GA (June 24, 2024) — Agilysys, Inc., a leading global provider of hospitality soft...
Silverware Pay To Debut at HITEC; Handheld Device Keeps POS Functionality at Servers’ Fingertips
Silverware | June 24, 2024
Embedded payment processing solution’s seamless ordering, card reading, and posting capabilities enable staff to focus on enhancing the guest experience; Visit Booth 626 at HITEC CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, June 24, 2024 — This week at HITEC, Silverware will showcase its commitment to innovation with the debut of Silverware Pay, an embedded payment-processing solution that’s deeply integrated into the company’s point-of-sale ecosystem. Silverware Pay enables food-and-beverage staff to manage the entire guest experience from a single handheld device regardless of on-property location or chip-reader type. Silverware Pay will be on...
HCN To Debut Its ‘AI Concierge’ on In-Room Tablets at HITEC Charlotte
The Hotel Communication Network (HCN) | June 24, 2024
AiMe (pronounced Amy) uses natural language processing and translation capabilities to respond to guests’ unstructured requests and create actionable tasks that can be relayed from the HCN Navigator 2.0 tablet to staff; See AiMe in action June 25 to 27 at the Charlotte (N.C.) Convention Center in Booth 3836 CHARLOTTE, N.C. — June 24, 2024 — Tomorrow at HITEC, Hotel Communication Network (HCN) will reveal a new AI-powered in-room tablet that will radically change the way hotel guests request services, communicate their needs, place F&B orders from local restaurants and more via voice commands in multiple languages. AiMe, an AI Conci...