November 18, 2016

Siegel Sez

by: Richard Siegel

This has been an interesting two weeks for myself and people throughout the world. I started my travel at the Springer-Miller Users’ Group event (the HUG Conference) at the beautiful Innisbrook Resort outside of Tampa. There was a great crowd and it was a wonderful event. This users’ group is always different because it is run by the users, not the vendor. Springer-Miller shared its plans for the future, and from what I heard and the reaction of the attendees, it was very positive. I thank them for inviting me to this year’s conference. From Tampa I was off to HOSPACE in London. It was interesting flying across the Atlantic on a flight that left at 7:15 p.m. on the U.S. election night. The pilot said if he had an update he would share it with us. About an hour before landing (about 2:30 a.m. EST), he announced that Fox News had declared Trump the winner but nobody else had. Fox News declared Trump a winner first? Wow, that was a surprise. No another announcement came and after we landed and people starting turning on their phones, someone simply said, “Wow, Trump won,” and the plane pretty much went silent. It was a very strange and unique experience. I did get to HOSPACE and spent two days talking politics since I was one of the few from the States over there. After two days I was done and instead focused on the event which was great. HOSPACE had many great sessions, but it was interesting to hear those from the U.K. talk about the impact of Brexit. I couldn’t help but think of our election while hearing panels talk about what to expect now that it happened. I guess surprises are just part of life.

The next surprise was a great one. I went to HX: The Hotel Experience Powered by AAHOA in New York. This show is the revamped IH/M&RS event at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan. All the technology companies were concentrated in one area and they had a pretty large theatre set up alongside the exhibits. Every session offered was standing room only and all were very well received. Those who exhibited had very positive things to say about HX, and that was great to hear. On Monday night we had our traditional dinner for many of our customers and friends. More than 45 people joined us. We were very creative when we were introducing ourselves and there was some serious laughter as just about everybody adlibbed their intro somewhat. There were many competing companies attending, but get them in a fun environment and everybody just becomes regular people sharing stories about life. We had a great time and look forward to next year.

Our whole group is now back in Atlanta and next week is Thanksgiving, the holiday where we look at all the things for which we are thankful. I have a great deal to be thankful for, but right now I am thankful there are not any more events in the immediate future that I need to attend. For those of you in the U.S., have a great Thanksgiving and then enjoy the holiday season that kicks in right after. Wow, this close to the end of the year, what an interesting year it has been. We will do our traditional look back at all the technology changes this year and then keep asking ourselves, did that really happen?

Here now is the real reason we are here, Dan Phillips’ technology review of all that is happening in the industry. I will see you at the end with this week’s attempt at you-know-what.

Rich@hospitalityupgrade.com

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Technology NEWSSTAND

Recent headlines, from Dan Phillips

 

Introduction

Thanksgiving is upon us in the U.S.! In the Piqued Dan’s Interest section below is a smorgasbord of tasty and varied articles, preparing you for the feast of turkey and trappings next week. For me, I am thankful that this industry has allowed me to be a part of it since 1987 when I started behind the front desk of the Holiday Inn Georgetown, in Washington, D.C. My career has be one of great successes and epic failures, and though I think that I would have liked some things to have gone differently, I wouldn’t be who I am today if they had. For those of you that know me, thank you for being a part of my life. For those of you that I have yet to meet, thank you for making hospitality one of the world’s largest industries, and perhaps the one front that may bring the best chance for world peace by making the world smaller and friendlier.

I challenge you to think differently of Thanksgiving this year. Often Thanksgiving is a sit back event; full of tryptophan we might think of all of the things to be thankful for, and with a sly smile, roll over for just one more nap. Instead, I challenge you to be active in your Thanksgiving. At the very least, contact that co-worker, or that long lost uncle, or that favorite teacher that started you on your path, and thank them for the part they played in your life. Or, get out of your La-Z-Boy, strap on some shoes and get out and do something that will make other people thankful that you showed up in their life.

In a troubled world, hospitality is something to be thankful for.

I look forward to serving you,

Dan Phillips
Dare to Imagine
dphillips@dare2i.com
**

 

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INVENTORY/PURCHASING

- Best Western Selects BirchStreet as its Procure-to-Order Platform
- STAPLES Center and Microsoft Theater Now Using InvoTech Uniform System
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Best Western Selects BirchStreet as its Procure-to-Order Platform
Best Western^® Hotels & Resorts and BirchStreet Systems announced the selection of BirchStreet’s Procure-to-Order platform to modernize the procurement process at Best Western’s 2,100 hotels in North America. The BirchStreet technology platform will enable hotel owners to access an online Best Western marketplace to easily shop for Best Western’s approved and branded suppliers, compare prices, establish order guides and process requests on one system.
http://www.birchstreet.net, http://www.bestwestern.com
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STAPLES Center and Microsoft Theater Now Using InvoTech Uniform System
InvoTech Systems Inc. announced the recent implementation of its Uniform System, by Selective Cleaners, Staples Center and Microsoft Theater, an established sports and entertainment center. InvoTech Systems is a leading provider of advanced linen management, laundry and uniform systems that integrate the latest RFID technology to increase profitability for hotels, resorts, casinos, sports arenas, convention centers and theme parks. The InvoTech System installed at Staples Center & Microsoft Theater maintains employee uniform inventory and accountability with the laundry company, Selective Cleaners. The InvoTech Uniform System provides accurate and real-time inventory information on all staff uniforms to monitor and maintain uniform assignments to employees and ongoing purchases efficiently. The InvoTech System provides functionality to manage the entire wardrobe room for approximately 600 team members for both Staples Center and Microsoft Theater.
http://www.invotech.com
**

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SALES & CATERING, MEETING PLANNING

- Expedia and Best Western Expand Partnership with Industry-leading Technology
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Expedia and Best Western Expand Partnership with Industry-leading Technology
In a move that is set to transform the future of the meeting and conference industry, Expedia and Best Western Hotels announced a strategic alliance that will expand collaboration between the two organizations. This pioneering new venture sees the adoption of Expedia’s innovative MeetingMarket software by more than 200 Best Western Hotels across Germany, making Best Western the first global hotel brand to white label the technology. Beginning in early 2017, MeetingMarket will be integrated into Best Western’s homepage, www.bestwestern.de, thereby allowing Best Western to strategically support its meeting and conference business using Expedia’s best-in-class technology.
http://www.Expedia.com, http://www.bestwestern.com
**

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PAYMENT PROCESSING

- SHIFT4 is Integrating to the Oracle Payment Interface
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SHIFT4 is Integrating to the Oracle Payment Interface
Payment gateway provider Shift4 Corporation announced that it is writing to the Oracle Payment Interface (OPI), providing fast, secure and reliable payment processing to thousands of merchants who use Oracle's point-of-sale and property management solutions. As an existing Gold Partner, Shift4 is further enhancing its relationship with Oracle as a member of the Oracle Partner Network.
http://www.shift4.com
**

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REVENUE MANAGEMENT

- Infor Announces Launch of Enhanced Forecasting Engine for Infor EZRMS
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Infor Announces Launch of Enhanced Forecasting Engine for Infor EZRMS
Infor announced that it has updated Infor EzRMS with an enhanced, integrated adaptive learning and forecasting engine. The engine introduces several new forecasting algorithms, including dynamic trend modeling, combined with the latest machine learning techniques, that help to provide improved forecasts and optimizations to the hospitality industry. In addition to the updated engine, Infor EzRMS also has an enhanced user interface that enables users to easily access business critical information such as best revenue opportunities, single and multiproperty reports, applicationwide search, navigation history, data export options and direct access to key filters in reports for key metrics and time ranges.
http://www.infor.com/industries/hospitality/
**

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DATA SECURITY AND CYBER ATTACKS

- VENZA Announces it has been Selected by Group Germain Hotels for its Multilingual Data Security Situational Awareness Program
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VENZA Announces it has been Selected by Group Germain Hotels for its Multilingual Data Security Situational Awareness Program
VENZA, a leading technology company for the hospitality industry focused on data security, has been chosen by Canadian hotelier Group Germain Hotels as its data security partner, with a focus on situational awareness. The primary goal is to prepare every member of the association to meet cybersecurity challenges as well as comply with data handling requirements such as PCI DSS version 3.2.
http://www.VENZAgroup.com
**

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HOSPITALITY EDUCATION

- HSMAI Releases Report on Revenue Management Leadership
- National Restaurant Association, American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute Combine Forces to Focus on the Future of Hospitality
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HSMAI Releases Report on Revenue Management Leadership
The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI)announced the release of "Portrait of Revenue Management Leadership." The report examines the results of a recent survey of hotel management executives on their current work, the challenges facing the discipline, and the evolving skills and duties of senior revenue management professionals. Hotel management executives from brands and ownership groups and management companies were surveyed.
http://www.hsmai.org
**
National Restaurant Association, American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute Combine Forces to Focus on the Future of Hospitality
The National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) announced a partnership for one of the largest foodservice trade associations in the world to acquire the training business assets and products of the American Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Institute (AHLEI). Currently owned by AHLA, AHLEI is recognized as a training and certifying organization for the hospitality industry. Given the nature of the hospitality industry and the intrinsic sharing that goes on between the restaurant and lodging sectors, NRA and AHLA saw a unique opportunity to combine resources to produce an even more robust training program that will benefit employees in their career development and improve overall consumer satisfaction. AHLA will retain the certification business, and the NRA will assume day-to-day responsibility for AHLEI’s training program business.
http://restaurant.org, https://www.ahlei.org/
**

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PIQUED DAN'S INTEREST

- Clean and Green: The New Energy of Choice
- Ramler’s Smartphone Charging Banquet Chair Named Best New Product and Best in Show at HX
- Five Top Reasons Why Hoteliers Need to Take In-Room Entertainment to the - Cloud in 2017
- Cold in Your Hotel Room? By Voice or Tablet, You Can Change That
- Startup pitch: Roomstorm is literally a travel disruption startup
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For more on Piqued Dan's Interest for 11/18/16

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

- Agilysys Accelerates Global Growth with New U.K. Office to Serve EMEA Region
- Sabre Travel Network President Sean Menke Appointed as Executive Advisor for New Federal Infrastructure Board
- Intelity Appoints New Chief Sales and Marketing Officer
- Benchmark Names Julie Walsh Area Director of Revenue Management
- Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Appoints Kevin Carl as Global Chief Information Technology Officer
- Dream Hotel Group Appoints Jason Wischhoff Vice President of Development, Europe and Africa
- Hilton Introduces Leadership Team for Planned REIT, Park Hotels & Resorts
- Jumeirah Group Strengthens Regional Management Team with Reshuffle
- Industry Veteran Aaron Fischer Joins MGM Resorts International as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development
- Outrigger Enterprises Shifts Focus Toward Beachfront; Makes Leadership Changes
- Matthew Sparks Appointed Chief Investment Officer of Park Hotels & Resorts
- Seabourn Names Gerald Mosslinger Vice President Hotel Operations
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For more on People on the Move for 11/18/16

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ARCHITECTURE & INTEGRATION

- AccorHotels Acquires 30 Percent Stake in 25hours Hotels with Goal of Global Expansion
- dormakaba USA Inc Expands North American Business by Agreeing to Acquire Mesker Openings Group
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AccorHotels Acquires 30 Percent Stake in 25hours Hotels with Goal of Global Expansion
25hours Hotels announced that AccorHotels is acquiring a 30 percent stake in its capital, with the objective of accelerating the global expansion of the 25hours brand. 25hours is also expanding its internal development structures and establishing a creative laboratory for this purpose. AccorHotels will be a strategic partner of 25hours supporting its long-term growth.
http://www.25hours-hotels.com, http://www.accorhotels.com
**
dormakaba USA Inc Expands North American Business by Agreeing to Acquire Mesker Openings Group
dormakaba USA Inc , one of the top three companies in the global market for access and security solutions, has signed an agreement to acquire U.S.-based Mesker Openings Group. The transaction is expected to close in 2016 upon the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. With the consummation of the acquisition of Mesker, a leader in the commercial door and hardware industry in the United States, dormakaba USA Inc will increase the breadth of its product offering in North America. The addition of Mesker will also provide dormakaba USA Inc with expanded distribution network and channels, and it will open up attractive sales opportunities due to dormakaba USA Inc’s presence in verticals such as lodging and multihousing, as well as in sales channels such as security hardware, contract hardware distribution and services.
http://www.dormakaba.com
**

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GUEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

- Agilysys Solution Suite Selected by Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel to Optimize Food and Beverage Delivery
- Koch Agrees to Invest More Than $2 Billion in Infor
- Maestro PMS Helps Independent Properties Expand Their Property Portfolios and Streamline Operations
- The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center Partners with StayNTouch
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For more on Guest Management for 11/18/16

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RESERVATIONS

- RentalsCombined and SiteMinder Partner to Enable Hoteliers and Serviced Apartment Providers to Take on the Sharing Economy
- TravelClick Launches New, Responsive Booking Engine 4.0, Maximizing Conversion Across Devices and Driving Direct Bookings for Global Hoteliers
- Dayuse.com Partners With DHISCO to Expand Global Offerings
- RoomKnights is Ready to Help Hotels Optimize Distribution
- STAAH Joins IBC, Bringing Channel Management Expertise to Independent Hotels
- Hotels See Increases in Mobile Revenue After Launching with Travel Tripper’s New Mobile Booking Engine
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For more on Reservations for 11/18/16

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GUEST SERVICES

- Puerto Rico’s Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club Connects Its Concierge and Service Teams with ALICE’S Innovative Operations Platform
- Great Wolf Resorts Gets a Wi-Fi Upgrade from Blueprint RF
- Bulk TV Takes No. 3 Spot on the 2016 TBJ Fast 50 List
- FCS Announces General Availability of its e-Connect V3.1 and m-Connect V3.1 for Guest Request and Task Management Efficiency
- hospitalityPulse Survey Reveals Serious Flaws in Hotel Check-in
- Ramler’s Smartphone Charging Banquet Chair Named Best New Product and Best in Show at HX
- Sheraton Tel Aviv Sets Sail With Teledex Phones
- The Walper Hotel Adds UniFocus’ GUESTScope and STAFFScope
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For more on Guest Services for 11/18/16

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F&B/POINT OF SALE

- Award-winning InfoGenesis^® POS System from Agilysys Integrates with Guestroom Tablets by Crave Interactive
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Award-winning InfoGenesis^® POS System from Agilysys Integrates with Guestroom Tablets by Crave Interactive
The award-winning InfoGenesis^® POS system from Agilysys, Inc. (NASDAQ: Agys), a leading global provider of next-generation hospitality software solutions and services, is now fully integrated with Crave Interactive's in-room tablets for hotels. InfoGenesis POS is a standard-defining point-of-sale system for some of the biggest names in the hospitality industry, from luxury resort groups and high-end cruise companies to family restaurant chains. It is also a leading POS system among Las Vegas casino resorts. Crave has been making dramatic in-roads since the installation of its tablets in every room at ARIA Resort & Casino earlier this year. The company’s Crave T2 – which is featured in all 4,004 rooms at the property – is the second generation of the groundbreaking 10-inch Crave Tablet, one of the world’s first guest-facing digital devices designed specifically for use in hotel guestrooms.
https://crave-emenu.com/, http://www.agilysys.com
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SECURITY

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SUSTAINABILITY

- Caesars Entertainment Recognized as Sustainable Travel Leader
- Xeros Introduces 35lb/16kg Capacity Eco-Friendly, Near Waterless Laundry System, Ideal for Smaller Hotels & Spas
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Caesars Entertainment Recognized as Sustainable Travel Leader
Caesars Entertainment has surpassed its Green Key certification goal of having 90 percent of owned or managed North American hotel resort properties achieve a four-key rating or higher. Thirty of its hotel resort properties are rated four keys — more than any other casino-entertainment company in the world. Recently accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Green Key is a rigorous program that ranks, certifies and inspects hotels and resorts based on their commitment to sustainable operations. Green Key uses a rating system of one to five keys, with five being the highest possible attainment.
http://www.caesarscorporate.com
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Xeros Introduces 35lb/16kg Capacity Eco-Friendly, Near Waterless Laundry System, Ideal for Smaller Hotels & Spas
Xeros, the innovator of an ultra-low water laundry system, announced the Xeros SM35, a new 35lb/16kg capacity washer that is ideal for dry cleaners, smaller hotels, and spas where size and space is a consideration. Utilizing the same patented polymer cleaning technology as the award-winning Xeros SMV90 Commercial Washer, the Xeros SM35 dramatically reduces water consumption by up to 80%, and reduces energy and detergent usage by up to 50%, all while delivering a superior clean that is gentler on fabrics.
http://www.xeroscleaning.com
**

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HOSPITALITY EVENTS

- Agilysys Announces Inspire User Conference & Executive Summit 2017 Focused on Re-Imagining Hospitality
- Digital Signage Expo 2017 Seminar to Present Corporate Sector Keynote “Learning from Corporate Communications Wins (and Losses)”
- HFTP Announces Forward-thinking Keynote Speakers for Premier HITEC Amsterdam in March 2017
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For more on Hospitality Events for 11/18/16

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You-Know-What

And now for you-know-what…

Raquel called her friend and said, "Hi, Sarah, listen I only have a minute. I’m about to get picked up for a blind date, can you call me in a half hour just in case it’s going bad? Yes? Ok great! Thanks!”

She gave herself a quick spray of perfume, checked herself out one more time in the mirror, and headed to the restaurant to meet the guy.

Sure enough after 20 minutes with him, Raquel was discreetly checking her watch. After 10 more long minutes her phone finally buzzed. Raquel listened for a few seconds, grimly pursed her lips, and turned to her date. “I feel terrible, but my grandmother is terribly sick, and I must go home now,” she said.

“No problem,” said her date with a big grin. “In a few more minutes my brother was going to get run over."

**