Blog Assignment 2

In this article written by Ed Rubinstein it explains how restaurants are trying to maximize guest satisfaction through the use of more advanced POS systems. With more publicity about the issue of identity theft, guest are not as comfortable with giving a waiter/waitress their credit card and having them walk away. One new POS system that is trying to be implemented is one that is table side. The advantage of implementing this system is that it maximizes time for the wait staff by having table side check printing, credit sales, and tips. This is an advantage for the guest as well because their card remains in sight at all times. One restaurant that has implemented this wireless type of POS system is Bouchee which is located in the Boston Area. The staff is able to use this wireless technology to take orders that go directly to the kitchen or the bar and to complete transactions with the guests. The new system uses VX-670 POS terminals with printers from Verifone. This is all supported by the MICROS POS software. Another new technology that restaurants are looking forward to is the new printers for take out orders. They are not out yet but are close to coming into the industry. These new printers serve two purposes, they print out orders and are able to adhere them to the packages. These new printers can speed up time on takeout and drive through orders which leads to improved guest satisfaction.
I believe that this article focused on an extremely important issue during this time in our industry. With identity theft being such an important issue for many people, these new POS systems are a great edition. I used to be a server at a restaurant and I used to wonder how people feel so comfortable giving a person their credit card and having them walk away with it. Now that many guests have realized what can happen in the 2 minutes that the wait staff is gone with their credit card it has raised concern. With the addition of these new POS systems it will put the guests at ease because the credit card will be right in front of them the entire time. This not only is an advantage to the customer, but is an advantage to the wait staff as well because it will increase their efficiency. In most restaurants there are limited amounts of POS systems which slows down the work flow because it takes time to reach these POS systems and there may be other employees at the systems which causes employees to have to wait. I think that these new POS systems are great and they will improve guest's satisfaction. The article also explained the new printer that will be coming out shortly. These new printers will also improve the efficiency of the restaurant by taking multiple steps and turning it into one. This new technology will drastically improve drive thru's and take out orders. Since this part of our industry is growing so rapidly it is important that new technology is applied in order to keep guest satisfaction high.


Rubinstein, ED(2007, June). Swipe, Print, Sign and Go!. Hospitality Technology.
http://www.htmagazine.com/HT/archive/0507/toc_may07.shtml#

Blog Assignment #1

This article written by George Koroneos describes how hotels have adapted to serve the business travelers that stay with them. Hotels all over have increased technology in order to attract business travelers to stay with them. They have realized that these business travelers need to keep working while they are traveling. New technology such as wireless Internet, fax machines, and printers are now available for the business travelers. These new amenities that are available come at a cost to the business traveler, but if it will help them get their work done then they will pay it. An example of one hotel that has gone entirely wire less is the Hilton in New York. They have been able to put wireless access into every room in the hotel at a fee of $9.95 for 24 hours. These hotels also introduced business centers inside their buildings that allow the guests to feel like they are in an office. These business centers are fully equipped with almost everything a business traveler would need including Internet access, faxes, printers, and computers with essential software. Another feature that these hotels are offering is the printing of boarding passes. These business travelers are usually on a time schedule and they do not want to be held up at the airport. With hotels being able to print put boarding passes it saves the traveler some time and hassle that they would go through in the airport. This feature is very attractive to business travelers when they are choosing a hotel. The last adaption that hotels have made is tracking who their frequent guests are and making sure that they are taken care of. They do this the same way airlines use frequent flier miles, which makes the guests continue to use the same hotel.
I believe that these hotels had to start catering to these business travelers because they are such a large part of our business. By adding these new technologies to our hotels it attracts more business travelers to stay with these hotels. I have noticed this change when I have stayed in hotels recently. Almost every room I have been in the last year has had a desk with an Internet connection nearby. These new technologies have changed the way that these business travelers are able to travel because they are able to work right through their stay. Years ago when a hotel wanted to advertise what amenities they have it would be mostly leisure amenities such as pools, saunas, and fitness centers. Most hotels still offer these amenities but I have realized that they are not advertised as much as wireless Internet or other technologies. These hotels have changed into second offices for business travelers who have to travel frequently for business. I believe that this is only the beginning of the process as well. Now that hotels have realized that this is an efficient way of attracting new customers I believe that there is no limit to what new technologies will be offered in the future.
Koroneos, George (2007, January/February). Catering to the business Traveler. Hospitality Publication
http://www.htmagazine.com/HT/archive/0207/toc feb07. shtml#

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