The rapidly growing number of devices that are connected to the Internet means that an ever-increasing part of a hotel’s working environment can communicate valuable, actionable information back to the management. Making use of this information to improve service quality – and the guest experience – is a fantastic opportunity, writes Greg Abbott of DataArt.

Every new innovation in front-of-the-house technology seems to be greeted with the fear that it will take the human element out of guest service, seen by many as the last true differentiator in our commoditized industry, writes Bernard Ellis of Infor. This does not have to be the case.

There are countless website solutions out there these days, you could go the SaaS route and pay a monthly subscription for your website, or you can hire an agency to make a website for your hotel, both have their pros and cons.

IDeaS Revenue Solutions, a leading provider of revenue management software solutions and advisory services, today announced the 2015 IDeaS Cornell Revenue Management Scholarship winners. Currently in its seventh year and offered in conjunction with The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, the scholarship is designed to help increase professional development opportunities in the field of revenue management.

Xn protel Systems are proud to have partnered with the 174 room and luxury villa Dream Hotel and Dream Beach Club in Phuket, Thailand for the supply of protel PMS, Xn POS, Xn CRS and Xn Materials Management

Agilysys, Inc., a leading global provider of next-generation hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that Suncadia, a Destination Hotel in Cle Elum, Wash., has selected a solution suite from Agilysys, including InfoGenesis® POS, InfoGenesis® Flex and rGuest® Pay, to streamline food and beverage operations, enhance guest service and provide secure credit card payment. Destination Hotels uses the solutions at several of its other properties, including: The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, N.C.; Quirk Hotel in Richmond, Va.; The Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Town and Country Resort & Convention Center in San Diego.

Newmarket® an Amadeus® company, has opened registration for its 2016 annual Customer Conference. As the proven business solutions provider for empowering hospitality organizations to lower costs and increase revenue, while improving customer satisfaction and guest loyalty, the 2016 Customer Conference is an annual global gathering of customers and partners to learn, network, share, and inspire.

Springer-Miller Systems (SMS), the leading provider of guest-centric hospitality management systems, today announces the appointment of Michael McCarthy as President & CEO to lead the company into the next chapter of growth, innovation and customer satisfaction. McCarthy's operations experience and his solid track record of optimizing, transforming and growing vertical software businesses in a variety of industries will support Springer-Miller's continued success in delivering innovative technology solutions for the hospitality industry. With strong sales of Springer-Miller's fully- integrated, resort- focused SMS|Host Hospitality Management System and the new cloud application, ATRIO PMS, Springer-Miller Systems continues to lead the hospitality technology industry in guest-centric hotel property management systems. Over 70% of the world's Forbes Five-Star spas utilize Springer-Miller's SpaSoft Spa Management System which continues to offer new and innovative technologies to help spas increase bookings and manage their business effectively. "It's an exciting time to be delivering technology products to the global hospitality industry. We have a tremendous opportunity to build on the enviable Springer-Miller Systems brand," commented Michael McCarthy, President & CEO of Springer-Miller. "I look forward to leading this talented team toward continued growth and innovation as well as working with all of our hotel, resort and spa customers around the globe." Previously, McCarthy was responsible for Dealertrack Technologies Canada (TRAK: NASDAQ), a financial technology company in the auto sector recently acquired by COX. In addition to holding senior roles at both D+H (DH: TSX) and Scotiabank (BNS: TSX) Michael has worked as a Venture Capitalist and Management Consultant in the technology sector. He has sat on the boards of fourteen entrepreneurial software companies with several successful exits. About Springer-Miller Systems Since it was founded in 1984 in Stowe, Vermont, Springer-Miller Systems has been an innovator for the finest hotels, resorts and spas worldwide. Springer-Miller offers the SMS|Host Hospitality Management System the first guest-centric property management system, and SpaSoft®, a fully integrated, dynamic activities management/scheduling software solution. Springer-Miller has led the move to cloud technology with the ATRIO® PMS, next-generation property management technology that is revolutionizing the industry by moving hospitality to the cloud, creating a new user experience and a new way of doing business. Visit www.springermiller.com for more information.

There has been quite a hype lately around beacons, in particular since HRS has invested 10m in this technology, which is supposed to improve the customer experience in the hotels. But what is behind all this? The beacon technology allows hotels to identify their guests via an app, e.g. a receptionist can see the guest's profile on a tablet when he enters the lobby. This enables a personalized welcome experience and service. Sounds great in theory, but what about reality? Is the beacon technology the ultimate solution for the hospitality industry? And what actually is a beacon?

Springer-Miller Systems (SMS), the leading provider of guest-centric hospitality management systems, today announces that The Riverhouse Hotel & Convention has chosen the SMS|Host Hospitality Management System for their 221 room hotel and conference center in of Bend, Oregon. Set on the banks of the beautiful Deschutes River, the Riverhouse Hotel and Conference Center offers a base camp for Central Oregon explorers to enjoy while taking advantage of the extension recreational opportunities in the high desert. With a $10 million dollar renovation underway and a brand new restaurant coming in early 2016, the Riverhouse provides a memorable Central Oregon experience. With over 36,000 feet of meeting space, the Riverhouse can accommodate groups from 5 to 1,500 guests. The SMS|Host Hotel management system allows the Riverhouse to provide each guest a seamless service experience across all aspects of their stay. Using Springer-Miller's Identification Document Scanning and Signature Capture, the Riverhouse can efficiently and quickly check guests into the property. They will ensure the highest level of credit card security for their guests with the use of Springer-Miller's Secure Payment Systems. The Riverhouse Hotel will take advantage of Springer-Miller's 24/7 "follow the sun" global support system with operations centers in Las Vegas, Toronto, Kuala Lumpur, and London to ensure a worry-free technology experience. The Riverhouse Hotel will utilize Springer Miller's Springboard e-learning system as time efficient and cost effective way to ensure that their Team stays on top of new features as they are introduced to the system. "We wanted a PMS that could manage our entire resort from rooms, dining, and our conference center. Integration of our systems was a key decision point to install SMS|Host. We knew that Springer-Miller's 30 years of experience in hospitality technology would be a benefit to our entire organization," commented Rick Takach of Vesta Hospitality, property owner and management company of the Riverhouse Hotel and Conference Center. "The Riverhouse represents a complex full-service resort that best compliments the full suite of integrated features the SMS|Host Hospitality Management System," has to offer commented Victor Vesnaver, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing for Springer-Miller Systems. "We're delighted to welcome the Riverhouse to our impressive list of customers from around the world and look forward to helping them deliver unrivaled service levels through our products." About Riverhouse Hotel and Conference Center The Riverhouse Hotel & Convention Center is a 221-room full- service hotel and 36,000-square-foot convention center located in Bend, Oregon, overlooking the picturesque Deschutes River. Established in 1974, Riverhouse provides deluxe riverfront accommodations and extensive meeting facilities with state-of-the-art audiovisual technologies. Riverhouse is surrounded by beautiful walking and hiking trails around the Deschutes River and is ideally situated near Bend's numerous retail districts and breweries, and just a short drive from the famed Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort. For reservations and information, visit www.riverhouse.com or call (866) 453-4480. About Springer-Miller SystemsSince it was founded in 1984 in Stowe, Vermont, Springer-Miller Systems has been an innovator for the finest hotels, resorts and spas worldwide. Springer-Miller offers the SMS|Host Hospitality Management System the first guest-centric property management system, and SpaSoft®, a fully integrated, dynamic activities management/scheduling software solution. Springer-Miller has led the move to cloud technology with the ATRIO® PMS, next-generation property management technology that is revolutionizing the industry by moving hospitality to the cloud, creating a new user experience and a new way of doing business. Visit www.springermiller.com for more information. ###