Blog 5: Hotel 1000 Takes Tech to New Levels

Abigail A Lorden. Future Proof: Hotel 1000 Takes Tech to New Levels. June 6,
2008.

http://www.htmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.aspsid=&nm=&type=MultiPublishing

&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=3E19674330734FF1BBDA3D67B50C82F1&tier=

4&id=45ACAADAC1B240D889BD783A5A39A62C


MTM Luxury Lodging operates 8 properties all across the United States, but
when building Hotel 1000, they new that they were going to need to get more
technologically savvy because of the city they were located in, which is Seattle.
After opening in 2006, the hotel quickly became the leader in RevPar in that
area. The property is now taking a look at the future and what other
technological advances they might want to have. A few of these include fiber
high speed internet for fast upload and download speeds, climate control, which
can detect movement among the room and adjust accordingly, more in room
entertainment including HD LCD televisions, iPod’s and laptops, and finally
improving staff communication property wide. The upgrade in staff
communication allows employees in the front line to instantly report to
maintenance or service. They will use a hands free badge, which has instant
voice and data communication. This system is much like using a hands free cell
phone, but more convenient and less expensive. All of these improvements
however are working towards a main goal of improved customer service for
technology throughout the entire hotel. Hotel 1000 wants to ensure that guests
have control and leverage over new applications and developments so that they
are the most technologically advanced.

I think that although Hotel 1000 is already the leader in RevPar in their area,
that they will continue to be even more popular and successful. I think is due in
large part to their differentiated product. Not many hotels in their area have
implemented these advanced technologies to the extent that Hotel 1000 has.
They have taken technology in hotel rooms to a new level, allowing employees
easier and more efficient communication, and allowing guests control and
leverage on their accommodations. The customer experience will be very much
enhanced by the new level of entertainment that is going to be placed in rooms
including the iPod and laptops. This alone will be a huge draw to the business
crowd. The high speed Internet will also help with customer satisfaction. Giving
employees in the back and front of the house easier communication paths will
speed up process that used to take longer. Overall, I think that Hotel 1000 is
obviously on the right path and now they just need to fine tune their property
and continue to make technological advances.

Blog 4- 5 Tips

Peter B Paasch. Know Your Tech Needs: 5 Tips all Franchisees Should Know

7/1/2008. http://www.htmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=

&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=3E19674330734FF

1BBDA3D67B50C82F1&tier=4&id=789124393E5E4344BD4EE65A81186CE1

This article explains the top 5 tips that franchises need to know for technology initiatives. The first one is to stay involved. It says that all companies need to regularly meet to discuss their technology updates. Next, understanding the technology is very important. Some research may need to be done to make sure your franchise is up to the franchisors standards and that everything runs smoothly. Next, the article says not to believe the hype. This means that companies can go ahead and implement other types of technology that will help the company without talking to the franchisor, but making sure the franchisor is up to date about what is going on in the end. The fourth tip is to be prepared. The article describes this tip as being up to date, keeping your CEO franchiser up to date, and understanding that needs to be done and preparing it before it is due. Finally, the fifth tip this article gives is that it is not all bad. This means that although many companies do the same thing, they are made up of different procedures and standards.

I think that all of these tips seem to be very helpful, but I think the article should have gone into a lot more detail on what specifically the tips mean. I think more examples could have been used to give a more clear view of what the author was saying. I do agree with the fact that companies and franchises alike need to be prepared in everything they do and be updated on all of the technology. By being updated, no problems can occur and everyone will know what is going on and the procedures to get their jobs done in a timely fashion.