Technology Strategies for the Hospitality Industry [Paperback]

Peter Nyheim (Author), Francis M. McFadden (Author), Daniel Connolly (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130305049 | ISBN-13: 978-0130305046 | Publication Date: March 8, 2004

Cutting edge in perspective, this is the first book to view Hospitality Information Systems as a source for business growth as opposed to a cost center. Exceptionally practical in approach, it explores current industry uses, and features case studies, industry interviews, and an interactive CD-ROM with current applications. Readers learn how to develop new business strategies and tools, including database marketing, redefining the product mix, and working within the new developmental structure of service sector organizations. Computing Essentials. Networking, Internet and Telecommunications. Applications in E-Commerce in Hospitality. RMS, POS, Catering Management, Convention Management. PMS and Back Office. CRS/QIS. Databases, CRM, Marketing. Strategic Hospitality Technology Investment. Electronic Media and Public Relations and Corporate Identity. Hospitality Technology as a Career. Advances in Hospitality Information Systems. For anyone working in the Hospitality industry.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Real-World Application

Through corporate involvement and detailed presentation, Technology Strategies for the Hospitality Industry is a partnership book between industry and academia, which provides the reader with a current and thorough text on the hospitality industry's technical side, in an easy-to-follow format.

Core Concepts and Industry Specifics

This eleven-chapter text is divided into two parts. Part one provides the future manager with a rock-solid foundation of technical themes from hardware and software, to networks and security. Part two details departmental-specific applications such as restaurant management systems and global distribution systems, as well as strategies for business intelligence and system procurement decisions.

About the Author

Peter D. Nyheim is an instructor of technology in Drexel University's Department of Hospitality Management.

Francis M. McFadden is an associate professor in Drexel University's Department of Hospitality Management.

Daniel J. Connolly is an assistant professor in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management, and Information Technology and Electronic Commerce at the University of Denver.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall (March 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130305049
• ISBN-13: 978-0130305046
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,006,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good and broad introduction to the technologies used today in the hospitality industry, June 8, 2006

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Technology Strategies for the Hospitality Industry (Paperback)

This is an interesting and basic book for those planning to work in the hospitality industry to become familiarized with the technology issues and information systems they are likely to encounter in their jobs. The book isn't on the sharpest cutting edge of technology, but in an introductory book like this, that matters much less. It is the broad subjects of each chapter that matter most.

The book is eleven chapters in two parts. The first part consists of four chapters on computing basics. They discuss IT based careers in Hospitality, using IT for competitive advantage, computing essentials, and networks & security.

The second part has chapters on e-commerce, restaurant management systems, property management systems & interfaces, hotel global distribution systems, databases, the power of information, and strategic hospitality technology investment.

One interesting feature is that each chapter begins with a short interview with an authority in the field of the topic the chapter discusses followed by a short introduction.

The authors do a fine job of keeping the techo-speak to a very minimum because this book is focused for hospitality industry people rather than computer jocks. However, it is about IT matters rather than sunblock and chlorination levels for the hotel pool. So, with that little caveat, have fun!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hospitality Technology Through a Firehose, June 16, 2004

By 

Worth Bishop (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Technology Strategies for the Hospitality Industry (Paperback)

This is an excellent beginner's guide to hospitality technology. It is a "Reader's Digest-on-Adkins-Diet" treatment but the authors hit some high points and de-mystify much of the jargon without bogging the reader down in too much information.

Each chapter begins with an interview of an industry luminary. While a tad superfluous, the interviews are a light-weight introduction of each topic, a reinforcement of the vocational pragmatism of the text and an attempt to humanize the subject matter.

The first two chapters are preachy but a good discussion of what IT (information technology) means in the context of hospitality and why one should care. For those just beginning their careers, or those who might have forgotten why we do what we do, they are worthwhile reading.

The balance of the book is a compendium of the major application sets specific to the industry - CRS, PMS, POS, CRM, MIS, EIS - and just in time to prevent TLA overload, includes segments on e-commerce (defined mostly as Internet purchasing methods) and a primer on how to specify, evaluate and acquire technology.

The authors are faithful throughout to the theme of technology for the sake of the business and emphasize strategic considerations at each turn. They reasonably stop short of defining or recommending specific business strategies, instead stressing the importance of aligning technology with the strategies of the organization as a whole.

Recommended reading for newbie's or baffled veterans trying to get their arms around IT hospitality concepts and issues.

(Review first appeared on Hotel-Online and in Hospitality Upgrade Magazine)

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid and worthwhile guide, if technically a little behind, July 26, 2004

By 

Jon Inge (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Technology Strategies for the Hospitality Industry (Paperback)

An excellent grounding in systems fundamentals and the principal hospitality industry applications, as well as on the use of information technology for strategic operational advantages, on how the power of data analysis leads to better informed management, and on making strategic investments in technology. The appendices on using IT for intelligent marketing, revenue management and distribution channel management are especially worthwhile. The pace of technology has left some of the technology specifics rather out of date, especially the chapter and appendix on interface standards, although the latter do give a good grounding on why inter-systems communications have been such a problem. Overall a very worthwhile addition to the available literature and highly recommended.