This requires an analysis of the following factors: the IT hardware and software used for my concept itself, the people with direct involvement in the information system, the process that those people follow in completing a business activity (i.e. how to invest), and the business’s structure, including its organisational design.
By focusing on customers’ use of a business wants/needs, I will need to first be able to determine who are the best customers to target, and then devise ways to encourage those good customers to become even better customers.
Examples of good customers: Medium to small hotel companies that understand that technology can facilitate and enable business growth. They believe in 'keeping it simple'. Companies such as .. which are often at the forefront of trialling new technology solutions, want to cut costs and therefore use ICT as the best method of doing so.
Examples of best customers: Large hotel companies that strategically lead the hotel industry. Companies such as the Four Seasons which prouds itself being no.1 in innovative marketing. They have the source of finance to support reasonable technological concepts, however, they are also conscious of the fact they offer/prime in personalised service. ICT vs. People. This may give them reason to ignore new technological developments, as they are doing so well with training people. How long can they keep this up for.. trends are changing are research indicates a noteworthy increase in SELF-SERVICE.
When designing my website I will take into consideration the points made in this article:
http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/content/article/easy_website_navigation_a_marketers_map/
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ICT to support my concept - IN ROOM TOUCH
Touchscreen Technology
What is a touch screen? A touch screen is a unique type of visual display device that allows the user to physically interface with the computer or other electronic device by touching the screen. Touch screens are simple to use, though they are comparatively expensive and to operate they require special software.
Chaffey et al. (2006) describes the touch screen as a pressure-sensitive, transparent covering that is attached to the screen of the monitor. Users control programs and make selections by pressing onto the screen.
HISTORY: 1971, Sam Hurst, an instructor at the University of Kentucky, invented the first touch sensor called the "Elograph." This very early version of a physical interface more closely resembled the touch pads on some older laptops; it was dark and non-transparent like modern touch screens. Hurst patented his sensor in 1972 and used it as the focal point of a new business called Elographics. In 1977 Siemens Corporation offered to financially support an effort by Elographics to produce the first curved glass touch sensor interface, later called a "touchscreen."
Source: http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bltouch.htm
Specific areas of the screen are defined as "buttons" that the operator selects simply by touching them. One significant advantage to touch screen applications is that each screen can be customized to reflect only the valid options for each phase of an operation, greatly reducing the frustration of hunting for the right key or function.
Source: http://bugclub.org/beginners/history/TouchScreen.html
---> This is a positive point towards my concept as I will be able to customize settings most appropriate for each individual investor.
Touch screens come in a wide range of options, from full color VGA and SVGA monitors designed for highly graphic Windows® or Macintosh® applications to small monochrome displays designed for keypad replacement and enhancement.
There are a variety of different touch input systems and displays. The following link offers more product information:
"Touch screens come in a wide range of options, from full color VGA and SVGA monitors designed for highly graphic Windows® or Macintosh® applications to small monochrome displays designed for keypad replacement and enhancement."
Source: http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.touchscreens.com/overview.shtml
Specific figures on the growth of touch screen technology are hard to come by, but a 1995 study last year by Venture Development Corporation predicted overall growth of 17%, with at least 10% in the industrial sector.
Source: http://bugclub.org/beginners/history/TouchScreen.html
Interactive kiosks and booking systems are common applications for touch screens states Chaffey et al. (2006). By pressing buttons or other controls shown on the screen, interactive kiosks allow a user to purchase items or browse through a list of products.
Futher research: The link below is a video showing how to install additional memory in to touchscreen computer systems. This memory is a great resource for the specialised touch requirements for hotel.
Video link:
http://www.elotouch.com/Support/TechnicalSupport/VideoInstruction/ram_on_15_17a2.asp
References:
Bocij, P., Chaffey, D., Greasley, A. & Hickie, S. (2008). Business Information Systems: Technology, Development and Management for the E-Business . (4th ed.). Harlow: Pearson Education.
Touch technology help non-tech industries improve business, efficiency, and their bottom lines.
"Hospitality: The Sheraton Hotels and Resorts has really embraced touch technology. The company, a unit of Starwood Hotels & Resorts (HOT) had implemented touch tables two years ago and now is in six hotels.
The touch table-tops were initially used just to listen to music and purchase items from the hotel, but Sheraton is now developing software that will better fit customer needs and demands, says Hoyt H. Harper, Sheraton’s senior vice president.
For instance, a new application will allow the touch table-tops to recognize items such as wine glasses so that customers can simply place their glass of sauvignon blanc on the table and the touch table-top will tell them about the wine, how it was made and what are the best food pairings from the bar. It’s been a great investment, says Harper who has seen customer satisfaction increase for guests who use the touch table-tops."
Touchscreen Technology
What is a touch screen? A touch screen is a unique type of visual display device that allows the user to physically interface with the computer or other electronic device by touching the screen. Touch screens are simple to use, though they are comparatively expensive and to operate they require special software.
Chaffey et al. (2006) describes the touch screen as a pressure-sensitive, transparent covering that is attached to the screen of the monitor. Users control programs and make selections by pressing onto the screen.
HISTORY: 1971, Sam Hurst, an instructor at the University of Kentucky, invented the first touch sensor called the "Elograph." This very early version of a physical interface more closely resembled the touch pads on some older laptops; it was dark and non-transparent like modern touch screens. Hurst patented his sensor in 1972 and used it as the focal point of a new business called Elographics. In 1977 Siemens Corporation offered to financially support an effort by Elographics to produce the first curved glass touch sensor interface, later called a "touchscreen."
Source: http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bltouch.htm
Specific areas of the screen are defined as "buttons" that the operator selects simply by touching them. One significant advantage to touch screen applications is that each screen can be customized to reflect only the valid options for each phase of an operation, greatly reducing the frustration of hunting for the right key or function. Source: http://bugclub.org/beginners/history/TouchScreen.html
---> This is a positive point towards my concept as I will be able to customize settings most appropriate for each individual investor.
Touch screens come in a wide range of options, from full color VGA and SVGA monitors designed for highly graphic Windows® or Macintosh® applications to small monochrome displays designed for keypad replacement and enhancement.
There are a variety of different touch input systems and displays. The following link offers more product information:
"Touch screens come in a wide range of options, from full color VGA and SVGA monitors designed for highly graphic Windows® or Macintosh® applications to small monochrome displays designed for keypad replacement and enhancement."
Source: http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.touchscreens.com/overview.shtml
Specific figures on the growth of touch screen technology are hard to come by, but a 1995 study last year by Venture Development Corporation predicted overall growth of 17%, with at least 10% in the industrial sector.
Source: http://bugclub.org/beginners/history/TouchScreen.html
Interactive kiosks and booking systems are common applications for touch screens states Chaffey et al. (2006). By pressing buttons or other controls shown on the screen, interactive kiosks allow a user to purchase items or browse through a list of products.
Futher research: The link below is a video showing how to install additional memory in to touchscreen computer systems. This memory is a great resource for the specialised touch requirements for hotel.
Video link:
http://www.elotouch.com/Support/TechnicalSupport/VideoInstruction/ram_on_15_17a2.asp
References:
Bocij, P., Chaffey, D., Greasley, A. & Hickie, S. (2008). Business Information Systems: Technology, Development and Management for the E-Business . (4th ed.). Harlow: Pearson Education.
******
Touch technology help non-tech industries improve business, efficiency, and their bottom lines.
"Hospitality: The Sheraton Hotels and Resorts has really embraced touch technology. The company, a unit of Starwood Hotels & Resorts (HOT) had implemented touch tables two years ago and now is in six hotels.
The touch table-tops were initially used just to listen to music and purchase items from the hotel, but Sheraton is now developing software that will better fit customer needs and demands, says Hoyt H. Harper, Sheraton’s senior vice president.
For instance, a new application will allow the touch table-tops to recognize items such as wine glasses so that customers can simply place their glass of sauvignon blanc on the table and the touch table-top will tell them about the wine, how it was made and what are the best food pairings from the bar. It’s been a great investment, says Harper who has seen customer satisfaction increase for guests who use the touch table-tops."
(Source: http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/11/09/touch-technology-a-round-up/)
Posted by Kim Thai, contributor
November 9, 2009 6:02 AM
From this extract, it can be seen that the Sheraton Hotels and Resorts has jumped on the idea of incorporating innovative ICT to increase guest satisfaction. They have kept their 'touch technology applications' in the public areas for the enjoyment of all users. With this concept, many people must have to wait their turn. I am preposing a touch screen monitor for each hotel room. Different to the extremely high-tech software offered by the Sheraton Hotels and Resorts.
Instead my concept In Room Touch product offers an interactive map supported by a company such as MicroMaps Interactive Map Software.
"MicroMaps is a unique online software solution which allows you to easily administer your own Interactive Online Maps or Virtual Tours to display. "
(http://www.micromaps.com/?gclid=CKiI156qpp4CFRGY2Aod6DoSmw)
Similarly, each hotel brand/chain that wishes to purchase this concept can create a virtual map for their hotel and surrounding local attractions.
