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286 hospitality information system
Bell. McDonald's alone has thousands of outlets, of
which the majority are in the United States.
ANDREW LOCKWOOD, UK
hospitality information system
Hospitality information systems are mechanisms
that deliver processed data to management to
facilitate the decision-making process. Much of the
information needed by management exists within
the enterprise. Some is required to be maintained
by law, and other data exists as a result of business
transactions entered into by the enterprise. Some
information exists within individuals and is not
available without involving that person in the
decision-making process. As the operation grows,
hospitality information systems become more
structured, requiring additional data production,
sorting and processing. With the increased speed
and capabilities of microcomputers, and the
reduced cost of hardware and software, hospitality
information systems are available to assist management
in many ways.
Centralised purchasing management systems
are available to create purchase orders that can
be immediately communicated to vendors. This
system works best for multi-unit organisations.
There are also products available to track inventory
and to compute theoretical sales. These systems
can automatically route requisitions and delivery
worksheets. Systems for recording food and
beverage sales continue to improve, offering not
only sales tracking data but internal control
features, such as remote printers at production
stations giving authorisation to release inventory.
Orders can be taken tableside by hand-held wands
or touch screens, eliminating the need for servers to
write down guest selections.
In the area of telecommunications, hospitality
information systems have proven to help enterprises
generate additional revenue through facsimile
machines, modem connections, conference
calling and videoconferencing. As technology
increases, this continues to be a growth area for
the industry. Hospitality information systems
provide entertainment to guestrooms through on
demand movies, video game and videotape rentals,
and premium channel selections. Security, a
major concern in tourism, is another area where
the systems have improved delivery of guest service
through key cards, security cameras and motion
detectors. Energy costs are also better managed
with hospitality information systems by controlling
heating and air conditioning.
Front office and back office accounting procedures
have been greatly enhanced by hospitality
information systems. The most visible to the guest
is the property management system which
helps the check-in and check-out process and stores
data on each guest. This, coupled with other sales
software packages, allows management to maximise
revenue through yield management.
See also: automation; computer reservation
systems; information technology
Further reading
Coltman, M.M. �1979) Financial Management for the
Hospitality Industry, New York: Van Nostrand
Reinhold.
STEPHEN M. LEBRUTO, USA
Hospitality Sales and Marketing
Association International
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association
International �HSMAI) provides education and
networking opportunities for its members on both
chapter and international basis. The Association
has members from numerous industry segments
such as hotels, hotel management companies,
convention and visitors bureaus, airlines, car rental
agencies, cruise lines, destination management
companies, and advertising and public relations
firms. HSMAI is located in Washington DC,
USA.
host and guest
TURGUT VAR, USA
Host and guest have multiple and largely similar
derivations, including the Latin hostis and the