HOTEL VISUAL PRESENTATION

Hotel Visual Presentation



Table of Content

Introduction3

Body & Discussion4

E-Commerce4

E-Commerce in TVU Hotel5

Factors Determining the Adoption Propensity for ICTs6

Extranet-Intranet Infrastructure9

Conclusion13

References14

Appendix16

Hotel Visual Presentation

Introduction

The aim of this report is to look at the possible implementation of Computer and information technologies at the Thames Valley University, London School of Hotel Training (TVU/LSHT). This has become necessary because the business has experienced a severe downturn in revenue since 2009 which has resulted in them experiencing trading losses and a lack of investment in both the business and the facilities. Consequently, it has been recognised that a new strategy needs to be devised; which will include the development of new facilities, the enhancement of existing facilities and the introduction of a hotel wide computerisation system which will maximise the hotels operational efficiency.This proposal will specifically present the Consultants vision for the effective and successful introduction of information technology within the TVU training hotel.

The purpose of this proposal is to explore the new and latest advances in hotel computer systems. As we proceed into the new century, computer technology will continue to affect the ways in which business is normally conducted. Benefits will accrue to hotel owners who embrace new advanced ways to collect, analyze, store and share information within an individual hotel and between hotels and corporate headquarters. The increasingly advanced, powerful, affordable computer systems and hotel-specific software products available today represent the raw materials that all hotels regardless of their size can use to effectively redesign the way they manage and handle their information.

There is a need for greater understanding of the internet model of information dissemination for hotels and hotel corporations to remain competitive (Parboteeah, 2009, 60). Hotels that can effectively use the internet as a distribution channel to differentiate themselves will realize an overall competitive advantage (Katner, 1997, 153).

While some use e-commerce and e-business interchangeably, they are distinct concepts. In e-commerce, information and communications technology (ICT) is used in inter-business or inter-organizational transactions (transactions between and among firms/organizations) and in business-to-consumer transactions (transactions between firms/organizations and individuals). In e-business, on the other hand, ICT is used to enhance one's business. It includes any process that a business organization (either a for-profit, governmental or non-profit entity) conducts over a computer-mediated network.

A more comprehensive definition of e-business is: “The transformation of an organization's processes to deliver additional customer value through the application of technologies, philosophies and computing paradigm of the new economy” (Kalakota, 1997, 99). Business-to-consumer e-commerce, or commerce between companies and consumers, involves customers gathering information; purchasing physical goods (i.e., tangibles such as books or consumer products) or information goods (or goods of electronic material or digitized content, such as software, or e-books); and, for information goods, receiving products over an electronic network.12 It is the second largest and the earliest form of e-commerce. Its origins can be traced to online retailing (or e-tailing).13 Thus, the more common B2C business models are the online retailing companies such as Amazon.com, Drugstore.com, Beyond.com, Barnes and Noble and ...