ProfitSword, a leading developer of business intelligence and data integration software for the hotel industry, announces the addition of 126 properties from six hotel management companies to its current roster of hospitality customers during the first quarter of 2018. These numbers represent a 74 percent increase in growth rate over the prior year's sales pace, positioning ProfitSword as a leading provider in hospitality data management, as it continues to experience strong company growth in the hotel sector."Data integration is continuously evolving and has become a top priority for efficient hotel management. Hoteliers continue to adopt new technology systems and solutions that require the use of effective data management and integration tools to get the most out of their data," says Colin Findley, VP of business development at ProfitSword. "We develop and deliver exceptional data management and finance management solutions to all of our clients, and strive to ensure that the most effective management tools are available to streamline their hotel operations."Providing the hospitality industry with a comprehensive suite of software applications dedicated to efficient and effective data management and integration, ProfitSword's platform consists of ProfitSage, ProfitWizard, ProfitPace and ProfitPlan. These cost-effective tools are specifically designed to help business professionals better manage their data for faster and more well-informed decision making, as well as detailed reporting.A solution developed to effectively manage sales data, ProfitPace allows businesses to efficiently monitor sales team efforts to ensure that the company is on track to achieve individual and company sales goals. It also allows for the comparison of sales pace to forecast, budget, prior years and same time last year trends. ProfitSage provides hoteliers with a user-friendly tool that integrates with standard business operation platforms for data collection and management. Using ProfitPlan, hoteliers can incorporate stylized report templates to produce several types of reports required to manage daily tasks and information. ProfitSword's data analysis tool, ProfitWizard, combines business intelligence, decision support, performance management and ad-hoc reporting for efficient analysis of data."We ended 2017 strong with revenue growth nearly 20 percent over 2016. However, with such a successful Q1 in 2018 and a pipeline that is expanding daily, we are excited to see where the rest of the year takes us," adds Findley. "We continue to grow our market share in the hospitality industry around the globe due to our innovative software systems aimed at making data, operational and financial management easier and more efficient for everyone involved."For more information on ProfitSword's portfolio of business intelligence optimization tools, please visit www.profitsword.com.

PITTSBURGH -- Aptech Computer Systems announced Miami-based MDM Hotel Group implemented the Execuvue Hospitality Business Intelligence System to automate data gathering, performance reporting and analysis for its portfolio of hotels. MDM is a respected developer that operates full service Marriott and independent properties and commercial businesses in South Florida. Aptech is the leading provider of business intelligence, budgeting and forecasting, and enterprise accounting hotel software systems. Click here for more on Aptech's products and services.Cam Troutman, Aptech vice president, said, "MDM Group is a dynamic operator that is literally revitalizing much of South Florida. Marriott International awarded MDM its 2016 Partnership Circle Award for being the top owner and franchise company. Aptech congratulates MDM Group's management and property teams for their effort and is grateful to be a MDM technology provider." MDM utilizes Aptech's full suite of financial hotel software solutions. In addition to selecting Aptech's Execuvue Business Intelligence System, MDM Group also employs Aptech's Targetvue Budgeting and Forecasting, and Enterprise Back Office Accounting for its five hotels.MDM Hotel Group owns and operates some of Miami's most renowned hotel properties including the JW Marriott Marquis Miami in the heart of downtown, Hotel Beaux Arts Miami, JW Marriott Miami on Brickell Avenue, the Miami Marriott Dadeland, Courtyard Miami Dadeland as well as the planned Marriott Marquis Miami Worldcenter Hotel & Expo Center currently under development.Aptech Computer Systems is both an IBM and Prophix Business Partner offering Execuvue web-enabled Business Intelligence, Targetvue Budgeting and Forecasting, and PVNG Enterprise Accounting systems that are 100% hospitality specific. Aptech is the only company that provides a complete suite of financial management and analysis solutions for the hotel industry.About MDM GroupFounded in 1990, MDM Group's vision has been driven by a desire to bring the highest quality amenities and brands to underserved urban markets including what is the neighborhood around Dadeland Mall, Brickell Avenue and most recently, Miami's downtown core. Soon it will embark on another game changing project, the development of the Marriott Marquis Miami Worldcenter Hotel & Expo Center within the Miami Worldcenter project in the Park West area of downtown Miami. For more information visit www.mdmusa.com.About Aptech Computer Systems, Inc.Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only provider of a fully integrated enterprise accounting, business intelligence and planning ecosystem to the hospitality industry. All of its clients are companies like yours, which own or manage hotels. Its solutions help customers at both the corporate and property levels understand their financial and operational data for faster goal achievement.The company is renowned for introducing business intelligence into the hotel industry, and offers a solid resource of hospitality professionals. Aptech is an IBM Software Value Plus partner and Premier Solution Provider, as well as a Prophix Premier Business Partner.Incorporated in 1970, Aptech's state-of-the-art back office, true business intelligence and enterprise planning solutions are 100% hotel specific. Solutions include PVNG, Execuvue, and Targetvue. Clients comprise over 3,500 properties - including large chains, multiple-property management companies and single-site hotels. Execuvue is registered to Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective holders. For more information please visit www.aptech-inc.com.

Daniel Johnson, Partner/Co-founder of VENZA, designed this survey to assess the level of compliance and awareness of organizations in the hospitality industry. Questions not only cover basic demographics, such as country and organizational size but also measure concern about fines and expenditures for compliance and gauge awareness about individual articles that impact the hospitality industry. This survey also identifies the level of urgency among organizations, if any, before this regulation goes into effect.Daniel brings to this survey extensive knowledge of the GDPR, having just co-chaired the HTNG GDPR Work Group, through which approximately 50 industry colleagues produced a hospitality-focused GDPR white paper and an accompanying self-assessment tool. These materials will provide organizations within the hospitality industry significant assistance in their preparation for the GDPR. Daniel also helped to architect hotel data flow charts as a member of the HFTP GDPR HDPO Task Force. These flowcharts illustrate data flow scenarios for the guest journey, third parties that provide hospitality services, and more.With numerous keynote speaking engagements already completed for this year, Daniel has had many opportunities to ask hoteliers about their GDPR preparedness. What will VENZA's confidential survey reveal about these same hoteliers and their level of concern for protecting European data subjects? Find out by taking part in this survey and reading the results in the summer edition of Hospitality Upgrade Magazine!The survey will be available from April 9-30, 2018. Participants will not be required to provide their names to take part in the survey, so all answers will remain confidential. Please click this link now to participate.Upon completion of the survey find out more about GDPR at these webinars scheduled for two sessions daily on April seventeenth and eighteenth with times for both Eastern Standard Time and Central European Time. You can access specific times and register for webinars by going to www.venzagroup.com/event/. All webinars will have a question and answer session at the end to help clarify any of the material covered. No two webinar sessions will be identical, so feel free to sign up for multiple sessions.About VENZADrawing on decades of experience, VENZA can help organizations mitigate their data security vulnerabilities and ensure compliance, keeping guests and their data safe from breaches. By delivering a security solution for readiness, reassurance and response, VENZA offers 360-degree visibility for proactive management of risks--so users can focus on guest service and building trust in their brand. Better visibility means better defense. Know the risks, protect the enterprise with VENZA.More than 100+ countries look to VENZA for tools, technology, and strategic security support. Founded in 2008, VENZA is a privately held company, headquartered in Roswell, GA. For more information, please call 770.685.6500 or visit VENZAgroup.com.

With the May 25, 2018, deadline for GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) quickly approaching VENZA is hosting four free webinars for the hospitality industry. Daniel Johnson, Partner/Co-founder will be guiding you through key aspects of the regulation and how GDPR impacts hoteliers who either solicit bookings from Europe-based persons ("data subjects") or who monitor their behavior.The coming enforcement of Europe's data protection law, demands that both hoteliers and their information system partners take a hard look at how guest data is processed. Roles determine responsibilities. Responsibilities convey obligations. Failures to meet obligations carry consequences.Earlier this month, Johnson co-chaired HTNG's GDPR Work Group consisting of around 50 industry colleagues to produce a hospitality-focused GDPR white paper with an accompanying self-assessment tool. These materials help the industry prepare for the GDPR. Also, as a member of the HFTP GDPR HDPO Task Force, Daniel helped architect hotel guest data flow charts. This set of flowcharts illustrate data flow scenarios, involving parties providing hospitality services, steps of the guest journey and more.The webinars are scheduled for two sessions daily on April fourth, seventeenth and eighteenth with times for both Eastern Standard Time and Central European Time. You can access specific times and register for webinars by going to www.venzagroup.com/event/. All webinars will have a question and answer session at the end to help clarify any of the material covered. No two webinar sessions will be identical, so feel free to sign up for multiple sessions.Find out how GDPR will impact your organization before the upcoming May deadline by registering for a free webinar.About VENZADrawing on decades of experience, VENZA can help organizations mitigate their data security vulnerabilities and ensure compliance, keeping guests and their data safe from breaches. By delivering a security solution for readiness, reassurance and response, VENZA offers 360-degree visibility for proactive management of risks--so users can focus on guest service and building trust in their brand. Better visibility means better defense. Know the risks, protect the enterprise with VENZA.More than 10,000 organizations in 100+ countries look to VENZA for tools, technology, and strategic security support. Founded in 2008, VENZA is a privately held company, headquartered in Roswell, GA. For more information, please call 770.685.6500 or visit VENZAgroup.com.About GDPR Essentials Powered by VENZA and facilitated by our approved coaches, GDPR Essentials informs your GDPR task force and aligns them to the tools and documents they need for compliance.Coaching Clinics cover vital topics, both legal and technical. Conducted over multiple sessions, each Clinic affords participants practical, hands-on guidance from a GDPR expert.Small-group formats foster peer-to-peer sharing and serve as a cost-effective solution for organizations adverse to expensive, one-on-one consulting fees.Topics include:Revising legal agreements (i.e. MSAs, SLAs)Revising data processing agreementsData mapping and risk identificationThe mechanics of consent managementDesignating a Data Protection Officer (DPO)And many more...Post-Clinic, custom Field Guides serve as practical and invaluable DIY resources. Documentation Platform A repository of indispensable documents and templates such as:Checklists and ToolsDocumentsPoliciesDIY! -- Users can customize the documents.Program CoordinationSuccessfully addressing the GDPR's legal, technical, and operational requirements demands organizational coordination. The VENZA Customer Success Team helps with schedules, reminders, and communications.

The new accounting standards require the entity designated as the principal in the sales transaction to record the revenue on a gross basis. The principal controls the good or service before that good or service is transferred to the customer. In the current hotel - OTA relationship, the hotel is the principal, since it is the entity responsible for providing accommodations to the guest. The price of the hotel room sold by the OTAs is determined and enforced by the hotel via rate parity clauses in the agreements with the OTAs, so that the OTAs do not take any inventory risks.These new standards stem from The Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) revised guidelines for recording revenue. A private, non-profit organization, FASB is the ultimate accounting standard setting institution in the United States. Its primary purpose is to establish and improve generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) within the United States in the public's interest. The FASB's Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606 contains these new revenue recognition standards, effective 1 January 2018 for public companies, and no later than 31 December 2019 for all other companies. The new accounting guidelines clarify how revenue should be recognized for goods and services. Additionally, the American Hotel & Lodging Association's Financial Management Committee has followed suit and issued guidance on the new revenue recognition standards' effect on the hotel industry. The Financial Management Committee, too, has provided a modification to the Uniform System of Accounts (USALI) related to gross versus net revenue accounting, incorporating the new revenue recognition standards.How is OTA revenue being recognized today?There are two prevailing OTA business models that affect how revenues are being recognized at the present:Agency/Retail Model: The guest reserves the hotel with the OTA but pays at the hotel. This is the traditional travel agency commission model: the hotel collects the face value of the reservation (room rate + local taxes), recognizes this gross amount as revenue, and pays the OTA a commission, which is recorded as COGS (Cost of Goods Sold). The new standards will not affect this agency model.Merchant Model: The guest both reserves and pays for hotel accommodations with the OTA. In turn, the OTA deducts its commission from the gross amount collected and pays the hotel the net amount (room rate minus commission). The hotel recognizes this net amount as revenue, and the OTA commission does not get recorded as COGS and in any way in the hotel's profit and loss (P&L). Currently, recognizing revenue from the OTAs as "net" inevitably lowers ADRs and RevPARs, but the true effect remains "hidden," since net OTA revenue is bundled with gross revenue (direct and OTA). The new standards call for the "gross" OTA revenue to be recognized in the property P&L and not the net as it is done currently, and the commission collected from the OTAs to be recognized as COGS. How will the new OTA revenue recognition standards affect the industry?The new OTA recognition standards will have a negative impact on hotels that are overly reliant on the OTA Merchant Model. This will result in:Recognition of higher COGSHigher franchise fees under the current franchise agreement model, where fees are calculated as percentage from the gross room revenueHigher management fees under the current agreement structuresLocal taxes such as occupancy and room taxes, CVB marketing contributions, etc., which are typically calculated as percentage from the gross room revenueUltimately, lower profitabilityAll of this will impact properties and lead to an increased recognition of their reliance on OTAs, since all of the OTA commissions (agency/retail and merchant) will be reflected as COGS in the property's P&L. Why higher distribution costs are detrimental to any hotelAs one of the main cost drivers for properties, distribution costs have been rising steadily over the last six years. This is due to OTAs increasing market share by over 40%, in comparison to hotel direct bookings (Kalibri Labs). Now, adding the OTA commissions from OTA Merchant Model bookings to the COGS line item in the property P&L will show the true cost of OTA distribution; this will generate a number of issues for managers, leading to difficult conversations with ownership.With the exception of distribution costs, hoteliers have very little leverage over the six main cost drivers in hotel operations:Labor CostsDebt ServiceFranchise FeesReal Estate TaxesUtilitiesDistribution CostsThe importance of these cost drivers varies, and largely depends on the size of the hotel, condition of the physical plant, whether the property is branded or independent, amount of debt, and geographic location. However, distribution costs have been rising at a rapid pace across all properties.What can hoteliers do to soften the negative P&L impact of the new OTA revenue recognition standards? The new OTA revenue recognition standards will force hoteliers to finally take OTA distribution costs seriously. There is only one approach to lowering OTA distribution costs: Invest smartly in the property's direct booking strategy and focus on shifting share from the OTAs to the direct channel.Across HEBS Digital's hotel client portfolio, the average direct booking distribution cost is 4.5%, including website cost amortized over 36 months, full-service digital marketing costs (SEM, SEO, online media and retargeting, social media, email marketing, smart data marketing), consulting and strategy services. Compare this to an average OTA commission for independent properties of 18%-25%.Here are the most important action steps for hoteliers to consider:1. Adopt a "Direct is Always Better" Top-Down StrategyAdopt a company-wide "Direct is Always Better" strategy with the primary goal of generating more direct online bookings and shifting share from the OTAs to the direct channel. Without such a strategy, the property ends up with under-staffed and under-budgeted direct online marketing efforts, bandwidth and focus.Who at the property "owns" the website and its results and performance? Whose salaries and bonuses are determined by the website's revenue and ROI? Who is incentivized when the market share needle is moved from OTAs to direct online bookings? Most properties and hotel companies do not have clear responsibilities and incentives assigned to direct online channel production, resulting in a very muddled --but convenient for some--picture of channel contribution, ADRs, and distribution costs.When the property embraces a "Direct is Always Better" strategy, the on-property team sets a primary goal of generating as many bookings as possible via the direct online channel, by far the most profitable channel today. The team can then work together to seize market share from the OTAs as a united front. A comprehensive strategy should include direct booking share benchmarks and objectives, employee responsibilities, performance compensation tie-ins and bonuses, guest "book direct" value adds, and more.Educating the property staff that direct guests are the best guests and empowering them to be responsible corporate citizens are key steps to the overall strategy. "The Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) of direct guests is far greater than CLV of guests acquired via OTA," confirms Michael Harris, VP of Ledgestone Hospitality, LLC. "Direct guests' average length of stay is greater, net profit is better, therefore CLV is also bound to be greater."2. Start Treating Direct Online Distribution Costs as... Distribution Costs:Currently, direct online bookings and their distribution costs come from the Sales & Marketing Budget, a line item in the property budget.Take into consideration Scenario A:An online travel consumer comes to the hotel website, likes the property location, product and services, but finds a better rate on Expedia and books there. The distribution cost is either not reflected in the P&L at all if this is a merchant booking, or goes under COGS/Travel Agency Commissions in the case of an agency booking. The COGS line item is rarely scrutinized, and has practically no budgetary limitation. On the contrary, any increase in the COGS line item puts a dent into G&A expenses, which limits direct distribution even further. This "unlimited commission potential" allows OTA bookings to grow unrestrained by the property budget, at the expense of direct online bookings.In Scenario B, this same online travel consumer comes to the hotel website, likes the property location, product and services, likes the rate and its inclusion of a unique value-add, and books there. The distribution cost (the prorated website and digital marketing expense required to engage, bring in and convert this travel consumer) comes out of the Sales & Marketing line item, part of the G&A expenses of the P&L, which is severely restricted and often subject to budget cuts.Same travel consumer, same booking dates, entirely different treatment of the distribution costs. Note the contradiction: The most cost-effective bookings--from the direct online channel at an average distribution cost (CoS) of 4.5%--are severely restricted by the property's sales and marketing budget, while the most expensive bookings--from the OTAs, with distribution costs of 18%-25%--are allowed exponential growth.The Sales & Marketing line item in the property budget for many properties also includes payroll for the sales and marketing staff. Why is that? "Pure" online advertising/marketing expenses necessary for generating direct online bookings should be separate from the payroll for sales and marketing personnel. Likewise, the Revenue Management team payroll should not be included in COGS/Travel Agent Commissions, but rather in the overall Payroll Expenses. Unless the property has a Digital Marketing Manager, fully dedicated to generating revenues via the hotel website and digital marketing, payroll for the sales and marketing staff should be treated as labor costs and made part of the general labor cost line item of the property budget.If we separate the actual advertising/marketing expenses, the majority of which now go to digital, it is very easy to determine the cost per direct booking (digital advertising/marketing expenses/website bookings) and easily compare this to the OTA distribution cost. Recognizing direct distribution costs as COGS will supplement the property's ability to adequately fund direct online channel efforts, boost bookings via the property website, and drastically decrease OTA dependency. Lowering overall distribution costs will allow the property to fund payroll and staff empowerment, renovations and product/services improvements, invest in human resources, and add a hefty chunk to the bottom line.3. Invest in Direct Booking-Generating Digital Marketing and TechnologyEndemic under-investing in direct online booking-generating technology and digital marketing has led to OTAs gaining 40% of the market share over the past five years.Have you visited your own property website lately? How did you feel about the experience? Have you visited your website via mobile and been frustrated by poor usability and download speeds? Did you know that according to Google, 53% of visits are abandoned if a mobile site takes longer than three seconds to load? When was the last time you ran a multichannel digital marketing campaign for your hotel? Are you engaging your past and future guests via smart data marketing, programmatic advertising and dynamic rate marketing?To achieve a level of real success and lessen dependence on the OTAs, hoteliers must invest adequately in the correct website and digital technology and marketing techniques to engage past, present, and future guests and drive direct bookings throughout the entire path to purchase.HEBS Digital has a comprehensive whitepaper on the subject. The Smart Hotelier's Guide to 2018 Digital Marketing & Technology Budget Planning is available for download and provides hoteliers with a concrete roadmap to jumpstart the property's direct bookings and guide its digital marketing and distribution strategy throughout the year. With so many moving pieces in a hotel's digital budget--enhancing the property website, revenue-generating technology, smart data marketing--it's important to create a strong plan that is realistic and aligned with your business goals.4. Adopt an Effective Merchandising Strategy to "Sell on Value" Vs. "Sell on Rate"The commoditization of the hotel product, in which hotels are forced to compete with the OTAs strictly based on rate, leaves hotels little opportunity to communicate the value of the hotel product to potential guests. The OTAs have mastered the "sell on rate" game, and hoteliers have little chance of winning this battle. To combat this, hoteliers need to re-learn how to "sell on value" as opposed to "sell on rate," and need to adopt an effective website merchandising strategy.The direct online channel offers limitless opportunities for the hotelier to present the hotel product and value proposition directly to the online travel consumer. A strong merchandising strategy is centered on communicating the unique features of the property (hotel services, meeting and event space, the latest promotions and special offers, local attractions, and more) and focuses less on the rate alone. A strong website merchandising strategy allows the hotel to showcase merchandising content on the prime real estate of the website--front and center of the visitor's attention--and personalize relevant content based on the user.Implementing a strong website merchandising strategy will maximize room bookings and revenue on the property website, generate group leads and RFPs, sell and promote the hotel services (dining, spa, etc.), engage and convert potential customers, and more. ConclusionThe new accounting standards for OTA revenue recognition call for the "gross" OTA Merchant Model revenue to be recognized and not the "net" as it is done currently, and the merchant commission collected from the OTAs to be recognized as COGS in the property P&L. These new standards will have the biggest impact on hotels that are reliant on the OTA Merchant Model and will result in lower profitability due to higher COGS, higher fees which contractually are calculated as percentage from the gross room revenue: franchise fees, management fees, etc., higher local taxes such as occupancy and room taxes, CVB marketing contributions, etc.In light of these new OTA revenue recognition accounting standards, lowering distribution costs by increasing direct bookings and shifting share from the OTAs should become the top priority for the hospitality industry in 2018. Direct bookings' distribution costs average around 4.5% (HEBS Digital client portfolio) versus OTA distribution costs of 18%-25%.How can hoteliers achieve that?By adopting a company-wide "Direct is Always Better" Strategy with the primary goal of generating more direct online bookings and shifting share from the OTAs.By recognizing direct distribution costs as COGS in the property P&L - in exactly the same way as OTA commissions, thus helping to adequately fund direct online channel efforts, boost bookings via the property website and reduce OTA dependency.By adequately investing in website and digital technology and marketing techniques to engage past, present and future guests and drive direct bookings.By adopting an effective merchandising strategy to "sell on value" versus "sell on rate," a strategy centered on communicating the unique features of the property (hotel services, meeting and event space, the latest promotions and special offers, local attractions, and more).

PITTSBURGH -- Aptech Computer Systems announced that Panache Management, LLC selected Aptech's Execuvue Hospitality Business Intelligence and PVNG Enterprise Accounting Systems. Panache will implement the solutions to streamline property data gathering, performance analysis, and centralize financial reporting for its eight hotels. Panache Management, LLC manages hotel brands with equity-interest. Its portfolio includes Hilton, Marriott, InterContinental, Choice, and boutique hotels.Aptech is the leading provider of hospitality business intelligence, budgeting and forecasting, and enterprise accounting hotel software systems. Click here for more on Aptech's products and services.Ed Ghanami, President of Panache Management, LLC said, "Aptech's systems are excellent compared to other systems we evaluated. Execuvue is more advanced at performance analysis and operational reporting. We will add properties in the future and Aptech's systems will easily support our expansion."Panache Management, LLC focuses on unique strategies for each property it operates. "Our management style is performance-driven," Ghanami said. "We look at guest feedback, revenue, and expense trends every day. We set specific goals through budgeting, market share strategies, and guest experience initiatives for each key result area. Aptech's PVNG accounting system and Execuvue allow us the opportunity to optimize performance and maximize profitability."Cam Troutman, Aptech vice president, said, "Panache Management, LLC is successful because it operates its properties by the numbers. The Execuvue Hospitality Business Intelligence and PVNG Enterprise Accounting systems delivered the numbers and analysis Panache's executive team looked for to extend their portfolio's success."Panache Management, LLC provides its leadership teams with relevant and timely reports to increase revenue, reduce operating expenses, and manage variances in advance in each profit center. "Because of Aptech systems' ease of use and functionality our team members are more engaged in analyzing cost and evaluating financial performance at a glance. This, combined with our operational expertise, enables our hotels to be profitable and market leaders. We do our job right." Ghanami said.Aptech Computer Systems is both an IBM and Prophix Business Partner offering Execuvue web-enabled Business Intelligence, Targetvue Budgeting and Forecasting, and PVNG Enterprise Accounting systems that are 100% hospitality specific. Aptech is the only company that provides a complete suite of financial management and analysis solutions for the hotel industry. About Panache Management, LLCPanache Management, LLC has been operating exceptional hotels in the South for many years. The company operates hotels under major brands. Panache Management, LLC is expanding its operations with a new full-service project in Fort Worth, Texas, and an extended stay hotel in Lafayette, Louisiana. The company's success based on its friendly employees, personal atmospheres, convenient locations, and cleanliness of its facilities.About Aptech Computer Systems, Inc.Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only provider of a fully integrated enterprise accounting, business intelligence and planning ecosystem to the hospitality industry. All of its clients are companies like yours, which own or manage hotels. Its solutions help customers at both the corporate and property levels understand their financial and operational data for faster goal achievement.The company is renowned for introducing business intelligence into the hotel industry, and offers a solid resource of hospitality professionals. Aptech is an IBM Software Value Plus partner and Premier Solution Provider, as well as a Prophix Premier Business Partner.Incorporated in 1970, Aptech's state-of-the-art back office, true business intelligence and enterprise planning solutions are 100% hotel specific. Solutions include PVNG, Execuvue, and Targetvue. Clients comprise over 3,500 properties - including large chains, multiple-property management companies and single-site hotels. Execuvue is registered to Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective holders. For more information please visit www.aptech-inc.com.

Duetto was founded in 2012 by CEO Patrick Bosworth, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer Marco Benvenuti and Chief Technology Officer Craig Weissman, the former CTO at Salesforce.com. The company's flagship software-as-a-service (SaaS) application, GameChanger, brought machine learning, new consumer-centric data and the breakthrough innovation of Open Pricing to the industry, enabling hotel companies to independently price all distribution channels, customer segments, room types and stay dates in real time. Duetto, headquartered in San Francisco and with offices in Las Vegas, Cleveland, London and Singapore, has quickly grown to serve more than 2,500 hotels and casinos in more than 60 countries. Those customers have consistently outperformed the market, beating their competition's rate of revenue growth by more than 6.5% since the launch of the company."As the pace of change has accelerated and the threats of digital disruption have grown, so have our efforts to help this industry we are so passionate about. We are pleased to have the support of Warburg Pincus, whose extensive experience in building SaaS businesses of scale will help drive our growth and provide solutions to more hoteliers worldwide," said Patrick Bosworth, co-founder and CEO of Duetto. "For more than a decade, hotel companies have been looking for ways to compete more effectively with online travel agencies and drive more direct business. By unifying data across the tech stack, our platform has become the single source capable of delivering true personalization to consumers. Hoteliers now have the ability to increase conversion and drive more direct engagement with consumers by personalizing pricing and merchandising at the point of booking.""Duetto has established itself as the market leader in the hotel revenue management space, providing its customers with next-generation solutions to optimize demand, maximize rates and minimize costs," said Ashutosh Somani, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus. "With its strong domain experience and deep cloud SaaS technology leadership, Duetto is uniquely positioned to bring new capabilities to the hospitality industry. We look forward to supporting Patrick and the Duetto leadership team in their next chapter of growth."Duetto's Revenue Strategy Platform brings together all core technologies and data to make them accessible through multitenant cloud architecture using AWS and MongoDB, enabling future innovations and new applications. The company's intelligent reporting application ScoreBoard forecasts and analyzes performance, delivering key insights to stakeholders across the organization. BlockBuster brings Open Pricing to contracted group business and enhances collaboration between the sales and revenue management teams. PlayMaker, the industry's first application to personalize the booking experience in real time, customizes merchandising content and offers for known and unknown guests."We want to modernize ecommerce in the hotel industry with our Revenue Strategy Platform at the center of the new hotel tech stack," said Marco Benvenuti, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer of Duetto. "Our cloud platform is open and agnostic and we look forward to partnering with other technology companies to unlock new ways of driving efficiencies and more revenue for the hotelier. With our agile development process, we will continually improve our core applications while looking to develop new products when there is a crucial industry need not being served."ABOUT WARBURG PINCUSWarburg Pincus LLC is a leading global private equity firm focused on growth investing. The firm has more than $44 billion in private equity assets under management. The firm's active portfolio of more than 150 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector and geography. Warburg Pincus is an experienced partner to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable value. Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 17 private equity funds which have invested more than $60 billion in over 800 companies in more than 40 countries. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Mauritius, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore. For more information please visit www.warburgpincus.com.

PITTSBURGH -- Aptech Computer Systems announced Urgo Hotels & Resorts selected its Execuvue Hospitality Business Intelligence, Targetvue Budgeting and Forecasting and PVNG Enterprise Accounting Systems. Aptech will automate data gathering, performance reporting and analysis, and accounting for Urgo's portfolio of properties. Aptech is the leading provider of business intelligence, budgeting and forecasting, and enterprise accounting hotel software systems. Click here for more on Aptech's products and services."We ran an extensive system evaluation process that explored many options. Aptech had the best products and services for our hotel company," said Kevin Urgo principal of Urgo Hotels & Resorts. "Urgo and Aptech are family businesses that share similar values and corporate cultures of service. They have a great team. I would recommend Aptech to any hotel company, large or small."Urgo Hotels & Resorts develops, owns and operates hotels and resorts and provides third-party management, asset management services, development, and acquisition services. It operates independent properties as well as hotels and resorts under several brands including include Marriott, Hilton, Choice Hotels, and Intercontinental Hotel Group. Urgo Hotels & Resorts currently operates 42 properties with approximately 12 properties in development.Cam Troutman, Aptech vice president said, "Urgo is an American success story. It is a strong, growing hotel company run by family members. As they develop new properties, Aptech is ready to expand with its portfolio. Our goal is to enable Urgo to make profitable business decisions based on accurate performance data."Aptech Computer Systems is both an IBM and Prophix Business Partner offering Execuvue web-enabled Hospitality Business Intelligence, Targetvue Budgeting and Forecasting, and PVNG Enterprise Accounting systems that are 100% hospitality specific. Aptech is the only company that provides a complete suite of financial management and analysis solutions for the hotel industry. About Urgo Hotels and Resorts Urgo Hotels is a Bethesda, Maryland-based hotel company that develops, owns and/or operates 42 distinctive and unique hotels and resorts with an aggregate of more than 4,900 rooms in major markets and resorts in the United States and Canada. The company develops, builds and operates for its own account, and provides third-party management and asset management services. For more information about Urgo Hotels and Resorts, please visit www.urgohotels.com.About Aptech Computer Systems, Inc.Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only provider of a fully integrated enterprise accounting, business intelligence and planning ecosystem to the hospitality industry. All of its clients are companies like yours, which own or manage hotels. Its solutions help customers at both the corporate and property levels understand their financial and operational data for faster goal achievement.The company is renowned for introducing business intelligence into the hotel industry, and offers a solid resource of hospitality professionals. Aptech is an IBM Software Value Plus partner and Premier Solution Provider, as well as a Prophix Premier Business Partner.Incorporated in 1970, Aptech's state-of-the-art back office, true business intelligence and enterprise planning solutions are 100% hotel specific. Solutions include PVNG, Execuvue, and Targetvue. Clients comprise over 3,500 properties - including large chains, multiple-property management companies and single-site hotels. Execuvue is registered to Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective holders. For more information please visit www.aptech-inc.com.

In just a few months, the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will require every hotel in the world to have guidelines in place that protect European Union (EU) residents' personally identifiable information against security breaches. Any hotel that does not comply after May 25, 2018, is risking heavy fines. Beekeeper, developer of a digital workplace app where operational systems and communication channels live within one secure and intuitive platform, announces that it is already GDPR compliant and its communication platform will protect company data."Our customers' right to privacy and ensuring that their personal data is secure, is Beekeeper's top priority," said Corey McCarthy, Beekeeper head of global marketing. "In April, we appointed Dr. Amir Ameri to the new position of Data Protection Officer, and he assembled a team to make sure every box got checked. A full year before deadline, we began assessing the impact of GDPR on Beekeeper. Today, we are proud to say that we are fully compliant. This was a labor-intensive undertaking, but our scramble is over. Companies still needing assistance can visit Beekeeper's GDPR Hub and follow our journey to compliance here."What Hoteliers Need to KnowHere are nine important facts that hoteliers need to know about GDPR:The GDPR is applicable to all hotels processing EU citizen's personal data, regardless of where it is located.Fines up to 20 million euros or 4% of annual global turnover (whichever is greater) may be levied in case of repeat and non-compliance to the regulation.EU citizens will have a right to approach the data protection authority of their choice when stating their complaint.Personal Data is defined with a wider scope, including social, mental, genetic, cultural, and economic data.The Right to be Forgotten will have an impact on hotel processes dealing with data collection, such as the purpose for obtaining the data. It will require advanced tools in dealing with search requirements.Privacy Impact Assessments will become mandatory and influence use of Privacy by Design principles to enhance both commercial and in-house developed tools, processes, and products dealing with Personal Data.Concept of Consent is reworked and made more stringent in its utilization.The Data Protection Officer (appointed internally or externally) becomes a mandatory role for any hotel or hotel company, or fines up to 10 million euros or 2% of global turnover may be levied.Incident Management and Notification for a data breach is standardized by the GDPR. A maximum of 72 hours is permissible before reporting becomes obligatory.Voice of Reason"GDPR is a far-reaching regulation and it has no limits to protecting personal data," Ameri said. "As a SaaS offering and recognized data processor, Beekeeper spent the last nine months implementing technical and organizational measures to ensure that our products and services will reduce risk for hoteliers significantly in the digital workplace."Ameri is an accomplished professional with more than 20 years of technical and leadership experience in operational risk management. He specializes in cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy fields in Swiss and international financial and banking sectors. After completing his Ph.D. dissertation in developing a framework for managing technology risks, Ameri completed his Master of Law to better position his understanding of the interaction between technology and legal and regulatory requirements."With the GDPR deadline on the horizon, hoteliers face a sprint of thorough internal evaluations to revamp policies around the collection, storage, or usage of EU resident personal data," Ameri said. "The financial implications of breaching GDPR are astronomical. We recommend mapping all data assets and appointing dedicated Data Protection personnel on a full-time or contract basis to properly oversee the adoption of high-caliber data protection processes and technologies."One of the best ways hoteliers can start their journey to GDPR readiness is by using a secure communications platform that is already compliant. Hoteliers with questions about implementing GDPR best practices should visit Beekeeper's GDPR Hub.

Both Priceline and Expedia continued to post some impressive growth numbers in their Q3 results, with double digit rises in gross bookings but these increases appear to come at an ever-increasing cost and concern is rising among investors. EyeforTravel's new reports into both Expedia and Priceline finds that investors are right to be concerned as this is a potential weakness for both companies that empowers potential rivals in the form of the main digital advertising giants Facebook and Google.Both companies saw soaring costs in 2016 continue into 2017 and appear to be trapped in a competitive spiral, focusing on matching increases in the other's marketing spend for fear of falling behind. In 2016, Priceline increased its brand advertising spend by 8% and performance advertising by 27%, whilst Expedia saw selling and marketing costs rise by 29%. Through the first three quarters of 2017, marketing spend by Priceline has grown by 22%. In percentage terms this matches a 22% increase in the broader 'selling and marketing' element of Expedia's costs across the same time frame. For the latter, selling and marketing costs now make up more than 55% of the company's overall costs, whilst Priceline's combined selling and advertising costs make up 70% of overall costs..There can be little doubt that the majority of this spend is heading over to Google, with Priceline appearing to be the more reliant on the search giant currently. Around three quarters of search engine traffic to Booking.com is generated via paid advertising, as compared to around half for Expedia. This also comes despite Expedia paying less in advertising than Priceline but is nonetheless a concern for both companies as Google continues to relentlessly but quietly ramp up its travel products.Not only are the two facing pressure from each other and the online travel agency market, but increasing pressure from their suppliers as well, as they try to recapture market share through book direct campaigns. Most of the major chains have initiated these alongside a broader consideration of what loyalty means in the industry. Combine this with a more combative regulatory environment in Europe, with wide price parity agreements being eroded, and what they will get is more competing forces for keywords and users' attention across a wider number of search terms.This has caused ripples on Wall Streets, with analysts focusing in on the growing costs and their effect on the bottom line as profit expectations are missed. After Q3 2017 earnings call for both companies, stocks plummeted, falling nearly 16% for Expedia the day following the call on 27th October and 13% for Priceline on 7th November. For Priceline this mimicked a similar stock drop following the Q2 earnings call, highlighting investor concerns.Investor concern is unlikely to dissipate as these two are reaching such gigantic proportions that their growth is likely to slow naturally anyway and there doesn't seem to be a way out of the marketing spend increases on the near horizon, with search engine marketing critical to their business models. Indeed, currently their ability to outbid almost any other player when required and their vast data regarding search term effectiveness currently makes this arena a competitive advantage for both players.Nonetheless, the question remains, at what cost? It will be critical to continue to monitor marketing spend for both over the coming years to see what the limits of sustainability and effectiveness are. As the competition intensifies across the digital travel space and tech giants eye travelTo preview and buy EyeforTravel's Expedia report, click here, or here for the Priceline report. These are part of the Future of the Online Giants series, which will cover Expedia, Priceline, TripAdvisor, Ctrip and Google. Keep a look out through EyeforTravel On Demand for the rest of these reports.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- In an ongoing effort to balance hospitality and security, the hotel and lodging industry is uniquely vulnerable to crisis, and notoriously difficult to regulate. The Las Vegas shooting that occurred on October 1, 2017, is a particularly formidable example of how a lighthearted vacation can quickly turn into a nightmare. Recent hurricanes experienced in Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico also had a major impact on the hospitality industry. The same goes for the earthquake that struck Central Mexico in September, and the wildfires that ravaged Northern California in October. This string of events is a mere microcosm of the types of situations that can wreak havoc on any hotel business.To help hotel employees think quickly on their feet in moments of danger or conflict, workforce communication company Beekeeper has released a White Paper designed to help navigate the essential preparation measure hoteliers should engage to ensure cross-organizational readiness in the event of a disaster. "Hotel Crisis Planning and Communications" will explore how internal communications strategies can be optimized by technology. To download the White Paper, which includes tips for accessing vulnerability, mitigating risk, and establishing a hierarchy of communications, click here."The main goal of any hospitality business is to give guests the ultimate experience and make them feel welcome and safe during their stay," said Andrada Paraschiv, Beekeeper Head of Hospitality. "Unfortunately, there are always unpredictable behaviors that can be challenging for hotel employees to manage while upholding their code of hospitality. While hoteliers can't predict the unpredictable, they can have a crisis communications plan in place - especially when emergency communication can be particularly challenging for non-desk workers whose roles do not require or facilitate a constant connection to a traditional email inbox. This disconnection often leaves employees without an easy way to hear organization-wide announcements, coordinate schedule changes, and even get emergency payroll access. During national emergencies, the need for having a reliable, robust, and technologically elastic digital workplace app on board becomes painstakingly obvious."Beekeeper digitizes the non-desk workforce by connecting operational systems and communication channels within one secure, intuitive platform. In a worst-case scenario, an internal communications platform will enable employees to react appropriately and professionally, rather than being taken by surprise.In the event of a natural disaster, violent crime or even a non-violent threat such as fraud or information hacking, knowing how to effectively communicate with first responders is imperative, as well as maintaining a calm and collected attitude when fielding questions from out-of-town guests. This White Paper will help hotels establish a crisis preparation process that will quickly become a best practice.

LOS ANGELES, CA -- InvoTech Systems Inc. announced the recent implementation of its Uniform System at the new Viceroy Chicago that opened September 1, 2017, located in the Gold Coast neighborhood. InvoTech Systems is the leading provider of advanced Linen Management, Laundry and Uniform Systems that integrate the latest RFID technology to increase profitability for hotels, resorts, casino operators, sports arenas, convention centers and theme parks. The InvoTech System installed at the Viceroy Chicago joins InvoTech System's extensive client portfolio of Hotels & Resorts worldwide. Click here for more information on InvoTech's Linen, Laundry and Uniform Systems.InvoTech's Uniform System establishes a perpetual uniform inventory and has extensive reporting capabilities to monitor inventory levels and forecast uniform purchases. The system provides significant cost saving benefits by cutting labor costs, eliminating losses, reducing purchases, and lowering laundry expenses. The uniform cleaning costs are entered into the InvoTech System and reports are provided to audit laundry expenses."Our team witnessed the Uniform System first-hand at our New York property. We wanted to start our uniform operations on the right track and provide cost savings benefits at our own property. We're looking forward to increasing efficiencies and operating costs in our uniform room," said Nienke Oosting, Hotel Manager at Viceroy Chicago.The RFID technology allows for multiple uniforms to be processed simultaneously and automatically, and the recordkeeping is also automated. The system integrates with automated uniform conveyors to distribute the uniforms to employees, and the system records which uniforms are taken by employees.The system includes an electronic signature capture terminal that records each employee's signature when uniforms are assigned. This increases accountability for the uniform department and facilitates a paperless "green" system.Oswald Lares, Director of Sales at InvoTech Systems, said, "InvoTech customers see an ROI in the first year by eliminating losses, monitoring laundry bills and reducing purchases. The InvoTech Uniform System instantly provides additional savings through increased efficiency. More than 500 properties worldwide rely on InvoTech's Uniform System to increase profitability through more efficient operations and processes."InvoTech has over 500 of satisfied clients worldwide in more than 30 countries, including hotels, resorts, casinos, theme parks, stadiums, arenas, convention centers, medical centers, cleanrooms, and laundries. Why InvoTech? Because major brands like Hyatt, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Hilton, MGM International, Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Universal Studios, LEGOLAND, Intel, Pfizer, Madison Square Garden, and Staples Center rely on InvoTech Systems to provide operational efficiency, full-accountability, and turn-key solutions for laundry, linen and uniform management. See what our clients are saying about us.About Viceroy ChicagoLocated in the exclusive Gold Coast neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, it houses a restaurant, rooftop bar, pool and lounge with beautiful views of the Great Lakes and Chicago's skyline. The hotel also includes meeting and event space. Seated in the region of historic buildings, the original Cedar Hotel's facade is intact for guests to experience Chicago's architectural past accompanied by its bold interior. Find out more here.