Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
We have some exciting things planned this year. Initiatives that are going to impact all areas of our organization and the way our customers do business. We’re focusing on customer relations and service, employee loyalty (because we happen to think our employees are some of the best out there!), and sharing more of our story with the industry.
Through this blog and other industry-related activities, you’ll be learning more about the people that make up our organization and the experience and skill they bring to the table. You’ll hear more about new services and industry partnerships that will enhance our product and service offering. And, finally, you read about the ways we’re making a difference to our customers, their guests and their bottom lines.
Keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks for a major announcement regarding our product training and support. We’re getting ready to launch a new program that is going to change the way our customers experience their ReServe Interactive software, as well as help them take their user skills to the next level.
At ReServe Interactive, change is a good thing. Especially when that change has a positive impact on the way we do business for our customers. We look forward to sharing our plans for 2010 with you, so keep tuning in!
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, more than 343 million records with sensitive personal information have been involved in security breaches in the U.S. since January of 2005. And some statistics even claim that more than 55 percent of credit card fraud comes from the hospitality industry!* Wow. Those are some scary stats.
Today, when financial transactions are regularly conducted in an online environment, merchants can become easy targets for fraud. In many cases, it’s inadequate security on the business’s end that allows hackers to steal and use financial data from credit and debit card transactions and credit card processing systems.
With the prevalence of this type of activity, companies are scrambling to put the appropriate measures in place to protect their customers and themselves. Compliance with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) helps to eliminate a merchant’s vulnerabilities and protect important consumer data. Those companies that fail to fulfill the PCI compliance requirements and put the proper levels of protection in place can face massive fines, increased credit card processing fees, the inability to accept payment cards at all, and ultimately, closure – all devastating consequences.
Many of our customers, from hotels to restaurants, and caterers to convention centers, routinely gather, process and store sensitive customer financial data. Whether it’s using a consumer’s credit card to secure a deposit for an event, book a reservation, or simply pay an invoice, our customers are responsible for making sure that the financial data their guests share remains secure.
As their business partner, we are committed to providing them with the tools they need to become, and remain, PCI compliant. We understand the risks and the long lasting effects of non-compliance and we are not willing to take any chances.
*The PCI Compliance Process for Hotels, American Hotel & Lodging Association
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
I Googled the word ‘partnership’ and found this definition: ‘a relationship between individuals or groups that is characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility, as for the achievement of a specified goal’.
I love this definition. It says what we feel about our customers and our technology associates.
We’ve been committed, from day one, to being more than a vendor/supplier to a group of nameless, faceless individuals. We work hand-in-hand with our customers to make sure they have the right solutions they need and get the results they expect. We are intimately aware of our customers’ daily operations, ensuring that the product we provide is more than just a disk they install on their hard drive.
The key to this commitment is partnership. We need to work together with our customers to further develop our software in such a way that it continues to meet their changing needs. Partnership helps us to achieve this goal.
Two-way communication is an important part of the partnership. Not only do we need to hear from our customers, but we need to listen to their input. We need to share with our customers and keep them aware of our plans as we move forward. This mutual sharing of information makes all the difference.
When we choose to work with a technology partner, like Meeting Matrix or Club Soft, we keep the same ideas in mind – communication, openness to share and a willingness to listen. We want our technology associates to share similar philosophies and business practices so that the products and services we provide are consistent on all levels.
We believe in partnership. It impacts how we conduct business and how our long-term relationships are established.
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
A new year is upon us. Time to put the past behind us and look toward the future and all of the opportunity 2010 will bring.
2009 held many challenges that at times seemed overwhelming. In fact, there were times when it felt the year would go on forever in a constant state of instability and frustration. But the power of new beginnings is the opportunity to take the lessons you’ve learned from the past and apply them to the future. Each new year leaves us all a little wiser and more hopeful that things will be different from the get go.
2010 is only a week old and we are already hearing from prospective and existing customers telling us that they need to make changes this year. They’ve taken a look at the way they did business in 2009 and have found that they need new ways to become more efficient and productive. They’ve realized that automation can make all the difference this year. They need to work smarter and they want the tools to do so. And we’re more than happy to help!
We’ve developed a better process for catering, event management, dining reservations and table management. Our software is built on best-practice processes so it’s easy to improve efficiencies across entire organizations from the moment of implementation. Best of all, we’ve stood in their shoes and understand the challenges they face on a daily basis.
We believe in the power of new beginnings and want to help hospitality professionals start the New Year off right. Our customers work hard and they deserve for 2010 to be the best that it can be.
