Introduction to Applied

Business Tools and

Technologies
 Lessons
 The applied business tools and technologies in the hospitality industry
 Challenges posed by technology in the hospitality industry
 Dimensions of technology in business
 What is Business Tool?

A business tool can be considered as any asset that helps or

assists the organization to achieve its stated aims or
objectives. There are various types of tools that may be
used in a business varying in size, complexity, danger, and
importance to the business operation.
 Defining a Business Tool
• Portable and Attractive Tool:
• This states that the item is portable and probably does not have a fixed location. It
also states they are attractive, meaning they could be a target for theft or excessive
use.
• Significant Small Tools:
• This is very similar as the item are small so they can be easily lost and they are
significant to the business
Regardless of the group name that is identified,
it is important to note that the tools must:
• Represent an investment to the business
• Require control as their use or loss can represent a significant cost to the business
• Will generally require training to prevent damage to the user or the business
• Are attractive in terms of cost and can be attractive to a potential thief
• Are often portable so they are susceptible to damage and loss as a direct result of
their portability and the exact location of a tool at any time may not be known.
 Examples of Common Business Tools
• Digital Cameras – still, moving, and in mobile telephones
• Mobile Telephones
• Pagers
• Scanners
• Photocopiers
• Notebooks
• Laptop
• Dictation Machines
 Examples of Common Business Tools
• Order Taking Handhelds
• Laser pens
• Keyboards
• Brochures
• Facsimile
• Landline Telephones
• Software
• E-mail
• Business web site
Chat Tools
Task Management Tools
Work and Time Tracking Tools (Productivity)
  
What is Business Technology?

• Business technology refers to the application of science, data engineering

and information for business purposes, such as achievement of economic
and organizational goals.
• The main element of technology is the idea of change, and how it can affect business
and society.
• That technology can be customer-facing applications and solutions, business-critical
production and logistics solutions, or back office financial systems, among others.
Whatever its use, all this technology should be managed professionally.
 Challenges Posed by Technology in the
Hospitality Industry
• Changing World: Challenges and Opportunities
• Global Dimensions
• Project Deserves Special Attention Within the Enterprise
• Unique Nature of Technology Projects
 Characteristics of Technology-Intensive
Projects
1. Value creation by applying technology
2. High task complexity, risks, and uncertainty
3. Resource constraints and tight end-date driven schedules despite tough performance requirements.
4. Highly educated and skilled personnel
5. Complex project organizations and cross-functional linkages
6. Technology used as a tool for managing projects
7. Replacement of labor with technology
8. Advanced infrastructure
 Characteristics of Technology-Intensive
Projects
9. High front-end expenditures early in the project life cycle
10. Low short-term profitability in spite of large capital investment
11. Changing markets, technology, and regulations
12. Intense global competition, open markets, low barriers to entry
13. Short product life cycles
14. Need for quick market response
15. Complex decision-making processes
16. Many alliances, joint ventures, and partnerships
  
Business Subsystems
 Dimensions of Technology in Business
• Ubiquity
• Global Reach
• Universal Standards
• Richness
• Interactivity
• Information Density
• Personalization/Customization
• Social Technology