Purpose of the project
We are doing this mini project so that we can understand how a huge and modern techonogy like ICT can change the hotel reservation system. In this project, we will describe what is ICT and how ICT can works in hotel system.
What is ICT?
ICT is the short form from Info-Communication Techonology is a technology network computers which lead to office automation, workflow, groupware, knowledge, management, and information system. ICT could searching, providing, transmitting information easily and electronically so that can help business activities and transaction easier. The ICT based products and processes help the hotels to enhance the operating efficiency, improve the service experience as well as provide a means to access markets on a global basis. ICTs were used in the hotel industry from the late seventies in the form of Computerized Reservation Systems and Global distribution systems.
About Hotels.com
Hotels.com is a leading provider of hotel accommodation worldwide, offering reservation services through its own network of localised websites and telephone call centres. This website could gives travellers one of the widest selections of accommodation on the net, including both independent and major chain hotels as well as self-catering in over 120,000 properties worldwide. The company offers a one-stop shopping source for hotel pricing, amenities and availability and also specialises in providing travellers with accommodation during sold-out periods.
Past Hotel Room Reservation System and Services
Hotels have been around for a very long time, using different methods of records and bookings. In the past, hotels have kept paper records in filing cabinet. However, hotels are much larger with a huge number of customers, fulfilling their needs and wants depending upon different occations with regard to types of occomodations, whether low budget, luxury, or somewhere in between, as well as non smoking or non-smoking preferences. Keeping track of large customer bases and all their attendant details would require an inordinate space for file cabinets, not to mention the time employees would spend going back and forth to file cabinets looking up each client’s information.The system in the past is considered as slow, pricing, risky, and unefficient. First, its slow because we have to go to the hotel directly and ask them about the information, or we can do that by phone which is easier. Then, second is pricing. It is pricing or costly because we have to pay the fuel and time we need to drive ourself to make a reservation and of of course usually in travel agent there is a servicefee that can cost more .The third and last is risky. If you decided to make a reservation trough a phone, it still could be a small percent of misunderstanding of the information. Those all about that make it very unefficient.
How ICT works in Hotel Reservation Systems
Hotels.com is a website which providing information about hotels, flights, package tours, cars, etc. Its a B2C (Business to Consumer) e-commerce transactions which is consumers can book their tickets or make a hotels reservation through internet anytime and anywhere they want. With a nice design and an easy method to use, they also providing information (history of hotel, location, rooms, etc) and price comparison about the schedules. This can be a good advantage, because before making a deal, we can see the price comparison which can give us which one is the best price and deals. One more advantage from this system is, about the payment method. In this present, it is easier to pay using online banking transaction by Mastercards or Visa or Paypal. It is safer that the past time when consumers have to pay directly in the agent while bring a lot of money. Via online payment system, there is also a risk about the security and the safety of personal identity. But, they can minimize this risk with providing a term and condition rule which is explained clearly before we submit our transaction. For more, after customer finish, they can select their flight seat, or self check-in, that can make them easier.
Weaknesses of ICT
Businesses have to take care of the cost of introduction to ICT. It may also need maintenance cost as well as the software or system needs to be updated regularly to work in the right progress. For this problem, the businesses will need technology expertise to fix or update the system and it will incur costs to the business too.Lastly, there is a security problem for the customers where making payments via online. If they make payments online, they have to give out their credit card numbers and also if they make reservations online, they have to inform some of their personal particulars. So, if the system has been hacked, there will be some dangerous cases concerning with the customers important particulars and this may be risky to the businesses too.
Conclusion
For conclusion, we can say that ICT brought convenience to consumers with the efficient informations and effective booking and reservation system.It makes easier to make a reservation. It is more faster, safer, and cheaper. By using ICT, business to customer relationship can become more loyal and easier. It benefits the customer by the way of time saving and money saving with the smooth progress of booking without any misunderstandings.
