Information Systems and Technology

1. Information Systems and Technology Networks and Interfaces

2. NetworksA group of interconnected people or things.A number of interconnected computers, machines or operations.“New Oxford Dictionary”

3. Basic Communication Theory • A message transmitted from a source • 1) Simplex • 2) Half Duplex • 3) Full duplex

4. Measurement of Transmission Speed • 1) Bandwidth • 2) Baud Rate – Bits per Second

5. Connecting Computers • LAN - Local Area Network • WAN – Wide Area Network • Modem – Modulator – Demodulator • Converts digital signal to analog signal and back

6. Connecting Computers • ISDN – Integrated Services Digital Network • DSL – Digital Subscriber Line • Cable Modem - Broadband

7. Advantages of Using a Network • 1) Shared data • 2) Shared software • 3) Shared hardware resources • 4) Communications • 5) Reliability • 6) Expandability • 7) Control

8. Network Components • 1) File server • 2) Network operating system • 3) Workstations • 4) Network topology • Type of cable used • Cable layout • Network adaptors or interface cards

9. Network Topology • Cable Type • Unshielded twisted pair • Co-Axial • Fiber optic

10. Network Topology • Cable Layout • Bus layout • Ring layout • Star layout • Network adaptors

11. Networks are for sharingWord processingSpreadsheetsE-mailDatabases

12. Each sharing operation has its own set of rules • Standards • Protocols • TCP/IP

13. Network Model • 1) Network Operating System • Software that runs the network • 2) Workstations (Peripherals) • 3 Network topology • a) Network Interface Card • b) Network Cabling

14. Workstations (Peripherals) • Servers – two types • a) Files servers • Redirectors • b) Print servers • Spoolers

15. Hardware in a NOS • Dedicated file server • LAN adaptor • Network communications • Username & privileges • Netware file server software / data files

16. Hardware in a NOS • Client computer • Application program • Operating system • Redirector • Network communications • Interface card driver • LAN adaptor

17. Hardware in a NOS • Print Server • LAN adaptor • Interface card driver • Network communications • Print server software

18. Two Types of Networks • Peer to Peer • Client to Peer

19. Peer to Peer • Separate workstations tied together with cable through a hub • Allows sharing of information and resources

20. Advantages of Peer to Peer • Cheaper to install and maintain • Can readily be expanded or converted • Allows sharing of information and resources • Does not use a file server

21. Disadvantages of Peer to Peer • Less management control • No multitasking • Each workstation is in control

22. Client to Peer • Workstations using a central file server • Allows sharing of information on a central source

23. Advantages of Client to Peer • Uses central servers to maintain control • Better management control • Better data security • Fast response • Room for expansion • Multitasking

24. Disadvantages of Client to Peer • Cost • Complex to operate and maintain

25. Network Interface Card • Also called a LAN adaptor • PCI • PC Card Adaptors

26. Cabling • Tying it all together • Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) • Coaxial Cable • Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) • Fiber Optic

27. UTP • Speed & Throughput • Fast enough • Average Cost • Cheapest • Media & Connector Size • Small • Maximum Cable Length • Short

28. Coaxial Cable • Speed & Throughput • Fast enough • Average Cost • Inexpensive • Media & Connector Size • Medium • Maximum Cable Length • Medium

29. STP • Speed & Throughput • Very Fast • Average Cost • Expensive • Media & Connector Size • Large • Maximum Cable Length • Short

30. Fiber Optic • Speed & Throughput • Fastest possible • Average Cost • Most expensive • Media & Connector Size • Tiny • Maximum Cable Length • Very long

31. Wireless Networks • Wireless LAN • Local Area Network – Connections for portable PC’s • Each portable has a Wireless Access Card • Reaches a 100 to 200 ft circle

32. Wireless Connections • Based on IEEE 802.11 Standard • IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers • 802.11 Standard – 54 mbps connection

33. Bluetooth • Uses radio technology at lower power levels • Reduces interference

34. Telecomm Technology in Guest Rooms • Cordless phones – a portable room extension • Caller ID • DID – Direct Inward Dial

35. Telephone Roaming Applications • Digital cordless phones for management • Covers 2,000 acres or 150,000 sq ft indoors • Allows movement with privacy of conversation and clear signal

36. Hand Held Devices • Hand held calculators • Among the first business devices • Barcode readers • Cell phones and wireless internet • Pagers & 2 way radios • PDA’s • Pocket PC’s

37. Uses in Hospitality • Car rental companies • Use hand held devices at check in • Hand held devices that permit managers to access information • Wireless check in / check out

38. Restaurant Applications • Wireless internet access for customers • Wireless POS systems • Fast food service • PDA’s offered to customers to place orders • Wireless paging

39. Drawbacks/Considerations • Cost justification • ROI • What are the specific uses? • Housekeeping • Inventory • Facility management • Payment processing • Remote c/in – out • Restaurant order entry • Sales and catering updates • Employee tracking

40. Other questions to ask • If you can’t justify acquisitions of handhelds & foresee improvement in operations, need to take another look • Will changes need to be made in property infrastructure • How much training is required • Who will support the system

41. Security Concerns • Loss • Information taken offsite • Transmission security • Transmission problems • Viruses • Screen & keyboards

42. Summary • Benefits outweigh the drawbacks in many applications • Expect to see functionality improve • Size diminish • Cost continues to decrease

43. Interfaces

44. Central Reservations Internet Point of Sale (POS) Credit card Revenue management Back office PBX/Call accounting In room entertainment/refreshment systems Sales & catering Energy management Electronic door locks Some Types of Interfaces

45. Central Reservations • One way interface • Two way interface

46. Internet • Usually used for guest reservations • Guest can obtain real time information for reservation bookings • Usually combined with company web site • Third party software

47. Point of Sale (POS) • Receives and responds to guest information in posting charges from outlets • Credit availability • Helps avoid late departure charges

48. Credit Card Interface • Allows faster and more accurate approval for guest stays • Gets money to the bank faster

49. Revenue Management • Allows management to update rates faster, therefore providing a better “yield” • Yield – optimum mixture of rate and occupancy

50. PBX/Call Accounting • PBX – allows guest to make and receive calls • Call Accounting – prices and charges for outgoing calls • Creates predefined pricing structure • Automatically transmits to PMS for posting • Printed copy for backup • Regularly updates area codes • Administrative lines