NATIONAL REPORT—Technology is ever-changing and its progress has an impact on how the industry delivers hospitality and manages its operations. Here’s a look at recent tech updates:
Hotel Tech Pioneer Brad More Joins Hapi as Chief Architect
Hapi has appointed Brad More as chief architect for the company, which offers hoteliers a data streaming, integration and enrichment platform designed to solve the hotel industry’s rapidly expanding data management challenges.
At the start of his career, More was a naval aviator who pivoted to technology and software development in the late 1990s, joining Micros Systems Inc. as development director. He served as CEO of Theodatus LLC, which he later exited with the sale to Vegas.com. He also co-founded Atri Leo LLC, a boutique software development company focused on practical application of technology for the hospitality industry. Most recently, he served as senior principal solution architect for Infor, where he managed the integration assets and efforts on one of the company’s largest single engagements.
Hyatt Launches Public Bug Bounty Program with HackerOne
Hyatt has launched public bug bounty program with HackerOne in which ethical hackers are invited to test Hyatt websites and mobile apps for potential vulnerabilities and securely disclose them to Hyatt. In working with HackerOne, Hyatt is able tap into the vast expertise of the security research community to accelerate identifying and fixing potential vulnerabilities. Through the bug bounty program, security researchers will be able to earn cash rewards, also known as bounties, if they report valid security flaws on Hyatt.com, m.hyatt.com, world.hyatt.com, and the iOS and Android versions of the Hyatt mobile app so they can be safely resolved, according to the brand. All ethical hackers that have agreed to HackerOne’s terms and conditions, and adhere to disclosure guidelines are eligible to participate in this program.
M3 Revealed 57 New Partnerships
M3 has new and expanded partnerships designed to boost its portfolio of more than 5,500 hotels worldwide. Between May and June of 2018, M3 welcomed 15 single-property customers and 42 new multi-property customers ranging from two to 40 properties within their portfolio. These 57 new customer relationships mark one of the most successful summers of growth for M3, with anticipated fall and winter numbers to match.
New customers include Delta Inns, New Horizons Hospitality, Marlin Hospitality, New Century Investments, Summit Hospitality and more. In addition, more than a dozen existing M3 customers expanded their relationship with M3 by adopting and adding more M3 products and services to their operation.
In the coming months, M3 is poised to continue its 20-year legacy in the hospitality accounting sector by rolling out a series of new enhancements that will dramatically improve business insight for more than 13,000 users it serves.
SiteMinder Partners with RoomIt by CWT
SiteMinder, a guest acquisition platform, has partnered with RoomIt by CWT, the hotel distribution division of Carlson Wagonlit Travel. The partnership will provide a modern alternative to the traditional corporate travel distribution chain by offering eligible SiteMinder hotel customers direct access to a travel management company’s clients for the first time.
Under the agreement, RoomIt will create a connection to SiteMinder’s platform so hotel users can offer their best available rates, corporate negotiated rates, consortia rates and any promotional rates directly to RoomIt travelers under CWT’s umbrella of multibillion-dollar corporate travel programs. The direct connection serves as an alternative means of rate distribution to RoomIt for accommodation providers seeking value and that meet certain business traveler criteria.
