Information Systems and Information Systems and TechnologyTechnology

Networks and InterfacesNetworks and Interfaces

NetworksNetworksA group of interconnected A group of interconnected

people or things.people or things.A number of interconnected A number of interconnected

computers, machines or computers, machines or operations.operations.

“New Oxford Dictionary”“New Oxford Dictionary”

Basic Communication TheoryBasic Communication Theory

A message transmitted from a sourceA message transmitted from a source 1) Simplex1) Simplex 2) Half Duplex2) Half Duplex 3) Full duplex3) Full duplex

Measurement of Measurement of Transmission SpeedTransmission Speed

1) Bandwidth1) Bandwidth 2) Baud Rate – Bits per Second2) Baud Rate – Bits per Second

Connecting ComputersConnecting Computers

LAN - Local Area NetworkLAN - Local Area Network WAN – Wide Area NetworkWAN – Wide Area Network Modem – Modulator – DemodulatorModem – Modulator – Demodulator

• Converts digital signal to analog signal Converts digital signal to analog signal and backand back

Connecting ComputersConnecting Computers

ISDN – Integrated Services Digital ISDN – Integrated Services Digital NetworkNetwork

DSL – Digital Subscriber LineDSL – Digital Subscriber Line Cable Modem - BroadbandCable Modem - Broadband

Advantages of Using a NetworkAdvantages of Using a Network

1) Shared data1) Shared data 2) Shared software2) Shared software 3) Shared hardware resources3) Shared hardware resources 4) Communications4) Communications 5) Reliability5) Reliability 6) Expandability6) Expandability 7) Control7) Control

Network ComponentsNetwork Components

1) File server1) File server 2) Network operating system2) Network operating system 3) Workstations3) Workstations 4) Network topology4) Network topology

Type of cable usedType of cable used Cable layoutCable layout Network adaptors or interface cardsNetwork adaptors or interface cards

Network Topology

Cable TypeUnshielded twisted pair

Co-Axial

Fiber optic

Network Topology

Cable LayoutBus layout

Ring layout

Star layout

Network adaptors

Networks are for sharingNetworks are for sharingWord processingWord processing

SpreadsheetsSpreadsheetsE-mailE-mail

DatabasesDatabases

Each sharing operation has Each sharing operation has its own set of rulesits own set of rules

StandardsStandards ProtocolsProtocols TCP/IPTCP/IP

Network ModelNetwork Model

1) Network Operating System1) Network Operating System Software that runs the networkSoftware that runs the network

2) Workstations (Peripherals)2) Workstations (Peripherals) 3 Network topology3 Network topology

a) Network Interface Carda) Network Interface Card b) Network Cablingb) Network Cabling

Workstations Workstations (Peripherals)(Peripherals)

Servers – two typesServers – two types a) Files serversa) Files servers

RedirectorsRedirectors b) Print serversb) Print servers

SpoolersSpoolers

Hardware in a NOSHardware in a NOS

Dedicated file serverDedicated file server LAN adaptorLAN adaptor Network communicationsNetwork communications Username & privilegesUsername & privileges Netware file server software / data filesNetware file server software / data files

Hardware in a NOSHardware in a NOS

Client computerClient computer Application programApplication program Operating systemOperating system RedirectorRedirector Network communicationsNetwork communications Interface card driverInterface card driver LAN adaptorLAN adaptor

Hardware in a NOSHardware in a NOS

Print ServerPrint Server LAN adaptorLAN adaptor Interface card driverInterface card driver Network communicationsNetwork communications Print server softwarePrint server software

Two Types of NetworksTwo Types of Networks

Peer to PeerPeer to Peer Client to PeerClient to Peer

Peer to PeerPeer to Peer

Separate workstations tied together Separate workstations tied together with cable through a hubwith cable through a hub

Allows sharing of information and Allows sharing of information and resourcesresources

Advantages of Peer to Advantages of Peer to PeerPeer

Cheaper to install and maintainCheaper to install and maintain Can readily be expanded or Can readily be expanded or

convertedconverted Allows sharing of information and Allows sharing of information and

resourcesresources Does not use a file serverDoes not use a file server

Disadvantages of Peer to Disadvantages of Peer to PeerPeer

Less management controlLess management control No multitaskingNo multitasking Each workstation is in controlEach workstation is in control

Client to Peer

Workstations using a central file server

Allows sharing of information on a central source

Advantages of Client to PeerAdvantages of Client to Peer

Uses central servers to maintain Uses central servers to maintain controlcontrol

Better management controlBetter management control Better data securityBetter data security Fast responseFast response Room for expansionRoom for expansion MultitaskingMultitasking

Disadvantages of Client to PeerDisadvantages of Client to Peer

CostCost Complex to operate and maintainComplex to operate and maintain

Network Interface Card

Also called a LAN adaptor PCI PC Card Adaptors

Cabling

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

UTP

Speed & Throughput Fast enough

Average Cost Cheapest

Media & Connector Size Small

Maximum Cable Length Short

Coaxial Cable

Speed & Throughput Fast enough

Average Cost Inexpensive

Media & Connector Size Medium

Maximum Cable Length Medium

STP

Speed & Throughput Very Fast

Average Cost Expensive

Media & Connector Size Large

Maximum Cable Length Short

Fiber Optic

Speed & Throughput Fastest possible

Average Cost Most expensive

Media & Connector Size Tiny

Maximum Cable Length Very long

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

Wireless Connections

Based on IEEE 802.11 Standard IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics

Engineers 802.11 Standard – 54 mbps connection

BluetoothBluetooth

Uses radio technology at lower power Uses radio technology at lower power levelslevels

Reduces interferenceReduces interference

Telecomm Technology in Guest Telecomm Technology in Guest RoomsRooms

Cordless phones – a portable room Cordless phones – a portable room extensionextension

Caller IDCaller ID DID – Direct Inward DialDID – Direct Inward Dial

Telephone Roaming ApplicationsTelephone Roaming Applications

Digital cordless phones for Digital cordless phones for managementmanagement

Covers 2,000 acres or 150,000 sq ft Covers 2,000 acres or 150,000 sq ft indoorsindoors

Allows movement with privacy of Allows movement with privacy of conversation and clear signalconversation and clear signal

Hand Held DevicesHand Held Devices

Hand held calculatorsHand held calculators• Among the first business devicesAmong the first business devices

Barcode readersBarcode readers Cell phones and wireless internetCell phones and wireless internet Pagers & 2 way radiosPagers & 2 way radios PDA’sPDA’s Pocket PC’sPocket PC’s

Uses in HospitalityUses in Hospitality

Car rental companiesCar rental companies• Use hand held devices at check inUse hand held devices at check in

Hand held devices that permit Hand held devices that permit managers to access informationmanagers to access information

Wireless check in / check outWireless check in / check out

Restaurant ApplicationsRestaurant Applications

Wireless internet access for Wireless internet access for customerscustomers

Wireless POS systemsWireless POS systems Fast food serviceFast food service PDA’s offered to customers to place PDA’s offered to customers to place

ordersorders Wireless pagingWireless paging

Drawbacks/ConsiderationsDrawbacks/Considerations Cost justificationCost justification

• ROIROI What are the specific uses?What are the specific uses?

• HousekeepingHousekeeping• InventoryInventory• Facility managementFacility management• Payment processingPayment processing• Remote c/in – outRemote c/in – out• Restaurant order entryRestaurant order entry• Sales and catering updatesSales and catering updates• Employee trackingEmployee tracking

Other questions to askOther questions to ask

If you can’t justify acquisitions of If you can’t justify acquisitions of handhelds & foresee improvement in handhelds & foresee improvement in operations, need to take another lookoperations, need to take another look

Will changes need to be made in Will changes need to be made in property infrastructureproperty infrastructure

How much training is requiredHow much training is required Who will support the systemWho will support the system

Security ConcernsSecurity Concerns

LossLoss Information taken offsiteInformation taken offsite Transmission securityTransmission security Transmission problemsTransmission problems VirusesViruses Screen & keyboardsScreen & keyboards

SummarySummary

Benefits outweigh the drawbacks Benefits outweigh the drawbacks in many applicationsin many applications

Expect to see functionality Expect to see functionality improveimprove

Size diminishSize diminish Cost continues to decreaseCost continues to decrease

InterfacesInterfaces

Some Types of InterfacesSome Types of Interfaces

Central Central ReservationsReservations

InternetInternet Point of Sale (POS)Point of Sale (POS) Credit cardCredit card Revenue Revenue

managementmanagement Back officeBack office

PBX/Call PBX/Call accountingaccounting

In room In room entertainment/refreentertainment/refreshment systemsshment systems

Sales & cateringSales & catering Energy Energy

managementmanagement Electronic door Electronic door

lockslocks

Central ReservationsCentral Reservations

One way interfaceOne way interface Two way interfaceTwo way interface

InternetInternet

Usually used for guest reservationsUsually used for guest reservations Guest can obtain real time Guest can obtain real time

information for reservation bookingsinformation for reservation bookings Usually combined with company web Usually combined with company web

sitesite• Third party softwareThird party software

Point of Sale (POS)

Receives and responds to guest information in posting charges from outlets

Credit availability

Helps avoid late departure charges

Credit Card Interface

Allows faster and more accurate approval for guest stays

Gets money to the bank faster

Revenue Management

Allows management to update rates faster, therefore providing a better “yield”

Yield – optimum mixture of rate and occupancy

PBX/Call Accounting

PBX – allows guest to make and receive callsCall Accounting – prices and charges for outgoing calls

Creates predefined pricing structureAutomatically transmits to PMS for postingPrinted copy for backupRegularly updates area codesAdministrative lines

Voice Mail

Voice mail – allows guest to retrieve messages, eliminating need for “paper” messages

Opens own mail box upon check in

Guest records personalized greeting

Makes sure all messages are cleared

In-Room Entertainment/Refreshment Systems

One way vs. two way

Pay per view movies

Games

Mini barsMost are now in a “connected” mode

Provides better verification of consumption

Allows stocking clerk to better prepare cart

Sales & Catering Systems

Allows better control over room availability in conjunction with meeting space

Yield management

Energy Management Systems

Helps control energy costs

Helps guest satisfaction by maintaining room temperature at a more constant temperature

Infrared or movement detection

Can provide “intermediate” level to improve guest comfort

DND

Emergency situations

Electronic Door Locks

Guest security

Protect against unexpected stayovers

Helps limit guest access to certain areas of the hotel

Summary

• Focus on key areas of hotel operations

• Use technology only where it makes sense

• Think about your own tolerances