{"id":21886,"date":"2016-03-11T12:43:18","date_gmt":"2016-03-11T04:43:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/?p=21886"},"modified":"2016-03-11T12:45:34","modified_gmt":"2016-03-11T04:45:34","slug":"manila-hotel-migrates-cloud-based-microsoft-solution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/2016\/03\/11\/manila-hotel-migrates-cloud-based-microsoft-solution\/","title":{"rendered":"The Manila Hotel migrates to cloud-based Microsoft system"},"content":{"rendered":"

At The Manila Hotel, technology plays a major role in offering world-class services to guests. Considered as the Philippines\u2019 flagship hotel since 1912, the luxury establishment has been the premiere choice of both distinguished local and international guests, which include former British Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, US President John F. Kennedy, and iconic entertainers such as Michael Jackson and The Beatles.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The Manila Hotel Lobby<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

While it has always been known for being a traditional Filipino landmark that is rich in local heritage, The Manila Hotel recently decided to modernize several aspects of the establishment. It underwent a series of dramatic renovations in 2008, wherein all guestrooms were redesigned to showcase more updated Philippine interior design. However, the team went beyond just making aesthetic improvements by equipping the guestrooms with more modern facilities and amenities.<\/p>\n

\u201cTechnology plays a major role in offering world-class services to our guests,\u201d said Nian Liwanag-Rigor, Assistant Vice President for Public Relations and Corporate Communications. \u201cThat\u2019s why we wanted to innovate to provide the right network and infrastructure so that our guests are always connected.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aside from tech-related improvements specific for their guests, the organization also decided to employ more advanced solutions to increase employee productivity and mobility.<\/p>\n

The need was further emphasized when the hotel\u2019s server unexpectedly crashed and left the company in a state of panic. \u201cWe could not use our email to communicate with employees, stakeholders, and customers,\u201d narrated Daniel Cu, Assistant Vice President for Information Systems.<\/p>\n

Cu shared how a partner introduced them to a more updated way of going about the technology needs of both The Manila Hotel employees and guests. \u201cOur partner recommended that we migrate from an on-site server to cloud-based Microsoft Solutions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

New solutions rolled out by Microsoft for The Manila Hotel include Office 365, which merged the Microsoft Office desktop suite that employees have long been used to with cloud-based versions of today\u2019s latest collaboration and communication tools.\u00a0 Office 365\u2019s cloud platform has also been able to provide users with more secure email and Office services, specifically real-time communications using Microsoft Exchange Online and Office Online that allow users to accomplish more tasks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started to implement Microsoft Solutions in 2015,\u201d said Cu. \u201cCurrently, 86 managers and secretaries from key departments are all using Microsoft Office 365.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe now have instant access to all emails and documents and content. Because of this, the management has been able to make quicker and smarter decisions, as well as respond and get results immediately,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The Manila Hotel also makes use of Microsoft Dynamics NAV, which is a global enterprise resource planning (ERP) software suite specifically designed for midsize organizations. The easy-to-use system offers specialized functionality that gives businesses greater control over their financials and allows them to simplify their supply chain, manufacturing, and operations.<\/p>\n

\u201cSystem downtime is now a rarity, which translates to cost savings in terms of manpower,\u201d Cu emphasized. \u201cWe are also able to eliminate costly hardware and software investments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe service industry today is demanding and allows very little room for downtime. One unsatisfied customer can greatly affect a company’s image and reputation,\u201d says Karrie Ilagan, Microsoft Philippines General Manager. \u201cIn Microsoft, we design products and solutions that help businesses achieve the highest level of efficiency and operational excellence.”<\/p>\n

While tradition and personalized services have always been their legacy, the people behind The Manila Hotel admitted that it is necessary to think of how technology can improve their services.<\/p>\n

In line with how Microsoft Solutions has helped them, Rigor also revealed that they plan to be more open to new technology in the years to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cFive years from now, we hope to have applications that will allow keyless check-ins and customized accommodations,\u201d she said. \u201cWe also want to tap the apparent use of smartphones for hotel room functions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith all these possible innovations, we plan to deploy more advanced cloud-based solutions within the organization,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

However, Rigor emphasized that the company\u2019s thrust to be more innovative will not compromise the classic and elegant image of the Philippine\u2019s premiere hotel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Manila Hotel will stay true to its commitment to maintain the elegance of its history and at the same time constantly strive to exceed the expectations of its modern clientele,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At The Manila Hotel, technology plays a major role in offering world-class services to guests. Considered as the Philippines\u2019 flagship hotel since 1912, the luxury establishment has been the premiere choice of both distinguished local and international guests, which include former British Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, US President John F. Kennedy, and iconic entertainers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":21888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,25],"tags":[414,148,747,1373,4176,3362],"class_list":["post-21886","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-headlines","category-software","tag-case-study","tag-cloud-computing","tag-email-and-messaging-management","tag-hospitality-industry","tag-manila-hotel","tag-microsoft"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21886","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21886"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21886\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21886"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21886"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21886"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}