Analyzing Information Technology's Impact on Premier Inn's Management

This report examines the application of Information Technology (IT) within Premier Inn, a leading UK hotel chain. It explores the role of IT in various management aspects, such as inventory, data, and customer relationship management, highlighting the advantages of IT in streamlining operations and improving efficiency. The report delves into ethical and social issues associated with technology, including internet privacy, cybercrime, hacking, and identity theft, and how Premier Inn addresses these challenges. Furthermore, it compares different network types (LAN, MAN, WAN) used by Premier Inn for communication and data sharing across its operations. The analysis includes findings on the benefits of IT, such as online booking and expense management, while acknowledging the associated costs and security concerns. The report emphasizes the importance of IT in enhancing guest experiences and supporting strategic planning within the hospitality industry.

Introduction in IT

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Literature Review ............................................................................................................................1
Role of Information Technology in Management.......................................................................1
Understand ethical and social issues associated with Technology.............................................2
Compare different types of networks..........................................................................................3
Analysis and Discussion..................................................................................................................5
Findings............................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

Introduction
Information technology refers to evolution, fixture and usage of computer hardware,
software and networks for processing as well as distribution of data. Basically, it is defined as
anything which is linked with use of computing technology (Eason, 2014). It is designing and
implementation of computer networks for data communication as well as its processing. This
report is based on Premier Inn which is the UK's largest hotel brand and chain. It is
headquartered in Dunstable, United Kingdom. They provides there services in different countries
and have more than 785 hotels. This report covers role of information technology in
management, ethical and social issues related with it. Apart from this, various network
technologies are identified and differentiated.
Literature Review
Role of Information Technology in Management
Role of IT in Management: Information technology plays vital and integral role within
organisation. Management of Premier Inn has opted to make use of IT in their business processes
by which they can make their work easier as well as faster. Like they are making use of emails
for communicating with their suppliers, employees and customers. Its role have been presented
below:
 Inventory management system: Premier Inn needs to manage their stocks in enough
quantity so that demands can be met. Inventory management systems will track the
quantity of each so that they do not fall below specific amount (Kiran, Oudshoorn and
Verbeek, 2015). Therefore, it is necessary to connect it to point of sale system so that
each time room is booked then it must be removed from available.
 Data management systems: Manager of Premier Inn needs to store lots of information so
that they can operate effectively as they operate in many countries. They make use of
database for storage of information in different formats. This will assist them to access
information from anywhere and at any time.
 Management information system: Storage of data is only effective, if it can be effectually
used. This data will be used by Premier Inn for formulation of strategic planning process.
It will assist them to track their sales, productivity levels and expenses. It will also track
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profitability with time and number of guests visiting their place (Law, Buhalis and
Cobanoglu, 2014).
 Customer relationship management: For carrying out their operations effectively, it is
necessary for Premier Inn to have effectual communication with their customers. They
can make use of CRM for designing and improving their relationship with their
customers and identify what they are expecting. So that their needs can be accomplished
whenever they visit them again.
Advantages of IT in Management: Information technology provides wide range of
advantages to organisation, they are mentioned below:
 Management of Premier Inn must maintain information of every guest as well as
employees, this can be done by creating database which will assist them to store it. This
information can be accessed from anywhere.
 They make use of various tools for conducting their functionalities, this will minimize the
time and will furnish high accuracy (Marchewka, 2014).
 Cloud computing renders storage space as well as helps Premier Inn for creation of
backup of data and for security different services are provided by cloud vendors like
Amazon.
 Account Edge, Quick Books and many more are software which can be used by Premier
Inn to manage their finance and perform their accounting tasks accurately. By this they
can easily identify their annual profits.
Understand ethical and social issues associated with Technology
Ethical issues: This implies a situation where individual identify whether it is right or
wrong. There are various ethical issues which are associated with technology. Some of them are
shown below:
 Internet privacy: Every move made by individual and organisation can be tracked by
making use of tools like trojan horse. Furthermore, location can also be tracked by use of
Mac and IP address. Management of Premier Inn must acknowledge what have uploaded
and they will upload on internet. Furthermore, they can make use of anti-virus by which
they can ensure that third person do not get access into their systems (Mehlman and Li,
2014).
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 Cyber crime: It refers to bullying or harassment through electronic means. This may
comprise of sexual remarks, hate speech, posting threats related with personal
information, rumours and many others. Ethical issues can strongly hamper image of
Premier Inn, but they have strong systems which enable them to have strong brand image
within marketplace.
Social issues: They are the problems which creates strong influence on people within
society (Neuhofer, Buhalis and Ladkin, 2014). They are generally results from factors which are
broaden and are beyond control of individuals thereby creates conflict in opinions. Social issues
are mentioned below:
 Hacking: It is defined as unauthorised access within computer or network. In this third
person or intruder breaks into system of organisation or an individual with an aim to get
access to their personal information or any kind of details. Management of Premium Inn
has their own information technology team which make sure that such kinds of activities
do not take place. Furthermore, each employee need to make sure that they do not click
on any unwanted or unauthorised link.
 Identity theft: It is other illegal activity which comprises of computers & internet which
are easily approachable. In this context personal details of individual or an organisation is
accessed by third person or an intruder for any illegitimate purpose. Like a message is
delivered by someone in lieu of Premier Inn, in this case there is possibility that person
may fall into trap (Nieves, Quintana and Osorio, 2014).
Compare different types of networks.
Network is defined as group of interconnected peripherals and computers which are
capable of making use of hardware and software resources among various users. These are
connected by making use of either wireless or cable mediums. Peripherals are basically hardware
devices like mouse, keyboard, etc. Premium Inn is making use of networks for carrying out
communication with their customers, suppliers and different departments. For carrying out
operations in appropriate manner it is necessary that effective communication occur. For this
Premium Inn is making use of LAN for carrying out interaction within single premises, MAN for
communication within same country and in case of large distance, in different countries they
make use of WAN (Pardo and Siemens, 2014). They are elaborated below:
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LAN: Local area network connects network devices and allows user to share them.
Connection can be established by making use of either switches or hubs and addressing schemes
by TCP IP protocols. Transmission is fast in this case, therefore it is best method for
communication within different departments (Sampson and Makela, 2014).
MAN: It connects workstations and computers which cover more distance as compared
to LAN. It combines LAN network by making use of single cable. In this case connection is
established by making use of optical fibres, co axial cables, etc.
WAN: It extends over geographical area, it can be either worldwide or in country.
Connection is implanted by making use of satellites, telephone lines and radio waves. Premium
Inn has made use of WAN to render services among different outlets which are present within
other countries.
Difference between LAN, MAN, WAN
Basis LAN MAN WAN
What it means They comprises of
systems which are
situated closer to each
other, either within
same building or room
(Difference Between
LAN, WAN, and
MAN, 2019).
They are large
networks which
connect different
organisations which
are present within
same city.
In this case two or
more LAN's are
attached and covers
huge geographical
area.
Distance coverage 2 miles or 2500 metres
is covered.
100 miles or 200 km is
fixed distance.
Unlimited range,
usually 1000 km but
still it can be extended
by making use of
networking devices.
Speed High speed which
ranges from 1000, 100
10 Mbps.
High speed which
ranges upto 100 Mbps.
Slow, due to more
number of systems
within network,
usually 1.5 Mbps.
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Technologies used Twisted pair, locally
installed, wireless (like
WLAN, Zigbee).
Fiber optic cable,
twisted pair are
common carrier.
Coaxial cable, twisted
pair, wireless and
cellular network based.
Analysis and Discussion
Role of Information Technology in Premium Inn: They render their services in
hospitality industry, by making use of IT they can enhance quality of their services and provide
pleasurable experience to their guests. Role of IT has been discussed below:
 Tool for expense management can be used by Premium Inn to monitor and gain control
over expenditure. This will assist them to manage their finance in trenchant manner
(Santoro, 2015).
 Control and security, risk management, cash, information management for handling the
equipments within desired way.
Ethical and social issues related with Premium Inn: There are different issues
associated with hospitality sector with respect to IT. From above discussion, it has been found
that information technology plays crucial role within organisation but it also contains various
issues associated with it. This can lead to security breach of information. To understand this an
example can be taken in both aspects. Ethical issues are associated with privacy, like if
confidential information gets into hands of third party then same can be used by them to provide
similar facilities with some modifications. It will also give them access related with customers,
stakeholders and other private information (Schwalbe, 2015). This will create affirmative impact
on third party but negative impact on Premium Inn. With respect to social issue, defamation can
be caused of organisation or individual. This will have counter influence on organisation as third
party can post digressive comments on their social media accounts and portray them negative
within market. Premium Inn need to make sure that they check their social media accounts on
regular basis so that they are aware about things and have strong security systems.
Different networks used by Marriott Hotels & Resorts: Management of Premium Inn
has opted to make use of three different types of networks so that they can render effectual
services to their customers. LAN is used by management to create communication within
identical building or premises. This enables them to share information. MAN is used to set up
connection among various outlets which are in same city and WAN is used by them to have
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interaction in other Premium Inn hotels which are present within other countries. This enable
them to share resources as well as information between each other (Wang and et. Al, 2016).
Findings
Information technology refers to set of tools, methodologies and processes which are
used for collection, processing and display information. This data is gathered, processed,
distributed and handled (Eason, 2014). IT plays critical role within Premium Inn as it provides
high accuracy and by its usage work becomes easy. Networking is used by them to share or
distribute information with other organisations which may be present anywhere. Like guests can
make online bookings, make payments and many other features can be provided to them by
using IT like website of hotel. It will also assist them to build their strategies, carry out their
operations and share them with individuals. Ethical and social issues associated with this aspect
are acknowledged. They have made use of WAN technology for interacting with their outlets
which are present outside country but its cost is high.
Benefits: They are provided below:
 Customers will be furnished with services such as online ordering, Wi-Fi and many other
services by usage of IT (Kiran, Oudshoorn and Verbeek, 2015).
 Functionalities of organisation will be smooth en as by making use of technology they
can conduct online conferences through which they can carry out discussions on different
issues and can even formulate strategies.
Drawbacks: IT has certain limitations, they are mentioned below:
 Implementation of WAN is complex and it is very costly. Cost basically depends on
bandwidth which is being provided.
 Tools and software which are required to carry out their operations are costly. If
Premium Inn will opt for cracked or pirated versions of software then this can lead to
hamper their performance and they may fall into legal troubles.
 The major concern is about security as it can be stolen easily by monitoring key strokes
or by sending viruses on systems of organisation (Law, Buhalis and Cobanoglu, 2014) .
CONCLUSION
From above, it has been concluded that Information technology refers to process of using
computers for storing, distributing and processing of information. Functionalities of organisation
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can be carried out effectual manner by making use of IT as it provides high accuracy. Moreover,
information can be recovered by making use of internet when something is to be known.
Network refers to medium which provides communication between various organisations and
resources such as printers, scanners, etc. can also be shared by making its use. Furthermore, IT
creates strong impact on overall performance of organisation by assisting them to make their
own strategies. Premium Inn can use software such as relational database, Wamp server, Sage 50
fro storing their information and carry out their functionalities in appropriate manner.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Eason, K. D., 2014. Information technology and organisational change. CRC Press.
Kiran, A. H., Oudshoorn, N. and Verbeek, P. P., 2015. Beyond checklists: toward an ethical-
constructive technology assessment. Journal of responsible innovation. 2(1). pp.5-19.
Law, R., Buhalis, D. and Cobanoglu, C., 2014. Progress on information and communication
technologies in hospitality and tourism. International Journal of Contemporary
Hospitality Management. 26(5). pp.727-750.
Marchewka, J. T., 2014. Information technology project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Mehlman, M. J. and Li, T. Y., 2014. Ethical, legal, social, and policy issues in the use of
genomic technology by the US Military. Journal of Law and the Biosciences. 1(3).
pp.244-280.
Neuhofer, B., Buhalis, D. and Ladkin, A., 2014. A typology of technology‐enhanced tourism
experiences. International Journal of Tourism Research. 16(4). pp.340-350.
Nieves, J., Quintana, A. and Osorio, J., 2014. Knowledge-based resources and innovation in the
hotel industry. International Journal of Hospitality Management. 38. pp.65-73.
Pardo, A. and Siemens, G., 2014. Ethical and privacy principles for learning analytics. British
Journal of Educational Technology. 45(3) pp.438-450.
Sampson, J. P. and Makela, J. P., 2014. Ethical issues associated with information and
communication technology in counseling and guidance. International Journal for
Educational and Vocational Guidance. 14(1). pp.135-148.
Santoro, G., 2015. Evaluating performance in the hotel industry: An empirical analysis of
Piedmont. Journal of Investment and Management. 4(1-1). pp.17-22.
Schwalbe, K., 2015. Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
Wang, D. and et. al, 2016. Assessing hotel-related smartphone apps using online reviews.
Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management. 25(3). pp.291-313.
Online
Difference Between LAN, WAN, and MAN. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/difference-between-lan-wan-and-man/>.
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