Oracle Academy Tech Chat
Oracle Hospitality's Deanne Wofford joins host Tyra Peirce to discuss how Oracle Academy is helping educators and students unlock new opportunities in hospitality management. Discover the essential role of technology in today's hotels, the benefits of digital learning resources, and practical tips for building career-ready skills. Perfect for faculty, students, and anyone passionate about the future of hospitality! ---------------------------------------------------- Episode Transcript: 00:00:00:00 - 00:00:34:09 Unknown Welcome to the Oracle Academy Tech Chat. This podcast provides educators and students in-depth discussions with thought leaders around computer science, cloud technologies, and software design to help students on their journey to becoming industry ready technology leaders of the future. Let's get started. Welcome to Oracle Academy Tech Chat, where we discuss how Oracle Academy is preparing the next generation's workforce. 00:00:34:10 - 00:00:57:13 Unknown I'm your host, Tyra Peirce. In this episode, I speak with Diane Wofford from the Oracle Hospitality Management Team about the vital role hospitality management systems play and why it's important for students to study them. Welcome, Diane. So to start off, can you give me a bit about your background and your role at Oracle? Hi, Tera, thanks for having me. 00:00:57:16 - 00:01:29:07 Unknown I joined Oracle through the acquisition of micros and have dedicated 19 years to training and empowering or hospitality customers. My journey began as an implementation consultant where I was quickly entrusted with onboarding and training of new consultants. Over the years, I advanced through the organization, shaping our role, focusing on delivering innovative training and education to our customers, partners and employees. 00:01:29:09 - 00:02:02:03 Unknown Currently, as the director of the Global Learning Initiatives Team and the Oracle Hospitality Organization, I lead a talented, multifaceted global team committed to developing comprehensive learning content and opportunities that drive success through the hospitality industry. Our team is passionate about creating impactful and effective learning experiences, and ensuring everyone we support is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to drive within our hospitality solutions. 00:02:02:05 - 00:02:32:14 Unknown Your experience is so fascinating to me and you really, truly are the right person to talk about hospitality and why it's important for students to learn. Because you've come from an education space and developing training materials for our partners and our customers, as well as our employees. So with that said, what are the core components of a hospitality management system like opera, and why are they critical to the success of hotels and resorts today? 00:02:32:16 - 00:02:59:19 Unknown Well, that's an absolutely great questions. At the core of hospitality management systems like Offer Cloud, there are several key components that are truly essential for a smooth and successful operation of hotels and resorts today. First, you have the property management system or PMS. I like to think of this as the nerve center of the hotel. It handles everything from guest relations and check ins to room assignments and billing. 00:02:59:21 - 00:03:27:12 Unknown Our focus is really on streamlining those day to day tasks, so the staff can spend more time focusing on delivering a great guest experience. Now that experience actually begins right at the time of booking. As we know, most guests today are booking online, so it's crucial to connect seamless nicely with multiple channels like OTAs urged access as well as direct booking engines up a club. 00:03:27:13 - 00:04:06:03 Unknown It's right in that landscape by connecting with a variety of channel management systems. Plus, with Opera Cloud distribution, we make it even easier for our customers to manage this process all in one place, enabling a smooth flow of reservations directly into the PMS. This ensures that front desk agents always have accurate guest information and also helps hotels yield maximum occupancy, seize revenue opportunities, and and I was doing so good. 00:04:06:05 - 00:04:19:14 Unknown Yeah. Go ahead and just repeat wherever you want to start. So if you want to start that guest experience or you can start with plus and then just kind of repeat where you want to say with that piece right there. 00:04:19:16 - 00:04:51:15 Unknown With OPERA cloud distribution, we make it even easier for our customers to manage this process from one place and enabling a smooth flow of reservations directly into the PMS. This ensures that front desk agents always have accurate guest information, and it also helps hotels maximize occupancy, seize revenue opportunities, and maintain consistent yield and rate management. 00:04:51:17 - 00:05:07:12 Unknown You know, front desk operations are another crucial piece with real time tools. Front office staff can manage check ins, check outs and guest preferences effectively, efficiently. 00:05:07:13 - 00:05:34:13 Unknown Front desk operations are another critical piece with real time tools. Front office staff can manage check ins, checkouts and guest preferences efficiently, which really shifts the overall guests experience from the very start. Housekeeping management is just as important. Offer cloud automates rooms, status updates and task assignments, making sure rooms are ready when guests need them and when used with offer. 00:05:34:13 - 00:05:45:14 Unknown Cloud mobile hotels can drive great, even greater efficiency and guest satisfaction. We include that. 00:05:45:16 - 00:06:15:17 Unknown We include powerful sales and management capabilities, supporting everything from group bookings to large conferences. These help streamline coordination between departments and maximize revenue from events, which is so important for many properties. And of course, I could go on and on. The Upper Cloud Property Management suite covers it all, including integrated reporting and analytics with real time data and customizable reports. 00:06:15:19 - 00:06:51:12 Unknown Seamless connections to point of sale systems like Oracle Symphony, integrations with key entertainment and in-room interfaces, and much more. Our goal is to always provide our customers with a unified solution. All of these components are critical because they automate routine tasks, provide valuable insights, and help hotels respond quickly to evolving guests needs. Ultimately, it's all about driving operational efficiency and creating memorable guest experiences. 00:06:51:14 - 00:07:22:10 Unknown I actually never realized how much went into management of hospitality. My husband and I are extensive travelers and and next time I leave for a trip, I'll have to really think about like the backend and the systems and everything that is going into place to help create a, you know, an optimum guest experience. So with that being said, how do hospitality management systems integrate with other business functions such as guest services, reservations and finance? 00:07:22:12 - 00:07:57:19 Unknown And what benefits does this integration bring to the overall guest experience? Well, first, it's important to build a solid understanding of how property management systems work, since the PMS serves as the backbone of hotel operations. Students should get comfortable with the basics like managing reservations, handling check in and check out processes, and maintaining guest profiles. That foundational knowledge is essential because these tasks touch on almost every aspect of the daily hotel activities. 00:07:57:20 - 00:08:37:02 Unknown A strong grasp of reservation and management industry. A strong grasp of reservation management and distribution is also critical. Excuse me. So you can let us get this one right. Just a strong grasp of reservation management and distribution is also critical. Understanding how travel. I'm never going to get this frontier. I'm going to get it, though. 00:08:37:04 - 00:09:09:23 Unknown A strong grasp of reservation management and distribution is also critical. Understanding how online travel agencies, OTAs and global distribution systems, GDS and booking engines connect to the hotel systems will help students see the big picture of how today's properties maximize occupancy and revenue. Becoming familiar with channel management systems and how they integrate to a solution like offer cloud distribution can give students a real edge. 00:09:10:00 - 00:09:39:01 Unknown Learning how to navigate front office tools, from setting up guest preferences to processing payments is just as important. Proficiency in these tools help create a smooth and personalized guest experience, which is at the heart of hospitality. On the operational side, skills including housekeeping, event management modules are also valuable. These areas often incorporate automation and mobile technology such as offer cloud, mobile. 00:09:39:03 - 00:10:24:10 Unknown So having a comfort level with new tech and mobile apps is definitely a plus. Beyond the functional aspect, students should develop analytical skills by working with reporting to analytics tools. Hotels rely on the data from customizable reports and dashboards to make very strategic decisions. So being able to interpret and UN insights is highly prized in today's industry. Finally, having a general comfort with integrations such as how a PMS connects with the point of sale system or POS payment gateways that you use for your credit cards and in-room technologies, which are and removes your phone. 00:10:24:14 - 00:10:58:18 Unknown Electronic Minibars and other third party applications prepare students to minister for hospitality tech ecosystem. Overall, students that are comfortable with technology eager to learn new tools and able to connect operational processes with guest service, will be well prepared to use and manage hospitality management systems like offer cloud and a professional setting. It's the blend of technical skills and a service mindset that sets a future hospitality leader apart from others. 00:10:58:19 - 00:11:29:06 Unknown So let's keep going with this theme of what students need to learn. So for these students studying hospitality management, what technical skills and knowledge should they develop to effectively use and manage hospitality management systems in a professional setting? Once again, that's a great question. It definitely hits close to home for me. I actually have a bachelor's degree in sales and media management from the Hospitality and Business College at Johnson Wells University. 00:11:29:08 - 00:11:54:16 Unknown Back then, I never imagined I ended up at as one package. That's a great question and it definitely hits home for me. I actually have a bachelor's degree in sales and meeting management from the Hospitality and business College at Johnson, a Welsh university. Back then, I never imagined I end up working at a hospital working in the hospitality technology sector. 00:11:54:18 - 00:12:16:14 Unknown But what's been really rewarding is seeing how the skills I gained for my hospitality education are relevant every single day, especially as I help pass on offer cloud knowledge to our customers. For students studying hospitality management. I can't stress enough. 00:12:16:16 - 00:12:47:10 Unknown For students. Sorry. For students studying hospitality management. I can't stress enough how important it is to build a mix of both technical and operational knowledge. At its core, you really want to understand how a PMS works since this technology is the backbone of hotel operations. Get comfortable with things like managing reservations, guest check ins, checks out, billing, updating guest profiles. 00:12:47:12 - 00:13:12:19 Unknown Again, these are the nuts and bolts of daily hotel management. Reservations and distribution management are another key area, with so many bookings coming in from online travel agencies, global distribution systems and direct booking engines. Understanding how these channels connect to the hotel PMS and solutions like offer cloud distribution is. 00:13:12:21 - 00:13:50:18 Unknown Crucial. Reservation and distribution management is another key area, with so many bookings coming in from online travel agencies, global distribution systems and direct booking engines. Understanding how these channels connect into the hotel's PMS and solutions like Opera Cloud, is crucial for maximizing occupancy and revenue. It's also really important to gain hands on experience with front desk operations, using guest facing tools to capture preferences, manage, request, ensure seamless guest experiences. 00:13:50:20 - 00:14:16:01 Unknown Same goes for housekeeping in event management technology. Many of these tools are now mobile making it easier to manage tasks on the go with solutions like offer cloud. Mobile. Analytical skills are in high demand. Modern systems provide real time data and reporting tools, so learning how to interpret these reports and use. I do, I feel like I'm repeating myself. 00:14:16:03 - 00:14:19:23 Unknown Sorry. 00:14:20:01 - 00:14:39:15 Unknown Honestly, you're doing really great. It just this is where I always get. This is why I like podcasts better than webcasts. Because you can scripted out and you can go back and repeat it. So by the end of it, it really does sound perfect when we do it. Yeah. I mean, I'm, I kind of want you to send me the recording now so I can edit it before, you know. 00:14:39:17 - 00:15:01:00 Unknown Actually, it's better to have Dave do it instead of you doing it because he does have the bias. Yeah, he doesn't have the bias. He's really good. He gets all of it. It's just sounds so professional. But I get it good. So we'll leave it to the professionals. Now we are David's like I know. Yeah yeah yeah. Have you you've worked with Dave before haven't you. 00:15:01:02 - 00:15:18:01 Unknown I don't think so. He's a the Oracle's video hub guy. He's the Oracle video guy that does all the, like the stuff for cloud roll mapping. Okay. Yeah, we do most of our stuff. You do most of your just okay. So you want to edit it yourself. You can give it to me. I can just have give you the wraps on it. 00:15:18:03 - 00:15:41:02 Unknown No I you're right. I should just let it let it go wherever you want to start. Analytical skills are up further. Excuse me. I'm going to start back at the reservation and distribution management. Okay. Right there. Sounds good. Okay. And I have it on my screen, so that way you don't have to worry about, Oh, okay. 00:15:41:02 - 00:16:25:10 Unknown I'm following along. Okay, great. Okay. Reservations and distribution management is another key area with so many bookings coming in from online travel agencies, global distribution systems and direct booking engines, understand how these channels connect into the hotels. PMS and solutions like opera cloud distribution is crucial for maximizing occupancy and revenue. It's also really important to gain hands on experience with front desk operations, using guest facing tools to capture preferences, manage requests and ensure it's also really important to gain hands on experience with front desk operations. 00:16:25:16 - 00:17:02:17 Unknown Using guest facing tools to capture preferences, manage, request and ensure. See. I can't get a seamless guest experience as. It is also really important to gain hands on experience with front desk operations, using guest facing tools to capture preferences, manage requests, and ensure seamless guest experiences. Same goes for housekeeping in the event management technology. Many these tools are now mobile, making it easier, making it easier to manage tasks on the go with solutions like offer cloud. 00:17:02:17 - 00:17:35:12 Unknown Mobile analytical skills are also in high demand. Modern systems provide real time data and reporting tools, so learning how to interpret these reports and use insights to drive decision making is a real asset, whether you're working in operations or management. And there's one thing I'd like to add. Understanding integrations. This includes how the PMS links up with the point of sale system, POS payment solutions, and even in-room technology. 00:17:35:14 - 00:18:01:21 Unknown This provides you with a holistic view of hotel operations and prepares you to solve problems and innovate as technology evolves. What I found is combining the foundational hospitality knowledge for my degree with these technical skills has been invaluable not only for my career, but also helping our customers succeed with solutions like Opera Cloud. So let's continue along in that vein. 00:18:01:21 - 00:18:42:21 Unknown Sorry. So let's continue along in that vein, are there resources or certification programs through Oracle Academy that can prepare students for roles in hospitality technology? So here I'm really excited to share that Oracle Hospitality is partnering with Oracle Academy to offer our hospitality digital learning to Oracle Academy. My was supposed to be the seller. Tiara I'm really excited to share that Oracle Hospitality is partnering with Oracle Academy to offer hospitality, digital learning to Oracle Academy members at no cost. 00:18:42:23 - 00:18:54:19 Unknown This collaboration brings all the great Oracle Hospitality products I mentioned onto the Oracle Academy platform. 00:18:54:21 - 00:19:27:06 Unknown This collaboration brings all the great Oracle Hospitality products I mentioned onto the Oracle Academy platform. From making digital learning court. Digital learning content. This collaboration brings all the great Oracle hospitality products I mentioned onto the Oracle Academy platform, making digital learning content readily accessible. Instructors will be able to share this content directly with their students as part of select learning paths. 00:19:27:10 - 00:20:00:20 Unknown Students can earn Oracle Learning badges. Just instructors will be able to share this content directly with their students and as part of select learning paths, students can earn an Oracle Learning Badge upon completion. These badges are what these badges are great way to showcase skills on LinkedIn and other social platforms. We're also providing supporting materials to help guide instructors on how to enhance their courses. 00:20:01:00 - 00:20:06:20 Unknown By integrating this digital learning into this career. 00:20:06:22 - 00:20:27:02 Unknown We're also providing support materials to help guide instructors on how to enhance their courses by integrating this digital learning into their curriculum. And the best part is, this is just the first paid. 00:20:27:04 - 00:20:53:17 Unknown I'm going to get this free. We're also providing supporting materials to help guide instructors on how to enhance their courses. By integrating this digital learning into their curriculum. And the best part is, this is just the first phase of our partnership with Oracle Academy. We're planning to expand our materials and offerings even further for members in the future. 00:20:53:19 - 00:21:21:10 Unknown So for students interested in hospitality technology, there are fantastic resources and certification opportunities available through Oracle Academy to help them prepare for their future careers. I am so excited about this future partnership and the opportunity we've had to work together to bring Oracle Hospitality Management curriculum and materials into the hands of our Oracle Academy faculty and consequent and subsequently their students. 00:21:21:11 - 00:21:53:23 Unknown So my final question for you today. If you could give one piece of advice to faculty and students, what would it be? That oh, I love that question. And the one piece of advice I could offer to faculty and students would be this don't be afraid to be disruptive. Early in my career, I was hesitant to challenge the status quo or offered new ideas, especially when I was working with more senior consultants. 00:21:54:01 - 00:22:19:14 Unknown But as time went on, I started to see so many opportunities to make things more efficient and improved how we support our customers. When I finally found the courage to speak up and advocate for change, it made all the difference. Every time I disrupted the way things are done, it helped drive both my personal growth and positive changes for my team and our customers. 00:22:19:16 - 00:22:47:13 Unknown I've been embraced by my coworkers. Management now looks to me for new ideas and coaching and even clients from years ago. Stay in touch to share how much they value my approach during their influence. In the city. Every time I disrupted the way things were done, it helped drive both my personal growth and positive changes for my team and our customers. 00:22:47:14 - 00:23:16:10 Unknown I've been embraced by my coworkers. Management now looks to me for new ideas in coaching, coaching, and even clients from years ago. Stay in touch to share how much they valued my approach during their implementation. To me, disruption goes hand in hand with evolution and innovation. Don't be afraid to challenge norms or suggest a better way. This is what sets you apart in the hospitality industry. 00:23:16:12 - 00:23:44:03 Unknown This is what sets you apart in the hospitality industry and what leads to a lasting impact. I really appreciate what you just said. I found myself as a fellow disruptor throughout my career and I, I really well that it really resonates with me, what you just said. I think that that is one of the most important things for students to learn is how to be creative. 00:23:44:04 - 00:24:18:04 Unknown Don't you know, take a chance, take a risk. They may not always work, but when they do work, they work really well. And just taking those chances and disrupting the status quo and asking questions is so, so important. It's invaluable. Definitely. Absolutely. A special thanks to Diane for joining me today on the Oracle Academy Podcast. Please, visit the Academy website to get access to our brand new digital learning subscriptions from the Oracle Hospitality team, and subscribe to our podcast. 00:24:18:06 - 00:24:32:17 Unknown Thanks for listening. That wraps up this episode. Thanks for listening, and stay tuned for the next Oracle Academy Tech Chat podcast.
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