Key Vocabulary for Chapter 14

Professional Vocabulary:

Failsafe. Microfitted and hard-wired electronic locking systems alike depend on both 110-volt electricity and battery power to operate. Failsafe keycards are created as a host console backup in the event of temporary power failure or system downtime. The failsafe card works exactly like a newly written keycard. It disables previous cards, enables itself, and leaves intact all other cards in the hierarchy. Should the power outage or downtime persist, additional failsafe keycards can be used with each subsequent check-in. Once the system returns to operation, the next standard guest keycard disables all previous failsafe cards. The term failsafe has come to mean any device or practice used during a system's downtime.

HOBIC. Hotel Outward Bound Information Center is an acronym for the telephone company's long distance network. Historically all hotels were connected to HOBIC--it was their only option for long distance phone calls. A HOBIC operator would intercede with all long distance calls placed from the guest room. Since deregulation, a number of long distance options have materialized from which hotels can select. Still, many call accounting systems continue to use HOBIC as a failsafe in the event of system downtime and as an overflow for periods when all other long distance trunk lines are in use.

Synergy. Synergy is defined as "the action of separate agencies which together have greater total effect than the sum of their individual efforts." In terms of interfacing two systems, managers need to ask what synergistic benefit is to be gained from the interface. If the end result is greater efficiency or information from the whole than previously available from the separate systems, then synergy exists and the interface should be considered.

Uniform Connectivity. All computer systems are developed with their own unique hardware and software platforms. In years past, system platforms were often incompatible with each other. Unwary hotel managers purchased separate functions with no way to interface them. Uniform connectivity ensures a standardization of hardware and software platforms across the industry. Systems which conform to the industry's standards are fully compatible and can be readily interfaced.

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E-mail Gary Vallen at Gary.Vallen@nau.edu
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