Students Close Performance Gaps Using Software from d2o
Orlando, Fla. – May 8, 2013 – The University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management gave new meaning to “on-the-job training.” Twenty undergraduates stepped into the role of hotel general manager during a three-week pilot program using the latest hospitality technology.
Students took part in an intensive crash course on dynamic performance management. They then applied their new knowledge by managing a virtual hotel property in real time.
The cloud-based Performance Management Intelligence (PMI) suite—developed by d2o—provided real data from the Britannia Hotel in Norway. Students used PMI to handle staffing, scheduling, food purchasing, daily occupancy, revenue forecasting, and stock control. In short, they learned to manage core hotel operations as if running a real property.
“This technology gives our students the unique chance to face real-world management challenges,” said Dr. Abraham Pizam, dean of UCF’s Rosen College. “It not only teaches but also reinforces collaboration and proactive revenue management in a fun, practical, and engaging way.”
To measure results, the college launched a student competition. Senior John Posada earned first place with a score of 9.59 out of 10 on the performance index.
“As a student, I could make decisions like a real hotel general manager,” said Posada. “I learned to forecast daily, monthly, and yearly results across departments—kitchen, bar, front office, cleaning, and housekeeping. Running a hotel in real time was an exceptional opportunity.”
As the winner, Posada will travel to Norway, hosted by d2o, to visit the Britannia Hotel—the same property students managed virtually during the course.
“Conventional cost control and isolated revenue management are no longer enough,” said Young Nguyen, CEO of d2o. “Owners and operators must manage resources as proactively as rates and distribution. Future leaders will thrive through collaboration, communication, and resource optimization.”
UCF’s Rosen College is the first U.S. academic institution to use d2o’s technology in the classroom.
About UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Orlando welcomes more than 56 million visitors each year, making it the world’s hospitality capital. The city offers over 117,200 hotel rooms, 20,000 vacation units, 5,300 restaurants, 176 golf courses, nearly 100 attractions, a world-class airport, and a leading convention center.
At the heart of this destination is UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. For more than 30 years, Rosen College has given students unmatched opportunities to learn and work in the industry’s top market. With award-winning faculty and strong industry partnerships, the college prepares the next generation of global hospitality leaders. Learn more at hospitality.ucf.edu.
About d2o
Founded in Norway in 2000, d2o is the leading provider of real-time performance management solutions for hospitality. Its Performance Management Intelligence (PMI) Series helps hotels increase profit by dynamically managing resources and reducing waste.
PMI enables collaboration, forecasting, and operational optimization. The result: lower labor and F&B costs, reduced waste, and higher profitability. Features include budgeting, food cost control, scheduling, and productivity management. For more information, visit www.d2o.com.
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