14 Oct HOTEL TECHNOLOGY EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY PROVIDER: TESTIFYING CONSULTANT FOR LAW FIRMS
Ask hotel technology expert witness testimony leaders and they’ll tell you: As the industry becomes increasingly digitized, hospitality pros are increasingly being asked to provide invaluable insights into the complex technical landscape of modern properties. We consider where hotel technology expert witnesses frequently offer opinions for law firms and attorneys.
- Property Management Systems (PMS) and Central Reservation Systems (CRS)
At the crux of operations, PMS and CRS are often subjects of expert testimony:
- System implementation and integration challenges
- Data migration issues during system upgrades
- Interface problems that hotel technology expert witnesses see with other IT systems (e.g., point-of-sale, revenue management)
- Compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA)
- Contract disputes with technology vendors
Pros elected to take on the role of hotel technology expert witness evaluate whether these systems met industry standards, if implementation was handled properly, or if system failures resulted in quantifiable damages to the hotel’s operations or reputation.
- Cybersecurity and Data Breaches
With properties now handling vast amounts of sensitive guest data, cybersecurity is also for hotel technology expert witnesses an area of critical concern:
- Assessment of data protection measures and protocols
- Compliance with industry standards (e.g., PCI DSS for payment data)
- Evaluation of incident response procedures following a data breach
- Analysis of the scope and impact of cybersecurity incidents
- Recommendations for improved security measures
Testimony can be crucial in determining liability and damages in cases involving data breaches or cyber attacks on hotel systems.
- Guest-Facing Technologies and Mobile Solutions
The proliferation of guest-facing technologies has introduced new areas for hotel technology expert witness testimony:
- Mobile check-in/check-out systems and digital key implementations
- In-room technology (e.g., smart TVs, voice assistants, IoT devices)
- Guest Wi-Fi network performance, capacity, and security
- Mobile app functionality, user experience, and integration with hotel services
- Contactless payment systems and their implementation
Experts might evaluate whether these technologies met guest expectations, complied with accessibility requirements, or introduced security vulnerabilities.
- Revenue Management and Distribution Systems
As digital channels dominate bookings, consultants frequently address issues related to revenue management and distribution:
- Functionality and accuracy of revenue management system algorithms
- Integration between revenue management systems and distribution channels
- Channel management system performance and parity issues
- OTA contract compliance and dispute resolution
- Impact of system failures on hotel revenue and market position
Top hotel technology expert witness picks assess whether systems performed as promised or if technical issues led to revenue loss or brand damage.
- Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Systems
With the increasing importance of data-driven decision making, experts often opine on:
- Implementation and utilization of business intelligence tools
- Data warehouse design and data integration processes
- Accuracy and reliability of reporting and analytics systems
- Data governance and quality control measures
- ROI analysis of analytics implementations
Expertise can be vital in cases involving disputes over system performance or the strategic value of data initiatives.
Via providing opinions on these topics, hotel technology expert witnesses bridge the gap between complex technical concepts and legal proceedings. All help audiences understand the nuances of IT implementations, failures, and best practices.
