Global Point of Sale to Become Brand Standard
As seen through recent events at large retailers, the risks and fall-out from credit card fraud are significant. Consequences of a breach can include bank-assessed fines and suspension of credit card processing capabilities, as well as impacts to your business and our customers’ perception of Marriott’s brands.
We know information security is top-of-mind for our owner and franchise partners. In an effort to meet security requirements and reduce risk, we intend to migrate all POS systems to the Marriott network and make MICROS Simphony a Global Brand Standard effective January 1, 2016. The new system not only provides increased security, but also has the ability to integrate the POS with other Marriott applications and initiatives in the future. A single POS solution will enhance implementations across the enterprise from a cost and speed-to-market perspective.
As part of the standard, tokenization will be required for POS credit card transactions (available in the U.S. & Canada principally). Marriott’s tokenization process, which works in conjunction with Simphony, replaces credit card information with a token which removes the POS from the scope of current PCI security requirements and reduces the likelihood of credit card breaches.
This effort is already underway at hotels with a POS system that resides on the Marriott network. All other hotels with a POS should wait for guidance from Marriott before investing in any new POS equipment. Hotels that will open before the end of Q3 should work with Marriott to purchase Simphony as this will minimize any additional costs upon transitioning to the new POS.
The global POS solution is designed to be hosted centrally and to enable mobility through the use of tablets. Mobility options will be available later this year to hotels that have transitioned to the new system.
Detailed planning is underway and, although specifics are not available at this time, we wanted to advise you of this important upcoming change. We will provide you with a more detailed update in the coming months.
As we all know, information security is vitally important and we appreciate your support of our efforts to protect our guests’ personal information.