April 24, 2024
Dear Herschend,
You may have noticed that we’re doing a lot of technology upgrades across the company this year – from our human resources tools to ticketing and foods points of sale and now our Microsoft products.
Our goal is to migrate all Herschend properties to the latest Microsoft software by the end of this year.
This may feel like a lot of change in one year, but these important upgrades will bring our technology up to date with industry best practices and, over time, revolutionize how we connect and do business.
WHAT MICROSOFT 365 (M365) DOES FOR YOU
Access to 21st Century Programs – M365 is a cloud-based suite of applications that includes all the tools you’re already using (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) plus new ones like SharePoint (file management/sharing for teams), OneDrive (secure file access on any device), and Microsoft Teams (chat, video meetings, application integration).
What You Need, Where & When You Need It – Because M365 is a “cloud-based” software, you can access your suite of Microsoft products from any device with an internet connection. This will be especially helpful for those who need to access files from their phone or tablet while walking the property or traveling for business.
Our current Microsoft products do not have this capability, which limits our work.
Simplified Project and Information Sharing — In M365, you can collaborate on documents and projects with colleagues in every application through real-time document co-authoring, video conferencing, and instant messaging. This eliminates the need to email documents back and forth and worry about editing an old version.
One Solution for All – Every property using the same software and tools will make sharing, viewing, and collaborating on projects easier for everyone because all M365 applications seamlessly integrate with one another. This means we’ll easily be able to look up contact information and calendar availability for colleagues.
Safekeeping for Your Data & Hard Work – With M365, you can sync your desktop files with the Cloud, so files are available, if your computer isn’t. For sensitive projects and data, M365 has robust security features, like threat protection and identity management.
WHAT’S NEXT?
If your property is not already using M365, you will receive details regarding timing and next steps from your IT department over the next few weeks. Online training will be available for all users, with a select group of “super users” receiving additional training.
If you have questions about M365 in the meantime, please contact adam.wolff@hfecorp.com.
-Adam Wolff, Chief Information Officer
Herschend