Buying a New Property Management Solution (PMS)? Here’s What to Keep in Mind
Most hoteliers are likely to have many of the same technology requirements on their ‘must-have’ lists when it comes to a next-generation property management solution (PMS). At the same time, the buying considerations are sure to vary widely from one hotelier to another depending on specific needs, including the category, size and typology of their property.
Following is a brief excerpt from The 2015 Smart Decision Guide to Hotel Property Management Systems, which is currently available for free download.
This article is adapted from The 2015 Smart Decision Guide to Hotel Property Management Systems. To read the eBook in its entirety, please click here.
Most hoteliers are likely to have many of the same technology requirements on their ‘must-have’ lists when it comes to a next-generation property management solution (PMS). At the same time, the buying considerations are sure to vary widely from one hotelier to another depending on specific needs, including the category, size and typology of their property.
Does the system need to interface with self-service check-in kiosks? Does it need to handle corporate expense account management? Does it require a casino management module for player and points tracking or an activity system for dining reservations? It depends. Still, there are a number of core considerations, starting with usability, that should guide the PMS evaluation process for hoteliers at virtually every property.
For starters, a PMS should be easy to use. It’s as simple as that. The interface should be intuitive. Screens should be laid out in a logical and easy-to-understand format. Some systems incorporate quick-feature icons and drag-and-drop capabilities, reducing the learning curve and driving more rapid and effective adoption across the organization.
Some systems also include social collaboration tools that can stimulate increased staff engagement and interaction (while also enhancing guest services delivery).
And because every hotel, resort and other lodging property has a unique personality, hoteliers may require a significant degree of customization. Some systems allow hoteliers to design and maintain their own screen layouts for customized workflow without incurring the cost of customization services. The PMS interface and underlying technology and database infrastructure should be flexible enough that it can accommodate this usability requirement.
Another obvious consideration relates to features and functionality. While hotels, resorts and other lodging properties have differing needs, there are a number of day-to-day operational capabilities that most hoteliers will expect of a next-generation PMS. These expectations largely center on the desire to improve operational efficiencies across all parts of the organization — in other words, the degree to which the PMS can automate different core functions and processes.
For example: Can it automate the process of managing reservations and rates, checking guests in and out of the property, assigning rooms and managing room inventory, servicing guest requests and handling accounting and billing requirements? Can it automate housekeeping services, room service delivery and maintenance management? Can it automate routine tasks like deposits, cancellations, confirmations, wait listing and room blocking? Some prospective buyers may want to know about revenue management features — whether the PMS can automate yield management processes, including setting and controlling room rates based on availability and anticipated demand.
Most hoteliers will expect front desk features to include guest messages and wake-up call modules and back office functionality to include the ability to manage revenue transfers along with a host of analytic reporting tools. Most hoteliers will be interested in financial features related to cashiering (managing deposits, settlements, adjustments, etc.), accounts receivable (direct billing, invoicing, etc.), and night auditing procedures. Increasingly, hoteliers may expect the PMS to include features related to customer relationship management and sales and marketing (e.g., social media integration and loyalty and rewards systems).
To download The 2015 Smart Decision Guide to Hotel Property Management Systems, please click here.
Also currently available is The 2015 Smart Decision Guide to Hospitality Revenue Management. To access it, please click here.
About Smart Decision Guides
Smart Decision Guides from Starfleet Media serve as definitive resources and required reading for decision makers researching selected niche markets with the intention of making a purchase decision. The content is independently produced, without editorial involvement from company underwriters, providing for unbiased, fact-based information and buying recommendations.
Categories: Technology