Business

5 benefits of an Online Hotel Management System

When thinking about managing the reservations and income of an independent hotel, we normally automatically think of the online travel agencies (OTA’s) in which we will sell our rooms. We also think of a direct Booking Engine , a management system for these online sales channels ( Channel Manager ) or of being attentive to the reputation of our property, attending to the opinions and requests of our guests.

Read this information about Hoteling software too.

However, a fundamental point that should attract attention first of all, is to use a Hotel Management System (Property Management System -PMS-) that allows the hotel business to be managed in an orderly and simple way. Without the latter, any attempt to properly boost our hotel’s revenues and make the right strategic decisions will be incomplete and will lack a solid foundation on which to lean. A PMS is the foundation on which the structure of a hotel should rest.

Here are 5 essential solutions provided by the new hotel management systems:

  1. Increased productivity in the reception area and in room management

There is no doubt that an online system, centralized and accessible by the entire team, allows;

  • improve communication,
  • avoid misunderstandings,
  • record the completion of tasks,
  • assign responsibilities,
  • establish operational priorities and
  • clearly order daily work.

The time savings from automating functions and replacing manual work modes are obvious, helping to focus attention on strategic issues, such as improving guest service and increasing revenue.

  1. Easy and flexible access to information

A cloud-based PMS can be accessed at any time from any device with a Wi-Fi connection (be it a cell phone, a tablet or a laptop). The needs of the independent hotel manager or owner require constant monitoring of economic indicators and business performance. Today, the dynamics of the hotelier’s work no longer means sitting at a desk in an office, but actively being in constant motion whether inside or outside the hotel.

  1. Saving money and optimizing income

The improvements in the execution times of personnel tasks and the planning of daily work have as a consequence a reduction in operating expenses , not only due to the reduction of errors and inaccuracies but also because it allows better use of human resources, avoiding new unnecessary hiring of staff.

In addition, having accurate historical reports on the progress of the business, and real income and occupancy forecasts, favors correct decision-making in the definition of rates, which will positively impact occupancy and the average rate.

  1. Integration with other technological applications in real time

Today’s online Hotel Management Systems can and should be easily connected to complementary tools such as the Direct Booking Engine and the Channel Manager , which further streamlines the booking and revenue management processes of a hotel .

A PMS that transmits real-time information about hotel occupancy and rates:

  • eliminates chances of overselling ,
  • optimizes the use of room inventory and
  • automatically uploads information to online travel agencies and the booking engine,
  • All this saving manual loading times.
  1. Improvements in guest satisfaction

A Hotel Management System manages to build a very valuable database of guests , which can be intelligently used with satisfaction surveys before and after the stay to improve key aspects in the provision of the service and climb positions in the rankings of reputation in sites. like Trip Advisor or Trivago .

CONCLUSION:

Incorporating a PMS is key to the successful management of independent hotels and to bridging the technology gap with large hotel chains.

A PMS should be considered a true strategic investment for the independent hotelier who intends to strengthen the competitive position of his business.