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Systems
Property integration
Managing a property, big and small, is a task, which is
why adopting a property management system becomes pertinent. Praveen K Singh
finds out more about software that can work wonders for property managers.
 Property
managers, be it hotels, resorts, or condominiums, have one thing in common:
they strive to integrate all modules and link information to be in total control
of their property. Realising the importance of real-time value for money, hotels
and resorts all over the world take advantage of property management system
(PMS) to maximise their revenues.
With the motive to centralise and consolidate key data to offer detailed business
analysis reports, and to forecast, optimise and control their bookings to increase
REVPAR, hotels and resorts are using the flexible and dynamic nature of the
system's booking models and also detailed management reporting. Describing the
importance of PMS in his property, Manoj Agarwal, general manager of Holiday
Inn, Surat, says, "We see flexibility and efficiency in the PMS software,
which raises the bar for communication and information sharing."
An abundance of choice
An ideal PMS should cover all the department's daily activities, automate work
and support modular approach, so that additional modules can be incorporated
in future, as the company grows. Pushpinder Kumar, vice president and general
manager of Uppal's Orchid Hotel, feels that these systems not only help properties
in providing luxury with responsibility to guests, but also increases the fundamental
object of the business. "Our property has tied up with Optims to enhance
revenue management to achieve the next level of professionalism," he reveals.
Ankur Bhatia, executive director of The Bird Group that provides Optims, explains,
"In the present scenario with the technology advancement in the hospitality
sector, hotel properties and chains will be able to better manage their inventories
and other revenue management models efficiently and effectively." He adds
that the market today is aggressive and there are several technology-based solutions
on offer. "Every hospitality concern has to make a choice according to
the exact need of its property," Bhatia informs.
- ERP approach for total solution integration
all the operations of the property
- Should cover all the department's daily
activities and automate work
- Should cover MIS extensively for the top
management
- Should support modular approach of incorporating
additional modules in future
- Total integration of all modules to link
the islands of information and gain total control
- Flexibility to accommodate diverse requirements
of hospitality establishments like hotels, motels, resorts, service
apartments and condominiums
- Should support multi-properties
- Should support high level of parameterisation
for configuration of the system by the users themselves based on the
changing business needs
- Should support up to six levels of data
security preferably up to field level. Audit trail on amendments/deletions
of all critical transactions should be supported
- Should support electronic filing of documents,
auto email confirmation, SMS messaging, Web-based reservation, web-based
MIS and office automation tools interface like spreadsheet and word
- Should support interface with all third
party devices like PBAX, touch-screen, PDA, TV, key card, Wi-Fi, etc
to automate operations
(Courtesy S M Edward, managing director
of Winsar Infosoft)
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Based on Windows and SQL Server, a number of systems are available in the
market. Some of the conventional systems are also in vogue with character-based
screens and are based on DOS, UNIX and OS/400. Satyendra Bindra, an IT consultant,
informs, "A major confusion among hoteliers is whether to use Windows or
not. It is tough to run Windows on old computers since slows operations. If
one is going to do a lot of data analysis, they will need a high-grade database
with Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 or Oracle."
Some of the prominent international chains are focusing on standardisation like
REZsolutions/MSI/HSS for Cendant, Fidelio/Geac for Starwood, and Fidelio/HSI/MCorp
for Carlson. However, some like International Choice are developing their own
systems. In spite of that, new systems go on with new innovations, bringing
upgraded systems. Bindra says, "For example, a company like Lodgical is
concentrating on room selling. This is because in the fast-paced and open market,
all operators are looking for newer ways to catch the mind of subscribers with
some degree of expertise. Since Windows has a high degree of intricacy, the
company makes it possible to create modern, innovative and instinctive user
screens, simplifying the amalgamation of the PMS with office automation tools."
Protocol Technologies' standard interface box provides a reasonably priced,
expedient solution for many of today's sub-system interfaces (POS, PBX, cable,
credit card authorisation, etc) whereas international companies like HITIS continues
to make progress in developing interface standards, which will benefit future
technology developers. Most international vendors are targeting multinational
companies like Fidelio, originally a German PMS vendor which was later acquired
by Micros.
In the end, one has to make an intelligent choice. S M Edward, managing director
of Winsar Infosoft, says, "In spite of everything, the system must do what
you require it to do, at your property and in your environment. It doesn't matter
whether you have a 40-room resort or a 1,000-room convention hotel, except that
they have different priorities. There are many ways of satisfying a particular
operational need and most systems cover the fundamentals (reservations, room
selection, guest folio management) well."
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