Hotel System™ verses traditional systems

PMS = Property Management System
CRS = Central Reservation System

The overriding difference between Hotel System™ and traditional PMS software is that Hotel System™ is an advanced, hand-coded web-application that uses the global internet for its connections; whereas most other hotel management systems are cumbersome, framework-developed applications that run on a hotel's Local Area Network. Consequently, Hotel System™ is a full-blown CRS as well as a powerful PMS.

There follows an explanation of why Hotel System™ should lead to lower equipment and IT support costs; increased productivity through user confidence and instant access to a wealth of information when it is needed most; minimal staff training due to intuitive interfaces; high levels of data security; minimal down-time due to expert round-the-clock server management; and peace-of-mind through knowing that minor problems can be fixed remotely within minutes, not days.

No Special Equipment — Hotel System™ requires nothing more in the way of computers than basic Macs or PCs with an internet connection, and is not susceptible to viruses or malicious software residing on your network. We take care of the hardware so all you need are web browsers and a DSL line or two (it's wise to have a back-up line in case of connection problems).

Traditional PMS systems and their databases need to operate from servers on hotel premises, which make them vulnerable to network viruses and outright theft. Such servers need to be purchased, housed, maintained and upgraded periodically, which usually requires costly ongoing IT support and specialist knowledge of the database system in use.

Global Access — Hotel System™ can be securely accessed from any basic Mac or PC with an internet connection, anywhere in the world, at any time of the day or night. Staff can work on the system from home, and owner/managers can even check up on things whilst out of the country.

Traditional systems normally only run from a hotel's Local Area Network (or separate hotel networks connected by expensive radio or telecom links), making them inaccessible to the outside world without special, fixed network links.

Flexible Usage — Hotel System™ can be simultaneously used by as many members of staff as you wish. Its extremely lean code, highly efficient database and powerful server systems mean that it can potentially be used by hundreds of people at the same time without any noticeable loss of speed.

Traditional systems usually restrict the number of users by licence. They often slow up with more than a few people using them at the same time, and can even crash altogether under relatively modest loads by web-application standards.

Secure Data — Hotel System™ runs on a digitally secure web server located in a physically secure London data-centre (the best in the country). The server is monitored and maintained on a 24/7 basis by on-site technicians, and all changes to files or data are instantly replicated to a secondary server in a different data-centre, which is ready to takeover should the primary server ever be disabled by a natural or man-made disaster. In short: your system and its data will be secure and backed-up to the very highest mission-critical standards, and you will even be able to download your own data back-ups at the click of a button.

Traditional systems normally run on your office network so if you have a fire, flood or theft, everything could be lost, including any back-ups stored on your local network!

Designed to be Useable — Hotel System™ looks good, is highly intuitive and follows a natural, logical work-flow when carrying out tasks. The importance of this feature cannot be overstated because it will effect how quickly your staff understand the system, how soon they become confident and productive with it, and how often they avoid making costly mistakes.

Traditional framework-developed PMS systems normally feature interface screens that have been thrown together by someone who has no idea about usability or interface design. Consequently, they nearly always look garish, 'blocky' and are distinctly unintuitive to use. Hotel System™, on the other hand, has proved itself to be very well liked and extremely easy to use.

Instant Software Updates — Because Hotel System™ is running on a web server under our direct control, minor modifications or updates can be actioned by us in seconds, and seen by you immediately. So if you notice something that can be improved, we can usually make the necessary changes to the code whilst you are still on the phone to us!

Problems with traditional systems, no matter how critical or trivial, require coding changes to be made in often far away places, burnt to CD and then mailed to you. Then you need to install the updated system and keep your fingers crossed that everything works as it should.

Vastly Expandable — If your hotel empire grows, Hotel System™ will allow you to manage hundreds of guest and function rooms across numerous hotels, all from the same interface. If required, any hotel in the group can be managed from any other hotel in the group, or from an office in Timbuktu as long as it has an internet connection!

Traditional off-the-shelf PMS systems simply don't have this capability, which is why they will soon be a thing of the past now that the world is waking up to the potential of web applications.