Property management is a very broad industry, which needs comprehensive solutions that can support all processes within it.
Choosing the right property management system for your hotel is a big decision, as it will impact the entirety of your business on a daily basis. While there are many options available on the market today, as well as many factors to consider, narrowing down your selection criteria and focusing on a few important areas can help ease the decision-making process.
What are the things that you need to consider in choosing a property management system?
Guide to Selecting a Property Management System
Mobility
One of the staples of a good property management system is the ability to leverage mobile technology. Whether that is through a mobile application, or the ability to access the property management system from a browser, being able to operate the software untethered has almost become a must-have for the modern day hotel.
Contactless Technology
The goal of contactless technology is to limit both physical contact and face-to-face interaction, which can be achieved by using contactless solutions that are directly integrated with the property management system. Some of the key functionalities include checking-in and out via a mobile application, sending messages from the front desk to guests and hotel staff, completing secure payments with a mobile device or chip reader, and using mobile keys to unlock room doors directly from a smartphone. The benefits of contactless technology cannot be understated, especially during times like these.
Functionality
A property management system should include key functionalities such as front-desk operations, back-office management, housekeeping, revenue management, reporting/analytics capabilities, customer relationship management, as well as a central reservation system.
These are the essential features that any property management software must have, regardless of price. During the research process, it is advisable to complete a demonstration of the entire software solution to ensure the functionality required is available within the PMS.
Cloud Technology
One of the biggest reasons to choose a Cloud PMS is cost. Cloud-based solutions are generally less expensive, as compared to an on-premise solution, as there is only a monthly subscription fee and there are no ongoing server maintenance costs.
Usability
Just as a complicated user interface can hinder your employee’s ability to learn the software, a clean and easy to use system can help users adopt the solution much quicker. The less complex and more intuitive the property management system is, the less time you will have to spend on training and transitioning employees. Management systems are also regularly updated, so your hotel will always be up-to-date on the latest version of the software.
Reliability
Your hotel must be able to rely on your property management system to check guests in and out, while maintaining high-levels of guest satisfaction. A big consideration when looking at property management systems is uptime, especially when it comes to cloud-based solutions. While all solutions are not perfect, it is important to find a PMS that offers as close to 100% uptime as possible.
Security
In today’s world, you can never be too safe – and partnering with a property management software vendor who places critical importance on the safety of your data is a definite must. An important consideration to keep your guest’s information safe is to leverage a property management software with point-to-point encryption (P2Pe). This ensures that all of the credit card data transmitted is done so in a safe and secure manner. As mentioned, this is an important functionality that is often overlooked and unconsidered.
You should be well-equipped now to make a more informed decision that better meets the needs and requirements of your hotel.
Try Nodal PMS and request a demo today! Our product expert will gladly demonstrate our product offering and show you how can improve your business. Invest in a property management system that will take your hotel operations to the next level!