Hoteliers select Web-based Property Management Systems

April 22, 2004 |

Web based PMS solutions are definitely growing in popularity as a choice for both chain organizations and independents alike.

Web based PMS solutions are definitely growing in popularity as a choice for both chain organizations and independents alike. The driving force behind this growing acceptance is the simplicity and reliability of the technology behind them. Ultra thin, web based PMS solutions are lightening fast with property level installation as simple as a software download. Think Adobe reader! In addition, these ultra thin, low bandwidth, solutions do not require any additional complex layers of communication, such as Citrix/ Terminal Services, and as a result require little IT expertise at the hotel or at corporate level. With access provided over high speed cable or DSL, the reliability of these web based mission-critical PMS solutions rival the traditional local server approach and offer many additional benefits.
Unlike the traditional local server Windows PMS implementation, these web based alternatives require very little hardware infrastructure at the property level. In most cases, all that is required is a Windows based PC (98 or better) with high speed Internet access (HSIA). The usual complexities of desktop processing speed, printer access, network infrastructure, and server sizing and implementation are no longer a concern or a cost. Hoteliers selecting web based PMS applications are making use of existing equipment and saving big on new hardware purchases.

Web based applications, and the companies that offer them, can provide the hoteliers the traditional comfort of “ownership of their data”, without the ongoing IT complexities of managing their own system. Off site hosting is now very inexpensive and makes sense for even the smallest of hotel properties. Hotels can choose their own hosting company and feel comfortable that their data is secure and protected as well as all of the on-going backup, maintenance, database and hardware concerns being expertly managed.

For many of these reasons, Ramesys, an industry leader in the development of PMS solutions for over 20 years, has seen a significant increase in both chain and independent customers preferring a web based implementation of their PMS offerings. According to Rick Kennedy, CEO of Ramesys Hospitality Inc, “The maturity of the Internet, the reliability of high speed Internet access and the development of our own ultra thin client are all factors that have lead to the trend of our customers choosing web based implementations of our PMS solutions over the traditional local server implementation approach. Using today’s readily available technology, we have decreased the traditional IT burden and cost to our customers tremendously and allowed them to refocus themselves on exactly what they have always wanted to do, the management of their own businesses.”

In one such customer example, the Best Western Soldiers Field in Rochester, MN, a 214 room full service, group and Fully Inclusive Tours (FIT) property, installed a 17-user license of the web based Entirety Enterprise Suite from Ramesys, consisting of Front Office, Sales and Catering, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and web reservation modules. For this particular property, Ramesys made the hosting arrangements on behalf of the customer at a secure, professional off site hosting facility local to their head offices in New Jersey. Property level access and operation of the system has been very reliable and lightening fast.

“As a web based hosted solution, the Entirety Enterprise Suite shifts the responsibility of managing computer hardware away from us and back to the experts. As a result, Soldiers Field has been able to focus on managing our hotel while Ramesys helps manage our IT,” said Myron Salz, general manager and owner at the property.

The multi-property Entirety solution is also one that is well suited and being implemented at the corporate level as a hosted solution for many hotel chains. In addition to the benefits described above for all hosted solutions, as a chain, the benefits would further include:

- A single guest profile across all properties
- Centralized reporting and analysis
- Cross booking capability at the property level
- Centralized web booking (option) across all properties
- Centralized AR (option)
- Centralized direct eMail and guest retention programs.

Web hosted solutions for even mission critical applications like property management solutions are here to stay and growing in number. Old issues of reliability and data ownership are no longer factors in the decision making process with benefits such as simplicity and cost effectiveness playing an even greater role in ensuring that the trend towards web based PMS implementations continues to grow.