A hotel Property Management System (PMS) opens up a world of possibilities for integrations and collaborations with various vendors. Consider, for example, a PMS that merges effortlessly with a Revenue Management System, Channel Manager, Booking Engine, CRM, etc. As the hospitality industry continually embraces emerging technologies, the pivotal factor in any hotelier’s purchasing decision is invariably the potential for integration.
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One must comprehend that the optimal Property Management System should initially integrate flawlessly within your existing hotel technology infrastructure.
In addition, it should be capable of interlinking with third-party products and vendors, leveraging many innovations in hotel technology.
Selecting the appropriate Hotel Property Management System is no small feat.
For advice on selecting PMS software suited to your property, refer to our article: How to Choose a Property Management System
While bespoke integrations might be feasible for large hotels, they are generally not practical for small to mid-sized properties. Adding custom integrations can be costly, intricate, and time-intensive. Therefore, opting for a PMS that naturally integrates with all mission-critical software is recommended.
Ideally, integrations should be implemented via an API to enhance connectivity and reduce potential errors or downtime.
Channel Manager
A Channel Manager, or channel management software, manages connectivity to OTAs such as Expedia, Booking.com, or even Short Term Rentals platforms like Airbnb.
Although a hotel PMS may not inherently feature an integrated Channel Manager, your vendor must offer post-sales integration with a Channel Manager, mainly if such a module isn’t already part of the platform.
Your distribution channels (including OTAs like Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda, Hotelbeds, Airbnb, etc.), mobile apps, airlines, and the Global Distribution System (GDS) – "Global Distribution System (GDS)") should be adequately synchronized via a channel manager with your PMS. This synchronization eradicates the need for manual booking management and automates all associated transactions.
**The Channel Manager connects directly to the PMS and provides a unified platform to manage and distribute room inventories across
"Optimizing Revenue Management System
A PMS integrated with a Revenue Management System allows hoteliers to execute dynamic, data-informed strategies that significantly enhance revenue and streamline rate management.
Most PMSs grant the capability to manually regulate availability and rates in response to occupancy manually, thereby optimizing sales across various channels.
Certain PMS providers have embedded dynamic pricing modules capable of executing basic revenue management tasks, which might suffice for hotels that don’t necessitate sophisticated pricing reactivity. These systems generally operate on triggers, adjusting prices when a specific threshold of available or booked rooms is reached.
A Revenue Management System, however, is a more advanced software suite. Particularly for hoteliers managing mid-sized to larger hotels, this system is invaluable for efficient yield management.
A Revenue Management System employs sophisticated algorithms, historical PMS data, competitors’ rates, local events, and seasonal trends to determine optimal rates, thereby maximizing revenue. A robust Revenue Management System continually scrutinizes historical data to refine pricing strategies. It also updates prices across distribution channels to sell rooms at the best possible rates, typically via the Channel Manager.
Explore the most favored Revenue Management Systems on the Tenten Marketplace to identify the ideal fit for your hotel!
Embracing a Website Booking Engine
A hotel’s online Booking Engine solution (also known as a Web Booking Engine or Internet Booking Engine) is a tool that facilitates your hotel to accept direct bookings from guests via your website. Hence it’s often termed the hotel’s “direct channel”. Furthermore, the online booking engine synchronizes with your PMS to automatically update essential booking details like arrival and departure date, room rate, number of guests, room type, and guest name(s).
Premier online booking engines are fully tailored to align with your website’s aesthetic, playing a vital role in maintaining brand consistency and cultivating trust from potential bookers interacting with your brand’s “Book now” button.
These booking engines exhibit multiple high-quality images of the property, are compatible with all major mobile devices and operating systems, and offer multilingual functionality – an essential feature if your hotel caters to international guests.
Discover the most popular Point of Sales Systems on the Tenten Marketplace, and determine which one could be the ideal solution for your hotel!
Essential Point-Of-Sale System
For a hotel with multiple point-of-sale terminals, a Point Of Sales (POS) system is crucial for managing transactions, as it automates payments and consolidates financial data.
Many hotels operate restaurants, gyms, and spas on their premises. Hoteliers can add charges or discounts to each customer’s final bill using a PMS. These charges may include:
- Spa, gym, and activity fees
- Food and beverage services (restaurants, cafes, breakfasts)
- In-room services, mini-bar items, TV, or Wi-Fi.
Explore the most sought-after Point of Sales Systems on the Tenten Marketplace and determine the perfect fit for your hotel.
Are you aiming to:
- Boost occupancy, revenue or ADR?
- Enhance your software stack?
- Resolve a distribution or tech issue?
- Elevate your hotel’s online marketing?
Contact us today!
Are you seeking to:
- Increase occupancy, revenue or ADR?
- Improve your software stack?
- Address a distribution or tech issue?
- Boost your hotel’s online marketing?
Schedule a Meeting Today
Integrated Payment Platform
An interface with a Payment Platform, also known as a Payment Gateway, will enable guests to make pre-payments directly on your website at the time of booking.
Your PMS should be capable of pre-authorizing customers’ cards (i.e., verifying the card’s validity and payment possibility without charging anything or requiring the guest’s presence).
If you operate a physical terminal (some PMS systems now offer their own payment terminals), your reception staff can process on-site payments upon guest arrival.
Extra points if you can fully automate payments and pre-authorization systems based on the cancellation policy.
Remember hidden fees (such as interchange fees) associated with payment platform integrations. Some PMSs charge a minor commission that can accumulate into significant expenses over time!
If you utilize a self-check-in kiosk or a contactless check-in solution, you’re already integrating with a payment solution.
Explore the most popular Payment Platforms in the Tenten Marketplace, and determine the ideal one for your hotel!"
Essential Access Control System
An Access Control System validates, authenticates, and permits an individual’s entry into the premises, providing comprehensive protection and ensuring guest security. A hotel access control system allows staff to safely and conveniently grant access to each guest room at check-in.
Previously, only larger hotels had access control systems with magnetic cards. Still, the industry has evolved significantly over the past decade, making such contactless technology accessible even to smaller properties (where not having 24/7 staff makes a lot of sense).
Explore the most popular Access Control Systems on the Tenten Marketplace, and determine the ideal one for your hotel!
WebLock is a cloud-based access control solution that enables keyless entry and remote management of door locks.
Self-Service Kiosk System
The adoption of self-check-in systems had been on the rise globally, but the Covid-19 crisis transformed it into a requirement. These systems are no longer just trendy additions used by large hotel chains but are now a standard expectation from all hotels.
Nowadays, some advanced PMS software offer integration with check-in kiosks and allow QR code-based check-ins.
To gain more insight into self-check-in kiosks, peruse our comprehensive guide on self check-in technology, or discover the most popular Self-Service Kiosk Systems on the Tenten Marketplace to find the perfect fit for your hotel!
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System
CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management System, and it’s primarily used by larger hotels (small and medium-sized properties often get by with the basic reporting and customer data management features of the Property Management System).
Article composed by Tenten – Digital Consultancy for Hotel Brands
We assist busy hoteliers in identifying, setting up, and operating the appropriate applications and services to manage their business in line with their needs, budget, and technical and human resources requirements.
Learn more about Tenten – Digital Consultant for Hotel Brands.