Information Technology: A Boom in the Hospitality Industry. : 4Hoteliers - 1 views
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Selecting the right type of system is most important for any hotel operation.
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Most of the hotels use special software made for hotels which are generally called as Property Management System (PMS). PMS comprise of both front end and back end solutions. There are various other solutions which are not part of PMS but, get interfaced with the PMS.
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Good IT personnel should have the knowledge of all the three components, i.e., System (flow of each activity), Software (that translate the activity in measurable terms both quantitatively and qualitatively) and Hardware (Media through which we can see these activities). All this should reflect in primarily guest satisfaction, staff satisfaction, management satisfaction and owner satisfaction.
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While choosing the system, proper evaluation of the PMS has to be made. Evaluation must be in terms of User Friendliness, Menu Driven navigation, Key defined access, Lesser number of key strokes, Easy access to required data, Visual Impacts, Meaningful reports, various levels of security access, possibility of customization at the user level etc.
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Today, computers do magic for the front end staff enabling them to devote more time in attending guest requirements in a pleasing way without compromising the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
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System requirement for each facility differs and it should preferably be a cost effective solution. It is not necessary that all hotels require most expensive computer systems. Small hotels needs a simpler systems than the big operations where complicated services, standards, data assimilation and decision making tools are required. Many big operations require various interfacing such as Telephones, Internet, Interactive Television, Door Locking system, Yield Management, Global Distribution System, Visa/Master Card etc.
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While choosing PMS software for a property, one has to derive the guest needs in the front end on one side and needs of the management and the owner at the back end on the other side. Staff should be able to use the system comfortably in achieving both the ends. One has to set the right parameters in the system that can be used to create meaningful reports that helps in decision making easier and faster at all levels. This, as said before, requires expertise and knowledge of all three components of IT.
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A good information technology system consists of three parts, namely system, software and hardware. Choosing the right system type is the most important for any hotel operation. Choosing the right system requires expertise in hotel operations. Good IT personnel should have knowledge of all three components, namely the system (the process of each activity), software (software that can quantitatively and quantitatively translate activities) and hardware (the media through which these activities can be viewed). All these should be mainly reflected in guest satisfaction, employee satisfaction, management satisfaction and owner satisfaction. Proper training is the key to effective implementation. Many times, the hotel does not fully use the software. Although the system can provide various reports and usages, they have not been fully utilized due to lack of proper training and induction in the use of software.