Blog Posting #5

Richardson, Nicole Marie, 11PMS Innovations, Hospitality Technology Magazine, October 2007

11 PMS Innovations

Summary
In the October issue of Hospitality Technology Magazine, Nicole Richardson interviewed an assortment of hotel technology managers to discuss and identify the most innovative offerings for Property Management Systems (PMS) in today's 2007 environment. The most influential application is a PMS system that is web-based or remote. Managers feel that with web-based, someone is able to access the system from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection, essentially very convenient for the property. Another innovation discussed is managing multiple properties on one database that allows for the sharing of guest profiles, customer relationship management, and property cross selling. They are also able to target customers specific interests. Through the integration of online booking engines, hotels are able to sell rooms up to the last minute and ultimately increasing revenue. Also through interfacing of on-property and third party attractions managers can accommodate all guests needs from booking a room to choosing a tee-off time. Additionally technology officers enjoy all of the aspects of self-service kiosks. Allowing guests to check in and out at their own convenience makes life for hoteliers and consumers less complicated and more enjoyable. Hand held devices are another innovation that are aiding larger properties in the industry. Information Technology officers have also found that centralization is optimizing room sales. Also cellular devices have connected with the PMS systems to alert guests with text messages regarding their dinner reservation times and/or room availability. Another thing of the past is faxing and snail mail so emailing is a must in today's hotel industry. Also in today's society systems are designed specifically to protect guest privacy and data because of hackers and viruses that plague the networks. And finally systems are becoming easier to maintain/use and installation fees and programmers will no longer be necessary. These innovations aid in today's society and will continue to grow in the hospitality industry.

Reflection
I found this article to be very interesting because it allows readers to understand what truely works in the hotel industry. The insite is very useful for future patrons of these innovative systems and encourages properties to invest in certain types of pms systems. I found the article to be well researched and was impressed with the amount of insite specific companies spoke about. I was additionally unaware of several innovations and will now be certain to incorporate at least 10 if not all of the innovations in our property for the SDP project for HRIM450.