Social-distancing rules during the pandemic necessitated life-saving investments in hotel redesign for many operators. Next-generation technology was and remains at the center of many of the necessary operational changes. By automating key hotel operations with a “smart†property management system (PMS), most hoteliers managed to safely sustain an appreciable level of intimate interactions with guests. However, the need to optimize operational efficiencies for hotel and restaurant businesses remains, even with the pandemic already behind us.
The hospitality industry had embraced software automation long before the pandemic. However, the crisis triggered a widespread adoption of guest-facing remote connectivity and AI digital solutions. Examples of these include:
A legacy PMS can present compatibility problems when you're looking to add many of the in-demand guest-facing touchpoints. To optimize software interoperability and allow seamless data transfer and sharing, you may need to upgrade to next-gen automation technology for hotels.
Also Read: How the integration of new technology is revolutionizing the hospitality industry?
Not all PMS software is created equal. There may be significant variations in the staff and guest experiences offered by the different solutions. Differences in supported workflows and customer engagements can mean different financial results and ROIs for hotels. To select the right automation solution for your operations, consider your strategic priorities first. Remember there are different software products for establishments of different sizes and categories.
Regardless of your unique preferences, there are irreducible minimums that any next-gen system must provide to make a significant difference for your hotel and guests. These include:
Before upgrading to a modern PMS, consider your specific day-to-day operations and how you'd want those streamlined with software and automation. To save time and costs, you can prioritize labor- and time-intensive work like housekeeping, and allocating/blocking rooms. A PMS that streamlines all this workflow makes life a lot easier for your staff.
Consider guest-user requirements, too. To accomplish this, a good PMS should provide superior, personalized guest experiences. This entails seamlessly interfacing with customer-facing channels and digital touchpoints.
Ideally, the best automation software for a high-ROI hotel redesign should cover virtually all operations. Key operational areas you may seek to automate include:
Including these software features in the evaluation process can help you pick a revenue-boosting next-gen PMS for your hotel business.
Does your property need modernization? Contact Nikki Fox, nikki@parkwestgc.com, at Parkwest General Contractors to learn more about cutting hotel costs and maximizing guest satisfaction.
