How to navigate the hotel technology market
Integration options in todays hotel technology space
Clear interface and overall simplicity
“New RMSs have been booming in recent years, and there are lots of different solutions available on the market. Some of these are really good. The key to their success is simplicity. The more complex RMS systems are often overcomplicated for staff. I’ve been very impressed by the simplicity of Atomize and I believe it’s very efficient and simple to use for everyone.”
Customizability
Mobile-first technology
Accuracy
You want your hotel technology solution to make your life easier and save time. One thing you need in order to achieve this is accurate data, communication and reporting. When choosing your tool, carefully read user and expert reviews to see what they say about the tool’s accuracy.
For example, when looking at business intelligence tools you must be able to trust that competition data as well as your own data is accurately collected and reported. Information must be current and updated often, ideally in real time.
Marryn Gerrits, Owner of Hotel Castillo de Monda in Málaga, Spain outlines how accurate data in Atomize helps her business:
“Atomize gives us insight in what our ideal pricing is for any time of the year. It takes into account our competition, local holidays and other factors and eliminates the use of gut feeling when deciding on rates because it is purely data-driven.”
In case of guest-facing applications, find out if users think guest requests and interactions are handled well and added to the system properly. If a tech solution is unreliable and you keep needing to check on it or correct errors, you’re probably better off without it.
Speed
Tech tools are supposed to save your time not waste it. Sure, in the beginning it might take a moment to get started, but the better a tool is, the faster the set-up and on-boarding time should be, both because the support is good, and the tool is easy to use.
In day-to-day operations, the tool should be quick as well. For example, data should be collected and presented in real time or as close to real time as possible, so you always have an accurate picture of your property and its place in the market.
Guest-facing applications must load quickly and respond to the guest’s input instantly to create a smooth experience. And finally, positive results should be visible soon after implementation, be it in the form of trackable metrics like revenue, RevPAR or ADR or as positive guest feedback.
“The full integration with our PMS makes changing prices so easy. I make all necessary updates for 365 days with just one click. This saves me so many hours and I can spend this time on more important tasks, like improving the hotel’s service and doing staff training,” says Zhivko Zhelyazkov, General Manager at Central Hotel Sofia in Sofia, Bulgaria.”
Support and training
While this point is not directly related to the tool itself, it can make all the difference in how well you are able to use it. It should be easy to get a hold of a customer service agent, response time should be fast, and guidance must be detailed.
Finally, check if all this is part of your monthly package since there are providers who charge extra for customer support. Especially during your on-boarding time, it is key to receive proper training and assistance with the set-up, so you can make the very most of your tool from the start. Good communication during your inquiry phase before you sign a contract is already a good sign but check reviews from existing customers to see how well they feel cared for.
Keeping these tips in mind will help you find the easiest-to-use hotel tech tool that both your team and guests will love and will bring you great results.
And don’t forget: when you’re looking for a new tool, always ask for a demo of the software, because that’s a great start to be sure you’re making the right choice.
Interested in getting an online demo of Atomize?
