Executive Insight: A Management System That Optimizes Efficiency & ROI
How can a cloud-based hotel management system increase efficiency and ROI?
Technology should always remove barriers, and cloud-based solutions do it best because they are accessible from anywhere. But this does not guarantee a significant ROI. Efficiency is the key to success, so hoteliers should look for management systems that reduce the time spent on redundant tasks like manual data entry. This leads to fewer errors, and also streamlines the analysis of hotel-specific metrics. We see the most positive impact when software can reduce stress, eliminate the guesswork and allow for top-to-bottom transparency. The best solutions will produce real-time metrics, keep budgets in check, and set clear expectations for hotel staff.
What savings should hotel operators be looking for when considering a management system?
Management systems can curtail many of the operational challenges that hotels face every day, especially those with financial implications. It’s critical for hoteliers to find a software solution that helps them see, understand and control all of their expenses from cleaning supplies to labor. You should expect your platform to relate these expenses to hotel specific metrics like POR and allow cost comparison across your portfolio. Robust forecasting and budgeting play a significant role in avoiding wasteful spending and projecting the bottom line.
How can a hotel management system enhance the guest journey? How can it increase guest satisfaction?
Getting your hotel staff away from spreadsheets and heavy data entry allows them to do what they do best – taking care of guests. Using a management system will reduce the labor needed for this type of work, allowing front desk staff and general managers to focus their time on creating a meaningful guest experience.
Can you speak to the benefits of consolidating hotel accounting in one management system among multiple properties?
There are three main benefits to consolidating hotel accounting: accuracy, scalability, and ease of use. You gain accuracy when you eliminate the number of systems you’re using for operations and reporting. Then, as your operations grow, management systems must be able to scale to keep up as the portfolio expands. An ERP solution allows owners to streamline operations for Accounting, Labor Management, Payroll, Sales, Procurement and more. Using one centralized platform, like Inn-Flow, creates benchmarks across properties and can help identify new opportunities for improvement.
John Erhart is the founder and CEO of Inn-Flow, a hotel management platform that consolidates all hotel operational needs into one comprehensive solution. Inn-Flow lives at the intersection of hospitality and technology and its platform manages Accounting, Labor, Payroll, Procurement, Sales, and Facilities Management through a single login. Inn-Flow’s mission is to use the latest in technology to solve challenges common to the hotel industry, improve efficiency and drive performance.
