subject: Hotel Reservation Software: An Overview [print this page] Hotel reservation software is a comprehensive solution for the efficient management of a hotel. The importance of hotel software in the hospitality industry is increasing with the growing competition in the industry and increasing demand from the customers. Modern day technology savvy customer wants services with the click of the mouse. Good software not only provides efficiency to the entire system of the hotel business and helps in making the operations of the establishment smooth but also enhances the experience of the customers in many ways. Hotel industry prospers on the basis of good service that should please the customer to reconsider the hotel in future. When buying such software, there are a few features you must look for.
Few of the many features which are a must in efficient hotel management software include:
1. Hotel management software should be a commission free option that can be incorporated in the website of the hotel
2. It should offer unlimited reservations which can be done through email or fax confirmations
3. The system should send fax or email as soon as the rooms are reserved by the guests online
4. The system should provide for reservation to be made for minimum nights
5. The system is expected to support different currencies so that the international guests can also be entertained
6. It should provide a module for customer relationship so that it becomes easier to communicate with the existing customers
7. It should be integrated with online payment modes
8. It should extend provisions for all kinds of amenities, inventory management and so on
9. Good software is expected to provide a bi-directional or 2-way interface for better integration
10. A user-friendly interface is essential too, so that the hotel staff learns to handle the software quickly
11. Customization of the software and provision for future enhancements is another aspect to consideration. (This also depends on the professional service provider chosen)
12. Cost of the software and maintenance charges are also to be considered
13. It should provide easy tracking and procurement of the customers' information. This is pivotal in understanding the various customer trends and innovative ideas and models can be built around this abundance of data
