Hotel & Motel Management - November 3, 2008 - (Page 31)

www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition HotelMotel.com | H&MM November 3, 2008 Special Report AN INDUSTRY CONNECTED 31 Internet transforms operations By Jason Q. Freed SENIOR EDITOR Does the primary hotel where you work employ a person to manage rates online? Yes No Uncertain 1.59% Source: H&MM 2008 General Manager Survey any people confuse the terms “Internet” and “World Wide Web,” using them interchangeably. Not people who work behind the scenes at a hotel. As much as the Web has improved online booking and hotels’ marketing efforts, it is the Internet—the global system of interconnected computer networks linked by cables and wireless connections—that has revolutionized how managers streamline operations. The ability to transfer data instantaneously and store spreadsheets electronically means general managers who worked countless hours of overtime in the past can now be home in time for dinner. “There are savings that you don’t see immediately,” said Colin Findley, VP of business development for ProﬁtSword, which develops Web-based financial management software for hotels. “Instead of having a GM keying data from one system to another, now they have time to do more training and time to spend with their associates. There are a lot of ways you will beneﬁt that you can’t put down on paper.” Technology alone has never run anyone’s business. But if used correctly, the Internet can certainly push behind-the-scenes operations to the next level. Maybe the most important thing the Internet allows hotels to do is network with each other. For example, a group of hotels managed or owned by a single operator can centralize data and implement new processes from a single location. Data between hotels, and between a hotel and its central controller, can be transferred in real time. For example, SoftHotel provides Web-based software that gives a consolidated view of all revenue-management opportunities and guest service solutions. “It provides a very, very strong workﬂow that you couldn’t implement through a traditional property distribution,” said Mike Kennedy, president of SoftHotel. “Before, there was no oversight on how property content got conﬁg- M ured. Every install was a work of art and every property had its own way of describing its rate plans. Through a Web-based operation, it is possible to execute standards across multiple properties.” Software as a service Nearly 10 years ago, the Inter- net led to the birth of a concept called software as a service, which today is known as SaaS. SaaS is a type of software deployment that allows an application to be hosted online and customers to access it via the Internet. Conceivably, SaaS alleviates the customer’s See Operations | page 59 56.18% 42.23% For one full week, National Geographic Channel will take our viewers and your guests on some of the greatest quests ever made. From the surface of the moon, to deep inside the great pyramids of Egypt… National Geographic Channel proudly presents a full week of premieres during Expedition Week, beginning Sunday, November 16. Your guests are already away from their home, take them on an adventure they’ll never forget. To add National Geographic Channel to your line-up visit foxcable.com. CIRCLE NO. 124 http://www.HotelMotel.com http://www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition http://www.foxcable.com http://www.foxcable.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Hotel & Motel Management - November 3, 2008

Hotel & Motel Management - November 3, 2008 Contents The Rate Debate Accor Defines Motel 6 Prototype Rollout Holiday Inn Eyes Upscale, Timeshare Perspective Economy Sets Tone at The Lodging Conference Mellow Vibe Meets Bold Design at HD Boutique Expo IH/M&RS to Focus on Going Green Legally Speaking Sales Clinic On Finance Travel Trends Cornell Insights Franchise Law HotelWorld Update Trends & Stats Energy Star Update Energy Star Update An Industry Connected People on The Move Annual GM Survey Point-of-Sale Systems IH/M&RS Product Preview Outdoor Lighting Refrigeration Marketplace Ad/Editorial Index Classifieds Checking Out

Hotel & Motel Management - November 3, 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.