Have you felt at times like your PMS is just a drain on your bank account and mental health and isn’t pulling its weight? If so, there’s never been a better time to say goodbye and trade it in for something better, smarter, and a whole lot more affordable. You’ll be happy to know that the Sirvoy fits all of these requirements.
Why Change now?
The hospitality industry is fast-paced and smaller businesses often ‘make do’, particularly in hotels where a manager has to wear many hats. In normal circumstances there is very little time for hotel managers to re-evaluate their systems. However, lately that has begun to change.
We spoke to Alessandro Fregni of software listing site, Toolytips. He says one trend they noticed around mid April saw an increased interest in training products with many hotels revising their internal processes during lockdown. Shortly after this, hotels began concentrating on more ‘ingrained software’ like their PMS. It would seems that current events have brought about, as he describes it, “an acceleration in the transition from on-premise solutions to cloud based systems”.
The Three Reasons to Make the Switch
1. Extra Time
Lack of time is often cited by hotel owners as the number one reason they don’t make the switch to better suppliers. But that excuse no longer exists. If there’s one thing we have right now it’s the time to explore different options. So don’t waste this valuable opportunity. Make a list of the day-to-day challenges and issues you’re facing and another that outlines all the features you think would make daily operations easier. Take some time to find the perfect fit by researching the market and testing different applications. It can take some time to learn a new system and then familiarize your staff, so don’t spend all that time and effort unless you’re 100% sure it’s ‘the one’.
Another thing to remember is that, at the beginning of any venture, there are sure to be teething troubles. No switchover is ever completely seamless, which is why it’s important your business has the headspace to iron out any creases. That’s why this is likely the best opportunity you’ll ever have to sit and absorb all the features and tools your new system has. Make sure your new software has the best support possible and spend as much time getting the help and advice you need now.
2. The Way We Work has Changed Forever
Everything, from remote working staff to reduced guest interaction will affect the smooth running of your property if you don’t have the tools and equipment needed to make it happen. And all of these new Covid preventative measures designed to create distance now require some form of technology in order to work well. So if you’ve been hesitant to take a leap and start using the most innovative technology to help you with daily operations, there’s never been a clearer need to start now.
Alessandro, mentioned at the outset, has noticed a spike in enquiries from hotels searching for a more user-friendly software experience. He sees a shift from archaic and cumbersome solutions which have remained unchanged for years, to more forward-thinking innovative software. The post pandemic wish list includes features like online check-in, contactless food ordering for restaurants and temperature detection which can feed into existing software.
Don’t assume that just because you’re spending more you’re getting more
3. Lower Operating Costs
There is always a more affordable supplier out there. Don’t assume that just because you’re spending more you’re getting more and conversely don’t imagine that a cheaper price means less quality. There has never been a better time to shop around. The savings you make now could have the potential to save you enormous sums in only a few months. One client recently informed us that making the switch has saved them over $3,000 USD a year! They went on to praise the system along with its excellent customer support and were delighted to discover that Sirvoy was in many ways superior to their previous provider.
This pandemic has left us with the realization that nothing can ever be taken for granted. Hotels that used to depend on a particular season or guest have been turned on their heads as they navigate these strange seas. That’s why it’s never been a better time to move from capital expenditure (CAPEX) to operating expenditure (OPEX) whenever possible. Investing in server based systems usually means more outlay and often expensive on site adjustments and updates. However, cloud based software usually means a low monthly sum whilst often providing users the option to choose from more affordable packages based on their size, situation and income. Using a cloud based system comes with a host of other benefits which you can read about in a previous article here.
