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Prioritizing Seamless Integrations for Your Hotel Organization – By Jill Wilder – Image Credit Unsplash+
Those of us who work in technology for the hospitality industry understand the basics of systems integration. In a nutshell, operations – especially the finance department – run more efficiently and effectively if they are using accurate data from across the organization, and that requires seamless integration between various systems.
What Makes the Hospitality Industry Unique
Global hotels market revenue is on track to reach $443.07 Billion (USD) in 2025 and is projected to reach $511.91 Billion (USD) by 2029. In fact, nine years in a row, the revenue of the hotels segment of the travel and tourism market has continuously increased.
Hotels in particular have a wide variety of revenue streams and work best when their systems “communicate” well and share accurate, real-time data. From room revenue to other unique streams like parking, entertainment, spa services, retail, food and beverage (F&B) and golf, among others, hotels require back office and accounting software solutions that seamlessly integrate with their other systems on property or across a whole portfolio.
Why Systems Integration is One of the Leading Challenges Hoteliers Face
Successful systems integration is the process of connecting various software systems and applications so they can seamlessly share data. When hotels work with multiple technology providers or have legacy solutions in place, their systems aren’t always able to easily integrate with each other or provide access to the data their finance teams and owners require at a moment’s notice. It is important to choose technology partners that offer solutions that have a history of successfully integrating with other systems, or partners that are part of a network of different solution providers that work well together.
Hotel finance teams need to analyze accurate competitive set data, guest satisfaction, and other factors to make strategic decisions. RevPAR, labor expenses, energy fees, and other costs can change rapidly and demand quick response before they impact the bottom line. These teams require access to accurate data across the organization, and visible on one dashboard; they require a knowledgeable solution partner that is focused on hospitality and works seamlessly with other solution providers.
Aside from real-time access to accurate data across the organization, the benefits of seamless integrations include improved efficiency and streamlined workflows. Successful integrations offer secure data flows and remove human intervention, minimizing errors. Hotel organizations improve accuracy across all departments (and their full portfolio) when their systems seamlessly communicate and share data.
It’s no secret that seamless integrations are a priority for hotel organizations. Their highest priority is improving guest service, and that requires many different systems to successfully talk to each other and share the information they need to provide a better experience, improve productivity, and ultimately, boost the bottom line.
What We Have Learned from 50+ years of Accounting Solution Experience in the Hospitality Industry
I think the most rewarding part of Aptech joining a larger technology company earlier this year is having the ability to offer our hotel customers more – more resources, more options and more integrations under one umbrella. They don’t have to work with multiple vendors; we can offer them multiple solutions from our organization as a whole to extend scalability as they grow, and still provide the highest level of customer service available.
Hotels are already short staffed, and hotel owners know the value of finding a technology partner that not only focuses on the hospitality industry but offers a variety of solutions. They appreciate the ability to work with one provider and have access to myriad solutions with the guarantee that they will work together and work well. Why open your finance team up to the chance that your systems may have integration challenges? Find a solution partner that has the ability to help your hotel property (or properties) succeed.
About the Author
Jill Wilder is President of Aptech Computer Systems Inc., the only provider of a fully integrated enterprise accounting, business intelligence and planning ecosystem to the hospitality industry. Aptech’s Business Intelligence, Enterprise Accounting, and Budgeting & Forecasting solutions help hoteliers at the corporate and property levels understand their financial and operational data for faster goal achievement. Aptech offers a 24/7/365 live support desk to all of its hotel customers across North America.
Connect with Jill on LinkedIn.