What are the different types of hotel management systems?

1 Property management systems

A property management system, or PMS, is the core of your hotel management system. It handles the basic functions of your hotel, such as booking rooms, assigning guests, generating invoices, tracking payments, and updating availability. A PMS can also integrate with other systems, such as channel managers, revenue managers, and CRM tools, to enhance your hotel performance. A PMS can be either cloud-based or on-premise, depending on your budget, security, and flexibility preferences. A cloud-based PMS is hosted online and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, while an on-premise PMS is installed on your own servers and requires more maintenance and updates.

2 Channel management systems

A channel management system, or CMS, is a software solution that helps you distribute your rooms across multiple online platforms, such as online travel agencies, metasearch engines, and direct booking websites. A CMS allows you to manage your rates, inventory, and availability across all channels from one central dashboard, and automatically updates them in real time. A CMS can also help you avoid overbooking, increase your online visibility, and reach new markets. A CMS can be either standalone or integrated with your PMS, depending on your needs and preferences. A standalone CMS may offer more features and customization, while an integrated CMS may offer more convenience and simplicity.

3 Revenue management systems

A revenue management system, or RMS, is a software solution that helps you optimize your pricing strategy and maximize your revenue. An RMS uses data analysis, market intelligence, and demand forecasting to suggest the best rates for your rooms at any given time. An RMS can also help you monitor your competitors, segment your customers, and adjust your rates according to seasonality, events, and occupancy. An RMS can be either standalone or integrated with your PMS and CMS, depending on your needs and preferences. A standalone RMS may offer more depth and sophistication, while an integrated RMS may offer more consistency and efficiency.

4 Customer relationship management systems

A customer relationship management system, or CRM, is a software solution that helps you improve your customer service and loyalty. A CRM collects and stores customer data, such as contact details, preferences, feedback, and booking history, and allows you to use it to personalize your communication and offers. A CRM can also help you create and manage loyalty programs, email campaigns, and surveys, and measure your customer satisfaction and retention. A CRM can be either standalone or integrated with your PMS, CMS, and RMS, depending on your needs and preferences. A standalone CRM may offer more functionality and flexibility, while an integrated CRM may offer more convenience and integration.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?