The hospitality industry deals with the delicate task of handling property, guests, and staff simultaneously. Further, the convenience of online hotel bookings has enhanced the competition in the industry. So, to manage customer expectations in the digital era, hotels must move away from manual procedures and invest in reliable reservation management software. The software automates and streamlines bookings and helps organize the front desk, making the process efficient for both the staff and guests.

What is reservation management software?
Reservation management software is a centralized and secure cloud-based application used by the hotel industry. It records and stores information related to bookings in one place after collecting data from all channels. Booking data could come from sales, telephonic bookings, the hotel website, online travel agencies, and the global distribution system, among other sources. Usually, the revenue manager first uploads information like inventory details, rate codes, and hotel restrictions into the reservation management system, which is usually connected to the hotel’s property management system (PMS). The data then gets delivered to all the booking channels. Once a visitor makes a reservation through any channel, the data is sent back to the reservation management system, and the availability is updated on all platforms. The automated processes here relieve the front desk manager from juggling multiple software systems.

Benefits
The reservation management software allows hotels to get detailed reports on profitability, track customer feedback, change rates, and more with the click of a button. The information can be easily accessed by managers at all times. Here are a few other ways in which the software can enhance services and improve customer satisfaction:

Reduces errors: The software streamlines the front desk procedures and keeps information in one place using handy features like a drag-and-drop calendar. This reduces the likelihood of missing guest requests, overbooking the property, task duplication, overlooking maintenance requests, and other common manual errors.

Enhances security: The software ensures that the customer payment information and data are handled and stored securely.

Saves time and money: Visitors can make reservations within minutes, eliminating long waiting periods to get staff confirmation. This saves time and increases the chances of repeat visits. The software also reduces the burden on hotel staffers to manage email exchanges with guests. In addition, hotels, lodges, resorts, and other hospitality establishments can track maintenance costs on the software and use the information to create better budgets and identify areas of improvement.

Improves customer experience: Reservation management software can offer many user-friendly functions, such as self-check-in, one-click navigation for booking status, and processing different payment methods and currencies. This can make guests feel more comfortable transacting with the business.

Enables remote management: The cloud-based system allows one to manage and access information from any computer or mobile phone. So, property managers who frequently travel or oversee multiple properties in different locations can benefit from remote management facilitated by an online reservation system.

Facilitates analysis: Using a reservation system, one can compare sales made online versus offline and also those made by staff members and travel agents. Further, managers can get guest feedback regarding their experience, preferences, and favorite spaces on the property, among other details. These insights can be used to create an impactful marketing strategy or offer discounts and add-on services like spa or tour guides.

Reservation management software simplifies day-to-day operations, maximizes revenue potential, improves efficiency, and enhances guest communication. This, in turn, increases the chances of getting repeat visits and attracting new customers. From full-service property management to a simple booking engine, one can choose from various software depending on the hotel’s requirements.