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When guests are swarming your lobby, every front desk worker answering queries and calls, and there is a queue waiting to be checked in, it is obvious that the current system of work at your front office is not meeting the demand. But the solution is simple: A cloud-based reservation system designed to simplify operations, increase conversions, and give your team real-time visibility of every booking.
Cloud-based reservation systems are expected to dominate the hotel CRS (Central Reservation System) market with a 67.0% market share between the forecast period between 2025-2035. With most brands jumping on the bandwagon, it is time for hotels to migrate to a tool that can handle bookings, store guest data, and ensure real-time visibility of room inventory, all in one single platform.
What is a cloud hotel reservation system?
Key features hoteliers should look for in a cloud reservation system
The reservation software market is growing, and hoteliers have many options offered to them. Make sure the software you choose includes the following features.
1. Centralised control
While most software can help a property oversee its reservations, legacy systems and disconnected platforms often fall short of building connectivity across departments and outlets. A good reservation solution should be able to manage all hotel bookings centrally, instantly, and easily across your departments and teams. Additionally, when it comes to group or chain properties, this software should be able to communicate essential data across multiple outlets, providing the front desk with centralised oversight and control.
2. Seamless integrations
A hotel technology solution is as good as its integration capabilities. Seamless integration with various other systems and third-party platforms builds effective communication between multiple departments within your property. This means that all necessary guest information is effectively communicated across the hotel’s tech ecosystem; the property management system, POS touch points, housekeeping, guest service software, booking engines, channel managers, and OTAs. Undisrupted data flow between multiple systems makes accurate information accessible to the decision makers, providing a holistic view of operations, guest needs, and areas for improvement.
3. Flexible payment processing
63% of travellers say that having a range of payment options, including digital wallets and ‘Buy Now Pay Later’, influences their decision to book directly, reveals the Worldpay Global Payments Report. This is an opportunity you can easily tap into with the right tools. Invest in a reservation system that makes payment processing easier for your employees and the guests. Think of a system that can handle multiple payment methods and currencies while maintaining transaction security, PCI compliance, pre-authorisations, and other regional cybersecurity requirements.
4. Smart revenue management
With access to key reservation data—booking trends, occupancy rates, and demand patterns—a central reservation system supports a business to create data-driven pricing strategies. This allows you to optimise rates based on real-time market conditions, ultimately boosting profitability. Additionally, integrated with multiple distribution channels, this centralised reservation system can widen the reach of your hotel brand, connecting your rates and room availability across all platforms. The result? Heightened exposure, more guests and consequently, more bookings and revenue.
5. Mobile-first operations
As the saying goes, the front desk never sleeps. Your team needs access to reservation data 24/7 so that every booking, rate adjustment, and guest request is addressed immediately. For this, you need a modern system that meets modern-day demands; that is to say, you need a hotel reservation system compatible with mobile devices and not limited to desktop applications. This mobility and on-the-go access can improve response times drastically, helping you to maximise efficiency, accelerate service, and even capture any last-minute bookings that come your way.
6. Real-time insights
In an age where data is the new oil, the right software enables businesses to harness that data right. From recording visitor behaviour and preferences to helping employees accurately analyse demand patterns, a good cloud software like IDS Next’s FX Central Reservation System allows businesses to make sense of raw data and convert that into actionable insights. This means leveraging data to customise rates, marketing strategies, and operational approaches to meet the specific needs of an audience, optimising personalisation and improving operations.
Transform how your front office works. Schedule a demo now and see how smarter cloud reservation software can change your hotel operations
Direct bookings can deliver 9–20% higher profit margins than OTA bookings
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