Why It’s Time for Hotels to Move Operations to the Cloud
The time to focus on hotel operations and efficiency is now. You wouldn’t wait 20 years in between cleaning or redecorating your hotel guest rooms, so why are so many hotels stuck in the past when it comes to the software they use to run their operations?
Hotels have been notably at the forefront when it comes to technology adoption. A common hospitality belief has been that hotels are 10 years ahead of restaurants when it comes to technology, but that’s not necessarily been the case over the last several years. With the recent explosion of new technology for restaurants, many tout new cloud-based platforms like point of sales solutions, reservation applications, and event management solutions. Cloud-based software solutions will give your hotel operations a much-needed upgrade.
The move to cloud-based web applications
There’s been a great leap in recent years with increased smartphone usage and, of course, the pandemic, which caused mass tech adoption. On-the-go technology means a conversion from traditional client-server software to cloud-based web applications accessed through a browser from anywhere. Today, in almost every business sector you can think of, a strategic migration is underway — from productivity suites like Microsoft Office and dedicated older apps built for specific industries to modern, custom web apps that let businesses free themselves from the constraints of older legacy software.
Hotels should be making the upgrade to new web-based applications a priority, yet many remain wedded to the legacy software. Twenty years ago, it may have seemed shiny and offered efficiencies, but now it’s cumbersome and costs much more than it’s worth.
Legacy hotel technology companies are trying to move their software online to stay relevant, but dumping old software onto the web is a recipe for a Frankenstein-like experience — it’s a story that will not end well.
Why hotels should make the move
So why should hotels update their technology from old software?
Persisting with old software is a capital cost, with associated maintenance fees, servers needed to run it on, and IT staff to keep it running despite its years.
At worst, it is a downright business risk. When software gets old, developers may no longer be able to support it for customers. This leaves users stranded and adrift, at risk of hacking attacks and risking business continuity.
Benefits that will help boost business
The benefits of cloud-based software for hotel operations speak for themselves. A web-based app is always available on any device, helps operators increase sales, streamlines the operation, and boosts productivity.
On top of that, if your customer data is locked away on a PC, it can’t be analyzed to transform customer marketing and communications. Beneficially, a cloud-based database allows for business intelligence to play a role in all aspects of hotel operations and sales.
By virtue of being online, cloud-based hotel management tools can also connect to the new wealth of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This would allow managers, for example, to see whether a light bulb in a guest’s room is out and needs replacing. It’s time for hotels to reach for the sky and get in the cloud.
Learn more about Tripleseat for Hotels
Increase and manage your hotel’s group sales from hotel room blocks to booking event function spaces and growing banquet revenues in one tool with Tripleseat Hotels. Schedule a demo to learn more.
Editor’s Note: This post originally appeared on hotel-online.com.
