The Essentials of Channel Management Software

What makes good channel management software? This software is the backbone of the modern hospitality industry; hotels and resorts could not function without it. But how do you choose the software suite that is right for your business?

Here is a checklist of the essentials you need in channel management software:

Effective Channel Management

The most crucial factor in a good channel management system is the easy, effective management of listings and bookings across the many booking platforms available today. This may include third-party websites, booking applications, and more. Ensuring that your property listings and the resulting bookings are effectively managed across these many channels is the basis of all channel management systems – and the number one thing to look for when choosing yours.

An Intuitive Interface

All the information your hotel management software collects and organizes should be curated and presented in a single, easy-to-use interface. This makes putting that data to work easier for your staff. You can easily use the information available to create efficient schedules for staffing, cleaning, and more. Your staff can also make prompt decisions about promotions, discounts, and other outreach to sell unsold rooms. All this is made possible by having the data you need in a format you can easily analyze and understand.

Constant Updates and Accurate Information

Inventory and staffing updates can be difficult to coordinate in a large property. This is doubly true if your company manages multiple properties. Knowing what is available, what market prices are, and your property’s staffing and cleaning needs can feel overwhelming.

The best hotel management software does more than streamline the booking process. It also helps you manage your properties effectively by providing constant updates and accurate data to help you make the most informed decisions. You should never need to worry about double-booked rooms or an overbooked property with good management software in place. The software will help you prevent these problems by offering updates in real-time for everything from inventory to occupancy and staffing needs related to those occupied units.

Mobile Accessibility for Staff on the Go

Your hotel management staff probably does not have time to spend all day behind the front desk or in an office somewhere. Whether you have a single, large property or a collection of resorts to manage, your staff needs to access crucial data on the go.

Mobile accessibility is a key factor in good Channel Management Software today. The software should allow your management team to access the collected, organized information they rely on to make data-driven decisions from anywhere they may be. That way, business never has to slow down just because your team might be away from their desks.

Ready to get started with better channel management software? Use this checklist to start a conversation with your software provider. Your entire team will be glad you did!