Q&A – Property Management Apps: Freedom to choose where you work

Property Management Apps:

Freedom to choose where you work

By Mandy Clarke, Editor

It took a global pandemic to trigger the trend to ‘work from home’ and accelerate demands to ‘work from anywhere’.

Some say this trend will reverse, but economics, improved work performance and lifestyle preferences suggests otherwise. Improved digital solutions make the trend possible. When it comes to Property Management Systems (PMS) cloud-based solutions and apps can off er everything from online payments, staff and guest communications, to guest check-in, remote monitoring, data collection and accounting. If claims are true that a PMS app not only helps make remote work possible but also reduces staff and admin costs, increases revenue streams, and most importantly improves the guest experience, could there be a rapid movement towards remote property management? AccomNews investigates…

Q&A with Stephen Martin, Chief Sales Offi cer RMS

Can accommodation managers really do everything from an app?

We have considered all angles to help alleviate management with the right tech solutions and grow guest experiences that make happier guests. RMS' diverse suite of mobile friendly apps has a custom-built solution for staff , managers, guests, and housekeeping that brings all your communication into one place and is accessible from any device.

For example, you can allow your guests to check in via our Guest Portal, which cuts back on wait times and reduces front desk pressures, or you can let your managers communicate with housekeeping on what room needs to be cleaned and updated schedules. Our mobile portals are designed to bring together management and guests to fi nd the right solution for everyone. What are the possibilities and limitations of Property Management Apps? A limitation is not having a proper operational solution that seamlessly communicates management with staff and guests and helps to save time. RMS' intuitive property app suite opens endless possibilities including transparency across housekeeping, such as monitoring what room needs to be cleaned and how much bed linen has been sent to the drycleaning. This opens the opportunity to grow your bott om line with access to data you otherwise wouldn't have.

The possibilities are endless, dependent on how well built the app is

Management can create valuable reports from within the RMS Staff Portal app, compare costs, and improve effi ciencies. On the fl ip side, RMS aims to provide elevated guest experiences with a banded guest portal that communicates with your guests, allowing them complete control over how they manage their bookings, mini bar or late checkout all in one place. This saves management and front desk time and creates valuable guest experiences by seamlessly giving guests the opportunity to choose what they want. What are the benefi ts of having the freedom to choose where you work? One of the most signifi cant benefi ts of working with RMS soft ware is that it is based in the cloud, meaning you can access the entire RMS portal suite from anywhere and at any time. Let your managers connect to staff in real-time while travelling between locations or allow your guests to log in via the guest portal to check in before arriving.

Q&A with Sylvia Johnston HiRUM Software Solutions

Sylvia Johnston

Senior Executive, HiRUM Soft ware Solutions

How much can accommodation managers do from an app? There is certainly a lot that can be completed from an app. All the basic everyday processes can be accomplished by a good quality, well-built app. It should be an extension of the PMS, rather than a stand-alone application. However, if your PMS has extensive functionality, it may not be practical to include everything in the app as it can become too unwieldy. What are the possibilities and limitations of Property Management Apps? The possibilities are endless, dependent on how well built the app is. Remember it is an extension of your PMS, and your PMS should always be your source of truth. The limitations really tend to relate more to the willingness of the user to adopt new processes and to get used to the fl ow of the app. As we all know, it can take time to become familiar with new systems, and this can create some reluctance to change. What is the sett ing up process and what are the costs involved?

Sett ing up can be quick and easy if the app has been built as an extension of the PMS and has two-way seamless connectivity. You shouldn’t need to pay a high fee for an app. Many providers will include it in their PMS pricing, or perhaps ask for a small monthly fee. Can an app be trusted for secure, fast, and easy payments? An app is not a suitable tool for handling payments unless it is connected to a secure industry certifi ed payment gateway. Do not consider using an app for payments if it is not an extension of a secure PMS or connected to a secure gateway for payments. What are the benefi ts of having freedom to choose where you work? There are extensive benefi ts. The ability to work from home, for instance, kept many businesses ticking over during the constraints posed by lockdowns during the pandemic. However, it is very important that freedoms don’t come at the expense of the security of your business information and data. For example, using public wifi to access browser-based soft ware doesn’t provide the same peace of mind as a secure link to your own private cloud. It is your obligation to ensure that the security of your business information and your guest data isn’t compromised in your desire for greater work freedom. What are the latest apps and what would you like our readers to know?

The latest apps to hit the market are comprehensive housekeeping and check-in tools. These take housekeeping organisation and communication with your guest via check-in portals to a whole new level. Calling some of these ‘an app’ almost disparages their capabilities! What is in store for the future?

Really the focus for the future should be more about connectivity and distribution than ‘tools’. Whilst they are all great to have, it is ‘bums in beds’ that create profi t. If the tools simplify processes for you so that you can concentrate on increasing your bookings, then well and good. Don’t limit yourself by choosing ‘prett y’ and ‘simple’ products with limited connectivity. Look for products that off er choice of distribution channels and the ability to maximise your profi ts.