Are You Paying Too Much For Your PMS?
Installing and operating a Property Management System (PMS) is an essential for every accommodation business.
However, as operating costs continue to rise, property owners and managers need to evaluate that they are getting the most out of every expenditure, including their PMS. What factors need to be considered when evaluating the cost of your PMS?
ARE YOU PAYING FOR A LEXUS WHEN ALL YOU NEED IS A CAMRY?
Sure, a luxury car might be "top of the range" and be considered the best car on the market, but if you only need a car to go from A to B, is all you really need a Camry? The same goes for your PMS.
Some "top of the range" PMS's are designed for multiple industries. They might contain all the bells and whistles, and everything that opens and shuts, but do you really need all of those modules? Are you paying for features you're not using? Are you paying for each terminal or user that needs access to the system? Could you use a smaller, more functional system best suited to your industry? Giving you all the standard and advanced features you need, but is much cheaper?
CAN YOUR PMS GENERATE YOU MORE REVENUE?
While some might regard a PMS as simply somewhere to store your bookings, the reality is that your PMS can do (and should do) much more than that. Your PMS can generate you revenue! How?
- Via Online bookings
Many RezExpert clients report that their booking volume increases from anywhere between 30 - 50% once they switch on online bookings, and 80-90% of total bookings thereafter are received online.
Having an active "Book Now" button on your website connected to your PMS will increase your revenue! Your PMS can also incorporate a channel manager, which connects your online travel agent bookings (such as Airbnb, booking . com and Expedia) to your reservation grid - another option to increase your revenue.
2. Marketing Module
Your PMS should include an inbuilt marketing module that enables you to communicate with your guest database. You have year's worth of your guest's contact details, they've given you permission to contact them - use it to increase your revenue!
Send marketing emails and text messages to your past and current guest list advertising your upcoming events, season specials or any new attractions. Watch the increased bookings (and revenue) roll in!
3. Booking Fee
Introducing a small "Booking" or "Administration" fee onto any booking received can offset any costs incurred from operating a PMS, making your PMS cost-neutral. Similar fees can be added for credit card transactions, further reducing your operating costs and negating any high commission fees.
DO YOU RECEIVE THE SUPPORT AND SERVICE YOU REQUIRE?
Does your PMS provider give you initial training to your staff to use the system correctly, and then follow that up with access to free help desk support?
Is this support restricted or additionally charged? Do you deal with the same team who know you and your business, or is it a foreign support person who treats you like a number and makes you explain the same thing repeatedly?
RezExpert is one of the most cost-effective PMS's available. It will increase your revenue, is easy to use and will save you time via increased productivity and increased interactions with your guests. With included online booking interfaces, channel management and marketing tools, our help desk offers the best free support in the industry!
For more information about RezExpert, call our team on (07) 4925 4400 or click on the "Get Started" button at the bottom of the page.
