It wasn’t so long ago that property management systems had to be physically installed on computers, and hotels had to physically store a server with all data. Today, thanks to cloud architecture, software today has little in common with these legacy systems that were difficult to use and update. A cloud-based PMS allows you to integrate all third-party systems you need to run your business, from hotel operations and guest experience to sales and marketing tools.
Cloud architecture refers to the online delivery of on-demand resources, such as PMS software or Netflix. It enables building and designing applications on the cloud platform. Nowadays, every aspect of our lives is influenced by cloud architecture in some way.
Cloud computing offers many advantages to businesses. It delivers greater flexibility with easier maintenance since updates are automatic, which means that you always have the latest version of the software. The costs of maintaining a cloud-based PMS are low, and the system is entirely set up over the Internet: it doesn’t require any physical installations or hardware backups.
It provides ease of access because so long as you have an internet connection, you can access data over the cloud from any computer or mobile device, from anywhere in the world, at any time. Ease of access is a huge benefit because it enables remote working for some roles, which has become increasingly important with some brands over the past few years. Having all data at one’s fingertips not only enhances the workflow, but it promotes collaboration and makes all team members feel safe as everyone can make updates to the system from their device. This feature also simplifies cross-departmental communication, helps minimize mistakes, and reduces the need to exchange information back and forth.
Modern cloud-based property management systems can help you engage and retain employees, ultimately saving you considerable costs. While many traditional property management systems had a steep learning curve, the current generation PMSs speed up onboarding time as they are lean and user-friendly. Training resources from many of today’s PMS providers are also significantly improved, with online videos and self-paced learning – another feature that helps minimize disruption with staff turnover.
Operating on a cloud-based PMS increases reliability because all information is securely stored and automatically backed up in multiple locations for redundancy.
A cloud-based PMS helps hoteliers meet their guest experience goals by integrating with new platforms such as mobile check-in – a functionality expected by a growing number of guests.
With a great variety of high-functional digital tools to choose from and resources that are easily scalable up and down, it is no wonder that hoteliers around the world are opting to modernize their property management systems to cloud-based architecture.