Many of you who visit HospoGuy will know that property management systems have been a big part of my hospitality career.
For a few years I was Sales Manager with MotelMate, before being “pinched” and moving across to Seekom, which at the time was New Zealand-owned and provided both a Property Management System (PMS) and channel management.
I spent six years with Seekom, including five years working with Simon and Nikki Casey, who founded the company. It was an exciting period because we weren't simply selling a PMS — we were helping develop and grow what the system could do for accommodation operators.
During that time Seekom grew strongly within groups such as TOP 10 Holiday Parks and the Bella Vista Motel network, along with many independent accommodation properties. We also worked with significant organisations including Auckland Council and Christchurch City Council and their holiday park and accommodation operations.
One development I'm particularly proud of was working alongside Simon and our Support Manager, Steffen, to introduce RoomPriceGenie to New Zealand.
Back then, automated revenue management and dynamic pricing were relatively new concepts for many smaller accommodation operators. RoomPriceGenie was ahead of its time and demonstrated just how much technology could help operators make smarter pricing decisions. Today, revenue management and dynamic pricing are increasingly becoming part of the modern PMS ecosystem.
So, what should you look for in a PMS?
Changing your Property Management System is a major decision. The cheapest system isn't necessarily the best, and neither is the one with the longest list of features.
Great support. When something goes wrong, you need to know there is somebody there who understands accommodation and can help.
Value for money. Your PMS should save you time and help you make money — not simply become another monthly expense.
Revenue management and dynamic pricing. Technology should help you maximise your rates when demand is strong and react when the market changes.
Automation. This is becoming absolutely essential. A good PMS should reduce repetitive work, automate processes and allow your team to spend more time looking after guests.
A great guest journey. Most importantly, technology should make things easier for the guest. From finding your property and booking a room through to payment, pre-arrival communication, check-in and check-out, the process should be simple.
Why I Like Mews
I've now personally operated Mews at two very different accommodation properties.
My first experience was managing an 85-room Auckland property, and I absolutely loved using it.
Later, I introduced Mews into a property in Taupō, and again I found it extremely easy to use. The automation was excellent and, from an operator's perspective, it made many of the everyday processes much simpler.
That's important to me. A PMS shouldn't require staff to fight their way through complicated screens just to perform everyday tasks.
Mews has continued developing well beyond the traditional PMS. It brings together reservations, payments, housekeeping, revenue management, reporting and guest-journey tools, while also connecting with a marketplace of more than 1,000 hospitality applications.
And Now There's Flexkeeping
One development I'm particularly interested in is Mews' acquisition of Flexkeeping.
I've always thought Mews had a very good housekeeping module, but Flexkeeping takes hotel operations another step further.
It provides tools for housekeeping scheduling, room assignments, inspections, maintenance, task management and communication between departments. For busy accommodation properties, that type of automation can make a significant difference to how efficiently rooms are turned around and how well the front office, housekeeping and maintenance teams communicate.
My View
There isn't one PMS that's going to be right for every accommodation business.
A small five-room property has very different requirements from an 85-room hotel.
But based on my own experience, if you're operating more than around 15 units, Mews would certainly be one of the first systems I'd recommend looking at.
I've sold property management systems, implemented them and, perhaps most importantly, I've actually stood behind the reception desk and used them while running accommodation properties.
That gives me a slightly different perspective.
The question isn't simply:
“What can this PMS do?”
The better question is:
“Will this PMS make my property easier to operate, help me make more money, make life easier for my staff and give my guests a better experience?”
If the answer is yes, you're probably looking at the right system.
Want to Talk PMS?
If you're considering changing your Property Management System, or you'd simply like to have a chat about Mews and whether it could suit your property, give me a call or send me an email.
I'm always happy to talk hospitality technology — especially when it can make running your property easier.
Chat to Bernard about Mews