In a world where you can check the game score, pay your bills or even order groceries online, it’s no surprise that reserving hotel rooms online is a rapidly growing trend, especially with the advent of mobile devices. If you’re a resort or hotel operator looking to jump on board, or maybe just grab a bit more information about online reservation systems, these pages are right where you need to be. From a small property to a 4,000-room-plus chain hotel, selecting the booking system that’s right for you—and your customers—should be a breeze after checking out our featured companies. These are some of the best in the industry. And since we want our readers to be informed buyers, here we give you the rundown of your options. Just read on to find out what Ariane Systems, Globekey, GuestCentric, OnRes and Travel Tripper have to offer you.
Ariane Systems
Flexibility, creativity and dynamism are the three characteristics that Ariane Systems credits to their success over the years. This is one company that is leading the way in self-service check-in/out within the hospitality industry. Ariane has been around since 1998 and has since grown to more than 1,600 installations at hotel properties in 20 countries. Currently, the Allegro application also interfaces with more than 40 property management systems suppliers, 20 magnetic and RFID key systems, 15 payment gateways and multiple loyalty programs.
Ariane’s Allegro online-mobile-kiosk check-in/out solution offers guests the unique ability to check in or check out whenever and wherever they like. This can be done on any device—laptop, cell phone, iPad™ or hotel kiosk—because it is hosted on cloud technology. Through Ariane’s Allegro web-based platform, guests are invited to check in prior to arrival using the Allegro web/mobile check-in platform. By simply clicking on the link received by e-mail or SMS on their preferred web-enabled device, guests can set up an automatic check-in time, manage room preferences, update their profile and pre-pay online with a choice of payment options.
Another feature offered by this cloud technology, along with Ariane’s integration with OpenWays mobile key technology: They make it possible to bypass the entire “front desk” routine by using a mobile phone to activate the door lock and gain access to the guest’s room.
Perhaps the most beneficial attribute of the Allegro system takes place on the hotel’s end. The Allegro system detects the device that was used during the check-in process and is then able to send “push messages” to the guest. These messages might include check-in confirmation, room number, maps/directions, upselling opportunities and more.
Ariane’s concept of check-in/check-out technology goes beyond the simple, routine tasks of the hotel industry, says Christelle Pigeat, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing director for North America. “The Allegro online-mobile-kiosk check-in/out solution is a truly unique, web-based technology that is designed to optimize all of those operations, while also driving business growth, increasing revenue opportunities and maximizing guest loyalty.”
Ariane has been providing kiosk solutions since 2001 and online/mobile solutions since 2010. The product is a result of dedication, as well as a unique advisory board. Pigeat explains: “The extension of our Allegro platform to online and mobile capabilities has been the result of intensive brainstorming meetings within the organization along with the Technical Advisory Board—comprised of some of the top hotel companies in the world—to examine how to enhance the guest check-in/out experience.”
Ariane’s team provides ongoing training for customers, even if they were trained at the time of installation. Pigeat says that follow-up training can also be given if teams change or relocate, and if software releases and updates bring new features that need to be mastered.
They also offer a dedicated team of technical experts to help solve any issues with the system. If they are unable to solve the problem through online support, the company will send a technician to the property.
Ariane solutions incorporate top-tier business-class hardware components, software and warranties designed to minimize downtime and maximize the guest experience while reducing operational support costs and ultimately saving you money. And with today’s tight economy, saving money is always ideal!
Quick Facts: About Ariane Systems
Year founded: 1998
Headquarters: France
North American office: Montreal, Canada
Other locations: Present in 20 countries
Website: www.ariane.com
For sales information, contact: Christelle Pigeat, cpigeat@ariane-systems.com
Globekey Systems
With no set-up fees, no commission, no booking fees and no long-term contracts, Globekey Systems is the perfect online reservation system for those seeking a simple solution. Their website features a simple three-step process. “1. Send us your property details and enjoy a one-month free trial. 2. Add rates and availability to your ‘back office’ on the Internet. 3. Add a ‘check availability’ link for guests to book from your website.”
They offer a fixed monthly fee based on the number of rooms in the property, as opposed to other companies who might hide other fees. “Globekey’s fixed fee business model is very cost-effective when compared to paying commission to other booking engine providers or to third party websites,” says Globekey’s Managing Director Sarah Capes.
The company originated in Southeast Asia in early 2000, and has since expanded to locations in Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, the U.K. and Mexico.
Globekey focuses on customer service, offering personal support and advice during the 30-day free trial period, as well as continuing with a team of dedicated representatives and staff. Capes says that the staff pays great attention to detail and customers, stating that they’re not just a number. They also guarantee replies within 24 hours, as top-class customer service is critical.
One aspect of the company is their unique package rates. Capes says, “We offer package rates inclusive of tour excursion and minimum stay, facility to sell optional extra features, interface to payment gateways, interface to the GDS, interface to Expedia.com, traffic reports, Google Analytics Tracking Code, revenue reports, export of guest details.”
More than 3,500 properties in more than 60 countries use the Globekey booking engine, and they make it easy for customers to navigate the system. Capes notes that customers will book elsewhere if the process is too difficult.
The Globekey website offers a realistic demo of the system, allowing you to check it out before purchasing.
The system integrates seamlessly with a hotel’s website, so your hotel’s brand is protected and the guest booking experience is easy. Capes offers another bit of advice: “Online reservations systems like Globekey are easy to use and can transform your website visitors from lookers to bookers. A request form on a hotel website does not give the instant answer that guests increasingly expect, and it is time-consuming for reservations staff to reply to requests. A booking engine is an essential part of any hotel website.” And that’s why you need a great one.
Quick Facts: About Globekey Systems
Year founded: 2000
Number of employees: 12
Locations: Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, United Kingdom, Mexico
Current executives: Sarah Capes, Managing Director
Website: www.globekey.com
For sales information, contact: sales@globekey.com
GuestCentric Systems
Perhaps one of the youngest companies featured in our buyer review, GuestCentric Systems has only really been operating since 2009. The company was founded in 2006, with the vision of leveling the playing field for independent hotels. They have since expanded into several countries, with a focus on markets like the U.S., the U.K. and Spain, all while keeping the mindset: “Any hotel can succeed online if it uses the right tools.”
GuestCentric utilizes cloud technology, giving their customers the unique ability to receive at least four new releases every year. They then receive new features and enhancements with each upgrade, at no extra cost. With GuestCentric, hotels are able to focus on revenue generation with one login to manage their online business. As GuestCentric President and CEO Pedro Colaco says: “To generate revenue, you manage your website, your inventory, your channels, yield your prices. But in this day and age you also need to service your guests, deliver a mobile experience, engage on Facebook and Twitter, manage your reputation.” He adds that because it’s all integrated, a lot of the updates happen automatically on the website, mobile and social pages, ensuring that the hotel’s sales and marketing message is consistent across all channels.
GuestCentric’s customers, on average, experience an increase of three to 10 times in their direct bookings. They also experience a lower distribution cost by 30 percent, due to the increase of direct bookings.
Customer service and friendly staff are of great importance to the company. They offer webinars, help videos and 24/7 online support. Colaco notes that they have a multicultural team in different countries, and the team is their biggest asset. “All of us share unique values,” he says. “We make it mandatory to have fun while working. We put customer exhilaration above and beyond anything else.” This is why, Colaco notes, 93 percent of their customers would recommend them to a colleague based on a recent customer satisfaction survey.
One way that GuestCentric caters to all companies’ budgets is by not requiring all hoteliers to implement and use all features of the product on a daily basis. They can start small, perhaps with just the booking capability, and add premium features along the way. This allows customers to avoid overpaying for services they might not need.
Colaco says that close to 70 percent of travelers start their search for accommodations online. GuestCentric offers the guarantee that sites can be up and running in just a few hours, and creating a brand new website from start to finish takes just two weeks. So if you’re interested in great customer service and a quick set up, GuestCentric is right for you!
Quick Facts: About GuestCentric Systems
Year founded: 2006
Number of employees: 30
Locations: New Jersey, United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal
Current executives: Pedro Colaco, President/CEO; Filipe Machaz, VP of Product Management; Joao Trindade, VP of Marketing
Website: www. guestcentric.com
For sales information, contact: Pedro Gomes, E-Commerce Director, pedro.gomes@guestcentric.com, (203) 517-0717
OnRes Systems Inc.
“Online reservations made simple.” This is the motto of OnRes Systems Inc., the creators of the AccomPro online reservation system. A small company with fewer than 10 employees, OnRes prides itself on being “a bit of a boutique operation,” with the ability to customize and meet the needs of nearly any request.
Vice President of Business Development Steve Behrisch points out the importance of having an online reservation system, saying: “If you don’t have an online reservation system, your competition does. Too much of the traveling market is looking for this type of service for ease of use and time savings.”
OnRes offers three editions of the AccomPro system. AccomPro Standard is ideally suited for bed and breakfasts, motels, lodges, small hotels, vacation rentals and more. AccomPro Enhanced Edition is best suited for mid-large hotels and resorts. The largest system, the AccomPro Portal Edition, is best suited for chain hotels, multiple properties, travel associations, tour operators and more.
One thing that OnRes offers is two-way connectivity to the global distribution system (GDS), which is the ability to integrate and connect your hotel to more than 300,000 travel agents worldwide and to top travel portals like Expedia, Travelocity and Hotels.com.
Behrisch says that one thing the company focuses on is the seamless integration of the software into its clients’ websites. “We take great care to ensure this process is done as professionally as possible,” he says. “This gives the guest the highest confidence and the greatest chance of a successfully completed booking.”
This full integration is different than some companies who are more of a third-party booking system, and Behrisch says “this often forces guests into a pop-up window or a new tab displaying an unbranded (the same as the hotel) reservations page.”
Several of the new services from OnRes include the GDS connectivity, property management system integration, merchant account gateway integration, search engine marketing (SEO) and website development. OnRes partners with leading website development firms to help you build your website.
OnRes also offers a free 60-day trial, a demo hotel and the option to take a three-minute video tour.
Behrisch says that hotels should be able to be found in a search on a variety of platforms, whether through search engines or social media sites like Facebook. He also offers this advice to hotel operators: “Ensure your website visitors have the easiest time finding your reservations page (a good call-to-action), have an easy-to-use reservations page where guests can enter their desired dates, clearly show the available choices of rooms and for what price, and make it easy for them to accept your booking polices and give you their contact details and payment information.”
They guarantee 24/7 real-time monitoring of their servers and system, seven-day a week monitoring of e-mails and are available by phone both office and mobile, making them a very customer-friendly company. Who doesn’t want that?!
Quick Facts: About OnRes Systems Inc.
Year founded: 2003
Number of employees: Fewer than 10
Headquarters: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Website: www.onressystems.com
For sales information, contact: Steve Behrisch, Vice President of Business Development, info@onressystems.com, or visit www.onressystems.com/signup_new.html
Travel Tripper
At Travel Tripper, being direct is not just a distribution strategy—it’s their philosophy. In a world where doing business online is second nature, Travel Tripper recognized this growing trend and created RezTrip. The company now works with approximately 140 hotels worldwide and has recently introduced RezTrip 2.0.
According to the company’s client services and marketing manager, Ursula Nehr, the hotel should not just be seen as a seller of rooms, but a place where everything can be for sale—rooms, food and beverage, spa and outside services—either packaged or a la carte and sold through the booking engine to drive incremental revenues to the hotel at every possible opportunity.
This unique packaging feature is something that RezTrip 2.0 offers to its customers. Nehr says that packages are one of the most searched items on any hotel website or booking engine, so it’s important to make them easily available to customers. “Using RezTrip 2.0 to make a booking is a multi-step process,” Nehr says. “This allows more choices and options to be presented to the buyer and it is efficient way of to engage the buyer, left to right, top to bottom. Clearly visible and very different from other book engines are packages. These are front and center as a clear choice for the customer to buy and strategically placed to engage the customer from the get go.”
RezTrip 2.0 is multicurrency and multilingual, and allows for up to five different bookings for different rates and room types in one reservation transaction.
Besides RezTrip 2.0, Travel Tripper provides a revenue management, business intelligence platform called Rev UP, which helps revenue management professionals manage their daily business from one interactive dashboard.
Another feature that Travel Tripper offers is the integration of social media into the booking process. According to Nehr, at multiple points throughout the booking process, customers can tweet, post or e-mail their friends, followers or associates and spread a hotel’s message virally. This aspect of the business is beneficial for hotels, as one of the most popular means of advertising is word of mouth. The company also added that new features coming soon include a Facebook booking widget and a mobile engine.
Travel Tripper is confident they can provide a solution for almost any scenario, with various options depending on the client, location, size, market and competition. They say that creating a positive first impression is key to developing a relationship with customers, as Nehr says, “Our belief is that a stay experience happens during the search and booking process.”
They’ve proven themselves to be a successful company, with installations as small as a 27-room bed and breakfast, or as large as a 3,000-room hotel in Las Vegas. In fact, RezTrip 2.0 will be installed in five of Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s hotels worldwide. According to Nehr, clients consistently see an increase in bookings—at an average of 150 percent. If you want proven results, Travel Tripper’s RezTrip 2.0 is the way to go!
Quick Facts: About Travel Tripper
Year founded: 2005
Number of employees: 25
Headquarters/other locations: New York; Mumbai, India; Paris
Current executives: Gautam Lulla, COO
Website: www.traveltripper.com
For sales information, contact: PJ McIntyre, PJ@traveltripper.com
Jenessa McAllister is an Associate Editor for Casino Enterprise Management. She can be reached at (701) 293-7775 or editor1[at]aceme.org.
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