Hoteliers have spent the past few years navigating a fast-evolving tech landscape—one that’s brought both opportunities and challenges. Although modern technology can increase visibility and control within hotel portfolios, operators are often left scrambling in order to keep pace. It is particularly true in the case of the PMS where the early implementation sets the stage for success over the long term. A thoughtful rollout, when handled by hospitality professionals with experience, can improve efficiency, empower employees, and enhance guest service right from the start. Nevertheless, without the right planning, even the most effective tools can turn into costly liabilities.
Select a strategic partner, not just a tech provider
The right implementation partner should bring more than just technical know-how—they should bring real hospitality experience. Do your technology partners have hospitality experience or do they only look at your business from a tech-centric perspective? Are they able to provide training that is tailored to the needs of your hotel team and do they have a thorough understanding of daily operations?
A strategic partner invests in your success over the long term. It means aligning to your business goals, appreciating your feedback and giving you an opportunity to be heard in product development. Support that is available 24/7 and responsive is just as important. Believe it or not, many PMS providers rely on chatbots as their first—and sometimes only—line of assistance. Your hotel is open 24/7/365 and so should your technology partner. In this industry, service is everything—and that applies just as much to your technology provider as it does to your front desk.
Start strong with a clear and detailed implementation plan…
A solid implementation strategy is the key to a successful PMS deployment. It’s easy to lose track of time and waste resources when new systems have many moving parts. To maintain accountability and streamline communications, it is important to engage all parties from the start and appoint dedicated ambassadors both on the hotel and vendor side.
Early planning not only minimizes disruption—it sets the tone for the entire rollout. If you plan ahead, you can complete even the most complex multi-property changes in one quarter. Integration shouldn’t come as a surprise. A well-structured implementation plan ensures that key systems—from payment gateways to CRM and POS—are properly configured and connected within 30–45 days. Your staff can then focus on the most important thing: providing seamless, high-quality experiences to guests from day one. Shortly, a good plan can save time, reduce stress, and boost the value of all your properties.
…But Be Prepared to Offer Hands-On Support When It Matters Most
It is inevitable that unexpected problems will arise, but you should have a team ready to deal with them. Specialists should provide real-time guidance and hands-on support to hotel staff during the entire deployment process. Your deployment specialist can help your team automate the transfer of thousands of reservations. data loader You can minimize the manual work by using a CRS that is available.
The right tech is just as important as the right team
Although great service and knowledgeable assistance are important for any successful PMS implementation, the technology plays an equally crucial role. The type of system you choose can either streamline the implementation process—or create costly setbacks that drag on for weeks. If you want to avoid delays and operational problems, ensure that your PMS contains these core capabilities.
- Easy-to-use, intuitive interface. A hotel’s PMS should not complicate the operations of the hotel. A modern, clean interface will reduce training time and empower staff to be more proficient. It will also minimize errors in day-today use.
- Cloud-native Infrastructure with Guaranteed Uptime. Your PMS should run on true cloud architecture—not hosted servers—delivering 100% uptime, greater reliability, and seamless access across locations without the risk of going offline.
- No hidden costs for integration with open APIs Some legacy PMS providers charge literally hundreds of thousands of dollar just to connect basic system. Look for a PMS that offers truly open APIs and lets you build the integrations you need—without punishing fees.
- Data migration automation tools. Implementation shouldn’t be a tedious manual process. A robust data-loader can automatically import profiles of guests, travel agents, corporates, and other parties. It will also upload reservations and import templates, which reduces onboarding time.
Conclusion: The Right Technology and Partner Lay the Foundation for a Successful Implementation
In hospitality, there’s no room for shortcuts—especially when it comes to your core technology. For a successful PMS, you need the right partner, clear plans, and a platform that is built on a flexible, reliable infrastructure. The right foundation can help your hotel unlock its full investment potential and provide a consistently outstanding guest experience.
Stayntouch
Stayntouch is a cloud-native, guest-centric PMS with more than 1,100 integrations. Stayntouch’s PMS is cloud-native and empowers independent and group hotels to enhance guest service, drive revenue and reduce costs. Stayntouch was launched in 2022. Stayntouch 2Stayntouch Pay, an advanced payment platform, is fully integrated with the Stayntouch Booking, a cloud-native PMS. Stayntouch 2.0 helps hotels streamline operations, increase revenue, and improve guest satisfaction with the help of a single trusted technology provider. Stayntouch is supported by a team of professionals with deep roots in the hospitality industry and is a trusted partner to industry-leading management companies including Sage Hospitality, HEI Hotels & Resorts, and EOS Hospitality, innovative independent brands such as Village Hotels, Pod Hotels, and First Hotels, and iconic flagship properties such as the TWA Hotel, Showboat Hotel Atlantic City, and Zoku Amsterdam. For more information visit www.stayntouch.com.
Elliott Mest
MFC PR
Stayntouch
