4 important points to consider when selecting an ERP for your hotels and restaurants

As many already know and others are going to find out at their own pace, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a must for companies to manage and integrate different business segments, and hospitality sector makes no exception to this rule.

From rooms and tables booking, guest management, housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance to front-desk efficiency and inventory management, the task of effectively managing a hospitality business can prove to be an intricate and complex puzzle. And that’s where holistic restaurant and hotel software solutions come into place to bring solutions to manage this challenging task.

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The ERP keeps your hospitality business on track and automates repetitive processes, and, as a result, business costs are significantly reduced by making realistic estimates as well as effective forecasts.

Here are, in our view, just a few examples of challenges in the hospitality industry, and how they can be overcome with a well-designed integrated software system:

• Eliminate the risks of miscommunication

A kitchen is always a busy place, so clear information is mandatory to ensure that your guests receive exactly what they had ordered, at the right time. So, the ERP should be able to provide the kitchen staff with clear guidance on what to cook and when allowing them to prepare more dishes in less time. Furthermore, the waiters can send the orders from the POS directly to the kitchen where they are printed, shown on displays, or both.

• Easy Reservation Management

Booking systems for hotels and resorts are complex tasks as well, as customers can make reservations from a variety of sites and devices. Not so long ago the reception desk held the master controls, but now there are many more factors in play leading to more room for error. So, reservations are another area where a hospitality software system can help you merge records and improve performance. They allow you to view overall occupancy rates, update a room’s status, and even predict future occupancy trends with greater accuracy and ease.

• Keep a good Inventory Management

Whether we talk about a hotel, resort, or restaurant, buying, selling, and consumption trends are essential for all of them. So, the hospitality software can help with inventory management as well and analyze the information to efficiently streamline inventories to avoid both surplus and shortages. In addition, staff can use the ERP system to track both internal and third-party users, vendors, suppliers, order management, and complete audit reports.

• Centralization for Business Office

Working with an ERP system in hospitality can also make life easier for your business office, especially when operating multiple locations. With streamlined accounting processes, for instance, you can view your business’ performance with relative ease and streamline reporting associated with multiple locations or departments.

On top of all these challenges, on your way to a successful ERP implementation, you should never lose sight of other aspects, that are just as important: executive support, employee involvement, clearly defined scope, and a partner that knows your industry.

In conclusion, in a fiercely competitive industry, facing unique challenges, businesses focus on improving the flow of data and facilitating business processes throughout the organization. As a hotelier or restaurateur, make sure you select an ERP system that also comes with all the hospitality-specific functionality you need, and a reliable partner to implement it.

We can help you to find the best ERP solution for your business needs. Contact us for more information.