Channel Manager: Do You Know the Important Link between a Property Management System and OTAs?

Most businesses in the hospitality industry use technology to automate operations for seamless functioning. For large chains of hotels and resorts, a property management system software is indispensable to ensure that the setups in all locations are operating smoothly and are in sync with each other.

Hotel businesses are aware of the importance of PMS – but what about the function of a channel manager?

Bridging hotels with OTAs

A channel manager is a software that links the reservation system of a hotel with online travel agencies (OTAs) that reach out to a large pool of potential tourists and travellers. The tool is secure, thanks to the API integration safety feature, so your data is secure and always updated real-time for most accurate results for potential guests.

In some ways, a channel manager can function as a useful marketing tool with the primary goal of distribution and outreach. As you can see, the role of a channel manager is vital – it automates the whole process of updating availability of rooms and pricing. Best of all, it completely eliminates the need for having dedicated personnel checking several websites to update the listings, thus saving time and effort.

Are all channel managers identical?

Channel managers, as software tools, are not identically built. However, they are designed to have similar functions. Here are a few features of a channel manager:

• Manages all OTA listings: From Expedia to Agoda, a channel manager will handle all the travel planning websites to keep prices, discounts and room availability details up-to-date.
• Reduces manual hours: With a strong multi-channel distribution strategy, a channel manager eliminates the need for manual updates of listings.
• Eliminates or minimizes errors: During manual updates, errors are inevitable, even after years of experience. A channel manager software, however, is designed to be accurate always.
• Presents real-time data: With seamless syncing, any data that is available across booking websites are always up-to-date and removes any issues like double booking or errors in room prices.

Multi-channel distribution – what is the strategy?

Multi-channel distribution is a marketing technique that targets multiple booking platforms and travel websites that are frequented by tourists and travellers. Just as it offers users the convenience of viewing multiple hotel and resort properties in the location of their choice, it also gives hotels the opportunity to advertise their rooms and rates to millions of viewers.

A channel manager can advertise your listings on a list of popular booking websites or you can choose the individual sites from a list to post the listings. The kind of exposure your hotel gets on these sites as well as the reviews and ratings that guests leave play an important role in boosting your hotel’s popularity and improving revenue.

Property management system versus channel manager

A property management system (PMS) is an all-in-one software solution with multiple modules for different aspects like front office, backend tasks, inventory, accounts and audits. A PMS’s role is to help single and multi-property hotels manage their day-to-day operations with ease. A channel manager, on the other hand, performs only the role of linking a PMS with OTAs for the purpose of marketing and distribution. The similarity between a PMS and channel manager is that they both perform the same function of saving time and efforts and eliminating errors.

Do you need both a PMS and a channel manager?

If your hotel or chain of hotel properties are in need of only marketing and distribution for a wider reach, then a channel manager would suffice. But, these days, more and more hospitality businesses – especially multi-property hotels and resorts – simply cannot do without a PMS.

All kinds of industries embrace technology to improve how they operate and expand their business. The hospitality industry is no different. More and more hoteliers are realizing the importance of automation and technological solutions, and they are using property management system software to handle their day-to-day operations with immense ease and efficiency.

Best of all, many advanced PMS software offer an in-built channel manager apart from a host of other features so that what they offer their clients is an all-in-one package that helps them grow and expand while the software seamlessly handles all the important operations.

WinCloud partners with a channel manager you can trust

WinCloud’s front office module offers an easy-to-access interface to channel managers to handle all your bookings and price listings. WinCloud has partnered with country-specific channel managers to handle tasks like updating real-time inventory and rates across all distribution channels, eliminate instances of overbooking, and tackle rate disparity issues with ease. You can also enjoy the flexibility of suggesting a channel manager of your choice to integrate and function smoothly with our software.

Never miss out on a booking, keep your prices competitive to attract more guests and enjoy the convenience of one software that can take care of all your hotel property operation needs. Let us help you handle all your operational and marketing needs so that you can focus on the big picture: expanding your business. When you choose WinCloud, you choose peace of mind!