Front Office is the most important department of the hotel where the guest comes in contact with the hotel first. And a Computer system consists of 3 interrelated and interdependent components namely 1) Hardware, 2) Software and 3) Users.
Computer Application in Front Office Operations – replacing manual, mechanical work or use of electric devices.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (PMS)
A generic term used to describe the application of computer hardware and software in managing the interface of various departments of a hotel.
Examples of PMS:
Opera, Protel, Fidelio, IDS PMS, Cloudbeds, Hotellogix
Interface with other software:
- Energy Management System (EMS)
- Human Resource System (HRS)
- Material Management System (MMS)
- Accounting System.
- Point Of Sale System (POS).
- PABX or EPBX or Call Accounting System.
- Key Card Systems.
CENTRALISED RESERVATION SYSTEM (CRS)
A computerized reservation system for a chain or group of hotels to enable them to sell their rooms effectively.
The hotels, their sales offices and Central Reservation Offices are linked through a CRS for effective and real-time management of room inventory. It is primarily a Wide Area Network.
Examples of CRS:
- Taj Central Reservation System
- Leading Hotels of the World
- Best Western Hotels
- ITC Welcome group
- Swiss bell hotels
- Holiday Inn Worldwide
- Hilton CRS
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (GDS)
GDS is a computer-based system linked globally through satellites, which are used for hotel reservations, airline reservations and other travel arrangements. Usually, the GDS terminals are with travel Agents. The travel agents may be linked to the GDS through a dial-up mode or a leased line.
All the GDS mentioned below are linked to one another through a parent satellite. The relation between the three systems is as under – Hotel Sales Office/ CRO Travel Agent.
Some Examples of GDS:
- Apollo
- Gemini
- Galileo
- Sabre
- System One
- Worldspan
- Amadeus
- Axess
- Abacus
- Infini
- Fantasia