What does it take to build a custom hotel management system?

The business process followed by Langtry staff is outlined in Figure 1. It begins with a customer possibly obtaining information about the various suite types, driving directions, or information about the local scene (Step 1). Checking for availability is the next step and comprises the bulk of time spent communicating with customers (Step 2). After a suite and dates are decided upon, payment is collected (Step 3) and the suite's availability is updated as being "booked" on a spreadsheet (Step 4). The guest then checks in and stays at the Langtry or cancels/rebooks (Step 5).

The Langtry approached KREOFUSION in July of 2010, requesting a new website. The existing website was very basic and didn't provide any functionality or a way to update suite pricing (which had changed 6 months prior). Reservations were all being handled with pen and paper over the phone. The administrative staff was spending almost all of their time on the phone with people who wanted to know more about the various suite types, general information about the property and surrounding area and especially availability. KREOFUSION saw the need to provide a visually impressive website that reflected the business's boutique-style charm, and "old-world meets modern" visual appeal. The website also needed to streamline the reservation process. What was delivered was an intuitive and easy-to-use website with content management functionality, so that prices could finally get updated by Langtry management. The website also came complete with a "Reservations Calendar" which allow visitors to easily see when suites were available as well as request reservations. After administrative users log in, they are able to make reservations, lookup specific reservations, as well as update or cancel reservations. In Figure 1, the yellow rectangle represents the functional scope of the newly deployed system. Since deploying the Langtry's new website, management at the Langtry has noticed an immediate and noticeable difference in the amount of time spent tending to customers who call or email them. "The front desk staff used to spend all their time checking availability with customers," says General Manager Dean Malone. "Now, thanks to the reservations calendar, the only calls we get are from people who are ready to book dates that are actually available."

• Virtually no more calls from people inquiring about available dates
  
• Less time spent by staff in describing the suites to people via phone/email
  
• No need for a web support team to update pricing and other content on the site
  
• A much more professional website that better reflects this business