An integral part of true hotel software, a prime example of which is NFHotel – a specialized, systematically developed and expanded hotel system from a Polish manufacturer. The reception engine, more commonly referred to by industry experts as a booking engine, in a sense replaces the staff responsible for customer service and adding new reservations. In other words, it creates a second, fully-fledged, albeit entirely virtual, reception desk for guests browsing the accommodation's website.
Anyone who's just entertained the unsavory prospect of humans being completely replaced by soulless machines can rest easy. Receptionists will still be needed, especially in these large resorts, even after implementing a superb hotel software with an equally capable reception engine. Booking engine is unable to answer the phone, nor will he hand out keys, nor will he help guests in case of any emergency. But the very process of finding a date, making a reservation, accepting payment (at least electronically) and sending e-mail and SMS confirmations will handle it comprehensively. And in a way that could give even a seasoned hotel industry veteran a complex.
Friday, holiday and Sunday
The primary advantage of such a networked customer service point—both for tourists and for property managers—is that it remains open to potential customers 24/7. Industry statistics best demonstrate that implementing a reception engine is a highly anticipated and highly beneficial solution. As data from individuals, companies, and institutions involved in tourism shows, each year more and more vacationers book their stays online, whether for vacations or short weekend getaways. While booking portals like Booking.com may provide the highest occupancy rates—often reaching 80%—an online booking module on your website is always an additional source of potential revenue, without the need to pay a hefty commission.
As long as it's simple and understandable
One of the most important things you should expect from a reception engine in hotel program, is intuitive service. Once a guest has decided they want to relax at a given resort, they expect the formalities to take little time. Even if they book at 1 a.m., because it was previously difficult to find a free moment. It's better to relegate visual and aesthetic impressions to the background—which shouldn't be equated with complete disregard. After all, a beautiful and clear graphic design also influences the speed of navigating the available options. It's also difficult to overestimate the value of clearly conveying specific information, just as photos provide a better understanding of a given room standard than even the most comprehensive verbal description.
How does the reception engine work?
Making an online reservation on a website can usually be accomplished in three quick steps. First, the tourist provides their arrival and departure dates and the number of participants in their potential stay. Channel manager checks which rooms meet the conditions and displays them for selection. Then the customer selects the extras they are interested in (from food for a set of SPA & Wellness treatments or a special occasional package), and the reception engine dynamically recalculates prices for all available standards. Finally, thirdly: when the guest has made a positive decision, all that remains is to confirm the choice and - possibly, depending on the policy of the specific holiday facility - make payments. Advance payment, deposit, the full amount... Here, the hotel program is responsible for recording the incoming amount and automatically sending confirmations to the customer. Both the reservation and payment receipts are sent to spare the traveler the nerve-racking wait to see if everything goes smoothly.
The market for specialized software for hotels and other accommodations offers several hotel programs with a reception engine. However, these programs often involve a combination of several systems from different companies. In the case of the Polish company NFHotel, a functional booking engine is an integral part of a comprehensive hotel program. This ensures that the entire system will function properly, without any latency or compatibility issues.
