Pearson New International Edition International pcl tp indd 1

Accounts Management
SELECTING A PMS
Front Office Property
Management System
166

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FRONT OFFICE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Chapter Preview
A hotel’s property management system (PMS) is the major source of information
collection in every hotel. As a result, it is of indispensable help to front office man-
agers (FOMs). Used properly, the PMS collects and reports data in ways that drive
the management-planning and decision-making processes in the front office depart-
ment and throughout the hotel.
This chapter examines the function of the PMS in detail. Which PMS reports
are of value? How often should reports be generated? Who should receive them? This
chapter answers these and related questions.
PMS reports summarize historical information that can help FOMs better
understand and forecast future activities. This allows them to improve the tactics
used to manage reservations, room types, and room status and, in the process, to
increase revenue. Maintaining basic hotel records and generating and storing many
of the hotel’s accounting transactions are also important PMS functions. The
chapter concludes with an in-depth look at how FOMs should evaluate specific
PMS features and functions to determine which of the many available systems
best suit their hotel’s needs.
Objective 1
Present an
overview of how
the PMS provides
information for
management
planning and 
decision making
Four Rs of 
Front Office 
Information 
Management
Objective 2
Describe factors 
important when 
selecting PMS
reports for
development and
discuss concerns
about their 
distribution and
analysis
Report
Development,
Distribution, 
and Analysis
Objective 4
Review how a 
PMS maintains 
and reports
information 
about room 
types sold and 
available, and
about room 
status
Rooms
Management
Data
Objective 3
Explain how a
PMS maintains
detailed
reservations
records related to
guests and their
specific needs
Reservations
Management
Data
Objective 5
Provide details
about how a
PMS can help 
the FOM to 
forecast demand 
and price the 
rooms inventory
Revenue
Management
Data
Objective 6
Review the need 
for numerous 
records (reports) 
beyond those 
applicable to 
reservations, 
rooms, and 
revenue and 
consider the role 
of the PMS in 
the hotel’s 
accounting 
process 
Records and
Accounts
Management