Pearson New International Edition International pcl tp indd 1

FRONT OFFICE SEMANTICS
Template report:
Standard formatted report from the PMS that may be modified by the end user.
Because of the great number of reports available, FOMs may find it difficult to
determine which should and which should not be created and distributed. An
excessive number of reports wastes paper and the night auditor’s time in making
copies or sending e-mails. Too many reports also waste the readers’ time by taking
them away from more productive tasks or by providing less time to study data in
critical reports. In most PMSs, the selection of reports to be run is as simple as
choosing the report and then selecting print on the computer monitor. Almost all
PMS manufacturers use a Microsoft Windows-based operating system as the plat-
form for their software. The Windows system is an improvement over older oper-
ating systems because of the ease with which new users can learn to navigate it.
Figure 11 shows an actual screen night auditors working with a Windows-based
system would use to select the reports they are assigned to run. The terminology
used to identify specific night audit reports varies by PMS manufacturer. The total
number of reports available is usually limited only by the imagination of the night
auditor and FOM.
PMS-generated reports may provide or seek information. Figure 12 shows a
room discrepancy report run by the night auditor. It must be completed by the morn-
ing shift’s housekeeping supervisor before being routed to the FOM. Note that
instructions for completing the report are included on the form.