Online hotel distributor, SiteMinder, has launched a global, two-way integration between the major Callista property management system (PMS) and room booking websites around the world.
The connection means hotels using Callista’s PMS can now have their room availability and pricing distributed automatically to dozens of online accommodation booking sites such as Expedia, Wotif, Booking.com and Agoda, using SiteMinder’s online technology. And in return, reservations from booking sites are automatically captured by SiteMinder and dropped directly into hotels’ Callista PMS, eliminating the need to manually re-key booking site reservation emails and faxes.
SiteMinder Managing Director Mike Ford said this seamless interaction between Callista and third party booking sites would boost revenue and cut costs, red tape and man hours for SiteMinder’s hotel customers using Callista.
“Our partnership with Callista will greatly benefit hoteliers keen to reach more markets faster and more efficiently,” Mr Ford said. “Hotels using a Callista PMS can now use SiteMinder’s link technology to ensure their inventory and pricing is posted to more online channels more frequently, which of course means higher booking revenue and fewer manual errors by staff. In addition, the need for staff to capture booking site reservation information into the property management system is eliminated, resulting in a highly streamlined business process, bringing online booking activity into the mainstream reservation process while reducing cost and effort.”
The Callista Group’s NZ-based Chairman, Roger Ansin, said: “We have been privileged to work with SiteMinder on this interface which will provide a huge mutual benefit to our customers. SiteMinder connects to a wide range of websites and interfacing Callista Hospitality to this fully automated process means our customers can take reservations 24/7 with complete integration to their desktop software while simultaneously enabling them access to an enormous base of web sites. The benefits of this are also reduced staff overheads because the system automatically takes care of all availability on-line and with instant confirmation to guests. We’re also very happy to give SiteMinder access to our very wide customer base globally as part of our partnership with them.”