The hospitality industry has long struggled with fragmented data locked away in isolated systems. But recent advances in technology are helping hoteliers achieve something that was once difficult: centralized, accessible data. This new wave of data connectivity allows hotels to securely integrate insights from all facets of their operations in near real-time, giving them control over their data and the ability to access it when and how they want.
“Hospitality tech is at the crossroads toward tech collaboration beyond silos; in other words, our future is connected,” writes Mercedes Blanco, chief partnerships officer at The Hotels Network in Hotel News Now. “Overcoming the challenges of API integration in the hospitality industry requires of a joint effort and a desire of change. We need to be able to react to future market needs and to deliver timely solutions to our end customer — the hotels — and for that we need to work together.”
Integrating Hospitality: Behind the Progress in Hotel Data Centralization
Much of this progress is underway. While legacy systems built on outdated technology still exist, the past five to ten years have brought remarkable progress. With the rise of cloud-native applications and improved integration tools, data can now be shared seamlessly and securely across platforms, unlocking valuable insights for hoteliers.
“System integration – the process of connecting disparate software solutions into a unified platform, is the backbone of a seamless, efficient, and innovative hotel business,” writes Jennifer Mays, director of partnerships at Otelier, in Hospitality Net. “Without it, hotels are left grappling with siloed data, disjointed operations, and slow responses to traveler needs.”
At Otelier, several advanced tools are paving the way for modern, secure, and scalable data integrations. Two of the most impactful tools are Snowflake and iPaaS, both enabling hotels to manage data more effectively, supporting operational and guest experience improvements.
Snowflake: A Cloud-Native Data Warehouse. Snowflake isn’t just a data storage platform; it’s a powerhouse for data management and analysis. As a cloud-native data warehouse, Snowflake brings a unique ability to scale and process large datasets without limitations, making it especially suitable for the hospitality industry’s vast data needs. Snowflake allows Otelier and its customers to efficiently aggregate and analyze data with virtually no limits on data size or computing power. Unlike traditional solutions, which involve pre-set compute, memory, and storage levels, Snowflake enables workload isolation and independent scaling, which results in higher performance at lower cost. Further, Snowflake’s “zero copy” sharing capabilities enable real-time data access between integrated partners. This means hotel operators can have instant access to live data without the need for constant data transfers – avoiding the fragility and “timing issues” involved in scheduled or event-based data synchronization between systems.
iPaaS: Simplifying Integration with Scalable Solutions. Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) solutions offer cloud-native, scalable options for connecting different software systems. With iPaaS, software providers no longer need to rely on heavy, locally-based tools or custom integrations. These platforms provide flexibility and speed, allowing solutions providers to activate and scale integrations quickly. In other words, hotels can turn on new connections as they expand their tech stack, making it easier to adapt to changing needs and maintain an integrated data flow across platforms.
SnapLogic: Accelerating Integration with No-Code and Low-Code Solutions. SnapLogic is one of the top iPaaS providers, offering a no-code/low-code platform that empowers teams to build integrations with drag-and-drop functionality. With SnapLogic, even complex data integration processes are simplified, as development teams don’t need to write extensive code or rely on custom development. The platform also supports global monitoring and performance management, giving hotel teams greater visibility into data flow and potential bottlenecks.
By employing tested and certified data platforms and integration partners – with options for Multi-Factor Authentication, encryption at rest, and other sophisticated data masking rules – you can ensure your data remains secure in both storage and transmission.
Gamechanger: Real-Time Data Access and Automation
Together, these technologies transform how hotels can collect, share, and use data, creating a centralized system where data is readily accessible and actionable. Instead of spending hours manually compiling reports or moving data between systems, hotel teams can focus on using that data in real time to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations.
The true benefit of centralizing data in hospitality goes beyond simply organizing information; it’s about transforming how hotels operate and engage with guests. In a fragmented data environment, valuable insights often go unused, trapped in disparate systems. But with a connected tech stack, hotels gain a comprehensive view of their operations, leading to more informed decision-making and a competitive edge.
Here are a few ways this data integration drives business success:
- Enhanced Guest Experiences: With access to real-time data, hotel staff can personalize guest interactions, such as by recognizing loyal guests, offering customized amenities, and responding to service requests faster. This level of personalization can make guests feel valued and improve their overall satisfaction.
- Operational Efficiency: By automating repetitive tasks and reducing manual reporting, hotels free up staff to focus on more strategic initiatives. For example, instead of manually scheduling housekeeping or submitting payments to vendors, hotels can use data insights and automation to handle these and other mundane tasks.
- Increased Profitability: Integrated data allows hotels to analyze performance trends, forecast demand, and make data-driven decisions about pricing and staffing. With accurate, timely information, hotels can optimize revenues from rooms and all other ancillary departments while simultaneously reducing labor costs, which will contribute to the bottom line.
The Future of Hospitality is Data-Driven
As the hospitality industry embraces centralized, integrated data systems, hoteliers are better positioned than ever to leverage insights for operational improvements and guest satisfaction. Modern data integrations are leading this evolution, providing hoteliers with unprecedented control over their data and enabling them to be more agile and responsive to guests’ needs.
Hotels that prioritize data accessibility will be able to deliver better guest experiences, streamline operations, and drive profitability. With continued advancements, the hospitality industry is stepping into a new, data-driven future.
Learn more about centralizing your data with Otelier IntelliSight.