bookatonce - protel´s new web-based hotel management system

Just in time for the spring trade fairs, Dortmund's protel hotelsoftware GmbH introduces its latest revolutionary product innovation: bookatonce, the world's first web-based hotel management system, is about to bring some excitement to the hotel software market. bookatonce is tailored to the specific needs of small hotels. Without the need for extra hardware, software or lengthy training, all that's needed to work with this innovative solution is Internet access. The basic version of this modular application will be available free of charge. The essential functions included in this version can be supplemented by adding further functional packages according to requirements.

The next generation of hotel software: web-based, adaptable, reasonably priced

bookatonce is just the latest example of the successful application of protel's business philosophy, which for over 15 years has formed the basis of the Dortmund-based hotel software producer's success, under the motto "Innovation Meets Experience". In 1995, protel introduced the first Windows-based hotel management system onto the hotel software market. In so doing, it established a new standard, one that is today taken for granted everywhere. Thus, from its very first appearance on the market, the company has enjoyed a technological head start over the competition. In 2009, it's happening again with bookatonce.

Manfred Osthues, co-founder of protel and one of the company's three managers, explains the idea behind bookatonce: "With bookatonce, we're addressing those in the hospitality industry who have the same professional demands as the "big boys", but for whom powerful applications such as our protel SPE line of products for large individual hotels, or protel MPE for hotel chains, are simply overkill, besides being too expensive. A small independent hotel just doesn't operate under the same conditions as an international hotel chain. We're very proud that we've succeeded in transferring our 15 years of experience in hotel software development onto a whole new technological basis. With bookatonce, we're now able to offer a flexible and economical solution that also allows small hotels, guest houses and B&Bs to work with a professional application."

No hardware, no software - just sign up and you're ready to go!

What's so special about bookatonce? As a web-based software solution, this innovative hotel management solution requires no additional hardware. There's no installation, nothing to set up. All you need to work with bookatonce.com is access to the Internet. The system can be accessed from an office workstation computer, your home PC or any other Internet-ready computer anywhere in the world.

The system is launched and operated with an Internet browser. Every new customer can get going straightaway after registering: the individual hotel is configured and the relevant master data created in about 15 minutes, at which point your first reservations can be made. All data associated with the hotel is processed online directly in the system. As a latest generation Internet application, bookatonce can be run on all major operating systems, such as MS Windows, Apple Mac OSX or Linux.

A web-based solution also offers a number of advantages in day to day operation: bookatonce.com is fail-safe and requires no maintenance at all. As the user accesses the hotel management system via the Internet, you do not need to worry about software maintenance issues such as updates, since you will always be working with the most up-to-date version. You really can relax: protel backs up your data. bookatonce runs on protel hotelsoftware GmbH servers in a secure computer centre where all data is stored and backed up.

A complete package: Hotel management + Internet presence + online booking

bookatonce is designed in accordance with the building-block principle. With a highly flexible marketing concept that is entirely tailored to individual requirements and based on a free basic version, protel is consciously lowering the acceptance threshold, especially for small hotels, guest houses and B&Bs. And this basic module is already quite a performer. It provides not only a comprehensive hotel management system, but also your own website, including an online booking facility. Some basic functions:

* Manage reservations with the interactive room and booking schedule
* Process and confirm reservations, perform check in/check out
* Generate invoices, perform daily closing procedures
* Maintain customer data in guest profiles
* Execute day to day business using active lists (e.g. arrival, departure, occupancy)

Also included in the basic package: the bookatonce Homepage-Builder, which is a fully fledged content management system the hotel manager can use to set up a professional Internet presence, including an integrated real-time booking engine, within minutes. All incoming online bookings are immediately displayed in the bookatonce hotel management system. - If an Internet presence is already in place, the bookatonce.com online booking function can be simply and easily integrated into the existing website.

If required, the basic version can be upgraded at any time by adding extra function modules. A simple and transparent price structure also facilitates improved cost planning and control for hotel management.

Experience meets innovation: Technology that's fun to use!

Our online hotel software was newly developed from the ground up: during an extensive research and development phase, the bookatonce team drafted entirely new design guidelines - even integrating successful operational concepts from game consoles into the development. In contrast to first generation web applications, which are still rather slow, bookatonce is an "RIA" (Rich Internet Application) which can be used without limitations, just as any other application. The result: a system that is not just at the cutting edge of technology, but which is also fun to use and whose user-friendliness is bound to set a whole new standard.

bookatonce runs on protel hotelsoftware GmbH servers in a secure computer centre where all data is stored and backed up. protel takes care of everything: running the software, transmitting data in encrypted format, ensuring stored data is secure and hosting the participating hotel websites and booking engines. Nothing is installed at the hotel; the system is launched and operated directly with the Internet browser. In contrast to ASP solutions which have been around for some time, in which the producer must create what may be a complex individual configuration for each customer at the computer centre, bookatonce is a "true" SaaS application. Every new customer can get going straightaway after registering.

Visit us at www.bookatonce.com!

Hotel software made in Germany

protel develops and sells technology and service solutions specifically and exclusively for the hotel industry and related companies. The consistent focus on the needs of this industry makes protel one of the most experienced and successful provider of professional hotel management systems. From small individual hotel to multinational hotel group - the product lines of protel hotelsoftware GmbH provide all areas with standard software solutions that can be individually customized to meet every need.

The protel hotelsoftware GmbH is run by Ingo Dignas, Jörg Hermann and Manfred Osthues as managing directors. The company's headquarter is located in Dortmund; by having a branch in Dubai and a dense network of closely cooperating business partners, protel is represented worldwide. More than 4,000 customers in 50 countries confirm our high-level expertise and reliability.

protel hotelsoftware GmbH
Europaplatz 8
44269 Dortmund (Germany)

Tel. +49 (0)231 - 915 93 0
Fax +49 (0)231 - 915 93 999

info@bookatonce.com
www.bookatonce.com

Press contact:
Janina Krubasik
janina.krubasik@bookatonce.com

This release was published on openPR.