Interest in 'Software as a Service' (SaaS) increases

Readers of the latest edition of Caterer and Hotelkeeper will no doube have stumbled across an article highlighting the benefits of Software as a Service (SaaS). 'This increasingly popular model sees computer applications hosted by suppliers and delivered to users all over the internet,' writes Ross Bentley. 'Whereas traditionally customers would pay a license fee for owning each piece of software, with SaaS they are simply charged for what they use.' Here at Welcome, we recognise the increased demand for cost effective hotel software solutions, particularly from the smaller end of the market.

Our own SaaS, Welcome Anywhere Level One addresses this need.

Designed specifically for smaller establishments who do not have the budget or need for a full property managment system, Welcome Anywhere Level One provides a booking diary, customer database and, crucially, online booking direct from the hotel's website. All this functionality can be provided from as little as £35 + vat per month. Further options including secure credit card storage, interfaces to EPoS and integrated post code look up further inhance it's capabilities. Ross continues: 'By 2012, at least one-third of business application software spending will be as service subscription instead of product license. The SaaS model of deployment and distribution of software services will enjoy steady growth in mainstream use during the next five years.'

It's hard to disagree with Ross' surmise; the St Austell Brewery group have recently rolled out our Welcome Anywhere solution to a number of their smaller establishments, to great effect (more details here). Of course, the same doesn't hold true for everyone looking for hotel management software, and for that reason, we still offer our highly popular Welcome 21st PMS for those sites requiring full property management and the option of having their database on site. As always, whatever the size of your business, we have something to suit you. For more information regarding our range of hotel booking software, please visit our website.