By Jeff Sefton

Housekeeping is often one of the last departments that is consulted during the evaluation and purchase of a hotel property management system. Housekeeping is usually one of the larger departments in a hotel or resort, so providing that division with the tools they need goes a long way to:

• Facilitating improved guest service
• Contributing to human resources by aiding in cost reduction through efficiency

There are two primary concerns that the housekeeping department will have with regards to the property management system:

1. Access to easily read screens and reports so they know the the status of rooms at any given moment
2. Having the ability to easily update room status in the property management system

Some Functions to Consider

Phone System Interface

• This offers housekeepers the ability to update the room status (set the room as “clean”) in the property management system by simply keying in a code on the guest room telephone
• When the supervisors follow with their inspections, they may then punch in a code to designate the room as “inspected”

Tracking and Reporting Maintenance Items

• It is also the responsibility of the housekeeping department to manage out of order guest rooms that need repairs or upgrades to keep them up to standard.
• Tracking and reporting of maintenance items is essential, as is having the ability to keep a history of these items to spot trends or for future reference.
• The ability to track maintenance on common areas such as lobbies, meeting rooms, public washrooms and health club areas is key in keeping those areas up to acceptable standards as well.
• Keeping service standards high includes the efficient tracking and management of maintaining your hotel and keeping it looking good.