Aptech's Automates Multi-Property Information Gathering

Replaces Manual Spreadsheets, Centralizes Financial Data for Faster Decisions

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. October 14, 2008

PITTSBURGH, PA, June 15, 2006. Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., a leading hospitality software company, announced an updated release of Data Manager(R), its newest solution that provides multi-property chains and management companies with the ability to collect and centralize daily operating data via the web. Data Manager streamlines information gathering from properties with front office and back office systems that do not interface with their chain or corporation financial application. Aptech's other hotel computer systems solutions include Execuvue(R) business intelligence, Targetvue(R) enterprise planning and Profitvue(R) back office accounting.

Melodee Insley, director of financial analysis of Dolce International, said, "One of the most significant challenges we face in data collection is having multiple properties with different back office systems. Aptech's Data Manager gives us the ability to capture information from each of our properties in a format that is easily uploaded to our Execuvue corporate financial system for consolidated performance analysis." Insley explained that prior to installing Data Manager, Dolce used a manual spreadsheet process that required considerable re-keying at the corporate office level.

"Data Manager provides the capabilities of a spreadsheet without the data transfer and storage issues. It lets multi-hotel operators make better management decisions by automating the process of gathering and consolidating daily performance metrics from a wide range of properties," said Cam Troutman, Aptech Computer System's director of sales. "The software fills a communications gap for properties whose systems do not interface to their corporation's financial platform." Data Manager replaces manual flash reports by giving properties the ability to input operating totals from multiple revenue sources, such as rooms, food and beverage and meeting space.

Data Manager employs easy-to-use Web templates to capture each property's daily operating information, regardless of the front office system. The system can then facilitate the transfer of data to the back office system for posting. Interfaces have been written for third-party systems such as J.D. Edwards, Epicor and other non-Aptech applications.

Data Manager's flexibility supports a variety of chain portfolios

Data Manager demonstrated its flexibility recently with one of Aptech's largest clients - an operator with an extensive casino and luxury resort portfolio. "Most companies track between 50 and 150 lines of daily information, but one chain is using 1,500 lines of property data," explained Aptech's Cam Troutman. "Another chain operates a mix of budget and full-service properties. To accommodate the differences, we created separate templates adapted for each property type." Troutman noted that budget properties do not require fields that record F&B totals or meeting rooms, so Aptech simplifies Data Manager screens for their use.

Hotel operators often use spreadsheets for submitting data to a centralized office and generating reports. Though a useful personal productivity tool, spreadsheets are poorly suited for accurate, efficient enterprise planning and performance management and are error prone due to extensive manual data entry.

Aptech's Data Manager overcomes the data transfer and storage issues of a spreadsheet. The system gives properties the ability to either manually enter data into a template similar to a "daily flash" spreadsheet, or import data directly into the template from legacy systems such as PMSes. This data is stored in a centralized relational database for reporting and submission to the corporate accounting system.

Data Manager may also be used to capture other types of information like guest satisfaction or time & attendance data. Data can be imported and reviewed at the property level prior to submitting the information to the corporate office, all with a flexible Internet utility.