Coherence in complex hotel IT

From advice and implementation to support and continuity

In many hotels, IT directly determines whether processes in front office and F&B continue to run. A change in the PMS affects checkout, payments, reports and often also guest communication. Problems are rarely caused by one system, but by the links between them. This is precisely where Van Hessen's field of activity lies: setting up, connecting and managing hotel technology as a coherent whole.

Separate solutions used to be widely used, but the reality now consists of a chain of interdependent systems. PMS, POS, payments, revenue management, back office and network infrastructure have to function simultaneously, often in a hybrid environment. Van Hessen therefore does not focus on one
application, but on how systems work together and how that works out in practice for employees and guests.

Implementation and alignment instead of separate IT projects

Within hospitality, Van Hessen works with Oracle Hospitality OPERA Cloud PMS and at the POS level with Oracle MICROS Simphony POS and Breeze POS. For many hotel professionals, these systems are familiar. When switching to a new system, it is imperative that processes continue to run smoothly and that the operational flow is not disrupted.

This starts with data migration and training, but continues into user management, reporting structure and coordination between departments. Especially for hotels with multiple outlets or different F&B concepts, this requires clear choices: which data are leading, how do financial flows run and who is responsible in case of malfunctions? Van Hessen focuses on this cohesion and offers a single point of contact for the hotel organisation.

Cloud as standard, but not everywhere simultaneously

Although cloud solutions are increasingly the norm, hotel practice is rarely fully cloud-based. Existing and sometimes outdated systems, specialist applications and local infrastructure often remain part of the whole for years to come. Many hotels therefore opt for phased renewal, where old and new continue to run alongside each other temporarily.

This requires stable links, smart integrations and a clear layout. After all, a technical change has a direct impact on employees and guests, especially during peak times. Van Hessen offers its customers continuity in this transition phase: after all, systems must continue to function reliably, even when an organisation is modernising step by step.

Network and security as a prerequisite

Network management and security are not an afterthought here. Guest Wi-Fi, POS systems, mobile devices and cloud applications place high demands on availability and security. Monitoring and active management are necessary to ensure payments, privacy and business continuity. Van Hessen therefore approaches network and security as part of the total. The focus is on stability and control: systems must keep running and incidents must be quickly visible so that the hotel process does not grind to a halt.

Relevance to larger and more complex hotel organisations

Van Hessen's approach fits seamlessly with hotels and hotel organisations where IT complexity is increasing. Think of multiple locations, different concepts within one organisation or companies that want to standardise without losing flexibility. A party that keeps an overview and direction can also play a role in renovations or phased replacement of systems, precisely because existing and new technology must temporarily function alongside each other.

For Hotelvak readers, this makes Van Hessen especially interesting as an integration partner: a party that approaches hotel IT as a whole, in which technology, processes and management are directly linked to day-to-day operations.