Meridien opts for VCS's
Vista
The two Meridien hotels in the Seychelles have completed the
installation of a new computerised front-office, reservations and back office software
system developed by local software company, VCS. The new Microsoft Windows 95/NT based
software, which is marketed under the trade name Vista, was released last year by VCS and
has already been installed at several hotels in Seychelles.
Mr Netraj Ghuburrun, financial controller of Le
Meridien Seychelles, told Business Nation that VCS was chosen after a long review
process made by the management team, the owning company Cosproh and the parent company of
Le Meridien hotels worldwide, Le Meridien/Forte (part of Granada Plc in UK)."Le
Meridien/Forte information technology team evaluated and tested the software before giving
their approval. A team composed of the front office manager of Le Meridien Bruxelles and
the Forte Inventory manager for International Hotels also came to Seychelles in February
of this year to work with the VCS personnel on some specific features of the
software," the financial controller said.
"It is commendable for VCS that after
reviewing and comparing the hospitality software in the marketplace, the Le Meridien/Forte
Group approved the choice made by the management team for the VCS Vista software package
for the two hotels in Seychelles." Mr Ghuburrun added that both Fisherman's Cove and
Barbarons had used an older version of the VCS software for nearly five years, and that
they had been extremely pleased with the features and local support. "We have called
VCS at 1.00 in the morning when we had a problem and their technicians have always given
us exceptional support. This type of support can only be possible when you have a strong
structure locally."
The Meridien Barbarons went online with the system in April and
the Fisherman's Cove hotel in July. The VCS software computerises all front-office,
reservations, cashier, accounting, marketing, management, stock management, end-of-day,
and housekeeping functions of the hotels. The software also has capabilities to accept
reservations directly via the Internet, a trend which is becoming quite common since the
proliferation of the World Wide Web.
System pays dividends
"The system is already paying
dividends," Mr. Ghuburrun said. "All the necessary corporate reports for the
overseas management companies (Le Meridien / Forte Group) have been incorporated into the
new VCS Vista system. Previously, we had to manually compile statistics to send overseas,
and it used to take a tremendous amount of time. Now we can get the reports in a few
minutes. The graphics and reporting functions are excellent, and management has
up-to-theminute information about every aspect of the hotel operations. Marketing,
statistics and yield management are now available at the touch of a button."
Both hotels chose Compaq Proliant computers to run the software,
and the Microsoft Windows NT network with Sybase SQL database. The Windows 95 interface
makes the system very easy to use and learn, and over 30 staff members, including top
management from the two hotels were trained at the VCS Training Centre earlier this year.
"The migration to a Windows-based system was very smooth," Mr. Ghuburrun
said."Our staff are now fully conversant in this operating environment, and after the
intensive training sessions, they are now able to use other standard Windows software such
as Microsoft Office."
Front Office staff at Le Meridien Barbarons are pleased with
the ease of use of the Vista programme
Mr Marc Caturegli, the recently appointed general
manager of Le Meridien Barbarons, said that he did not know what to expect when he first
arrived at the hotel. "I can frankly say now that I am extremely pleased with the
Vista software and the professional support we receive from VCS. The management aspect of
the system is exceptional, and allows me to monitor the entire hotel operation from one
simple screen. I have all the revenue figures, the occupancy forecasts and the relevant
data all displayed in a graphical format. VCS's Vista software is not simply a hotel
front-office and reservations system. It is a true management tool which will enable us to
remain a leading edge operation and will assist us in enhancing our already high level of
service."
Mr Guy Robert, the general manager of Le Meridien
Fisherman's Cove, was very impressed by the speed of implementation which took about three
weeks. He said that the Vista Hotel software could easily be compared to the best system
for resort hotels that he has seen overseas.The Vista system is one of many products that
has been completely designed and developed locally by the software development team of
VCS.
"We are proud that the Meridien Hotels in
Seychelles chose our software, and this confirms that we have the expertise to produce
world class software in Seychelles," Mr Marc Houareau, the managing director of VCS,
said."Since we installed our first hotel system at the Coral Strand in 1989, we have
computerised nearly 20 hotels as well as the four major local tour operators. We are
pleased with our track record in the local tourism industry and our future target is now
the regional and Middle-East markets."
Since tourism is the number one industry in
Seychelles, it is definitely a plus for local companies to have ready-made software and
support available from VCS. Le Meridien's choice of a local company is another indication
of the positive, ongoing business development in the country. An excellent information
technology infrastructure is the key to future development and for attracting clean
industries to our shores. It is possible that in the future, Seychelles could be on the
map as a high-tech information development centre
