The south Mahe hotel signed the contract with VCS
in October to upgrade its entire computer system with a more modern system capable of
handling the hotel's operations well into the millennium. This included replacing the
six-year-old computer hardware, replacing the Micros point-of-sale system with a more
powerful touch screen-based system, replacing the software which had been developed and
installed in 1991 and also replacing the network cabling with a faster industry standard.
Originally the deadline to go online was set for December 1.
1997, but once the official announcement was made that the hotel would be hosting the Miss
World 1997 event, the deadline was moved to November I, thus
giving the hotel and VCS only a five-week window to plan, procure the equipment, install
the computer network, equipment and software, and also train the staff. A
"Herculean" task indeed!
VCS worked in collaboration with the management of the hotel, and
by the time the first guest checked in on November 1, it looked as if the hotel had been
using the new Vista hotel management system for years. "When we decided to move up
the implementation date to November 1, we were slightly worried that VCS and our staff
would not be able to meet the deadline," said Mr. Lionel Alvarez, Plantation Club's
general manager. "In fact, with all the organisation for the Miss World event taking
place, it added another dimension to the manageable challenge at the hotel. But I am
thrilled to say that VCS delivered everything on time: the Compaq and point-of-sale
equipment arrived on schedule, the cabling was done in record time, the training for all
our staff was thoroughly planned and executed, and the Vista software system has been very
well received by our guests and staff alike."
Mr. Marc Houareau, the managing director of VCS, shared the same
enthusiasm as Mr. Alvarez and told Business Nation that the VCS staff had to work
several nights and weekends in order to complete the installation of this comprehensive
but easy system.
He said: "The deadline was tough, but our staff understood
the importance of delivering a complete system before the Miss World event started. The
successful implementation is in fact a tribute to the excellent work ethics of the staff
of both VCS and the Plantation Club."
The hotel is especially pleased with Vista, which computerises
all the functions of the front off-ice such as reservations, check-in, check-out, cashier,
accounting, foreign exchange transactions, messaging, group management, end-of-day
closing, marketing, statistics and more. The system operates in a client-server
environment, using a Compaq Proliant computer as the main server, a Sybase SQL database
and approximately 25 Compaq computers linked in a fast-ethernet Windows NT network. In
fact, the 100 Megabits per second network is currently the fastest network installed in
Seychelles today.
The Vista system is also linked directly with the new
point-of-sale system, which was also installed at all the hotel's outlets. This system
uses special touch screens to enable restaurant and bar staff to record and post
transactions directly into the main Vista system. As soon as a guest places an order, his
account is automatically updated, thus reducing paperwork and mishandling of vital billing
information.
At Plantation Club's reception with general manager Lionel
Alvarez (left)... a better-computerised system is increasing efficiency at the hotel
"I am quite impressed with the speed and the features of the
system," said Mr. Vasudevan, the financial controller of the hotel, " I have
worked with many other systems before, but the Vista system is by far the most
user-friendly. Now the management and staff alike have up-to-the-minute information on all
aspects of the hotel operation, from room management to housekeeping, from guest history
information to complete financial management. In addition, the software is also fully Year
2000 compliant, so we do not have to worry about New Year's eve 1999!"
The Vista hotel management software is one of the many software
products developed locally by VCS. To date, the software has been installed at several
sites, including Auberge Club, Coco De Mer Hotel, Coral Strand, Le Meridien Fisherman's
Cove, Le Meridien Barbarons, Fregate Island Private, L'Archipel, Sunset Beach and many
others. Many of the hotels opted for the local Vista system over foreign software after
they discovered that the VCS software has all if not more features than its foreign
counterparts, and more importantly that the software can be locally supported and
customised to their individual needs.
"For resort hotels, the Vista system is an exceptional
product and we are indeed fortunate that the product is developed and supported
locally," Mr. Alvarez noted. "The system is a comprehensive management too] that
will allow us to continue providing a high level of service to our guests. We are pleased
that we chose VCS as our partner and even more pleased that this leading-edge system
operated flawlessly during the most important event ever for our hotel and
Seychelles!"
As more hotels are built to accommodate Seychelles' expanding
tourism industry, it is commendable to note that local companies are now providing
professional services that were once the domain of foreign firms.
"We will continue to develop the most innovative solutions
for our customers," said Mr. Houareau. "The global marketplace is shrinking, and
we have to compete with the rest of the world. We have already proven that we can develop
world-class software locally, and we will continue to help turn Seychelles into the best
information technology centre in the region."
