The word “Interface.” If you ask any sales representative does their software interface with the other modules they sell or even better does their software interface with the software you are planning to keep; the sales person will most likely say, “Yes.” That should sum it up; their software will work, the salesperson said it would. When you get the new software, you will most likely be met with major challenges. Chances are the new software will be able to transfer very, very limited information.

For a hotel that has a spa as an amenity, this is probably OK. All you really need is just a quick query of the room number and send a charge to the guest’s room. All the software I have worked with accepts credit cards as well as room charges; none only accepted room charges; however, this is mostly a property policy.

If your property is a destination spa resort and your spa is a focal point then “Software Integration/Interface” is critical. Often called a “Single-guest interface (SGI);” from your spa software or your PMS, you should be able to see charges to the guest folio from the other departments/modules.