JKCS creates "Zhara" hotel reservation system - Leveraging on its airline software competency

July 26, 2010 - PRLog -- The Zhara Central Reservation System is the first module to be launched from the planned suite. Leveraging its expertise in developing IT systems for airline giants like Qatar, Air Arabia and Kingfisher Airlines, JKCS embarked on creating this solution to assist hotels to effectively harness the same technology to power their growth.

Zhara CRS – or Central Reservation System – will enable hotels to efficiently manage room rates and travel agent contracts, and process bookings through all sales channels including tour operators, call centre, hotel front-desk and corporate accounts.

Picture: Bentota Beach Hotel is one of the many resorts that has chosen Zhara CRS.    

This system is 100% Web-based. The benefit is that Zhara can be accessed from anywhere in the world via the Internet, allowing the hotel to be managed online. This Web based characteristic will be a critical factor for the effective and efficient management of the ‘hotel of the future’.

With several innovative features, Zhara will revolutionize the hotel industry as it faces a brighter and promising future.  Mr. Dhananjaya Chandrasekera, CEO of John Keells Computer Services, speaking on the need of the hospitality sector to be well equipped in serving its customers said, “This is an exciting time in the travel and tourism industry. Hotels are experiencing an unprecedented demand and are realizing the need for a central management tool to effectively run their businesses and attract high spending guests. To support this need, JKCS has created Zhara CRS, a comprehensive IT solution that is suited for any hotel or hotel chain that wants to increase room occupancy, and thereby revenue”.

Zhara CRS, the Central Reservation System module, was launched as the first phase of the Zhara Hospitality Suite, which also includes a property management system and an Internet booking engine. Zhara CRS provides business flows for reservations, rate management, contract management, and performance analysis through effective reporting of day to day activities.  Zhara CRS also enables versatile pricing, packaging, promotions and sales strategies to be created as a means of drawing high-spending customers. Helping a hotel win customer loyalty through a personalized approach, Zhara CRS includes several Customer Relationship Management features.

Specially developed for independent hotels and resorts, hotel chains, hotel management companies and franchise holders, the suite can be fine-tuned to meet the requirements of a specific hotel.

Keeping costs down by reducing the overall cost-per-transaction, while providing the best in service, is imperative for the success of any venture, including the business of running a hotel. This is just what Zhara promises. Through its pay-as-you-earn pricing system, which follows the “SaaS” (Software as a Service model), the hotel pays only for occupied room nights it books through the suite. And as it is composed of three modules - a central reservation system, property management system and internet booking engine - the use of the suite also eliminates the need to purchase separate software systems for reservation and property management, which may prove to be expensive, time consuming and unreliable.

In keeping to its promise of delivering higher customer satisfaction, JKCS has coupled the product with service offerings of seamless and fast implementation of the suite, comprehensive training, ongoing support, and a product enhancement roadmap.