Attendees at CalARVC’s Software Education Day on Feb. 27 will not only learn about the latest capabilities of RMS North America’s reservation and property management system, but they learn about RMS University, the company’s video-based educational program that supplements the direct training that RMS provides to each property.
RMS North America President Todd Sabo said he is excited to introduce park operators to the program, which handles everything from online bookings to credit card processing, check ins and check outs as well as dynamic pricing.
“It’s pretty much an ‘all in one’ solution for any size park or campground,” he said, adding that RMS’s customers range from small campgrounds in the U.S. and Canada to large RV resorts.
“Our system is the reservation platform for Sun Communities. They’ve been using it for two years,” Sabo said, adding that Canada’s Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities is also using the program for its 40 plus RV resorts in Canada.
Sabo said the RMS program is designed to expedite check in procedures and to create operational efficiencies in front desk operations.
For example, he said, the system has a guest portal where guests can check in online, pay any remaining balances, have information sent to them about their campsite or room and bypass the front desk altogether.
“This is a brand new feature,” Sabo said, adding that the development of a guest portal can significantly expedite guest check ins and eliminate long front desk lines, particularly on weekends.
“We have come up with a solution to make check ins a frictionless guest experience,” he said, adding, “By allowing your guests to check in online, it takes the burden off of you and allows your staff to interact with guests on a more personal level.”
The RMS system can also be programmed for dynamic pricing, when rates are automatically raised to maximize profits during periods of peak demand.
The system also has the ability to set up automatic emails or text messages.
“You can set up various emails or text messages for your guests, depending on where the guest is in the life cycle of their stay. Maybe you send out a text message that says, ‘Do you want to check in online and go directly to your site?’ Parks are very interested in this. They want to relieve the stress at the front desk.”
The system can also be used for marketing campaigns to encourage guests to come back during special periods or promotions.
RMS also provides extensive training, including direct training of staff as well as video training through a program called RMS University.
“RMS University is a proprietary video learning and certification program for our properties that includes short videos and short quizzes as well as a final exam,” Sabo said.
Video classes explain front desk operations, how to use the RMS system from a front desk clerk standpoint as well as advanced accounting operations.
“It takes them about two to three hours to go through the videos and take the quizzes,” Sabo said.
However, RMS has also developed a short version of RMS University that takes about 20 minutes to complete, which parks can use as a prescreening tool for front desk job applicants.
“It covers the basic concepts of how to navigate within RMS. It includes four or five videos with four or five short quizzes,” he said.
It’s a valuable screening tool because if the applicant doesn’t pass these initial quizzes, the park operator knows that the applicant is properly not suitable for a front desk position.
He said the video training programs are especially helpful for parks with workampers and other seasonal staff.
He added that RMS is making its training videos available to workampers for free to encourage the establishment of a nationwide network of RMS certified operators.
RMS North America is one of four software companies that are scheduled to participate in the day-long event, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 27 at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula.
Based in San Diego, RMS North America has created and supported business information systems for the commercial accommodations industry since 1985. Always at the forefront of technology, RMS was one of the first hospitality software companies to embrace cloud based computing and is still one of the few to boast a full featured, web based property management system. More information is available at www.rmsnorthamerica.com.
RMS North America is one of six software companies that are scheduled to participate in the day-long event, which takes place Feb. 27 at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula. The vendor-sponsored event keeps registration prices affordable so that parks of all sizes can attend. The event is open to all RV parks and campgrounds from California and around the country. In an effort to support campground associations around the country, members of any state, regional or national association receive a 50 percent discount. For more information visit calarvc.org/reservationsession.