What is an app as part of the Hotel App Store?
Apps, (applications) that are available from SiteMinder’s Hotel App Store are third party integrations that complement your PMS and Channel Manager. These apps all perform different functions and work from different devices depending on the functions they are offering. For example:
Oaky is an application that helps you to drive revenue via upselling
Welcome is an app that helps you with pickups and transfer services
Bookboost is an app that helps you to increase revenue through improved guest messaging
Each app can be bought and installed - you only need the SiteMinder Channel Manager to get started or a PMS that is connected to the Hotel App Store.
What types of applications can I integrate with?
All applications fall under one or more of the following functional categories:
CRM / Marketing → guest database management and communications
Guest messaging → direct messaging between guests and hotels
Keyless entry → digital access solutions
Revenue management system → pricing strategy and optimisation
Review management → review, feedback and reputation management
Room control → controlling in-room features (lights, temperature)
Upsell solution → opportunity for an upgrade or ancillary purchases
Note that we are continually adding new and exciting applications to the Hotel App Store. Contact us if there is an application you would like to connect with that is currently missing from the Hotel App Store.
Are applications part of my SiteMinder subscription?
No. The Hotel App Store provides you with free and seamless access to connect to these apps. When you decide to use an app, you’ll need to have a commercial relationship with the app independently.
How do I activate an application?
You’ll need to sign up as a customer with the application directly. You send a request to connect with an app through the app’s page on the Hotel App Store.
What does the activation process look like?
Send your request to your chosen app from SiteMinder’s Hotel App Store
Sign up with the app (they’ll guide you through the process)
The app will then send an activation form which notifies SiteMinder that you’re confirming the connection
We map the connection and you’re live!
As a new SiteMinder customer, when can I connect to an application?
Once your SiteMinder Channel Manager is live, we can map your connection to an app. To make sure you can start using the app without delay we recommend that you start onboarding with the app right away. That way you can reap the benefits from the app as soon as your Channel Manager is live.
What happens if I am not a SiteMinder customer?
Non-customers can still connect to apps through the Hotel App Store. The only requirement is that your PMS is integrated into our SiteMinder Exchange connectivity platform.
Can I connect to more than one application?
Yes - as many as you like.
Can I connect multiple properties to one application?
Yes. You can connect one app to multiple properties. Each property has its own channel manager account but you will only have one contract and invoice from the app vendor.
What fees are involved?
SiteMinder doesn’t charge properties anything to use our integration connectivity. Applications will generally charge a subscription fee - these fees will vary depending on the app.
A PMS may charge an interface fee for an app, but this is dependent on the PMS and beyond our jurisdiction.
There is no interface fee if you’re using SiteMinder’s channel manager or the Little Hotelier PMS as your publishing source.
Are there any free apps?
Yes. Some apps have a ‘lite’ version which you can implement for free and most will offer a free trial. There are also some apps that do not charge monthly fees, instead only charging a commission on revenue generated through the app.
Who do I contact for support when using an application?
For any issues or troubleshooting regarding an app, you should contact the application directly. This information is found on the app’s page on the Hotel App Store and should also be available to you through your app subscription.
If your issue isn’t resolved, you can let us know and we’ll get in contact with the app for you.
How can I turn off an application?
If you wish to deactivate or turn off an application, you will need to close/suspend your account with that app, as per your contract. The app will then inform the SiteMinder team who will deactivate the connection on our end.
What if I can’t see the application I’m looking for?
If there is a specific application you’d like to connect to, please reach out and let us know.
We will actively pursue any integration that fits our connectivity requirements.
The data source/publisher - what’s the difference between a Channel Managerand PMS connection?
Applications require your hotel data to power their solutions and the type of data publisher being used determines the level of data that can be processed.
SiteMinder Channel Manager → we can process all data that passes through your connected channels (i.e. OTA bookings). This might represent anywhere between 50-90% of reservations. This is the standard data publishing method.
Your PMS → we can process all reservations and data contained within the PMS. To use this type of connection, your PMS needs to be integrated with SiteMinder Exchange.
What if my PMS is not on SiteMinder Exchange?
We encourage that you request to your PMS that it connects to SiteMinder Exchange. Our PMS team will more than likely already have engaged in discussions with your PMS. Using the SiteMinder Channel Manager connection is a great interim data source to the PMS connection.