Seven good reasons for protel

Picking the perfect hotel system isn't as hard as you might think. We've summarized a few of the most helpful points for you:

• Solid architecture and stable software
• Mature product philosophy
• System performance and speed
• Future-proof technologies
• Excellent interfaces to other software products
• Scalable database for growing needs
• Flexibility in hardware selection

For more information in a compact format, see the protel fact sheet. Do you have questions or want more information about protel technology? Just  send your inquiry to our sales team.

Nothing affects software performance more than the tools employed to develop it. At protel, we use C++, a standard programming language that offers unbeatable stability and speed. C and C++ are available for almost all operating systems worldwide (many operating systems are even coded in C/C++).

We thus made a deliberate decision not to program in Visual Basic or any 4GL languages. Many software developers use these tools because they automate much of the product graphic design process and the implementation of low-level functions. However, they are then held captive to the tool and its performance characteristics, and can't affect entire sections of the system. End clients also have to pay extra monthly license fees to the database developer when 4GL development tools are used.

protel didn't start out as a text-based MS-DOS or Unix program. So it isn't hauling a lot of "baggage" that has to be arduously maintained and updated. From the beginning, we consistently implemented all program functions based on the Windows standard (unlike many other hotel management systems, which simply slap a Windows interface over the old program structures). As a result, you can benefit fully from all the technological capabilities of the Windows universe.

You'll immediately recognize the Windows philosophy in our products. The intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) with the classic Windows look and feel makes it easy for you to learn how to use and profit from protel products.

The best examples are the context-sensitive menus, the Navigator in protel Front Office and the active lists that are particularly popular with large hotels. No matter where you are in the system, all these functions are only one mouse click away.

Hotel system performance depends on the underlying database and development language.

All protel systems are optimized for Microsoft SQL Server, known as one of the fastest database servers in the world. Since we consistently use SQL-stored procedures ? which shift some program functionalities to the SQL server ? we can obtain top processing speeds.

C and C++ are the programming languages of choice wherever speed is needed in IT. Their strengths are harnessed wherever maximum efficiency is demanded. All protel products are based on C++ source code that is not restricted to a particular development system.

Microsoft Windows has established itself as the top business operating system all over the world. The market leader's position and dominance is the ultimate guarantee that the Windows operating systems and the database server will remain available and continue to evolve steadily.

Thanks to our one-of-a-kind combination of C++ as the programming language and Microsoft SQL Server as the database server, we can offer our customers maximum performance and reliability.

If you opt for protel, you opt for market-leading products. Your benefits: long product longevity without any risks.

The Windows environment provides many ways to interface with other systems. For example, outside programs (such as Microsoft Word as the default word processor) can be connected over OLE2.You can also integrate e-mail functionality (Microsoft Outlook), FTP clients and web browsers. Online upgrades provide the best arguments for integrating internet technology: In only a few mouse clicks, you can upgrade your protel system to the latest version.

protel's native XML server, which puts the functional core at your fingertips over HTTP and TCP/IP, lets you embed protel features in any front ends you wish, regardless of software architecture and operating system.

By the way, we actively seek cooperation with other software product providers in our partnering programs. Companies who want to interface their software with a protel product can receive all the documentation and support they need for the implementation.

Hotel management systems have to handle not only powerful functions, but also vast volumes of data. The actual amount of data depends on the hotel type and the concrete workflows. After all: the more voluminous and detailed the databases, the more meaningful the management reports. And these reports lay the groundwork for effective, targeted marketing activities.

With its support for multiprocessor machines and server clustering, Microsoft SQL Server is highly scalable so even large chains or hotels won't bump up against a performance ceiling. protel runs efficiently in hotels with between 40 and several thousand rooms.

By the way, we work closely with Microsoft and so can offer special rates for Microsoft SQL Server licenses.

All protel products are developed and tested for use in terminal-based operating systems such as Microsoft Terminal Server and Citrix WinFrame / Metaframe. This thin client technology allows you to run protel over leased ADSL lines and switched network connections.

As a result, you can integrate protel terminals into the hotel network from any location in the world. Plus, you can operate protel on low-maintenance, low-cost dumb terminals (such as Wyse).

Microsoft's thin client technologies open up even more attractive options, such as turning your internet browser into a workstation or using wireless terminals.