Best Western Hotels & Resorts has acquired AutoClerk, which the hotel company said is a major step forward in its broad distribution strategy. AutoClerk is a property-management system company that has been in business since 1986. This acquisition marks a major milestone in BWHR's efforts to simplify distribution for its hotels by making technology management, revenue management, customer-relationship management, reporting and connectivity simpler and easier, according to Best Western.
"This acquisition will enable BWHR to enhance its competencies in an increasingly complex distribution landscape to drive benefits to its hotels with faster and more reliable connectivity," BWHR President/CEO David Kong said in a statement. "It will also allow us to implement technology solutions to help our hotels become more effective in servicing guests, simplify management of rates and inventory and improve management reporting."
A key focus for the company's success is ensuring it has a robust and scalable distribution platform. A critical component of the platform is the PMS. This partnership with AutoClerk will enable BWHR to drive unique benefits to its hotels, the company said in a statement.
Current and new AutoClerk customers not associated with BWHR also will benefit from BWHR's planned investments in the system's infrastructure and development resources to improve system performance. In addition, BWHR has plans to provide connectivity solutions and integration capabilities to AutoClerk's customers regardless of their brand affiliation.
“The products and solutions offered by AutoClerk, a preferred PMS technology that [Asian American Hotel Owners Association] members can access for an affordable price, will only grow stronger with BWHR's backing,” said Rachel Humphrey, AAHOA interim president/CEO. “We are pleased to continue our partnership with a company that has a proven track record and technical expertise that AAHOA members can trust."