In recent years, the hospitality industry has experienced a profound transformation. Digitization has brought new opportunities, but also new complexities. Today, running a hospitality establishment-whether it is a hotel, B&B, farmhouse or vacation rentals requires more than just a good reception.
Booking channels have multiplied: OTAs such as Booking.com, Expedia and Airbnb compete with the property's official website and direct bookings via phone, email or social media. Each of these channels needs to be updated and monitored in real time to avoid overbooking, inconsistencies in pricing or lost opportunities.
In parallel, guest expectations are higher than ever: they want immediate confirmations, personalized experiences, smooth check-ins and constant communication before, during and after their stay. All in a context where online reviews directly influence reputation and revenue.
In this increasingly competitive and interconnected scenario, automating and centralizing management becomes critical. And this is precisely where two key tools come into play: the PMS (Property Management System) and the Channel Manager. Together, they make it possible to streamline processes, optimize online distribution and deliver service that matches the new requirements.
The difference between PMS (Property Management System) and Channel Manager lies in the functions they perform in managing a property such as hotel,B&B,vacation rentals etc...
Although they often work together, they play different roles:
PMS (Property Management System)
PMS is the core system of the property management. Its main features are:
- Direct bookings Management (website, calls, emails)
- Check-in and Check-out
- Rooms' allocation
- Guests registration
- Invoicing and accounting
- Cleaning and maintenance Management
- Reports and analysis
- CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and guests communications
Channel Manager
The Channel Manager is the tool that connect the PMS with OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) such as Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, Vrbo, Google Hotel, Google Vacation Rentals etc...
Its features are:
- Updates in real-time availability and rates on all channels
- Automatically receives OTA reservations
- Avoid overbooking synching channels' calendars
- Some allow also a centralized rates management
In brief:
| Function | PMS | Channel Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Operations management | ✅ (check-in, cleaning management, invoice management) | ❌ |
| OTA Connection | ❌ (or limited) | ✅ |
| Availability Synchronization | ❌ (unless supplements) | ✅ |
| Main use | Property management | Connection with external platforms (OTA) |
| Invoicing and reports | ✅ | ❌ |
Usually property managers use both of them: the PMS integrates with the Channel Manager in order to automitaze the workflow and avoid overbooking.
Some software offer both services in one unique platform (such as E4jConnect).
Why should I use PMS and Channel Manager to manage my accommodation?
Any property manager should use both PMS and Channel Manager to miximize revenue, save time and reduce overbookings.
These are the main reason why you should start using both pf them:
1. Avoid overbooking
If you are using more channels (Booking.com, Airbnb, Vrbo etc...), every booking should automatically update availability everywhere. Only a Channel Manager can do it in real time, preventing that two guests could reserve the same date.
2. Automatize the management
With the PMS, you do not need to manually update availability:
- The booking arrives – the PMS automatically assignes the room
- you will be able to automatically send emails before/during/after the stay
- Manage check-ins, check-outs, cleaning tasks and much more in one unique platform
3. Centralized management of Rates and Availability
With the Channel Manager you can change prices and close dates in the website and in the connected channels all at once. Without using tens of pages.
4. Automatic reports and counting
The PMS keeps track of all your incomes, invoices, taxes and generates reports. A very useful function to analize your property performance/trend.
5. Professional guest experience
The Channel Manager integration allows:
- automatic communications with guests (check-in email, instructions, rules, pre-check in, payments requests etc...)
- seamless booking process
- avoid overbooking
6. Time saving
Vacation Rentals managed without a software requires lots of work every day: manual updates, guests communications and analysis of revenue for strategic change of prices.
Using the all-in-one solution that includes PMS and Channel Manager, the host can automatize many of these tasks.
In brief:
| Benefits | Only PMS | Only Channel Manager | Both together |
|---|---|---|---|
| No overbooking | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automatation | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| OTA updates | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Reports & accounting | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Professional experience | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
By now, both systems are needed to be competitive in the accommodation business.
Why should I choose E4jConnect?
E4jConnect is the only PMS and Channel Manager provider completely integrated into your WordPress or Joomla website.
This will boost your visibility on searching engines, that translates in increasing your chances of getting more direct reservations.
With centralized control, you’ll save valuable time on repetitive tasks. Moreover, thanks to the AI channel, it is now possible to let artificial intelligence handle the heavy lifting.
E4jConnect is Preferred+ Software Partner of Airbnb, a member of the Booking.com Advisory Board, Connected Partner of Expedia and Vrbo. This ensures top-quality, reliable connections with the world's leading booking platforms.
We also support many other OTA and channel synchronizations—check out the full list on this page.
Getting started is easy with our 30-day free trial. The system will automatically set up Vik Booking and Vik Channel Manager, complete with your channel info—no extra effort required.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
A PMS (Property Management System) is software that enables centralized management of the day-to-day operations of a property such as reservations, check-in/check-out, accounting, and room management.
With our PMS, VikBooking, you will also be able to study new revenue plans thanks to its reports.
A Channel Manager is a tool that connects the PMS with online booking portals (OTAs) and synchronizes availability and rates in real time, avoiding overbooking and ensuring an up-to-dated information across all channels.
Vik Channel Manager works with VikBooking to enable secure and optimal management for guests and the property.
The PMS manages the internal operations of hotels and vacation rentals, while the Channel Manager handles the online distribution of rooms. They work in synergy to simplify management and, consequently, increase bookings.
With E4jConnect's all-in-one solution, you'll have software at your fingertips that can manage all of a property's most important activities - from automatic transmission of availability and pricing to automated message and email management, for a seamless booking process and stay for all your guests.
A PMS simplifies daily management, reduces manual errors, improves staff efficiency, and enables a better guest experience.
Among VikBooking's numerous functions, you can find the Task Manager that allows you to better manage communication with your workers including external partners (housekeepers, maintenance, special requests).
By updating room availability in real time across all sales portals, the Channel Manager dramatically reduces the risk of double bookings.
E4jConnect can guarantee a high level of connectivity because it is a Preferred+ Software Partner of Airbnb, is part of Booking.com's Advisory Baord, and is a Connected Partner of Expedia and Vrbo.
It is not mandatory, but integrating them offers the greatest advantage: the PMS manages internal activities, while the Channel Manager optimizes online distribution. Together they offer complete and automated management.
They allow you to reduce operational costs, optimize occupancy, increase direct bookings and reduce dependence on outside agencies.
E4jConnect allows you to increase your visibility on search engines while reaching as many customers as possible through synchronization with OTA.
Absolutely. Even small establishments can save time, improve organization and compete online with larger properties.
E4jConnect also offers synchronization with channels dedicated to this category such as bed-and-breakfast.eu and Tripadvisor.
Intuitive interface, integration with Channel Manager, reservation management, advanced reporting, invoicing, CRM and multilingual support.
VikBooking meets them all and you can also organize your operators' tasks by providing them with a real-time updated calendar.
Evaluate your preperty’s needs, available budget, ease of use, available integrations, customer support, and user reviews.
E4jConnect incorporates all these features and also allows you to get started with a 30-day free trial.
