Access Group, a $1.3 billion+ business management software provider, has added global hotel and casino technology specialist SHR to its growing AI-powered end-to-end platform for hotels.
Access will combine SHR’s capabilities with those of Guestline, a property management software (PMS) with clients across DACH and Europe that it acquired last year. SHR’s 2,000 hotel clients will join Guestline’s 3,000 properties, and all clients of the expanded Access Hospitality division will benefit from increased capabilities to drive efficiency and profitability through a complete digital guest journey.
The deal with SHR makes the Access Hospitality division one of the few truly comprehensive software providers in the global hotel industry, with SHR key to its vision of providing a one-stop shop for management, operations and front desk tools for hospitality properties.
The acquisition of Houston, Texas-based SHR gives Access further access to the US market, enabling it to serve larger hotel groups, which often have more complex distribution needs than smaller boutique hotels or independent hotel operators. With revenues of more than £1 billion, the Access Group employs more than 7,000 people worldwide and provides software solutions to more than a dozen other industries.
Access has a modular approach, allowing hoteliers to design the ideal technology stack depending on their needs, while all key components remain natively integrated.
SHR consists of a dynamic Central Reservation System (CRS), Internet Booking Engine (IBE), CRM (Customer Relationship Management), Revenue Management System (RMS), digital marketing and loyalty program tools. Using AI, the content guests see on direct booking sites is tailored to them, making it more relevant to customers and helping hoteliers maximize revenue through conversion, upselling and cross-selling.
By combining SHR’s products with Guestline and approximately 10 other Access Hospitality products, Access aims to become the go-to provider in the mid-market segment, focusing on independent hotels as well as national and regional hotel chains around the world.
The appointment of Jonah Palansky as Access’s President of the Americas earlier this year signals the Group’s commitment and investment in developing the organization as a world-leading business software provider in the region. This, coupled with the planned acquisition of ERP provider Construction Industry Solutions (COINS) in 2022, will reinvigorate the Group’s efforts to expand its foothold in the US market. The company already has a strong presence in Europe and Asia Pacific. The Group’s Hospitality division already supports over 20,000 hotels, multi-location pubs and bars, restaurants, takeaway food and leisure operators with software designed to enhance guest experience and improve venue profitability.
Champa Magesh, MD, Access Hospitality, commented, “We always strive to provide world-class products and unmatched technological capabilities and SHR embodies that goal.
“SHR is undoubtedly the world’s leading automated hotel technology platform and brings great added value to our hospitality services. In this competitive and increasingly complex industry, harnessing the great potential of AI can help hoteliers gain a competitive advantage, transform the guest experience, improve operational efficiency and increase revenue.”
“This further strengthens our lodging offering following our acquisition last year of Guestline, a leading hotel distribution and operations platform provider.”
“This agreement brings us one step closer to achieving our goal of becoming a go-to global technology partner for hotels, helping them deliver exceptional guest experiences and increase profitability,” said Jonah Palansky, president of the Americas for Access Group.
“SHR’s pioneering technology and focus on customer experience is a natural fit for Access. This acquisition marks an important milestone in our efforts to expand our market share in the U.S. and capitalize on the significant growth opportunities the market offers.”
Rod Jimenez, CEO of SHR, added: “We are pleased to announce that Access has acquired SHR. Access is already a leader in providing software and services to hotels in the UK and Europe. The company’s focus is on delivering solutions that help customers manage their entire operation so hoteliers can deliver exceptional guest experiences that are cost-efficient, profitable and sustainable.”
“This strategic move for SHR provides many benefits to our customers. They will now have access to a full suite of products and services, including hospitality-specific HR, payroll, learning management and staff scheduling software. They will have the opportunity to leverage the expertise of Access’s extensive partner network and learn, collaborate and grow alongside our larger customer community.”
“We look forward to working with Access to accelerate capabilities and innovation across products, customer support and security.”
