Blair Girvan, owner of the Townhouse Aberfeldy in Perthshire

Northamptonshire-based Welcome Systems Ltd and Vuterra Networks in Perthshire have joined forces to provide Scottish hoteliers and B&Bs with the very latest in commission-free, online accommodation and restaurant-booking systems.

The partnership developed after Welcome Systems announced plans to promote its software in Scotland, while linking the ‘Welcome Anywhere’ product with Vuterra Networks’ own electronic point of sale (EPOS) technology.

John Jones, Welcome Systems managing director, explains:

“This move offers our Scottish customers the ability to seamlessly link their online booking and billing with an easy-to-use and affordable system which works 24 hours-a-day to manage reservations and maximise occupancy.

“Welcome and Vuterra have a combined 55 years’ experience delivering the latest software and EPOS solutions, and we’re thrilled to have a partner with such an excellent reputation offering our products and after-sales support in the North.”

Reg Pope, MD of Vuterra Networks, adds:

“Vuterra’s complete range of software systems for bars and restaurants puts our clients in control of their table management, online bookings, stock control, revenue analysis and employee support.

“The addition of Welcome Anywhere means that we now offer the most complete independent hotelier booking system in Scotland.”

One of the first beneficiaries of the new joint service is Blair Girvan, owner of the Townhouse Aberfeldy in Perthshire. Blair comments:

“We have two properties: Townhouse Aberfeldy, which has 15 rooms, a restaurant and a bar, and Station House, an eight-bedroomed B&B located on the opposite side of the street.

“Having been in business for two and-a-half years, we trialled several software options to help manage our bookings and guest promotions, but none of them made the grade.

“This all changed with the introduction of Welcome Anywhere linked to Vuterra’s EPOS system, which has cut down on a tremendous amount of paperwork and certainly made life a lot less stressful. For example, bar and meal sales taken on the tills are automatically sent to the customer’s bill on Welcome, all ready for check out the following morning.”

“I can now easily switch online between properties to check availability at both sites, while guest bookings integrate with Facebook and the OTAs, including TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com, ensuring that double bookings never occur.

“Guests also receive an email reminder five days before their stay, highlighting our cancellation policy and offering them the chance to book a table in our restaurant – an option which many take up.

“Add to this the fact that the system receives and manages bookings day and night and is accessible wherever you are online, whether you’re using a PC, tablet of smartphone, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”