IDS Next Gives Me Ample Opportunity to Travel

Syed has an MBA in IT and has been part of IDS Next family for the last 10 years. His career at IDS Next has traversed from being a product support executive to Manager, hospitality business solutions.

Tell us a little about what you do in the Hospitality Business Solutions Team

I have extensive exposure to all the versions of our FortuneNEXT6i Hotel ERP, and my core responsibilities in the Hospitality Business Solutions are to conduct product demos and do implementation for clients especially in South East Asia, Asia Pacific and Africa. In case, a potential client requests for a product demo I do it either online or visit the hotel. On an average, I conduct 10 to 12 product demo a month.

Apart from this, I have more than 60 product implementations to my credit in India and 16 in international regions including Sri Lanka, Africa, Thailand, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Bhutan. We approximately take 30- 40 days per implementation. But, sometimes the time frame goes beyond that depending on the size of the property and number of add-on solutions the hotel wants to adopt. Also, if a hotel is migrating from a different hotel management software to our FortuneNEXT 6i Hotel ERP, we need extra time to move the legacy data.

Additionally, if a client gets in touch with me for tech support, I do provide that too. But, that is only limited to the implementations done by me. Initially, before the inception of 24/7 TSC, I was the single point contact for international support for regions including Middle East and Africa.

How do you ensure a hassle free and successful product implementation?

During the product implementation process, my entire focus is always on how to make sure that the user makes best use of our Hotel ERP. To ensure this, I conduct a weekly or if necessary a daily audit about the functionalities of the product. I also have regular meeting with IT Heads and other Department Heads of the hotel to take their feedback. In short, I listen to them patiently and try to put myself in their position to understand their requirements. The support from our head office during the implementation process matters a lot. 

Tell us something about your achievements. 

I had joined IDS Next as a Product Support Executive in 2004. I started my career here. I would say that this place has given me a lot during the last 10 years. I have been promoted 6 times. My job responsibilities have made me a product expert. I know our Hotel ERP inside out.

For me, the best part is product implementation, especially the international ones as I get to visit new countries. I love travelling and IDS Next gives me that opportunity. Working for IDS Next has earned me lots of international exposure. During implementation, I develop good rapport with clients as I spend almost 30-40 days with them. This has also helped me polish my interpersonal skills as well. Extensive travelling has also taught me how to pick up new languages. I always like to learn new languages and that’s how I can now speak proper Sinhala language.  I can even manage things to some extent in languages like Thai and bit of French.

Would you like to share any memorable experience with us?

Last year, I was asked to implement our Hotel ERP at Grand Pacific Hotel, Fiji. I enjoyed working with their staff as many of them were ancestrally Indian but their forefathers had migrated from this country a few centuries ago (I hope you remember your history). The Grand Pacific Hotel is magnificent and its suites are the ultimate in luxury, it also has a very rich history and Queen Elizabeth stayed there when she visited the country in 1953.  More interestingly, when the Prime Minister of India visited Fiji a couple of months ago, he stayed there too. So it makes me very proud to have installed our product at such a prestigious and iconic hospitality property.

Would you recommend IDS Next to your friends?

Of course, I would. IDS Next is led by a team of highly motivated and seasoned leaders. Managers are always willing to help. Work environment is great and this place is the most happening place. Join us to feel the thrill! 

Sell More Rooms with FortuneNEXT Central Reservation System

Central Reservation System (CRS) is an important booking tool as hotel reservations continue to happen via phone. The CRS is most valuable and cost effective when it is a chain of hotels or resorts.

Leverage FortuneNEXT Central Reservation System

IDS Next’s FortuneNEXT Central Reservation System seamlessly powers the reservation process across several distribution channels a hotel is connected to. A web based central reservation system, FortuneNEXT CRS helps a hotel to manage and store its rate and inventory across all channels including global distribution systems, internet booking channel/platforms and voice based reservation call centers.

An ideal centralized reservation solution for both chain and standalone hotel properties, FortuneNEXT CRS integrates seamlessly with a hotel’s FortuneNEXT 6i Hotel ERP, offering a real-time, best in class and end-to-end reservation system. This smart and centralized hotel reservation system from IDS Next shows real-time availability of accommodation, room rates, instant allocation checking for tour booking, audit trail for critical applications and more in the hotel property management system. Read More

Published In: IDS Next Blog

By: Lilian D'Costa

I have achieved a lot while working at IDS Next

Santhosh P is Manager – Support & Services for Africa and works out of Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania. He has a Diploma in Hotel Management and 8 years of overall experience, 4 of which he has spent at IDS Next.

So Santosh, how cool is it to work out of Africa?

I think it’s pretty cool, but upon hearing of my decision to move to Africa, my parents and close friends were flabbergasted and asked me to rethink. Everybody has this perception that Africa is not a safe place, but I always wanted to travel and IDS Next had already given me other opportunities before I got the Tanzania offer. Interestingly, Dar es Salaam means "The residence of peace" and on the whole, Tanzania is the safest place in Africa. People here are warm. When I’m not working, I hang out at nearby malls, watch a movie or cook my favorite South Indian food at home.  

Tell us about your work?

I am expected to build a healthy relationship with our clients, and I think that I have achieved this to some extent. My job profile and my responsibilities have helped me to hone my public relations and interpersonal skill.

My core responsibility is to take care of post-sales support for Africa. I am accountable to ensure smooth implementation of our Hotel ERP across clients’ sites. I work in collaboration with our local partners. During product implementation, I travel to the client’s site and need to stay there 25-30 days.

After the implementation I provide tech support when needed. As IDS Next has the policy of 24/7 technical support, I have to be on call round the clock, I get calls at all odd hours and need to work smart to ensure the clients problem is sorted out as soon as possible.

Apart from product installation and tech support, I also conduct product training for hotel staff.

How did you join IDS Next?

I was working as an F&B Executive in a hotel in Chennai and they had adopted IDS Next Hotel Management Software in 2009, that’s how I got acquainted with the software. In 2010, I was referred to IDS Next by one of its employees, I appeared for the interview and joined IDS Next in 2010 as an Implementation Executive.

How has been your journey at IDS Next?

From 2010 to 2013, I did 30 plus software implementations. 20 of these were done for India, and the rest are in countries like Kazakhstan, Nepal, Indonesia, Maldives and Papua New Guinea. The company perhaps noticed my hard work and promoted me to the post of Senior Executive – PSG in 2011. In 2013, I opted to relocate to Africa and have done over 10 implementations here. Recently, I got promoted to my current designation. My hard work has earned me an ‘Exceptional Service Award’ and two promotions during these four years.

Additionally, I would say that my life has changed for good after joining IDS Next. After my hotel management course, I started my career as a waiter. At the lowest rung of the hospitality industry, I held the senior manager or director of the hotel in awe, today; I train some of these gentlemen on our Hotel ERP. Today, I advise them how they can leverage our software to improve and grow their business.

Since you have traveled quite a lot, can you share some of your interesting experiences with us?

In 2011, I had travel to Kazakhstan for my first international project. As it was my first trip to that country, I was a little apprehensive. I was supposed to be picked by the hotel people, but nobody turned up. I felt helpless as I didn’t have the hotel’s contact number. After few minutes of my landing, the entire airport wore a deserted. I tried to ask around but nobody understood English. After 4 hours, I noticed one Indian and went up and spoke to him. He knew the local language and spoke to the hotel and I got picked up in 15 minutes.

How would you recommend others to join IDS Next?

If you dream big, IDS Next is here to help you realize them. Join this growing company to learn new things.

Bhutan Based Zhiwa Ling Hotel Attains New Feat

You may call them eco-friendly or a green hotel, the fact is they are in vogue. Instead of checking-in to star hotels located in busy, bustling tourist destinations, today’s travelers prefer to spend their leisure time in exotic hotels and rustic lodges that are surrounded by nature. The most important reason for the shift is that today’s travelers want to be revitalized and so yearn for calm, quiet and ultimate serene beauty.

Looking at this trend, The National Geographic Society recently launched its latest initiative in world-class travel experiences: National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World. Through this, the Society aims to showcase a collection of boutique hotels located in extraordinary destinations around the globe with a demonstrated commitment to sustainability, authenticity and excellence. 

The National Geographic Society’s list of unique lodges of the world has 24 names and one among them in Zhiwa Ling Hotel, based in Bhutan. Read More

By: Lilian D'Costa

Published In: IDS Next Blog 

My decision to join IDS Next eight years ago is the best decision I have ever made

Anirban is from Kolkata. He is a Science Graduate from University of Calcutta and has a PGDCA in Computer Application from IGNOU. He has 14 years of experience, of which, eight have been with IDS Next.

Tell us about your role at IDS Next

I am a part of IDS Next’s Client Engagement Group (CEG) and as a Regional Manager, I take care of the entire Eastern Region including Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam and others. I also take care of our CEG related activities in countries like Bangladesh and Bhutan.

My work starts the moment product installation is done. I am responsible for providing best-in-class post product installation service to our clients and AMC. This can be a fairly challenging job.

Additionally, I work with customers to do Software Usage Audits. This process starts whenever a client comes to us complaining about a particular functionality of our Hotel ERP. In such cases, I make sure that our team immediately gets in touch with the client to understand the manner in which they harness our Hotel ERP. Depending on the issue, we conduct training programs for the client and ensure that they get maximum benefit by using our Hotel ERP.

Some of your achievements so far…

Achievements are many and thank to my seniors and colleagues, we met our AMC targets by a large margin. It was possible due to the support and dedication from the entire team.

How has been your journey so far at IDS Next?

I joined IDS Next in 2006 as a support executive. It is now 8 years and counting, and I look forward to being part of IDS Next family in the coming years as well. I still learn new things from my colleagues and seniors here. Though, I operate from Kolkata, I have never encountered any communication gap with the senior management in Bangalore. I think my work has been recognized here as I have been awarded with 3 promotions so far. Honestly speaking, my decision to join IDS Next eight years ago was the best decision I have ever made.

How would you like to recommend others to join IDS Next?

As a company, IDS Next has created a mark for itself and has proved its mettle in the domain of Hospitality Technology. Like me, there will be many employees in IDS Next who would agree that the company provides everything to develop professionally.

IDS Next Is My Home

Tell us about you.

I am originally from Chennai and I have done my MCA from IGNOU.  I have a total of 15 years of work experience, and have been a part of IDS Next family for 10 of those.

Tell us a little about your work at IDS Next.

As a Senior Products Specialist in the Technical Support Centre,  I work at Level-2 and troubleshoot all applications, be it the FortuneNEXT 6i Hotel ERP or other value added solutions, my role is to ensure that our clients’ are happy with the performance of our products and solutions.

At Level-2 it becomes my responsibility to help resolve the customers issue quickly, if the technical support centre is unable to help, I escalate the problem to the development team. I also mediate by talking to the client, explaining about the issue faced by them and assuring on resolution.

When at office, if you don’t find me at my desk, you could surely locate me with the development team. Technically and practically speaking, I am a bridge between the technical support centre and development team.

How does your day start?

My day starts at around 8.30 am even though I am technically not in office. I start getting calls from clients and these go on till mid-night, till after the nigh audit. As a troubleshooter, it’s my duty to attend to every call. I try to make sure that, our clients should know that we are with them whenever they want us. That’s why; I do come to office on all Saturdays without fail, though it is considered a weekly off. I spend around 9 hours a day, 6 days a week at office. IDS Next is my home.

You have been with IDS Next for the last 10 years. Tell us about your journey with the company.

I joined IDS Next as a support executive. And I would say that, I have been able to live up to the management’s expectation as I have been promoted 6 times over these 10 years. I have learnt a lot from many seniors here. Whenever, I have a query, I find somebody to help me. This is what I love about this place. I have also been awarded with ‘Performance Excellence Award’.

Would you recommend any one to join IDS Next?

I would love to. In fact, I have done that on several occasions already. I would say, IDS Next has grown to become an institution over these 27 plus years. You should be a part of this institution to learn new things. In terms of professional growth, IDS Next won’t disappoint you.