Analysis, design, development and maintenance of a dedicated system for booking accommodation with the use of the latest technologies and IT solutions

In this project, we managed to build and develop a dedicated IT system that supports booking processes in an organization managing its own accommodation facilities. The organization for which we have carried out this project dynamically marks its presence in the tourist market. The key was to provide the client with a technological solution with high availability, efficiency, and the use of the latest IT capabilities.

The key in the project was to build a dedicated system for booking accommodation for a network of tourist facilities for tourists from Central Europe. The business objective of the project was to reach more tourists, which directly translated into a full increase in the occupancy of tourist facilities and an increase in sales. The undertaking required building a user-friendly system that would meet the requirements of potential guests of a given tourist facility. It was important to identify specific management rules for accommodation facilities in different configurations and to manage online payments for accommodation through integration with an external payment system. For the client, it was crucial to find an IT partner who would be able to provide a dedicated reservation system according to a specific financial and time framework - literally a few weeks. Acquiring an IT partner who, after production, will ensure comprehensive system maintenance.

1. Acquiring an IT solution that will increase the sale of accommodation places - a tourist portal available in many language versions
2. Lowering the cost of managing reservations in various accommodation establishments, including online payment management
3. Gaining an intuitive and friendly user experience in the current platform - the currently used solution for the clients did not meet these requirements
4. Many stakeholders represent (often different) points of view of accommodation management and settlement rules
5. Willingness to build a system based on the latest technologies ensuring, inter alia, high configurability of business rules regarding reservations and online payments for the accommodation
6. Increasing sales - number of bookings with a multi-site tourist organization
7. Providing excellent service for the user who makes a reservation for a selected tourist facility

1. Flexible approach to the client - focus on remote work and work at the client's premises only in the case of initial analytical work on complex topics
2. Emphasis on timeliness in delivering subsequent elements/increments of the system. As a result of structured, methodical work (SCRUM), we delivered new functionalities to the booking platform on time - in accordance with the contract and schedule
3. The use of responsive technology to build a booking platform
4. Organization of the exemplary maintenance and development of the system - we have achieved the synergy effect thanks to the good work organization of the interdisciplinary development team, dedicated to building the IT platform
5. Emphasis on standardizing processes and joint planning of work, including very quick response to the need for change

1. Dedicated booking system uses the responsive website structure (RWD) technology for the entire system, which ensures correct interpretation and display on computers, tablets and smartphones
2. Application of data encryption mechanisms and technologies:
   • stored in the database (personal data, payment information, passwords, other critical data)
   • temporarily stored on the user's workstation
3. We used an agile analysis and design process - The analysis process was based on teamwork, implementing an effective process of verification and validation of requirements in accordance with the BABOK Guide (Business Analysis Body of Knowledge) - increasing the quality of requirements
4. Access to the dedicated booking platform is available only through an encrypted connection (SSL)
5. The system provides accurate validation of data retrieved from forms, and URL data
6. High level of platform security (OWASP), integrated with an external payment portal that supports multiple customer accounts depending on the hotel facility
7. High level of reliability in the area of system availability and its integration with an external payment system
8. Designation of a dedicated maintenance team to maintain the system - development, ensuring the continuity of the system

1. Creating a unique platform for the client in the field of tourism, enabling, among others, management of the offer of tourist facilities, making reservations and online payments
2. Building a dedicated internet platform enabling easy and effective content management (CMS), and implementation of updates
3. High configurability of the system in terms of periodic promotions, discount coupons for specific customer segments, etc.
4. Creating an efficient system that allows for convenient data completion
5. Construction of the platform and all subpages optimized in terms of performance - system response time, transaction times
6. Compliance of the platform with the GDPR and other legal regulations, including EU regulations
7. The booking portal contains additional functionalities informing about the use of cookies on the website
8. Adding functionality to display the designed information about the temporary unavailability of the website for technical reasons
9. The system allows you to enter content in four language versions: Polish, English, German and Russian
10. Using the booking platform does not require the installation of any application supporting the operation of the System on users' computers

The presented platform for booking in the tourist area is able to process data in real-time. This implementation proved that we are also able to help domestic organizations in increasing their competitive advantage, thanks to technology - increasing sales, and reducing the operating costs of the organization. Potential guests of a given tourist facility and other system users were also satisfied with the possibilities offered by the platform in terms of intuitive UX navigation. This project was crucial for us as it showed that we are able to deliver business value also to the demanding tourism sector - in a very short time of a few weeks. Currently, our dedicated team deals with the maintenance of the system.

Finally, we have shown that we are able to understand the complex needs of users of dedicated booking platforms and translate them into system functionalists. Our client's great satisfaction in the tourist area with the quality of our work was of key importance to us.

IT commandos report readiness and wait for the next tasks related to the construction of dedicated booking systems!