Integrating IPTV with PMS and other services

When we approach a new PMS system, we ask these questions:

• Do you support FIAS standard?

  • If the answer is YES, then we already have the integration build toward them. We only need to perform the test and the client needs to pay PMS licence.

  • If the answer is NO, then we ask them for API documentation, so we can build the interface toward them. This is an additional cost for the client and can take some time. We need to check the API, estimate the features required, estimate the time of development and then put it in our roadmap.(Can take 2 months)

Integration to other systems means connecting to other systems and sharing some data with them. In order to successfully connect to the other system, we need to know in what way the other system communicates with others.

From each integration inquiry we usually need API (Application Programming Interface) Specifications, so we know how the app will communicate with us, then on our side we check if that way is possible and how much work it will need to support that way.

Standards are guidance and if both systems use the same standard (like FIAS for example) then they already communicate the same way. Their handshake will be understood by our system because we know what their handshake means. If they used some other standard that we don’t know it, they could understand our extended hand as grabbing by their ass, and they would show us the finger. That way, we wouldn’t be able to get any data we need from them.

The Interface between systems is similar like a human translator, it translates what each side is saying, so they understand each other and the task is properly done.

The first thing we do when clients ask us if we can integrate to their PMS is to ask the PMS company if they support FIAS standard. If they do, then we can test it in hotel when we do IPTV installation.

If they don’t, we ask them if it’s possible for them to support FIAS or they send us the API specification, and we check how much work would be on our side to support their communication. We recommend that they support it so that they can have open options for other systems that would support FIAS.

In general, client or partner talks to both sides and decides who will develop integration based on costs involved. Custom integration always involves additional cost that is calculated when we get their API specification.

Most of the integrations we have with PMS systems (Property Management Systems), let we say 90% is FIAS and 10% are other custom PMSes. We will also count here cruise ships with FIAS Fidelio cruise system.

Then we also have a portion of integrations with HIS (Health information system for hospitals).

What data is exchanged between PMS and IPTV:

Basic:

• check-in date and time

• check-out date

• guest salutation, name, surname

• guest language to set welcome greeting in the same language

• Guest move between rooms

Advanced:

• Adult permissions for content set from PMS

• Guest bill info seen on TV screen

• Guest messages - possible to send from PMS to IPTV

• IPTV purchases - order from TV goes directly on guest’s bill in PMS

• Fast check-out- PMS guest notification that guest wants fast check-out