FARGO, ND— Tharaldson Lodging, a division of Tharaldson Cos. here, has been cozying up to the “IRS” for the past year-and-a-half and making the most of it. Specifically, this owner/operator of some 350 economy and extended-stay properties nationwide is finding itself increasingly immersed in the technologies that are part and parcel of its proprietary IRS (Internet Reporting System). As a still-evolving multi-modular website, this particular technological initiative is designed to provide instant information entry to— and access by— hotel general managers and corporate officials alike. To hear the hotel company’s Director of Field Training/ Systems Laurie Sather tell it, Tharaldson’s IRS Page is a million-dollar concept that, so far, has seen upward of $100,000 invested into its (on-going) development. Already up and running on the firm’s website are a Revenue Module as well as an Expense Module, while a Payroll Module is in the first phase of beta-testing. In line with the abilities and capabilities of the Revenue Module, Sather explained hotel general managers enter data onto the website daily. In doing so, this captures a host of revenue-oriented details as well as pertinent information regarding accounts receivable, cash (for transactions), etc. “Everything captured from this module is used for the REVOC [revenue occupancy]report, and includes percent of change, year-over-year comparisons, daily trends, and a host of other accounts-receivable reports,” Sather said. “In turn, this array of information is accessible by upper-level management, area directors, the firm’s regional vice presidents, approved corporate staff, and revenue analysts.” Moving her attention over to the Expense Module (sharing the same website), Sather noted this part of the system finds hotel general managers entering invoices, purchase orders, petty-cash transactions and various check-entries. In the process, this on-line entry generates what amounts to “an instant P & L statement,” allowing those data-entering hotel executives to immediately and more closely track- and thereby control- their respective property’s expense and budget lines. As for the Payroll Module, the Tharaldson director pointed out that it is being developed as a means of allowing hotel general managers to submit their payroll information and requirements via the Internet and, in return, take full advantage of the ability to access “budgeted hours” and weigh them against “actual hours.” In short, Sather pointed out that Tharaldson Lodging’s technology endeavors— particularly those of the on-line variety— are all mounted with just one goal in mind. “Everything we do,” she said, “is designed to help the general manager perform his or her job better at the property level. In turn, this helps everything… all the way down to the employee and, ultimately, the guest level.” Of course, just because the company is genuinely committed to cutting-edge technologies in order to keep its operations running smoothly and efficiently, that doesn’t mean it’s ready to recklessly disregard processes and systems that have proven their worth over the course of the years. According to Tharaldson Controller Annette Croves, whose responsibilities include (but are not limited to) overseeing all in-house accounting and communication systems, the hotel company has been built on application of— and adherence to— what can most accurately be described as “tried-and-true technologies.” In terms of “outside” undertakings, Croves contended Tharaldson has historically based much of its operational acumen on the usage of the various franchise-property systems. “To this end, we’re currently working on bringing that data up to the corporate offices by keying in to various database programs.” As such, she noted this information being keyed in would necessarily include: budgeting; petty cash; food supplies; guest supplies; etc. Accordingly, wider and more immediate access to information along these lines
