Condeco, Trimble – Datacraft, EMS, Rendezvous, CABS…. meeting room booking software. Competitors reviewed.

Room reservation software – reviews
Decision decisions – which one would suit your company best? 

When choosing a meeting-room reservations software system, there are a number of factors which come into play:

Is it important for the PAs and EAs to be able to book the meeting rooms?
Is it important the system is the most user-friendly one available – for the reception team?
Do you need to be able to book rooms globally across different time zones?
Will the software support be reliable?
Does the latest version of their software have bugs which make their system crash?
Can the system run all the reports you need?
Does it also integrate with outlook
Can the software keep track of client preferences ie how they take their coffee, if they have any allergies etc?

There are a number of thing to consider. During our Front of House Managers Forum – where Reception Managers from the most prestigious law firms and financial companies in the world meet twice a year, we have concluded the below are considered some of the most respected names in this market place.

THE BIG THREE

Trimble – Manhattan Space Scheduling

This is probably the most famous and really the first real development of specific software aimed at the struggles corporate receptionists were experiencing with booking large quantities of rooms. They developed a moving timeline (which is now present across most of the packages available) and grew from a small business called Datacraft. A lot of people confused their company name with the product (rather like a Hoover) their first product was called Hospitality Suite. After many years Hospitality Suite (or global hospitality suite) and Datacraft was taken over by Manhattan and their Space Scheduling – which was then taken over by Trimble (rather like a small fish begin eaten by a big fish being swallowed by a whale). However the look and feel of the software is the same.

Condeco – Meeting Room Booking Software 

Condeco have to be the next big name after Datacraft. They developed their product with a similar focus however they seemed to be aiming at the general staff in the company being able to book their own rooms (where as hospitality suite from Datacraft was more user-friendly for the reception team).

CABS
From a user point of view: the software is easy to use with intuitive wizard guidance and it learns as you use it – reducing unnecessary keystrokes.  Simple enough for the casual user but a rich sophistication of business rules underneath to meet the needs of even the most demanding FoH Manager

CONCLUDING

Over the years both Trimble/Manhattan’s latest update and Condeco are now able to book across the company, across time-zones and have any number of amazing reports and updates which will WOW you.

What is SO important though is to find out which one is working best NOW. As new releases are coming out all the time, and I’m sorry to say that occasionally, as with any new technology, there can be teething issues and bugs which they do tackle quickly.

So who are the competitors for Condeco, Datacraft/Trimble/Manhattan, and CABS?

In terms of the large corporate reception areas in London and how often their products are spoken about. The below are also making waves

Rendezvous – Meeting Room Scheduling

EMS – Meeting & Room Scheduling

Integrated Solutions Room Conference Software 

Asure Software – Meeting Room Manager 

SO WHICH ONE?

The best way to decide is to arrange a meeting with some one of the other FOH Managers in London who have the products and see what they say themselves.

If you need any guidance – feel free to get in touch and we’ll do our best to give you impartial feedback.

Return to main menu for London’s executive receptionist agency to source corporate polished receptionists either temporary or permanent .

If you’re struggling for good Hospitality Staff – check out our Best Hospitality Recruitment Agencies list

Or here for the best Waitress & Waiter Recruitment Agencies