How are the costs for the Property Management System determined for a Crowne Plaza?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Property Management System: Currently, Crowne Plaza brand group Hotels must use the Opera PMS software. You must also obtain ongoing maintenance and support for the required PMS software, including upgrades and new versions (see Items 8 and 11) and other software including operating system upgrades and endpoint protection software. The endpoint protection software is part of the Total Protection for Network (ToPS), which will be administered and managed by AT&T via the FastConnect SD-WAN solution. The PMS provider will bill you and collect the fee from you for the required PMS software support, and the PMS provider provides the support. You must also obtain ongoing equipment maintenance for the PMS hardware, as arranged through either SCH or an approved vendor. The costs will vary according to your technology needs, and the costs listed on the table are estimates.
The PMS Provider will provide you with a third-party license agreement for the use of the PMS software. (see Items 1, 8 and 11), which will be prepared for you after you complete the Oracle New Account Setup Form, the form of which is attached to this disclosure document as Exhibit G-7. This license agreement includes on-going maintenance and support for the PMS software. The PMS Provider will bill you annually for the support fee. The PMS Provider may not increase the maintenance and support fee more than once during any calendar year. You must also pay support fees for the other components
of property-level systems, such as PMS equipment maintenance, and for other systems which interface to the Opera PMS system; such as the telecommunications system, the electronic door locking and keycard system, and the specialized sales software. Hardware and software maintenance fees may vary based on the number of rooms at the Hotel. The fees for local and long-distance telephone service and line charges are not included in the estimated fees on the chart. The costs will vary according to your technology needs, and the costs listed on the chart are an estimate.
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 31–51)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza FDD, Crowne Plaza hotels are required to use the Opera PMS software. The costs associated with the Property Management System (PMS) are determined by several factors, including software, maintenance, and equipment. The costs will vary according to your technology needs, and the costs listed on the table are estimates. Franchisees are billed directly by the PMS provider for the software support, which includes upgrades and new versions. The PMS provider may not increase the maintenance and support fee more than once during any calendar year. Franchisees also need to secure ongoing equipment maintenance for the PMS hardware, arranged either through SCH or an approved vendor.
In addition to the PMS software and hardware, franchisees must also pay support fees for other property-level systems that interface with the Opera PMS, such as telecommunications, electronic door locking, keycard systems, and specialized sales software. The costs for these systems, as well as local and long-distance telephone service, are not included in the estimated fees. Hardware and software maintenance fees may vary based on the number of rooms at the hotel.
Prospective Crowne Plaza franchisees should carefully consider these technology costs and ensure they understand their specific technology needs to budget accordingly. The FDD mentions that a third-party license agreement for the PMS software will be provided after completing the Oracle New Account Setup Form, which is attached as an exhibit. Reviewing this agreement and discussing technology requirements with the franchisor can provide a clearer picture of the ongoing costs associated with the Property Management System.