What agreement is required to license the PMS from AutoClerk for a Surestay Hotel By Best Western?
Surestay_Hotel_By_Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are currently required to license the System's PMS (currently AutoClerk Cloud PMS) from our affiliate, AutoClerk. When you obtain the required PMS, you will also receive the GMS. The GMS provides a full-suite guest management system for System Hotels. The GMS includes preregistration, dynamic upsells, guest messaging, digital compendium and mobile check-out. The GMS enables hoteliers to increase revenue, boost staff efficiency and maximize guest satisfaction. If the Property has a waiver from the requirement to use the System's required PMS, you must still obtain the GMS and pay all associated fees.
In order to license the PMS from AutoClerk, you will be required to enter into a Software as a Service Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit K. You are also currently required to purchase Lodging Link, a product offered by Comtrol Corporation that provides connectivity and integration of the PMS into other guest and hotel service systems (e.g. Call Accounting, PBX, in-room entertainment, Key Card, etc.). We, AutoClerk and Comtrol Corporation are the only approved suppliers of certain PMS-related installation, maintenance and licensing, and you will be required to make payments to us/AutoClerk for those services.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 48–51)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Surestay Hotel By Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to license the System's Property Management System (PMS), which is currently AutoClerk Cloud PMS, from AutoClerk, an affiliate of the franchisor. To license the PMS from AutoClerk, a franchisee must enter into a Software as a Service Agreement. The specific form of this agreement is attached as Exhibit K to the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Along with the PMS, franchisees also receive the GMS (Guest Management System), which provides a full suite of guest management tools, including preregistration, dynamic upsells, guest messaging, digital compendium, and mobile check-out. Even if a property has a waiver from the requirement to use the System's required PMS, they are still obligated to obtain the GMS and pay all associated fees.
In addition to the PMS, franchisees are also required to purchase Lodging Link from Comtrol Corporation, which integrates the PMS with other guest and hotel service systems. Surestay Hotel By Best Western, AutoClerk, and Comtrol Corporation are the only approved suppliers for PMS-related installation, maintenance, and licensing, and franchisees are required to make payments to them for these services. This requirement ensures that all Surestay Hotel By Best Western locations use a standardized and integrated system, which helps maintain consistency and quality across the brand.