We partnered with Sudima Hotels, a multi-award-winning, sustainability-led group in New Zealand, to understand the impact of a unified technology stack. By implementing Daylight PMS, Astral Payments, and Stellaris Digital Payby, Sudima was able to streamline workflows, reduce operational friction, and focus more on delivering seamless guest experiences.
The topic
As the hospitality landscape becomes more complex, hotel brands are placing greater emphasis on reservation accuracy, secure and automated payment reconciliation, streamlined operations, and building guest trust. With growing demand for seamless, secure experiences, the shift away from legacy systems toward integrated, automated platforms is accelerating.
In partnership with Sudima Hotels, a multi-award-winning, sustainability-led hotel group based in New Zealand, Shiji explored the real-world impact of replacing fragmented systems with a fully integrated platform, designed to drive operational efficiency and elevate the guest experience.
The study
In collaboration with Sudima’s Central Reservations Office (CRO), finance, and operations teams, Shiji conducted a detailed assessment of the impact of implementing a unified technology stack, which included:
The study evaluated how this end-to-end digital transformation influenced guest-facing processes, streamlined operational workflows, supported compliance requirements, and strengthened business continuity across the group.
Our methodology
To assess the operational and financial impact of Shiji’s solutions, a combination of qualitative insights and operational data was used. Data was gathered through structured interviews with key stakeholders, including:
- Helen Watson, Chief Financial Officer
- Hemal Ghetla, Project Manager & Systems Analyst
Insights were analysed to identify measurable improvements in system performance, reduction in manual tasks, optimisation of payment workflows, enhanced reservation accuracy, and increased reporting transparency.
Our findings & insights
Operational efficiency & staff productivity
Before adopting Shiji’s platform, Sudima’s teams encountered operational challenges driven by manual reconciliation, data entry, and time-consuming reporting tasks. Routine activities, like reservation adjustments, group contract processing, and report generation, consumed valuable time and diverted focus from guest-facing responsibilities.
With the rollout of Daylight PMS, process automation significantly improved. Real-time syncing and clearer reporting reduced manual intervention, streamlined workflows, and freed up staff to focus on service delivery.
Key Results:
- 1–2 hours saved daily per property through automated reconciliation
- The Central Reservations Office team now spends less time on manual corrections and more time engaging with guests
- Group contract processing and daily reporting are now fully automated
Accuracy & reliability
The previous reliance on a call centre-based booking process frequently led to inconsistent guest profiles, delayed updates, and duplicated or missed reservations. These inefficiencies not only impacted accuracy but also created friction in the guest journey.
With the integration of Daylight PMS and the channel manager, Sudima achieved real-time reservation management across all channels, eliminating manual gaps and improving data consistency.
Results:
- Significant reduction in reservation-related errors
- Elimination of duplicate bookings and missed entries
- Faster check-ins enabled through secure pre-arrival payment links
Performance & system stability
Legacy systems experienced frequent lag and downtime during peak periods, negatively affecting check-in efficiency and guest satisfaction. Additionally, manual reporting constrained timely decision-making.
With Shiji’s cloud-native platform, Sudima benefited from reliable system performance and enhanced stability.
Results:
- 30–40% faster processing speeds
- Near-zero downtime during high-occupancy periods
- Increased staff confidence and smoother operations during peak events
Security & compliance
Previously, group bookings were managed through unsecured PDF forms—an approach that increased the likelihood of errors and introduced compliance risks related to sensitive guest data.
By implementing Astral Payments and Stellaris Digital Payby, Sudima transitioned to secure, tokenised digital authorisation workflows that fully align with modern compliance standards
Key Results:
- Fully PCI DSS-compliant payment workflows
- Tokenised storage of guest card data for enhanced security
- Improved audit readiness with automated tracking and detailed logs
Tokenisation, automated posting, and secure payment links have significantly improved internal workflows and guest trust, especially for group and conference bookings.
Hemal Ghetla, Project Manager & Systems Analyst, Sudima Hotels
Metrics summary
Time saving > 1-2 hours saved per property daily through automated reconciliation
Booking accuracy > Significant reduction in errors due to real-time synchronization
Check-in efficiency > Faster front desk processing via pre-arrival payment links
Processing speed > 30-40% faster system performance during peak periods
System downtime > Near-zero downtime across all Sudima properties
Manual tasks > Daily reports, contracts, and CRO correspondence are now automated
Payment security > PCI DSS-compliant workflows with tokenized storage
Audit readiness > Clearer transaction logs and reduced risk exposure
Fewer manual checks are required… our front office and finance teams now spend less time troubleshooting discrepancies and more time on guest-facing tasks.
Helen Watson, Chief Financial Officer, Sudima Hotels
Conclusions
The partnership between Shiji and Sudima Hotels highlights the tangible operational and financial advantages of modernizing hospitality technology. By moving to an integrated, cloud-native platform, Sudima addressed long-standing challenges associated with legacy systems and achieved significant improvements in accuracy, security, and team efficiency.
This centralized, data-driven approach has empowered staff to deliver more responsive, guest-focused service, while laying a strong foundation for sustainable and scalable growth across the group.
Interested in taking the next step? Request additional information and discover tailored solutions with Shiji.
About Sudima Hotels
Sudima Hotels, a New Zealand-based hotel brand established in 2000, strives to lead the industry in social and environmental responsibility. Recognised as one of the most accessible hotel brands in Australasia, this commitment is rooted in a deep belief in empathy, inclusivity, and respect for individual differences. Sudima Hotels takes its role as an ethical, values-driven business seriously, with a focus on doing what’s right for people and the planet.
About Shiji Group
Shiji is a global technology company dedicated to providing innovative solutions for the hospitality industry, ensuring seamless operations for hoteliers day and night. Built on the Shiji Platform—the only truly global hotel technology platform—Shiji’s cloud-based solutions include property management system, point-of-sale, guest engagement, distribution, payments, and data intelligence for over 91,000 hotels worldwide, including the largest hotel chains. With more than 5,000 employees across the world, Shiji is a trusted partner for the world’s leading hoteliers, delivering technology that works as continuously as the industry itself. That’s why the best hotels run on Shiji—day and night. While its primary focus is on hospitality, Shiji also serves select customers in food service, retail, and entertainment in certain regions. For more information, visit shijigroup.com.
Franca Bertram
Press Inquiries
Shiji