BlogInterior Design

Why you need built-for-purpose hotel design software

Hotel interior design software built by & for A&D pros
Programa
Updated: 03 July 2024
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There’s no question about the fact that technology permeates nearly every industry, and interior design is no exception. There are so many benefits associated with using interior design software that it’s virtually impossible for anyone keen on succeeding in the field to ignore, especially regarding hotel interior design & architecture projects.

Every hotel comprises many moving parts working together to ensure pleasant guest experiences. One of the foundations of any hotel comes from the hard work of interior designers.

Your job as the interior designer or stylist is to come up with a hotel design that:

  • Considers the comfort requirements of guests
  • Addresses operational challenges
  • Meets aesthetic standards

With the right interior design, hotels can save on expenses, ensure employee satisfaction and retention, and provide guests stellar service. And therein lies the challenge of hotel design, particularly in terms of project management.

As a hotel interior designer, you must keep track of a million things: design concepts, floor plans or design sheets, inspiration images, furniture boards, 3D models or renderings, approvals, product lists, etc. You also need to know who’s in charge of specific tasks and stay on top of schedules, communication, documentation, etc.

While software like Excel may help in small residential interior design projects, it’s not the ideal application for large-scale planning and management. This is where dedicated interior design software like Programa comes in.

Here, you’ll find out why generic software just won’t cut it for hotel design projects and why Programa is the best hotel design specification software.

The impracticalities of using generic software

The selection and approval of the numerous individual components necessary for the successful execution of a hotel design project can prove to be a formidable task. This process includes the procurement of furniture for various spaces such as offices, bedrooms, dining areas, and function rooms, in addition to the selection of mattresses, linens for the bedrooms and bathrooms, window treatments, kitchen fixtures, equipment and appliances. Coordinating and approving all these elements are crucial to ensure the overall design aesthetic is cohesive, meets safety requirements and delights guests.

  • Inefficient document version control: Various stakeholders will have their own versions of documents or files that may also undergo several stages of modification. There’s no quick and efficient way of knowing whether what you’re seeing is the latest schedule version. This limitation can lead to costly mistakes, such as wrongly approved documents and the incorrect ordering of items.
  • Unaligned with interior design workflow: Several good project management tools are available. However, with dedicated interior design software like Programa, built from the ground up with professional interior design and architecture workflows in mind.
  • Data loss: Files could end up missing or lost; if they’re not backed up, you lose them forever, leading to lost time and money.
  • Time-consuming and impractical: You and your staff may need to log hours of data entry to make sure every single tap, shower door handle, door stopper, and other products are properly documented, including product specifications.
  • Single-user sessions: Some apps don’t support collaboration, so only one designer can access a file simultaneously. This can make it difficult for multiple designers working on the same schedule to meet a deadline, no matter how urgent.
  • Limited use: Your work will have little to no use after the project has been delivered.
Spreadsheets: great for accounting, not so great for interior design.
Spreadsheets: great for accounting, not so great for interior design.

Enter Programa.

As opposed to using non-bespoke interior design software, Programa is a specification and project management software designed to streamline the work of interior designers and architects.

  • Programa is built by and made for professional interior designers & architects.
  • Programa is centralised and cloud-based, enabling quick and easy collaboration; your projects can be accessed anywhere and are always up-to-date.
  • Programa’s clean, minimal design allows for easy data management, even in the presence of large amounts of information. For example, you can easily add, change, delete and view specification details for any specified product.
  • Scheduling & specification is a breeze when you use Programa’s Web Clipper, as it allows you to import specs and images from anywhere online. In addition, the Web Clipper eliminates the need for time-consuming and error-prone data entry.
  • Programa perfectly aligns with your daily workflows, built with consultation with hundreds of interior designers worldwide.
  • All tasks and deadlines are centralised, so keeping track of your team and resourcing is easier than ever.
  • One-click sharing of Programa’s Schedules with stakeholders saves hours on presentations, preparing spreadsheets to share and internal studio communication.
  • Once the installation is complete, use your Programa schedules to track inventory assets essential to the hotel industry.

Programa is the complete suite of software for hotel interior designers, from the earliest conceptual stages to on-site installation.

A Programa lighting finish schedule.
A Programa lighting finish schedule.

Remove unnecessary stress and double handling with Programa:

Hotel design involves many stakeholders and professionals, tasks, documents, products and a million other details you need to deliver better projects with less stress.

Start Programa free today, and make hotel interior design a breeze.

Table of contents
  1. 30 August 2024
  2. 27 August 2024
  3. 22 August 2024
  4. 21 August 2024
  5. 20 August 2024
  6. 19 August 2024
  7. 16 August 2024
  8. 15 August 2024
  9. Interior Design Software For Professional Interior Designers
  10. 20 September 2024
  11. 19 September 2024
  12. 17 September 2024
  13. Interior Design & Architecture Software For Professional Interior Designers & Architects
  14. Special Offer for DYB Alumni
    1. Introduction to Programa
    2. Watch the Onboarding Webinar Recording
    3. Ready to Get Started?
    4. Explore Our Breakdown Videos
    5. Boost Your Profitability
    6. Save Time and Money, Manage Projects Efficiently
    7. Enhance Communication Across Your Studio
    8. Programa Interior Design Software: A Comprehensive Project Management and Collaboration Solution for Architects and Interior Designers
    9. User-friendly Interface and Tools for Seamless Project Management
    10. What’s New at Programa?
    11. Looking Ahead: Upcoming Features
    12. Pricing Update: Supporting Continuous Improvement
    13. Thank You for Being Part of the Programa Community
    14. A comprehensive look into Dean Dyson's mission, culture, and integration of Programa for efficient project management and client communication.
    15. Spreadsheets Weren’t Built for Interior Design
    16. Specification Simplified: Say Goodbye to Arduous Data Entry
    17. Always Up-to-Date: Live Schedules for Real-Time Collaboration
    18. Seamless Sharing and Client Communication
    19. Build Your Own Product Libraries
    20. Eliminate Stress with Real-Time Version Control
    21. Track, Manage, Deliver: Stay On Top of Your Projects
    22. Effortless Integration and Customization
    23. Join Thousands of Designers Transforming Their Workflows with Programa
    24. Key Features:
  15. Wish there was a way to grow sales and better connect with clients?
  16. Why Does This Matter To Me As A Brand / Supplier?
  17. What Does That Translate To?
  18. How Does the Trade Portal Work?
  19. <strong>How Will It Solve My Problems?</strong>
    1. What does the Trade Portal Offer?
    2. What will it be like day to day?
    3. The Trade Portal Advantage
    4. 13 September 2024
    5. 11 September 2024
    6. 06 September 2024
    7. 05 September 2024
    8. 03 September 2024
    9. 02 September 2024
    10. The impracticalities of using generic software
    11. Enter Programa.
    12. Remove unnecessary stress and double handling with Programa:
    13. Board View: Visualize Your Workflow
    14. List View: Dive into the Details
    15. Timeline View: Strategic Project Oversight
    16. Seamless Integration for Holistic Project Management
    17. The Importance of Project Management in Interior Design
    18. Tips for Becoming a Better Interior Designer
    19. Real-World Examples of Successful Project Management in Interior Design
    20. Why Time Tracking is Essential for Interior Designers
    21. How to Use Programa for Effective Time Tracking
    22. Tips for Maximizing Your Time Tracking Efforts
  20. <strong>Principles for when you use the Services</strong>
  21. <strong>Implications for violating the User Guidelines</strong>
  22. <strong>Dangerous Content</strong>
  23. <strong>Deceptive Content</strong>
  24. <strong>Sensitive Content</strong>
  25. <strong>Illegal Content</strong>
    1. Introduction
    2. Why we have User Guidelines
    3. User Guidelines for what is strictly prohibited
    4. Rules for user-generated content
    5. How can I report an issue or get support?
    6. With Programa’s Client Dashboard, you can:
    7. Minimalise Misunderstandings, Maximalise Results
    8. Shared Schedules and Integration with Client Dashboard
    9. Collaboration between Designers and Clients
    10. What is FF&E in Interior Design?
    11. Why is FF&E Management Crucial?
    12. How Programa is Changing the FF&E Interior Design Software Game
    13. Why Programa Stands Out from Other FF&E Interior Design Software
    14. The Future of Interior Design with Programa
    15. <strong>Why Programa is a Better Choice</strong>
    16. <strong>Easy Transition</strong>
    17. Recognized for Excellence in Design Software
    18. Programa and ASID empower interior designers with cutting-edge project management tools
  26. Enhancing the Design Process with Programa and ASID
  27. Exclusive Webinar for ASID Members
  28. Key Benefits of the Programa and ASID Partnership
    1. About Programa
    2. About the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
    3. Take advantage of the Programa and ASID Partnership now
    4. 1. Schedules
    5. 2. Project Management
    6. 3. Client Dashboard
    7. 4. Pinboards
    8. 5. Financials View
    9. 31 July 2024
    10. 30 July 2024
    11. 29 July 2024
    12. 26 July 2024
    13. 23 July 2024
    14. 18 July 2024
    15. 14 August 2024
    16. 12 August 2024
    17. 13 August 2024
    18. 07 August 2024
    19. 08 August 2024
    20. 09 August 2024
    21. 05 August 2024
    22. 01 August 2024
    23. Seven Tips for Knowing Your Value as an Interior Designer
  29. <strong>1. Get clear on your offering.</strong>
  30. <strong>2. Know who you want to work with.</strong>
  31. <strong>3. Don’t compare yourself to others.</strong>
  32. <strong>4. Set clear boundaries.</strong>
  33. <strong>5. Learn to say no.</strong>
  34. <strong>6. Follow systems and processes.</strong>
  35. <strong>7. Get help.</strong>
    1. 12 July 2024
    2. 09 July 2024
    3. 05 July 2024
    4. 04 July 2024
    5. 02 July 2024
    6. 01 July 2024
    7. Fixed Image Layouts
    8. Web Clipper Scraper
    9. Hyperlinked URLs
    10. Improved Notes Visibility in Presentation Mode
    11. Pinboards & Client Dashboard Integration
    12. Challenges Faced by Designers in Procurement
    13. How designers can use Procurement Hub
    14. Built by and for designers
    15. 29 April 2024
    16. 24 April 2024
    17. 22 April 2024
  36. 16 April 2024
  37. 15 April 2024
  38. Other updates
    1. Partnership
    2. It Makes Sense
    3. Key Benefits of the Programa and IDS Partnership
    4. About the Interior Design Society
    5. What is a Spec Sheet?
    6. The Power of Programa
    7. Flexible Design Features
    8. Ease of Use
    9. Cost Savings
    10. Increased Productivity
    11. Client Dashboards: Connecting Designers and Clients Globally
    12. Product Approvals: Streamlining Feedback and Collaboration
    13. Experience the Future of Design Communication with Programa
    14. 09 April 2024
    15. 28 March 2024
    16. 22 March 2024
    17. Addressing the Need for Flexible Project Management in a Global Context
    18. The Solution
    19. The Result
    20. Studio WIP
    21. What else is new?
    22. What’s coming in February?
    23. The Issue
    24. Latest Updates
    25. Why Don’t Spreadsheets Suit The Needs Of Interior Designers?
    26. Clear and Precise Presentations
    27. Easier Management of Data
    28. Exports That Work The Way You Do
      1. <br />What’s New at Programa?
      2. <br />Looking Ahead: Upcoming Features
      3. <br />Pricing Update: Supporting Continuous Improvement
      4. <br />Thank You for Being Part of the Programa Community
    29. Seamless Integration with Product Library
    30. Tailored PDF Exports
    31. Intuitive Schedule Navigation
    32. Tasks: The Building Blocks of Effortless Studio Management
    33. Phases: Your Project's Roadmap to Success
    34. The Magic of Combining Tasks and Phases
    35. Getting Started is a Breeze
    36. Simplify Your FF&E Selection Process
    37. Effortless Updates and Revisions
    38. Collaboration Made Easy
    39. Optimized Finishes Schedule Management
    40. The Future Of FF&E With Programa
    41. Product Approvals are engineered to streamline designer-client collaboration.
    42. Main Benefits Of Product Approvals
    43. Creating & Submitting Approval Requests
    44. Client Approval Process
    45. Tracking Approval Statuses and Feedback
  39. 11 April 2024
    1. Highlight
    2. Other fixes
    3. 13 June 2024
    4. 07 June 2024
    5. 06 June 2024
    6. 04 June 2024
    7. Blog Callout
    8. The Shortcomings of Conventional Tools for Interior Designers
    9. Breaking Away from Tradition with Programa
    10. From FF&E to beautiful client comms with Programa.
    11. How Tyler Aspen Edmonds Did It
    12. The Programa Advantage
    13. 2022
    14. 2023
    15. Purchase Orders
    16. Client Dashboard
    17. What’s next?
    18. Instant Sharing, Seamless Collaboration
    19. Customisation at its Best
    20. Our new release puts the Pro, in Programa.
    21. For Designers
    22. For Brands
    23. What’s Next?
    24. Getting Started Dashboard
    25. Schedules
    26. Web Clipper
    27. Pinboards
    28. Project Management
    29. Address Book
    30. Invoicing
    31. Traditional Quality with Modern Efficiency
    32. Collaboration: Orchestrating a Seamless Symphony
    33. Precision is crucial: Mitigating Errors
    34. All-encompassing Project Management
    35. A Library at Your Fingertips
    36. Conclusion: The Renaissance of Design
    37. Get Started Today
    38. Q3 Product Update
    39. The world’s best scheduling software gets even better.
    40. The All-new Web Clipper
    41. Other Improvements
    42. 30 May 2024
    43. 27 May 2024
    44. 24 May 2024
    45. 23 May 2024
    46. 16 May 2024
    47. Information about the Programa Terms of Service
      1. 1. Account Terms
      2. 2. Account Activation
      3. 3. Programa Rights
      4. 4. Your Responsibilities
      5. 5. Payment of Fees and Taxes
      6. 6. Confidentiality
      7. 7. Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
      8. 8. Intellectual Property and Your Materials
      9. 9. Additional Services - Programa In App Communication Tools<br />
      10. 10. Third Party Services and Integrations<br />
      11. 11. Beta Services<br />
      12. 12. Feedback and Reviews<br />
      13. 13. Takedown Procedure
      14. 14. Privacy and Data Protection
      15. 15. Programa Contracting Party
      16. 16. Term and Termination
      17. 17. Modifications<br />
      18. 18. General Conditions
    48. <strong>Contact Support</strong>
      1. Task Management
      2. Phases
      3. Dynamic Views
      4. Prepare your Studio
      5. Key Changes
      6. Detailed Steps for Current Studio WIP Users
      7. Future Releases
      8. Support
      9. & Tradition Furniture
Reading: Why you need built-for-purpose hotel design software, Hotel interior design software built by & for A&D pros
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Why You Need Built-for-Purpose Hotel Design Software

In the realm of hotel interior design, utilizing dedicated software tailored to the specific needs of the industry is paramount. Discover why generic software falls short and why Programa stands out as the premier hotel design specification software:

The Challenges of Generic Software Hotel design projects entail managing numerous components, from furniture procurement to design approvals. Generic software lacks the specialized features required for efficient project management, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors:

Inefficient document version control: Generic software often lacks robust version control capabilities, resulting in confusion over document versions and potential errors in approvals. Misalignment with interior design workflow: While general project management tools exist, they often lack alignment with the intricate workflows of interior designers and architects. Data loss and time-consuming processes: Generic software may lead to data loss or require extensive manual data entry, consuming valuable time and resources. Limited collaboration and usability: Some software lacks support for collaborative work, hindering teamwork and project efficiency. Enter Programa: Tailored Hotel Design Software Programa offers a solution tailored to the needs of professional interior designers and architects, revolutionizing hotel design project management:

Built for professionals, by professionals: Programa is designed with input from industry experts, ensuring it meets the unique needs of hotel interior designers and architects. Centralized and cloud-based: With Programa, collaboration is effortless, and projects are always up-to-date, accessible from anywhere. Streamlined data management: Programa's intuitive design allows for easy specification management, eliminating errors and streamlining workflows. Seamless integration: Programa's Web Clipper simplifies scheduling and specification by importing specs and images directly from online sources. Aligned with daily workflows: Programa is built in consultation with interior designers worldwide, ensuring it seamlessly integrates with existing workflows. Centralized task management: Keep track of deadlines and team resources effortlessly with Programa's centralized task management system. Effortless sharing: Share schedules with stakeholders in just one click, saving time on presentations and internal communication. Start Stress-Free Hotel Interior Design with Programa Hotel design projects come with a myriad of complexities that demand specialized solutions. With Programa, streamline your workflow and elevate your projects with ease.

Start your free Programa trial today and transform your hotel interior design process.