BlogInterior Design

Why you need built-for-purpose hotel design software

Hotel interior design software built by & for A&D pros
Programa
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. Features
  2. Integrations & Sharing
  3. Upgrades
  4. Interior Design Software For Professional Interior Designers
    1. Programa Interior Design Software: A Comprehensive Project Management and Collaboration Solution for Architects and Interior Designers
    2. User-friendly Interface and Tools for Seamless Project Management
  5. Why These Events Matter More Than Ever
  6. Where Innovation Meets Implementation In The States
  7. European Design Destinations: Where Dreams Take Shape
  8. Maximizing Your Event Experience
  9. Making It All Work Together
  10. Discover the Versatility of Artedomus Products
  11. Why Designers Love Artedomus
    1. What is FF&E in Interior Design?
    2. Why is FF&E Management Crucial?
    3. How Programa is Changing the FF&E Interior Design Software Game
    4. Why Programa Stands Out from Other FF&E Interior Design Software
    5. The Future of Interior Design with Programa
      1. 1. Specification Management Command Center
      2. 2. Project Management Suite
      3. 3. Procurement & Financial Tools
      4. 4. Client Dashboard
      5. 5. Digital Design Libraries
      6. Why Programa Stands Out
      7. Fast-Track Your Setup
      8. The Future of FF&E Management
      9. Transform Your FF&E Management Today
    6. What is an Interior Design Quotation?
    7. Key Components of an Interior Design Quotation
    8. Interior Design Quotation Format and Free Template
    9. How Do You Create an Interior Design Quotation Quickly & Easily?
    10. Beyond the Proposal: Invoicing with Programa
    11. Start Your Project Proposals with Programa
      1. Why Winning Work Matters for Interior Designers
      2. The Benefits of CRM Software for Interior Designers
      3. Using Project Management Tools as a CRM
      4. Outcome
    12. Interior Design & Architecture Software For Professional Interior Designers & Architects
    13. Wish there was a way to grow sales and better connect with clients?
    14. Why Does This Matter To Me As A Brand / Supplier?
    15. What Does That Translate To?
  12. How Does the Trade Portal Work?
  13. <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
      1. What’s New at Programa?
      2. Looking Ahead: Upcoming Features
      3. Pricing Update: Supporting Continuous Improvement
      4. Thank You for Being Part of the Programa Community
      5. Streamlining Interior Design Workflow with Programa: Studio Heim's Success Story
    4. With Programa’s Client Dashboard, you can:
    5. Minimalise Misunderstandings, Maximalise Results
    6. Shared Schedules and Integration with Client Dashboard
    7. Collaboration between Designers and Clients
    8. 30 August 2024
    9. 27 August 2024
    10. 22 August 2024
    11. 21 August 2024
    12. 20 August 2024
    13. 19 August 2024
    14. 16 August 2024
    15. 15 August 2024
    16. <strong>How It Works</strong>
    17. <strong>Why It Matters</strong>
    18. <strong>Your New Shortcut for Smart Scheduling</strong>
    19. Tablet-friendly update
    20. Seamless Integration with Product Library
    21. Tailored PDF Exports
    22. Intuitive Schedule Navigation
    23. What is a Spec Sheet?
    24. The Power of Programa
    25. Flexible Design Features
    26. Ease of Use
    27. Cost Savings
    28. Increased Productivity
  14. 11 April 2024
    1. Highlight
    2. Other fixes
    3. Why Time Tracking is Essential for Interior Designers
    4. How to Use Programa for Effective Time Tracking
    5. Tips for Maximizing Your Time Tracking Efforts
      1. Definitions
      2. Details of Processing
      3. European Union and United Kingdom
      4. US Users / Consumers
      5. General
      6. Appendix 1: Details of Processing
  15. Programa Invoices
    1. The Shortcomings of Conventional Tools for Interior Designers
    2. Breaking Away from Tradition with Programa
    3. From FF&E to beautiful client comms with Programa.
  16. Streamlining the A&D industry – it’s about time.
  17. Recognized for Excellence in Design Software.
    1. The Issue - Complex Tax Handling<br />
    2. The Solution - Streamlined Tax Tool
    3. The Result - Enhanced Clarity and Compliance<br />
      1. Information about how Programa uses Cookies
      2. What are cookies?
      3. How do we use cookies?
      4. Strictly Necessary Cookies
      5. Optional Cookies
      6. Options for managing cookies and interest-based ads
      7. Updates to this Policy
      8. How to contact us
      9. Information about the Programa Payments Service
      10. The Programa Payments Service
      11. Getting or Activating a Payments Services Account
      12. Processing Transactions and Receiving Your Funds
      13. <strong>Termination and Other General Legal Terms</strong>
      14. <strong>Contact Support</strong>
      15. Task Management
      16. Phases
      17. Dynamic Views
      18. Prepare your Studio
      19. Key Changes
      20. Detailed Steps for Current Studio WIP Users
      21. Future Releases
      22. Support
    4. <strong>Why Programa is a Better Choice</strong>
    5. <strong>Easy Transition</strong>
      1. Why AKI chose Programa
      2. Why the Trade Portal matters
      3. A streamlined process, from inspiration to installation
      4. Start sourcing on the <a href="https://app.programa.design/trade_portal/main" target="_blank">Trade Portal</a>
    6. How are you using Programa?
    7. What challenges did the platform help overcome in a recent project?
    8. Our new release puts the Pro, in Programa.
    9. For Designers
    10. For Brands
    11. What’s Next?
    12. The Trade Portal places your brand front and center before A&D professionals
    13. Your name in lights alongside some of the biggest in the industry
    14. Your dream clientele, actively procuring
    15. Working directly with Architects and Interior Designers
    16. Programa’s Trade Portal and high quality leads
    17. &nbsp;
  18. Chrome Finishes
  19. United Strangers by Satara
    1. Getting Started Dashboard
    2. Schedules
    3. Client Dashboard
    4. Web Clipper
    5. Pinboards
    6. Project Management
    7. Invoicing
    8. Address Book
    9. Trade Portal
    10. 13 June 2024
    11. 07 June 2024
    12. 06 June 2024
    13. 04 June 2024
    14. Addressing the Need for Flexible Project Management in a Global Context
    15. The Solution
    16. The Result
    17. Methods for Calculating Fees
    18. Which Method Will Work For Your Studio?
    19. A Designers Responsibility
    20. The Complexities of Residential Interior Design
    21. Client Connectivity: Crafting Relationships and Spaces
    22. Project Prowess: Managing the Symphony of Tasks
  20. Materials Mastery: Sourcing, Selection, and Inventory
    1. Pinboards: Your Creative Oasis
    2. Financial Finesse: The Art of Business Management
    3. Embark on Your Programa Journey Today
    4. Why Don’t Spreadsheets Suit The Needs Of Interior Designers?
    5. Enter Programa
    6. Clear and Precise Presentations
    7. Easier Management of Data
    8. Exports That Work The Way You Do
  21. <strong>1. Get clear on your offering.</strong>
  22. <strong>2. Know who you want to work with.</strong>
  23. <strong>3. Don’t compare yourself to others.</strong>
  24. <strong>4. Set clear boundaries.</strong>
  25. <strong>5. Learn to say no.</strong>
  26. <strong>6. Follow systems and processes.</strong>
  27. <strong>7. Get help.</strong>
    1. Client Portal
    2. Client Communication
    3. Rebranding
    4. Client Testimonial
    5. Software Solution
  28. Discover the future of sourcing and specification within Programa
  29. The marketplace made for designers and suppliers
  30. What’s new. Trade Portal 2.0?
    1. Sleek new look and feel
    2. Find exactly what you need
    3. Recommendations, category and brand highlights
    4. Tailored to your needs
  31. Why designers love this
    1. Start using Trade Portal 2.0
  32. What inspires your work, and how do you stay creatively motivated?
  33. What have been some of your favorite collaborations with big brands, and how did those partnerships come about?
  34. How did you land these partnerships - was it outreach, or did they come to you?
  35. As someone who is active on Instagram, how do you balance showcasing your work with building authentic connections with your audience?
  36. What has been the biggest challenge in marketing yourself, and how did you overcome it?
  37. You mentioned making content that's easy to produce - could you give an example of what that looks like in practice?
  38. If you had to name one type of content that's been easiest to stay consistent with, what would that be?
  39. What advice would you give to interior designers who are just starting out in marketing their businesses?
  40. What's next for your business? Are there any exciting projects or collaborations on the horizon?
  41. The Importance of a Strong Digital Presence
  42. Leveraging Social Media Engagement
  43. Implementing SEO Optimization Techniques
    1. 14 May 2025
    2. 07 May 2025
    3. 01 May 2025
    4. 23 April 2025
    5. 12 April 2025
    6. 9 April 2025
    7. 7 April 2025
    8. 3 April 2025
    9. 1 April 2025
    10. 28 March 2025
    11. 25 March 2025
    12. 20 March 2025
    13. 18 March 2025
    14. Welcome Back!
    15. 06 January 2025
    16. It's that time of year!
    17. 19 December 2024
    18. 17 December 2024
    19. 10 December 2024
    20. 09 December 2024
    21. 03 December 2024
    22. 28 November 2024
    23. 27 November 2024
    24. 26 November 2024
    25. 20 November 2024
    26. 19 November 2024
    27. 13 November 2024
    28. 08 November 2024
    29. 31 October 2024
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    32. 24 October 2024
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    35. 17 October 2024
    36. 15 October 2024
    37. 11 October 2024
    38. 10 October 2024
    39. 07 October 2024
    40. 03 October 2024
    41. 02 October 2024
    42. 30 September 2024
    43. 25 September 2024
    44. 20 September 2024
    45. 19 September 2024
    46. 17 September 2024
    47. 13 September 2024
    48. 11 September 2024
    49. 06 September 2024
    50. 05 September 2024
    51. 02 September 2024
    52. 14 August 2024
    53. 12 August 2024
    54. 13 August 2024
    55. 07 August 2024
    56. 08 August 2024
    57. 09 August 2024
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    59. 01 August 2024
    60. 31 July 2024
    61. 30 July 2024
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    67. 09 July 2024
    68. 05 July 2024
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    70. 02 July 2024
    71. 01 July 2024
    72. 26 June 2024
    73. 19 June 2024
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    75. 17 June 2024
    76. 30 May 2024
    77. 27 May 2024
    78. 24 May 2024
    79. 23 May 2024
    80. 16 May 2024
    81. 14 May 2024
    82. 09 May 2024
    83. 03 May 2024
    84. 02 May 2024
    85. 29 April 2024
    86. 24 April 2024
    87. 22 April 2024
  44. April 16 2024
  45. 15 April 2024
  46. Other updates
  47. <strong>09 April 2024</strong>
  48. <strong>Dakar by Kustom Timber </strong>
  49. <strong>Canvas by Kustom Timber</strong>
    1. <strong><strong>1. Follow A Clearly Defined Process</strong></strong>
    2. <strong>2. Create a Detailed Scope of Work</strong>
    3. <strong><strong>3. Set Clear Boundaries</strong></strong>
    4. <strong>4. Document Everything Thoroughly</strong>
    5. <strong>5. Be Clear on the Limit of your Management Services</strong>
    6. <strong>6. Communicate Regularly</strong>
    7. <strong>7. Action Breakdowns Immediately</strong>
    8. <strong>8. See It Through</strong>
    9. The impracticalities of using generic software
    10. Remove unnecessary stress and double handling with Programa:
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.