About Keble College
Organisation type:
Challenges solved:
- More accurate booking data being inputted into the KxResidential back-office system
- Automated processes now free up staff time to focus on areas that matter the most
- More accurate forecasting due to fixed and predictable annual license costs
- Better reporting functionalities to track trends and hit goals
Size of operation:
- 334 on-site bedrooms both ensuite and shared bathrooms
Client since:
- 2004
Product suites:
What makes Keble College Unique?
Over 150 years of revolutionising education in Oxford
Dedicated space to host conferences & events
One of the largest colleges in Oxford
Located in the heart of Oxford's city centre, Keble College is home to over 800 students and 334 on-site bedrooms, making it one of Oxford's largest colleges. With a rich history spanning more than 150 years, it stands as one of the oldest institutions, continuously revolutionising education, and doing whatever it takes to ensure that learning, passion, and ambition thrive within its college community.
Oxford attracts approximately 7 million visitors per year (Source: Oxford.gov.uk), and with hotel bedroom stock in the city being fairly limited, some travellers seek alternative, less conventional places to stay, such as university accommodations. Thanks to the implementation of our residential management solutions, Keble College can maximise its revenue by utilising its bedroom stock all year round, extending beyond residential conferencing operations.
"Our aim is to be at 100% occupancy rate every night…”
The implementation of KxB&B and BedBooker has opened new opportunities for Keble College. The synchronisation of three systems is crucial for achieving their goal of a 100% occupancy rate – an increase of around 25%. BedBooker enables the college to market its room stock online, while KxB&B offers a custom-branded booking site with no commission charges. Both systems seamlessly integrate with the existing back-office KxResidential system in real-time, automatically updating available bedroom stock on all Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and KxB&B.
With access to advertise bedroom stock on over 100 of the largest Online Travel Agents (OTAs) such as Booking.com, Expedia, and now even Airbnb, Keble College can showcase its offerings to potential customers globally, capitalising on Oxford's international tourism market.
Having systems that effectively provide capabilities such as reporting is crucial to reaching their aim, something they have previously struggled with on alternative systems. Our residential management solutions now enable the college to track not only their occupancy rate but also observe trends throughout the year.
"It's not only saving time, it's working more productively."
- Sinèad Webster, Reservations & Accommodation Manager, Keble College
For organisations that run B&B operations, such as Keble, inputting residential bookings can often be a laborious, cumbersome task done by 1 (or more) members of staff, meaning they are taken away from more meaningful tasks providing value in other key business areas. With BedBooker, any bookings Keble now receives will flow automatically into their KxResidential system, significantly streamlining their operation.
BedBooker is also invaluable for enhancing the accuracy of bookings. The risk of errors, such as inputting the wrong month, selecting the wrong room type, or misspelling a guest's name, can cause potential issues and dissatisfaction at check-in. BedBooker eliminates this risk by pulling through booking data automatically, ensuring a professional and error-free experience.
Looking into the future, Keble College aims to optimise its accommodation operations using BedBooker and KxB&B, targeting increased occupancy and revenue. The college is committed to maintaining its position as a leading Oxford institution by leveraging the platform's efficiency and accuracy in handling bookings. With a focus on long-term cost savings and enhanced customer experiences, Keble College seeks to streamline operations and financial processes, ensuring both efficiency and financial success.
If you’d like to find out more about our residential management solutions, please reach out directly to customerexperience@kineticsoftware.com, and one of the team will be in touch.