How does DMC software work?

Feb 134 min read

Key Features:
- Itinerary Builder: Automates trip schedules and pricing.
- Supplier Integration: Real-time updates on availability and pricing.
- Payment Tools: Automated invoicing, currency conversion, and financial tracking.
Benefits:
- Saves up to 15 hours per week by automating tasks.
- Reduces administrative costs by 30% and boosts booking efficiency by 25%.
- Improves team communication and client response times.
Who Uses It: Local tour operators, travel agencies, event planners, and corporate travel teams.

Popular platforms include Odys, TripMatrix, and Rezdy, each offering unique features for businesses of different sizes. Use this software to centralize operations, reduce errors, and make data-driven decisions.

All-in-One Solution for Destination Management Companies (DMCs)

How DMC Software Works

DMC software simplifies destination management tasks by integrating different tools and features into a cohesive system. Its functionality revolves around three main components that work together to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Trip Planning Tools

At the center of DMC software is its trip planning functionality, designed to make creating travel packages easy and efficient. These tools combine service databases with automated pricing to help you build comprehensive itineraries:

Feature	Function	Business Impact
Itinerary Builder	Creates day-by-day schedules	Saves time on planning
Product Database	Stores service and vendor details	Centralizes key information
Pricing Engine	Automates cost calculations	Reduces pricing errors
Proposal Generator	Produces client-ready documents	Improves communication

The software allows users to search through service databases, drag and drop components into itineraries, and instantly generate polished proposals for clients. This eliminates repetitive manual tasks and ensures consistent pricing across all materials.

Supplier Connections

DMC software connects directly with service providers in real time, boosting booking efficiency by 25%. These connections are established through XML/API links, third-party aggregators, or supplier web portals.

This constant synchronization ensures that availability, pricing, and other details are always up to date. It also feeds directly into the financial tools, making the entire process smoother.

Payment and Billing Systems

The financial tools automate payment processing and tracking, helping businesses cut administrative costs by 30%. Key features include:

Automated invoice creation using templates
Real-time currency conversion for international transactions
Commission tracking for accurate allocations
Integrated payment gateways for seamless processing

Once a booking is confirmed, the system automatically generates invoices, updates financial records, and processes payments. All data is synced across modules, reducing manual reconciliation and ensuring accurate financial tracking. This keeps businesses on top of their cash flow and transaction records.

Time-Saving Benefits

DMC software can save operators over 15 hours each week by automating routine tasks, according to TripMatrix data [1].

While financial automation is discussed in the section, DMC software also streamlines operations in other areas:

Automated Tasks

Here’s how automation helps:

Itinerary creation: Pre-built templates cut processing time by 60%, thanks to reusable designs [2].
Booking management: Real-time systems, using direct supplier APIs, reduce overbookings by 95% [2].
Invoice generation: Automated invoices speed up payments by 25% [3].

Business Reports

Reporting tools make it easier to make informed decisions. For example, Moonstride users report a 15% boost in profit margins by using data to adjust pricing and negotiate with suppliers [3]. These tools help businesses:

Track profit and loss across different services.
Identify booking trends and customer preferences.
Evaluate supplier reliability and pricing competitiveness.

Team Communication

With real-time supplier connections, a centralized communication hub allows TripMatrix users to respond to clients 40% faster and reduce miscommunication errors by 30% [1]. This is especially useful for managing complex itineraries that need constant updates between teams and suppliers.

One Moonstride user reported saving $150,000 annually while increasing revenue by 22%, thanks to these operational improvements [3].

Popular DMC Software Options

Automation can save over 15 hours a week, as we've seen earlier. Choosing the right platform can help you make the most of these time savings. The $1.9 billion DMC software market includes tools like Odys, TripMatrix, and more, designed to streamline operations and improve efficiency [4].

Odys Software Features

Odys is a SaaS platform tailored specifically for Destination Management Companies (DMCs). It combines three main functionalities:

Sales Management System

Tracks team performance with built-in quality monitoring tools.
Offers templates to assess client needs effectively.
Allows for interactive proposal creation with online signing capabilities.

Operations Management

Monitors trip profitability in real time.
Provides a centralized system for managing bookings.
Automates communication with suppliers to save time.

The pricing structure is based on business size: $300/month for small businesses, $400/month for medium, and $500/month for large. These plans include features like real-time supplier syncing and automated invoicing.

Software Comparison Chart

Here’s how Odys stacks up against other popular platforms like TripMatrix, Rezdy, and Tourplan:

Feature	TripMatrix	Rezdy	Tourplan	Odys
Supplier Integration	Limited	Extensive	Extensive	Advanced
Mobile Access	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
User Rating	4.5/5	4.3/5	4.7/5	4.6/5 (early users)
Target Market	All sizes	Small-Medium	Large DMCs	All sizes

Rezdy is a cost-effective choice for smaller operations [1], while Tourplan is ideal for larger DMCs with its highly customizable features [5]. Mobile-friendly interfaces, like those offered by Odys and Rezdy, are especially helpful for managing operations on the go.

"78% of DMCs reported increased efficiency after implementing specialized software" [4].

Summary

Main Benefits

DMC software tackles major operational issues, such as managing itineraries and coordinating with suppliers, by streamlining processes and improving efficiency.

Here are the main advantages:

Centralized management of bookings, suppliers, and finances
Faster response times with real-time availability checks
Automated financial processes for smoother workflows
Data-driven insights through business analytics

These features collectively address the challenges discussed earlier in the Introduction.

How to Pick DMC Software

When choosing DMC software, it's important to focus on factors that align with your specific needs. Here's a quick breakdown:

Factor	What to Look For
Integration Capability	Ensures it works with your current systems
Scalability	Can handle your business growth
User Experience	Easy-to-use and intuitive interface
Support Quality	Reliable training and assistance
Cost Structure	Transparent and manageable costs

Start by identifying your top priorities and matching them to the software's features. For example, if supplier management is a key area, look for tools with supplier portals, such as Odys (highlighted in the Software Comparison Chart). Testing the software through trial periods can help you see how it fits into your existing workflows.