Multi-property deflagging without disruption: How Cloudbeds enabled a rapid transition

Juan Zerbo, who was overseeing 8 properties throughout Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Chile, and part of the leadership team during the transition, recalls a period defined by pressure and uncertainty.

“There were moments when we didn’t have answers yet,” he explains. “So our responsibility was to protect hotel teams from the chaos and allow them to keep operating calmly.”

With hotels still open and staff relying on stable systems, leadership focused on one priority: maintaining day-to-day operations while navigating ownership and brand changes in parallel.

“As long as the hotels were standing, guests were arriving, and systems were working, service had to remain the focus,” Juan says.

The Cloudbeds rollout followed a structured, property-by-property approach designed to minimize risk and downtime.

Each implementation included

• Defined go-live dates per property
• Configuration of room types, rate plans, and products
• Import of existing reservations from the previous PMS
• Validation of payments, folios, and front desk workflows
• OTA reconnection and availability checks
• Targeted training for reception and operations teams

During the deflagging process, maintaining uninterrupted distribution and financial visibility was essential. Cloudbeds provided the stability and operational clarity the team needed to navigate the transition with confidence.

“Cloudbeds gave us stronger day-to-day control,” Ignacio explains. “From reporting and payments to front desk operations, everything felt more intuitive, which becomes incredibly important during periods of change.”

With the Cloudbeds PMS and Channel Manager in place, the hotels were able to seamlessly manage rates, availability, and reservations across channels without disrupting the guest experience.

Technology transitions succeed only if teams can adopt them quickly. Leadership focused on transparency and stability, while Cloudbeds supported rapid onboarding.

“As with any change, the first days were challenging,” Ignacio notes. “But the Cloudbeds team understood the urgency and supported us closely.”

Training prioritized essential daily workflows first, with teams supported by Cloudbeds University, which provided on-demand articles and videos for self-guided learning.

“Once you understand how the system works, it becomes much easier,” Ignacio adds. “Most teams were comfortable with the essentials within four to six weeks.”

Compared to the outgoing proprietary system, Cloudbeds proved easier to adopt under pressure.

“It was more intuitive and visual,” Ignacio says. “It gave us stronger operational control during a difficult moment.”

For Juan, responsiveness and partnership mattered just as much as technology.

“For a global company, Cloudbeds maintains very close relationships with hotels,” he explains. “They respond quickly, provide training, and stay present when it matters.”

Deflagging is never easy. But with the right technology partner and a disciplined operational approach, it does not have to result in disruption.

“Everything passes,” Juan reflects. “And when you look back, these moments become powerful learning experiences.”

By enabling rapid system exit, reservation continuity, OTA stability, and fast team onboarding, Cloudbeds helped these properties navigate a critical transition while keeping hotels open, teams focused, and guests served.