Two-factor authentication now available for Seekom users
We're thrilled to announce that two-factor authentication (2FA) is now available for all Seekom users! This important security enhancement is a significant step forward in our commitment to protecting your business data and your guests' information.
Opt-in available now
Starting today, you can enable 2FA for your Seekom account by simply filling out this form and submitting it to our support team. Once activated, 2FA will apply to all staff set up as users within your account, providing comprehensive protection across your entire team.
The opt-in period will run for just over one month and gives you the flexibility to implement 2FA at your convenience. You can choose when best to activate it based on your property's schedule and staff availability, ensuring a smooth transition.
2FA starts becoming mandatory from 20 May
While 2FA is currently optional, it will begin to become mandatory for all Seekom accounts from 20 May onwards to keep you, other clients and guests as secure as possible and futureproof online security. This rollout will happen in tranches, becoming mandatory for some accounts slightly earlier than others. The opt-in period currently underway gives you several weeks to prepare your team and implement the change when it works best for you.
Why 2FA is necessary
In today's digital landscape, 2FA has become standard practice to safeguard companies’ data across all types of industries and protect them from the reputational damage that data breaches can cause. Businesses worldwide are choosing to adopt this critical security measure to protect sensitive information and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
By requiring a second verification factor beyond just a password, 2FA creates a substantial barrier against unauthorised access. This is particularly important for accommodation providers, which handle guests' personal and financial information daily, including banking information such as credit card details.
Setup is simple
Implementing 2FA is easy and straightforward for users. After downloading either the Google Authenticator App or Microsoft Authenticator App on their smartphone, all they need to do is scan a QR code from your Seekom account and 2FA will be activated.
Once set up is complete, each user will need to use both their password and a time-sensitive code from their authenticator app to log in to your system. View our 2FA user guide for more information.
Preparing your team
If you haven't already done so, now is an ideal time to ensure all your staff have their own individual Seekom logins – to make this easy we include unlimited user accounts with all plans.
Setting up individual logins prepares you for 2FA implementation and also improves accountability by tracking which team member performs specific actions in your system. To find out how to set up staff logins check out our handy guide.
Ready to get started?
We encourage you to opt in to 2FA as soon as possible rather than waiting until it becomes mandatory. Early adoption allows your team to become familiar with the new login process at a time that suits you.
Thank you for partnering with us in creating a more secure environment for your business and guests. Together, we're taking an important step forward in protecting what matters most.
If you have any questions about the 2FA implementation process, please read our 2FA user guide or contact our friendly support team.
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Contact Us
PO Box 9300, Marion Square, Wellington 6141
Phone (NZ) : +64 4 974 9588
Phone (UK) : +44 20 3835 5939
Support: support@seekom.com
Websites: webhelp@seekom.com
Copyright 2024 © Seekom Limited (NZ owned)
Enhancing your security: Two-factor authentication coming soon to Seekom
Get ready for a significant security upgrade! We're excited to announce that two-factor authentication (2FA) will be rolling out to all Seekom users in the next quarter. This enhancement will help protect both your business and your guests' information with minimal effect on your operations.
What is 2FA?
2FA is a security protocol that requires two forms of verification to be provided before access is granted to a user account or system – like requiring two keys to unlock a door rather than just one. This added layer of security ensures that only authorised users can gain access, even if someone else knows the password.
Why does it need to be done?
Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) is important because it adds an extra layer of security to your account, making it much harder for unauthorised users to gain access:
- Strengthens security: 2FA requires two forms of verification - typically something you know (your password) and something you have (like your smartphone or an authentication app). Even if someone steals your password, they can’t access your account without the second factor.
- Protects against phishing: Phishing attacks can trick you into revealing your password, but with 2FA, even if your password is compromised, the phisher would still need the second factor to complete the login.
- Prevents account takeovers: With the extra layer of security, 2FA greatly reduces the chances of hackers taking over your account, especially when passwords are shared or reused across different sites by different people.
- Safeguards sensitive information: For accounts holding sensitive information – such as guests’ personal information, bank details and emails – 2FA helps prevent unauthorised access that could result in identity theft, financial loss, or privacy breaches.
2FA is a simple and effective way to significantly improve your online security and protect both your and your customers' personal information, as well as limit the chance of reputational damage to your business.
Setting up 2FA is quick, easy and typically takes less than five minutes per user. Each user on your Seekom account will just need to download either the Google Authenticator App or Microsoft Authenticator App on their smartphone, scan a QR code from your Seekom account, and they’ll be ready to go with an extra layer of security armour protecting your data.
We regard 2FA as such an essential part of our online security approach that all Seekom staff are required to use 2FA and cannot access our Seekom iBex system without it.
Rest assured we will try to make the upgrade to 2FA go as smoothly as possible for you.
What to do to get ready for 2FA?
Make sure everyone is set up with their own individual logins. We offer unlimited user logins with all our plans to make this easy (unlike some of our competitors who charge for additional users). A user guide on how to set up staff logins can be viewed here.
Having all staff set up with their own login is best practice, as it allows you to see who has done what on the system, whether making a booking, upselling an item or actioning a rate change.
2FA works for both Google Authenticator app and Microsoft Authenticator App, with each user needing access to their own smartphone to activate their unique code.
When 2FA is first rolled out it will be a ‘soft launch’, which means you’ll be able to opt in and set up 2FA at a time that’s convenient for you and your accommodation property, rather than being made to do it immediately, including potentially during peak check-in times. The opt in option will be available for a few weeks, after which it will become compulsory and will be switched on for all accounts.
For the time being we just want to make you aware of the forthcoming 2FA roll out. No action is required on your part for now, although it’s an ideal time to make sure all your staff have their own individual logins.
We’ll confirm the start date of the soft launch roll out closer to the time and will look forward to taking the next step in our mission to keep your business and the data it holds safer and more secure than ever before.
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Two-factor authentication now available for Seekom users
Two-factor authentication now available for Seekom users We’re thrilled to announce that two-factor authentication (2FA) is now available for all Seekom users! This important security enhancement is a significant step forward in our commitment to protecting your business data and […]
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Contact Us
PO Box 9300, Marion Square, Wellington 6141
Phone (NZ) : +64 4 974 9588
Phone (UK) : +44 20 3835 5939
Support: support@seekom.com
Websites: webhelp@seekom.com
Copyright 2024 © Seekom Limited (NZ owned)
The True Cost of 'Free' Property Management Software
Who doesn’t love the word ‘free’? It’s a powerful hook, especially when it comes to property management software. After all, running a property business comes with enough costs—so why not save on software? But here’s the reality: free software isn’t really free. In fact, it can end up costing you more than you bargained for in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.
What Does ‘Free’ Really Mean?
When a software provider offers a ‘free’ property management system (PMS), it typically means you get access to the most basic version of the platform. While this might be enough for a small B&B properties, motel, or campground with a minimal number of rooms, as soon as your needs grow, you start hitting paywalls. Need automated messaging? That’s extra. Want better channel management? Upgrade required. Prefer customer support? That might not even be an option—or it comes at a premium price. Other daily functionality you will likely need, which comes at an additional cost, includes your customer database, invoicing, and emails. On top of that, there’s the weekly management of reporting and dynamic rates. If you also require an integrated payment gateway, you’ll be charged transactional fees, which may initially be hidden under the ‘free’ umbrella—so it always pays to check the fine print.
The Hidden Costs of Free Property Management Software
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Limited Features = Stunted Growth
Free PMS systems for hotels, motels, holiday parks and campgrounds often restrict essential features like reporting, integrations, and automation. This forces you into time-consuming manual processes or, worse, into upgrading to a costly ‘pro’ version.
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Lack of Support = Lost Time & Revenue
When something goes wrong (and it will at some point), who do you turn to? Many free property management software solutions don’t offer live support or even reliable email assistance. This means if your booking system glitches, you’re on your own—potentially losing customers and revenue while you scramble to fix it.
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Data Privacy? You Might Be the Product
One of the biggest concerns with free software is data security. If you’re not paying for a service, how is the company making money? Often, it’s through data collection and third-party partnerships. This could mean your customer data, pricing strategies, and booking trends aren’t as private as you think.
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Integration Limitations = Frustration
Many free property management software options don’t integrate well with OTAs, payment gateways, or accounting software, leading to a disconnected workflow. A robust channel manager is essential for hotels, motels, and campgrounds to maintain real-time inventory updates and prevent overbookings. Without seamless integrations, you’ll find yourself trapped in an ecosystem that can’t keep up with your needs.
A Smarter Investment: A Reliable PMS from the Start
Instead of navigating the limitations and potential risks of ‘free’ property management software, choosing a trusted, full-featured PMS system saves time, frustration, and unexpected costs.
While free property management software may seem appealing, the long-term drawbacks outweigh the initial savings. In business, reliability, efficiency, and data security are worth the investment. Instead of settling for software that limits your potential, choose a PMS system that truly supports your growth from day one.
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Sign Up For Updates
Contact Us
PO Box 9300, Marion Square, Wellington 6141
Phone (NZ) : +64 4 974 9588
Phone (UK) : +44 20 3835 5939
Support: support@seekom.com
Websites: webhelp@seekom.com
Copyright 2024 © Seekom Limited (NZ owned)
Promo codes are back, plus other Seekom enhancements
Seekom users can now manage promotional codes and make it easy for guests to use them when making online bookings at their accommodation, thanks to a recent update that re-introduces the feature alongside some other small but helpful improvements.
These changes are designed to support marketing efforts and make management of last-minute bookings simpler.
Promo codes are back
We’ve added the promo code feature back to our new online booking screens, making it simple for you to allow guests to enter a discount code you have made available as part of a special offer.
This could be used to support an advertising campaign or promotional offer, or harnessed to offer a discounted rate for returning guests when they use the promo code for their next booking with you.
To set up a promo code check out our promo code help guide. Once set up, you can make the code live on your booking screens by visiting the Website Booking Templates screen in Seekom iBox, selecting General Fields, and then Other Options.
More control over your after-hours cut-off time
Last, but not least, we have given you finer control over the after-hours cut-off time you can set in our system for your property’s needs.
The after-hours cut-off time is an optional setting that can be used to automatically change the selling method of any remaining available units at your accommodation to 'on request.' Any online bookings made after a ‘cut off time’ you set will be processed as a request, rather than instantly accepted, allowing you to either confirm or reject the booking.
Our latest update allows you to select a cut-off time in any 15-minute block, rather than on the hour, as was previously the case.
By setting a cut-off time in Seekom that is slightly ahead of when your office closes, you can avoid situations where a customer booking on the day of their stay starts their booking online shortly before the cut-off time but finishes it afterwards, resulting in their booking being instantly confirmed after your office closes and them turning up with no one to check them in.
Please have a read through our help guide on how to set the after-hours cut off.
Recent Blog Post
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Two-factor authentication now available for Seekom users
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Sign Up For Updates
Contact Us
PO Box 9300, Marion Square, Wellington 6141
Phone (NZ) : +64 4 974 9588
Phone (UK) : +44 20 3835 5939
Support: support@seekom.com
Websites: webhelp@seekom.com
Copyright 2024 © Seekom Limited (NZ owned)
Seekom takes security seriously: From phishing simulations to IT health checks
Is online security front of mind in your accommodation business? The consequences of a security breach can be major and include financial loss, reputational damage and losing the trust of your customers.
At Seekom, we believe security is paramount and have recently taken some extra steps to keep both our systems and our customers safe in the face of cyber threats. Measures include regular security scans by external experts to maintain compliance with Payment Card Industry (PCI) requirements and random phishing exercises with staff to ensure they don't fall prey to someone wanting to hack our systems.
To make doubly sure that our online defences are watertight we also engage independent experts to run IT Security Health Checks of our systems and web services each quarter.
External security scans ensure PCI compliance
Seekom conducts regular external security scans to check our compliance with PCI standards, which provide a strong framework for protecting customer payment data and are critical for any business that handles credit card information
Our security scans, performed by independent external providers, assess our entire system to identify potential vulnerabilities and make sure we meet the strict security requirements established by the PCI Security Standards Council. These scans involve testing firewalls, encryption protocols, access controls, and ensuring sensitive data is stored and transmitted securely, among other things.
Random phishing exercises raise awareness of cyber attacks
One of the most common methods hackers use to infiltrate businesses is known as ‘phishing’, where cyber hackers attempt to deceive employees into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or financial data, by posing as legitimate entities.
The weakest link in a security chain can often be human error, which is why we’ve incorporated random phishing exercises into our security protocol. These exercises simulate real phishing attempts, testing our staff’s ability to recognise and respond to suspicious emails or messages. By doing this we create a security-conscious working environment where our team remains vigilant and on alert to detect fraudulent behaviour.
Quarterly IT Security Health Checks safeguard our systems
Seekom undertakes quarterly external IT Security Health Checks of our systems and web services. These health checks provide a comprehensive evaluation of our IT infrastructure and identify any potential vulnerabilities. By conducting regular checks we proactively ensure our systems remain robust and resilient in the face of new and emerging threats and maintain a strong line of defence.
At Seekom we’re proud to be ‘walking the talk’ when it comes to online security. We do our utmost to make sure we’ve got your back with solid cyber defences so you can have peace of mind as you go about your business.
The measures outlined above are recent additions to our security efforts, but they aren’t the only steps we take. Other steps to safer online security that we’ve blogged about include introducing stronger passwords and multi-factor authentication, as well as implementing security updates in many of the version upgrades we release for our Seekom system. We’ve also published advice about how to stay scam savvy – it’s worth a read if you want to keep your online guard up.
Recent Blog Post
Smarts to help you operate more effectively and efficiently. From guides of our systems and integrations to tips and tricks you can use every day - we've got you covered.
Two-factor authentication now available for Seekom users
Two-factor authentication now available for Seekom users We’re thrilled to announce that two-factor authentication (2FA) is now available for all Seekom users! This important security enhancement is a significant step forward in our commitment to protecting your business data and your guests’ information. Opt-in available now Starting today, you can enable 2FA for your Seekom account by simply filling out […]
Enhancing your security: Two-factor authentication coming soon to Seekom
Enhancing your security: Two-factor authentication coming soon to Seekom Get ready for a significant security upgrade! We’re excited to announce that two-factor authentication (2FA) will be rolling out to all Seekom users in the next quarter. This enhancement will help protect both your business and your guests’ information with minimal effect on your operations. What is 2FA? 2FA is a […]
The True Cost of ‘Free’ Property Management Software
The True Cost of ‘Free’ Property Management Software Who doesn’t love the word ‘free’? It’s a powerful hook, especially when it comes to property management software. After all, running a property business comes with enough costs-so why not save on software? But here’s the reality: free software isn’t really free. In fact, it can end up costing you more than […]
Sign Up For Updates
Contact Us
PO Box 9300, Marion Square, Wellington 6141
Phone (NZ) : +64 4 974 9588
Phone (UK) : +44 20 3835 5939
Support: support@seekom.com
Websites: webhelp@seekom.com
Copyright 2024 © Seekom Limited (NZ owned)