In this episode of Hospitable, host Rob Napoli sits down with Ricarda Müller, COO and Partner Manager at ibelsa, to explore how their people-first, modular PMS became a favorite across the DACH market. From zero downtime in 8+ years to smart integrations and AI-driven workflows, ibelsa is proving that great tech starts with great relationships.
Topics Covered
- Why modular PMS beats all-in-one systems for scaling with control
- How ibelsa achieved 8 years of zero downtime, and why it matters at reception
- Building trusted integrations (POS, Omniboost, accounting, and more)
- How AI, automation, and mobile-first tools are transforming operations
- The hidden advantage of having no outside investors
- What hotels really need in a tech partner (hint: it’s not more features)
Whether you’re running 20 rooms or 200, this episode is packed with practical lessons for choosing, scaling, and trusting the right hospitality tech<
Timestamps
02:08 “Find a way to make fun”, Workaholic or passion-driven?
03:38 How ibelsa differentiates in a crowded PMS market
06:36 Eight years with zero downtime
07:47 Customer-led roadmap & no external investors
09:27 Modular PMS: Scaling from 10 to 150 rooms
11:04 Why “all-in-one” systems rarely win
13:01 Building smooth integrations with POS, channels & Omniboost
16:04 Staff shortages, AI, and dynamic pricing as must-haves
21:09 “AI today is the most immature it will ever be”
22:20 What’s next on ibelsa’s roadmap
24:19 Best travel memories & belief in people
