If you are planning to buy a new technology product, consider the benefits of buying an HTNG Certified product:

• HTNG interfaces help to "future-proof" your investment, reducing integration costs when you replace connected systems in the future.
• HTNG's resolution process can help you easily (and at little or no cost) address problems, in the event that the product turns out to be defective in its implementation of HTNG specifications
• You can consult the Conformance Statement, which is a publicly posted document that elaborates exactly what HTNG functionality the product supports.  Unlike vague sales claim, the statements in this document are specific, and the vendor stands behind them.
• Vendors with certified products have demonstrated the highest possible commitment to open systems and interoperability.
• Most HTNG Interfaces are reusable for multiple purposes.  Over time, you can reduce the number of interfaces you need to run your hotel.
• HTNG certification can help you plan version control more effectively, to ensure that your interfaces will continue to operate when you upgrade a product.

How to Buy Certified

Here are the basic steps to buying an HTNG certified product:

• Find out which HTNG specifications are relevant for the product you want to buy, and whether they are certifiable. Start with our Specifications by Product Category page.
• Look at the specific technical specifications to understand how they fit with your requirements.
• Decide which technical specifications are important to you.  If those specifications have optional functionality, determine whether you want it.
• If you will be connecting the new system to existing systems that support HTNG specifications, ask your vendors which release(s) of each technical specification is (are) supported by your existing systems.  Both sides of an interface need to support the same (or compatible) version(s) of the technical specification.  You can check compatibility on our Version Equivalence page.
• The Version Equivalence page also helps you research which HTNG certification release cycles include the technical specifications you need.  While HTNG has two certification releases per year, many specifications remain unchanged over several release cycles, so older releases may meet your needs.  For example, a product certified to HTNG 2011A specifications may be compatible with one certified to HTNG 2009B, provided that the technical specifications you need did not change between those two versions.
• In your RFP, specify that you require or prefer a product that is certified to the HTNG technical specifications you have determined to be relevant.  Be sure to list any optional requirements that are important to you, and the earliest HTNG release cycle that is relevant. Check  the RFP Checklist page for more ideas on writing your RFP for maximum interoperability!
• Remember that many vendors have implemented HTNG specifications but are waiting for a customer to ask before they submit it for certification.  If you want the protection that HTNG certification affords you, then it's up to you to ask for it!
• Don't accept a vendor's claim of HTNG compliance without certification.  Even with a contractual guarantee, it means only that the vendor has implemented their interpretation of our requirements.
• Verify a vendor's claim of certification on the HTNG Certification Register.  Examine the conformance statement for the product to determine if it implements the technical specification and options you need.
• Make sure that the version of the product you are buying is the one that is certified.  If you are buying a future, enhanced version, consider whether to ask the vendor for a commitment to get the product certified after it has been completed..