Your take is spot on, and it echoes the reality I've seen play out time and again in the trenches of hospitality tech. The debate isn't really about "all-in-one" versus "best-of-breed"—it's about how we work together to deliver actual results for hotels and their guests.

Let's cut through the noise: best-of-breed is not the villain here. In fact, specialisation is where real progress and innovation happen. The real problem is when vendors refuse to collaborate, restrict integrations, or treat data as a private asset rather than a shared resource. That's what creates friction, not the number of systems in play.

I've witnessed, across countless projects, that the best outcomes come from purpose-built platforms connected through open, robust APIs and a true partnership mentality. When a revenue management system is designed by people who live and breathe pricing strategy, or a guest engagement tool is built to genuinely personalise interactions—not just send generic emails—the difference is night and day. But these tools only reach their potential when vendors step out of their silos and prioritise interoperability over empire-building.

The reality is, hoteliers aren't begging for "fewer systems"—they're desperate for less hassle. They want their tech stack to function as an ecosystem, not a patchwork. They want systems that speak to each other, share data seamlessly, and reduce manual intervention so their teams can focus on what really matters: the guest.

For vendors, the question isn't "can we do everything?" but "can we be indispensable at what we do best, and collaborate to deliver the rest?" The future belongs to those who understand their unique value, double down on it, and build bridges—not walls—with other providers. Commercial models and technical architectures should encourage openness, not lock-in.

Execution always trumps theory. Interoperability always beats unchecked ambition. The industry doesn't need more "all-in-one" promises that deliver mediocrity across the board. We need ecosystems where the best tools, and the best people, can come together to drive operational excellence and guest satisfaction.

Let's stop selling the myth that convenience means compromise. The goal isn't to make things simpler by lowering standards, but to make them better by raising the bar for collaboration and integration. When every partner is empowered to excel, everyone wins—hoteliers, guests, and the bottom line.