FOSSE and FSPMS Server Replacement
Recent analysis has shown that server hardware at 658 SS/ES (FOSSE) and 345 full service (FSPMS) properties is more than six years old and/or has reached the end of its hardware maintenance lifecycle. As property servers age past six years, the hard-drives and other key hardware parts begin to fail, and support is more difficult and costly. Further, as of Jan. 1, 2018, these aging FSPMS servers will no longer be under hardware maintenance and therefore will not be eligible for any support. Without a well-functioning server, the PMS can become permanently unavailable.
To reduce the risk to these properties, it is strongly recommended that these servers be replaced in 2017. The replacement server will include the new Operating System (OS) and will enable the properties to continue to receive OS security updates and support.
Some of the impacted properties were originally scheduled to convert to GPMS in 2017. Due to their scheduled conversion date, these properties skipped a server upgrade in recent years. However, as the GPMS deployment is currently on hold due to instability issues with data centers, and a stable platform has not yet been established, GPMS deployment dates have not been confirmed. As a result, these properties should plan to move forward with upgrading their current servers. The 2017 server investment will last approximately five years and will be a factor in determining the future GPMS conversion date for these properties. Note: these properties will be notified of this information this week.
- Cost: The approximate cost for a FOSSE server replacement is $12,000, and the approximate cost for an FSPMS server replacement is $22,000. Managed by Marriott properties will receive detailed budget instructions in early January and franchised properties are encouraged to update their budgets accordingly.
- Impact to Property:
- Prior to the installation, properties must complete 1-2 hours of paperwork to verify interface and server details.
- During the server installation, the PMS will be unavailable for 2-4 hours at FOSSE properties and 6-8 hours at FSPMS properties. Properties must run the property manually during this time.
- Timeline: The server deployment schedule is under development (to be published in January 2017). However, pilots are targeted for March 2017 with full roll-out to be completed by year end 2017.
To view the list of impacted properties, as well as additional details on the server replacement projects, visit the FOSSE and FSPMS MGS pages. We thank you for your support of this important initiative to ensure the stability of your FOSSE and FSPMS server(s).
