Seamless PMS to CRS migration, delivering a pivotal step in the Louvre group’s wider transformation journey
Louvre Hotels Group, one of Europe’s largest hospitality groups, partnered with Cogent Blue to lead a complex migration from multiple Property Management Systems to the SynXis Central Reservation System.
This dynamic project brought together internal teams, external vendors, and technology partners across multiple brands and regions in a highly collaborative effort, driving a pivotal step in the group’s wider transformation journey.
“
… Not only did we stay on time and on budget, but we also expanded the scope far beyond what was originally planned. Your dedication and hard work were instrumental in making this project a success; you have all shown that when we work together, we can achieve extraordinary things.
— Mehdi Soua, CIO
The business challenge
LHG faced a major operational risk with the planned closure of the PMS data centre in April 2025, requiring the migration of up to 544 hotels from various PMS platforms to the SynXis CRS via direct integration. This migration was critical to maintaining seamless availability, rates, and inventory data flow and ensuring uninterrupted operations across the hotel network.
Initially scoped for fewer hotels, the programme nearly doubled in size, adding more properties, the Web Planning tool migration, and inventory monitoring within the Oracle Data Centre. With a fixed deadline and high stakes, aligning systems and stakeholders was essential. Success relied on seamless coordination between vendors, cross-functional teams, and technology partners to navigate a complex, evolving delivery landscape.
Collaborating for success
Cogent Blue was engaged as the delivery partner to lead the Project Management Office, leveraging extensive hospitality expertise, strong project assurance, robust governance, and close collaboration with the Louvre hotel group.
Through end-to-end programme management, Cogent Blue worked with LHG to guide the project through its various phases and challenges. A strong governance framework was established, focusing on:
Structured risk management and decision validation
Milestone monitoring
Scheduled reporting
This framework ensured stakeholders were aligned by providing clear oversight, enabling prompt issue resolution, and supporting informed decision-making throughout the project. Close engagement was maintained with senior stakeholders from both LHG and the technology partner, fostering a highly collaborative delivery environment that enabled agile responses to changing requirements.
Central to this approach was the design and maintenance of a tailored, industry-specific, project management framework using Smartsheet. This platform enabled:
Detailed project planning
Real-time dashboards
Automated workflows and alerts
Together, these tools ensured efficient tracking of progress, risks, and key milestones, enhancing transparency and responsiveness.
Operating primarily through remote delivery, the programme was centrally coordinated from Paris, allowing effective oversight despite geographical distances.
Key highlights of the delivery approach included:
Comprehensively managing the PMS to SynXis CRS migration across 544 properties
Expanding the PMO team to meet growing programme demands
Implementing rigorous governance with risk tracking, milestone oversight, and decision documentation
Maintaining close collaboration with senior stakeholders to ensure ongoing alignment and swift issue resolution
Coordinating remote delivery with a central hub based in Paris
By combining sector expertise, structured governance, and a flexible delivery model, the team successfully delivered one of the largest projects undertaken by both LHG and Cogent Blue in recent years.
Key highlights of the delivery approach included:
Comprehensively managing the PMS to SynXis CRS migration across 544 properties
Expanding the PMO team to meet growing programme demands
Implementing rigorous governance with risk tracking, milestone oversight, and decision documentation
Maintaining close collaboration with senior stakeholders to ensure ongoing alignment and swift issue resolution
Coordinating remote delivery with a central hub based in Paris
By combining sector expertise, structured governance, and a flexible delivery model, the team successfully delivered one of the largest projects undertaken by both LHG and Cogent Blue in recent years.
Client
Louvre Hotels Group (LHG)
Industry
Hospitality
Description
Founded in 1976 and headquartered in France, Louvre Hotels Group is a leading global hotel company and one of the largest hospitality groups in Europe.
Scope of project
544 hotels
4 continents
15 countries10 vendors
13 PMS
14 pilot hotels
COGENT BLUE EXPERTISE
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