In the next five years, the world will have increased its data from 36 Zettabytes to 163 Zettabytes. How much data is that? If a byte were the size of a grain of rice, 163 zettabytes would fill 163 Pacific Oceans! That's a massive amount of data. The hotel industry is not immune to that deluge, and revenue managers everywhere are faced with the challenge of dealing with it. Here are three recommendations:

1. Don't try to do it manually. No matter what type or size of hotel you have, there is technology that will enable you to aggregate and consolidate data from a large number of sources and make it easier for you to make decisions. If you have nothing today, start with a simple business intelligence tool and work your way towards more sophisticated automation from there.
2. Before you purchase. For any technology purchase where you have influence, the number one priority should be how well it integrates with all other systems, how well the data flows across systems and how trustworthy the data is. For example, for a fully automated RMS, you need 100 percent reliable data to make pricing decisions. This, in turn, requires the highest level of integration (and support and monitoring systems to ensure when something doesn"t work right it gets fixed immediately.)
3. The 80/20 strategy. Work towards moving up your "revenue management" value chain. You are not (or should not) be paid to produce reports. A revenue manager is paid to produce a strategy to make the right decisions for the business for which they are responsible. Your work should be focused a maximum of 20 percent on data gathering/preparation and 80 percent on decision-making. If that is not the case, make a plan to get there. 

With tightly integrated systems that automate the flow of data and produce trustworthy decisions, you will not be faced with "analysis paralysis" but will be able to focus on making critical business decisions that enhance the value of your role and the business.