How did Bookster come into existence?

Simon introduces the podcast and his guest, Robin Morris, co-founder and CEO of Bookster. The series aims to explore running a successful SaaS company.

Key takeaways

Robin recounts the beginnings of the company as Tribalogic and the development and success of Caravan Site Finder, which was sold to Haymarket Publishing in 2007.

Post-sale, Tribalogic expanded its software capabilities to serve various clients, including event management and holiday rentals, leading to the initial steps toward what would become Bookster.

Around 2009, the company developed a booking button for holiday rental websites, marking a significant shift from custom software projects to creating a defined product.

In 2015, they reacquired Caravan SiteFinder and operated it alongside Bookster, while Bookster continued to grow into a more comprehensive property management system (PMS).

The sale of Caravan SiteFinder in February 2020 provided crucial financial stability as the pandemic hit, affecting many clients in the tourism sector and highlighting the challenges faced by the industry.

Robin explains the SaaS (Software as a Service) model, emphasizing benefits like regular updates, maintenance, and web-based accessibility, which Bookster utilizes for its clients.

Robin discusses his role transition from software developer to Managing Director, focusing on business direction and team guidance. He also highlights the contributions of co-founders Colin Guthrie and Craig Douglas.

Bookster serves a diverse, international clientele, including holiday rental providers from various regions such as the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia, catering to businesses of different sizes.

The story behind the name Bookster and clarification of common misconceptions. Unlike the complex naming process for Tribalogic, Bookster was quickly agreed upon and has proven effective.

Join Simon and Robin next time as they discuss the Four Pillars of Bookster.

• www.booksterhq.com