Once the guest-folio is initialized at check-in, all guest charges throughout the stay are posted this folio either manually or electronically Manual postings done by clerks are prone to time delays and errors Electronic postings through hardware and software interfaces are completed rapidly and without error. This removes the possibility of bad debts incurred by guests not report- ing last minute charges before checkout. The night audit function is another major benefi- ciary of automation. All financial transactions during the previous 24 hours are posted and consolidated into reports in a fraction of the time that a manual night audit would take.