Category:Channel Manager: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Apps]]
[[Category:Apps]]
<div class="heading">Channel Manager</div>
<div class="heading">Channel Manager</div>
  This page is about the menu SETTINGS->CHANNEL MANAGER and explains how the channel manger works.  
  This page is about the menu {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > CHANNEL MANAGER and explains how the channel manger works.  
__TOC__
__TOC__
== How the Channel Manager works ==
= How the Channel Manager works =
The Channel Manager allows individual properties or agencies managing multiple properties to keep inventory up-to-date in real time at our channel partners, allowing hosts to use and get the most out of multiple on-line booking channels without the hassle of constantly signing-in and updating all of them individually each time a booking is made (or cancelled) via one of them.
The Channel Manager allows individual properties or agencies managing multiple properties to keep inventory up-to-date in real time at our channel partners, allowing hosts to use and get the most out of multiple on-line booking channels without the hassle of constantly signing-in and updating all of them individually each time a booking is made (or cancelled) via one of them.


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It works the same the other way around. If you get another booking through a booking channel this information gets sent to the system. The inventory gets reduced to 0 rooms. Now your rooms are fully booked and both your webdsite and the booking channels will show no availability.  
It works the same the other way around. If you get another booking through a booking channel this information gets sent to the system. The inventory gets reduced to 0 rooms. Now your rooms are fully booked and both your webdsite and the booking channels will show no availability.  


To some channels we can also send pictures and descriptions.


The Ical sync updates all calendars which support the widely used Ical format including Google calendar, outlook and many rental portals.  
<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 250%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span>Once you activate the channel manger Beds24 will maintain the live master version of your availability and export this to all the sites, updating them as new bookings are taken.


=== What can be sent ===
Depending on  capabilities of the connection we can send availability, one price or multiple prices. For some channels we can even sent content like descriptions or pictures and create listings. This table gives an
[[Channel_Manager_Capabilities|overview on the capabilities for each connected channel]].


== Set up ==
=  Before you connect channels=
To use the channel manger you need accounts with the booking channels you want to use and connect them to the channel manager account.
 
===  Before you connect channels===
*Set up your [[Do_the_initial_Setup|rooms]]. If you are selling rooms in different constellations on booking channels you might need [[Combine_individual_rooms_into_a_roomtype|virtual rooms]].
*Set up your [[Do_the_initial_Setup|rooms]]. If you are selling rooms in different constellations on booking channels you might need [[Combine_individual_rooms_into_a_roomtype|virtual rooms]].
*Set up [[Setting_Prices_for_Booking_Channels|prices]].  
*Set up [[Setting_Prices_for_Booking_Channels|prices]].  
*Read our [https://www.beds24.com/legal.html User Agreement] and in particular the liability section.
*Read our [https://www.beds24.com/legal.html User Agreement] and in particular the liability section.


=== Existing bookings===
== Import existing bookings==
Before your activate a connection make sure your rates and inventory are set up correctly. The channel manger can only import bookings from the time the connection was activated. If you have previous or other bookings outside the Beds24 system you have these options:
Before your activate a connection make sure your rates and inventory are set up correctly. The channel manger can only import bookings from the time the connection was activated. If you have previous or other bookings outside the Beds24 system you have these options:


 
*For some channels we can import upcoming bookings. If this is possible you will find information about this in the channel specific set up instructions.
*For some channels we import upcoming bookings. If this is possible you will find information about this in the channel specific set up instructions.
*To block booked dates go to the CALENDAR in your control panel and change the inventory for the dates you have bookings for.
*To block booked dates go to the CALENDAR in your control panel and change the inventory for the dates you have bookings for.
*If you need the booking details in Beds24 will need to enter the bookings manually. If you are comfortable working with .csv files you can import data into Beds24 using our API (https://www.beds24.com/api/).  
*If you need the booking details in Beds24 will need to enter the bookings manually. If you are comfortable working with .csv files you can import data into Beds24 using our API (https://www.beds24.com/api/).  


Once you activate the channel manger Beds24.com will maintain the live master version of your availability and export this to all the sites, updating them as new bookings are taken.
= Connection types =
==  API connections ==
Beds24 has certified 2-way API  connections with 50+ leading channels and is preferred partner with leading OTAs.
 
 
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;">[[File:airbnb_preferred.png|center|300px]]
</li>
<li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;">[[File:booking_preferred.png|center|300px]]
</li>
<li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;">[[File:vrbo_preferred.png|center|300px]]
</li>
</ul>
 
 
 
Depending on  capabilities of the connection we can send availability, one price or multiple prices. For some channels we can even sent content like descriptions or pictures and create listings. This table gives an
[[Channel_Manager_Capabilities|overview on the capabilities for each connected channel]].
 
===Set up ===
To use the channel manger you need accounts with the booking channels you want to use and connect them to the channel manager account.  


=== Connect channels===
The process to activate a channel varies, but for most you will need to enter credentials. Some channels, like Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia, require you to initiate the connection yourself in their Extranet and others have an approval process. Go to SETTINGS-> CHANNEL MANAGER. After you have selected the channel you want to set up click on HELP (top right menu) to open specific set up instructions for the channel you wan to use.
The process to activate a channel varies, but for most you will need to enter credentials. Some channels, like Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia, require you to initiate the connection yourself in their Extranet and others have an approval process. Go to SETTINGS-> CHANNEL MANAGER. After you have selected the channel you want to set up click on HELP (top right menu) to open specific set up instructions for the channel you wan to use.


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*For some channels you can aor need to map rates or daily prices. See the channel specific help pages for detailed information.  
*For some channels you can aor need to map rates or daily prices. See the channel specific help pages for detailed information.  


<span class="" style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 250%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;" >Tip</span>  ''Click on the "View Actual Data" Button to check which prices and availability will send.''
<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 250%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span>   ''Click on the "View Actual Data" Button to check which prices and availability will send.''


=== Preferences ===
=== Preferences ===
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=== Check Connection===  
=== Check Connection===  
The connection is working if you are not receiving error messages and the display in the channel is correct. If you are receiving error messages check in the "Common Errors" section on the channel specific help page why you are receiving the error and how to fix it.  
The connection is working if you are not receiving error messages and the display in the channel is correct. If you are receiving error messages check in the "Common Errors" section on the channel specific help page why you are receiving the error and how to fix it.  
=iCal connections =
iCal is a digital file format that allows to synchonize calendar event information. iCals can be shared between different calendar applications.
Our iCal sync updates all calendars which support the widely used iCal format including Google calendar and Outlook. Even though it was not designed for channel management it is now used by  many vacation rental sites.
<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 250%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> Use iCal only for channels for which an API connection is not available.
==2-way synchronization via iCal==
With many channels including Airbnb, VRBO, TripadvisorRentals we offer specially constructed iCal sync option which are 2-way.
For other channels you can use our iCal export to send availability to the calendar and the iCal import to import bookings to Beds24.


== FAQ ==
== FAQ ==
Retrieved from "https://wiki.beds24.com/index.php/Category:Channel_Manager"