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This release brings new Kiosk Self Check-in EMV Payment Integration, major enhancements to the Tape Chart, Booking Engine Templates, Tax Exempt Setting, and several bug fixes
MAJOR ENHANCEMENTS
Self Check-in Kiosk EMV Payment Integration
- The Kiosk Self Check-in process can now automate EMV payments on the kiosk when the guest checks-in. Guest will be asked to swipe/tip/tap their card during the check-in process for payment and/or authorizations. Learn more about Kiosk Self Check-in. Contact us with questions or to get started.
NEW Tape Chart Enhancements
- Booking Payment Status: We have added an exciting new feature to the Tape Chart giving you the ability to see, at a glance, whether a guest has made a partial, full payment or no payment at all. Each booking will display a small color icon indicating the payment status of the booking. The color automatically changes when payments are made on the folio. Learn more
- New Payment Icons on Tape Chart Legend: You will see new icons for the Booking Payment Status feature on the Tape Chart Legend, helping you easily identify the payment status. Learn more
NEW Tax Exempt Settings
- New Tax Exempt Flag: These flexible new features give you the ability to enable "Tax Exempt" on Multiple Tax Rates by selecting "Yes/No" on the specific Tax Rate.
Booking Engine Enhancements
- New Modify Dates Link: Added the "Modify Dates" link next to Rate Plan when Restriction Message is displayed. See Booking Engine | Select Rooms and Rates
- Inventory Item/Add-ons "View Details": We have added a "View Details" Pop-out window with an extended description and Image. See Inventory Item Images
- Inventory Item/Add-ons " Image Slideshow: The "View Details" Pop-out window now displays an image slideshow. See Inventory Item Images
- Package Rate Image Slideshow - The Package Rate "View Details" Pop-out now displays an image slideshow. See Packages Images
- Group Booking Engine: The Group Booking Engine now offers the ability to "Add Phone Number (Required)" and "Address (Not Required)" when a guest makes a booking as part of the group. See Group Booking Engine
MyGuest Guest Request System Enhancements
- Request Detail Update: Now when saving a unique name with a previously used email, the individual request will use the new name while retaining the email address. For example, requests submitted with a general front desk email with multiple users. See MyGuest | Requests
- Edit Guest Information: Added the ability to edit and update Guest records from the "Search Guests" list. MyGuest | SEARCH Guests
NEW FEATURES
- Added Multi Rate Drop down option on Booking by Inquiry Page: New "Rate Group" display for easy multi rate selection in the Rate Plan drop down when making a new booking. See Booking By Inquiry
- Added MyCard authorization amounts to Folio payment drop-down: When connected to MyCard with either a traditional MyCard or EMV MyCARD we now show the authorized amount remaining and if it was authorized on Traditional (T) or the Pax EMV device with a (P)
- Pre-Auth 1st Night Rate auto or manually: This new feature allows you to control the number of days in advance of check-in that you want to authorize the credit card on file
- Assign Room from "Search Bookings": You can now assign a room to a booking directly on the search booking results screen. See Search Bookings
- New Letter Features
- "Show in MyPMS": You now have the ability to select which letters appear in the drop down list in the Letters Tab of each booking. See Letters Setup
- New Headings and longer Subject Line for all email letters. See Add or Edit Letters
- CRS Confirmation added to merge fields.
- Housekeeping App: New Housekeeping Requests will now automatically send an email to the property. Mobile Housekeeping App User Guide
- Guestcentric: For properties using Guestcentric, we have added the Room Description Name to the Booking Notes for Promo Rates.
We are pleased to announce that the following software bugs were fixed in this release:
- Fixed issue with Multi-Room Bookings made on the Booking Engine importing with Source "Unknown"
- Fixed issue with bookings made with WEB as source importing as unknown for properties using quick reservation.
- Fixed issue with Package Images not displaying on Booking Engine Templates
- Fixed issue with any Package Rate Selected on "Select Room" page skipping over "Add On" Page
- Fixed issue with "Room" in the Room Fields not obeying the Labels in setup
- Resolved issue with trash icon not displaying for "RENT" tax lines for properties using "Authnet"
- Re-labelled Bookings made today widget
- Fixed issue preventing a the removal of a 3rd "tax on tax" from folio
- Fixed text wrap on notes, and guests on PDF Housekeeping Report.
- Fixed non reoccurring tax calculating as reoccurring in the projected income
- Fixed issue with Folio Printout ignoring the 'additional taxes' in Tax Subtotal
- Fixed issue the header (projected income + charges) not updating accurately when Adding Item Charges.
- Fixed two Merge fields not working in Letters
- Fixed issue with AR Report in PDF using property ph# under company instead of company ph#
- Fixed issue with Tax Exempt pull down not using the correct labels.
- Changed the link for Booking Comments "history" to an Icon
- Fixed issue with Housekeeping General Overview intermittently not generating properly.
- Fixed issue with OTA Booking Reconciliation Report with Excel
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If you haven't had a chance to try the new features and enhancements added in 2020, we have put together a list of highlights with links to step-by-step instructions below.
Let us know if you have any questions, we would be happy to help.
New Products and Services
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Kiosk Self Check-in
For properties wanting to supplement - or replace - the Check-in process with a Self-Service option. Our Kiosk Self Check-in Service is multi-lingual and designed for guests look-up and authenticate existing booking(s), ‘dip/tap’ credit cards for authorizations or full payment, book availableroom(s), and deliver unique room entry instructions. Complete integration with MyPMS gives you control over each kiosk with customized templates, specific Room and Rate allocations, payment options, policies and messaging. LEARN MORE |
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Mobile Housekeeping App
For properties wanting to supplement - or replace - the Check-in process with a Self-Service option. Our Kiosk Self Check-in Service is multi-lingual and designed for guests look-up and authenticate existing booking(s), ‘dip/tap’ credit cards for authorizations or full payment, book availableroom(s), and deliver unique room entry instructions. Complete integration with MyPMS gives you control over each kiosk with customized templates, specific Room and Rate allocations, payment options, policies and messaging. LEARN MORE |
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Contactless Payments & MyCard EMV - Swipe/Dip/Tap
The Self Check-in process can now automate payments according to policies you establish, letting you offer a mix of payment options from authorization or full payment to swipe/dip/tap at an EMV Terminal. LEARN MORE |
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Keyless Door Locks
For properties wanting to supplement - or replace - the Check-in process with a Self-Service option. Our Kiosk Self Check-in Service is multi-lingual and designed for guests look-up and authenticate existing booking(s), ‘dip/tap’ credit cards for authorizations or full payment, book availableroom(s), and deliver unique room entry instructions. Complete integration with MyPMS gives you control over each kiosk with customized templates, specific Room and Rate allocations, payment options, policies and messaging. LEARN MORE |
NEW Self Check-in Features
- "Suppressed Rates" Agent: This Agent will be used to manage the Payment Policy and Gateway used in bookings via an Agent set as 'suppressed rates'. For example, if you participate in Expedia Collect (Expedia collects money from the Guest and provides a virtual 'Expedia Credit Card' to cover Room +Taxes). Suppressed Rates Agents include the following features at Self Check-in:
- MyBooking Hidden Rates: Rates will be hidden in MyBooking at Check-in
- NEW Suppressed Rates Esign Default Letter: We have added a new Esign Letter specially used for Suppressed Rate Agents at Self Check-in. See Default Letters
- Require Incidental Credit Cards for Suppressed Rate Self Check ins: This new feature allows you to force guests to enter a credit card for incidentals at Self Check-in See General Settings
- Self Check-in Communication Timing: The "Communication" setting is used to control the START TIME of the Email and/ SMS sent to the guest. See General Settings
NEW Booking Engine Features
- Room Types Availability Calendar on Templates 01 and 03 : If you currently use our "Availability Calendar" Booking Engine (Template 03 or 04) on your Website, you can easily enable the new Room Type Availability Search with 'sold out' dates. Go to SETUP | SETTINGS | BOOKING ENGINE SETTINGS and set "Show Room Type Calendars" to Yes.
- Inventory Item/Add-ons "View Details" and Image Slideshow: We have added a "View Details" Pop-out window with an extended description and image slideshow to the Add-on Items on the Booking Engine. See Inventory Item Images
- Package Rate Image Slideshow - New Image Slideshow: The Package Rate "View Details" Pop-out now displays an image slideshow. See Packages Images
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Ask "# Guests" on "Check Availability": You can now enable or disable the "# Guests" field when a guest checks availability. To change this setting, see Booking Engine Settings
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Max Guest Icon: The "Select Room" page now displays the Maximum # of Guests for each Room Type. Add Room Type
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“Restrictions” Message": The "Restrictions Message" has been moved below the Check Availability selector and added to the "Select Rooms" Page. To enable the "Restrictions Message" see Booking Engine Settings. To enter a "Restrictions Message", see Marketing And Policies
Learn how to customize your Booking Engine
NEW Front Desk, Payment and Report Features
- Automatic Night Audit - Set Time: If you are using Automatic Night Audit, you can now set the time when Night Audit occurs. To set the Automatic Night Audit time, go to General Settings.
- Automatic Credit Card Pre-Authorization: When set to Automatic, then Night Audit looks for all bookings that are due to arrive on the date selected and pre-authorizes the bookings using the credit card set in the Guarantee by (Requires Traditional MyCard)
- Flat Rate Deposit: Set a Flat Rate Deposit for things like a cleaning fee or Resort Fee. Learn how to set the Guarantee Policy for your property. See Marketing And Policies
- NEW! Pace Report: A 'business' point in time comparing to the same range last year, used as a sales analysis of your future occupancy, ADR, REVPAR, arrivals, etc. See Pace Report
- Future Arrivals Report: This Report is used to view all future arrivals with Folio Balance and Folio 'Projected Income' fields in order to identify which bookings may need financial follow-up. The report can be run for up to a year, and as few as a single day. See Future Arrival Reports
- Automated Daily Manager's Reports: Schedule daily delivery of the "Manager", "Occupancy" and "Revenue" Reports to a primary email and cc email if needed. See Automated Reports
NEW Owners & Agent Features
- Agents and Owner's Email and Mobile # are now available for using a 'default' letter (email and/or SMS) to send automatically Booking Details.
- Automatic Booking Confirmation Email and/or SMS Letters: Send customized Booking Confirmation Letters to Owner's and Agents. See Default Letters
- Cancel Button in Owners Area: We have added the ability for an Owner to cancel a booking in the Owner Login Area Learn more
- Unique Policies for Agents: Set unique policies for each agent, see Agent Types
NEW Letters & Merge Fields
- NEW Letter Types: For use with the Kiosk, Agents and Owners as automatic Booking Confirmation Letters described above. See Default Letters
- Automated Confirmation Email/SMS customized for a Room Type and/or Guest Type: Automatically send a customized Booking Confirmation Letter for a specific Room Type and/or Guest Type. Learn more about Auto Confirmation Letters
- New Merge Fields for Email and SMS Letters, see Merge Fields
- Remote Access Lock codes
- eSign Suppressed Rates Default Letter
- Owner Details
- "Suppressed Rates" eSign Signature URL
- Letters Setup: New Headings and longer Subject Line for all email letters. See Letters Setup
- "Show in MyPMS": You now have the ability to select which letters appear in the drop down list in the Letters Tab of each booking. See Letters Setup
VIDEOS AND WEBINARS
See a complete, detailed list of new features and enhancements at Year in Review 2020
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Visit the BookingCenter Virtual Booth
We will be available for questions, demos, and to provide more information on our products and services during the CABBI Virtual Marketplace on Jan. 26 & 27, 2021. Learn more about going contact free with Mobile and Kiosk Self Check-in, Contactless Payments, Mobile Housekeeping and more!
Feel free to virtually "stop by" or schedule an appointment
On Demand Educational Series
Mobile and Kiosk Self Check-in: Meeting Guests Where They’re Comfortable
Presented By Jeff Tweddale, President, BookingCenter
Plan to catch Jeff Tweddale, President of BookingCenter, in the CABBI On Demand Educational Series, and his presentation on "Mobile and Kiosk Self Check-in: Meeting Guests Where They’re Comfortable". See Schedule
In this presentation, Jeff will discuss how Self Service - letting Guests book and check themselves into their room- has quickly become the "new norm" in hospitality. He will look at the ways that Inns and Hotels have responded to the COVID-19 crisis by supporting self check-in, from kiosks and guest’s own mobile devices, and review the main challenges and opportunities. Finally, we will learn how offering ‘self service’ and contactless features like digital document signing, SMS and contact free payment methods can set you apart, save time and money.
Hope to "see" you at the Show!
The BookingCenter Team
Read more »
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NEW Booking Engine FEATURE!
"Room Type" Availability Search and Calendar
Useful for properties with many room types, or properties where each room type is a unique room like a Vacation Rental or a B&B with theme rooms.
We are excited to announce the Room Type Availability Search feature to the "Availability Calendar" Booking Engine templates enabling guests to see availability for specific Room Type(s).
If you currently use our "Availability Calendar" Booking Engine (Template 03 or 04) on your Website, you can easily enable the new Room Type Availability Search with 'sold out' dates. Go to SETUP | SETTINGS | BOOKING ENGINE SETTINGS and set "Show Room Type Calendars" to Yes.
Of course if you are using the "Hotel Description" Template (01 and 02), or the 'Quick Reservation' feature, there is no change needed. However, if you do want to see how the "Availability Calendar" Template looks with your property, or consider changing templates, go to SETUP | BOOKINGS | WEBSITE CODE.
If you have any questions or need assistance enabling the Room Type Availability Search, submit a support ticket at http://support.BookingCenter.com or give us a call +1-707-872-3922 Ext. 202.
Learn how to set up and customize your Booking Engine
Follow these step-by-step instructions on how to choose a template and customize your Booking Engine. For examples and tips, watch the Webinar below
Read more »
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This latest release brings major enhancements to Kiosk Self Check-in, Key Lock Access and Payment options, Email and SMS Communication to both Owner's and Agents, Letters, and the Booking Engine as well as a few bug fixes.
Read below for details and instructions on how to use these new features or go to MyPMS Release Notes - September 9, 2020
We are here at +1-707-874-3922 Ext. 202 and https://support.bookingcenter.com to assist in any way.
MAJOR ENHANCEMENTS
Self Check-in Remote Lock Room Access Integration
- BookingCenter can now link to a ‘lock system’ (whether keyless, swipe, RFID, Wi-Fi, or Low Energy BlueTooth) to your Self Check-in process giving you the ability to deliver unique remote lock access to each guest. Learn more about our Remote Lock Integration. NOTE: For other e-Lock implementations, the Guest Services Module is needed. We have more detail on the Guest Services Module here.
Self Check-in Mobile and/or Kiosk Onsite and Online Payment Options
- The Self Check-in process can now automate payments via policies you establish. The method for acquiring an authorization or payment requires either Traditional MyCard or EMV MyCard. Or, you can offer a mix of payment options, with some bookings paying via an EMV terminal (what we call 'EMV MyCard') while others manually manage credit cards (what we call 'Traditional MyCard').
Contact us to get started with Mobile and/or Kiosk Self Check-in. Learn more about our Self Check-in System
NEW FEATURES
- NEW FEATURE - Booking Engine: You can now choose to display or hide your Hotel Name on the Booking Engine. This is useful if you have a logo which already states your property name and you want to avoid redundancy. To change the display setting, go to Booking Engine Settings
- Owner Units - Automatic Booking Confirmation Email and/or SMS Letter: If you wish the Owner to be notified when an online booking occurs for the Owner's unit(s), you can now set a "Default Owners Letter". This letter will be sent to the Owner associated to a Booking Engine booking where the Owner record has the value 'Send letter' and/or "Send SMS" set to YES. This Letter will go to the email and/or mobile on record for the Owner involved, based on whether there is a default Email or SMS Letter option chosen. NOTE: This requires the Owners Module has been purchased, as well as the booking has been allocated to a specific Room via the Auto Room Assignment area. Learn how to set up an Owner Default Letter
- Agents - Automatic Booking Confirmation Email and/or SMS Letter: An Agent can be notified when an online booking occurs for a Unit when they make an online booking via the Agents Area using "Default Agents Letter". This letter will be sent to the Agent associated to a Booking Engine booking where the Agent record has the value Send letter" and/or "Send SMS" set to YES. This Letter will go to the email and/or mobile on record for the Agent involved, based on whether there is a default Email or SMS Letter option chosen. Learn how to set up an Agent Default Letter
- NEW Agent Functions: Agents are both traditional 'Travel Agents' and 'Channels' which distribute rooms at unique prices and/or allocations. This includes agents you setup like Travel Agents and Booking Agents like your Kiosk Agent. To learn how to add additional features to each agent go to MyAgents
- NEW Letter Types: We have added new "letter types" to our Letters area for use with the Kiosk, Agent and Owners automatic Booking Confirmation Letters described above. Use these to create the Default Letters used for automatic booking confirmation Emails and SMS messages made at the Kiosk or for specific agents and owners.
- New Merge Fields for Email and SMS Letters
- Remote Access Lock code to Email and SMS letters
- New Merge Field for link to eSign Suppressed Rates Default Letter
- Both Agents and Owner's Email and Mobile are now available for using a 'default' letter (email and/or SMS) to send automatically Booking Details.
- Cancel Button in Owners Area: We have added the ability for an Owner to cancel a booking in the Owner Login Area, giving them complete control over the bookings made for their units. Learn More
We are pleased to announce that the following software bugs were fixed in this release:
- Updated Booking log entries to include a booking dragged and dropped to a new room.
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Fixed issue with OTA Booking Reconciliation Report not working when exported to Excel.
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Fixed issue with Booking Engine Bookings importing with blank "Guaranteed By" at times and not auto-sending Confirmation Emails.
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Fixed issue with "Check Back In" on departure date displaying an ISE.
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Fixed issue with Self Check-in, Esign="Required MyBookings and no Letters" not obeying setting.
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Corrected issue with automated Self Check-in's on arrival date not opening a MyGuest Request.
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Changed log to display user "mybookings" when an eSign and/or check-in Log was done via the Mobile and/or Kiosk self check-in process.
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Fixed issue on Booking Engine with Multi-Room Booking of 4 or more Room Types only creating 3 Bookings.
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Fixed issue with "Auth at Check-in" authorizing $1 for properties set without a default value.
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Resolved issue with Firefox not rendering the Transaction Report.
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Fixed Merge Field %%reservation-number-nights%% displaying an error when when the month has 31 days.
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Corrected missing "Payment Policy" from Suppressed Rate and Non-Suppressed Rate bookings.
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We had intermittent incorrect confirmation emails using the Legacy request Server (Booking Engine) for Multi-Room Booking (Not Showing -1W or -2W, etc).
- Resolved issue with Firefox Browser giving error code for Images in the MyPMS/ Chanel Manager area.
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Miss the last Webinar?
Optimizing for Growth through COVID-19 Recovery with Airbnb
Co-hosted by BookingCenter and Airbnb
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WATCH WEBINAR RECORDING HERE
This is a challenging time for our industry, but travel is starting to return in a new way. Watch this BookingCenter-Airbnb webinar to learn more about how to set up successful listings with BookingCenter, promote your listings based on Airbnb's latest COVID-19 recovery trends, and ultimately grow your business! Watch Webinar Recording
Get started with BookingCenter's direct two-way Airbnb Interface with automatic booking import, as well as synchronized availability, restriction, and rate updates.
Our team is ready to get your Airbnb Interace connected today. Contact us to get started!
Give us a call at +1-707-874-3922 Ext. 201 or email sales@BookingCenter.com
Read more »
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