news

We are no longer experiencing errors with Wotif. We have gone and triggered a re-synch for all Wotif connections.

Original Notice: Wotif is currently rejecting our updates and until we have manged to communicate with Wotif as to the cause and resolution we recommend you manually update your availability directly at Wotif for any period of low availability.

We will advise when resolved and/or further information is available.

 

Wotif is currently rejecting our updates and until we have manged to communicate with Wotif as to the cause and resolution we recommend you manually update your availability directly at Wotif for any period of low availability.

We will advise when resolved and/or further information is available.

Production Update 14 May 2012

If you use invoicing (iBex PMS, Tours and Wholesale), then you need to be aware of substantial changes to be uploaded into production on Monday 14th May, around 11am (NZT). The main changes include:

  • Misc sales items will be removed from the invoice
  • Extras items not necessarily assigned to a room account (eg. casual sales)
  • Commission calculations will now be tied to an extras code, not misc sales
  • Casual invoicing will be replaced with non booking item sales
  • The invoice item description has been simplified
  • Invoice Line items will no longer show as debits and credits when changes have been made to a booking
  • Any booking items invoiced will be locked from any further changes unless the invoice is cancelled or the item removed from the invoice
  • Invoice items updates, additions or deletions must be done within the booking – not the invoice directly
  • Up to date online documentation has been added to the invoicing screen help buttons
  • Menu changes

Detailed information on the above changes can be found on our forum where you can also post comments or ask questions.

April 2012 Newsletter

Click here to view our April 2012 newsletter.

Summary of Contents

  • Voting for System Enhancements
  • Dedicated Seekom Account Manager
  • Mobi CMS Website Theme
  • WordPress iBex Booking Widget
  • PayPal eCheck
  • Test Environment
  • Sales Channels
  • Jetstar
  • Golden Chain (NZ)
  • GuestLink (UK)

Voting for Development now Open

Voting for prioritising development of suggestions made our users is now open and will close on 6 May 2012 (NZT).

We encourage you to make the most of this opportunity and influence the scheduling and priority of development suggestions.

For detailed information on the voting process please click here to view our knowledgebase article.

If you have any difficulty please contact our Support Team.

Business Growth Guide

Growing Your Business is published by the Private Company Services (PCS) practice of PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP). It discusses the opportunities and challenges that leaders of privately owned businesses face, suggesting ways they can make the most of both as they pursue business growth and manage their personal wealth.

Click here to visit their site and download the free guide.

Business Etiquette: 5 Rules That Matter

The word “etiquette” gets a bad rap. For one thing, it sounds stodgy and pretentious. And rules that are socially or morally prescribed seem intrusive to our sense of individuality and freedom.

But the concept of etiquette is still essential, especially now—and particularly in business. New communication platforms, like Facebook and Linked In, have blurred the lines of appropriateness and we’re all left wondering how to navigate unchartered social territory.

Click here to read the full article.

If you are registered with Golden Chain (NZ) AND on a user of iBex Accommodation (Channel Manager, Online Plus or PMS plan) you can now automate availability, rates and bookings by interfacing your iBex account (Channel Manager, Online Plus and PMS plans only) to Golden Chain (NZ).

Click here for more information on listing with Golden Chain (NZ).

There are a number of  items highlighted in IMPORTANT notes section (at bottom of this page). Please read and familiarse yourself BEFORE commencing connection. 

Set up the connection yourself FREE OF CHARGE using our self help instructions below,

OR  click here for setup by Seekom
.

Step Action
1 You will need to request Golden Chain to set iBex as your channel manager and provide you with the following:

  • Golden Chain Property ID
  • Golden Chain Program Code
  • Golden Chain Room Codes
The above information will be required to complete steps 7, 8 and 16 below.
.
2 Log into your Seekom iBex account.
3 Add Golden Chain (NZ)as an ODN agent in Seekom iBex:

  • From left menu select Users & Clients > Create agent • no admin rights
  • At field labelled Seekom ODN Agents select GoldenChain (Golden Chain NZ)
  • Set User Group and Room Rate Value as required (see important notes below)
  • Set other fields as required
  • Click Save button (towards bottom of screen)
.
4 From left menu select Users & Clients > Agent Room-rate mapping.
5 At Available Services field select GoldenChain (Golden Chain NZ).
6 Leave Enabled unchecked (at this stage).
7 At Remote Property ID enter as supplied by Golden Chain (step 1 above)
8 At Program Code enter as supplied by Golden Chain (step 1 above)
9 At Notify Errors field enter your email address.
10 Interface rules will now be set – refer sample screen image below.
11 It is recommended that Stop Emails are set as follows:

  • Operator – not checked
  • Property – checked
  • Customer – checked
  • Agent – checked
  • 3rd Party – checked
  • Disable Auto – checked
12 Check field Post Rates
13 Set Allocation Handling field as required.
.
This is only relevant if you will be mapping a single room type from Seekom iBex to multiple room types at Golden Chain (eg. for length of stay price variations, etc).
14 Set field Min Stay Handling as required. Relevant options for Golden Chain are:
.

First Available - if you are setting up one to one room type mapping only and merely wish Golden Chain to operate to lowest min stay pricing.
Specific Minstays – if you wish to map a specific min stay duration pricing to Golden Chain and/or will be mapping one room type in Seekom iBex to multiple room stay variations at Golden Chain.
.
15 Room and rate mapping will now be set – refer sample screen image below.
16 Complete each Room Mapping row as follows:

  • Remote Room ID – enter Golden Chain Room ID as obtained in step 2 above.
  • Rate Name – select
  • Request – we recommend this is set to Unavailable

To map anySeekom  iBex room type to further room types at Golden Chain (eg. for differing minimum stays/rates – see notes at bottom of this page) click ‘+’
17 Check Enabled field (top right of screen).
18 Check Re-Synch field (bottom left of screen) and click Save button.
19 Wait a few minutes and click ‘View Log’ hyperlink (coloured blue).
20 If you have performed the connection successfully you will see OK messages for inventory & rates uploaded. See example below..

2012-03-27 11:22:46 11:22:44 GC, gldchain, abchotel, 1234: NotifyInventory([9796,9795], 2012-10-21, 2012-11-21);
11:22:45 OK

.

Important

IMPORTANT:

Golden Chain (NZ) require you transmit them sell rates less their 10% markup (ie. we recommend you assign them to a user group/rate combination in iBex with a  multiplier of .9091 to achieve this)

Golden Chain (NZ) receives the base room rate only from Seekom – you will need to maintain any changes to extra adult/child prices directly at Golden Chain (NZ).

Golden Chain (NZ) cannot accept multiple rates or minimum stay variations from Seekom for a single room type. If you wish to provide availability from Seekom to Golden Chain (NZ) simultaneously for differing rates and minimum stay periods on a room type (rather than lowest available minimum stay set) you will need to duplicate the room at Golden Chain (NZ) for each differing minimum stay.

Golden Chain (NZ) does not send booking cancellations or modifications.

Besides making sales on your behalf through their website Golden Chain also updates a number of wholesale programs with fixed rates and availability. These values are by contracted agreement and cannot be updated by Seekom iBex. Bookings received from these wholesale programmes can be received into Seekom iBex providing rooms codes in the wholesale program match Golden Chain website room codes. If you receive a booking from Golden Chain that is not updated in Seekom please contact Golden Chain support to set the room codes for you and enter the booking manually into your property management system.

.
After any extensive modification of your rates/prices within Seekom iBex it is recommended you perform a full re-synch to Golden Chain (NZ). Click here for instructions.

If you are registered with GuestLink (UK) AND are a user of iBex Accommodation (Channel Manager, Online Plus or PMS plan – V3+) you can now automate availability, rates and bookings by interfacing your iBex account  to GuestLink.

Click here for more information on listing with GuestLink

There are a number of  items highlighted in IMPORTANT notes section (at bottom of this page). Please read and familiarse yourself BEFORE commencing connection. 

Set up the connection yourself FREE OF CHARGE using our self help instructions below,

OR  click here for setup by Seekom
.

Step Action
1 You will need to request GuestLink to set iBex as your channel manager and provide you with the following:

  • Contact ID
  • +Connect password
  • Guestlink property ID
The above information will be required to complete steps 6 to 8 below.
.
2 Login to your Seekom iBex account.
3 Add Guestlink as an ODN agent in Seekom iBex

  • From left menu select Users & Clients > Create agent • no admin rights
  • At field labelled Seekom ODN Agents select GuestLink (ODN)
  • Set User Group and Room Rate Value as required
  • Set other fields as required
  • Click Save button (towards bottom of screen)
4 From left menu select Users & Clients > Agent Room-rate mapping.
5 At ‘Available Services’ field select GuestLink
.
Remote Service Control Panel will display – refer sample screen image below.

 
6 Enter Remote Property ID (your Guestlink property ID – refer step 1).
7 Enter Remote Operator ID (your Guestlink Contact ID - refer step 1).
8 Enter Remote Password (your Guestlink +Connect password – refer step 1).
9 Tick Enabled check box.
.
10 Enter your email address at Notify Errors field.
11 Interface rules will now be set – refer sample screen image below.
12 It is recommended that Stop Emails are set as follows:

  • Operator – not checked
  • Property – checked
  • Customer – checked
  • Agent – checked
  • 3rd Party – checked
  • Disable Auto – checked
13
14 Set Allocation Handling field as required.
.
This is only relevant if you will be mapping a single room type from iBex to multiple room types at GuestLink (eg. for length of stay price variations, etc)
15 Set field Min Stay Handling as required.
.
Relevant options for GuestLink are:
.
First Available - if you are setting up one to one room type mapping only and merely wish GuestLink to operate to lowest min stay pricing.
.
Specific Minstays - if you wish to map a specific min stay duration pricing to GuestLink and/or will be mapping one room type in Ibex to multiple room stay variations at GuestLik.
16 Room and rate mapping will now be set – refer sample screen image below.
17 Complete each room mapping row as follows:
.
Remote Room Name – select as required (this is the room type name at GuestLink)
Rate Name – Select as required
Request- we recommend this is set as ‘Unavailable’
.
To map any iBex room type to further room types at GuestLink (eg. for differing minimum stays/rates – see notes at bottom of this page) click ‘+’
18 Check Re-Synch field (bottom left of screen) and click Save button.
19 Wait a few minutes and click ‘View Log’ hyperlink (coloured blue).
20 If you have performed the connection successfully you will see OK messages for inventory & rates uploaded. See example below.

.

2012-10-05 11:24:02 11:24:01 GLK, glink, abchotel, 1234: NotifyRates([20133,20132], 2012-10-21, 2012-11-21);
11:24:03 OK
2012-10-05 11:22:46 11:22:44 GLK, glink, abchotel, 1234: NotifyInventory([9796,9795], 2012-10-21, 2012-11-21);
11:22:45 OK

.

Important IMPORTANT:
.
You will need to ensure Normal Occupancy for each room type in Guestlink matches base pax occupancy in Seekom iBex.
.
Guestlink receives extra adult pricing from Seekom iBex but does not receive child rates. Child rates must be set within Guest link.
.
Guestlink cannot accept multiple rates or minimum stay variations from Seekom iBex for a single room type. If you wish to provide availability from Seekom to Guestlink for differing rates / minimum stay periods on a room type you will need to duplicate the room at Guestlink for each rate / differing minimum stay.
.
You must set at Guestlink the maximum number of units you have available for each room type. You set this figure slightly higher than actual as Seekom iBex will transmit to Guestlink actual availability.
.
If you make any changes to room details at Guestlink your listing with them will not be publicly available for bookings until they have confirmed your changes.
.
After any extensive modification of your rates/prices within iBex it is recommended you perform a full re-synch to Guestlink. Click here for instructions.

Production Update 23 April 2012

The following updates to iBex Accommodation, Tours and Wholesale are to be uploaded Monday, 23 April 2012.

 

Invoicing/Statements

Applies to plans: iBex PMS, Tours & Wholesale (V3, V4)

When creating an invoice, the room unit number and the room name will now be displayed to assist in invoicing. For those who have long term bookings, you could only set one invoice period for these bookings i.e. weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual. Now you can choose any of those periods for a specific booking and you can even change period part way through the booking.

An error in statements has been fixed that was preventing much of the information from being displayed when emailed out. This included logo and company contact details. This has now been fixed.
Major Changes to Invoicing Proposed

Applies to plans: iBex PMS, Tours & Wholesale (V3, V4)

We are a while away yet from being able to upgrade invoicing to V4 and we recognise that invoicing is very complex and hard to learn. Because of the delay, we propose to modify the invoicing to make it easier and will provide videos to assist with this important function. However rather than just impose changes, the proposed changes have now been put up to the user forum for you to view and comment on. Your comments will influence what changes are made.More details can be found in the forum. Please click here to view and have your say.

Calendar
Applies to plans: iBex PMS, (V3, V4)

Room names will now show on the bookings calendar (as opposed to the booking name) prior to check in.

Edit Booking 
Applies to plans: iBex PMS(V3, V4)

Unit numbers have now been added to the Check in/out tab and the notes tab when editing a booking.

Payment Link in Email 
Applies to plans: iBex PMS, Tours & Wholesale (V3, V4)

In the bookings email screen, the maximum number of characters for the amount to be paid that can be entered when sending the payment has been increased.

Payment Gateway 
Applies to plans: iBex PMS, Tours & Wholesale (V3, V4)

Further development has now been completed providing interface to the payment gateway (if set up) when entering back end bookings. Previous changes made recently also enabled recharging or refunding a card that had been entered from a front screen booking.

More detail regarding this can be found in our knowledgebase - click here to view.

The final development to complete this will be the ability to email a payment gateway link to a customer where you require a deposit to be paid prior to arrival.