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Channel Setup
Use the channel setup screen to configure the channels that will be used to sell a property's inventory through third parties such as a travel agent on a GDS. The channel you create here is associated with the GDS/ADS host. Some of the most popular GDSs and switches are already configured for you and can be made into an Opera channel by pressing the Select button (only minimal configuration is required thereafter).
Opera channel configuration is required to ensure smooth and accurate transactions are processed between the GDS/ADS and Opera systems. You need to map GDS/ADS host codes to Opera codes and specify what, how, and when information is sent to GDS/ADS users. This is accomplished by selecting the tabs in the bottom grid.
To create and configure channels, select System Configuration>Channels>Channel Setup. The Channels Setup screen opens.
Find existing channels by selecting from the following search criteria.
Channels. Enter or select from the list of values channels that have been setup in the system. Leave this blank to see all channels.
Channel Type. Enter or select a channel type setup in the system. Channel types include: GDS, SWITCH, or WEB.
Rate Type. Enter or select rate type.
Inactive. Select to display all inactive or invalid channels.
Note: (ADS channels only) With the installation of Opera v5.0.02.03, all ADS channels will be inactive and will require reactivation of their specific add-on licenses as well as the main ADS license (OPA_500). To reactivate an ADS channel, first select the Inactive check box and select Search to view all ADS channels. Highlight a channel in the results grid, select the Edit button, and choose a license for the Add-On License field to associate the channel with its valid license (See the Add-On License field description below for more information.) Once the add-on license is selected, setup for the channel is automatic and no further configuration will be required.
To ensure that all ADS vendors are certified to connect to Opera, each vendor will be issued a specific license.
Search. Select this button to perform the search.
The top grid lists the currently configured channels. This is where you can create new and modify existing channels by selecting New or Edit.
Select. Select this button to view and add major GDS or switches that are already configured for you in Opera. These pre-configured channels come from the SID data that is automatically loaded to Opera tables during installation. For more information, see Channel Management SID Data. You can add or change the existing configuration as required by clicking on the tabs below.
New. Select this button to setup a new channel.
Edit. Select this button to modify the selected channel's functionality. The Opera channel configuration window opens.
Delete. Select this button to deactivate the selected channel by entering an end-date. This inactivates everything previously configured for the channel including all child entries in the channel conversion form.
Close. Select this button to close this window.
To create or modify a channel, select New or Edit in the top frame. The Opera channel configuration window opens.
Note: Depending on the channel type selected, your screen may look different and you may or may not be able to see all of the fields described below.
Enter/modify the information in the following fields and select the OK button to create or modify a channel.
Channel. The channel code.
Channel Type. Select the channel type from the list of values.
Rate Type. Select the down arrow to open the Rate Type window. Select the Rate Type and select OK. Only Rate Types that the channel supports are displayed. For example, Amadeus only supports the MAX_WEEKLY type, Sabre and WorldSpan only support the DAILY rate type, Galileo only supports DAILY or ALL, and hosts using Lanyon Rate support only the DAILY and MAX_WEEKLY types.
Name. Enter the name of the channel.
Max Rate Periods. Enter the maximum number of rate periods allowed for this channel. This information is obtained from the channel type.
Future Availability Days. Enter the maximum number of days that can be updated for future availability.
Future Rate Upload Days. This field appears only when the channel types are GDS or ADS. Enter the number of days to limit the upload of rate information for the future. If this field is left blank, an internal default of 331 days will be applied.
Rate Update. Enter the maximum number of days that a rate update message can be processed by the channel.
Match Amenities. Select how an availability request will be processed between the Opera and GDS as described below.
ORDERBY. Return availability ordered by the amenities that were requested.
MANDATORY. Only return availability if matching amenities found.
NONE. Do not look at the amenity as filtering criteria.
RETRY. If no amenities match, then return availability (Note: this option is obsolete, and will be removed).
Max Availability Items. Specify how many room rate combinations are sent in reply to the host when a general availability request is received. If the number entered here is exceeded, a paging key is sent to the host.
Rate Change. Select the down arrow to open the rate change window. Select Mostcommonnight, Firstnight, or Highest, and select the OK button. This allows you to specify the booked rate of the stay when there are rate changes.
Sell By. Select the down arrow to open the Sell By window. Select Rate or Room to specify the order room rate combinations are sent to the host.
Access Code. Select the down arrow to open the access code window to specify the method to access negotiated rates.
Rate/Room Limit. Enter the maximum number of nights a channel can reserve and request availability. For example, if you enter 12 as the value and an availability or reservation request exceeds 12 nights, an error message is sent back to the channel user informing them of this limitation.
Nights Sell Limit. Enter the maximum number of nights a channel can request availability. For example, if you enter 12 as the value and an availability request exceeds 12 nights, an error message is sent back to the channel user informing them of this limitation.
Note: Night Sell Limit only pertains to availability requests and NOT reservation requests.
Max Property Display Limit. Enter the maximum number of properties returned in a regional availability response message.
Max Property Return Limit. Enter the maximum number of properties returned in a regional availability response message.
Block Search. Only available when the Property>OEDS>Settings>ADS MODE application setting is set to "BLOCK" or "HOUSE, BLOCK." Enter the block code from which inventory will be deducted when bookings come from external ADS channels.
Note: The ADS MODE setting, which is property specific, determines what mode the Opera ADS interface should accept for incoming reservations. The available values are "BLOCK," "HOUSE," or "HOUSE, BLOCK." If "HOUSE, BLOCK" is selected, then availability will be pulled from THE BLOCK AND THEN THE HOUSE AVAILABILITY. If "BLOCK" is selected, then availability will be pulled from the Block. With this setting selected, a Block Search field will appear on the Channel Setup form where the property can enter the block code from which inventory will be deducted when bookings come from external ADS channels.
Channel Rate Length. Enter the maximum rate length of the channel.
Room Limit per Booking. Enter the room limit per booking.
Add-On License. (ADS channels only) Select the down arrow and choose an ADS add-on license from the list of values. The license selected here will be associated with the ADS channel.
Note: With the installation of Opera v5.0.02.03, all ADS channels will be inactive and will require reactivation of their specific add-on licenses as well as the main ADS license (OPA_500). To reactivate an add-on license, select the Add-On License down arrow and choose a specific license to associate with the ADS channel. Once the add-on license is selected, setup for the channel is automatic and no further configuration will be required.
To ensure that all ADS vendors are certified to connect to Opera, each vendor will be issued a specific license.
Select or clear the following options to enhance or remove functionality provided through your channels and select the OK button.
Accept Channel Rates. Select this check box to allow the property to accept channel rates for the selected channel type. For ADS channels, such as Expedia, this check box must be selected in order for Opera to accept the rate amount sent in the reservation request from the ADS. If this check box is unselected, the rate amount sent from the ADS will be ignored and the amount setup for the rate code in Opera will be used for the reservation.
Alternate Resort. This allows the GDS/ADS host to see other available properties if the original request cannot be satisfied. This functionality uses "next generation seamless" technology, where real-time connections are established between Opera and GDS/ADS. Thus, the hotel chain may not lose a sale to a competitor if an alternate property is available that meets the customers requirements.
Channel Rate Category. Makes the Channel Rate Category field on the Channel Rate Code screen required. These rate categories are used by travel agents to shop for rates.
Corp ID Reqd. If your channel type is Web, select this check box to have Opera validate corporate IDs before processing incoming availability or booking requests for negotiated rates. This is an added a security feature that helps ensure the companies negotiated rates are kept private.
Return Access Code. When selected, the access code can be used in availability request messages to return the appropriate response. Selecting this check box will also allow the creation of a reservation using an access code.
Note: Return Access Code should not be selected if multiple rate codes are mapped to the access code.
Error GDS rates. This field only appears for GDS channel types. Select this check box to generate error messages when an incoming rate from the channel is lower than the rate stored in the Opera database. When the Accept Lower Rates check box is cleared, an error message is sent to the GDS channel, informing them that the higher rate on Opera must be used.
Negotiated Only. Select this box to return only negotiated rates on availability responses and to ignore public rates.
Override Y/N. Enables the functionality that forces booking into Opera, bypassing inventory and restrictions.
Penalty Override. Select this to have a cancellation number included with the cancellation message that informs the agent a penalty has been applied. When cleared, the cancellation message does not include a cancellation number.
Total Pricing. (Only displayed when channel type is GDS or ODS) Enables total pricing for GDS or ODS channel.
RPE for PALSRQ. (Only displayed when channel type is GDS or ODS) During Area and Property availability requests, if the requested rate plan codes are unavailable, this setting will allow the return of the unavailable rates along with the available rate plans to the GDS or ODS channel.
Rate Update. Select this option to send rate update messages to the channel immediately after a change has been made.
Note: This option must be selected for the ADS channel.
Restriction Update. Select this to allow AVSTAT (Restriction messages) to be sent to the channel.
Note: This option must be selected for the ADS channel.
Block Inventory. (only displayed when the channel type is ADS) When selected, updated block inventory will be sent in real time in the Booking Limit message whenever the block inventory is deducted via bookings from an external ADS channel. Inventory updates will only occur for the block whose Block code is entered in the Block search field for that channel.
Block Contract. Becomes available when Block Inventory is selected. When selected, messages sent to ADS inventory value for block will be calculated based on contract field instead of what is available for block from Opera.
Example:
With the following criteria, when booking limit message is sent, value (10-5 ) would be sent instead of (25-5): Date: 1-Jan-09; Room Type: KNG; Block: EXPEDIA; Contract value: 10; Rooms setup: 25; Rooms available in Opera: 5.
Search Alternate Range. Allows a user to search for alternative rate ranges to the originally requested in an Area Availability request message for Next Generation Seamless.
Search by Rate Level. Allows a user to search for channel rate codes by the rate level grouping. This check box works in conjunction with the 3-character rate levels set up in the Rate Level tab and the corresponding setup under Channel Conversion for converted rates.
Adv. Pkg. Handling. Advanced Package Handling. Select to return the total deposit amount for web bookable packages in the FetchAvailablePackages response.
Session Control. Hotels can setup the channel to work under session (requiring a commit from the source before making a hard booking).
Accept Lower Rates. Select this box to allow the property to book the lower rate coming from the channel even if the rate in the Opera database is higher.
Inactive. Select this to inactivate the channel.
Online CC Authorization. For ADS and WEB channel types, selecting this check box enables online credit card authorizations. For GDS and ODS channel types, this check box appears when the ENABLE CC SECURITY CODE FOR GDS is active, and in addition to enabling online credit card transactions, the check box provides on-line users with the ability to enter the credit card security verification code. Whether or not the CCV code is required is controlled by the guarantee code attached to the rate at the time of the booking. If the CC Verification Code Required check box is selected in the guarantee code configuration, then the credit card security authorization code is required.
Ping. (Only displayed when channel type is ADS) Activates the ADS Ping service. The ADS Ping service allows for communication between Opera and the ADS partner. The ADS vendor sends inbound pings, while Opera sends outbound pings.
Booking Limit. (Only displayed when channel type is ADS) Activates the ADS Booking Limit service. The ADS Booking Limit Service sends inventory status messages to the ADS partner.
Resend. (Only displayed when channel type is ADS) Activates the resend functionality for the channel.
Retry. (Only displayed when channel type is ADS) Activates the retry functionality for the channel.
Deposit Rule. Select to send a deposit rule to the channel if one is defined for the rate code attached to the reservation.
Real Time Inventory. (Only displayed when channel type is ADS) Select to send a booking limit message to the channel whenever there is an inventory change. When unselected, messages will be uploaded by Micros ADS Booking Limit service at intervals specified in the service.
Property Update. Select this to send property update messages to the channel.
Enable Text Editor. (Only displayed when channel type is OWS or ADS) Select to enable the HTML Editor for Rate Code and Room Type descriptions. The HTML Editor is used to enhance the display of channel rate and room descriptions and allows the utilization of various font styles and attributes to format the text. The HTML Editor also allows Channel users to preview the descriptions as they appear on the web.
Session Modify. Select to allow the agent to modify a booking while in-session.
Include multi-currency rate code in rate range. Controls whether or not a channel rate code is included in regional availability. If selected, the Regional Availability check box will always be available on the Setup>System Configuration>Channels>Channel Conversions>Rate Code>Channel Rate code New/Edit screen.
Commission Rate Filter. (Only displayed when the channel type is GDS) When selected, commission indicators sent in the GDS Area Availability or Regional Availability request messages will be used as filters when returning the minimum and maximum rate amounts in the responses. When unselected, the commission filters sent in these availability requests will be ignored. Commission indicators used in General availability requests will return only those rate plans that match the commission indicator sent in the request. Even if the filter is unselected at the channel level or if a commission indicator is not sent in the request, the General Availability response will display the commission indicator for all the rate codes displayed in the response.
Amenity Code Filter. (Only displayed when the channel type is GDS) When selected, Meal Plans and/or Room Amenities indicators sent in the General Availability request will be used in the display order to return matching rate plans and/or room types in the response. Any matching Rate plans and/or room types will be the first ones returned in the response followed by the remaining available rate plans and/or room types.
The bottom grid is used to configure channel specific details for the channel selected in the top part of the grid.
New. Select this button to setup a new configuration item according to the tab selected.
Edit. Select this button to modify the selected configuration item according to the tab selected.
Delete. Select this button to delete the selected configuration item.
Close. Select this button to close this window.
To configure a specific item for the channel, select the channel in the top frame, then select the relevant tab in the bottom frame. Select New or Edit to open the New or Edit screen as described below for each tab:
Select this tab to add amenities that will be sold through the channel at the room or property level.
Amenity Code. Enter the GDS specific amenity code. For example, MINIBAR, SHOWER, or CRIB.
Feature Type. Select the down arrow to specify the level the feature is available such as ROOM or PROPERTY.
Feature. Select the down arrow to select the feature that applies to this amenity code. This list changes according to the Feature Type selected above.
Select this tab to enter the channel's incoming code. For example, Worldspan is identified by either "1P" or "TW".
GDS Carrier. Enter the two-letter carrier code.
Merchant. Select this check box if the carrier code is being used to setup an independent channel as part of the merchant model functionality.
Inactive. Select if this carrier is to be inactive.
Select this tab to map the credit card types used in the channel to Opera credit card types.
Card Type. Select the card type code used in Opera such as VI for Visa, MC for Mastercard, or AX for American Express.
GDS Card Type. Enter the two-character code used on GDS. Micros recommends using the codes the channel provides.
Begin Date. Enter the date when the card becomes active.
End Date. Enter the date when the card becomes inactive.
Select this tab to map the currency codes used in the channel to the codes used in Opera.
Currency Code. Select the currency code used in Opera.
GDS Currency Code. Enter the currency code that is used on GDS. Micros Systems recommends you use ISO standards such as USD for the US Dollar.
Lanyon Decimal Position. If the channel uses Lanyon for rate publication, enter the number of decimals supported by Lanyon/GDS. This is usually 2.
GDS Position. Enter the number of decimals supported by the GDS. This is usually 2.
Begin Date. Enter the date the currency becomes active.
End Date. Enter the date when the currency becomes inactive.
Select this tab to specify the messages that are transmitted through the channel. Micros Systems provides a standard set of errors under the Fidelio switch. Errors for GDS Channel Types are already included in the SID data. These error codes and descriptions are applicable to the major GDS hosts.
Error Code. Enter the error code used in this channel.
GDS Error Code Prefix. Enter the prefix used in the GDS error code such as PID. Tip: For the Prefix, Suffix, and Description fields, Pegasus codes are generally used for the four major GDS Channels.
GDS Error Code Suffix. Enter the suffix used in the GDS error code such as 10.
Description. Enter the description as it is entered in the Error Code field. For example, for the error code PROPERTY_NOT_AVAILABLE enter the description as PROPERTY NOT AVAILABLE.
Booking Response. Select the code that must be sent back within the booking response message such as UC for unconfirmed.
Begin Date. Enter the date when the error code becomes active.
End Date. Enter the date when the error code becomes inactive.
Manual Process Y/N. Select this box so that the error code goes to a TypeB manual process queue when messages are TypeB.
Select this tab to enter the guarantee codes that are accepted through the Channel. For example, 4PM HOLD and CC Guarantee.
Guarantee Type. Select the guarantees that are valid for this Channel.
GDS Guarantee Type. Enter the GDS Conversion Guarantee Type Code.
Requirement Code. Select from list of values the appropriate requirement code that corresponds with the Guarantee Type used
Begin Date. Enter the date when this guarantee is valid.
End Date. Enter the date when this guarantee is considered invalid.
Select this tab to enter the marketing text that is returned to the channel.
Tip. Micros recommends using the pre-populated messages attached to the Fidelio switch. The Fidelio switch is based of Pegasus USW® standards which are accepted throughout the electronic distribution industry.
Transaction Type. Enter the Transaction type for the message. For example, IA DETAIL for Detail availability requests (or rate rules); IA LIST for General availability requests; and GUDPCN for Bookings.
Policy Type. Enter the policy type for the message. For example, COMMISSION, CANCEL POLICY.
Policy Detail. Enter the policy detail that triggers the message to be sent for the transaction type. For example, a value of “Y” for the policy type COMMISSION sends a message indicating that the rate is commissionable. Conversely, if the policy detail value is “N”, the message sent to the channel indicates the rate is non-commissionable.
Marketing Text. Enter the text you want to return for the specific channel.
Resort. Select from the list of values the resort where the marketing text applies.
Begin Date. Enter the date when the marketing text becomes effective.
End Date. Enter the date when the marketing text is no longer active.
Select this tab to enter the rate categories used in the channel. Travel agents use these rate categories to narrow down their search for a property based on rate categories.
GDS Rate Category. Enter the rate category used by the GDS host. For example, COR for Corporate, GOV for Government, or NEG for Negotiated Rates.
GDS Shopping Category. Enter the shopping category code used by the GDS host.
Description. Enter the description for the rate category such as FAMILY PLAN or MILITARY.
Negotiated. Select this box to identify the rate category as negotiated.
Inactive. Select this box to make the rate category inactive - to be used in the future.
This option is equivalent to the Rate Category option as described above.
GDS Rate Level. Enter the rate level code used by the GDS host such as P for Promotional or N for Negotiated.
Description. Enter the description for the rate level such as FAMILY PLAN or MILITARY.
Select this tab to specify the percentage of inventory that will be sold through the channel. The open and close percentages represent the inventory points that determine when the hotel begins and stops selling your property.
Open Per. Enter the percentage of inventory that must be open or available to allow sells to go through channels. Micros Systems recommends you enter a value of 100%. For example, if 100% is entered here, you can sell through GDS even if only one room is available - the property is considered Open until the last room is sold.
Close Per. Enter the percentage of inventory that needs to be sold before sells to the channel are stopped (close availability for channel). Micros Systems recommends you enter a value of 100%. For example, if a property is set at 100% Closed your property can be sold through the channel until the last room is booked. After the last room is booked, the property is considered Closed and sells through channels are stopped.
Begin Date. Enter the date when the threshold becomes applicable for the channel.
End Date. Enter the date when the threshold becomes inactive for the channel.
See Also
