Getting your properties ready to sync with the iPRO Channel Manager

Introduction

To sync your properties with the iPRO Channel Manager, there is a minimum content requirement

This means you will need to ensure that your properties are up to date and have the necessary content and images to be able to sync with the Channel Manager, so that they can then be distributed with the relevant sales channels.

Preparing the Property for Syncing

1/ Update Property Details - Make sure that all relevant property information is updated in the CMS for the different tabs under the property node:

• Content
• Rates & Notes
• Map/Address
• Images/Floor Plan
• Attributes
• Distribution
  
  
  
  
  Take note that for the iPRO Channel Manager, the only significant fields under the Distribution tab in iPro will be the "Property Name Title" and "Property Description" fields:
  
  
  

2/ Update the 'Rooms' sub-node of the Property - Under the property node in the CMS, expand the Rooms node and make sure that the # of rooms e.g. bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, etc matches the exact # of rooms/sleeps under the Attributes tab of the property.



To create a new room, right-click on the Rooms node and select the appropriate room type you wish to add:

Content: Bedroom is for bedrooms
Content: Other Room is for other room types like kitchens and bathrooms



Once the room node is created, update the Content and Amenities tab.




Remember that the total # of "sleeps" of all the bedrooms should exactly match the sleeping capacity of your property as defined under the property's attributes tab.

The bed amenities should also match the total # of sleeps defined for the room e.g. Sleeps 2 should have a bed capacity capable of sleeping 2 e.g. Pair of Twin Beds or putting in 2 single beds:




You can add amenities by clicking on the amenities field and choosing from the list or typing directly in the field to filter down the search. If you don't see any amenities available, please contact support so we can fix it for you:



Updating other room types looks a bit different because everything will be under the Content tab. Make sure to specify the room type e.g. bathroom and add the amenities below:

3/ Update the 'Distances' sub-node of the Property - Configuring and mapping the distances in iPro is another important step as missing this will cause an error in the details sync. Under the property node in the CMS, click on the 'Distances' node:

To add new Distances, click 'Add' on the right-hand side. A window will pop-up. Input the neccessary information and click '+Add' when done:

When adding distances, it is very important to map the correct 'RU Distance Type'. This will determine which value it will map to on Rentals United. Leaving this blank will create an error in the details sync. Putting in the incorrect ID will result to mapping to the wrong value in Rentals United.

To identify the correct ID to use for the RU Distance Type, go to the 'Get Distance Type Id' field below and search for the value that you'd like to link it to. In the example below, I'm using 'Beach' that has an ID '882' which I have linked to the entry I've added. Please take note that if you have more than 1 beach to add, for example, each of them needs to have a unique RU Distance Type ID:

Mapping Payment Providers and Payment Options

1/ To map a Payment Provider to Rentals United, go to the CMS > Channel Manager > Rentals United > Settings tab. Go to the Payment Provider section and select your provider. Click 'Save & Publish' when done:

2/ To map payment options to Rentals United, go to the CMS > Online Booking Settings > Payment Options. Select the appropriate payment option and then go to the Rentals United tab to define the value to be mapped to Rentals United. Click 'Save & Publish' when done:

Location cannot be found or is invalid

1/ When running the details sync, sometimes you may come across the following error:

This happens when Rentals United is not able to automatically match the location of your property with the address details in iPro.

2/ You can resolve this by clicking back to the 'Content' tab and going to the 'Set Location ID' field:

3/ You will need to do a search for a location available in Rentals United that best fits your property:

4/ Once you select a location, click 'Save & Publish' and run the 'Sync Details' again.

Congratulations! You have now synced your first property to Rentals United!