Internet Reservation Module New Features

IRM Enhanced to use Microsoft .Net Technology and New Features

RDP is in the process of enhancing the Internet Reservation Module (IRM) to use Microsoft's new ".Net" technology, which is also used by our RDPWin product.  The update is called "IRM.Net" and will be available to all customers using the current IRM at no charge.  See "IRM update to Microsoft .Net Technology and New Features".

Eliminate Session Running Warning - Correct Linking to the IRM

Under some conditions when a guest attempts to start the IRM from a link on your marketing website they may receive a "Session Running" warning and not be able to start the IRM.   This issue can be resolved by  updating the IRM to Version IRM2-332 or higher and changing all links from your marketing site to the IRM to always start a new browser that does not have the "back" and "forward" buttons.  See KI0059 for details.  

Force Guest to click "I read the reservation policies" 

Many customer have requested a checkbox with wording similar to "I have read the reservation and cancellation policies and agree with them", and make it mandatory that guests click this checkbox.  This feature is now available in IRM2-330.  See "I000108" for details on configuration of this new feature.

Eliminate Browser "Back" button for Reliability of IRM 

It is a well document problem in the industry that the back and forward buttons on a browser can cause various serious problems. The only solution to this dilemma is to remove the browser back / forward buttons as part of the link from your marketing site to the IRM.  To see a sample of what the browser will look like without the back button and tool bars click on the link below. 

• RDP Demonstration Link to Vacation Rental or Condo-Hotel IRM 

 To learn how to implement this solution on your marketing website, see "Eliminate "back button" and Toolbars on Browser". 

New Linking options from your Marketing Website to the IRM 

Once the IRM is installed, configured, and tested, hyperlinks need to be added from your marketing website to to the IRM.  These links enable a guest, travel agent, group, wholesaler or vacation rental owner to easily make reservations and access other IRM functions.  The links can have any wording, such as "make a reservation now" and should appear in multiple locations on the marketing website.  You can use buttons, text, graphics, etc. to enhance the links.  See IRM_0090.

Revised 
1/1/2007

Check Availability Quickly from Marketing Website 
Go direct to Available Unit# or Unit Type

The IRM has been enhanced to bypass the initial IRM screens and immediately show room type availability.  For example, your  Website designer could add a form on your marketing Website to collect the arrival date, departure date, and number of people.   Then all the guest has to do is click "check availability" and the IRM will immediately show availability for those dates.  The guest can then select any available room number or room type to see rates. 

1/1/2007 - This feature has been enhanced to allow a display of available room numbers or available room types with update IRM2-336.

Hide Rate Plans if People Class #1 is 0 on the IRM

Packages sold on the IRM sometimes are calculated based on the number of people entered into the "Adult field" on the IRM. Guests can no longer can avail of a lower priced package by entering 0 Adults !

Owner IRM Page Now Displays Past Bookings 

When this feature is enabled owners can view past reservations for the current month & the  previous month. Properties can also restrict owners from viewing all future reservations. Currently the IRM shows all future and in-house reservations and no past reservations.

IRM Guest E-MAIL Configuration

In the IRM Options page, 2 checkboxes have been added to Suppress "Dear" and "Thank You" on IRM E-mail confirmations 

Hide Credit Card fields on the Reservation Entry Form

It is now possible to hide the credit card fields on the reservation entry form in the IRM.
This feature was added specifically  for our Villa Rental Customers who were having difficulties with overseas clients entering their credit cards when booking a villa.

Show Room Numbers in Customer Defined Order 

The IRM can be set to display available room types OR available room numbers.  When displaying available room numbers, the IRM can now be set to display in one of three orders:

1. Room Number Order (default)
2. Owner Rotation Order (equalizes rental revenue amongst owners)
3. Customer Defined Order

See "I000102" for details 

Hide "How did you find us" (Source of Business Code - SOB)

The RDP system includes extensive Source of business reporting.  The IRM normally prompts the guest for "How did you find us", which correlates to an RDP source of business code.  It is now possible to hide the SOB prompt from guests and automatically assign the same SOB code to all IRM reservations.  See "I000101"

Occupancy & Cutoffs with Booked or Committed Totals

The IRM now uses either the booked or committed totals when deciding if a room type is available.  Previous versions only used the booked totals.  If the property was overcommitted, the IRM would allow reservations.  The IRM now uses switch 419-5 (Use Booked, Mgmt or Committed Totals for Availability and Cutoffs) to decide which totals to look at when determining if a room is available and if a rate is cutoff.

Skip "access type" and go to "enter dates" or to Agent, Group, Owner Login

It is now possible to skip many of the initial IRM screens.  For example you can take guests directly to a display of available rooms, or take owners directly to the owner login page.  See:

• Linking options from your Marketing Website to the IRM

State/Province and the Property Country now display on the IRM 

Customers especially all non US properties maybe interested in displaying their property's country in the banner address information. Also on the reservation form the state field now displays as State/Province.

Owners not in the Rental Pool can Book on the IRM

Many of our Condominium properties manage units that are not in the rental pool, in RDP-DOS these units are set up as non-rental units. The IRM now allows owners to make reservations in non-rental units.

Add Homeowners News Letters to the Owners Page 

Add homeowners news letters, meeting notes and general information to the Owners pages by using hyperlinks and pop-up windows on several new User Text files. 

New User Text File for Credit Card ID (CID #) 

The IRM has prompted the guest for the credit card ID number ( CID # ) when filling in the reservation form for some time now . The IRM displays the following instructional text: 

** "The Card ID is required for American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa credit cards.  It is the 3 or 4 digit number on the back of the credit card."

However this can be confusing if the property does not accept American Express. A new User text file called CCardID1.htm now exists and is modifiable.

IRM Password for Guests is now an Optional Field

Some IRM customers have mistakenly thought that the "enter password " field is a password that is required to MAKE the reservation, not a password required to access it later. This field is now optional on the reservation form however you can create a password  to inquire on your reservations later using the on-line "returning guest" option."

Total Room Charges Display on Owner's Reservation List

A optional checkbox has been added to the Owners section of the IRM monitor to  "Show total room charges when owners list reservations for their unit ". 

CC IRM E-mail Confirmations to additional staff additional Members 

CC guest IRM confirmations to other staff members at the property. An additional e-mail address can be entered in the e-mail field in the property information section of the monitor. Separate each email address with a semi-colon.

New E-mail Field for Owners in the IRM Monitor

Condominiums and Timeshare properties display a  "Send Mgmt an E-mail " link on their Owners screen. This e-mail link is defined under  "property information" in the IRM monitor. Some properties would like these e-mail requests to go to a different e-mail address for the "owner manager".  A new owner e-mail field has been added to the monitor.

Owner & Guests of Owners exempt from minimum nights on IRM

Owners and Guest of Owners can make reservations on the IRM and are exempt from any minimum or maximum stays set in RDP-DOS or the IRM.

Improved Credit Card Process for Denied Cards

When a guest submits a credit card for a deposit on the IRM the system uses SDC (Southern Datacom) to process the deposit.  If the guest's card is denied, the system now saves this information as a deleted reservation.  See I000090 for details. 

Calendar Colors can now be modified

The standard colors on the IRM calendar can now be modified to use other colors !  The Owner calendar colors can also be modified to highlight Owner, Guest of Owner, Paying Guests and Maintenance reservations.

Replace the word "Room" throughout the IRM

The IRM has a new configuration option under the Appearance section in the Monitor that allows up to a 20 character text replacement for the word 'Room' throughout the IRM. Our Condominium and Villa Rental properties can now re-label this text "Room" to something more appropriate such as "Accommodation" or "Villas" throughout the IRM.

Maintenance Nights show as Occupied on Owner Calendar

Some properties would like to display units on the owners calendar as being " occupied " when they are actually under maintenance. This may reduce concerned owner phone calls regarding the
status of their unit..

IRM Now Supports European Dates 

Our Canadian and Caribbean countries who use a European date format in RDP, can now use the same logic when entering dates in the IRM. 

Failure on Credit Card Authorization Cancels Reservation

A reservation that is pending SDC authorization will always appear as a "P0" or "I0" reservation.  Normally reservations are only pending for 20-40 seconds while SDC authorization takes place.  The reservation will normally become a P2 or I2 if the authorization is successful, or a P9 or I9 if the authorization is not successful.  If and pending reservations (P0 or I0) appear for more than 20 minutes, please call RDP support at 970-845-7108.   Click here for details. 

Rate plans can now be created for the IRM Only

It is now possible to create a rate plan as only available for the IRM and not display to reservations with the RDP-DOS or RDPWin system.  To activate, when creating a rate plan with RDP186 make sure field 13, IRM ONLY is set to "Y".

Daily Charges show on rates page and are included in deposits

The IRM now can display " Daily Charges " when the guest is selecting a rate. These charges are included in the Total Charges and in the deposit calculations. This feature is optional and can be configured from the Monitor, under IRM Options. When the switch is checked, a column for Daily Charges will show when rates are displayed.

IRM Commission Code for Travel Agents

Commission Codes for Travel Agent reservations made through the IRM can either be taken from each Travel Agent master or specified in IRM Options.

Allow Group reservations without E-Mail Address or Password prompts

For Group reservations, you can hide the E-Mail Address prompt, the Password prompt, and the "Forget your password" section.

Choice of including or not including room name on list of rooms

There is a new switch to include the Maid Comment (field 3) from Room Master as Room Name.  Originally, when you checked the switch "Display Hyperlink Room List", it always showed the room name too.  Now, you can include the name or show just the room number.

New Group Switch: Prompt for Group Leader Reservation Number

If there is more than one future leader for the master and the new switch is set, we prompt for the group leader reservation number.  If there is one future leader on the master, we automatically use it.  If there is more than one future leader and the new switch is not set, we check for overlapping dates and use the corresponding leader if there is one.

Names show on Owner Reservation Listings page

IRM now displays the reservation name on the Owner-Reservation Listings page for Owner, Guest of Owner, and Maintenance type reservations. Owners will be able to track when their unit is in Maintenance and they can now easily  distinguish their own reservations from their guests. The name on a  " paying guest reservation " is not displayed.

Increased the size of the Home URL and Logo URL fields

The fields in IRM Options for the Home URL and Logo URL have been increased from 40 to 76 characters

F6-Notes Available for Owner Reservations

There is a new field for Owner Reservations for Comments or Requests (F6-Notes).

Style Sheets Can Now Be Used for the IRM

Cascading Style Sheets allow font sizes, font type, font colors and hundreds of other visual properties to be set for an entire web site in one place.  This allows the IRM to be visually similar to a marketing web site.

Prompt for Credit Card ID # (CID#)

The IRM now prompts the guest for the credit card ID number when filling in the reservation form. The Card ID is required for American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa credit cards. It is the 3 or 4 digit number on the back of the credit card. Major credit card companies are now requiring this information be sent to them as part of the transaction activity. Non-compliance can result in higher fees. The CID number is now required in both RDP-DOS and the IRM

Confirmation Page and Emails With Improved Format

The last step of the IRM reservation process is a guest confirmation page. This page has been reformatted for a better appearance.  The Email that is sent to the guest has also been reformatted. 

Additional daily charges can be added

The IRM can now be configured to post daily charges. In RDP-DOS, the Daily Charge Table (DD) has a new field which allows an IRM Default to be set for each daily charge category. The charges themselves do not appear anywhere on the IRM, so the property will have to explain the charge in the confirmation e-mailed to the guest or in the rate requirements html files. 

People classification descriptions improved for Packages

A New Monitor switch displays HTML files for people field descriptions in order :

1.  Better guide the internet guest when making a reservation.
2.  To ensure a package will be correctly calculated based on the people class entries.

Hide People Class 2, 3, and 4  from IRM display

The people class # 2, 3 and 4 can now be hidden.  For example, the DOS system may use "Adults" and "Children", you can now set the IRM to only show "Adults". 

Guests can now display availability for a specific Room Number

A great option for return guests is to display availability for a specific room number.  This option is useful for return guests that know a specific unit meets their needs. A new Monitor switches allows for a list of room names to display when 'Display a Specific Room Number' is selected from the Search Type Page.

Additional Search options now available for guests

The IRM can have an optional "Start page" that provides additional options for the guest.  There are four possible options.  It is now possible to turn on some of these options and turn the others off.  The options are:

• Search Available Rooms Based on Dates
• Display Specials and Featured Rooms
• Search for Selected Room Requirements
• Display Availability for a specific Room Number

IRM Now supports Netscape Version 7.0

The IRM now supports Netscape Version 7.0.  Please note that RDP only tests the IRM on Internet Explorer and Netscape.  

Automatic adjustment of Year based on month selected

The IRM now automatically adjusts the year when a month in the next year is selected.  For example, assume the current system date is 12/1/2002.  If the guest were to select January as the month, the system now automatically changes the year to 2003.  In the past the guest had to manually adjust the year after selecting the month. 

Frequent Guest Module

Our Frequent Guest Module allows guests to access the IRM using their frequent guest number.  

Guest can make a Brochure Request 

A guest can now request a a brochure.  This allows you to capture the guest Email address and physical address for marketing.  See Frequent Guest Module

Set Guaranteed Flag Based on existence of a credit card

New Monitor switches allow the Guaranteed Flag on an IRM reservation to be set to Yes or No based on the existence of a credit card.

Provide a HTML description of dates blocked from IRM

It is now possible to block the IRM from all reservations for certain dates.  The system will display a unique HTML file for each set of blocked dates to allow you to explain the reason.   The guest has the option of adding him/herself to the wait list.  

See the IRM demo on and select dates of 5/25/2000 to 5/27/2000 for a demonstration. 

Guest can add themselves to the Wait List from the IRM

Wait List reservations can be made from the IRM with our Wait List Module.   It is also possible to provide a hyperlink to search another resort.  For example, if you own two resorts which both have the IRM, if resort #1 is full, the guest can either 

• Add themselves to the wait list for Resort #1
• Search Availability for Resort #2

HTML files for Unique Information for Each Group Master

Customers can create individualized HTML files for each group that will be staying at the property.  These files can be used to communicate important information regarding group conference details. 

See the IRM demo and select the group "IBM" for a demonstration. 

Each Group can have a different Deposit Percentage

A new option in the Group Section of the Monitor page allows the use of group specific deposit percentages to be required.  For example, a guest picking up a room from the "IBM" block could be required to pay a 50% deposit via credit card, while a guest picking up from the "Microsoft" block may have to enter 100%.

Specific Arrival dates used as defaults for groups

When making a group reservation the IRM will now default to a groups default arrival date stored on the Group Master.  For example, if the Microsoft group has an arrival date of 5/15/2005 in the group master, this date is used for all individuals picking up reservations from this block.

User Text files for Guest Comments and Requests

Two new modifiable User Text files - Comments.htm and GuestReq.htm.   To find these files, start the IRM Monitor and use the "See file names" option.  All user configurable files will be displayed, along with their file names.  These files can be modified with Microsoft Front Page.

Hide the option to search for a specific Room type

Normally the IRM displays an option to search by room type.  This option can now be hidden.  For example, one RDP customer has only one room type, so the prompt to search by room type did not make sense. 

US Government regulations for handicapped Access Met

The IRM now meets all US Government regulations for handicapped access, such as a blind person.  No action required by customers other than to update to IRM2-122 or higher.

If Property 1 is sold out you can now search other IRM Properties

Multiple Resort Properties can now add direct links in the IRM to another property within their resort when 1 property is completely sold out.  For example, if you own two resorts which both have the IRM, if resort #1 is full, the guest can either 

• Search Availability for Resort #2
• Add themselves to the wait list for Resort #1

Up to 17 comments can be configured for the guest to input

The IRM allows up to 17 comment fields to be configured for the guest to input.  These are setup using the IRM Monitor, and then the "Configure comment field".  The comment fields can be either "free form" (ie, the guest can enter whatever they want) or "pick from a list".  

Specific Credit card types can be blocked from the IRM 

Specific Credit Card types can be blocked from the IRM. For example, you can stop guests from using AMEX.

Room Type order can be controlled by the customer

The order in which available Room Types are displayed can be controlled by the customer. The order can be different for each starting room type.  For example, Sea Mist Resort has 50 room types.  If a guest selects a unit type that is "2BROCN" for "2 bedroom on the ocean",  they want to first display the 2BROCN type, and then other "Ocean Side" room types.  

Guest can go direct from to a specific room type or Room Number

It is now possible to link to a specific room type (Inventory reservations) or room number.  For example, you could put a complete description of your "Penthouse suites" on your marketing website, and then add a link for "check availability for penthouse suites".  Or, for our vacation rental customer, you may have a complete description of each rental unit on your marketing site and wish to link add a link for "check availability of this unit number". 

• Linking options from your Marketing Website to the IRM Overview

Owner and guest of Owner unique Confirmations

For customers using our owner billing system it is now possible to have a separate confirmation Email when owners make reservations for themselves and their guests. 

IRM2-114

Banner text and link colors can now be modified in IRM Options

The color used for all text in the banner and links can now be changed with the IRM Options program.  This provides more flexibility to change the look and feel of the IRM.

IRM2-112

Monitor shows Reservations Made today and Brochure Requests

The IRM monitor can now display all reservations made today as well as all brochure requests made. 

IRM2-112

User Text files for New Guest, Existing Guest, Groups, Agents, Etc.

We added modifiable User Text files for the opening screen of the IRM. To find these files, start the IRM Monitor and use the "See file names" option.  All user configurable files will be displayed, along with their file names.  These files can be modified with Microsoft Front Page.

IRM2-111

Block Specific rate plans for dates or day of arrival

The IRM now allows complete blocking of Rate Plans by date and/or day of arrival. For example, you could block the "AAA" rate from 7/1/2005 to 7/15/2005.  Or you could not allow the "Honeymoon package" for a Thursday arrival.

IRM2-103

Show File Names Option Added to Monitor

There are many HTM files that the customer must modify to configure the IRM as they like it.  It is now possible to show all file names to determine what you can modify and what you cannot.  Proceed as follows:

1. Start the IRM monitor
2. Select the See File Names link
3. Use the IRM - the file names are displayed
4. Modify the files with Front Page 2000

IRM2-102

Hide Calendar (Availability Info) on Room Type or number page

Normally when a unit type or unit number is displayed to the guest, the available calendar is also displayed.  The idea is to allow the guest to see when the room type is available, in case they want to select different date. It is now possible to hide the Calendar/Availability information using IRM Monitor.

IRM2-96

Increased performance of IRM when nearly sold out 

When a large property was almost sold out for a given date, the IRM now searches for the remaining available rooms differently, which significantly increased the performance.

IRM2-95

Rate Plan and Package Requirements in Modifiable HTML files

The descriptions of the Rate plans and package requirements are now stored in HTML files, which allow the customer to easily change the descriptions.  For example, to put in the requirements for Package 3AAA, create a file with Front page "3AAA.HTM". The description could be "Must bring your AAA Card with you".

IRM2-85

Open files and Users can be viewed with IRM Monitor

The IRM Monitor now logs on to the Pervasive Monitor, has new Refresh Controls and tracks "Files in Use" problems.  To activate, start the IRM Monitor and select 

IRM2-84

The Recurring charge field can be hidden from owners

The IRM includes access for owners of individual condominiums or homes.  Owners can make reservations, as well as inquire on various information.  It is now possible to hide the owner recurring charge information from the owners. 

IRM2-77

The Recurring charge field can be hidden from owners

RDP sells the "Condominium Control System"  to customers who manage individually owned units.  The RDP PMS system has always rotated the reservations amongst the various owners to assure equal revenue.  The IRM now follows the same rotation logic as the RDP PMS system.

IRM2-77

Hide Unavailable Room Types or Room Numbers

The IRM shows all available room types/rooms first, then the "not available" room types/rooms.  The idea was:

1. Allow the guest to select a room type or room number that was not available
2. Display the available calendar for this room type
3. Let the guest change dates to an available timeframe

It is now possible to suppress the unavailable room types or room numbers.  Use the IRM configuration page.

IRM2-74

Click here for IRM feature Archive