Probably the single most important element of your website is your online bookings.   Many savvy innkeepers users include the RezOvation Booking Engine on their site to ensure that they don't lose out on potential guests.

However, if your potential guests have a hard time finding the link to your online bookings, you might be missing some important clicks.  To help you better catch those all-important clicks, we've put together a button pack with a number of different shapes, sizes, and colors.  Click here to get your buttons now.

The RezOvation Booking Engine servers for RezOvation Desktop will be undergoing scheduled maintenance Tuesday, 10/26, and will be unavailable between 12a-3a CST. 

Do you need some ideas for templates, or want a head-start on creating your own custom report and letter templates for RezOvation GT?  We've made it easy for you by creating a package of custom templates, in just about every category.

Follow the directions below to get started.

1. Click here to download the template package.
2. Save the file to an easy to find location such as Desktop or My Documents.
3. Locate the downloaded file, and right-click on it.  Select "Extract".  This will create a folder with the template files.
4. To edit a template file, just open it -- it's in Microsoft Word (DOC) format. 
5. When finished editing, close the template and upload it to RezOvation GT by doing the following:
* Go to the Manage Reports and Letter Template configuration section (click the button next to the gear icon in the toolbar, or select View > Template Configuration). 
* Click the link for the template category you wish to edit, e.g. "Confirmation Letter".
* Select the specific template you wish to edit, and click "duplicate".
* Select the duplicated template, and click "check in". 
* Locate the custom template, and select it.  Word may open and close a few times -- this is normal. 
* Select the custom template, and click "set to default".

Click here for more information about editing templates.

 

Looking for more useful articles?  Click here to visit the RezOvation Wiki.

Today is a very exciting day for Microsoft Windows users, as Windows 7 has finally launched!  Here at RezOvation, we've been using Windows 7 since the beta was released earlier this year, and we're happy to say that RezOvation GT and RezOvation Desktop both work without a hitch.  In addition, RezOvation GT has passed the official certification testing for Windows 7.  You can view more information in the Windows 7 compatibility database, which you can view here. 

RezOvation GT is compatible with Windows 7 32 bit and 64 bit editions, and RezOvation Desktop is compatible with Windows 7 32 bit edition.  Nothing is required from you to maintain compatibility -- simply install the latest version of RezOvation software.

For users of Windows Vista, upgrades to Windows 7 are available from Microsoft; for users of Windows XP, a full Windows reinstall is required.  Expect to see most new computers from Dell, Gateway, HP, and others ship with Windows 7 preinstalled (or with a free upgrade from Vista). If you purchased a copy of Vista or a new PC after June 26, 2009, you may be eligible for a free upgrade -- see this link for details.

For more information about Windows 7, visit the Microsoft website.

We've released the latest version of RezOvation GT.  The version is 5.4.1.84 and is available via the auto update feature.  This update includes numerous fixes, and details can be found here.

We're getting close to a beta test of our new QuickBooks automatic integration for RezOvation GT, and we're looking for a few beta users.  Please read the info below, and if you're interested, email us at beta@rezovation.com.  We appreciate your help!

What is the QuickBooks integration, and what advantages does it offer?

The integration offers synchronization of invoices from RezOvation GT to QuickBooks, at whatever interval you specify.  This avoids the need for any manual updates or manual exports, and allows you to use all of the reporting capabilities in QuickBooks.

You will also be able to link RezOvation GT to any QuickBooks database regardless of location (for example, if you manage your accounting from another location or computer that does not have RezOvation GT installed, you can still synchronize to that location).

QuickBooks also provides an automatic reconciliation with QuickBooks Merchant Service credit card processing as part of this integration.  You must be using QuickBooks Merchant Service (QBMS) through RezOvation GT to use this feature.

What is involved in the beta test?  Anything I need to know?

You must be using RezOvation GT, and you must be synching to the data portal. (If you are using the RezOvation Booking Engine or Webervations, then you are synching to the data portal.)

You’ll need a copy of QuickBooks 2008 or 2009.  If you do not have QuickBooks, but you would like to start processing credit cards through QBMS via RezOvation GT, then you are entitled to a free copy of QuickBooks.  More information here: http://www.rezovation.com/rezovationgt/QBMS-features.html

You should only work on a backup copy of your QuickBooks database.  As such, it is probably best to install QuickBooks on another computer and use the synch from there, as it is not possible to have two databases in one QuickBooks installation.  If you do decide to work with your actual QuickBooks data you should backup your database before enabling the synch.  During the beta test it may be necessary to resynch your data from time to time.

Due to limits in the non-enterprise versions of QuickBooks, you cannot synch more than 14,500 contacts to QuickBooks.  Because RezOvation GT must synch *all* contacts in your database to QuickBooks, if you have more than 14,500 contacts the synch will not work unless you purchase the Enterprise version of QuickBooks.  If you have more than this amount of contacts, you should either archive or merge the contacts first.  (To archive contacts, use the Customer list to filter the contact list, select File > Export List from the menu, and then delete the contacts from RezOvation GT.)

What do you need from me?

Your feedback!  You’ll have direct access to the beta team to share any bugs and suggestions, and your feedback is vital to the efficient, successful completion of the beta phase of this exciting new feature.

Who should I contact?

Please email the beta team at beta@rezovation.com to let us know your interest.

Thanks!

- The RezOvation Team

We're happy to announce that the latest update to RezOvation GT has been released.  The version is 5.4.1.49, and some features include:

• Gift Certificate management list view, which allows you to easily view / edit / manage all of your gift certificates and pre-paid accounts. To access this feature, click the "Gift" icon on the toolbar.
  
  
• Gift Certificate online checkout. This feature is available for Booking Engine users only, and allows you to sell your own "house" gift certificates online. To access this feature, simply place the Gift Certificate booking link on your site. This link can be found under Configuration > Booking Engine, in the "Booking engine integration with your website" section.
  
  
• Search feature for the Gift Certificate lookup screen. This screen appears when you are applying a gift certificate payment, and allows you to search for a gift certificate by number, purchaser, to, and from fields.
  
  
• Added an export feature to the customer and reservation list, which allows you to export any customer and reservation data to a CSV (spreadsheet) file. To access this feature, select File > Export from the customer or reservation list.
  
  
• Added a "Do Not Move" feature to the Occupancy map. To access this feature, right-click on any room reservation on the Occupancy Map and select "Do Not Move". If you then attempt to move the room, a warning message will appear and you will not be able to move the reservation to another room or another date.
  
  
• Reservations with credit card holds now display as orange on occupancy map. You can change this color by going to Configuration > Lists and Occupancy map (bottom right side of the Configuration screen), and selecting "choose occupancy map colors".
  
  
• Added additional data columns to the reservation list, including # of nights, # of guests, # of adults, # of children, arrival time, departure time, total charges, and total tax.
  
  
• List columns now "stick" when you reorder them. To reorder a list column, simply left-click on the column header and drag it to the left or right. The order will be saved when you close the program.
  
  
• Added a new Reservation Balance report. This report displays running totals through a specific date of any reservations which have a balance. This includes in house, departed, and future reservations.
  
  
• Added a new Reservation By Booking Date summary report. This report displays aggregate information about reservations booked for a particular date range, including % of reservations booked online vs offline, and more.
  
  
• Added a new user security level which prevents certain users from deleting reservations and customers, and canceling reservations. To access this feature, go to Configuration > Users (bottom right side), open the User you wish to edit, and uncheck the box for "delete customers and reservations" and "cancel reservations".

For more features as well as bug fixes, please read the release notes.

We want your feedback!  Share your voice and help decide which features are included in future updates.  Visit our feedback forum now.

At RezOvation, we're always listening to your ideas, suggestions, and problems to make sure that our software is making your innkeeping life easier and bringing you more reservations.  In the past, we've always taken feature requests and product enhancements either through our suggestion form or when talking to innkeepers.  While we'll continue to do that, our number of users has grown so much that we need a better way to track your feedback and make sure that we are working on the improvements that matter to you! 

As part of this goal, we're pleased to announce a new feedback forum for RezOvation GT, which is designed to gather and share your ideas in a way that we hope will be helpful to you and to our product team.   Some features that we're excited about:

• Everyone can submit their favorite ideas, and browse ideas that have already been submitted
• Everyone can vote on their favorite ideas
• We can better track for your benefit which ideas have been implemented, which are in progress, and which are under consideration, providing you with better insight into what our product team is working on
• You'll have more direct access to the product team to share your ideas and discuss them. 

You can visit the forum here: http://feedback.rezovation.com.  You'll also notice a large "Feedback" button on many of the RezOvation GT support pages -- just click it to see some of the top ideas and submit your own.

Please note that In order to submit ideas, you will need to either create a login on the feedback page, or use your existing Google / Yahoo / Facebook / etc. login information via the OpenID system. 

We're looking forward to all of your great ideas ... see you there!

- The RezOvation team

PCI compliance regulations require that credit card information not be stored for any longer than is absolutely necessary for a business.  The best practice is to delete the credit card after it is processed, but for lodging businesses, it is also acceptable to retain the credit card until after a guest checks out of your property. 

As part of our ongoing efforts to help all Webervations customers maintain the greatest level of security and the least potential risk, on July 7, 2009, we will be adding functionality for all Webervations 1.0 users to choose how long they retain a customer's credit card number.  This feature will be set by default to remove the credit card number from the Webervations system three days after departure date for all reservations that come into the Webervations system; it can also be customized to remove the card any period from one-to-eight days after the departure date or one-to-eight days after the booking date.   For users who sell gift certificates or gift shop items, an option will also be available to delete credit cards one-to-eight days after the purchase date.

To customize this new feature to your preferences, simply log into your Webervations account on or after July 7 and select the Configuration tab.  Next, in the Blue sub navigation bar, choose Custom Messages, and locate the Scheduled Credit Card Delete Settings section (image included below).



For more information on PCI compliance, click here to read the PCI Quick Reference Guide from the PCI Security Standards Council.

BedandBreakfast.com, the leading specialty travel website focused on inns and B&Bs, on Friday announced that it is offering an extended line of products and services to help innkeepers better market and monetize their websites, including trip insurance, reservations for local attractions, and increased consumer reviews.

B&Bs using either the RezOvation or Webervations booking engines will soon be able to offer potential guests additional products and services in the checkout path, providing innkeepers with both additional revenue streams and increased reservations. These new optional products/features include trip insurance sold through Access America and add-ons like event tickets and local sightseeing tours, purchased right on inns’ online reservation checkout pages. Properties will also be able to embed BedandBreakfast.com reviews in their check-out path, providing positive reinforcement to prospective guests at a key decision point in the reservation process. RezOvation and Webervations customers can also allow their guests to receive a BedandBreakfast.com review reminder after they have stayed at a property, minimizing the need for innkeepers to solicit reviews directly. Each property will have the option of using any or all of the additional features on its booking engine.

“Our goal is to enable B&Bs to offer the same kind of rich website features as larger properties,” explained Eric Goldreyer, CEO of BedandBreakfast.com. “Until now, smaller properties couldn’t offer trip insurance, generally considered a win-win for travelers and properties alike. In addition, consumers are increasingly demanding to see property reviews, and these new products will help innkeepers both increase the number of reviews they have, and display those reviews to prospective guests.”

None of the additional features require any website changes or work on the part of the innkeepers, except to let BedandBreakfast.com know which features they wish to use. Each feature will be rolled out over the coming months, starting with travel add-ons and the review products;innkeepers will be notified directly in advance of each new feature launch, including details on how to customize, add, or drop the services for their property.   

Trip insurance will be sold through an agreement between BedandBreakfast.com and Access America. Consumers booking on a RezOvation or Webervations property website will see a check-box on the final page of the checkout and will be able to choose whether or not they want to purchase insurance. If they decide to take the insurance – which will protect them against such problems as trip delays, illness, and lost luggage – their information will be shared with Access America which issues the insurance policy. Properties will earn revenue on every sale made from their websites and can discontinue the program at any time; all billing and revenue sharing is done automatically. In addition, when travelers are offered trip insurance, it’s easier for innkeepers to implement their cancellation policies; after all, the prospective guests had the option to protect themselves with low-cost insurance.

Travel add-ons will be sold through an agreement between BedandBreakfast.com and Viator, a leading online resource for travel experiences, providing access to 5,500 tours, attractions, and activities in 450 destinations in 75 countries. This feature will be limited to U.S. properties in areas where Viator has coverage. Consumers who book via a RezOvation or Webervations booking engine will see a link to Viator on the reservation confirmation page; they can click through to a Viator web page with add-on activities relevant to their destination, and can purchase any of interest. As with trip insurance, properties will earn revenue on every sale, and the billing and revenue sharing will be done automatically.  

The BedandBreakfast.com reviews widget can be displayed in the checkout path to help increase the conversion. The technique of putting third-party reviews into the checkout pages has shown tremendous conversion increases in the retail sector, and is expected to lead to more reservations by consumers wary of staying at lesser-known properties. It will also help generate more consumer reviews for participating properties. The monthly income from just a few travel add-on or trip insurance sales can cover the monthly cost of a booking engine; just one review a month on BedandBreakfast.com earns a property up to $60 annually in membership credits. The reviews can be shown in a separate window when someone checks availability on a property website or as a customized graphic embedded into the room results pages.

BedandBreakfast.com began offering the same embedded review widget in January 2009. More than 600 properties have already added the review widget to their own website, and those properties are generating four times as many reviews on BedandBreakfast.com as properties that do not use the review widget.

One of the most successful techniques for properties to get more consumer reviews is a follow-up email sent to a guest several days after check-out. While this is a very effective tool, many innkeepers are reluctant to solicit reviews, and guests may question whether their information will truly be kept private if an email comes directly from a property. RezOvation and Webervations users will soon be able to give consumers the option of having BedandBreakfast.com send a reminder email to their guests after check-out. This will help innkeepers who want to avoid soliciting reviews themselves and will convey to guests that they are working with a well-respected third party to generate their reviews. Properties using the feature can expect to increase the number of reviews as well as their review credits with no additional effort.

“Travelers will now start to see professional features on small property websites, and they will be more comfortable than ever booking a B&B when they see reviews from the leader in specialty lodging,” commented John Banczak, Chief Operating Officer for BedandBreakfast.com. “We are happy to be able to offer these products to help enable small lodgings attract broader audiences.  The products and services available at B&Bs around the world are better than they have ever been; our goal is to help consumers realize what a wonderful travel experience awaits when they stay at B&Bs.”

About BedandBreakfast.com

Founded in 1994, BedandBreakfast.com is the leading specialty travel website, with detailed information on over 7,500 B&Bs worldwide. Travelers can research information including over 50,000 photos, read over 70,000 unbiased consumer reviews, and make confirmed reservations instantly at nearly 1,700 properties. Welcome at more than 4,000 B&Bs, BedandBreakfast.com Gift Cards never expire; they have no restrictions or blackout dates, and are available online or at over 20,000 retail locations.

About RezOvation

RezOvation is a Microsoft Gold-certified company and the industry leader in property management systems, online reservations, website design and internet marketing for the small hotel, inn, and B&B market. Over 7,500 properties actively use RezOvation and Webervations software. RezOvation is part of the BedandBreakfast.com family of companies. RezOvation's suite of products is ideal for bed and breakfasts, inns, boutique hotels, lodges, and many other types of businesses.