Version 6 is not only a Desktop upgrade, but an improvement in the entire BookingCenter system - from Property Management to Central Reservations to Global Distribution. Learn about the benefits that Version 6 provides below:
New Features in Version 6
A New Look! BookingCenter has changed its graphical icons to reflect a new generation of OS X and Vista interface standards. The program looks nicer and is now even easier to navigate.
New ‘Home Menu’ Paradigm. In past releases, the Home Menu was a floating tool bar that allowed a user to click buttons to access common features such as Bookings, Guests, Receipts, etc. The new paradigm, widely used in Windows and Macintosh user interface design, is to have an anchored tool bar menu – that can be customized - at the top of the application that never disappears. We think users will like this better than the old ‘Home Menu’. But no worries - none of the keyboard shortcuts were changed, so navigating for current users will be easy.
Mac OS X Native Support. BookingCenter has been running on the OS 9 ‘Classic’ system within the Mac OS X environment. BookingCenter Desktop now runs completely native on all Mac OS X platforms (and older Macs as well). Of course, we continue to offer 100% Windows support from Windows 98 through Vista.
New Availability Window. This new feature gives users flexibility to customize colors, size of the calendar, and date ranges for the availability window. Additionally, the bookings now show Guest names as well as allow one to ‘hover’ over any booking to read complete details such as name, arrival, room, etc.
New Hourly Availability Window. The Hourly window has been improved, offering a much nicer visual way of viewing hourly bookings. Especially important for managing spa or venue rooms, the Hourly now allows quick visual feedback for incremental bookings, for example, a booking that ends at 3:40, now looks to be full for only 2/3 of the hour between 3 and 4 pm. As on the Availability Window, the names of the Guest and details appear on the bar representing the booking.
Sell Inventory Items. The ability to sell ‘up sell’ inventory items on your website has been improved, with the enhancement of Inventory Items online and now selling Packages - both from a webiste and or through the Global Booking Networks and GDS systems. Let guests make bookings AND purchase as many Items (meals, ski tickets, transportation, spa services, etc.) as they want. Evidence shows that selling Items online is easier than selling them locally, as there is no pressure on the sale.
Check rate routines improved. BookingCenter stopped requiring Seasons for all dates in previous releases, but the Full Upload process required a user to view dates not covered by a Season. Users with ‘gaps’ in their Seasons do not have to be taken through an explanation of these. However, if one wanted to view the ‘gaps’ they still can use the ‘Check’ button on the Seasons screen.
Added Closed to Arrival and Minimum Stays fields to Rates. When setting up a Rate, it is now possible to stipulate which day(s) of the week the rate cannot be booked for arrival. Thus, if a Rate can not be booked for a Friday arrival, then place N in the 6th position (since all weeks begin with Sunday). Likewise, the Minimum Stay field restricts the Rate from being booked for a length equal to or greater than any value placed here. If there is ever a conflict between a Minimum Stay or a Closed to Arrival setting between a Rate and a Season, the most restrictive will be chosen.
Upload Items to Central Reservation System, but use in a Package only. When an Inventory Item needs to be included in a Package, but not sold as an online Item separately, it can be uploaded by choosing ‘Upload to Internet’ but NOT choosing ‘Sell Online’ on the Item Detail. Creating Packages to sell online is available now for users of the Point of Sale (POS) Module. Packages are created via the Members Area, but can be used with all BookingCenter products now.
All these new features are documented in the newly-released Reference manual available for download in the Support Area (http://www.bookingcenter.com/support/#Anchor-Support-docs).
Member's Area (http://members.bookingcenter.com)
For all users of the Global Booking Network, the re-designed Member's Area offers immediate improvements. Among the enhanced features are:
The Availability Calendar shows what ‘blocks’' or bookings were made or last modified, keeping an ‘audit’ of user activity to be able to answer the question “When was that changed?”
The Booking Details screen in the Members Area now breaks out complete details of all booking related details, from Items sold as POS Items, to Items included in a Package, to deposits, and tax details. This allows users of the Management Tool to have as much Booking Detail as possible. This new feature also allows users of the Desktop or MyPMS Property Management Systems to view complete details of what online bookings or Packages were sold - and in what configuration (deposit for Room or Item(s), taxed deposit, etc.) - to the customer. This is especially important if bookings get edited or altered by staff after the booking occurred.
Packages. The Members Area enables building Packages; turning them Live or Not Live; emphasizing them on your website; and allocating them to Agent Channels such as a website, a GDS, or the entire Global Booking Network.
Marketing Services
Source import from CRS. When a new Source is used in an online Booking, the Source will import into the Property Management System without it first having to be setup and provided to the Central Reservation System.
New Booking Engine Tracking Code: Many properties use our Marketing Services Organization to track ‘lookers to bookers’ from outside websites to their booking engine. But there are other marketing firms who offer good tools for doing this, and we can now incorporate those outside vendor tracking codes into our Booking Engine, allowing customers to use tracking systems such as Blizzard Tracker or Google Tracker.
Pricing for the Version 6 Upgrade
As per our policy (http://www.bookingcenter.com/guarantee.html), this is a paid upgrade for users who purchased Desktop over 90 days ago. If you purchased Version 5 Desktop between October 23, 2007 and January 23, 2008 the Upgrade is free. If you purchased Version 5 Desktop between July 23 and October 23, 2007, only half of the Upgrade fee is due. Version 5 had 14 updates that anyone with a Support Contract could have received at any time. We expect that Version 6 will also see as frequent updates.
Upgrading is not a requirement to continue using your BookingCenter Desktop Property Management System and working with the Global Booking Network.
However the new features are so useful - we hope you do upgrade. Pricing is as follows:
- $300 for upgrade of a Pro license (properties with greater than 9 rooms)
- $250 per additional user license (Pro customers only)
- $250 for upgrade of Lite with Network license (properties with less than 9 rooms and no Modules)
- $200 for upgrade of Lite license (properties with less than 9 rooms and no use of the Internet nor Modules)
- All Modules are upgraded for free.
Purchasing Options
Purchase your upgrade now by:
- Purchasing online
- Downloading an Order Form and email it to Sales (sales@BookingCenter.com), mail it to us, or fax us at +1-718-228-5959.
- Direct any questions or comments to Sales (sales@BookingCenter.com)
- Direct Phone: +1–707–874–3922
Toll–Free in USA and Canada: +1–800–315–0042
Fax: +1–718–228–5959
Installation Instructions for Upgrading to Version 6
Follow these links for help upgrading from an older version of BookingCenter to Version 6.
If you need assistance evaluating whether your computer system is ready for Version 6, contact us to get help.