Bjarni Bemar: Created page with "Category:Channel Manager Category:Ical Category:Error Messages from Channels Category:Set up Instructions ''Importing Bookings or Blocking dates using an exte..."

2018-06-13T14:25:57Z

Created page with "Category:Channel Manager Category:Ical Category:Error Messages from Channels Category:Set up Instructions ''Importing Bookings or Blocking dates using an exte..."

New page

[[Category:Channel Manager]]
[[Category:Ical]]
[[Category:Error Messages from Channels]]
[[Category:Set up Instructions]]
''Importing Bookings or Blocking dates using an external iCal or google calendar''

== Capabilities ==
Bemar/Beds24.com can import bookings from up to 3 iCal calendars per room. Many holiday rental sites support Ical [[Ical_Sync|more Information]]
*You can select if the end date of an event is the last night of the booking or the checkout day.
*Each full day or multi day event in your iCal calendar will be imported as a booking.

Changes to dates can be imported:
*If a booking that was previously imported is missing from a future import, the booking status will be changed to Cancelled.
*Importing changes or cancellations can be disabled for individual bookings or the entire calendar.

Import into Bemar/Beds24:
*The event summary is imported as the guest name.
*The event description is imported as the guest comment.
*The full event information from the iCal is stored in the api message field of the booking.

The iCal export channel can be set up to ignore bookings imported using an iCal import channel, this allows two way connections to be made to google or similar calendars without creating duplicate bookings.

The calendar will normally be checked multiple times per hour. For details please [[Channel_Manager_Capabilities|click here]]

== Limitations ==
The iCal calendar must be available on the internet for Beds24 to poll and must be set for public access. Some calendars like google allow public access (sharing) to be set on an event basis and only public events can be imported.

Bookings must be defined as full day events on the days you want to block.

Only the information specified in the Capabilities section above can be imported from the iCal.

== What you will need ==
The URL of the iCal calendar to import from.

== Setup ==
*Enter the calendar URL you want to import.
*Select whether the calendar specifies the end of the booking by last night or check-out date.

== Ignore Containing ==
Events in the iCal will be ignored if they contain this phrase in either their Summary or Description
To specify multiple phrases, enter one phrase per line.

== Ignore Duplicates ==
Bookings will be ignored if there is a booking from another channel with the same dates which is not cancelled.

== Disconnect ==
*Remove the URL
*Set "Import2 = Disable

== Custom Fields ==
The following custom fields can be used in the iCal. If present, the data is imported into the relevant booking field.

X-EMAIL: somebody@example.com
X-PHONE: 12345678

== Notes ==
'''Duplicates'''

If you import bookings from a calendar that is also using ical export, (2 way connection) you will probably create duplicate bookings as they are passed back and forth between the systems.

The '''skip duplicates''' options will not import a booking from the iCal if a non cancelled booking already exists in the same room for the same dates regardless of the source of the booking. For example a booking might be made on your booking page and exported via iCal to a third party system. If using a skip duplicates option, iCal import will not re-import that booking. Note that only the dates are used to determine a duplicate, this means a booking will not import from ical if a booking for the exact same dates already exists in the room, even if it is in reality a different booking.

See the instructions for ical export -> "Data Options" to prevent re-exporting bookings which have been imported by the iCal import channel.

'''Modifications'''

Booking modifications and cancellations can be imported or ignored.

A booking will be considered cancelled if it is no longer in the iCal

Additionally an email notification to the host can be sent when iCal cancellations occur.

Modifications to the check-in, check-out and guest name fields are supported.

ICal import - Revision history

Bjarni Bemar: Created page with "Category:Channel Manager Category:Ical Category:Error Messages from Channels Category:Set up Instructions ''Importing Bookings or Blocking dates using an exte..."