One of the objectives most have when using a system like Lodgix is to stop having to update calendar availability on multiple sites.
While it would be great if every listing provider had a two way reservation sync, most do not. And even those that do, many limit full reservation sync to property managers with 5 or more properties. However many listing sites have moved to support the iCalendar format for exporting and importing calendar data. iCalendar data is limited but it will allow Lodgix to be the ONLY area where calendar data needs to be stored.
The Lodgix iCalendar Interface
Let’s review the components of the Lodgix iCalendar interface:
- iCal Export URL. This URL would be entered into listing sites that accept iCal imports. This URL will contain basic Lodgix availability data to block dates, assuring that double bookings cannot occur on the listing site.
- iCal Import URL. Lodgix supports multiple iCal import URLs. For example, if a booking is made on Airbnb, once you have the correct, property specific Airbnb iCal import URL entered here. Another great example, would be a property manager with an owner who maintains a Google calendar of the bookings they take for their property. By entering the Google iCal URL within Lodgix, the property manager can make bookings with the assurance that the unit is not getting double booked. Likewise the property manager could supply the iCal export URL to the property owner, which he / she could enter into the Google Calendar, to assure that the Google Calendar remains updated with an bookings made by the PM.
- Auto Import. The auto import features allows Lodgix to automatically poll the iCal import URL. Lodgix will poll the import URL every 60 minutes to see if there are any changes in availability. If set to OFF, the import is a manual process.
- Manual sync – property. To force a manual import of any new or changed calendar data, the sync button can be used.
- Manual sync – all properties. To force a manual import of any new or changed calendar data for all properties, the Import iCal – All Sources button can be used.
Important Notes About iCalendar Data
Importing rules:
- iCalendar data can never overwrite Lodgix invoice data.
- iCalendar data remains true to the source. For example, if iCalendar data is being imported from a Google Calendar, and changes made to reservations on the Google Calendar (add a date, remove a date, etc.) will update the iCal block on Lodgix, ONLY if the block was originally created by the Google Calendar iCalendar import.
If there are any conflicts that result when iCalendar data is being imported, those conflicts will be noted in the Logs tab within the iCalendar interface.
Viewing Imported iCalendar Data on the Lodgix Calendar Tape
iCalendar data are imported as blocks are in black. The source of the data is noted at the top of the block. Eventually we will implement the ability to customize the color of the blocks to vary by the iCal source.
New iCalendar Interface is Live!:
One of the objectives most have when using a system like Lodgix is to… http://t.co/ZkijM2sAI2