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IRM Configuration Options - Guest History

In order to track reservations made through the IRM, the following system codes are defined:

  1. Guest History Type
  2. Returning Guest Source of Business
  3. Market Code
  4. Frequent Guest Number

All four of these codes are beneficial for marketing and management reporting.  RDP's Statistical Reports module includes standard reports for "Revenue by Source of Business" and "Revenue by Market Code".  By accurately tracking reservations made via the IRM, the property can make informed budgeting decisions.

Guest History Type

When an Internet guest makes his initial reservation, the “Guest History Type” is assigned based on this field.  Guest history types are stored in RDP-DOS table CA and are used to segment guest history for marketing purposes.  For example, a mailing can be distributed to past guests based on guest history type.  So, all guests who have booked through the IRM can be e-mailed a newsletter alerting them of future Internet specials.  Use the following steps for adding sub-records to RDP-DOS table CA:

  1. From the System Manager menu (98), select option "090" - "Update System Tables".
  2. Select option "U" - "Update Table Records".
  3. Enter table number "CA" and "S" for "Sub-Record".
  4. Enter the new sub-record and it's corresponding description.
  5. File the sub-record.
Returning Guest Source of Business

The initial IRM “Source of Business” code is entered by the Internet guest.  By default , all source of business codes from RDP-DOS Table CD are displayed.  Use option 090 on the System Manager menu (98) to suppress any source of business codes that should not be displayed to Internet guests.  Enter an "N" in field “#2” – “Show on IRM?” to suppress a source of business code.   

The initial source of business code entered by the Internet guest is transferred to the Guest Master record and used as the default for any subsequent reservations.

Market Code

The market code entered here is used for all Internet reservations.  RDP provides standard "Revenue by Market Code" reports.  These reports are useful in determining the type of guest staying at the property.  Once the type of guest is determined, marketing dollars can be spent in the correct areas for attracting additional business.

Additional market codes can be added using option 090 on the System Manager menu and updating table CF.

Returning Guests

The IRM contains settings for guests who often book through the on-line system.   Returning guests access the IRM by entering either their e-mail address or guest number and the corresponding password.  The guest's password is stored in the RDP-DOS system under the guest master record.  Use the following steps for accessing the guest master record.

  1. From the RDP-DOS system, select option "9" - "Past Guest Master & History".
  2. Select option "202" - "Change Guest History".
  3. Access the master record by entering the guest's name or guest number.
  4. The guest's IRM password is stored in field #18, Password.  A sample guest master record is displayed below.

Returning guest features are displayed below.

Display Historic Checkouts

With this option selected, guests booking several reservations through the IRM will see all of their previous reservations.  With this feature turned off, only those reservations in "active" history are displayed.  As a review, RDP's historical checkouts are split into "active" and "non-active" history.  Nightly, as part of the property's audit, the "910" - "Transfer Reservations to Non-Active History" option is completed.  And, based on property-defined settings stored in RDP-DOS table C1, reservations checked out for a set number of days are transferred from the active to the non-active file.  Only reservations with a zero balance are transferred to non-active history.

Frequent Stay Guest Programs 

RDP offers the ability to track Frequent Stay Guest programs, many properties offer these programs in conjunction with Frequent Mile Programs. The IRM has the ability for the returning guest to use their frequent guest number and zip code to access the IRM when making a new reservation or check an existing reservation. The Frequent Guest Module must be installed in order to activate this feature.

The IRM will prompt for their frequent ID number and a zip code prior to displaying the returning guests detailed record. This frequent ID number is stored in Comment-9 in the Guest History records. The new IRM reservation will then be stamped with this frequent ID number.

To change the prompting text for comment-9 on the IRM, choose IRM options and Configure Comment Fields.
change the text in comment # 9 to " Frequent Guest #  " or something similar. When the Frequent Guest Module is installed it is not necessary to activate this comment field # 9 for guest types Guests, Agents, Groups or Owners.

Brochure Requests

As part of the RDP Frequent Guest Module, Brochure Requests can be made using the IRM. The requests are stored in RDP as a Guest History Record. A Guest History type  " 2 - Brochure Request " will be stamped on all guest history records created by this option. Upon submission of a request, the property and the guest will receive an e-mail.

Activate Brochure Requests

Once the Frequent Guest Module is installed in RDP-DOS, the Brochure Requests Section becomes an available option in the monitor settings. Check the box below to activate brochure requests in the IRM.

The Brochure Request option is displayed on the initial "AccessType" page when making a reservation.Properties can view the requests made each day from the IRM Monitor by selecting "Brochure requests made today."

For more information about the RDP Frequent Guest Module, contact RDP Sales.

Show the IRM Rate Plan from Guest History

Returning Internet guests can be assigned a specific rate plan.  If a return guest accesses the IRM and this feature is activated, the rate plan from the "guest master" is used.  The rate plan on the guest master record is accessed using the following steps.

  1. Open the RDP-DOS system.
  2. From the RDP Main Functions menu, select option "9" - "Past Guest Master & History".
  3. Select option "202" - Change Guest History" and access the IRM guest by name or guest history number.
  4. The IRM rate plan is stored in field #33.

If a rate plan for this guest is not entered in field #33, the IRM defaults to the rate plan entered on the IRM Options page (seen below).

If a rate plan is not entered on the IRM Options page, and the guest is booking a group reservation, the IRM checks for the setting in the field "Show Only the Rate Plan Assigned to the Group Master".  If this switch is activated and the group master has a specified rate plan, it becomes the default rate plan. 

If the new reservation is NOT assigned to a group master, the IRM checks the setting in the "Display this One Rate Plan Only" field.  If only one rate plan is valid for Internet guests, the specified rate plan is, of course, used for the new reservation.  If a rate plan is not specified in the  "Display this One Rate Plan Only" field, all valid IRM rate plans are displayed to the returning Internet guest.

Cookies

A returning Internet guest who allows cookies to be stored on their computer sees a "Welcome Back" message upon accessing the IRM.  Cookies store the guest's name and password, making the IRM login process faster.  If the guest clicks the "Login" button under the "Welcome Back" message, the IRM displays the "Verify Guest" page that shows guest information and reservation activity.  Next, the returning guest clicks the "Continue to Date Entry" button.  The guest number and password do NOT have to be re-entered.

IRM Options Configuration Page - Use these Links for Additional Documentation

RDP

IRM Configuration Documentation Page

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