More efficient business operations? Discover the power of i-Reserve as an integration platform

What makes couplings so important?

But first, what makes these couplings so important? Each system has its own way to record data. Consider, for example, customer information, payments or reservations. If these systems do not work together, you run the risk of double work, errors or a lack of overview. Links ensure that data is automatically exchanged between your programs. This not only saves time, but also ensures that data is always up-to-date.
What couplings does the i-Reserve reservation system ?
In our reservation system there are four ways to link systems with each other. Each type comes with its own benefits and applications, so that you can choose what suits your company best.

1. Native couplings

Native couplings are ready-made in the i-Reserve reservation system and therefore easy to use. Consider, for example, links with payment providers or agendas. You only have to set this
, and i-Reserve does the rest.

Examples of native couplings:

• Payment providers such as Cardgate, Pay.nl, Stripe, Mollie, Buckaroo and Ingenico.
• Agendas such as Google Calendar and Outlook.
• Cash registers such as Mplus Kassa.
• Access control via Dormakaba.
• Leisure such as X-Cube.

Native couplings are very useful because they are quick and easy to use, without needing technical knowledge. This makes them ideal for companies that want to get started quickly. The only drawback is that the possibilities for adjustments are a bit more limited compared to other types of couplings.

2. Import/export couplings

With import/export you can manually transfer data between i-Reserve and other systems. Suppose you want to export customer information or reservations to an Excel file for your accounting. Or vice versa, you want to import customer data into i-Reserve .
Import/export couplings are therefore ideal for situations in which you want to exchange data occasionally and they work well for simple applications. The disadvantage, however, is that these couplings are not fully automated, so that manual work is still required when performing the process.

3. API couplings

An API is the ultimate bridge between systems. With an API coupling you can automatically share data between i-Reserve and other software, and adjust it entirely to your liking.
A fully automatic solution offers many benefits. It saves a lot of time because processes run automatically and it is also very flexible, making it easy to adapt to the specific needs of your company. It is good to know that these options often require technical knowledge or need the help of a developer to set up everything properly.

4. Integration platforms such as MS Flow and Zapier

If you want to link multiple systems at the same time or build complex workflows, integration platforms are an ideal solution. You can set triggers and promotions via tools such as MS Flow and Zapier. For example, as soon as a reservation has been made, it will be transferred directly to both the agenda and the accounting system.
Integration platforms offer a lot of flexibility and are ideal for complex couplings, especially if you want to connect multiple systems at the same time. They make it possible to coordinate everything efficiently. The disadvantage, however, is that setting it can take some time and can sometimes be more complicated than other options.

How does linking systems work?

The principle behind the different couplings is simple and can be explained in three steps:

1. Triggers - It starts with an event

A trigger is an event in a program that starts something. Consider, for example:
a customer who makes a reservation.
Someone who changes his address.
This event gives a signal to the program. The program recognizes the trigger and knows what needs to be done.

2. Actions - Performing tasks

An action is what the program then does based on the trigger. For example:
the platform instructs the CRM system (a customer management system) to create a new customer.
In addition, it sends data, such as the name and e-mail address. In response, the CRM sends a customer number back.
Triggers and promotions work together to make data travel smoothly between programs.

Step 3. Mapping - Clever Data

Often different systems use other ways to save data. The data must therefore first be matched once. Here is mapping around the corner. Mapping means that you determine where data from one program should end up in the other. This prevents errors and ensures that systems communicate well with each other.

Example:
Suppose a customer books a tour. The reservation system contains data such as:

• The name of the customer.
• The date of the tour.
• The description of the Tour.

This reservation must be converted to an agenda item for the employee. But not everyone uses the system in the same way:

• User A wants the title of the appointment to be the name of the customer.
• User B just wants the description of the Tour to be used as a title.

With Mapping you can set this one -off, so that everyone sees the right information in the agenda.

What are the benefits of linked systems?

A well -connected system offers enormous benefits for your company. It saves time because everything is automatically processed and minimizes errors, since manual input and double work are no longer necessary. Moreover, it ensures that you always have a complete overview, because data is constantly kept up-to-date. With the flexible setting options you can also tailor the couplings and workflows exactly to what your company needs the most.

The i-Reserve reservation system continues to develop

with i-Reserve can therefore easily combine reservations with payments, administration, agendas and much more. Thanks to the various couplings - from simple standard solutions to extensive integration platforms - you choose what suits your company best. This way you work faster, make fewer mistakes and you can focus on what is really important: your customers.

But we are not standing still, the number of links in i-Reserve is getting bigger. Do you miss a specific link that your company needs? No problem! We are ready to think along with you and are happy to help you with advice about a solution that is specially tailored to your situation. Curious about the possibilities? Contact us and discover how we can make the processes within your reservation process even easier and more efficient.