Integrations
Today, the possibility of data exchange between various applications or systems is an important requirement, including for a reservation system. For example: you want to offer your customers the option to make online reservations, pay for reservations directly online, you want to link i-Reserve with your administration or accounting system or you want to include reservations in the Outlook calendar.
Various types of integrations are possible in the i-Reserve reservation system: API links, import/export links, native links and links through an integration platform such as MS Flow or Zapier. Native links are links that are already built into the reservation system as standard. All you have to do is set them up!
Connections provide a more complete system and take even more work off your hands. We have native links with various payment providers and with import/export links you can integrate your i-Reserve environment with your accounting system . But it is also possible to make a link office tools and agendas In addition, there are native links available in the field of leisure . Will you go one step further? Then you can make everything completely automated by linking access control
As a team, we are constantly looking for opportunities to improve our software and new links are added. Is the application with which you want to exchange data missing from this overview? Contact us and inquire about the possibilities. We are happy to advise you!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does an integration work?
There are several ways in which i-Reserve can be linked to other software. Every technique has advantages and disadvantages.
Native
A native connection is fully built into i-Reserve and can usually be configured with parameters.
Difficulty: easy
Example: most payment providers are built-in natively
Import / Export
Data is exported from the source system and imported into the target system via an export file.
When i-Reserve is used as an export system, various formats are available.
If i-Reserve is used as an import system, both CSV and Excel files can be used and fields can be linked.
Difficulty level: medium
Example: most administration links are import/export where i-Reserve takes care of the export
Microsoft Flow (PowerAutomate)
i-Reserve be linked to the Flow platform via a special connector All other software that also has such a connector can now be linked to i-Reserve .
This makes the possibilities virtually endless.
Difficulty: Hard
Example: Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook
Hooks
A hook is a response (action) to a certain event (trigger). For example, creating or updating a reservation. A set of data can then be sent to a location somewhere on the internet. This is usually an application that processes the incoming hook directly. It is also possible the other way around: i-Reserve can process incoming hooks, provided that the fields conform to the names used i-Reserve This usually requires a programmatic approach.
Difficulty: difficult
Can import/export integrations be automated?
To a certain extent, these types of connections can be automated. In case the export is made from i-Reserve , an export file is created based on a filter. This filter can be planned. Scheduling means that you can set the time at which the filter will be created periodically. For example, every day at one o'clock in the night. A filter can then be sent to E-mail or an FTP location.
It depends on the target system whether the file is read automatically or whether manual action is required.
The other way: the import option in i-Reserve can also be planned. This usually happens in the case of FTP. An import can then take place automatically. In these cases, an import must have been made manually at least once, so that the import definitions are saved.
What type of import options are there?
Data import is possible for the following contexts:
- Customers
- Businesses
- Contact details (email, telephone)
- Reservations
- Additional consumption
- Custom tables
Can every system be linked to a reservation system?
Not every system can be connected. The techniques we know are API, import/export (batch oriented), so you transport and import at a certain time. i-Reserve is an open system and whether a system can be linked depends on the other system:
- The system must be suitable for this, i.e. open
- Whether there is already a link with Microsoft flow, for example
- It depends on which technique can be used to connect
- Depending on the coupling technique, you will need someone who has some knowledge of the coupling technique