Interfaces play a crucial role within the automation framework of your business. While the Property Management System plays a central role in the infrastructure, a whole series of external technology system can be implemented at your business such as PABX’s, KeyCard systems, PayTV systems, Minibar systems, Energy Management, Accounting etc.

Planet wInner offers a wide range of interface software that enables to connect these external systems to the Property Management System. wInner interfaces automate functions such as revenue charging (e.g. telephone, PayTV, Minibar, Internet etc) to the guest bill, check-in check-out, room key creation, data transfer to the accounting system etc.

The wInner^® interfaces can be divided into groups depending on the type of interfaces. For each of the groups, you find information on the possibilities of the interfaces. By principle wInner^® attempts to support the functions offered by the third party system. At the same time this can be a limitation depending on the functions available in the third party system.

Telephone or PABX interfaces.

wInner^® telephone Interfaces handle the automation with the telephone system. Call charging is the basic functionality typically offered by such interface. Depending on the telephone system, additional functionalities are possible such as:

c Opening and closing of telephone lines linked to the check in and check out in the PMS system. Each time a guest is checked-in, wInner^® will send a message to the telephone system instructing it to open the telephone extension.  Upon checkout, wInner^® will send a message to the telephone system instructing it to close the telephone extension.

c Room status change. Using the telephone set in the room, the room maid keys in a code which triggers the telephone system to send a message to wInner^® which will change the status of the room to ‘clean’.

c Wake up calls that are entered in the wInner^® system can be sent automatically to the telephone system.

c Messages entered in wInner^® can trigger a message to be sent to the telephone system in order to switch on a “message waiting” light on the telephone set.

c Telephone extensions can be routed. I.e. in case a telephone extension does not match the room number, wInner^® can be programmed to route the messages or charges from this extension to a particular room.

PayTV Interfaces.

wInner^® PayTV Interfaces handle the automation with the Paymovie system. Charging of movies is the basic functionality typically offered by such interface. Depending on the PayTV system, additional functionalities are possible such as:

c Upon check-in wInner^® sends a message to the payTV system triggering the TV set to be switched on and displaying a personalized welcome message.

c Depending on the type of PayTV system, specific rights can be set from the wInner^® system. For example, no PayTV possible, No adult movie access etc.

c The guest invoice can be visualized on the TV screen. In this situation, the guest will request to view the bill using the TV options via the remote control. The PayTV system sends a request message to wInner^® that in its turn will reply with the detailed invoice. The PayTV system will then display the invoice on screen.

c In room checkout can be enabled on a room-by-room basis in wInner^®  (this is decided by the hotel depending on the payment information the guest has supplied). When the guest selects the option checkout via his TV set, wInner^® will flag this room as “express checked-out” indicating to the front office that this guest has left.

c Wake-up calls entered in wInner^® can be send to the Paytv system thus enabling the TV set to wake-up the guest at the programmed time.

c Messages entered in wInner^® can trigger the actual message to be displayed on the TV Set of the guest’s room.

Voicemail Interfaces.

Interfaces to voice mail systems handle the automation between wInner^® and the voice mail system. Depending on the kind of system, additional functionality is possible such as:

c Upon Check-in wInner^® sends a message to the voicemail system ordering it to create a new voicemail box.

c Guest departure will trigger the removal of a voicemail box. In case unread messages exist in the voicemail system, a warning will be displayed.

c When a guest changes to another room, wInner^® sends a message instructing the voicemail system to move the mailbox including its messages.

Keycard Interfaces.

wInner^® Keycard Interfaces handle the automation with the Electronic keycard system. Sending orders to the keycard system to create keys, is the basic functionality typically offered by such interface. Depending on the Keycard system, additional functionalities are possible such as:

c The creation of multiple keys upon check-in. When a guest is checked-in using wInner^®, the user can select the number of keys to produce. wInner^® will send a message to the keycard system instructing it to do so.

c Copy keys can be created by retrieving the guest in wInner^® and using the appropriate function key, Copy or New keys can be requested.

c In case the keycard system supports facility access (for example, access to the garage, swimming pool etc), the codes for these facilities are set up in wInner^®, and upon creation of the key, the user can select which facilities can be accessed using this key.

Minibar Interfaces.

wInner^® Minibar Interfaces handle the automation with the Automated minibar system. Posting the minibar charges to the guest account is the basic functionality typically offered by such interface. Depending on the Minibar system, additional functionality is possible such as:

c Check-in & Check-out messages can be sent by wInner^® triggering the minibar system to lock or unlock the minibar in the guest room.

Back Office Accounting Interfaces.

wInner^® Front Office handles the guest invoicing. Invoice numbers are generated, and the Accounts receivables module tracks and manages the invoices to company or credit card invoices. The wInner^® Back Office Accounting Interfaces makes it possible to send all the invoice data to a Back Office Accounting system. Following features are offered by the wInner^® Back Office Accounting Interface,  depending on the possibilities of this accounting system:

c wInner^® permits to switch off its accounts receivables module. This would typically be done in a scenario where wInner^® sends all the invoices to the Back Office Accounting system which in its turn will manage accounts receivable. It is also possible to send all invoices to the Back Office Accounting system, and keep the wInner^® Accounts Receivable module active. In this scenario, payments to accounts receivable invoices may have to be registered in both systems.

c The invoice data is created by wInner^®, on a daily basis during the end of day process. During this process, a structured file is created and saved for processing by the Back Office Accounting system. This means that for example during the weekend, multiple files are accumulated for treatment on the next business day.

c Next to invoice files, wInner^® can send a separate payment file. This because payments are not necessarily linked to an invoice at the moment of payment. E.g. advanced deposit payments are registered before guest arrival; a long stay guest can make a part payment in the middle of his/her stay creating a payment before the invoice is generated.

c It is also possible to send the Trial Balance data to the Back Office Accounting system in the form of journals. Each day, a journal is created for each of the Trial balance accounts existing in wInner^®. Cross-reference tables, reference the wInner^® Trial balance accounts to the account numbers set-up in the Back Office Accounting system.

Credit Card Interface.

The wInner Credit Card Interface is a solution that provides permanent access to the Banks for credit card validation, authorisation code request and payment transactions. This solution is fully integrated throughout the wInner system giving each PC the facility to process credit card transactions on-line.

The wInner credit card Interface was developed in co-operation with  3C-communications. The interface is an on-line system between wInner and the credit-card acquiring banks.

Verification of credit card validity, request of authorisation codes and payment transactions can  be done direct from within the wInner system. Transaction are sent to the banks automatically and in real-time. Credit card transactions are integrated throughout wInner Front Office and Point of Sale. This interface eliminates the need of manual credit card terminals at reception or in the restaurant and bars.

Advantages:

c Handles all international credit-cards: Visa, Eurocard / Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and JCB.

c Uses fast and real-time communication with the banks.

c Authorisation requests as well as payments are sent directly to the banks.

c Offers better control.

c Offers better reporting.

c While making the reservation, you can verify credit card validity on-line and in real-time.

c Deposits can be accepted on credit card, with direct payment with the bank.

c Card Swipe using Cherry Keyboard. Possibility to lookup guest reservation using the credit card.

c Validation and on-line authorisation guest credit card. In 95% of all invoices, no ne authorisation required at checkout.

c At check-in, the total amount of stay (+ a % for extras) is authorised on the credit card. Authorisation information is stored with the reservation.

c During the guest's stay, at day-end closing, wInner will verify the folio balance against the amount authorised on the guest's card. If the folio balance exceeds the authorised amount, a new authorisation will automatically be requested.

c Automatic request of additional authorisation in case the total stay exceeds the authorised amount.

c The payment is sent automatically with the authorisation code. The payment is guaranteed.

Interface Internet Central.

This interface integrates the CorioTech internet centrals. Coriotech implements 'Internet Centrals' for hotels and other businesses. An Internet Central enables you to sell Internet Access using your own existing broadband Internet connection. You define the sales price per time unit, and resell it to your customers. A guest that wants Internet access, receives a code and password in order to go onto your own network and obtain Internet Access. The Coriotech Internet central offers wireless Internet access, or it can be delivered using an Internet Kiosk in the lobby.

The interface enables you to automate the sales of Internet access to your guests.

How does it work?

1. The guest requests reception to get Internet access for (e.g.) one hour.

2. The receptionist retrieves the guests room, and posts the Internet Access sold (For each time-unit sold a posting button is available).

3. The wInner system automatically sends a request to the Coriotech Internet Central indicating the time required. After validation, the Coriotech Internet central sends a User-ID and Password to the wInner system.

4. The User ID and password are printed on the reception printer and delivered to the guest.

5. Using the code and password, the guest can now log onto the hotel's protected network and surf during the period that was paid for.

Advantages of this Interface are:

c Reception is obliged to first post the revenue before any access code is generated.

c It is guaranteed that revenues are posted before the Internet Access is given to the guest.

c Requesting and printing of the user code and password is done automatically. This avoids the double work of manually obtaining codes, printing them, and manually posting the charges to the guest room account.