Configuring import strategy for reservations

The import strategy connects the columns in your CSV file to the correct target fields in BEX PMS. If you have performed a similar reservation import before, copying that import strategy can save you quite some time. If it is a new import, you’ll have to configure the import strategy.

This process is part of importing reservations from your previous booking system into BEX PMS. Read more: Importing existing reservations into PMS

If the import file has been checked and filled with all relevant information, configuring the import strategy should not take long. It is possible to take a break while configuring, your progress will not be lost.
Read more about the import file: Content of the reservation import file

  1. The import strategy screen will perform a automatic match based on the file content, to save you having to manually match everything.

  2. The activation toggle and status show you which attributes were not recognized in the import file (inactive), which are mandatory, which are optional, and whether or not they have been automatically matched (valid).

  3. The column selection shows you which PMS attribute was matched to which file column, and the examples show you what kind of data is in those columns.

  4. Check that the mandatory and optional attributes marked 'valid' are matched correctly based on the column selection and examples. If desired, you can always set the toggle to 'inactive' to exclude the attribute from the import entirely.

  5. Check attributes with an inactive status; are they meant to be excluded from the import, or do you want to set them to active and match them to a different file column by editing them?

  6. Check attributes like 'objects' and 'channels' by clicking the pencil icon. The entries in these file columns have to be matched to existing PMS values. For objects, import file entry 'Bungalow 1' might have been created as 'Cabin 1' in PMS, check to prevent mistakes!

  7. Check attributes like 'last name' and 'address'. As mentioned before, you can merge more than one file column to an attribute. Click the edit icon and use 'Add another' to add a file column. The examples will show what the result will be. Want to switch the order of the file columns? Use the index dropdowns to select a different order.
    NOTE: are you missing a space in between the two merged values? Add a third merge item, and set the middle one to 'text' instead of 'column'. Enter a space in the delimiter field.

  8. Is there an attribute that should be the same value for all entries, but does not have a matching file column? You can set it to active, edit it, and enter a text value instead of a column. Enter '0' or '1' to determine a binary attribute for all entries.

  9. When you are done configuring the import strategy, click 'Import' at the bottom of the screen.

The import itself may take some time. This is a background task, meaning that you do not have to stay on this page while it is completed. When ready, you can pick up the process at the next step, checking the bookings.
Read more: Importing existing reservations into PMS