What is a cluster and how to create one

A cluster is a combination of two (or more) existing objects, rented out together as a single unit. Clusters make it easy to rent objects out both separately and together.

What is a cluster

Example:
You have two accommodations that share a wall and a connecting door, so they can be rented out both separately and as a single group accommodation by unlocking the connecting door.

  • Accommodation A has has 3 bedrooms and is an object of type 6-p with patio.

  • Accommodation B has 2 bedrooms and a luxury bathroom, and is an object of type 4-p wellness.

  • A and B can be booked together as cluster Group A/B, which belongs to type 10-p group.

A cluster is listed in the Search & Book and advertised through OTA’s just like a regular object.
Similar clusters can have the same type. From the example above, the type '10-p group' might also include cluster 'Group C/D'.

Availability

The availability of a cluster is tied to that of the underlying objects, and vice versa.
If cluster Group A/B is booked for a week, that same week is blocked in the availability of accommodations A and B.
If accommodation B is booked separately for a weekend, this will block the availability of Group A/B; but accommodation A will still be available separately.

Statistics

In statistics, a cluster cannot be treated the same way as a regular object. Occupation figures and revenue statistics would become skewed.
Read more about how this is solved: Clusters (virtual objects) in statistics

Creating a cluster

When creating a cluster as described below, you will need to link it to a type. If you have no suitable type yet for the intended cluster, create one first. This is done in the exact same way as a regular type.
Read more: Creating a new type

Go to 'Clusters' in the Setup module. Click 'New' to create a new cluster.
You’ll see that the information needed to create a new cluster is very similar to the information needed to create a new object.

Fill in the name and other identifying information, select an energy label if applicable, and then select the objects that are part of this cluster. You can use the selection bar as a search bar to find the right objects.
Like a regular object, a cluster also needs an initial setup to become available for booking online. Enter the 'active from' date and select the right type.

After saving, the cluster will become available on your website and visible in your Planboard.
Read more: Cluster reservation in the Planboard