Auto Actions

Fonte: abh.pt - Algarve Beach House
(Redirecionado de Email Templates)
Auto Actions
This page is about the menu  (SETTINGS) GUEST MANAGEMENT > AUTO ACTIONS and explains how to set up and use Auto Actions.

General Information[editar]

An Auto Action is an action which can be programmed to run at a specific time relative to the time of the booking, to the check-in date or to the check-out date.

Auto actions have one or more trigger conditions and one or more actions. They can be triggered on a number of different conditions, like property, time or booking related conditions. Actions can be to send pre-drafted emails/messages or SMS, change booking or invoice information or run webhooks.

Template variables provide great flexibility when creating/managing the Auto Actions. Setup one Auto Action to trigger on multiple/all properties/rooms with the property specific details, using the Template Variables. This removes the need to duplicate your auto actions for each Property. Reducing the ongoing management, multiple copies of the same auto action will require you to edit/modify each auto action rather than update one auto action.

Using 'Group Keywords' you can refine the triggers in the Auto Action to include/exclude properties if the purpose/message in the Auto action needs to be different.

Auto Actions are not designed as real-time actions. They are sent in batches at times so we recommend you set your triggers to allow for this.

Setup[editar]

Go to (SETTINGS) GUEST MANAGEMENT > AUTO ACTION

  • Click 'Add New Action' button. You can choose whether you want to start with an empty Auto Action or whether you want to use a template that you can customise further.
  • To MODIFY an Auto Action, scroll to the Auto Action and click on "Edit", make the changes and click SAVE.
  • To create a COPY of an Auto Action, click "Edit" on an existing auto action, scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'Save as copy'.
  • To DELETE an Auto Action, click "Edit" on an existing auto action, scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'Delete'.

Trigger Action :

You can choose to trigger an auto action automatically or manually.

  • Manual: If set to manual actions can be triggered manually from the MAIL/ACTION tab of each booking.
  • Auto: Auto action will automatically trigger on a booking based on the rules set in the Trigger tab. Check the details in the MAIL/ACTION tab of each booking. You will see if the auto action has triggered and when, if it has not triggered then you can check if it is due to trigger and when.

Setup Outgoing Email Service - Required for sending Emails via Auto Actions[editar]

Go to (SETTINGS) ACCOUNT -> OUTGOING EMAIL and follow the instructions to connect your email address/account to Beds24.

Auto sending:

The auto action batch process runs multiple times per hour.

Auto Action Emails which are sent automatically by the system are sent from the EMail address of the account that created the Auto Action. This is the account set up in in (SETTINGS) ACCOUNT-> OUTGOING EMAIL.

Manual sending:

When sending manually by clicking on the 'Send now' button the Email address of the user you are logged in as will be be used.

To use this function you need to set the system to use your own Email address for outgoing emails under (SETTINGS) ACCOUNT -> OUTGOING EMAIL.

Confirmation emails will send automatically to the guest. You can customize them in (SETTINGS) GUEST MANAGEMENT -> CONFIRMATION MESSAGES.

The auto actions will appear on the 'Mail & Actions' tab of each booking where you manually trigger the email/messages/changes to the booking.

If you are using your own mail server for outgoing email/messages the Booking and Invoice actions will be applied before sending the mail.

Auto Actions and Subaccounts[editar]

Auto Actions are account functions, i.e. they apply per account.

1. Account A (master account or subaccount) in which the auto action was created.

Auto Actions are available according to the "Property" setting in the "Trigger" tab. I.e. either for

  • A specific property or a group of properties
  • All properties belonging to that account
  • all properties visible in the account (properties belonging to the account, properties available in the account).

2. Another account B (master account or sub-account) in which the Auto Action has not been created.

Auto Actions are only available for properties that belong to Account A and have been made available in Account B.

If required, Auto Actions can be copied from one account to another using the "clone" function. This creates an independent Auto Action in another account, which can be changed there. The clone function is available via the 'User' icon on the top right and then on 'Account Management (in the old control panel SUB ACCOUNT in the top right).

If you have sub accounts and need an auto action to be used across multiple accounts/properties, then create the auto action at the Master Account Level and set Property = 'All visible in account' and ensure the Master account has access to the properties.

Trigger[editar]

Sets the criteria which have to be fulfilled to start the Auto Action.

Property, Room, Unit

You can refine the use of the Auto Action, by specifying if it should trigger on specific properties or all properties/rooms.

You can select if it should trigger on All properties, All Owned by, All visible in account or a specific Property. If you select a specific Property then you can also select a specific Room id.

It is possible to 'Exclude' specific Beds24 Room ids, you can find the Room id from the Room Setup.

If required, you can also specify specific Offers/Units in Room Types.

Send/Exclude Property Groups, this will use the values you have entered in (SETTINGS) BOOKING PAGE > MULTIPLE PROPERTIES > PROPERTY SETTINGS > GROUP KEYWORDS.

Time

"Trigger Time" defines when the action is allowed to start. Once it has started it is allowed to go for the "Time Window" period. When the "Time Window" period has elapsed the auto action stops.

Both "Trigger Time" and "Time Window" are relative to a "Trigger Event" i.e. check-in, check-out, time of booking.

"Between Booking and Check in" can be used to include/exclude Same day/Near term bookings, set the number of days.

"Check In From" and "Check In To" use if you have specific information relating to bookings between these dates, special offers, major disruptions etc.

Booking Source

"Booking Source" = "Direct" applies the Auto Actions only to bookings from your own web site, manually added bookings and bookings imported though the API (not the channel manager). If you want to trigger only on manually added bookings add your username in the "Referrer" field.

Booking Conditions

"Group Booking Trigger" - use the (?) context help for the options. "Invoice Balance" - use this to for payments and reminders.

Info Codes

If you use Booking Info Codes in your bookings, you can enter values to include/exclude bookings.

Booking Fields

Select the appropriate fields from the drop down lists. You can also use an AND/OR option.

"Template variables" can be used in the fields to generate dynamic values based on the booking. See the options in this section Smart Template Variables

Actions[editar]

Messaging/Email[editar]

Go to "Messaging" to create or modify a prepared Email/Message template. Templates can contain Template Variables to include information specific to the booking in the Email/Message, for example the guests name or the arrival date.

  • To send messages via the Message API, then enter the text in the PLAIN text box, for emails, enter the text in the HTLM Box.
  • To send Emails automatically you need to set up your outgoing Email address in (SETTINGS) ACCOUNT -> OUTGOING EMAIL.
  • To send Emails manually open a booking and go to the MAIL/Action tab. Manual Emails will open in a window, you may send it as is or edit it before sending.

Some systems have a limit of about 2000 characters for this form of email generation. If the email will not open try reducing the amount of text.

If Auto Action Emails are sent automatically they will send through your Email server. You should see this on your server. Whether you see it in your Sent box or not depends on your Email program.

If Auto Action Emails are sent manually via a link in the "Email Templates" list in the booking Beds24 will first try to send through your Email server. You should see this on your server. Whether you see it in your Sent box or not depends on your Email program.

If this does not work it will pop and send through your desktop. In this case you will see it in your Sent box.

Email Attachments[editar]

You can choose to attach an invoice or a booking template as a PDF file to emails sent by Auto Actions.

If you send Emails with pdf attachment (invoice, booking template) to Alias-Email addresses created by channels the channel might block the attachment so it is not delivered to the guest. Ask your channel about their policy regarding this.

Other files can not be attached. We recommend you use a link to a file you upload to your web site.

HTML and Templates[editar]

If you use HTML you will need to make sure your code is correct and clean otherwise it might trigger our firewall.

HTML messages created by third party services is often convoluted and might contain critical content. Some tools like https://stripo.email/ or https://www.designedwithbee.com/ that allow you to create your own templates and also provide many templates have tested to work well in Beds24.

SMS[editar]

You can automatically send SMS messages. Please note that a fee per SMS message applies if this function is activated.

SMS can only be used to communicate Information about a current booking. For legal reasons you can not use SMS for marketing purposes including discounts or vouchers.

The SMS will send in the language of the account, not the language of the booking. Read Example "Send an Email in the guests language to an internal Email address" for a way to control the language of the SMS.

Booking[editar]

Go to the tab 'Booking' to set up an auto action which modifies something in the booking.

"Execution" - default is 'One time only' or 'Allow Repeats' This action can run one time only or repeat within the trigger time period.

Emails are always triggered once only regardless of this setting.

Booking Info[editar]

Set up auto actions which automatically add or remove info codes. This is good practice for reporting and also to trigger/exclude bookings from other auto actions.

Invoice[editar]

Automatically Assign Invoice Number.

Automatically add/update invoice items or pending payments.

Pending payments can use Payment Rules defined in (SETTINGS)->PAYMENTS->PAYMENT RULES.

Invoice changes are applied before the mail is sent.

API[editar]

Create auto actions which trigger HTTP POST notifications.

Webhook[editar]

Create auto actions which trigger a web hook when the trigger conditions are met.

Multiple Properties[editar]

With Multiple Properties, the requirement to have Property specific information in the Messages/emails sent to the guest/housekeeping/owner can be achieved using Template Variables.

When you create a Property/Room in Beds24, the setup of the Property/Room is held in the database and can be accessed via Template Variables. For example in (SETTINGS) >PROPERTIES >DESCRIPTION, you setup the property specific details.

  • Property name - can be accessed in template variable [PROPERTYNAME]
  • Property Address - can be accessed in template variable [PROPERTYADDRESS]

You will find the full list of Property Template Variables when you go to Property Variables

There are additional Property Templates that can be used in Messages/Emails/SMS to the guest that can be customised for each Property. Each Property Template can hold customised text that can be used in Auto Actions, Booking Templates, Invoices and Reports.

Go to (SETTINGS) >PROPERTIES >DESCRIPTION >PROPERTY TEMPLATES you will see the list that are available.

When you create each Room/Unit the information is held in Room/Unit specific template variables.

You will find the full list of Room/Unit Template Variables when you go to Room Variables

See the full list of Template Variables.

You can send a message/email to your guests, confirming their booking date, property details and property contact details. Use the property, room and booking templates to build the message/email in one Auto Action, rather than one auto action per property.

This approach will reduce the ongoing management, update one Auto Action and it will apply to all/selected properties rather than having to edit multiple auto actions with the same overall message.

Example 1 - Each property has a different access code for the main building door[editar]

Your properties have security doors with keycodes, each property has a different code.

Go to (SETTINGS) >PROPERTIES >DESCRIPTION >PROPERTY TEMPLATES > Property Template 1 enter the Building Access Code, use this same field in each property and set the appropriate code.

Then in the Auto Action use [PROPERTYTEMPLATE1] in the text rather than the actual value.

  • Please use this code to Access the Main building Door:- [PROPERTYTEMPLATE1]

There is no need for a separate auto action due to the front door keycode being different.

Example 2 - Housekeeping/Cleaning Team is different for each Property.[editar]

Each of your properties has a different housekeeping/cleaning team and you need to send them an email with the booking details for each booking.

Go to (SETTINGS) >PROPERTIES >DESCRIPTION >PROPERTY TEMPLATES > Property Template 5 enter the email address for Housekeeping/Cleaning team.

In the Auto action,

  • "Send Message" = Internal Only.
  • "Internal Email Address" = [PROPERTYTEMPLATE5]

There is no need for a separate auto action as the message will be sent to the appropriate email from property template 5.

If you have different teams per room, then use a Room template rather than the Property Template.

Example 3 - Send email to a Group of Properties (not all)[editar]

You can setup a "Group" for your Properties, this has a number of benefits, including sending/excluding messages/emails to a Group of Properties, view a "Group" of properties in your Calendar and in Reports.

To assign the "Group" to your Properties, go to (SETTINGS) > BOOKING ENGINE > MULTI BOOKING PAGE > PROPERTY SETTINGS > GROUP KEYWORDS.

Enter a Group name, it needs to be a single word - for example you want to identify all 4 bedroom properties, then you can add 4BEDS and add this to all 4 Bedroom properties you have.

Each property can be in multiple groups, enter multiple keywords separated by a comma, for example :- 4BEDS, OceanView, Dublin.

In the Trigger tab of the Auto Action, enter the Group keyword in

  • "Send Only To Property Groups" OR "Exclude Property Groups" you want to include/exclude from the Auto Action.

This filter will not apply if you are triggering on a single property.

Using Smart Logic Template Variables[editar]

You can use smart logic template variables to trigger auto actions for specific conditions.

If you want to send a message on a specific day of the week :-

1) You need to send a message to remind the guests to put the rubbish bin out for collection on a Wednesday night.

  • [IF=:[CURRENTDATE:{%u}]:3:yes|no] will test if the current date is a Wednesday

2) Remind the guest that the cleaning lady will be at the apartment on Friday morning.

  • [IF=:[CURRENTDATE:{%u}]:4:yes|no] will test if the current date is a Thursday
%u 	ISO-8601 numeric representation of the day of the week 	1 (for Monday) through 7 (for Sunday)

Performance and Testing[editar]

Auto actions will test up to 1000 bookings per cycle, if your trigger condition involves more than 1000 bookings, the next 1000 will be tested on the next cycle etc. If you require the fastest speed, ensure your trigger is designed to test less than 1000 bookings.

The easiest way to do this is usually by reducing the testing window to the smallest necessary and adjusting the trigger condition to the most suitable. For example a trigger that tests all bookings from booking time for 1 year will test many bookings while a trigger that tests only the 7 days before check-in will test less bookings and perform faster.

The test tab of the auto action has a button that will show you how many and which bookings are being tested by the auto action.

It is also possible to specify a booking number and test if the auto action would trigger on that booking with some diagnostics information shown to help trouble shooting.

Optimising your auto actions You can trigger multiple actions in one auto action,

  • send an email/api message to the guest,
  • send an SMS, update booking settings,
  • add/delete a booking info code,
  • trigger a webook,
  • add a pending payment,
  • update/add/delete a Charge/Payment item,
  • assign an invoice number.

There is no requirement to set an individual auto action for each item if they can all apply at the same time.

It is not possible to specify a specific time for the auto action to trigger. The use of the Trigger time 'Immediate' + 14 hrs (for example) will not trigger the auto action at 2pm local time, this will be the first time the booking could be checked to see if all other conditions are met, and added to the batch for processing.

Troubleshooting[editar]

If Auto Actions do not send:
The list in the "Mail" tab of the booking will tell you why. Common causes are: 
*Is your outgoing Email address working? Go to  (SETTINGS) ACCOUNT->OUTGOING EMAIL and click on "Send Test Email".
*Is your Auto Action set to send automatically?
*Is the guests Email address valid ("Mails" tab of the booking)?
*Is the Plain Text box populated with the text you want to send (required when Message API is being used?
*Is the booking set to allow Allow Auto Actions ("Mails" tab of the booking)?
*Do all trigger events apply to the booking?
Delayed trigger of Auto Action:
See section Performance and testing above. 
Auto Action is not editable
To have write access to an auto action an account needs to have write access to all properties to which the auto action applies. This might not be the case if you use sub accounts and the Auto Action is set to trigger for "All Properties". 
You don't have permission to access control2.php on this server error message, when the save button is clicked
It is most likely something in your content triggering the firewall.
Try adding the content bit by bit until you find the item causing the problem.
Often it is a script or HTML item that appears to the firewall as a possible hacking attack.
It can also be something that looks innocent like a combination of numbers and words like "and" or "or" that hackers often use in sql injection attacks.
Once you find the item causing the problem, try rewording it.
Auto Action is not visible in a sub account
If you have sub accounts and need an auto action to be used across multiple accounts/properties, then create the auto action at the Master Account Level and set Property = 'All visible in account' and ensure the Master account has access to the properties.

Examples[editar]

Send Emails/Message/SMS to guests[editar]

Message API messages will be shown in the message tab of the booking and in the Channel Message centre. Currently this is only available for Booking.com and Airbnb.

Send an Email to the guest when the status of a booking changes to "Cancelled"[editar]

Change the status of all upcoming direct bookings to "Cancelled" and send an Email to the guest[editar]

Send an message or SMS to Guest when booking made more than 10 days in advance[editar]

Send an message or SMS to Guest when booking made more than 7 days in advance[editar]

Send an message or SMS to Guest for last minute booking - 6 days or less[editar]

Send an Email with a key code for a specific unit one day before check-in (Self Checkin)[editar]

Send an Email to the guest when a payment is made[editar]

Apply a flag/colour to a booking when a payment is made - Select from the predefined template [editar]

Email confirmation for channel bookings - Select from the predefined template[editar]

Send a message (Email or sms) to guests that have Checked-out 30 days or more[editar]

Send a Request for payment to your guests for all bookings[editar]

Send a Request to update the guest's credit card as it will expire before checkin[editar]

Send a Request for payment to your guests XX days before check-in[editar]

Send a Request for payment to your guests XX days after booking[editar]

Send a Request to 'Capture' a Security deposit from your guests XX days before check-in - with Stripe[editar]

Send an email to the guest email address when a payment FAILS at Stripe[editar]

Send an Email in the guests language to an internal Email address[editar]

Send SMS in a certain language (if it is the language of the booking) or a default language[editar]

Send Remotelock/Lockstate, Nuki PIN or Chekin Link 2 days before Check-in (Self Checkin) - Select from the predefined template[editar]

Send Pin code to guest, 2 days before Check-in (Self Checkin)[editar]

Send Email to guests with check-in details 2 days before Check-in, booking paid/no outstanding balance[editar]

Send Email to guests with check-in details 2 days before Check-in, Security Deposit Authorised at Stripe[editar]

Send Email to all current guest (Check-in)[editar]

Send invoice after check-out - PDF attachment - Select from the predefined template[editar]

Send Email with Booking Registration Form - PDF attachment[editar]

Send Email after the cleaner has cleaned the room[editar]

Send Email to your guest - Upselling additional nights - nights available after checkout[editar]

Send Email to your guest - Upselling additional nights - nights available before checkin[editar]

Send Email to your guest - Offering Early Checkin[editar]

Send Email to your guest - Offering Late Checkout[editar]

Send Email to your guest - Offering Late Checkout Only on a Sunday when there is no new arrival[editar]

Send Email to your guest - On a Wednesday (Cleaner is due/Rubbish Collection is due)[editar]

Send an email to the Owner/Internal email address[editar]

Send an email to the Owner/Internal email address when a payment FAILS at Stripe[editar]

Send an email to the Owner/Internal email address when a guest completes a Payment Authorisation at Stripe[editar]

Send an email to the Owner/Internal email address for a new booking[editar]

Booking Info Codes[editar]

Add CHECKIN Booking info code to bookings[editar]

Add CHECKOUT Booking info code to bookings[editar]

Group check-in - Select from predefined templates[editar]

Identify Repeat Guest[editar]

Identify bookings with Custom Question ticked/unticked[editar]


Add invoice items to a booking[editar]

Add a fee to all bookings from a channel[editar]

Add a fee (Penalty) to all bookings with an Outstanding Balance[editar]

Add a negative value to Direct bookings for Stripe Charges[editar]

Modify description/values of an existing invoice item in a booking[editar]

Update the Description field of a charge/invoice item[editar]

Update all values of a charge/invoice item[editar]

Payments/Pending Payments[editar]

Add a pending payment[editar]

Add a pending payment - Set the Security Deposit value based on the price of the booking, using a calculation[editar]

Collect outstanding booking balance 3 days prior to arrival( Credit card details were collected at time of booking)[editar]

'Capture' a Security Deposit when Credit card is collected at time of booking.[editar]

Apply an info code and and/or icon when a payment was made[editar]

Automatically apply invoice number at check-out - Select from predefined templates[editar]

Using Pending Payments as a Payment Reminder[editar]

Booking Flags/Colours[editar]

Apply a flag when a booking is cancelled[editar]

Apply a flag for a bookings from a channel which have breakfast included[editar]

Apply a flag for a bookings which has BREAKFAST as a charge item[editar]

Apply a flag when deposit was made prior to Check-in[editar]

Apply a flag when booking is fully paid[editar]

Apply a flag/colour for a booking coming from a certain channel - Select from the predefined template[editar]

Apply a flag when NO payment is made - Select from the predefined template[editar]

Apply a flag when a payment was made[editar]

Apply a flag when a payment FAILS at Stripe - Select from predefined template[editar]

Apply a flag to Booking.com bookings and auto report the Credit Card when a payment FAILS at Stripe[editar]

Status changes[editar]

Change the status of all "Request" bookings to "Cancelled" after three days[editar]

Change the status of all bookings which have been imported from Ical to "Request"[editar]


Change Room Unit Status when guest checks out[editar]

API/Webhook[editar]

Use API/Webhook to write to the field 'Message'[editar]

Use API/Webhook to write the value of the 'commission' field to a new invoice item[editar]

Use Auto Action/Webhook to write to send data to Integromat[editar]

Testing for Modified bookings[editar]

Use Template Variables to test for Modified bookings[editar]