Introduction
XML is one of the universally accepted standards for passing data from one computer system to another. The list of data fields that can be sent and received plus the formatting rules required is called an "XML Schema". WebXML is a published XML schema that can be used by a website developed and hosted by the client or by a third party (such as a broker) who does business with the client, to book reservations directly into a CARS+ system hosted by Thermeon.
If you wish to receive XML reservation from either a broker or from your own website, please contact your local Thermeon sales office to arrange for an webXML pricing agreement to be added to your service contract. There is further setup and implementation information found at webXML Help.
Setup
The setup instructions below describe the
steps necessary to configure cars+ to receive XML reservations from a
particular channel. The "channel" can be a reservation broker or a
website. Point #1 below applies to reservation brokers only.
Determine if the broker has an existing relationship with Thermeon. For the current list, please refer to the webXML page of the Thermeon website at: www.thermeon.com/car-rental-software/webxml.html.
If the broker does have an existing relationship, have the broker send an email to support@thermeon.com requesting Thermeon to give them access to your database. *See details at the end of the chapter "Contact Thermeon Customer Support"
If the broker does not have an existing relationship, have the broker send an email to support@thermeon.com requesting Thermeon to grant them access to the webXML developer's documentation and to get assistance with the the development process. Please note: There will be a significant time investment required of both the broker and Thermeon Support staff to assist the broker to develop this interface. Because of this, Thermeon will invoice the rental company, details of which would be in the Thermeon agreement or can be requested from Thermeon support, this must be done prior to the broker getting access to the service. *See details at the end of the chapter "Contact Thermeon Customer Support"
If the arrangement with the broker is one which uses net rates on a pre-paid voucher, contact Thermeon Customer Support and request that GVT record SWDW be set up on your system. This allows V Subwindow-style vouchers to be processed in the S Subwindow. The use of the S Subwindow will be required to process vouchers received via the webXML interface.
webXML reservations make use of the CDPID logic in cars+. A CDPID
will need to be set up for each type of package a broker or website will offer**. There are three different packages that can be booked through webXML. Specifically, webXML uses the "Corporate" CDPID files, Edit Corporate Account Records and Edit Corporate Contracts. The "Local" CDPID files do not work with webXML.
Prepaid Voucher: A “wholesale” rate is negotiated with the broker. The broker issues a voucher for a set number of prepaid days at the negotiated rate. The full amount of the voucher will typically be invoiced against the wholesaler even if the customer returns early (but can be configured otherwise). An IT record must be set up for this package type. The purpose of the IT record is to specify both the net and retail rates for "complex" wholesalers or the retail rate and wholesale discount for "simple" wholesalers to be used for these bookings. These IT records must be set up as Tour Family "T" records. The CDPID record must specify which IT record is to be used. A blank Contract record will also need to be set up. Detailed instructions are provided below. For more information on "simple" vs. "complex" wholesalers and controlling voucher invoicing when there is an early return, please refer to the manual chapter Overview - Wholesale Voucher Processing.
Pay on arrival with post-paid commission: This is where the broker simply books a reservation on behalf of the client. The client is responsible for paying for the rental when he/she arrives or returns. The commission due to the broker will be paid after the rental closes. Do not set up an IT record for this type. The rate code used for the broker/package type must be placed on the CDPID Contract Record.
Pay on arrival with pre-paid commission: This is similar to the post-paid commission (#b above) except the broker takes the commission up front as a deposit from the client. In this case, the rate needs to reflect the fact that the commission is already paid (in other words, it should be lower). Again, no IT record is necessary, just be sure to set up the CDPID Contract record properly. The lower rate can be reflected either by using a different set of rate codes from the post-paid above or use the same set of rate codes but then also apply a discount in the Contract Record equal to the amount of the commission that was paid. This latter choice is much less work to maintain.
Paying Commissions -- These additional setup steps must be followed in order to have CARS+ calculate the commissions due to each broker.
Prepaid Vouchers and Pay On Arrival with Post-paid Commission (3a and 3b above): The correct commission information can be applied to the reservation via two different methods.
CARS+ Method. This method requires the commission information to be set up in CARS+.
Ensure a Vendor record exists for this broker (see Vendor File Maintenance). Make sure the correct commission percent is entered on page 1, field 10 and that the Type (field 9) is COM.
Enter the Vendor number on the CDPID record, field 8.
Broker Method. The XML schema provides fields for the broker to enter their Vendor number, commission percent or amount and email address. This method requires the broker to correctly populate these fields.
Follow steps a and b of the CARS+ Method above. This will ensure that the rental will be commissionable should the broker fail to send the required information in the reservation booking.
The commission percentage on the Vendor record will serve as a default value. Any percentage or amount sent by the Vendor in the reservation will override that percentage in the Vendor record.
Pay on arrival with pre-paid commission. Since the customer will pre-pay the commission directly to the broker, there is no setup that needs to be done in CARS+ for the package type. To ensure commissions are not accidentally paid, the rate product used for this package may be flagged as "non commissionalbe" and/or a Privilege Code may be applied to prevent commissions from being paid even on rates that are flagged as commissionable. Please refer to the manual chapters Edit Rental Rules/Rates (page 1, field 30) and Edit Privilege Codes (page 2, field 27).
In a situation where the broker wishes to have the renter see the deposit (being the Agents commission) that was paid on-line at the time of booking, then do the following setup.
Pay on arrival with pre-paid commission to be shown on the booking/rental. Using a CDPID with a Privilege code created via Edit Privilege Codes (page 2, field 5) Association Discount, will show in the Time & Milage charge area as a discount, thus being the commission the renter paid direct at the time of booking to the agent.
**NOTE on the Use of Multiple CDPIDs per Broker.
In some circumstances, it may be necessary to issue more than one CDPID to a single broker. Examples of this may be:
- A limited-time promotion.
- Different packages offered to different regions, such as pre-paid vouchers for bookings originating in Europe and pay on arrival for bookings originating in North America.
- For multi-branded systems operating in a single CARS+ company, a separate CDPID may be required for each brand.
This is fine because the broker will need to use only one CDPID per reservation estimate. Under no circumstances should the broker be issued multiple CDPIDs for the purpose of producing multiple quotes per individual customer request. Examples of this may include offering differing levels of coverage or included items at different price points. Please contact Thermeon Customer Support for alternative methods to accomplish this particular business model.
Follow the steps below to set up an XML broker in CARS+. The discussion below covers only those fields in each program which require special attention for webXML. Other fields may need to be set as well. Please refer to the manual chapter for each program for information on the fields not discussed here.
| OPTION: __ EDIT CORPORATE ACCOUNT RECORDS 1 Company Name HOLIDAY AUTOS Modified date 2 CDPID # HAUTOS 21 Tour No 3 Contract No 4444 22 Ignore PO's 4 Salesman Code 23 Web CDP rates only N 5 Hide Rates 24 Source Code 6 Vendor No HAUTOS 25 Webres Use only N 7 Bill to 26 Monthly Goal 8 Market Segment 27 Export to NRMA 9 Market Profile 28 Searchable 10 Sales Project 29 IT Code HAUTOS 11 Start Date 30 Net Rate Product 12 Expire Date 31 Removed Res HCC 13 Webres CC Exempt 32 3rd Party 14 Web user Alt Rates 33 Allow RA Edit 15 CDP Credit Card 16 CDP CC Expire Date 34 Prevent CC Deposit 17 CDP PIN Required 35 Ask For Dept? 18 City 19 Zip Code 20 Pays by 1SAVE 2NEXT 3ERASE 4DELETE 5 6SEARCH 7HELP 8 |
Enter data as follows:
|
1. COMPANY NAME |
Enter up to 30 alphanumeric characters to represent the company name for this broker. EXAMPLE: Type HOLIDAY AUTOS (RET) |
|
2. CDPID # |
Enter up to 10 alphanumeric characters that represent the corporate ID number for the broker entered in Field #1. EXAMPLE: Type HAUTOS (RET) |
|
3. CONTRACT NO. |
Enter up to 8 alphanumeric characters that represent the
contract number for the company entered in Field #1. In all cases, a contract record must be set up. EXAMPLE: Type 4444 (RET) |
|
6. VENDOR NO |
If using CARS+ to calculate and pay Commissions, enter the Vendor Number from the Vendor File which represents this broker. EXAMPLE: Type HAUTOS (RET) |
| 29. IT CODE |
For Pre-Pay packages, enter an existing IT Code for this broker. EXAMPLE: Type HAUTOS (RET) |
| OPTION: __ EDIT CORPORATE CONTRACTS 1 Contract No. HAUTOS 2 Rate Product 3 Alternate Plan 4 Priv. Codes 5 Daily Disc Pct 6 Wkly Disc Pct 7 RA Disc Amt 8 Document Code 9 HLE I Rate 10 HLE K Rate 11 HLE Rate Codes 12 HLE Disc 13 Disc Opt Modified Date 1SAVE 2NEXT 3ERASE 4DELETE 5 6SEARCH 7HELP 8 |
|
1. CONTRACT NUMBER |
Enter up to 8 alphanumeric characters to represent the contract number for this broker. EXAMPLE: Type HAUTOS (RET) |
| 2. RATE PRODUCT |
For Pay-on-arrival packages:Enter the rate product code which represents the rate sheet agreed with this broker.For Pre-paid (voucher) packages: This field must be left blank. Both the in-voucher and out-of-voucher rates will be entered on the IT record.EXAMPLE: Press (RET) |
An IT record will need to be set up for each broker/wholesaler who books pre-paid voucher reservations (see the types listed under point 3 above).
Records are set up as follows:
| OPTION: __ (Page 1 of 3) EDIT IT CODES 1 IT CODE HAUTOS 13 Cust # HAUTOS Temp Code 14 Billing Acct# 2 Loc Code 15 CDPID 22 Weekly X 3 Eff Date 16 Block FT 23 Do Best Price 4 Description 5 End Date 17 Intercity Incl 24 Wkend Max 6 GST Exempt 18 Min Age 25 Wkend Start 7 Original Only? Options Not Included 26 Wkend End 8 Voucherless Y 19 27 Sat Keep 9 Tour Family T 20 28 Retail Rate RACK 10 Extend Days 21 29 Wsale Disc 11 Multiple Vchrs Start End Any TPR Free Mile Rate 12 Exempt Optset 48 01-01-13 05-31-13 NET4444 --------- INCLUSIVES --------- 49 06-01-13 09-10-13 NET4445 34 41 50 09-11-13 12-31-13 NET4444 35 42 51 36 43 52 30 FPO 37 44 53 31 Taxes 38 45 54 32 39 46 55 33 40 47 56 1SAVE 2NEXT 3ERASE 4PREV 5BACKUP 6SEARCH 7HELP 8NXTPG |
Enter data as follows:
|
1. IT CODE |
Enter the IT Code as specified in field 29 of the Corporate Account (CDPID) Record. EXAMPLE: Type HAUTOS (RET) |
| 8. VOUCHERLESS |
This field must be set to "Y" |
|
9. TOUR FAMILY |
Enter the code "T" for Net Tour. EXAMPLE: Type: T (RET) |
|
13. CUST# |
Enter the CARS+ Customer Number of the tour operator to be invoiced for these vouchers. EXAMPLE: Type HAUTOS (RET) |
|
28. RETAIL RATE |
A CARS+ Rate Code to be used for any out of voucher days. If left
blank, the default retail rate for the opening location will be used. EXAMPLE: Type RACK (RET) |
| 48-56. IT Rate Array (in the lower right corner of the screen) | Enter the CARS+ Rate Code(s) which reflect the in-voucher rate(s) that have been agreed with this broker along with the start and end
dates for each rate. There are two methods for controlling in-voucher
rates which change seasonally:
EXAMPLE: Type: 01-01-13 05-31-13 NET4444 (RET) |
Ensure that the estimate(s) returned are what is expected and what has been agreed with that broker.
Send to the broker your client-specific information they will need to book reservations on your system. This includes, but may not be limited to:
Often, a broker will already have standardized codes that they want to use for locations and classes. When those do not match the codes in CARS+, Conversion Records may be set up that will convert the broker's codes to the codes used in CARS+. For example, the broker might use class code ECAR for a 4-door economy car with air conditioning and automatic transmission. If that type of vehicle is represented by class A in CARS+, the conversion record shown below would need to be set up.
| OPTION: __ EDIT CONVERSION RECORDS 1 User HAUTOS 2 Location 3 Convert From A 4 Convert Type C 5 Eff Date 6 Convert To ECAR 7 Comment HOLIDAY AUTOS WEBXML 1SAVE 2NEXT 3ERASE 4DELETE 5BACKUP 6 7HELP 8 |
|
1. USER |
If this Conversion Record is to apply to all reservation sources, including corporate reservation interfaces, leave this field blank. If this Conversion Record is to be specific to a particular broker, enter the broker's User Access code in this field. Thermeon Customer Support can provide the necessary codes. EXAMPLE: Type HAUTOS (RET) |
|
3. CONVERT FROM |
Enter the code used by the broker. EXAMPLE: Type A (RET) |
|
4. CONVERT TYPE |
Enter a single letter to represent the type of conversion record:
EXAMPLE: Type C (RET) |
|
6. CONVERT TO |
Enter the corresponding code used in CARS+ EXAMPLE: Type ECAR (RET) |
Upon successful testing of the cars+ setup contact Thermeon Customer Support on support@thermeon.com. Provide the CDPID number(s) assigned to this broker, outline the transaction type agreed to with the broker, the estimated number of requests expected and the additional options to be sold. Note this is also considered the approval for the broker to get access to the test environment.
Inform the broker to contact Thermeon on support@thermeon.com where the technical aspects of the integration are worked through between Thermeon and the broker. During the implementation process while Thermeon are working with the broker on the technical connection we respectfully ask for suppliers to not attempt to provide any technical advice as this will lead to confusion for the broker and possibly a much longer implementation time frame.
Upon successful completion of tests, access to the live environment will be provided for the broker to complete their final tests. Those are provided for the car rental company to review and have the final approval to Go Live.
NOTE - The use of special document is not supported via WebXML.