Product Header Overview
Entering details into the header of a product is the first steps users will take when creating either a list, custom group, or package product. Once all of the details are entered into the product header, users will have the opportunity to add the components of that product such as the suppliers, and the services that will be offered, control the mark-up value of the product itself, manage the pricing per departure dates, and more.
Note: If a product already exists, users can user the right click option on the product to access the details.
The product header captures the overall, high level details as they pertain to a product and drives the overall functionality of the product itself.
Example
The product application provides users with the option to view the history of the changes that occurred on a particular product. The product header has an option to "track all changes." If users select this option, users will be able to view high level updates under the product history screen.
Example
Users can set the deposit due dates, deposit amounts, and final payment dates.
Example
Groups and tours may allow pre and post nights. In order to set-up pre and post nights, users can select the product code from the header and offer pre and post nights to their customers.
Creating a new product
Selecting the header from an existing product
Product Header Options
There are many fields available to users in the product header screen. These fields are dependent on the product type and are not mandatory to be filled in for all product types.
Below is an overview of the field available ad some of the use cases for each.
Defining the fields
Product Code
A unique code that identifies this Product or Package. If it's an FIT product (List of Hotels, etc.), the first 2 letters of the Code should be the Country Code of where they are located. If you would like to use a default counter somewhere in the ProductCode, you may use the format "TEST-[PRODUCTCODE]". This will then replace "[PRODUCTCODE]" with the next number in the counter. Anything inside the "[]" will be considered a counter and be used.
Example
LAS-NV-TRF - Transfer list for transfers that are offered in Vegas. This type of list is used when you are shopping through Vacation Builder
INSURANCE - Insurance list to offer insurance product
8DAYBESTNYC - 8 day multi-stop tour in New York
Name
The Product name describes the Product and will be displayed when the user selects the product.
Description
This is the additional description of the Product, in conjunction with the Name. This is only used in Product and does not display in the reservation system. This is for internal users only.
Package Price
There are two options to select from under the package price drop down.
Book Package Price as Land Only- The Softrip application provides users with the opportunity to either roll the air price into the total package, or separate the air price from the package. If air is offered on the package and this option is selected, then the land will be priced separately from the air.
Book Air Allowance Into Package Price- If this option is selected in the drop down, then the air and land will display as one package price.
Product Type
Users can select from a drop-down list to define the product. When building a product, there are two options to choose from:
List- Creating a list package will support the vacation builder process in reservations. The Vacation builder process allows users to select their own suppliers and services, pick their own dates and date ranges, and add different components as needed to their itinerary.
Package- Packages support the ability to create set departures. Packages will typically include multiple cities, different hotels, and multiple components including transfers, hotels, sight-seeing tours, meals, gratuities, local guides, and more.
Example of a list product
Shopping for a list product through Vacation Builder
Num. Of Days (number of days)
Users would enter in the number of days of the tour. This is not used for list product types and is only associated to packages.
Example
If creating an 8DAYBESTOFNEWYORK package, users would enter "8" in the number of days field.
Note: Users can create different date ranges under the main product under separated plans. In the 8 day New York package example, users can create the 8 day package, and then create plans for a 6, 5, and 4 day departure.
Track Changes
Users have the option to select this checkbox if they want to track all changes made on the product. These changes can be viewed under Product history which is located under the Product menu.
Date Specific
Users can select this checkbox if the prices entered are specific to the dates under departure dates and prices. If yes, internal or external users may only select dates that are in the product prices table when creating a reservation. If no, then any date departure date can be entered and priced.
Land Only Ok?
Select this check box if the product can be sold as land only. If the product is being sold as land only, then the customers will book their own air.
Air Included?
Select this check box if there is air included in the product and the prices. If this checkbox is selected, then the reservation template will default to shop for flights when executing a shop in reservations.
Share Ok?
By selecting this check box, shares are accepted on the package. This means that when a reservation is created, a passenger can choose to opt into a "shared" room. If two reservations have been marked to "share" then internal users can access the assign shares screen and allocated the passengers from both of those reservations into one room.
Share Type
If the product is set up to allow shared rooms, user will enter which room types are to be available for share. For example: Enter AA to allow Shared Doubles, Enter AAA to allow shared Triples, Enter AA/AAA to allow shared Doubles & shared Triples.
Product Status
The status of the product determines if the product is for sale or not. Only "Active" status will be able to be booked on the reservation site.
ACTIVE: Allowed to be booked on the reservation site by both internal and external users.
CHECKED: Completed & checked, but not yet active. Used as an internal note to staff, however the product cannot be shopped.
CLOSED: Closed for sale. The product cannot be shopped.
INTERNAL: Available for internal sale only. External users cannot shop the product.
LOADING: In the process of being created or updated. Product cannot be shopped. Used as an internal communication mechanism.
PENDING: Completed, but not yet checked. Product cannot be shopped. Used as an internal communication mechanism.
Tour ID
If this is a tour, this is a unique code or codes used to link Product Codes together. Users can begin typing the tour ID into the field or expand the search box. Tour ID can be used on one or more products with different durations and departure dates.
Tour ID's can be added under the code "tours" under system settings in the security subsystem. http://stknowledgecenter.helpdocsonline.com/touridcreation
Note: For custom products: When copying as a new Product, if a TourID is entered here, all services will be copied as is and will not become custom services specific to this new product (with a serviceid that ends with ~123456). If editing a custom product with a TourID and the TourID is removed, all services will then become specific to this product (serviceID ends with ~123456).
Track Changes
To track changes on a product, select "track changes." By selecting this option, users will be able to track updates on a product.
Note: The type of changes that are tracked are overall updates to the product such as adding or replacing services. Below is an example of some of the updates tracked in a product.
Tour Offset
If this product is part of a tour, this is the number of days prior to or the number of days after the main Product(TourCode) departs.
Active Pax Number/Div Pax
Can be left blank or a single number (10). This number will be used as the Divisible number for all Divisible services of this Product (if not overridden by that Services Detail record). For non-divisible services, this number will be used to determine which rate record to use based on the PaxRange values in the Rates. This is also the Min. number of the PaxRange to use when calculating Prices.
Car Per 24 Hours?
If this is checked, any car service that is marked as "Per 24 hours" under the car service in supplier services will automatically get one extra day added onto the duration of the car service.
Market
Select the market code that is associated with the product. Either begin typing the market code, or expand the search grid to search for a Market code.
Depart Begin Date
This is the first date that the product will depart. .
Depart End Date
The last date that a departure for this product can take place.
Note: If changing the end date on a custom product to allow multiple departures, the system will note support the statement for the group.
Insurance Options
Choose the insurance options that should be assigned to the product If the Product should use the default insurance product, leave the option blank.
Note: An insurance supplier, services, product, and insurance booking rules must first be added into the application. See the supplier services article for more information.
Deposit Date Rule
Check this box to enter a deposit date to use for this Product. If not checked, the application will use the deposit date rules from the deposit date booking rules.
Deposit Amount
Check this box to enter a deposit amount to use for this Product. If not checked, the application will use the deposit date rules from the deposit amount from booking rules.
Final Pay Rule
Check this box to enter a final payment date to use for this Product. If not checked, the application will use the deposit date rules from the booking rules.
Book Begin Date
The first date that a customer can book this product.
Book End Date
The last date that a customer can book this product.
Created By
This will automatically stamp the internal user who created the Product.
Free Rules
The free rules section in the Product header allows users to enter passenger ranges. By entering the passenger ranges, users will be able to designate the number of free rooms as they apply to the product.
Min Pax
The Minimum number of Passengers needed to get the specified Free's.
Max Pax
The Maximum number of booked Passengers able to get the specified Free's.
Free
How many free Twin rooms will be given for this Passenger range.
Air Free
How many Free Air tickets will be given for this Passenger range.
Sgl Free (Single Free)
How many free Single rooms will be given for this Passenger range.
Sgl Free (Single Free)
How many free Single air tickets will be given for this Passenger range.
Example
Users can enter a value or 0-15 with the number of single room that will be free at 1.
Min Pax
The Minimum number of Passengers needed to get the specified Free's.
Max Pax
The Maximum number of booked Passengers able to get the specified Free's.
Free
How many free Twin rooms will be given for this Passenger range.
Air Free
How many Free Air tickets will be given for this Passenger range.
Sgl Free (Single Free)
How many free Single rooms will be given for this Passenger range.
Sgl Free (Single Free)
How many free Single air tickets will be given for this Passenger range.