How to Set Block Parameters
Blocks allow you to set aside a specific number of rooms for the group booking.
By default, the block period includes the core period. You can choose whether to also include the shoulder periods, if you have defined them.
Note: If the shoulder periods have been defined for the group but are not covered by the block period, the availability on the shoulder periods will be the General Inventory availability.
The block name, code, and type are used to connect the group with other modules of the system.
The block name is:
•Defaulted to the group name, but you can change it.
•Sent to the Inventory module as the allotment name.
The block code is:
•Automatically created by the system.
•The same as the group code.
•Sent to the Inventory module as the allotment code.
The block type is sent to the Inventory module as the allotment type.
Once you have made your selections and entered all the block values, the system then creates the allotment booking limit rules and control rules accordingly.
No matter which block type you choose, either dedicated or max limit, the block inventory controls that you set for each type ensure that the group cannot book more than the number of rooms negotiated at the preferred rates.
Dedicated blocks are rooms that are set aside for the group and deducted from the general inventory's availability. The rooms are therefore guaranteed for the group. This makes dedicated blocks similar to dedicated allotments.
When you select the dedicated block type, you can also set the release mode. You have two options:
•Relative - The unbooked rooms are released to the general inventory using a rolling window.
Enter a value in the Rolling Release Day field. This value indicates the number of days prior to each day of the allotment when the unbooked rooms are released for that day.
•Absolute - All the unbooked rooms are released at one time for the entire period.
Enter a date in the Release Date field, which indicates the date when all the rooms will be released at the same time.
Block Inventory Controls
This panel allows you to set the minimum number of rooms to retain when the block is released. You can see a calendar view displaying a two-week period.
If you choose to include the shoulder periods, they are displayed in a different colour.
If you enter a value in the All columns, this value is copied into the entire table, where you can then modify each individual value as required.
Entering a value in the Rooms to Retain fields means that when the unbooked rooms are released, via any method, it is guaranteed that this number of rooms will remain dedicated for the group, unless the group is cancelled. If the group is cancelled, then all the unbooked rooms are released, regardless of the value you have entered.
You have two options for the block inventory controls:
•Global Allocated Rooms
Select this option if you want to define a global allocated room for each day of the block period, as well as the number of rooms to retain.
•Allocated Rooms per Room Type
Select this option if you want to define the allocated rooms per room type for each day of the block period, as well as the number of rooms to retain for each room type.
Selecting this option means that the rooms are not secured for the group because they are still part of the general inventory. This option allows you to define a global booking limit and booking limits per room type for the core period and for the shoulder periods.
Note: The shoulder periods are displayed only if you select the Shoulders Included option.
A calendar view is displayed with one period if only the core period is defined. If there are shoulder periods defined, then three periods are displayed: the shoulder period before, the core period and the shoulder period after.
Setting Dedicated Blocks