Suite8 Handbook

This handbook for Suite8 covers the following topics:

Supported endpoints

Onboarding process

Specifications around requirements for the integration

Reports scheduler (timings/latency)

What is the difference between the two API versions?

Versions supported

What kind of help/support will I have?

How is the data transmitted from the PMS to me?

Certification

Additional costs?

PMS involvement

Supported endpoints

• The best way to review which endpoints are supported by our API is by having a look through our documentation. By hovering over the highlighted fields, you can see which specific data field is supported by Suite8. If you are looking for specific endpoints, our support table is also a handy tool for quickly being able to find supported resources. Please click on the plus sign on the top right and scroll through there to select the different PMS you would like to view. 

Onboarding process

• The onboarding process is completed via remote session by a member of the Impala team. 
• Once you request the hotel through our management console, you will be sent an email that includes a template that can be sent on to the hotel to set up an integration via our Calendly link. It tells them a little bit more about Impala and what to expect during the install as well as the benefits of using Impala. 
• Once the hotel selects a convenient time for the install to be completed, Impala sends through a Teamviewer link a few hours before the session is due to begin to establish the remote connection. 
• Once we have connected via TeamViewer session, there is no need for someone from the hotel to be present during the install. However, we do ask that someone remains contactable. The hotel team will still be able to use Suite8 during this period. We won’t interrupt the service in any way. The install will normally take about 1 hour to complete.  

Specifications around requirements for the integrations

• A PC made available at the hotel is not needed for any other tasks for the duration of the session. 
• We must have access to the database server on which the hotel’s Suite8 instance sits, rather than a laptop or PC which is used to access Suite8. 
• A user logged into Suite8 on the database server with appropriate admins access requirements (Generally IT managers).
• We ask that the hotel has Google Chrome downloaded onto the PC and that the installation project (on the hotel’s side - our contact) is managed by a member of their technical team in order to ensure everything runs smoothly. 

Server requirement:

• If using Windows Server 2008 R2.
  • Windows update KB2533623 must be installed.
  • Direct access to the PMS database (no firewall restrictions in place).
  • Access to the internet (port 443).
• If running Windows Server 2008 R2 or later.
  • The server must be 64-bit with 64-bit Windows installed. 
  • Direct access to the PMS database (no firewall restrictions in place).
  • Access to the internet (port 443).

Reports scheduler (timings/latency)

• When the data reader is installed, Impala retrieves 12 months of historical data from that date, as described here. 
• Reports schedule:
• Allocations > at every 30th minute of the hour
• Room data > at every 30th minute of the hour
• Room categories > at every 30th minute of the hour
• Folios > at midnight daily and at every 30th minute of the hour (there are two schedules)
• Companies > at every 30th minute of the hour
• Guests > at midnight daily and at every 30th minute of the hour (there are two schedules)
• Bookings & Booking sets > at 13:30 UTC and every minute (there are two schedules)
• Rate plans > at 13:15 UTC daily

What is the difference between the two API versions?

• You have the option of choosing which API version you would like when you create an application in the management console. 
  • 2018-11-27 - This is the default version and available for all integrations.
  • 2019-04-23 - Available to all integrations with the exception of Infor.
• Please note that you are unable to downgrade your API version. You can find the differences between the two versions outlined here. 

Versions supported

• We are able to support all versions of Suite8. 

What kind of help/support will I have?

• The Impala support team will be on hand to assist you with any questions or concerns; technical, commercial, and throughout the onboarding process. You can reach us through support@impala.travel between 8:30am and 5:30pm (UK business hours) Monday through Friday. 

 How is the data transmitted from the PMS to me?

• Impala is fully GDPR compliant and dedicated to data security. 
• The Impala Data Reader is locally installed with a minimal CPU footprint.
• Please find further detail here regarding our GDPR compliance and data minimisation methods. 

One or two way integration?

• Our current API is read-only. Your application will be unable to write back to the PMS. Please see more detail here. 

Certification

• As we use our own technology to integrate directly with the hotel’s system, we don’t require a commercial relationship with the PMS.

Additional costs?

• There are no additional costs from the side of Suite8. 

PMS involvement

• There is no need for Suite8 to be involved in the process at all. The hotel would not need to notify their Suite8 account manager that Impala technology is being installed.