FAQ
- How will a consumer know that I have an online booking facilty??
- How will I know when I receive a booking? (Do I need to be on the internet all the time?)
- How can I try out new packages with ConnectSA?
- Who loads my business information on ConnectSA? How long will it take to load?
- If I have special rates and conditions during weekends, can these be handled in the system?
- Can I continue to use my current reservation system and just use ConnectSA to receive online bookings?
- I have had my computer quite a few years, can I use it to run ConnectSA?
- I am away from the office on a regular basis. Can I have the software on my laptop and the office computer?
- Can I access my ConnectSA program from an Internet café?
- I use an accounting software package. Can I transfer my financial details from ConnectSA, or will I have to manually load them again?
- I have a merchant facility for credit card transactions, is this suitable for the online environment?
- Do I have to attend a workshop, or can I train myself at home?
- How long after the workshop training will it take before my business is live online?
- What types of support are available to me after the training workshop?
- What are the costs?
- How are the commissions paid to the distributors?
- Do I have to enter a 6 or 12 month contract to use ConnectSA?
- If I have tours which I tailor make to suit the consumer will I be able to do this with Connect SA?
- If I have tours which require a minimum number of passengers to operate, will I be able to sell these via the Internet?
- If I have a tour with different inclusions, for example one with all meals included and one which does not, can ConnectSA cater for these differences?
-
Answer: There are several ways that consumers can use this facility. A Book Now button can be placed on your own website by your web developer, websites that are involved in ConnectSA, such as southaustralia.com, totaltravel.com will also display a 'Book Now' button on your businesses listing.
-
Answer: On receiving an online booking, you will receive both an email and an SMS to your mobile phone. The booking will also display on the status screen in your ConnectSA system.
-
Answer: Loading new accommodation offers and tours is easy and instant, this way you are able to test out and market a new package to your online consumers before going to the expense of printing and distributing a brochure.
-
Answer: During the workshop you will be working on your own business, not a test training business. A number of operators have completed the majority of their set-up during the workshop. The more information you can load in the workshop, the less time you will need to spend when you are back at your place of business.
-
Answer: Yes, the ConnectSA system can cater for minimum stay and nightly price variations.
-
Answer: Yes, you can continue to use your current reservation system. On receipt of an online booking via ConnectSA, you will need to enter the booking into your existing system.
-
Answer: To operate ConnectSA, your PC/Laptop needs to meet the following minimum requirements:
- 1.2 GHz Pentium class processor
- 256 Meg RAM
- 1 Gig available HD space
- Window 2000 with service pack 4, WinXP
- IE 6.0
-
Answer: Yes, you can choose whether to load ConnectSA on a laptop or PC. Should you wish to run ConnectSA on more than one machine, additional licenses are available at a monthly cost.
-
Answer: No, it is only accessible from the computer it is installed on.
-
Answer: ConnectSA has the functionality to export to MYOB.
-
Answer: The online merchant facility is different to the merchant facility you would have for taking manual credit card payments.
This facility allows funds from on-line bookings to be placed directly into your bank account. You will require an Online Merchant Service account and a bank account for receipt of funds. Reduced fees have been negotiated for ConnectSA enabled operators and the Help Desk will assist you with the set-up of an Online Merchant Service account. While set up and monthy fees have been waived, you may also consider contacting your banking provider to source details of set up costs.
-
Answer: Yes, you will need to attend a workshop in order to ensure that your business is set up correctly for online sales.
-
Answer: Once you have attended the workshop you will need to continue with the set-up of your business. After your Online Merchant Facility has been approved you can be live as soon as your business set-up is complete.
-
Answer: The help desk is open 7 days per week and further training can be arranged.
-
Answer: The ConnectSA software, initial training and program updates are provided without charge. An online booking will incur a transaction fee, and with any booking made by other distributors, commission will be payable, and there's a transaction fee. Further details regarding costs and commissions are explained on the page titled Options and Fees.
-
Answer: Commissions and fees are debited from your bank account once a month. A report is sent to you prior to this happening so that you are aware of the amounts which will be debited.
-
Answer: No, you can use the system for as long as you like, you just need to notify the Help Desk in writing if you decide you do not wish to proceed with using the system.
-
Answer: No, in the online environment, consumers would be purchasing a set tourism product with set costs and departure dates. Consumers who wish to have tailor customised tours will still contact you direct for your personalised expertise.
-
Answer: No, in the online environment, set departures would need to guaranteed. Consumers can still continue to contact you direct for specialised tours which require a minimum number of passengers to operate.
-
Answer: Yes, you are able to set up your tours with multiple price options.