Operating Modes

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Overview

OS Calendar can run in two operating modes. You choose the mode in Components → OS Calendar → Configuration → Application tab → Operation Mode.

Note: In both modes, rooms, rates, prices, inventory, promotions, bookings and payments are always managed inside OS Calendar. OS Property is only used as an optional source of property information.

Standalone Mode

Use standalone mode when your website represents one accommodation business.

• OS Calendar automatically provides one default property. Open Properties → Manage Properties and enter your business information (name, contact details, address, currency, timezone, check-in / check-out times).
• Create your room types, rate plans and prices directly in OS Calendar.
• Visitors book through the Booking Search page.
• You do not need to install OS Property, and the OS Property Availability Search module is not used.

Standalone Quick Start

1. Install OS Calendar (see Installation).
2. Check that Operation Mode is set to Standalone in Configuration → Application.
3. Fill in your property information in Properties → Manage Properties.
4. Add room types in Manage Room Types (name, capacity, quantity, photos, amenities).
5. Create at least one rate plan and set up prices with Price Rules.
6. Review Inventory to make sure the dates you want to sell are open.
7. Publish a payment plugin and set your Cancellation Policy and email templates.
8. Create a Booking Search menu item and test a booking. See Frontend Booking Setup.

Linked Mode (with OS Property)

Use linked mode when OS Property is installed and you want to sell rooms for several OS Property properties.

• OS Property remains the place where property listings (title, address, description, photos, agent) are created.
• In OS Calendar, Manage Properties shows the properties that are linked to OS Property. You can import properties from OS Property from that page, and each linked property shows its external source and ID.
• Room types, rate plans, prices, inventory, promotions and bookings are managed in OS Calendar for each property.
• Visitors can start from the Booking Search page or, if you publish it, the OS Property Availability Search module.

Note: If OS Property is not detected on your site, the import option is not available. Make sure OS Property is installed and enabled before switching to linked mode.

Linked Mode Quick Start

1. Make sure OS Property is installed and has at least one property.
2. In Configuration → Application, set Operation Mode to Linked - Synchronize with OS Property and save.
3. Open Properties → Manage Properties and import (or link) the OS Property properties you want to sell.
4. Continue with room types, rate plans, price rules and inventory for each property, as in standalone mode.
5. Create menu items and test a booking.

Switching Modes

You can change the mode at any time in Configuration. Existing bookings, rooms and prices are kept.

Needs verification: What happens to properties that were created in standalone mode when you switch to linked mode (and the reverse) should be confirmed with the product team before you rely on it on a live site.

Which Mode Should I Choose?

• You run one accommodation and do not use OS Property → Standalone.
• You already run OS Property with many listings and want booking on them → Linked.
• You are not sure → start with Standalone; you can link OS Property later.