Package Overview

The RDP system has been installed at over 1000 locations over the last 20+ years.  To accommodate the requirements of this large and diverse customer base has required the development of a very powerful and package system that is included with our core system at not additional charge. 

The RDP package system uses a "pool of reusable package components".  You define a package component one time, and this component can then be used on many different packages.  For example, you may wish to include a bottle of wine in 10 different packages.  The "wine component" is defined one time, including its price, general ledger account, etc.  This component can then be used on any package.  This design allows you to create new packages "on the fly", in less than one minute.

The system has the capacity to have thousands of different packages, each with up to 99 components.  Packages are configured with "start and end" dates, and other parameters, to make the reservations department as efficient as possible. A reservationist enters the arrival date, departure date, and number of guests. The system then displays the rates and packages available for those dates in less than one second.

In addition to the information in this section, please see Yield Management for related information.

Automatic Package Calculation by Season, Unit Type, etc.

The RDP package system is designed to automatically calculate the cost of each package based on the following criteria:

Manual Override of Package Price and Tax

Reservationists can override the calculated price of a package with the proper management password. For example, if a golf package is calculated to cost $250 for a given day for 2 adults and one child, the reservationist could offer a discount to $220.  The system prompts for the "management override password" to assure that discounts are approved.  It is also possible to configure a given package as "no discounts allowed".

The calculated tax on a package can also be changed for non-taxable entities.

Fully Compatible with the Internet Reservation Module

RDP offers the optional Internet Reservation Module (IRM) to provide 24 hour a day, 365 day/year guest reservations via the Internet.  Guests, travel agents, wholesalers, groups, and owners can make reservations directly on your system, from any workstation connected to the Internet, anywhere in the world. All features described in this section are available for Internet Reservations as well as internal reservations.   

For more details on the Internet Reservation Module, click here.

One Item Appears on Guest Folio

Each package defined in the system can have up to 99 different components.  For example, a given package may have a room revenue component, golf each day, breakfast every day, and one massage.  Each of these components can have a different price for each season, room type, etc., as well as a different general ledger account.  However, the guest confirmation and folio only shows the total package price and description, such as "Weekend Golf Getaway $360", while the Daily Manager's Report and integrated general ledger display the package breakdown.

Fast & Easy Package Setup with Package Component Pool

Package components are defined one time and placed in a "component pool" that is then available for selection on many packages.  For example, you can define components as follows, with prices for 52 seasons.

When creating a package, up to 99 components are selected from the pool.  For example, you can create a package called "Lunch and golf", and then select component # 2, 3, 4, 5 from the component pool.  In this example, if there was one adult and one child, the price of the package would be automatically calculated based on the components and season.

The design on "reusable package components" assures that a given component, such as "golf" is only defined one time, no matter how many golf packages are required. It also allows fast, easy package setup.  A new package can be created in less than one minute by selecting pre-defined components.

In addition to reducing system administration costs, easy package creation allows one-time packages to be created "on the fly". If a group wants a package with dinner, golf, and a bottle of wine for each guest, create this package in seconds, just for the one group. This design allows management to make better use of packaging for marketing purposes, and increases revenue at the property.

Four People Classifications to Calculate Package Cost

The system calculates package cost for up to four "people classifications". Each customer decides how many people classifications to use, and what to name them. Many customers only utilize one classification - adults. Others may have two (adults and children), and some use all four (adults, youths, kids, tots).

While RDP named these "people classifications", they can be used to calculate rates on any category. For example, there could be "adults, kids, pets, skiers". With this configuration, a package could be created that charges $50.00 per day for each skier entered on the reservation.

The system automatically calculates the correct room rate and charges for all components based on the possible combinations of the four people classifications. For example, the room charge could be $100 for 1 adult, $120 for an adult and 1 child, $125 for an adult and 2 children, $135.50 for an adult, two children and one pet.

Components are also automatically calculated based on the season and the number of people in each people classification. For example, a golf package is established for the spring with charges of $50.00 for each adult, $40 for each youth, $35 for each child and "tots are free". The same package can automatically charge a different amount in the summer, and another amount for the fall, all falling under the universal "golf package" code.  Golf prices can also be different depending on what golf course is selected.

RDP's "Itinerary" module can be used to schedule all sorts of activities that go along with packages, such as skiing, golf, lessons, etc.  Coupons can be printed and a complete itinerary printed for each guest or group.

Different Package Allowed each Day

Each day of a reservation can have a different package (or straight rate) assigned. For example, a given guest can have a 5 day reservation, with rates as follows:

Components by Unit Type or Unit Number

Normally package components such as "Golf" are the same price regardless of the unit type a guest books. However, a golf package can be created where golf is included at no charge if the guest books a suite, but cost $75.00 for all other room types.

It is also possible to have the system automatically calculate the room rate or components by specific unit number. For example, one of our customers rents 300 houses that are very different from one another. Each house has a different room revenue component in the package. House 101 may be $300 per day, and house 202 $400 per day, but both are unit type "House".

General Ledger Account Number

Each component can have a different general ledger account number. Reports are available showing the total revenue each day for every account number. For example, a package can be created with 10 different components, each with its own revenue account.  For details on RDP's integrated GL system, click here.  See the table above for an example.

Owner Billing Split

For customers using the Condominium Owner Module, or Timeshare Owner Module, each component can be defined to pay the owner a pre-defined revenue percentage or not. . Normally an owner is only entitled to a portion of the room revenue, and does not receive a portion of incidental components (golf).

Daily & Lump Sum Components

Daily and lump sum components may be added to the same package. For example, a golf green fee component is daily, which means the seasonal price is charged every day the package code is assigned. Another component, "Wine", can be defined as  "lump sum" and is only charged on the day of check-in. It is possible to create packages with a wide variety of daily and lump sum components, such as:

Canadian PST & GST Taxes

Each component can have up to four taxes automatically calculated, with different general ledger accounts assigned to each. Tips and Gratuities can also be automatically calculated at different percentages for each package component.

Our Canadian customers are required to track PST (Provincial Sales Tax) and GST (Goods and Services Tax) on every component. They are also required to report PST and GST totals on guest folios and other reports. The package module is fully PST/GST compliant. Additionally, certain guests may be established as "PST" or "GST" exempt without defining additional packages or making manual adjustments.

Full Description of Each Package

Each daily package, lump sum package, or non-package rate plan can have a unique descriptive information screen. This allows the reservationist to quickly describe the rate/package to the guest. This information can also be sent to the guest via Email, Fax, or US Mail.  A sample full package description follows:

Package Rules

The system supports a variety of "rules" for packages, including:

• Starting and ending dates
• Minimum & Maximum nights
• Required starting day of the week (i.e. - must start on Friday, with a 2 day minimum)
• Minimum and maximum people
• Control what order packages appear on the yield management screen
• Establish package that can be only for groups, or one specific group
• Different rates for up to 52 seasons
• Should the package appear on the Internet Reservation Module?

Yield Management & Packages

The yield management system is fully compatible with daily packages, lump sum packages, and non-package rate plans. Cutoffs can be established for each rate plan up to four years in advance. For example, a "golf package" can be established at $200.00 per person for the summer. However, from July 4th through July 8th the package can be cut-off, allowing only higher rates during this busy weekend. Partial cut-offs can also be used. For example, the golf package can be set to 30% occupancy for July 4th to 8th. With this cut-off defined, the system allows package bookings until the property is 30% occupied and then automatically cuts them off. Cut-off percentages are based on either the occupancy of the entire property or occupancy by unit type. For example, the golf package could be cutoff when the occupancy of SUITE is at 50%, and when the occupancy of DOUBLE is 35%.

 Software Overview

Resort Data Processing (RDP) software has been installed since 1981 at over 1000 locations worldwide (see customer list).  Please use the links below to learn more about RDP software for Hotels and Resorts. If you are renting homes or condominiums on a short term basis, please start with Vacation Rental Overview.  Timeshare properties should begin with our Timeshare Overview.  Our Campground system is also available.  Our systems are fully integrated, so all features in our hotel system are available for vacation rentals and timeshare resorts and vice versa.

Please contact RDP Sales for pricing information or to schedule an onsite demonstration.