Has anyone tried HostelSync? It is free software for managing booking engine allocation. The beta version was just released on 01 Jan, 2011. They say it will synchronize your bed inventory on HW and HB every 30 seconds. Aside from those two I’m not sure if they currently sync up any other booking engines.
There aren’t many programs out there that work with HW. Myallocator.com works to synchronize allocation for most booking engines, but not for HW. As far as I’m aware Charts is the only PMS software other than Backpack Online that syncs up with HW. HostelSync has apparently found a way around the “Human Test” on the HW Inbox, allowing them to update bed availability without an API.
I haven’t tested out their software, but it would be interesting to hear from anyone who tries it out.
13 years
HostelSync was built by me and a few hostels that I've worked at in the past. After a few months of fairly intensive development and testing, it is now online and can be found on the Hostel Poverty website.
The download will be online from February 1, 2011.
Any questions, comments, insults or suggestions, please reply to this post, or drop me an email at [email][email protected][/email]
13 years
Hi Alec
Thanks for the very important clarification on the beta nature of this software. I was going to post that your site looked a little sketchy as I couldn't find any details on who you are, where you are located and how the heck can you do this, or why would you, with out getting paid in some way. To open up our backoffices to this type of software from an unkown source could be a risky proposition. However, If you are able to make this work in a simple reliable way then you will certainly have the golden ticket. Rucksack Brian finding your software so soon after a low key beta test release shows just how well he is doing his job. Good luck with the rollout and keep us all up to date on your progress.
13 years
This looks a very good system -It picked up all my information from HB & HW
I wait patiently for its development
Download
13 years
THIS JUST IN: Hostelworld's response.
This looks a very good system -It picked up all my information from HB & HW
I wait patiently for its development
Download
Hostel Poverty
We understand that Hostel Poverty are claiming that their software HostelSync is a free application that will manage your Hostelworld.com allocation.
We have no legal agreement with this company and their software is not compatible with our system. We advise that we cannot support any issues you may have as a result of using this software and on this basis discourage you from you using this application.
Just noticed this in our Hostelworld Inbox. It seems that Hostelworld is resisting this pretty much full on. It seems that the automated solution to this problem/challenge/opportunity will remain ever elusive.
13 years
THIS JUST IN: Hostelworld's response.
Just noticed this in our Hostelworld Inbox. It seems that Hostelworld is resisting this pretty much full on. It seems that the automated solution to this problem/challenge/opportunity will remain ever elusive.
What's that old saying? Any press is good press? Since HW posted that message, I've received almost a hundred inquires from hostels wanting to use HostelSync (some of you have even hosted me in the past couple of years!).
HW is quite right - we have no agreement with them, and I'm sure that they would never condone anything that would reduce a hostels reliance on BPO. HostelSync is compatible with HW in the same way that your web browser is - it works the exact same way, except without you needing to be there (it even disguises itself as whichever browser you use). I am working with HB, and have created HostelSync around their specs and requirements (more details on website).
The HostelSync download is offline for 2 reasons - 1. while it basically works, there is a problem with allocation on some systems (ie. systems that use the date format MM/DD/YYYY); and with increased opposition from WRI, I want to make the protocols it uses more stealth, so that they can not detect which hostels are using it. I will resume development as soon as my new laptop screen arrives, and expect a stable BETA release in 1-2 weeks (drop me an email if you want notification of this)
13 years
We have no legal agreement with this company and their software is not compatible with our system. We advise that we cannot support any issues you may have as a result of using this software and on this basis discourage you from you using this application.
See also:
http://www.hostelmanagement.com/forums/hostel-booking-engine-apis-hostelworld-hostelbookers.html
If Hostelworld refuses to open up an API, they hold back the technological progress of the whole hostel industry.
13 years
Just to let you all know, the hard work has paid off, and according to the 5 or so hostels in the pilot testing, HostelSync is working well. While I advise caution (i.e. double-checking the first few bookings), we feel it is now suitable for use in hostels that expect to recieve less than 120 bookings in a one hour period**. We hope to recatagorise the BETA to a stable version within the next 3 weeks.
I'd appreciate any feedback, especially if you experience problems while using the program.
**the current version is restricted to checking every 30 seconds - more bookings than that may cause overbooking - a version that's suitable for busy hostels will be released in time for the european summer season.
13 years
If Hostelworld refuses to open up an API, they hold back the technological progress of the whole hostel industry.
That´s true, but on the other hand: as soon as they´ll have an API the budget hotel chains would be all over HW. That would hurt the sales of genuine hostels badly, especially the big ones with a lot of double rooms. There are people wo just want to book the cheapest room, no matter if it´s in a hostel or a cheap hotel. Budget hotels do a very aggressive pricing, especially in off-season, but also in July when there aren´t a lot of business travellers.
13 years
That´s true, but on the other hand: as soon as they´ll have an API the budget hotel chains would be all over HW. That would hurt the sales of genuine hostels badly, especially the big ones with a lot of double rooms.
I suppose that could happen -- though I think the booking engines also have a large responsibility for distinguishing the hostels from hotels:
http://www.hostelmanagement.com/forums/supporting-hostel-focused-booking-engines-affiliates.html
Do you think it's better for hostels for things to remain as they are? (with blocking of new software)
13 years
Of course, I don´t.
Anyway, we have to be aware that the bad guys with the deep pockets won´t let our niche undisturbed forever. An API would give them a great gateway. HW is not only isolating itself, but also us!
Related Pages
Log in to join discussion