The VR Management Tape Chart displays graphically the search results for an extremely configurable set of user defined criteria. This flexible tool couples with the VR Listings program to show the desired information at a glance. The first screen is where the search is defined (Figure 50a).
Figure 50a
The user may ask for the display of one specific unit or the entire portfolio of listings in the VR Listings program. The search may be configured to show very specific results or the display may show any available unit, with no other restrictions entered. To restrict the display to a specific unit, simply select the desired property from the drop down menu, and enter the date range to display, next click the “Show Tape Chart” button. To show all units simply select only the desired date range and click the “Show Tape Chart” button. Further, the user could search for very specific criteria such as all 2 – 3 bedroom units that are in a specific zip code, that are single family homes, that are golf course properties, that allow pets, and have a pool. The results may be sorted by a variety of preferences (Figure 50b), and may be restricted to show only those listings with weekly rates available as designated in the VR Listing program.
Figure 50b
The Tape Chart Format options are all checked to be shown by default. These options are to display the rent ranges, minimum days, bedrooms / bathrooms / sleeps , and interactive dates. The Interactive dates option enables the user to simply click on any date shown available for any unit shown on the chart, and will be taken directly to the Create Reservation screen. As this option requires a huge amount of data to be transmitted, users with a slower Internet connection or a large number of units meeting the search criteria may opt to uncheck this box to facilitate a faster display of the results. When the search criteria has been configured and the “Show Tape Chart” button clicked, the result will be displayed. (Figure 50c)
Figure 50c
Once the tape chart is loaded, you will see each matching property along with its reservation activity for the time period selected. The top bar of the display contains two options. One to Hide Occupied Listings and one to Search Again. If the button to Hide Occupied Listings is clicked, any listing that is not available for the entire period will be removed from the display. In the display Figure 50c, all of the units would be removed. The other button, Search Again, allows the user to refine the original search criteria. Two columns will always appear, the Listing Information and the graphic date display. The Rent Range, Minimum Days, and Bedrooms / Bathrooms / Sleeps columns may or may mot be shown as discussed previously.
The Listing Info column shows a large amount of information about the property. There is an icon to display the listing in Control Panel Mode (see the VR Listings User Guide for a discussion about this mode), an icon for a Quick Cost Lookup, the units Property ID (which is interactive and will display 12 month calender for the unit), the Alternate (PROMAS ID), and the address of the property.