How inventory flows: PMS/RMS/CRS → SiteMinder → Channels
Inventory updates
When you make rate, availability, or restriction updates in your connected PMS/RMS/CRS (property management system, revenue management system, and central reservation system) that supports sending inventory updates:
Your connected system sends these updates to your SiteMinder platform
SiteMinder receives the updates and applies them to your inventory grid
SiteMinder then pushes these updates to all your connected channels (as long as the channel supports receiving that specific type of update)
This process happens automatically as long as:
Your PMS/RMS/CRS supports sending inventory updates
All room rates are mapped between your systems (to your PMS/RMS/CRS and channels)
Room codes and rate codes match between PMS
Channel rates are not disabled and the Start updating channel setting must be Yes
The channel supports receiving the specific inventory update type
Important: This syncing only works in one direction - from your PMS/RMS/CRS to SiteMinder to channels. Manual inventory updates made in your SiteMinder platform will not sync back to your PMS/RMS/CRS. Any manual updates made in your SiteMinder platform will be overwritten by the inventory values your PMS syncs.
If above is all correct but you are seeing any sync issues or discrepancies in inventory values, try and send a new push/flush from your PMS.
What happens if you make manual updates in your platform?
⚠️ If your PMS/RMS/CRS supports sending inventory updates, do not make any manual updates in your SiteMinder platform or in channel extranets. Make updates in your PMS/RMS/CRS only.
Any manual updates will be overwritten when your connected system sends its next update, and these manual changes will not sync back to your PMS/RMS/CRS.
Mapping to your PMS/RMS/CRS and channels
To successfully process reservations and sync inventory updates, all bookable room rates need to be mapped to your channels and your PMS/RMS/CRS. The channel rates also need to be enabled in your SiteMinder platform.
To map room rates to PMS/RMS/CRS: Distribution > Connectivities
To map room rates to channels: Distribution > Channels
Room rates that are not mapped or are disabled will not receive any updates.
If a channel does not support certain inventory data (such as CTA and CTD restrictions), you may be able to set up and manage these inventory updates directly in the channel's extranet.
If your PMS/RMS/CRS system doesn't support inventory updates
If your PMS/RMS provider doesn't support sending inventory updates, or if you don't have a connected system, you'll manage all inventory updates directly in your SiteMinder platform (Distribution > Inventory).
Some PMS/RMS/CRS providers offer one-way connections that can only send inventory updates OR receive reservations - not both.
If your system has limited connectivity/does not support two-way connection
If your PMS/RMS/CRS provider does not support a two-way connection, you can have a one-way connection. With a one-way connection, your PMS/RMS/CRS will only be able to send inventory updates, or receive reservations — not both.
How reservations are delivered
When you receive a reservation from a connected channel, if all room rates are mapped to your connected systems (your PMS/RMS/CRS and your channels; OTAs), your SiteMinder platform will automatically:
Decrease the availability and send the updated availability to your connected channels
Send the reservation and availability update to your connected PMS/RMS/CRS
For successful reservation delivery from your channels to your platform and PMS/RMS/CRS, room rates must be mapped to all systems, channels must be enabled, and the channel rate's Start updating channel setting must be Yes.