This guide explains how to request a new Interactive Map, or changes to an existing one, for your RMS Booking Engine, and what information to send RMS.
An online Interactive Map is a map of your property that guests use on the RMS Booking Engine to choose and book their exact site. RMS builds every online Interactive Map from the information you provide, so a complete request is the fastest way to get your map. You request a new map, or an update to an existing map, by logging a support ticket. Online Interactive Maps cannot be edited directly in RMS.
Please Note! RMS is highly configurable. Some Terminology, User Access & Permissions, Images, Labels, and Functions used in these articles may differ from your setup. CLICK HERE to find out more.
What Do I Need Before I Request an Interactive Map?
Before you request an Interactive Map, check that you have the following ready:
- The RMS Booking Engine, which is activated as part of the Online module.
- An image of your property map that shows where each area sits.
- Your Areas set up in RMS, so that each one has an Area ID.
Which Interactive Map Request Type Do I Need?
There are two types of Interactive Map request, and you state which one you need when you log your ticket.
- New Interactive Map: you do not currently have an Interactive Map and would like one created.
- Update to an Existing Interactive Map: you already have an Interactive Map and need changes made, such as adding new areas, renumbering or renaming areas, or changing the layout or configuration.
Both types follow the same four steps below. If you are requesting an update, also complete the extra information listed under Additional Information for Map Updates.
Important! RMS cannot start building your map without an overlay image that shows where each area sits and the Area ID for each area.
What Information Do I Send RMS to Build My Online Map?
Send RMS the four items below, together in one support ticket where you can. If something is not available yet, tell RMS in the ticket and RMS will work with what you have.
Step 1: Tell RMS How Many Areas and Amenities You Are Adding
The first item RMS needs is two numbers: how many areas and how many amenities your map will include.
| Item | What it means |
|---|---|
| Areas | Each separate site, cabin, room or zone that guests can book, shown on the map. |
| Amenities | Each shared facility guests can find on the map, such as a kitchen, playground or pool. |
If you have two playgrounds, count them as two amenities.
Step 2: Provide an Overlay Image of Your Map
The overlay image is a picture of your property map with every area marked by a number or name, which RMS uses to place each area on your Interactive Map.
A good overlay image has the following:
- A clear number or name written on every area.
- Numbers or names that stay easy to read when the image is zoomed in.
- A high-resolution PNG or JPG file.
Share the image as a link (for example, a shared folder) or attach it to your ticket.
Step 3: Match Each Map Number to Its Area ID in RMS
RMS needs to know which Area ID in RMS goes with each number or name on your overlay image. You can provide this in either of two ways:
- A CSV file or spreadsheet with two columns, as in the example below. Share it as a link or attach it to your ticket.
- Written directly on the overlay image from Step 2, if that is easier and stays easy to read.
| Map ID (example) | RMS Area ID (example) |
|---|---|
| 577 | 127 |
| 598 | 128 |
| 579 | 129 |
| 580 | 362 |
| 581 | 369 |
If you are adding new Categories to the map, also include each Category name and Category ID.
To find your Area IDs in RMS:
- Go to Setup > Category/Area.
- Select Edit on a Category.
- Select the Area tab, which shows the number of Areas in brackets, for example Area (3). Each Area has an ID, and RMS needs the number in the left-hand column labelled Id.
- Repeat for each Category.
-
Step 4: Describe Each Amenity and Facility
For every amenity on your map, RMS needs a name, a description that guests will read, opening hours if they apply, and a photo if you have one.
If you have several of the same type of amenity with different descriptions or photos, number or name each one and list it separately. For example, list two playgrounds as two entries.
Use the format in these examples:
Kitchen
This is the largest of our camp kitchens with 5 fridge/freezers, 6 gas cook-tops and 3 large free-standing ovens. Open 5:30am to 11pm. We would appreciate it if guests tidied up after themselves.
Photo: include one if the property has one.
Playground North Park
Best suited for children under 5. Smaller equipment designed for little hands and feet.
Photo: include one if the property has one.
Playground West Park
Suited for children over 5. Has a flying fox, 5 swing sets and more.
Photo: include one if the property has one.
Please Note! If a Guest Description exists for an Area, that description is displayed on the Interactive Map. If no Guest Description exists, the Area Description is displayed. Area and Guest Descriptions are limited to 7 characters on the map, but the full description displays in the Booking Engine cart, confirmation pages and confirmation email.
Additional Information for Map Updates
If you are requesting an update to an existing Interactive Map, send the same four items above, plus the two items below so that RMS can apply each change accurately.
- A labelled overlay: mark each change clearly on your overlay image using letters (A, B, C and so on).
- A written list of changes: match each letter to the change required. For example, "A = combine areas 43 and 65 into area 90".
Submit Your Request
You submit an Interactive Map request by logging a support ticket with everything from the four steps above.
- Log a Support Ticket.
- State the request type: New Interactive Map or Update to Existing Interactive Map.
- Include your Client ID.
- Attach or link the items from Steps 1 to 4, plus the update information if it applies.
Example support ticket
The following example shows a complete new map request that you can use as a model for your own:
"Please request a new map build for Client ID ####. We do not currently have a map in use on the RMS Booking Engine.
The areas to map are attached on the linked CSV file - there are 86 in total. Please note there is a section on the map of permanent sites - these are on the map marked as site IDs V1-V7. These can be added to the map as sites but do not need to be mapped to any areas in RMS as they will never be sold on the booking engine. The map image has also been attached for reference.
We would also like the following amenities/facilities mapped:
Amenity 1: Opening Hours 5:30am - 10:30 pm 7 days a week. There are 3 gas cook tops & 2 ovens. We have 3 fridge freezers for your convenience. It is recommended that you name your items. The park takes no responsibility for stolen food.
(please use attached screenshot 'Amenity 1' for this facility)."
Tip! The most common cause of delay is an incomplete request, usually a missing overlay, unclear area labelling, or amenity details that have not been provided. Check your request against the four steps before you send it.
Before you send, check that you have included:
- The number of areas and the number of amenities.
- An overlay image with every area marked, shared as a link or attachment.
- A CSV file, spreadsheet or annotated overlay matching each map number to an Area ID in RMS.
- A name, description, opening hours and photo (where available) for each amenity.
If you need clarification, add your question to the support ticket and the RMS Support team will help you.
What Happens After I Submit My Request?
After you submit your request, the RMS team reviews it, quotes the work, builds the map and confirms it with you before it goes live. The steps are as follows:
- RMS reviews your request to confirm it includes all the required information. If anything is missing, RMS contacts you before moving forward.
- RMS sends you a sales order based on your request.
- Once RMS receives your payment, your request moves into the build queue. Requests are generally handled in the order they are received, and RMS confirms an estimated timeline once your request has been reviewed.
- When your map is ready, RMS contacts you to review it. You can submit a support ticket at any time to request preview access.
- Once you approve the map, it is automatically uploaded into your RMS system. No further action is required from you.
Any follow-up changes after your map goes live use the same support ticket process as an update request.
How Much Does an Interactive Map Cost?
The price of an Interactive Map is provided on request, as costs vary depending on several factors, including:
- Property location
- Number of areas included in the map
- The complexity of your layout and the requested changes
Your RMS Support representative advises pricing once your requirements are reviewed.
Related Articles
- Delete an Interactive Map from the RMS Booking Engine
- Link Inhouse Interactive Maps
- How to Setup Areas in RMS
Previous article: Interactive Maps for Online Bookings
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