Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What are the System Requirements?

    Vacation RentPro is compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP.  Windows 7 or Vista is preferred.  (See below for running on a Mac).  It requires a basic system with approximately 300mb of free disk space depending on your data, and 1gb of memory.  Microsoft Outlook (2003 or higher) is recommended but not required.  Outlook 2007 or higher is preferred.  Outlook allows additional features in VRP, including integration with Outlook Calendar, the ability to read email inquiries directly, import Contacts, and generate formatted Html emails with images, tables, colors, fonts, etc.  Note: VRP sends email out only, so Outlook does not need to be your primary mail program unless you wish to use the option to read email inquiries directly from Outlook.

  2. Does VRP run on a Mac?

    Vacation RentPro is designed to run under the Windows operating system.  In order to run VRP on a Mac, you can use a product called Parallels - to run Windows on Mac OS X without rebooting. (Click here to save $10)Parallels.

  3. Can I access my data from Remote Locations?

    Please see the Web Access page for remote access options.

  4. Can I access my data from an iPhone or Smart Phone?

    Yes, the software includes an option to upload a list of your Bookings and Availability to a web page in a secured folder on your web site, which can be viewed from web-enabled Smart Phones or a Web browser while you are away from the computer.  This option also allows syncing the list to a folder on your PC, which you can optionally sync with your phone or other devices using file sync software such as DropBox.  See an Example Here.

    In addition, if you need to update your data remotely, you can use any of the smart phone products that allow you to access your PC, such as: Android-VNC-Viewer for android smart phones, and iTelePort for iPhones and iPads.  For more info on remote access options, please see our Web Access page.

  5. Can VRP run on a Cloud service?

    Yes, VRP can run on Cloud services, such as http://www.trapponline.com/.  They also provide cloud services for QuickBooks.  Please contact them for more details.

  6. What type of support can I expect?

    We are happy to answer short questions free of charge.  Usually, these result in directing people to the Help document in the software.  If you feel you need more help, and the calls will extend beyond 15 minutes, we ask that you purchase a 1-hour remote training ($55) on the Purchase page.  We put a lot of effort into making the software as easy and intuitive as possible, while providing a wide range of features and full documentation.  Usually, once people start using the basic features and get familiar with searching for keywords in the Help document, they are off and running on their own.

  7. What are your hours of support?

    We are available 7 days a week, usually from 7am to 9pm, Hawaii time.  You can email or call us anytime.  If we cannot answer immediately we will get back to you very soon.  Please note, if your questions are many or tend to be open-ended, we prefer that you call us, as it is easier to answer these types of questions with a phone call.

  8. Can I upgrade my license for additional properties or users in the future?

    Yes, we do not charge any additional fee for doing so.  However, you must be current with your annual support renewal.  Simply purchase the price difference for the new license on the Purchase page.

  9. How does Vacation RentPro compare to other VR software?

    As far as a feature for feature comparison, that is a difficult task, as many software vendors do not advertise their price nor provide an evaluation easily.  We strongly believe that Vacation RentPro offers the best VR solution with the widest range of features and the absolute best price.  Our customers agree, and we continually receive praise and Compliments from people who have used other VR solutions in the past.  VRP is a mature product and was first introduced in January, 2006.  Since that time, we have incorporated a wide range of features for special needs of all types of VR management requirements, (see the Updates page).  We have many customers who are using VRP after having spent a lot of money and time with other software vendors, and are thrilled to have found us.  We openly list all of the features, price options, documentation, and provide a free trial download without any questions asked.  We think this is the way software ought to be.  You should be able to see exactly what you're getting and for how much, right up front.  In the end, it all depends on how the software looks and feels to you and the features it provides.  We are confident in our product, and we openly invite you to see for yourself how Vacation RentPro can work for you.

  10. Are there any recurring charges?

    No!  Once you purchase a license, there are no recurring charges, other than after the first year you may optionally choose to continue to receive new updates to the software and support.  See below.

  11. What is the $89 annual updates renewal option?

    The software license includes one full year of free updates and support.  If, after the first year you wish to continue to receive the latest updates of VRP and support, you can optionally purchase an additional 1 year renewal for $89 from the Purchase page.  Please note, this is the current renewal price (and has been for 4 years), however it is subject to change.

  12. How much does it cost for the Online Bookings option through AvailabilityOnline or Webervations?

    One of the reasons we decided to build the optional interfaces with these two services is because they offer the absolute best price available for providing online bookings capability.  As of February, 2011 the price for Webervations 1.0 is $0.74 / month per property (for 19 properties), and less with additional properties.  And AvailabilityOnline is only $85.00 / year for unlimited properties.  Other sites we looked at charge an average of $29/month per property.  Please see our Online Bookings page for more info about AvailabilityOnline and Webervations and their interface with VRP.

  13. How does VRP integrate with my Website?

    VRP can optionally create and upload Property Pages and Property Group Pages to your website, along with calendars, rates, photos, etc.  These can easily be linked to or displayed within your existing website, or they can act as stand-alone web pages.  Here is an Example Website showing various options.

    If you wish to post Availability Calendars only, VRP has two options for integrating Availability Calendars with your existing website property pages.  The first option simply uploads html pages to your existing website using the FTP server name, account/password and folder/file name you specify.  This can be specified at the property or property-group level in VRP.  You can then simply add "links" to your existing website such as: "Click here to check Availability", which point to the html web pages uploaded by VRP.  You can quickly update any changes effecting Availability Web Calendars for all properties within VRP as often as you like - with just one click.  Here is an example of a "live" site created by VRP which incorporates both the Webervations Online Bookings form and VRP's Availability Calendar.

    The second option for integrating calendars with your existing property pages is using AvailabilityOnline.com or Webervations.com and the Interface that VRP provides.  AvailabilityOnline and Webervations include information on their sites for how to integrate Availability Checking and Online Reservations into your existing website property pages, (by inserting the html code they provide).  Please see their sites for more info.

    In addition, VRP can optionally post Cleaning Schedules  to your website, as well as generating Housekeeping Cleaning Schedule reports, and optionally emailing cleaning notices to cleaners.

  14. Is there any way to link VRP with HomeAway, VRBO, VacationRentals, and other popular website calendars?

    Yes, VRP interfaces with both your HomeAway Connect and/or HomeAwayPM accounts for both checking and/or updating calendars which are used by VRBO™, HomeAway™, VacationRentals™ and others.  It can also interface with FlipKey™ calendars.  In addition you can optionally "import" booked dates on HomeAway / VRBO calendars into "External Blockout Bookings" in VRP.  This can be useful if you allow owners and other parties to update the HomeAway calendars with their own bookings.

  15. Is there a Credit Card or eCheck Payment Processing feature?

    Yes.  VRP includes 2 options for Payment Processing.  The first (preferred) option is a direct interface with VacationRentPayment.com for full credit card transactions, including: charges, pre-authorizations, refunds and cancels. 

    Note: For the best service, we strongly recommend calling VacationRentPayment's sales executive: Jon Guerrero at 925.407.8713 (office), or jon@rentpayment.com.  Be sure to tell them you wish to use the VacationRentPro software with their service in order to take advantage of the special rates they offer to VRP customers.

    The second option is a feature which lets you use any web-based Payment Processing service (Virtual Terminal) you wish to use or already have.  This feature displays your Payment Processing website and can automatically fill in the required information while you observe and verify the details, including credit card number, Tenant name, address, amount, etc. with just one click.  This feature can also be used with other web-based forms, such as when another management company requires updating their web form when you book a property.  Neither of these options require any recurring fees paid to us.

Other Questions?

Please feel free to Contact us by phone or email.