Accessing Vacation RentPro from Remote Locations

Vacation RentPro can be accessed from remote locations using any of the Remote Access Methods mentioned below.

The software runs on your computer or Local Network, the same as QuickBooks and other database applications.  It provides many options for uploading different types of web pages to your own website and interfacing with other websites and services.

This provides the best of both worlds:  The responsiveness, security and rich capabilities of a local application that you own and control, plus all of the web features and interface options required for advertising properties, accepting online bookings, and viewing calendars, rates, bookings, cleaning schedules, etc. online.

Also, there are no ongoing recurring costs, there's no dependency on another web company, and no worrying about your data's security on a web server.  In addition, VRP is fully multi-user ready, allowing users to view and update the same information simultaneously.  If needed, you can access the software remotely using various third party tools (listed below).  These can also be used to access other programs if needed, such as QuickBooks and other programs you may use and wish to access remotely.

If your home or office computers are connected to an internet router (such as a DSL or Cable modem), then you already have a Local Network for sharing the data.  You simply decide which computer or disc drive will host the data files, and then share that folder for multi-user access.  This is standard Windows Folder Sharing, and is easy to set up.  Instructions are provided in the software's Help & User Manual.

In addition, VRP includes a feature to optionally view Bookings and check Availability from web-enabled Smart Phones or a Web Browser while away from the office.  See an Example Here.

Benefits of a Local Network application

Vacation RentPro is designed as a Local Network (or Desktop) application for the following reasons:

  1. Requires No monthly service fees or recurring costs.
  2. Provides Immediate startup and response time  (allowing higher productivity and efficiency).
  3. You control who has access to your confidential data, including credit card info, tenant travel plans, addresses, email addresses, personal notes, owner tax ID numbers, your business revenue, etc.  There is no need to worry about another company's security, their staff, where their web server is actually located, has it been breached, who has access to it, etc.
  4. Access your data anytime.  Regardless if your internet is down, or a web site is unavailable, your business will not be brought to a stand-still.
  5. No dependency on another company's ability to stay in business.  You own the software and your data.
  6. Working with your data is fast and smooth, and doesn't require waiting for web pages to load.  Web sites are linear and display data one page at a time, requiring you to click a button to retrieve the next page of data or complete a task.  With VRP, you can be doing multiple things, in multiple windows at the same time, which is helpful in a busy environment.
  7. Integration with other applications.  VRP can interface with Outlook™ Calendar, Email, Contacts, Excel™, Word™, QuickBooks™, Quicken™, Adobe™ PDF, Skype™, HomeAway™, VRBO™, FlipKey™, AvailabilityOnline™, Webervations™ and others.
  8. Also, the technology available today enables accessing applications remotely on your local network fast, easy and secure (see below).

Most importantly, Vacation RentPro provides a rich feature-set not found in many other web based solutions costing much more.

  • VRP provides the ability to view and update multiple types of information, in multiple windows at the same time.  For example, you could be processing payments for a booking or performing another task, and someone walks into the office or calls on the phone.  You can easily open another window to view availability or generate quotes without closing or canceling your other work.  Web-based applications are linear, and usually limit you to one operation or screen at a time due to their dependence on cookies and other methods to track what you are doing.
  • It provides instant access to all your data, including calendars, reports, alerts, reminders, bookings, payment schedules, cleaning schedules, tenants, contacts, rates, photos, expenses, documents, etc.
  • Provides optional integration with Outlook Calendar, QuickBooks, Quicken, Skype, your Email and other programs.
  • It optionally interfaces with AvailabilityOnline.com or Webervations.com to allow Online Bookings by guests.  Or use your own online booking form using information provided by the XML data export feature.
  • Automatically updates or verifies your HomeAway / VRBO calendars.
  • Provides powerful Reporting and Filtering capabilities with the option to export to Excel, PDF, Word and other formats.
  • Provides the ability to quickly reply to Rental Inquiries from online advertising sites (such as HomeAway, VRBO, FlipKey and many others) with professional Quotes, Available Dates or Property Lists.
  • Provides many types of Alerts and Reminders, including approaching check-ins and check-outs, scheduled payments, scheduled cleanings, user-defined reminders, tenant and owner birthdays and anniversaries, deposits to return, etc.  It also creates Follow-up reports.
  • It optionally synchronizes Bookings with Outlook Calendar, which can also be synced with Google Calendar.  It also provides options to sync Bookings and Availability with Smart Phones and PDA's.
  • It optionally creates and posts Web pages (SEO optimized) to your own web site, including: Availability Calendars, Cleaning Schedules, Property pages, Property Group pages and various Reports with the option to integrate with Google Analytics.
  • Provides the ability to Backup and Restore your data to your local network, or to your FTP web site for secure, off-site backup requirements.
  • Interfaces with various Payment Processing services for credit card payments and pre-authorizations.
  • Provides Bulk Emailing features for sending special notices and advertising specials.
  • It optionally creates CraigsList Ads for both Individual properties and/or Groups of properties.
  • And many other useful features.

Methods for Accessing Vacation RentPro from Remote Locations:

Vacation RentPro can be accessed from remote locations through the Internet using Windows Remote Desktop, a VPN (Virtual Private Network), or various third-party products listed below.  Remote desktop technology offers many benefits for businesses and people who want to access their office computer from home or other locations, or access their home or office computer while travelling. The effect this technology has had in the business world has been dramatic. As the stability of the Internet has grown, remote access has matured from convenience to necessity for most businesses.

Remote desktop technology also has the advantage in that data is not being dragged back and forth over the internet.  Instead, only screen display updates and keyboard / mouse actions are transferred, thereby potentially reducing security risks and wait times.

Vacation RentPro can also run on Cloud services. It has been tested with http://www.TrappOnline.com/.  You can contact them for more details and their pricing.

Third party products which allow you to access your PC or Local Network from remote locations, include:

Access from Phones and Notepads

These products also enable you to access other files and programs on your computer or network if needed.  Therefore, in addition to Vacation RentPro, you can also remotely access other programs, such as QuickBooks, Word, Excel or any others.

Our recommendations are LogMeIn and secondly, GoToMyPC.  They're fast and easy to setup.

Windows Remote Desktop is included in Windows Pro and Ultimate versions, and is also easy to use.  (Click the link for instructions).  Note, you can get your computer's IP Address Here for use with Windows Remote Desktop.

In addition, you can store Vacation RentPro's database on a portable USB device or memory card so that you can take your data with you and use the program and data on different computers which are not connected.

Or use the Smart Phone feature for viewing Bookings and Availability remotely from your phone or a web browser.