See Also

Backup System

You need a full backup of your system in case of a computer crash, fire or any other cause that damaged the data on your system. Although you might never need a backup of your system, it is very important to have a good backup system.

Imagine: the high season for your property just started and you have a projected occupancy of almost 100% for the next two months and 60% for the next 365 days (that is well over 20.000 room nights / reservations for a 100 room hotel). The outstanding guest and city ledger balance is over $50.000...

...your computer crashes, your hardware supplier cannot restore the data from the hard disk and you do not have a backup. How do you find out which guest has to pay what? How do you know the details of all future reservations and who is going to enter them back into the system?

Backup Systems

A backup system creates a copy of all your files to other media such as a backup tape, zip disk, usb drive or online "in the cloud". You need to the backup medium in a secure and fire proof place, preferably outside the building in which your computer system is located. This ensures that you always have a backup of your system, even in case your property burns down to the ground.

It is not important how you create a backup or which system is used for the backup, as long as the backup itself is reliable. Contact your hardware supplier for a backup system that is suitable for your property.

• Amadeus - PMPRO files to backup

  The third party backup system should be configured to create a full backup of the entire folder in which PMPRO is installed. This is usually on the server in the \Brilliant\PMS folder. In case the system is configured to create a copy & compress backup:

  • You do not need to create a backup of the full \PMS folder as this is already being backed up by the copy & compress feature.

  • You should still create a backup of all folders that are excluded from copy & compress (excluded file extension can be ignored).

  • You should create a backup of the daily copy & compress "DayOfWeek.zip" files. The "DateTime.zip" files are optional.

• Tips for users of backup tapes or disks.

  • For a full backup of the Amadeus - PMPRO system you need to backup the root folder of the Amadeus - PMPRO system and all it's sub folders and files (usually \PMS).

  • Most backup systems do not backup files that are in use. You therefore need to exit all programs while the backup is being created!

  • Create a backup schedule for your daily backups. A good backup schedule would be:

  • • a separate tape for every day of the week,

    • a separate tape for every last day of the week and

    • a separate tape for every last day of the month.

  • Assign employees who are responsible for the backup and provide them with clear instructions.

  • Take good notice of any errors, warnings and information messages from the backup system.

  • If you install new programs, create new folders and so on, you may have or may want to add these to the backup set.

  • Always store backup tapes in a secure and fire proof place outside the room and preferably outside the building in which your computer system is located.

  • Keep track of the maximum number of times a backup tape or disk can be used and replace them with new ones if necessary.

  • Test a created backup on a regular basis to make sure you have a valid backup that can be used to restore data when needed.

SQL Database Backup

If you use a version of Amadeus - PMPRO 10.1 or Amadeus - PMPRO 10.2, the sensitive data are stored in a SQL server database for added security. An SQL database can usually not be included in a third party backup system because it is in use by Microsoft SQL server. Amadeus - PMPRO provides an option to create a backup of the SQL database, and store this in the \PMS\SQLBackup folder. This backup file can then be included in the third party backup system and/or the copy & compress backup.

PMPRO Copy & Compress

Amadeus - PMPRO offers it's own backup feature called 'Copy & Compress'. The Copy & Compress function creates a copy of the PMPRO system and database on the hard disk of your local computer and/or the server. This option is provided in addition to the backup to a backup tape or zip disk. It does not replace a real backup system! A full server backup to external media should be created at least once a day. You should therefore use the Copy & Compress function several times a day to secure the current status of the system. That way you always have a more recent backup in case something happens. Create an In-Between backup for example:

• at the end of each shift,

• after a busy check-out,

• after a busy check-in.

The In-Between backup does not replace a backup to a backup tape or zip disk. The In-Between backup is created on the hard disk of a your local PC and/or the server. This backup is useless in case of a fire!