Split Inventory - Circular logic limitation

Cloudbeds' split inventory feature is a powerful tool for managing linked room types, such as dorm beds and private rooms within the same physical space. However, improper configuration can lead to significant problems, including inaccurate availability and lost revenue. This article will help you understand the most common issue - circular logic - and how to avoid it.

What is Circular Logic in Split Inventory?

Circular logic is an unsupported and problematic setup where two or more linked rooms are configured to block each other. This creates a redundant and conflicting system of blocks that can cause major issues with your availability.

Example of Circular Logic:

Imagine you have a single room, Room 9, that you sell in three different ways: as a private room (Room 9A) and as two separate dorm beds (Bed 9B and Bed 9C).

• If Room 9A is configured to block Bed 9B and Bed 9C.
• Bed 9B is also configured to block Room 9A.
• And Bed 9C is also configured to block Room 9A.

This creates a circular relationship. When a guest books Bed 9B, it tries to block Room 9A. At the same time, Room 9A is trying to block Bed 9B. This conflicting, redundant blocking can result in negative availability, prevent legitimate bookings, and ultimately lead to lost revenue.

How to Resolve Circular Logic

To fix a circular logic issue, you must remove the redundant links between rooms. The goal is to ensure that a booking for a higher-level room type blocks the corresponding lower-level room types, but not the other way around.

Recommended Setup:

Following the example above, the correct configuration would be:

• Room 9A should be linked to and block Bed 9B and Bed 9C.
• Bed 9B and Bed 9C should not be linked to or block Room 9A.

This ensures that when a guest books the private room (Room 9A), the individual beds (9B and 9C) are correctly removed from inventory. However, booking an individual bed does not create a redundant block on the private room.

Negative Availability and Lost Revenue

A common symptom of circular logic is the appearance of negative availability on your calendar. This happens because the conflicting blocks confuse the system, leading it to display that a room is available even when it should be blocked, or vice versa. This can lead to:

• Overbooking: You might accidentally book a room that should have been unavailable.
• Loss of Bookings: Your property may appear as "unavailable" to guests even when you have space, causing them to book elsewhere.

If you encounter these issues, it is crucial to review your split inventory links immediately.