Configure Connection Types for Channel Managers and CRSs (Full, One-Way, and Custom Connections)

Cloudbeds PMS now includes a Connection Type step for selected Channel Managers and Central Reservation Systems (CRSs).

This step lets you define whether Cloudbeds will control all ARI data (Availability, Rates, Restrictions) and reservations, or only specific parts of it.

What is the Connection Type step?

During the channel setup flow, you will see a page called Connection Type. On this page you choose how Cloudbeds will connect to the selected Channel Manager or CRS:

1. Full Connection – Cloudbeds manages all supported scopes for this channel, including Availability, Rates, Restrictions, and Reservations (standard 2-way connection).
2. Custom connection – you select which scopes Cloudbeds will control. This allows for one-way or partial 2-way connections, depending on the channel capabilities.

When you select Custom connection, the page will show the individual scopes available for that channel. Typical scopes are:

• Availability
• Rates
• Restrictions
• Reservations

When to use Full Connection vs Custom Connection

Full Connection

Choose Full Connection when you want Cloudbeds PMS to be the main source of truth for your ARI data and reservations for that channel. This is the closest to the standard 2-way connection and is suitable when you manage availability, rates, and restrictions directly in Cloudbeds.

Custom connection (one-way or partial 2-way)

Choose Custom connection when another system already controls some parts of your distribution stack, or when you need a more flexible setup, such as:

• Cloudbeds sends only availability, while rates and restrictions are managed in the Channel Manager or CRS.
• Cloudbeds receives reservations from the channel but does not send rates or restrictions.
• Different scopes are split between Cloudbeds and another system, depending on your IT or revenue strategy.

The exact combinations available depend on the channel. On the Connection Type page, only the scopes supported by that channel will be displayed.

Channels that support Connection Types

The following Channel Managers and Central Reservation Systems (CRSs) support the Connection Type step.

Full Connection
For any channel listed below, you can keep a Full Connection (standard 2-way sync), where Cloudbeds syncs availability, rates, restrictions, and reservations directly with the channel. To keep this setup, simply follow the steps in each channel’s dedicated connection guide. No additional changes are required.

• D-Edge CRS
• GuestCentric – uses the standard connection process described in the Distribution Channel Connection Guidelines.
• Aven Hospitality 
• HotelREZ – uses the standard connection process described in the Distribution Channel Connection Guidelines.
• Inntopia
• SHR CRS (Windsurfer)
• STAAH Channel Manager
• SiteMinder
• iHotelier by Amadeus

Custom connection (per-channel options)
If you choose Custom connection on the Connection Type step, the scopes you can enable depend on the channel group:

• Inntopia, SiteMinder, iHotelier by Amadeus, Aven Hospitality, SHR CRS (Windsurfer)
  You can control each scope independently:
  • Availability
  • Rates
  • Restrictions
  • Reservations
• D-Edge, GuestCentric, STAAH, HotelREZ
  Scopes are grouped as:
  • Availability, Rates and Restrictions
  • Reservations

Once the Connection Type step is enabled for your property, follow the steps in the How to configure the Connection Type section at the bottom of this article.

How to configure the Connection Type

1. In Cloudbeds PMS, go to Account > Settings > Distribution
2. Search for and select the desired Channel Manager or CRS, then start the connection flow.
3. When you reach the Connection Type step:
   • Select Full Connection or Custom connection.
   • If you choose Custom connection, select the scopes (Availability, Rates, Restrictions, Reservations) that Cloudbeds should manage.

4. Click Next Step or Continue.
5. Log in with your channel credentials and complete the channel setup by following its dedicated connection guide listed above.

6. After you save the configuration, you can review the active scopes for the channel on the Manage Channel page in Distribution. This page shows which scopes are active and which remain inactive for each connected Channel Manager or CRS.