Settings

To successfully implement the CTM ABL /Maxagrid Traffic Interface, some initial settings are required. These settings act as a link between the two systems. The following steps must be followed implicitly for a successful setup.

1. Define Exchange Path. An exchange path must be defined per selectable station with Maxagrid Advanced Revenue Management System. This folder is an "agreed upon" folder between Traffic and Maxagrid. The folder is used as an exchanging place of messages between systems. For the Maxagrid Advanced Revenue Management System application, this setting is done via the V4Tsetup (Traffic Interface Setup) program under the Exchange Path Tab. A V4Tsetup version of V1.00D or greater is required for this operation. Again, this setting must be done per Maxagrid defined station.

   TIP: This operation must be performed upon each and every workstation in which an end-user may be designated as one who updates Maxagrid avails on a regular basis.

   NOTE: For Visual Traffic systems, this setting is defined as "Maxagrid Export" and must be declared upon the VT server only. The setting of this option is not available for VT workstations. Please consult Visual Traffic documentation for further information.

2. Define Traffic Calls. The Advanced Settings Tab allows for the maintenance of Traffic Interface processing parameters. These parameters serve as "messaging layout" definitions for a Traffic avails file. A crucial setting is the TRAFFICCALLSTXT parameter. The setting must be a station's call letters as defined in the Traffic interface. It must be an exact match, character for character. It is imperative to verify this setting to be correct with Traffic's declaration. This option is available for setting with a V4Tsetup version of 1.00D and greater.

   Note: For Visual Traffic systems, a stations call-letter's description may be verified by the following steps.

   1. Bring up Visual Traffic,
   2. Select Station menu item. A list of stations should appear. The text displayed for a station is that text that serves as the unique Traffic call-letters/description for the station.
3. Verify Maxagrid Capacities. For any Traffic Load to operate properly and reflect avails as reported by systems, it is crucial that defined capacities between Traffic and Maxagrid should match.

   Tip: The CTM ABL/Advanced Revenue Management System interface only updates Maxagrid sold counts.

   Capacities within Maxagrid Advanced Revenue Management System must be defined and maintained manually. Initially and periodically, one should review and verify defined Maxagrid capacities against those defined in Traffic.

   For Visual Traffic systems, a timely VT "Availabilities Log" report may be referenced under the row header of "Allowed" for determining these values. The capacity values reported should be defined within Maxagrid Capacities.

   Tip: To access the Maxagrid Capacities window from Advanced Revenue Management System,

   1. Yield/Inventory Controls/Capacities
   2. Select desired station from the Stations Tab. Capacity definitions will load.
   3. Choose the Inventory Capacity Tab. Confirm and/or modify any capacity values as compared to the avails report.

   For further help information on updating Maxagrid capacities, refer to related Advanced Revenue Management System help documentation.

   After these steps are followed, and settings are made correctly, the CTM ABL/Maxagrid Advanced Revenue Management System interface should be operable. Standard procedures then may be performed on a timely basis for loading Traffic numbers via the Traffic Load Tab within the Maxagrid Inventory Booked Update window.

   Exchange Path

   Within the V4Tsetup Traffic Interface application, after a station is selected from the Stations tab, an Exchange Path may be defined for the station. The Exchange Path allows for the designation of a directory path.

   Traffic Interface Setup/Exchange Path

   An exchange path must be defined per selectable station with Maxagrid Advanced Revenue Management System. This folder is an "agreed upon" folder between Traffic and Maxagrid. The folder is used as an exchanging place of messages between systems. For the Maxagrid Advanced Revenue Management System application, this setting is done via the V4Tsetup (Traffic Interface Setup) program under the Exchange Path Tab. A V4Tsetup version of V1.00D or greater is required for this operation. Again, this setting must be done per Maxagrid defined station.

   Tip: This operation must be performed upon each and every workstation in which an end-user may be designated as one who updates Maxagrid avails on a regular basis.
   Note: For Visual Traffic systems, this setting is defined as "Maxagrid Export" and must be declared upon the VT server only. The setting of this option is not available for VT workstations. Please consult Visual Traffic documentation for further information.

   To save a configuration or modification of Exchange Path designation, choose the File Menu and click on Save.

   Advanced Settings - TRAFFICCALLSTXT

   Within the V4Tsetup Traffic Interface application, after a station is selected from the Stations tab, advanced settings may be edited for the station. The Advanced Settings tab allows for the maintenance of Traffic file processing parameters. These parameters serve as "messaging layout" definitions for a Traffic avails file.

   A crucial setting is the TRAFFICCALLSTXT parameter. The setting must be a station's call letters as defined in Visual Traffic. It must be an exact match, character for character. It is imperative to verify this setting to be correct with Traffic's declaration. This option is available for setting with a V4Tsetup version of 1.00D.

   Note: For Visual Traffic systems, a stations call-letter's description may be verified by the following steps.

   1. Bring up Visual Traffic,
   2. Select Station menu item. A list of stations should appear. The text displayed for a station is that text that serves as the unique Traffic call-letters/description for the station.
   Traffic Interface Setup/Advanced Settings

   The settings for the TRAFFICCALLSTXT parameter may be modified by the following steps.

How To Modify Advanced Settings

Prior to modifying Advanced Settings, the following must be done.

1. Select a station from the Stations tab.

   Upon selection, the Traffic Links definitions and Advanced Settings information will load.

2. Click the Advanced Settings tab.

Modifying Advanced Settings Steps (Advanced Settings tab):

1. From the System Control Parameters list, scroll list items until desired Settings parameter is displayed.

2. Click on the listed parameter.

   Currently stored information will be displayed to the right. Settings for the System Control may now be edited

   Exception: Some System Control Parameters are only available for display purposes upon selection. The updating of these items are restricted to actual Traffic Load processing within the Maxagrid application.

3. Modify the parameter settings to reflect the needed adjustment.

4. Click the Accept button to store the modification.

   Or,

   Click upon another setting to cancel any entered revision.

   To save a configuration or modification of a Link Text Definition string, choose the File menu and click on Save.

How To Reset Advanced Settings

Prior to modifying Advanced Settings, the following must be done.

1. Select a station from the Stations tab.

   Upon selection, the Traffic Links definitions and Advanced Settings information will load.

2. Click the Advanced Settings tab.

Resetting Advanced Settings Steps (Advanced Settings tab):

1. From the System Control Parameters list, scroll list items until desired Settings parameter is displayed.

2. Click on the listed parameter.

   Currently stored information will be displayed to the right. Settings for the System Control may now be edited.

   Exception: Some System Control Parameters are only available for display purposes upon selection. The updating of these items are restricted to actual Traffic Load processing within the Maxagrid application.

3. Modify the parameter settings to reflect the needed adjustment.

4. Click the Reset button to store the modification.

   The System Control Parameters -OR,
   Click upon another setting to cancel any entered revision.

5. Click the Accept button to store the modification.

   Or,

   Click upon another setting to cancel any entered revision.

   To save a configuration or modification of a Link Text Definition string, choose the File menu and click on Save.

Trouble-shooting

Q - No summary is displayed and no settings are defined after loading a station for interface maintenance?

A - Most likely, this is the first time a station had been loaded by the Traffic Interface Setup. It is necessary to assign a "Traffic Type" for the station. Try these steps to correct the station load.

1. Upon loading the Interface Setup for a station. click on the Advanced Settings tab.

2. Find the drop-list labeled "Traffic System Type".

3. Click on the drop-arrow for the list.

4. Scroll the drop-list for the station's applicable Traffic System Type.

5. Click to select the applicable system.

   The applicable system should display at the top-most list entry as the currently selected item.

6. From the File menu, choose Save.

System Control Parameters should appear under the Advanced Settings tab, as well as any defined Link Text definitions under a Traffic Links/Exchange Path tab (traffic system sensitive).