About Database Sync

Database Sync is the process of synchronizing the data in the driver with what is currently on site in the PMS system.

In normal operation the Micros PMS notifies the driver of room events such as Guest Check-in and Guest Check-out when they occur. The driver cannot “poll” the PMS but instead subscribes to receive those event types on start-up. It is because of this event driven nature that newly added points have {stale} status until a message is received from the PMS.

To import room occupancy data to a newly configured station, FIAS supports a Database Sync action, which transmits the occupancy state of all the rooms in the PMS to the station.

 
CAUTION: Performing a Database Sync requires the Hotel's PMS Server to stop communications with all its other connected systems while the Database Sync is in progress. Therefore it should be invoked as infrequently as possible. The FIAS protocol manual makes the following statement: “NOTE: A Database-Swap may NOT be requested after every startup. It puts major overhead on communications, especially at larger installations. It should only be requested if data is really not synchronous any more. NEVER request Database Swap requests periodically. Note: Newer Micros systems have been modified in a way, so that unnecessary Swap-Requests will be simply ignored without any notification.— Source — FIAS 2_20w.”
 

It, therefore, makes sense to request a Database Sync only once all of the room points have been added to the station. The driver will discard update information for rooms that do not have a corresponding Boolean point created in the station.

Database Sync can be initiated either:

  • By the PMS, for example a front desk operator choosing to push an unsolicited data update to the connected station
  • By Niagara invoking the Database Sync Action on the MicrosNetwork, or by using the Database Sync button in the MicrosPointManager view

In either of these cases, Niagara handles the event using the Job Service which produces various metrics summarizing the exchange. This dialog can be found via the station Job Service or by using the Database Sync Result button in the Point Manager view.

 
NOTE: The Source can be Local or Server depending upon who initiated the Database Sync.
 
Image
 
NOTE: The PMS system needs to be connected for over 1 minute before it will return records.