SMTP (Send mail) Setup
|
Top
|
To enable E-mail confirmations, the appropriate settings need to be configured first (in Maintenance / Online Setup / SMTP Setup). This enables sending E-mail messages from within Campground Master. (SMTP stands for "Simple Mail Transfer Protocol", which is the current standard E-mail system used on the Internet.) These settings are similar to configuring most E-mail applications in Windows, like Microsoft Outlook.
To use the E-mail confirmation function, Campground Master must be able to access an SMTP mail server via the internet. It may not work directly with web-based E-mail like Hotmail or Yahoo unless they also have an SMTP server available (check with your E-mail provider). However if there is an SMTP server available to you, for instance though your web site provider, then that can be used. America Online also has an SMTP server available now (see below).
Global settings vs. different settings on each computer
If you're using the networking option, you'll see an option to either use global settings or use different settings on this computer. In most cases you'll want to use global settings, since each computer on a local network generally needs to be set up the same (except for possibly the bind-to IP address, which is always a local setting anyway). However if you use a computer to connect remotely, e.g. through the internet from various places, then you might need to use different settings on that computer depending on the specific internet connection (ISP) you're using at the time.
Note: Be sure to select the option to use "different" settings before making changes to the settings, so you don't inadvertently change the global settings for everyone else!
SMTP Settings
In most cases, you will only need to enter one thing in the Server section, which is the Host name/address. The rest of the settings default to the most common values. The host name/address is usually "mail" or "smtp" followed by your ISP or web host domain name. A couple examples are below:
smtp.mywebsite.com (for instance if you have your own domain name for your web site)
mail.myisp.net (for instance if you do E-mail through an ISP like Earthlink)
Most SMTP servers use port number 25, no authentication, and the other settings as shown by default in the SMTP Setup dialog.
If you have any questions about the proper settings to use in SMTP Setup, please contact your internet provider.
Of course your name & E-mail address also need to be entered in the Sender section -- this is used as both the "From" and the "Reply-To" for every E-mail you send. Optionally you can have it use the Park's Name and Park's E-mail address, as defined for the Park (or Parks) through Park Setup. This is useful if you have more than one park set up in the database, and want to use a different Reply address in confirmations depending on which park it's for. (If an E-mail is sent to a customer without reference to a reservation, the park specified as the Park shown on non-reservation receipts will be used, and that setting is specific to each workstation.) Note that you still need to fill in a default Name and E-mail address here, in case an the Park record doesn't have the E-mail field filled it.
You can use the Test button on this Setup dialog to test your settings by sending an E-mail to yourself.
America Online Settings
If you use America Online for your Internet access, there is an SMTP server available for you to use. The following Server settings should be used:
Host Name/Address: smtp.aol.com
Port Number: 587 (although 25 may also work for the port)
Authentication method: AUTH LOGIN
Username : (your AOL screen name)
Password : (your AOL password)
Also, the Sender E-mail address should be in the Internet format (your AOL screen name followed by "@aol.com"), such as: myscreenname@aol.com. Note that any spaces in your screen name must be removed, so "My Screen Name" would become MyScreenName@aol.com.
Using the SMTP function to send E-mail
Once the SMTP configuration is done (particularly the Sender and Server information as mentioned above), then a new button will be available on the Reservation Transactions dialog for any reservation that's not yet checked in (it assumes there's no need for a confirmation once they're checked in). Likewise, it will appear when you use Quote/Confirmation from the Reservation Details dialog.
You can also send E-mail messages to customers using the blue E-mail "link" on Customer Details (like before, but now it uses the built in E-mailing instead of opening the default E-mail program in Windows).
Important: Campground Master does not keep any record of E-mails sent. Instead, you can set a blind-copy address (BCC all mail to) so that all outgoing E-mails are also sent to another account (e.g. your own E-mail account) for your records. We suggest setting up a special mailbox with your web provider or ISP for these copies, for easy reference.
Page URL http://CampgroundMaster.com/snews/smtp(sendmail)setup.html
Campground Master Home