OTA GUARDSales Agent Technical Guide
Confidential — For Authorized Agents Only
Sales agent
technical guide
This document provides everything you need to explain, demonstrate, sell, and support OTA Guard with
confidence — without revealing proprietary technical details about how the software works internally.
01 Key terminology — what every term means
02 Installing and launching OTA Guard
03 Configuring floor & ceiling prices
04 Connecting to a Channel Manager — API or Extranet Direct
05 Why OTA Guard is never 100% precise
06 Frequently asked questions (sales)
07 Technical support guide
Authorized Sales Agent
Fernandes Richard — Agent Code: FERN949
rferns123@gmail.com · WhatsApp +91 70661 46949
Technical Support
IP-Home by LISBOA PVT
otaguard@proton.me
OTA GUARDSales Agent Technical Guide
Confidential
1 Key terminology
Before selling OTA Guard, make sure you can explain these terms clearly to any hotelier.
OTA — Online Travel Agency
A website or app where travellers book hotels. Examples: Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, MakeMyTrip,
Airbnb, Google Hotels. The OTA acts as a middleman between the hotel and the guest. The hotel pays a commission
(usually 15–25%) on every booking made through an OTA.
Channel Manager
Software used by a hotel to manage its room inventory and prices across multiple OTAs from a single
dashboard. When the hotel changes a price in the channel manager, the update is pushed automatically to all connected
OTA platforms. Common channel managers: eZee Centrix, Hotelogix, Cloudbeds, RoomRaccoon, Little Hotelier, Staah, SiteMinder.
Floor Price (Minimum Rate)
The lowest price a hotel is willing to accept for a room. The hotel sets this figure. No displayed rate
should ever fall below it — after OTA commission and operating costs, anything lower means losing money on the booking.
Ceiling Price (Maximum Rate)
The highest price the hotel accepts to see displayed. Useful for peak-season control: OTA Guard alerts
the hotelier if any platform lists above this figure, which can damage the hotel's reputation.
Rate Parity
An agreement that the hotel will offer the same price on all platforms. Many OTAs used to force rate
parity — the hotel could not offer lower prices on its own website. The European Union has now restricted these
clauses, but the concept remains important.
API Key
A secret code that allows two software systems to communicate securely — like a password between two
programs. OTA Guard uses API keys to connect to channel managers when the API mode is chosen. The key
must be kept confidential; if leaked, unauthorized access is possible. The hotelier generates it inside their channel
manager settings.
Extranet Direct — correction without an API
Many channel managers charge extra for API access — or don't offer one. In Extranet Direct
mode, OTA Guard works through the hotelier's own browser session on the channel manager's extranet: the
hotelier logs in as usual, and the software applies the corrections in his place, inside his own account. Nothing is
sent anywhere else — the corrections are the hotelier's own actions, automated. Limited to 20 rooms per property to
keep the service reliable.
Passive rate observation
The way OTA Guard collects prices: it observes the rates actually displayed in the
hotelier's own browser — the same prices a traveller would see. No special access, no interference: the software
watches, records and verifies, leaving a complete evidence trail.
Channel Manager Push · Trial · License
When a gap is confirmed, the corrected rate is pushed to the channel manager — which updates all OTA
platforms simultaneously — either automatically or after the hotelier's approval, depending on the setting chosen.
OTA Guard offers a 15-day free trial: all features, no credit card. After the trial, a
license is required: one license = one hotel property on one machine, renewed annually.
OTA GUARDSales Agent Technical Guide
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2 Installing and launching OTA Guard
OTA Guard is a Windows desktop application. It must be installed on a computer that remains on at the hotel.
System requirements
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 | Windows 10 or 11 |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Internet connection | Required (always on) | Stable broadband |
| Browser | Brave installed (free) | Brave, kept up to date |
| Computer | Front desk PC | Dedicated PC left on 24/7 |
| Storage | 500 MB free | 1 GB free |
Why Brave? OTA Guard observes the displayed prices inside the hotel's own browser session.
Brave is the reference browser for the software — free, and installed in one minute if the hotel doesn't have it.
Installation steps
- Download the installer OTAGuard_Setup.exe — the exact version is provided by your sales manager with the official link.
- Double-click the installer. Windows may show a security warning ("Windows protected your PC") — click "More info" then "Run anyway". This is normal for new software not yet widely distributed.
- Follow the on-screen installation wizard. Accept the license agreement and choose the installation folder (default is fine).
- Once installed, launch OTA Guard from the desktop shortcut or Start menu.
- Enter your license key when prompted. The key is provided after purchase. Keep it safe — it is tied to one machine.
- Complete the initial setup wizard inside the application (hotel profile, OTA pages, floor/ceiling prices, channel manager connection).
IMPORTANT: OTA Guard must run on a machine with reliable internet access. If the hotel's internet is
frequently cut, monitoring is interrupted. Advise the client to use the front desk computer or a dedicated PC that
stays on — and to keep the PC from falling into deep sleep.
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3 Configuring floor & ceiling prices
This is the most important configuration step. If the floor price is set incorrectly, OTA Guard will
either trigger false alerts or miss real gaps.
What to configure
Floor price (minimum rate): the lowest acceptable selling price per room type, per
night. It should account for the OTA commission. Example: if the hotel's true minimum is ₹3,000 and the OTA takes 20%
commission, the floor price to enter is ₹3,600 — after commission, the hotel receives ₹2,880, close to its minimum.
Ceiling price (maximum rate): the maximum price the hotel ever wants displayed. This
prevents rooms from being listed at inflated prices during peak season without the hotel's knowledge.
How to set prices in OTA Guard
- Open OTA Guard and go to the room types & price limits section (setup wizard, step 5).
- Select the room type (Deluxe, Standard, Suite, etc.).
- Enter the floor price for that room type.
- Enter the ceiling price for that room type.
- Enter the number of rooms of that type (the inventory).
- Save. Repeat for each room type the hotel offers.
Correction mode — a choice, not a setting to guess
In the same section, the client chooses how corrections behave:
Alert only (the gap is reported, nothing is sent), Approval mode (OTA Guard alerts
and waits for a click), or Automatic mode (corrections pushed immediately). Most clients start with
alerts, then move to approval, then to automatic once confidence is built.
SEASONAL RATES: advise the client to update floor and ceiling prices before peak season (Christmas,
New Year, local festivals). OTA Guard monitors against the prices configured — if the hotel raises its rates for
peak season, the floor price must be updated accordingly.
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4 Connecting to a Channel Manager — API or Extranet Direct
OTA Guard corrects rates through the hotel's channel manager. Since the V3 version, two transports
exist — the client chooses during setup, and the choice can be revisited later.
Mode 1 — API (when the channel manager offers one)
| Information needed | Where to find it | Why it is needed |
|---|
| Channel Manager name | Hotel's existing software | Identifies which system to connect |
| API key / auth code | Channel Manager settings > API | Authenticates OTA Guard to send updates |
| Property ID | Channel Manager dashboard | Identifies the correct property |
| Room type codes | Channel Manager room setup | Maps OTA Guard rooms to channel manager |
- Ask the hotel manager to log into their channel manager account.
- Go to Settings > API or Integrations. Generate a new API key specifically for OTA Guard.
- Copy the API key carefully — never share it by SMS; use WhatsApp or email only.
- In OTA Guard, open the Channel Manager section, select the transport API, choose the channel manager from the list.
- Paste the API key and property ID, then configure room type mappings.
- Click "Test Connection" — OTA Guard confirms whether the link is successful.
COST WARNING: many providers (channelmanager.com.au included) charge extra for API access. The client
should ask before ordering the key. If the API is paid or unavailable — use Extranet Direct mode.
Mode 2 — Extranet Direct (no API key needed)
- In OTA Guard, select the transport Extranet Direct and enter the extranet web address of the channel manager.
- The hotelier logs into his extranet in the browser — Brave — exactly as he does every day.
- OTA Guard attaches to that session, observes the rate grid, and applies the corrections in his place, under his eyes.
- Nothing leaves the hotelier's own account: the corrections are his actions, automated. A complete evidence journal records every change.
LIMITS: Extranet Direct is offered up to 20 rooms per property (beyond that, use the
API). If the channel manager interface changes, the correction may be temporarily locked — the software says so
clearly and the engine is updated as quickly as possible.
SECURITY NOTE: the API key (API mode) must be kept confidential — if compromised, generate a new key
and update OTA Guard immediately. In Extranet Direct mode, no key exists: the hotelier's own logged-in session is used,
and his credentials are never transmitted to LISBOA PVT.
OTA GUARDSales Agent Technical Guide
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5 Why OTA Guard is never 100% precise
This is one of the most important things to explain to a potential client. Honesty here builds trust
and prevents complaints after purchase.
The core reality: OTAs show different prices to different users
| Factor | Example |
|---|
| Device used | Mobile app vs desktop browser vs tablet can show different prices |
| Location of the searcher | A user in Mumbai may see a different price than a user in Paris for the same Goa hotel |
| Browser history & cookies | If you searched for this hotel before, the price may be higher (dynamic pricing) |
| Logged in vs anonymous | Booking.com members sometimes see different prices than anonymous visitors |
| Time of search | Prices change throughout the day based on demand algorithms |
| OTA promotional programs | Flash sales or Genius discounts apply to certain user profiles only |
Live demo tip — three devices, three prices
TRY IT WITH THE CLIENT: 1. Open Booking.com on your mobile phone. Search their hotel for tomorrow
night. 2. Ask the client to search the same room on their computer at the same time. 3. Ask a colleague to search on
another device using mobile data (not the same WiFi). In most cases you will see 2 or 3 different prices. This is not
a glitch — it is how OTAs work. And it is exactly why manual checking cannot protect the hotel.
What this means for OTA Guard
OTA Guard monitors prices from a consistent, standardized perspective — the same type of search, every
time. This gives the hotel a reliable reference point that is far better than manual checking. The typical margin of
variation is ₹50–150 per room per night compared to what a different user profile might see. Corrections therefore may
not match the floor price to the exact rupee — but they stay within an acceptable range. What OTA Guard eliminates is
the large, systematic gaps — promotions ₹500, ₹1,000 or more out of line — the ones that cost the hotel real money.
HOW TO EXPLAIN THIS TO A CLIENT: "No tool can tell you every price every OTA shows to every person
on earth — because the price depends on who is searching. What OTA Guard does is monitor consistently and catch the
significant gaps that cost you real money. Think of it as a security guard who checks the main entrance — he cannot
check every window, but he stops the biggest threats."
OTA GUARDSales Agent Technical Guide
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6 Frequently asked questions (sales)
Does OTA Guard work with my channel manager?
Yes — two ways. If your channel manager offers an API, OTA Guard connects through it. If the API is
paid or unavailable, Extranet Direct mode works through your own browser session, with no key and
no extra cost (up to 20 rooms). If in doubt, contact technical support.
What happens if the OTA ignores the correction?
OTA Guard pushes the correction through the channel manager. Most OTAs accept these updates within
minutes. However, some OTA promotions (like Genius discounts) are applied independently and cannot always be
overridden. These are disclosed during the trial period.
Is my data safe?
OTA Guard does not store booking data or guest information. It only observes publicly visible rate
information. Keys and passwords are encrypted locally on the hotel's machine (Windows DPAPI) and never transmitted
to LISBOA PVT.
What if the software stops working after an OTA redesign?
OTA platforms frequently update their websites. OTA Guard is maintained continuously — updates are
included in the license. If an OTA changes its layout and temporarily breaks monitoring, an update is released as
quickly as possible.
Is there a refund if it does not work for my hotel?
The 15-day free trial exists to evaluate this. No payment is required during the trial. After purchase,
the license is non-refundable, which is why the trial period is offered.
Do I need technical knowledge to use it?
No. OTA Guard is designed for hotel staff, not IT professionals. The setup wizard guides through each
step. Technical support is available via WhatsApp and email.
How often does OTA Guard scan?
The scan frequency is configurable. The client sets how often OTA Guard checks each platform. More
frequent scans provide faster detection. The recommended setting balances detection speed with system resources.
Can I approve corrections before they are sent?
Yes. The client chooses between automatic mode (corrections pushed immediately) or approval mode (OTA
Guard alerts the manager who approves or rejects). Most clients start in approval mode and switch to automatic after
building confidence.
Can I use OTA Guard on multiple properties?
Each license covers one property on one machine. For a second property, a second license is required.
Contact the sales manager for volume pricing.
What is the difference between Standard and Founder license?
Both include exactly the same features. The Founder License offers a discounted first-year price
(₹10,000 instead of ₹18,000). After the first year, the Founder License renews at the standard rate. Only 20 Founder
licenses are available.
OTA GUARDSales Agent Technical Guide
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7 Technical support guide
When a client contacts you with a problem, use this guide before escalating to technical support.
Issue: OTA Guard is not detecting any rate changes
- Check that the software is running (look for the OTA Guard icon in the Windows system tray).
- Check internet connection — open any browser and verify access to Booking.com.
- Verify the floor price is set correctly. If the floor price is lower than all displayed rates, no alert will trigger.
- Check that the OTAs to monitor are selected in settings.
- Restart OTA Guard.
Issue: the channel manager connection is failing
- API mode: verify the API key is still valid — log into the channel manager and check if the key has expired.
- Both modes: check the channel manager extranet is accessible — log in via web browser.
- Re-enter the API key in OTA Guard (Settings > Channel Manager > Re-configure), or re-run the Extranet Direct pairing.
- Contact technical support with the error message shown on screen.
Issue: OTA Guard shows a rate but the hotel sees a different rate on their browser
- This is expected behavior — see Section 5 (Why OTA Guard is never 100% precise).
- Explain the three-device test to the client. The variation is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.
Issue: Windows is blocking the software from running
- Right-click the OTA Guard icon > "Run as administrator".
- If Windows Defender flags it: click "More info" > "Run anyway". This is common for new software.
- Add OTA Guard to the Windows Defender exclusions list if the issue persists.
OTA GUARDSales Agent Technical Guide
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7 Technical support guide — continued
Issue: license key not accepted
- Check for typos — copy and paste the key directly from the email.
- Verify the key has not already been used on another machine.
- Contact technical support with the key and the error message.
Issue: software installed but not scanning
- Ensure the hotel's firewall is not blocking OTA Guard. IT staff may need to whitelist the application.
- Restart the computer and relaunch OTA Guard.
- Check if Windows is in power-saving mode that suspends background applications — and that Brave is not in
memory-saver mode (it can put tabs to sleep; add the channel manager site to "always keep active").
Escalation — when to contact technical support
If the issue cannot be resolved, collect this information before contacting support:
- The exact error message shown in OTA Guard (screenshot if possible)
- The name and version of the channel manager
- The Windows version of the client's computer
- A description of when the problem started and any recent changes (new internet provider, Windows update, channel manager change)
TECHNICAL SUPPORT — IP-Home / LISBOA PVT: otaguard@proton.me · WhatsApp +91 93073 80525 (Lionel
Lebas — IP-Home) · Support hours: Monday to Saturday · Response time: within 24 hours on working days.
Direct your clients to contact you first; you escalate to technical support if needed.
Your contact details
Fernandes Richard — Authorized Independent Sales Agent
Agent Code: FERN949 · WhatsApp / Phone: +91 70661 46949 · rferns123@gmail.com
OTA Guard
by IP-Home · LISBOA PVT
jangalagoa.github.io/OTA-GUARD-Start-the-15-day-trial/