# Connect OpenGDS

> Ask OpenGDS to connect Channex, enter your Hotel ID, and map per room.

Source: https://docs.santara.ai/channel-guides/opengds/

How to connect OpenGDS to Santara AI. The setup inside Santara AI is the same for every channel ([Connect another channel](/channels/other-channels/)); this page covers what is specific to OpenGDS.

## Before you start

- You need **your own contract** with OpenGDS, with the property's details and photos already in its extranet. Santara AI connects a property that is signed up; it cannot create one on OpenGDS for you.
- A **property with at least one room** in Santara AI.
- **No other channel manager or iCal link** on the property in OpenGDS — two systems updating one calendar overwrite each other.

## 1. Switch the connection on in OpenGDS

OpenGDS has to allow the connection first. Channex is Santara AI's connectivity partner — it is the name OpenGDS knows us by.

1. Ask OpenGDS support to connect your property to **Channex**.
2. Note the **Hotel ID** OpenGDS gives you.

Or connect it yourself in OpenGDS's interface.

## 2. Connect in Santara AI

1. Open **Settings → Channels → Add a channel**, find **OpenGDS**, and press **Connect**.
2. Pick the property it is for.
3. Fill in the fields below, then press **Test connection**.
4. When the test passes, press **Connect and continue**.

| Field | What to enter |
| --- | --- |
| Hotel ID | Your OpenGDS Hotel ID. |

If **Test connection** fails, check the ID, then ask OpenGDS support to confirm the property is connected to Channex.

## 3. Map rooms and rates

- **Per room** — one price for the room, whoever stays. Map your full-occupancy rate.

Map **every** room and rate OpenGDS shows. One left unmapped gets no updates, and OpenGDS keeps selling it on its old availability.

## 4. Import and go live

Santara AI checks what is mapped, turns the channel on and brings across the stays OpenGDS already has. From then on, rates, availability and restrictions sync from Santara AI — see [Going live](/channels/going-live/).

## Good to know

- Answer OpenGDS guests in OpenGDS's own inbox — guest messages from OpenGDS do not come into Santara AI.

More fixes: [Channel troubleshooting](/channels/troubleshooting/).