On March 15, 2026, Merlin Software rolled out a new set of updates and enhancements across Sales, Marketing, Front Office, Back Office, PMS controls, and system setup.
These updates focus on improving visibility, simplifying workflows, and strengthening operational control. Many of the changes respond directly to how resorts and vacation ownership properties actually use Merlin every day.
From commission management to appointment scheduling, reporting exports, and payment gateway integrations, this update introduces practical improvements that help teams work faster and manage data with greater confidence.
Here’s what’s new and what it means for you.
Greater Flexibility in Commission Management
Commission Raise and Release Enhancement
A new configuration option lets you choose whether to use System Date or the Original Commission Transaction Date when releasing commission.
This is managed through:
Setups → Modules → Back Office → Back Office 5 → Commission Set Ups → Commission Release Rules.
For finance teams, this adds important flexibility. Some properties prefer commissions to follow the original transaction timing, while others prefer release timing based on the system date. With this enhancement, Merlin can now reflect your internal accounting policies more accurately.
The result is clearer commission reporting and better alignment with financial processes.
Stronger Reporting and Export Capabilities
NQ Reason Added to Marketing Exports
The NQ Reason field is now included in:
Marketing → Reports → Appointments → Raw Data Export.
Marketing teams can now track and analyse why appointments did not qualify more effectively. This helps refine marketing campaigns, improve lead quality, and identify patterns that may impact tour conversion rates.
EXT Fields Added to Member Exports
Additional fields EXT 2, EXT 3, and EXT 4 are now available within:
Sales → Names → Members → Locate export.
This enhancement provides more flexibility for properties that store additional member data within custom fields. These details can now be exported easily for reporting, analysis, or integration with external systems.
Contract Follow-Up Report Enhancements
The following fields have been added to both the grid and export:
- GL Acc Flag 1
- GL Acc Flag 2
- Ext Ref 1
- Ext Ref 2
These additional data points allow managers to review contract follow-up activity with greater context. Whether tracking financial flags or referencing external identifiers, reporting now delivers a more complete picture.
Member Category Added to Print Document Exports
The Member Category column has been added to Print Documents exports.
This allows teams to segment communications and documentation more easily. For example, properties can distinguish between membership tiers or ownership types when reviewing document distribution.
Improved Front Office Visibility
Property Hyperlinks Added to Reports
Property hyperlinks have been added to the Departure Report and to several Arrivals and Departures reports.
Instead of manually searching for a property record, users can now click directly from the report to access the relevant property information. This improves navigation speed and helps staff resolve guest queries faster.
Promo Code Field Added to Reservation Details
A Promo Code field has been added to the Reservation Details section.
This allows teams to capture and track promotional activity directly within the reservation record. Marketing campaigns, special offers, and promotional incentives can now be tracked more clearly within operational workflows.
Enhanced Open and Closed Accounts Audit
Additional details have been added to the audit trail located at:
Res Info → Other → Reservation Audit → Open Closed Account Audit.
This strengthens transparency when reviewing reservation account activity. Finance and management teams can now see more detailed information about account status changes, improving internal control and audit readiness.
Loyalty and Membership Enhancements
Loyalty Program Upload Wizard
A new upload wizard has been added:
Front Office → Wizards → Upload Loyalty Program Tier.
This allows properties to bulk upload loyalty program tier updates. Instead of manually updating individual records, loyalty program changes can now be processed quickly and efficiently.
For properties with active loyalty programs, this reduces administrative workload and ensures membership status remains accurate.
Conversion Points Transaction Type
A new Points Transaction Type called “Conversion” has been added within points transaction setups.
This provides clearer categorisation when points are converted within the system. It ensures that reporting and financial tracking reflect exactly how points were used or transferred.
Marketing Workflow Improvements
Appointment Rescheduling
Appointments can now be rescheduled directly within the system.
Marketing and tour teams no longer need to cancel and recreate appointments when plans change. Instead, appointments can be adjusted while maintaining the original record history.
This keeps reporting cleaner and reduces administrative steps.
Appointment Rescheduled Fields Added to Reports
New Rescheduled fields have been added to various appointment pages and reports.
This allows managers to track how often appointments are moved and analyse scheduling behaviour. Understanding these patterns can help refine scheduling practices and improve show rates.
New Call Status Options
Two new call status options have been added:
- SCHEDULED
- CALLBACK
These statuses give marketing teams better tools for managing communication workflows. Teams can now track follow-up commitments more accurately and organise outreach activities more effectively.
Stronger System Controls and Data Governance
Company Name Vertical Rights
A new vertical rights control has been added for Name Company Groups.
Administrators can now restrict certain users so they only see Names linked to a specific Company Group. This is particularly valuable for properties that manage multiple brands, sales organisations, or corporate structures within one system.
It improves data segregation while maintaining flexibility for broader administrative access.
Email Domain Whitelist
A new Email Domain Whitelist setting has been added to Site Details.
This allows administrators to validate email domains when creating new Business Users. By restricting allowed domains, properties can improve security and reduce the risk of unauthorised accounts being created.
System Configuration and Integration Updates
New Contract Billing Merge Function
A new merge function, #EquityplusDeposit#, has been added to Contract Billing.
This gives administrators more flexibility when configuring document templates, emails, or automated communication that rely on contract financial data.
New Payment Gateway Integration – Clover
Merlin now integrates with the Clover payment gateway.
This provides another secure payment processing option for properties using Merlin Apps. Payment gateway flexibility is important for resorts operating in multiple markets or with varying merchant service providers.
For guests and owners alike, it supports smoother, more secure transactions.
What This Means for You
These enhancements help your teams:
- Work faster with improved report navigation and exports
- Manage marketing appointments more efficiently
- Strengthen commission and financial tracking
- Improve audit visibility and operational transparency
- Maintain better control over user access and system security
Many of these improvements focus on reducing manual work while giving managers clearer information.
What This Means for Your Owners and Guests
Operational improvements behind the scenes translate directly into a better experience for your clients.
Owners and guests benefit from:
- Faster reservation assistance
- More accurate promotional tracking
- Improved loyalty program management
- Secure and flexible payment options
When systems run efficiently, service quality improves.
Considering Merlin?
If you are evaluating software for a timeshare resort, vacation club, or hospitality property, these updates highlight an important point.
Merlin evolves continuously to support the real operational needs of resorts. Each update reflects feedback from properties using the system daily.
Learn More About Merlin Software
If you want to see how Merlin CORE, Merlin Web Apps, and Merlin Portals work together to support your operation, we would be happy to show you.
Learn More About Merlin Software
Let’s start a conversation about how Merlin Software can support your property’s success. Complete the contact form or email Mike Ashton to discuss your requirements and explore what Merlin can do for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does the March 2026 update improve commission management? The update introduces a new configuration option that allows finance teams to choose between using the System Date or the Original Commission Transaction Date when releasing commissions. This added flexibility ensures that Merlin accurately reflects a resort’s specific internal accounting policies, leading to clearer reporting and better financial alignment.
2. What improvements were made to marketing and appointment workflows? Marketing teams can now reschedule appointments directly within the system without needing to cancel and recreate them, preserving the original record history. Additionally, NQ (Non-Qualified) reasons have been added to raw data exports, and new call statuses like Scheduled and Callback help teams organize outreach more effectively.
3. Does Merlin support new payment integrations in this update? Yes. Merlin now integrates with the Clover payment gateway. This provides resorts with a secure and flexible payment-processing option, which is particularly valuable for properties operating in multiple markets or for those looking to streamline merchant services for guests and owners.
