Exploring the World of Car Rental Management: Building a Python Application

Article 21: Overdue Reservations

Welcome back to our journey of building a comprehensive car rental management system using Python. In Part 21, we will focus on handling overdue reservations and implementing notification systems to keep our records accurate and customers informed.

Understanding Overdue Reservations

Overdue reservations occur when a customer fails to return the rented car on the agreed-upon date. It's crucial for our system to identify and manage such situations promptly.

Managing Overdue Reservations

Identify Overdue Reservations:

The first step is to identify reservations that have exceeded their return date.
```
 # Retrieve overdue reservations
 overdue_reservations, affected_customers = overdue()
```
The overdue function retrieves a list of overdue reservations and the corresponding customer IDs.
Notify Customers:

Notify customers about their overdue reservations and any applicable penalties.
```
 # Send notification to customers
 send_overdue_notification(affected_customers)
```
The send_overdue_notification function can use various communication channels (email, SMS) to inform customers.
Handle Overdue Cars:

If a reservation is overdue, update the car status and implement any necessary actions.
```
 # Handle overdue cars
 handle_overdue_cars(overdue_reservations)
```
The handle_overdue_cars function manages the status of cars associated with overdue reservations.
Generate Overdue Reports:

Create reports detailing overdue reservations for internal management.
```
 # Generate overdue reports
 generate_overdue_reports(overdue_reservations)
```
The generate_overdue_reports function compiles relevant information for managerial review.

Notification Systems

Implementing notification systems ensures proactive communication with customers. Let's explore a simplified example:

def send_overdue_notification(customers):
    for customer_id in customers:
        # Retrieve customer contact details
        contact_details = get_customer_contact_details(customer_id)

        # Compose and send notification
        notification_message = f"Dear Customer, your reservation is overdue. Please return the car promptly to avoid penalties."
        send_notification(contact_details, notification_message)

Here, get_customer_contact_details fetches the customer's contact information, and send_notification delivers the message.

Conclusion

Part 21 has shed light on managing overdue reservations and implementing a notification system in our car rental management system. These features contribute to customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

In Part 22, we'll delve into User Interface Fundamentals - Introduction to creating a user-friendly interface.

The Link to my code -> [github.com/bryanspacex/Rentals] (constantly updated)

Exploring the World of Car Rental Management: Building a Python Application - Part 21