TABLE OPTIMIZATION
Enable Hostme table optimization feature and reduce gaps between reservations
With this new algorithm, tables are no longer randomly assigned, the system looks for the most optimal table assignments and consequently, avoid long table inoccupancies between reservations.
To benefit from this new feature, you can enable seating optimization - best shown in timeline view - for guests making online reservations, for hosts taking reservations, or for both.
WHAT'S NEW:
When there is no booking for a specific day - all tables are available at any time based on availability settings
When the first booking is created for the day for a specific table - this table becomes only available at specific time slots to ensure back-to-back reservation seating for that table.
For instance, if the first booking for table #1 is at 1:20 pm and this table's turnover is 1 hour, this specific table will be only available at 10:20 am, 11:20 am, 12:20 pm, 2:20 pm, 3:20 pm, 4:20 pm, and so on.
Reservation seating optimization:
If "Optimize table seating for Guest" is on, guests can only book tables based on the optimization algorithm. If off, guests can book any table, any time, except when already booked.
If "Optimize table seating for Host" is on, the host can only book tables based on the optimization algorithm. If off, the host can book any table, any time except when already booked.
If the host is able to overrule the optimization algorithm and s/he added to the same table at 3:30 pm. Then this table will become available at 10:20 am, 10:30 am, 11:20 am, 11:30 am, and so on.
EXAMPLE:
Table auto-assignment is enabled
Time slot increments are set to 60 minutes (in cover pacing)
Table turnover for party of 4 is 90 minutes
There are no reservations yet
Someone makes an online reservation for 4 people at 3 pm and the system assigns it to table #41.
Next person makes an online reservation for 4 people at 4:30 pm and the system will assign it to the same table, so there are no gaps between the two reservations.
Somebody makes a reservation for 4 people at 1 pm and the system will assign it to another table. If it would assign it to table 41, there would be a gap from 2:30 pm and 3 pm between reservations and that is what the system is trying to avoid.
