Practical knowledge
Booking systems: an existing tool or custom development?
A booking system must manage availability correctly. First define what is booked: an employee’s time, room, equipment or several resources together. That determines whether to choose an existing tool, integration or custom solution.
A slot includes more than a start time
Define service duration, preparation, breaks and calendar restrictions. An hour-long treatment may need additional setup time. Equipment booking can include delivery and return, not only the event duration.
Decisions before design
- Is the slot immediately confirmed or awaiting approval?
- How long does a temporary hold last?
- Is payment or a deposit required?
- Who can reschedule, and until when?
- How are absence, cancellation and non-payment handled?
The process owner must approve sales and cancellation conditions. The interface should present them before confirmation.
The two-customer test
Two people choose the last available slot. The system should resolve the conflict without confirming both bookings for the same resource. Check delayed payment confirmation, expired holds and repeated payment messages too.
An existing tool as the first option
For standard appointments with one employee, begin by assessing an existing system. Custom development can suit unusual resource combinations and rules that cannot reasonably be configured. Embedding a calendar differs from building the entire application.
What affects pricing?
Resources, calendar integration, payments, notifications and the management panel. A brief should include a typical booking and several conflicts. Include message costs, licences and later availability changes.
Is a calendar enough for bookings?
Not always. Showing a free slot without a confirmation mechanism may only support an enquiry. Name these states clearly.