Automatically updating available slots/reservations

Purpose

1.1. Automatically updating available slots/reservations for an Afghan restaurant streamlines real-time reservation inventory, reduces double-booking, provides transparent guest information, minimizes manual labor, and synchronizes availability across platforms (website, apps, phone reservations, partner sites), ensuring seamless guest experience during high-demand meal periods or special events.
1.2. Enables instant slot release upon cancellations, walk-in seatings, and keeps staff dashboards and guest interfaces updated.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. New reservation submission (online, phone, in-person).
2.2. Reservation modification (update/partial cancellation/change in party size).
2.3. Reservation cancellation (manual or automated).
2.4. No-show confirmation by staff or auto time-out.
2.5. Walk-in guest entry registered on POS or booking system.
2.6. Third-party partner (e.g., Uber Eats, OpenTable) confirming a new booking.
2.7. Scheduled sync between restaurant systems and external reservation aggregators.

Platform Variants

3.1. Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: SMS Webhook — configure to receive SMS reservation confirmations; trigger slot update via webhook.
• Sample: Set up inbound SMS webhook pointing to reservation update endpoint (/slots/update).

3.2. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Inbound Parse Webhook — extract reservation emails, parse, and update slots.
• Sample: Configure email parse webhook to send data to reservation update function.

3.3. Google Calendar API
• Feature/Setting: Calendar Events — use event watch for new/edit/cancel; drive availability logic.
• Sample: Enable push notifications on reservation calendar.

3.4. OpenTable API
• Feature/Setting: Availability Webhook/Events API — trigger upon reservation events.
• Sample: Register webhook endpoint with OpenTable Events API for real-time sync.

3.5. Resy API
• Feature/Setting: Reservation/Slot OnChange Events — fetch and update local inventory.
• Sample: Use Resy API to poll for changes and trigger reservation updates.

3.6. Shopify
• Feature/Setting: App Webhooks — trigger on order/booking through Shopify Reservations app.
• Sample: Configure "order created" or "order cancelled" webhook to slot management endpoint.

3.7. Square POS
• Feature/Setting: Booking Webhooks — monitor reservations on Square Appointments.
• Sample: Set webhook for “booking.updated” and “booking.cancelled”.

3.8. Zapier
• Feature/Setting: Zaps — connect various platforms (Google Sheets, Email, Google Calendar, POS) to synchronize slot data.
• Sample: Set up trigger “New Booking” — action “Update Available Slot”.

3.9. Google Sheets API
• Feature/Setting: Sheets Append/Update — use sheet as live reservation database.
• Sample: Set trigger on row added/removed to update slot counter.

3.10. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Incoming Webhooks — post admin notifications for manual slot changes; trigger automations from commands.
• Sample: Custom command triggers slot update function.

3.11. Microsoft Teams
• Feature/Setting: Incoming Webhook — reservation alert to staff, with actionable button to update or confirm slot status.
• Sample: Adaptive card with “Update Slot” button connected via webhook.

3.12. Outlook Calendar API
• Feature/Setting: Change Notification Subscription — listen for event changes tied to reservations.
• Sample: Create subscription for events, refresh slot data on change.

3.13. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Platform Events/Flows — reservation record updates trigger availability workflow.
• Sample: Custom flow on Opportunity or Reservation object change.

3.14. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature/Setting: Incoming Message Webhook — extract reservation info and update slots.
• Sample: Configure webhook for reservation confirmation template.

3.15. Facebook Messenger Platform
• Feature/Setting: Webhook Event — auto-read messages with reservation data and trigger slot update.
• Sample: Bot parses time/party size, updates slot.

3.16. Gravity Forms
• Feature/Setting: Form Submission Webhook — auto trigger on reservation form submission.
• Sample: Direct webhook to slot control endpoint.

3.17. WooCommerce Bookings
• Feature/Setting: Booking Status Hook — triggers on confirmed/cancelled booking.
• Sample: Use action hook “woocommerce_booking_confirmed”.

3.18. Google Forms
• Feature/Setting: Submit Webhook — push new reservation (form submission) event for automation.
• Sample: Configure with add-on for outbound webhook.

3.19. Instagram Graph API
• Feature/Setting: Webhook — receive reservation DMs or @mentions, parse info, and update.
• Sample: Listen for direct messages with booking details.

3.20. REST API Gateway
• Feature/Setting: Create endpoint for all platforms to POST reservation changes for centralized update.
• Sample: /api/reservations/update endpoint handles payload for slot management.

Benefits

4.1. Immediate slot status update prevents double-booking.
4.2. Increases guest satisfaction through real-time availability, reducing reservation friction.
4.3. Optimizes seating, leading to greater revenue per shift and clearer sales forecasting.
4.4. Automated synchronization minimizes human error and administrative delays.
4.5. Cross-platform integration boosts marketing and sales through third-party aggregators’ exposure.
4.6. Comprehensive audit trail for all slot/reservation actions, ensuring transparency and analytics.