Real-time table availability updates

Purpose

1. Deliver up-to-the-moment table availability for guests and staff, minimizing double bookings, reducing wait times, optimizing seating, and ensuring service efficiency.

2. Syncs status from reservation systems, walk-ins, cancellations, and POS actions to all sales channels and internal dashboards instantly.

3. Empowers real-time guest notifications, accurate staff seat assignments, and timely updates to kitchen and operations teams.

Trigger Conditions

1. New table reservation, guest check-in, guest no-show, or table release in POS/reservation system.

2. Manual override by floor managers for unexpected events.

3. Walk-in marked as seated or guest as departed in digital waitlist apps.

4. Cancellations or modifications via web, mobile app, or phone.

5. Scheduled refresh — e.g., automatic sync every 2 minutes for manual reservations or legacy entries.

Platform Variants

1. Twilio Programmable SMS

• Feature: Messaging API; Use webhook to trigger SMS alerts to staff/guests on table status changes.
  
• Sample Config: POST /Messages with seat status and timestamp.
  

2. SendGrid Email API

• Feature: Transactional templates for guest notifications; automated email on reservation update or table availability.
  
• Sample Config: Send email with dynamic template and reservation variables.
  

3. Slack

• Feature: Channel webhook; push table status updates to operations channel for staff visibility.
  
• Sample Config: Webhook sends JSON with table#, status, and time.
  

4. Google Sheets (via Sheets API)

• Feature: Append or update rows for real-time seat inventory; auto-calculation of wait times.
  
• Sample Config: PATCH row on table status change.
  

5. Microsoft Teams

• Feature: Connector for automated seat status push to channel; bot message for manager confirmation.
  
• Sample Config: POST structured card with action buttons.
  

6. Salesforce

• Feature: Use Process Builder or Flows for updating Custom Object “Table Availability”; trigger workflow updates.
  
• Sample Config: Update record when webhook received.
  

7. Zapier

• Feature: Multi-app workflow builder; automates status propagation to all connected apps.
  
• Sample Config: Zap triggers on sheet row update, then sends SMS and email.
  

8. HubSpot

• Feature: Custom property updates and workflow triggers in CRM; reflect live status to front desk staff.
  
• Sample Config: Property update triggers workflow & alert.
  

9. Square POS

• Feature: Orders API; trigger seat availability on transaction close/open.
  
• Sample Config: Webhook on order completion sends update.
  

10. Stripe

• Feature: Webhook endpoint to detect ‘Reservation Fee’ payments; immediately mark table as held.
  
• Sample Config: Listen for payment intent succeeded.
  

11. Mailchimp

• Feature: API campaign update/trigger; send mass or segmented announcements of immediate openings.
  
• Sample Config: Trigger email to waitlist group.
  

12. Google Calendar

• Feature: API event creation for reservation and seat blocks; updates reflected as overlapping events.
  
• Sample Config: Insert event with RSVP required.
  

13. WhatsApp Business API

• Feature: Automated WhatsApp messages; instant alerts to guests on seat release.
  
• Sample Config: Send message on webhook via WhatsApp template.
  

14. Zendesk

• Feature: Ticket update trigger; staff notified on ticket change for walk-in or reservation event.
  
• Sample Config: Update ticket subject “Table # now available”.
  

15. Shopify

• Feature: Use Storefront API to reflect real-time dining slot/service availability for reservations sold as “products”.
  
• Sample Config: Adjust inventory on booking.
  

16. Airtable

• Feature: Table record update via API; links table status sheet with automation triggers.
  
• Sample Config: PATCH to update field on table #.
  

17. Discord Webhook

• Feature: Send message to staff or kitchen channel for live seat changes.
  
• Sample Config: JSON message with table and status.
  

18. Trello

• Feature: Move/label card on “Table Availability” board; auto update on guest actions.
  
• Sample Config: Card moved to “Available” column triggers notification.
  

19. Pipedrive

• Feature: Custom field update reflects live seat status for sales/host team.
  
• Sample Config: Update deal/ticket field with real-time data.
  

20. Notion

• Feature: Database update auto-syncs seat list; update triggers automation webhooks.
  
• Sample Config: PATCH page property with new availability.
  

Benefits

1. Reduces double bookings and seating errors.

2. Shortens guest wait time and improves customer experience.

3. Improves communication between FOH, BOH, and guests in real time.

4. Unlocks advanced analytics for demand, peak times, and no-show tracking.

5. Increases operational efficiency, enabling smarter staff allocation.