Block reservations during fully booked periods

Purpose

1. Automatically block new buffet reservations during periods that are already fully booked, preventing overbooking and improving guest experience.

2. Automate real-time updating of reservation availability, including waiting lists and alternative suggestions.

3. Ensure automatable consistency across all booking channels, including web, phone, email, and in-person systems.

4. Streamline communication to customers once a fully booked trigger occurs, automating notifications and rescheduling options.

5. Support data-driven decision making by automatedly collecting analytics on booking peak times and customer responses.

Trigger Conditions

1. Automatedly detecting reservation cap reached for a date/time slot via real-time database check.

2. Reservation APIs return full capacity status.

3. Internal POS or reservation platform status updates broadcasted.

4. Manual override by manager triggers "fully booked" status for automated block.

5. Automatedly syncing across all channels and endpoints.

Platform Variants

1. OpenTable

- Feature/Setting: "Inventory Management" API automatically sets slots to ‘closed’ when full.
- Sample: Configure automator to call Inventory/Availability endpoint upon reservation addition.

2. Resy

- Feature/Setting: "Custom Rules Engine" automates block based on reservation thresholds.
- Sample: Use 'Close Table' API or automated schedule blocks.

3. SevenRooms

- Feature/Setting: Real-Time Availability Settings automate during full capacity events.
- Sample: Trigger their "RealtimeAvailability" API to disable slots.

4. Quandoo

- Feature/Setting: Automated "Slot Closing" in the Business API.
- Sample: POST to /availability/block with date and timeslot.

5. Yelp Reservations

- Feature/Setting: Automated Rules for “Block Table” via their Admin Console API.
- Sample: PATCH reservation/time_slot status=closed.

6. Tock

- Feature/Setting: “Block Res” automation using Inventory endpoint.
- Sample: API call to updateInventoryStatus(‘blocked’).

7. Bookatable (TheFork)

- Feature/Setting: Automated “Update Availability” in Partner API.
- Sample: PUT /restaurant/{id}/availability with timeslot, status=unavailable.

8. Zomato Book

- Feature/Setting: "Automated Inventory Control" via booking engine API toggles availability.
- Sample: Set slot_availability: false.

9. Square Appointments

- Feature/Setting: “Booking Block” automation uses Appointment Availability API.
- Sample: Automate POST to /availability/blocked.

10. Google Reserve

- Feature/Setting: “MerchantEvents” automates blocking slots via Actions API.
- Sample: PATCH slot with isAvailable: false.

11. Microsoft Bookings

- Feature/Setting: Automated time slot block in MSGraph Bookings API.
- Sample: Automate PATCH to /bookingBusiness/{id}/appointments.

12. Salesforce Service Cloud

- Feature/Setting: Automated “Omni-Channel Routing” blocks slots in Service Console.
- Sample: Automate status update via Reservation API.

13. Acuity Scheduling

- Feature/Setting: Automated “Block Off Time” logic via client API.
- Sample: POST block to /availability/removeTime.

14. Mindbody

- Feature/Setting: “Session Capacity Logic” in their Appointment API automates block.
- Sample: PATCH schedule with maxCapacityReached=true.

15. Wix Bookings

- Feature/Setting: Automated disabling of slots in Web Module Bookings API.
- Sample: Call /bookings/v2/slots/update to set disabled=true.

16. FareHarbor

- Feature/Setting: Automatedly apply “Closed Overrides” via Partner API.
- Sample: PATCH to availabilities endpoint with closed:true.

17. Booker

- Feature/Setting: Automated “Time Off” in the Calendar API.
- Sample: POST /booker/availability/timeoff.

18. TableCheck

- Feature/Setting: Automatedly close seats in Table Management API.
- Sample: PATCH slot status=closed.

19. Formitable

- Feature/Setting: “Block Availability” automation via REST API.
- Sample: PUT request to /availability/block.

20. Toast POS

- Feature/Setting: Automated reservation blocks via Toast API’s Availability Settings.
- Sample: PATCH to /reservation/slots with blocked:true.

21. Twilio (for SMS confirmations/cancellations)

- Feature/Setting: Automated SMS triggers upon failed booking.
- Sample: POST /Messages with reason=fullybooked.

Benefits

1. Automates overbooking prevention, saving staff time.

2. Automated guest notifications improve experience and reputation.

3. Automator instantly updates all channels, keeping data consistent.

4. Data on blocked periods is automatedly captured for analytics.

5. Automation reduces manual workload, eliminating human error.

6. Guests automatedly informed of alternative times or waitlists, improving retention.

7. Automatable integration with CRM and loyalty platforms for targeted communication.

8. Automated logs assist with audit and compliance checks.

9. Automates reporting for operational insight.

10. Automatedly ensures adherence to occupancy and safety regulations.