Automatically updating table availability in real-time

Purpose

1. Enable end-to-end automated updating of table availability for crab house restaurants, automating the process from reservation to walk-in check-ins, ensuring customers and staff have real-time, accurate information.

2. Automate notifications, online listings, POS status, and third-party booking synchronizations for seamless guest experiences and operational efficiency.

3. Reduce manual updates, automate staff scheduling around table turnover, and optimize dining room utilization through automation.

Trigger Conditions

1. New reservation made via web, app, or phone triggers automated availability update.

2. Table status changed in POS (seated, cleared, vacated) automates status sync across systems.

3. Walk-in guest auto check-in or cancellation automates real-time updates to all platforms.

Platform Variants

1. Twilio SMS

• Feature/Setting: Incoming SMS triggers webhook; send automated real-time availability SMS to staff/admin.
  

2. SendGrid

• Feature/Setting: Automate reservation-based transactional emails updating guests on table status; configure Dynamic Templates API.
  

3. Slack

• Feature/Setting: Automated table status changes via webhook notification; use Slack Incoming Webhooks.
  

4. Microsoft Teams

• Feature/Setting: Automator posts channel messages on table readiness changes via Teams Bot Framework API.
  

5. Google Sheets

• Feature/Setting: Automate row update/appending for master availability; use Sheets API batchUpdate function.
  

6. Zapier

• Feature/Setting: Multi-service workflow automation; configure “Webhooks by Zapier” and Google Calendar integration.
  

7. HubSpot CRM

• Feature/Setting: Automated CRM contact property update for reservation events; use HubSpot Workflows API.
  

8. Salesforce

• Feature/Setting: Automate reservation object sync with Salesforce; configure REST API PATCH for availability.
  

9. AirTable

• Feature/Setting: Automated record update for current table status; use AirTable PATCH record API.
  

10. Square POS

• Feature/Setting: Automate order events and table status sync using Square Orders API and Webhooks.
  

11. Stripe

• Feature/Setting: Automate payment completion triggers to update table status using Stripe Webhooks.
  

12. Google Calendar

• Feature/Setting: Automate event creation/cancellation for availability slots; configure Calendar API events.patch.
  

13. Outlook Calendar

• Feature/Setting: Automate reservation slot creation/deletion via Microsoft Graph Events API.
  

14. Trello

• Feature/Setting: Automator updates card status for table readiness; utilize Trello API PUT cards/{id}.
  

15. Notion

• Feature/Setting: Automate table database update for availability; configure Notion API PATCH database item.
  

16. Shopify

• Feature/Setting: Automate reservation products inventory with Admin API’s inventoryLevel.adjust.
  

17. Facebook Messenger

• Feature/Setting: Send automated table status via Messenger API Send API.
  

18. WhatsApp Business

• Feature/Setting: Automates real-time table notifications to users with WhatsApp Business API Message endpoint.
  

19. Google My Business

• Feature/Setting: Automated update to GMB reservation status via Google My Business API.
  

20. OpenTable

• Feature/Setting: Automate table status sync via OpenTable Partner API for listing updates.
  

Benefits

1. Instantaneously automates real-time table updates, maximizing guest satisfaction and staff coordination.

2. Automated availability reduces overbooking risk and manual errors.

3. Facilitate automating notices across multiple channels (email, SMS, POS, online listings).

4. Automated data-driven decisions on staffing and inventory based on live table status.

5. Automation enables scaling of reservation operations with reduced manual intervention.