Automated waitlist notifications for table availability

Purpose

1.1. Automate precise, real-time notifications to customers on waitlists about table availability, minimizing manual staff effort.
1.2. Provide multi-platform notification (SMS, email, push, messaging) tailored for pet-friendly cafés to enhance customer experience, reduce missed turnarounds, and boost operational efficiency.
1.3. Integrate scheduling, status checks, and customer database sync across channels, supporting multi-user, holiday, and after-hours rules.
1.4. Enable management insights via reporting on waitlist conversion rates and notification delivery.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. Table status transitions from “Occupied/Reserved” to “Available.”
2.2. Customer added to waitlist or existing waitlist customer’s position advances.
2.3. Manual staff override, e.g., “Notify next customer now.”
2.4. Scheduled or batch-triggered at preset intervals or staff shift change.

Platform variants

3.1. Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: Send message via Programmable SMS API; `POST /Messages` — configure for dynamic recipient and table info.
3.2. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Transactional email with dynamic templates; set personalization with waitlist and customer details.
3.3. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Incoming Webhook to designated staff or channel for notification; configure payload to include table/cafe/customer info.
3.4. Microsoft Teams
• Feature/Setting: Use the "Send message" action in connectors; set up message body to alert both staff and customer success teams.
3.5. Telegram
• Feature/Setting: Bot API `sendMessage`; configure bot token, chat ID, and automate table status alerts.
3.6. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature/Setting: Send Template Message to customer’s WhatsApp; API configuration for table data and customer details.
3.7. Facebook Messenger
• Feature/Setting: Send Structured Message via Messenger API; configure recipient IDs and dynamic message blocks.
3.8. Google Calendar
• Feature/Setting: API event creation/modification; use event reminders to trigger notifications before table availability.
3.9. Apple Push Notification Service (APNs)
• Feature/Setting: Send push notification using device tokens; payload includes table status and pet policy reminders.
3.10. Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)
• Feature/Setting: Send device notification for Android/iOS apps; configure with café app and customer tokens.
3.11. Mailjet
• Feature/Setting: Transactional email with variables; configure API call for timely, branded notifications.
3.12. Mandrill
• Feature/Setting: Send templated transactional email via API; map dynamic content from booking system.
3.13. Zendesk
• Feature/Setting: Create ticket or trigger macro for notification purposes; ticket fields reflect reservation events.
3.14. Intercom
• Feature/Setting: Send outbound message or series; API “messages/” endpoint configured with customer data.
3.15. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Workflow automation to trigger an email or SMS using Marketing Hub workflows.
3.16. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Trigger Process Builder workflow sending notification through email or integrated SMS.
3.17. Zoho CRM
• Feature/Setting: Workflow rules; send mail or webhook using “When waitlist position changes.”
3.18. Pusher
• Feature/Setting: Real-time notifications to web/mobile; channel configuration for reservation topic.
3.19. PagerDuty
• Feature/Setting: Trigger incident or alert to staff if waitlist build-up exceeds SLA.
3.20. Discord
• Feature/Setting: Webhook; send message to staff for special reservation scenarios (e.g., VIP, pet allergies noted).
3.21. ClickSend
• Feature/Setting: SMS, email, or voice via API; configure sending channel for customer preferences.
3.22. Plivo
• Feature/Setting: SMS or call API dispatch with data-mapped notification content.
3.23. Mailgun
• Feature/Setting: Automated transactional email with customer merge data for branded notifications.
3.24. MessageBird
• Feature/Setting: Omnichannel send via Flow Builder; configure phone, email, or messaging apps.

Benefits

4.1. Guarantees fast, consistent communication regardless of customer or staff preferred channel.
4.2. Reduces manual errors and frees staff for animal care or guest engagement.
4.3. Personalizes the café experience with branding and pet-specific reminders.
4.4. Collects analytics on notification open/click rates, optimizing table turnaround.
4.5. Scalable for one or multiple locations, supporting high waitlist volumes and peak-time surges.