Summary

This guide gives tips to help you build your Specialist Schedule faster and understand how specialist scheduling works. For setup steps, see Specialist Scheduling.

Duration vs. Interval

Duration is how long a service is scheduled for by default. Interval sets the booking times available within a scheduled time range. In this example, the schedule runs from 8 am to 5 pm with a 30-minute Interval. The red box marks a booked service with a 90-minute Duration.

Make Intervals and Durations match. This prevents overbooking and appointments that run past your end time.

Slot-Based vs. Time-Based

Time-based specialists have appointments at set times for set durations. Slot-based specialists have appointments based on their workload capacity for a date. Slot-based appointments are for dates, not times.

Slot-Based Scheduling

Slot-based scheduling uses time units called "slots," such as 15 minutes. Services need different numbers of slots.

Slots are a flexible way to set a groomer's capacity and book appointments by how much work they need. You set this up for specific dates, not specific times on the specialist's calendar. For example, a nail trim might need 1 slot of 15 minutes. A full groom for a large dog might need 10 slots.

You decide how much time 1 slot equals and how many slots a service needs for a pet. Many facilities use 15 minutes, so 1 slot is 15 minutes, 2 is 30, and 3 is 45. You can set a slot to 5 minutes, an hour, or more.

When you book the appointment, set how many slots the pet needs and the drop-off and pick-up times. If the pet has not had the service before, Gingr defaults to 1 slot. If the pet has had it, Gingr fills in the slots from the last booking.

Notice: Make a reference sheet for your receptionists to use when they book appointments. It can show the slots needed for each mix of breed, weight, coat type, and service type.

Time-Based Scheduling

Time-based scheduling uses set appointment times with start and end times. It has a clear structure and makes it easy for clients to book exact spots. For example, a grooming session from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM.

The service interval sets the time spots on the calendar. Set it at Left-Hand Navigation: Admin » Reservation Types and Services Configuration. The specialist's availability and the capacity for the time slot also affect the spots. Many settings affect how a specialist's schedule behaves.

A specialist can have a mix of time-based and slot-based services. For example, haircuts can be time-based while a la carte is slot-based. Different specialists can have the same service as time-based or slot-based. One specialist cannot have the same service as both slot-based and time-based.

Switch Between Slots and Time

If you switch a service from slot-based to time-based, or the other way, booked appointments are not affected. You must create a new schedule for the new schedule type. You must also reschedule existing appointments to fit the specialist's availability.

Copy Shifts to Other Days of the Week

After you save the day, select the + again to open the edit window. A double blue box icon shows to the right of the schedule.

A pop-up lets you choose the days of the week to copy the schedule to.

Delete Schedules

Deleting a schedule only affects future bookings. Appointments already booked are not affected. They stay at their scheduled time unless you reschedule, cancel, or delete them.

Adjust Commission Rates

Gingr calculates commission when the service is booked, not when it is completed. If you change a specialist's commission rate after a service is booked, Gingr uses the old rate. After the service is checked out, you can change it in the Commission Report. Select the pencil icon to the left of the specialist.

Related Articles

• Set Up Time-Based Specialists How-To
• Set Up Slot-Based Specialists How-To
• Specialist Shows a $0.00 Commission When Commission Rate is Set Troubleshooting