Resource Scheduling Software: Turn To The Web For Booking Facilities, Equipment And Other Rentals

Properly managing equipment rentals, athletic fields and room assignments can be

a job in itself for state, county and municipal departments, recreation facilities, organizations, sports leagues, businesses and other entities that offer these services. This is especially true for those who still rely on the traditional method of booking reservations. By traditional, we mean taking bookings and reservations over the phone, then manually entering them into a paper appointment book, electronic or paper calendar, or some type of spreadsheet.

If you've ever been on the receiving end of the appointment-scheduling and reservation-booking process, you know exactly how time-consuming and tedious it can be. It's also burdensome for the person making the reservation, who may not have the time to pick up the phone and call during normal business hours.

Booking and managing reservations is an important task that cannot be overlooked. Thanks to online resource-scheduling software, providers of rental equipment, facilities and other services can quickly and easily get a handle on their scheduling processes and improve the way they operate.

THE BENEFITS OF ONLINE RESOURCE-SCHEDULING SOFTWARE

Cloud-based technology-i.e., software programs accessible through the Internet-are making many operational tasks much simpler and more efficient. Such is the case for resource-scheduling, which this technology can automate and streamline. Similar to such services as online banking, social media and e-mail, online resource-scheduling applications are typically accessible in the same manner through a Web site or online portal. This factor makes it the perfect software program for organizations, municipalities and other entities with limited budgets and staff resources, as all that's required to utilize the systems is an Internet connection. Typically, there are no downloads, installations or additional hardware involved when incorporating the Web-based software.

Not every facility or equipment provider handles their booking procedures in the same way, and some scheduling providers account for this by allowing the user to customize the software to best fit his or her needs. For example, the user can specify hours of operation and the types of rentals offered.

Functionality can vary among providers, but most generally offer such standard features as:

Online self-booking. This popular feature allows individuals to book their own reservations online and at their own convenience, 24 hours a day. Many people simply cannot book over the phone during a facility's normal business hours, which makes online services are growing necessity. It's also beneficial to the municipality, organization or other entity, as it reduces the number of phone calls staff members must field from individuals calling to book reservations. This frees up valuable staff time for other tasks.

Automated e-mail and text message reminders. "No-shows" who fail to arrive at their scheduled time are a burden to any operation that relies on reservations, as they take up available time slots and equipment that other individuals could have booked. Reminders of any kind can reduce the number of "no-shows" by over 50 percent. But many facilities simply do not have the resources to make reminder phone calls or manually send individual e-mail messages. Some online resource-scheduling software applications can automatically send these out prior to a booked appointment time. Users may even be able to specify how many days out the message is sent, such as one day or three days prior to the reservation.

Reporting and record-keeping. Scheduling reservation times and equipment rentals is just part of the booking process. Another task is managing details and contact information. In traditional reservation processes, this usually involved separate files, folders, spreadsheets or other documents. Because resource-scheduling applications centralize all inputted information, all details associated with the reservation procedures is accessible and stored in one location. This makes it easy to gather and export the information. Some online schedulers also offer standard reports that users can easily create with specified fields.

Online payment options. Many rentals require a fee, and permitting online payment of these at the same time an individual books can help further streamline the reservation process. Some facilities may even require payment prior to the reserved time, a practice that can dramatically reduce the "no-show" rate, as people are more likely to keep their reservation if they already paid for it. Inquire with the resource-scheduling provider to see if it offers this valuable service.

E-marketing capabilities. Send messages, discounts, coupons, updates and other relevant information over the Internet has become the communication vehicle of choice for most facilities, municipalities and other organizations. But maintaining accurate and up-to-date e-mail lists can be burdensome. As with reporting and record-keeping, the infrastructure of most online resource-scheduling applications helps organize and manage customer and resident e-mails in one location. And since individuals can update their e-mail addresses and other contact information right through the scheduler, e-mails will be more updated when compared to manually managing an e-mail list.

ONLINE APPLICATIONS VS. 'BOXED' SOFTWARE

Resource-scheduling software is not limited to cloud-based applications. Many "boxed" varieties are available as separate programs or bundled with larger platforms in electronics and retail outlets. These may also be available for download online.

Although they may seem similar, there are numerous differences. And these differences can have a big impact on the effectiveness of the software to a reservation process.

Online resource-scheduling software is generally superior to the boxed versions for such reasons as:

Accessibility. Online scheduling applications are accessibility from any Internet connection. This benefits the customer, as he or she can now book reservations online, as well as the administrator or facility staff member, who can access the scheduler from outside the office and from mobile devices such as Smartphones and PDAs. Online scheduling and Web accessibility is typically not available with most "boxed" varieties or requires custom programming.

Cost. Web-based scheduling applications are generally a more cost-effective option than traditional software. They don't require any custom programming or installations, ongoing maintenance or regularly-scheduled updates. All of these tasks are conducted by the resource-scheduling software provider, usually for a small monthly service fee. Some even provide month-to-month service, rather than long-term contracts.

The dynamics of online reservation-booking software make it the perfect fit for a variety of organizations and uses, including resource scheduling. This article gives just a snapshot of the positive impact online resource-scheduling software can have on the reservation-booking process at your facility. Many scheduling providers offer a free trial of their service, which can show you exactly how scheduling software fits into your operations. Give it a try, and you'll soon learn what many organizations have already discovered: Online booking software will automate, streamline and improve your reservation procedures.

by: Appointment-Plus

POST COMMENT

How To Cut Business Cost By Purchasing Used Equipments Los Audios Subliminales Y Su Increible Poder Sand Making Equipment Needs Technological Innovation Ccs Presentation Systems Wins Two Commercial Integrator Awards For Audio-visual Systems Projects The Reason For Audioboks Ease Of Audio Books Top 10 Seeking A Job For An Audiologist Info What To Look For When Buying Medical And Lab Equipment Students Choose To Attend Audio Engineering Colleges Audio Engineering Schools: Where To Start The Process Audio Engineering Schools: Become The Next Great Producer Audio Production School: Finding Something That Sounds Good Technological Advancenents Of Concrete Mixing Equipment