Processing times and grouped services, oh my!
Today we're excited to introduce two awesome new features to Timely: processing time and grouped services! Wahoo!
What is processing time?
Processing time is similar to padding time in that it automatically creates a gap between those services. However, processing time is a free space that allows you or your customers to book another appointment in that slot, which streamlines the booking process and maximises your time!
To add processing time to a service, head to Setup > Services and Edit the service you want to add processing time to. Scroll down to Padding and processing times, select the duration, and then select Processing time from the drop-down menu.
So what’s a service group then?
Service groups are an easy way to group services that you would normally perform together, such as a colour, cut and blowdry. You can even include padding or the newly introduced processing time to the service group. Pretty awesome huh!?
Once the service group is built, you can easily add it to the calendar, where it will keep the order and any padding or processing time in between. There’s no need to keep your customers waiting while you add multiple services to their appointment! There’s also plenty of flexibility to change the service group when adding appointments to the calendar.
I want to get started!
Alright, I hear you! Check out the video below and the help article for instructions on how to get going with processing time and service groups.
Hi, is there any sign of a gift voucher option coming soon?
Thanks
Hi Connie, thanks for your comment! :-)
We've started work on the gift vouchers feature, so head on over to this request to let us know your requirements: http://feedback.gettimely.com/forums/161498-feedback-for-timely/suggestions/3374219-gift-vouchers
This new service feature is great, but the only trouble is you can accidently book over lunch times and at the end of day without any warnings. Also you end up with for to many service options and groups in the menu to choose from. Also I believe that they didn't show up when trying to book online.
Hi Colin, oh my! I've passed that on to the Techbots who will fix that up quick-smart. As for booking service groups online, we're planning on implementing this soon. Add your vote here to stay in the loop!
Can the service combos have the option to choose who offers the combo or the services listed in the combo?
Hi Nickee, you can select the staff to complete each service when you add the service group to the calendar. Any staff that are able to perform that service can be selected. Hope that helps! :-)
Great idea but I can't get it to give me the choice of all my services so that I can add them to the service group. It's only giving my the choice to add the service in one category when I have multiple services in another category. I've tried taking the services out of their categories and not assigning a category for the service group but I still can't get it to work
Hi there,
Padding is a brilliant feature, and I'm sure processing is great, too - I just can't for the life of me see why anyone would need it! Could you give me an example, please, so I can understand?
Thanks!
Hi James! Processing time is used by hairdressers while a colour is processing for the client. This time is often able to be freed up for the stylist to serve another customer. Hope that clarifies! :-)
I don't see how this is any different to padding time, thats what we use now and we are able to book other clients in the padding time?
Hey Bex, thanks for your comment!
Processing time is very similar to Padding time in that it creates the space after the appointment. You're totally right in that you can manually double book your customers over Padding time in the Calendar, but your customers won't be able to do this when booking online.
However, with Processing time the gap that is created is a completely free space; so both you and your customers can book that slot (without manually double booking).
Hope that helps to clarify! Drop us a line on [email protected] if we can clarify further :-D
Would love to see service groups for those seeing more than one staff member. i.e coming to have a massage with Sarah at 10am but seeing Clare for a mani at 10.30. This way they won't receive a confirmation text for both scheduled appointments.
We get alot of confused clients, not sure whether to come in for the earlier time or the later time.
Hey Megan!
You'll be happy to hear that you can assign individual services within a service group to different staff, wahoo!
Just add the service group to the appointment as usual, then update the Staff drop down for each service to each respective staff member.
As all the services are included in the one appointment then the customer will just be sent the one reminder.
I hope that helps! Get in touch at [email protected] if you get stuck:-)