Introduction

Configio's Time Block generator feature is very flexible and powerful. Here are some examples to demonstrate what it can do. If you have any questions, please take a look at our Building TIme Blocks article, which has general information on building blocks, and please do not hesitate to contact us at support@configio.com or phoned at 1-800-375-2191. 

Example One: Using Padding – Setting-up between Classes

Often when building Schedules, there is a need to have some time between when the first Appointment can end and when the second Appointment can begin. For example, instructors need time after one class to setup for the next class. We can use padding to ensure that there is a set amount of time between Appointments.

For this example, I created a Time Block product called “Intro to Pottery”, and I created an Appointment Group called “Exploring Pottery.” After inputting the Basic Information, I defined that the first Time Block of the day would start at 6:00 PM, the last one would start before 8:15 PM, and they would be 45 minutes long. I did not add padding. Also, as this schedule needs to recur every day, Monday through Thursday, I setup the recurrence as shown.


In the calendar preview, I saw that Appointments would start at 6:00 PM, 6:45 PM, and 7:30 PM. This would not allow time between classes to setup, so I clicked the cancel button. I made a single change to add 15 minutes of padding, and then I clicked Preview Schedule again.


Now, the Appointments start at 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 8:00 PM. This will give the instructor time to setup between classes, and since everything else looked correct too, I clicked the Save & Generate Schedule button.

Example Two: Using Two Assignment Groups – Busier in the Afternoon

Many businesses in the service industry are busier during certain times of day. For example, a barber shop that is busier in the afternoons than in the mornings might need to schedule more barbers in the afternoon. We can use two Assignment Groups and have one for the morning, and the other for the afternoon. The morning group will have less quantity available than the afternoon group, to represent having less barbers available.

First, I created my morning block. The first appointment must start at 8:00 AM, and the last one must start before 12:00 PM. The quantity available is two, because my shop is staffed by two barbers in the morning. This is my weekday AM schedule (as the scheduling needs for my shop are different on the weekend), and this schedule recurs every weekday. This schedule looks correct to me, so I clicked Save & Generate Schedule button.


Then, I created my afternoon block. The first appointment must start at 12:00 PM, and the last one must start before 5:00 PM. The quantity available is four, because my shop is staffed by four barbers in the afternoon, to meet the increased demand. This schedule also looks good to me, so I clicked the Save & Generate Schedule button, and now I am all set.

Example Three: Using Weekly Recurrence – Vacation Rental

Sometimes a business doesn’t offer something every day. For example, a vacation home might be available to rent for a week. Also, sometimes a business doesn’t offer something every week. For example, the vacation home might be available to rent every other week, with the off-week reserved for family and friends of the owners. We can have the schedule recur every other week.

I am having the guests check-in at 12:00 AM, and checkout at 10:00 AM. The duration will be six days, and I don’t need padding. I set the recurrence to Weekly, and recurring every two weeks, with the pattern starting on Monday. So, guests will check-in at noon on Monday, and checkout at 10:00 AM on Sunday, and every other week it is available. This schedule looks correct, so I clicked the Save & Generate Schedule button.

Example Four: Scheduling for Next Year – Seasonal Offerings

Many businesses are seasonal. For example, a campground may have a special event that occurs the first Monday of September every year (Labor Day in the United Dates). They could use the Yearly recurrence to control this.

When you select the Recurrence Pattern of Yearly, you there are two methods to define what day the recurrence will begin. For example, for an annual New Years Day celebration, you can choose for it to recur on every January 1st. Or, for an annual Labor Day celebration, you can choose for it to recur on the First Monday of September. I choose that option, and clicked the Preview Schedule button. I saw a notification that "Time Blocks more than one year in the future will be generated at a later date." After this Labor Day, I will go and check next year Calendar for this Time Block, and then I will expect to see that Appointment created for next year's Labor Day. 

Example Five: Monthly Recurring Schedules – Pet Health Screenings

Certain businesses may host a type of event every month, but only on one day. For example, your Veterinary clinic may offer special health screenings on the fifth of each month. Like with yearly Recurrence Patterns, you can define what day of the month the pattern starts. Here, I am simply saying that on the fifth of every month, start the pattern, and I click the Preview Schedule button.


Just to be safe, I page the calendar to the next month, and I see that indeed the pattern starts over on the fifth. Liking what I see, I click the Save & Generate Schedule button.