Using Timeline View to Manage Tables and Guests
Learn how to use the Timeline View in SpotHopper’s Table Management App to seat guests, track table usage, manage future reservations, and assign tables using the Next in Line feature.
Contents
Timeline View & Seating Overview
- Switching to Timeline View
After adding tables, switch to Timeline View to see them listed vertically.
- The center line in the Timeline indicates the current time.
- Swiping to see past reservations or moving forward will push the center line to the right or left hand side of the screen.
No matter how much you go in either direction, you can always easily go back to the current day and time by tapping on the center line.
(We swiped forward to see future table assignments)
(We swiped back to see past bookings)
- This can also be achieved by clicking on the TODAY button, right next to the date information.
- Navigating the new sidebar navigation
- You can now easily switch between Reservations and the Waitlist without ever leaving the timeline:
- Open the Timeline
- Click on either Waitlist
or Reservations to expand the sidebar.
- Understanding Table & Guest Indicators
The Table and Guest icons at the bottom left show total table capacity and guest count, of that specific room.
In this example, there are 5 tables occupied, out of 17, and 11 guests assigned to those tables.
Table capacities are also listed vertically on the right to help track seating status for each individual table.
In this example, we have an unoccupied table that could seat two people. However, another table is occupied by a party of two and one more table is occupied by a party of one.
- Real-Time Updates
When a guest is assigned or seated, the table and guest numbers update in real time. You can also keep track of vacancy history by swiping right.
In this example, 5 out of 17 tables are currently occupied by 11 guests, but in the hour before that, only 3 out of 17 were occupied by 6 guests.
- Navigating the Timeline
To check upcoming reservations:
- Tap the right arrow to move to the next day.
- Or simply swipe left to skip ahead. If you swipe too far ahead, the Timeline will quickly refresh to show you the most accurate data for the given day.
- Guest Count & Overlapping Reservations (Reservation Conflicts)
The guest count dynamically updates as reservations overlap and create conflicts.
In this example, the guest count and table occupancy for the given room is automatically updated, even though the reservations are overlapping.
It’s up to you to determine how you’ll handle these conflicts: by moving the conflicting party to a different table, changing the desired reservation time or duration, or freeing the table of a reservation.
- Seating Future Reservations Immediately
To seat a future reservation immediately:
- Select the reservation.
- Tap "Seat Now" from the new window.
The app will update the reservation time to the current time.
- The party is now seated.
- Reservation Status Icons
- Reservations can be marked with a pre-seated icon to indicate their status the moment they’re assigned a table.
- Reservations can also have a seated icon status to indicate the party’s been seated.
- In-focus parties are highlighted in orange, no matter their current status. Additionally, the background of the entire row will be tinted mauve to draw your attention more effectively. In-focus parties will have their details expanded in the sidebar.
- If a party’s been assigned additional tables, they will share status icons. However only the party card currently in focus will be highlighted in orange, no matter the amount of additionally assigned tables. That way you can easily keep track of exactly which table you’re referencing.
- A table can be reserved ahead of time for any given reservation party. Simply expand the party tab and select the table you’d like to reserve.
A selection menu will appear, allowing you to select from the tables inside the room.
You always have a clear view of which tables have been reserved for the specific party.
- Additionally, you can assign multiple reserved tables.
The selected tables will show up in the Reserved Tables section after confirmation.
- When a party becomes seated, it will behave the the same as any party with additionally assigned tables, with the addition of a visible status icon. All party-related tables will be highlighted in an attention-grabbing orange color at this time, so you take notice of exactly where they are, and make any necessary adjustments on time.
- When more than one party reserves the same table, they’ll show up in your Next in line section.
- How the Next in line works: Let’s focus our attention to Table 6. You’ve had a party seated there since 5:28pm:
- About an hour has passed and they’re ready to leave. You can Free the table:
- Great! Now you can select the party next in line:
- … and seat them instead:
You have now seated a party without having to expand the info of each individual party card to find who’s up next for Table 6.
