The Dining Table Allocation Panel - Graphical View

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Context sensitive actions on pressing a graphical view button

The Graphical View displays the dining tables in the dining area graphically according to the graphical layout where each dining table button shows the status of the dining table (whether it is occupied, available, or reserved, or available with an upcoming reservation) at the start of the time range being viewed.

The typical length of the time range viewed is from 120 to 180 minutes.

Note: When you open the Allocation panel with graphical layout before the day's first period starts (or in a gap between periods), the allocation time is set for at the time when the next period starts. If the time is within the Advance Seating of Reserved Guests (Min.) (dining area), you can register a walk-in and seat guests (reservations also). Also, tables that are occupied appear occupied.

The positions of the dining tables are shown according to the following criteria:

  • The time viewed is today:

If the period viewed is the same as the period active now, the current layout positions are used, showing any table adjustments that have been done to the current layout (the positions of the tables are the same as in the table overview panel).

If the period is not the same as the period now, the design layout positions are used for the layout that is active during the period (the base table positions for the layout).

  • The time viewed is not today:

The design layout positions are used for the layout that is active during the period viewed (the base table positions for the layout).

The system builds this data on run time by collecting information for each dining table at the start time of the time range viewed on

  • whether the dining table is occupied and for how long.
  • the availability of the dining table based on the dining area plan and layout.
  • reservations (and walk-ins) that the dining table are allocated to during the time range.

You can filter the graphical view by capacity, sections, and status.

Note: When a filter is placed, the program shows the selected dining tables with a colored border. The border color is defined in the POS menu selected in the Dining Tbl. Alert-Ellipse Skin field for the dining area.

Context sensitive actions on pressing a graphical view button

When you press a button on the Graphical view, an action may be triggered:

  • if you are not in the process of allocating, pressing a graphical button usually displays a drop-down list with possible actions that are dependent on the status of the dining table at the time.
  • If allocating, the system will try to allocate this dining table to the reservation at the time.
  • If the dining table has a reservation at this time, the program will highlight the corresponding reservation in the walk-in/reservation list.

Note: The Advance Seating of Reserved Guests (Min.) field is an important tool to let the dining area be open for seating just before the restaurant opens or after a closed gap between open periods. By default, this is 30 minutes.