What is it and what is it for?

The display and search interval of slots are time intervals that display free time in the online booking widget. By default, the time during the day is divided into 30 minutes. But these intervals can be adjusted, taking into account the duration of services and the schedule of employees. 

Search interval of slots

The search interval of slots is the time interval through which Altegio searches for the first free time for booking and shows this time to the client in the online booking. 

The intervals for setting up the search interval of slots are a multiple of 15 minutes, but no more than 4 hours: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, ..., 3 hours 45 minutes, 4 hours. 

Example:

• Search interval of slots - 45 min.
• Service duration - 1 hour.
• Free employee time (in the schedule) is from 11.00 a.m. to 02.00 p.m.

Altegio will check for the first free time every 45 minutes, starting from 12.00 a.m, but provided that there is only free time from 11.00 a.m. 

Under these conditions, Altegio will look for the first free time and check 12.00 a.m., 12.45 a.m., 01.30 a.m., 02.15 a.m. ... 10.30 a.m., 11.15 a.m.

Of these options, 10.30 a.m. will not be offered to the client, as the time taken, 11.15 a.m. will be offered, because there is free time from 11.15 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. (the duration of the service is 1 hour).

Display interval of slots 

The display interval of slots is the time interval over which Altegio will check free time, starting from the first free time that was found with the search interval of slots. 

Intervals for setting the display interval of slots are also a multiple of 15 minutes, but no more than 4 hours: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, ..., 4 hours.

Example:

• Search interval of slots - 45 min.
• Display interval of slots - 30 min. 
• Service duration - 1 hour.
• Free employee time (in the schedule) is from 11.00 a.m. to 02.00 p.m.

The search interval of slots will find 11.15 a.m., and the display interval of slots will start checking 11.45 a.m., 12.15 p.m., 12.45 p.m. (every 30 minutes). 

How to configure display and search interval of slots?

The display and search interval of slots can be configured in three ways in Altegio: Settings - Services, Settings - Employees.

The highest priority for choosing interval slots is the Service settings, the last is the Employee settings.

NB!

1. The search interval of slots always starts with the specified Slot search start/end time.
2. The setting of Slot search start/end time will work in the service and employee settings only when the display interval of slots is indicated.