Appointment scheduling software

Appointment scheduling software or meeting scheduling tools allows businesses and professionals to manage appointments and bookings. This type of software is also known as appointment booking software and online booking software.

Types of software

Customer appointment management scheduling software falls under two categories: desktop applications and web-based systems (also known as software as a service or cloud-based systems).

Desktop

Desktop applications are programs that are usually licensed and installed on end-user maintained computer hardware. Such programs are generally very robust in terms of features and reporting, and can often be customized, but one downside is that desktop applications often do not have an online portal for staff or customer access. As well, installed applications may require ongoing maintenance, support, and upgrading by the end-user.

Web-based

Web applications are usually provided by a third-party service provider that offers appointment scheduling tools and features as a hosted software solution, usually provided via a web browser. One common benefit is that customers are provided the option of booking their own appointments. This facilitates appointment scheduling over the web as customers can access their usual professionals' schedules at their convenience 24/7 and make appointments online through the Internet. This type of software does not require any update since the updates are directly implemented to the cloud.

Mobile

Appointment scheduling mobile apps are available for smartphones. User can browse through the app to look for the most suitable service provider (keeping both quality and budget in consideration) and can request an appointment for the same. Some mobile applications use the same app for both customers and providers while some have different apps for both. Various industries have been using such apps with success.

Features

Regardless of whether the application is desktop-based or web-based, most appointment scheduling software has these primary functions:

  1. Online availability 24/7
  2. Integrated customer relationship management system
  3. Ability to monitor the booking statistics
  4. Schedule access control
  5. Ability to accept online payments
  6. Automated reminders and notifications via email/SMS

Different pricing models are available. While the traditional software licensing model of a one-time licensing fee predominates for desktop applications; subscription-based, advertising-based, per-use, fee-per booking and free web-based systems are also available.

Customer appointment management software

Customer appointment management (CAM) is a type of appointment scheduling software targeted towards companies with large mobile workforces that automatically routes and schedules in-home service appointment arrivals. The software is delivered to businesses over the Internet using the software-as-a-service model.

CAM software is powered by proprietary algorithms that learn mobile employees' work patterns to accurately predict a service technician's Time Of Arrival and narrow a customer's wait window to 60 minutes.

CAM software applications are browser-based systems and provide scalability and flexibility, eliminate up-front, high-cap expenditures and require no dedicated IT support or ongoing maintenance. Its SaaS open architecture allows for flexible pricing models, deployment speed, and ease of use.

CAM is currently used by five of the United States' top ten cable companies, including Cox Communications,[1] as well as broadband operators in Europe, including ONO (Spain),[2] Spain's largest broadband communications provider.

See also

References
  1. "Cox Tracks Field Techs With TOA's Software". Multichannel News. 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  2. "ONO and TOA Technologies Join Forces to Bring the Power of Customer Appointment Management to Spain's Largest Broadband Communications Provider" (Press release). TOA Technologies. 2008-05-08. Archived from the original on 2009-03-13.
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