Understanding Time Blocks

Modified on Tue, 1 Apr at 11:34 AM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How Do I Add a Time Block To A Service?
Control Showing Time and Time Blocks For Service Items in the Schedule
Set The Default Start Time For A Time Block
Display Time

Time Blocks are one of 7 different ways to display time. You can use a different Time Type for each service to fit your needs. There are a number of ways of defining "Time" for your services that need to be set up, as this determines how your service times are displayed on the Schedule, how they are communicated to your team and clients, as well as how your clients will select a time when requesting services using the Portal.

If you don't want to use a specific time type, you can choose to set up Time Blocks. A "Time Block" is a time window clients use to select a span of time they would like a service, instead of booking a specific time. Time blocks are customizable and these can differ for each service. It also defines the times you offer this service to the client, so they choose a window within your operating times. This sets client expectations for the time of service delivery.

Time Blocks can be set up as you want, e.g.. 30 minute blocks, 2 hours, 4 hours, etc. or a mixture, and they can also overlap.

Tip: Time Blocks help set client expectations and give the pet care provider leeway to create a logical route to conduct visits in an efficient manner. A visit may have a time block of 11AM-1PM instead of a set time at 12 noon.

Tip: If you prefer, the Admin or person scheduling can edit the time block to indicate to the sitter a more specific time to start the service within the time block, to accommodate a specific need of a client.

How Do I Add a Time Block To A Service?

Navigation: Admin > Service items > Selected Service item > Time Blocks / Time

In "Time Type" select "Time Block."
Click the "+" to add a time block.
Drag the sliders either to the right or left to set your time interval.
Repeat to add all the time blocks the service item requires.
Click "Update."

Tip: For more onscreen help click the "i" icon next to any field for a detailed description. You can also click "Show more >>" at the top of each screen to access further explanation with links to our extensive knowledge base and tutorial videos in the Learning Zone.

See how Time Blocks work in your pet sitting software

Control Showing Time and Time Blocks For Service Items in the Schedule

The Admin or person scheduling has the option to "show" a specific time within the time block window that a client has requested. The purpose of this would be to:

Let the client know their service will take place between the time block parameters they have chosen/you have set.
Let the staff member carrying out the service know that the service can occur within the time block, but also at a preferred time.
The Admin or person scheduling can use the specific time to assist with service route planning as the services in the schedule can be sorted by time.

If "Show time" is enabled, the time block will be displayed in black and the specific time will be shown in red below the time block window. If "Show Time" is not enabled, only the time block will display.

Show Time In a Time Block in Dog Walking Software

Set The Default Start Time For A Time Block

Similar to other Time Types, Time Blocks also have a “time” associated and define how the service automatically appears in your schedule. There are two options for setting the "default" start time for a Time Block:

Set Time to Middle of the Time Block
Set Time to Default

Set Time to Middle of the Time Block

Select this option to set the default service start time as the middle of the time blocks. This option is the most popular when using Time Blocks as it ensures the service appears in chronological order in the schedule.

Select "Set Time to the middle of the Time Block"
Click "Update."

Set the time in the schedule to the middle of the timeblock in dog daycare software

Set Time to Default

Select this option and choose a default service start time for all your time blocks if you prefer to have your service appear at the same time in your schedule.

Select "Set Time to Default"
Set the preferred Default Start Time
Click "Update."

Set the Default Start Time for a Time block in Dog Walking Software

Display Time

Choose how the time of a service is automatically displayed when scheduled by selecting one of the options from the drop down menu.

Display Time

Select "Always" - If you always want the service time displayed on the schedule if you require a service to start at a specific time.
Select "Never" - If you never want the service time displayed on the schedule if the start time for staff is flexible.
Select "Admins can Choose" - If you want an Admin/Scheduler to have the choice to display the service time on the schedule via a "Display Time" toggle button

Display Time Default

When "Admins can Choose" is selected as a "Display Time", from the drop down menu select the default setting for the service as either:

Select "Yes" - If the majority of the time you want your staff to view the service time within the schedule.
Select "No" - If the majority of the tine you do not want your Staff to view the service time within the schedule.

Set Timeblocks for a service to define time parameters in dog walking software