Appointment scheduling software
Appointment scheduling software allows businesses and professionals to manage scheduling 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).
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.[clarification needed] As well, installed applications may require ongoing maintenance, support, and upgrading by the end-user.
Web-based systems 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 and make appointments online through the Internet.
Regardless of whether the application is desktop-based or web-based, most appointment scheduling software has four primary functions:[1]
- Integration with employee, member, and customer data
- Calendar system connected to a master database
- Ability to operate and analyze calendar data
- Permissions system
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,[citation needed] including Cox Communications,[2] as well as broadband operators in Europe, including ONO (Spain),[3] Spain's largest broadband communications provider.
