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2.2 Automatic Table Assignment: Automatically Moving Reservations

In this article you’ll learn how automatically moving reservations works, where to define the time limit per shift, and how the system reacts to cancellations.

Overview

What does “automatically moving reservations” mean?

When this option is active, the automatic table assignment is allowed to reorganise already assigned reservations if the situation changes – for example due to new bookings or cancellations.

The goal is to use better-fitting tables and free up capacity for additional reservations, without manual work.

ℹ️ Note:

  • Only automatically assigned reservations can be moved.

  • Manually placed reservations are never moved.

Where do you configure automatic moving?

The feature is activated on restaurant level,
but the key setting – the time limit – is defined per shift.

Step by step

  1. Open Settings > General > Automatic Table Assignment

  2. Select the desired automation mode

  3. Activate Automatically move reservations

  1. Go to Settings > Shifts

  2. Open the relevant shift

  3. Scroll to Automatic Table Assignment

  4. Define the reassignment time limit (in minutes)

What does the “reassignment time limit” mean?

The time limit defines how many minutes before the reservation start the system is still allowed to move a reservation.

Example:

  • Time limit = 60 minutes
    → From 60 minutes before the reservation starts, the table assignment is fixed.


⚠️ Important:
Once the time limit is reached, no automatic reassignment takes place, even if a better table becomes available.

Practical example: automatic moving after a cancellation

A typical real-world scenario:

  1. A reservation for 5 guests is created
    → It is placed at a 6-seat table

  2. Later, a reservation for 6 guests is created
    → It is placed on a table combination, because no 6-seat table is free

  3. The 5-guest reservation is cancelled
    → The 6-seat table becomes available

  4. In your settings, you have defined:
    → Single 6-seat tables have higher priority than table combinations

  5. The system reacts automatically:
    → The 6-guest reservation is moved from the table combination to the free 6-seat table,
    as long as the reassignment time limit has not been reached.

💡 Result:

  • The table combination becomes available again

  • The room layout stays clean and logical

  • You gain flexibility for further reservations

Common questions & pitfalls

Why isn’t a reservation moved after a cancellation?
Possible reasons:

  • The reassignment time limit has already been reached

  • The reservation was placed manually

  • No higher-priority table option is available

Can reservations still be moved during service?
Yes – as long as the time limit allows it.
Using a shorter time limit prevents changes during active service.

Do I need to set the time limit for every shift?
No. If no limit is entered, the system will allow to move reservation up until their start time.