The random calendar function is a smart load balancing tool that distributes bookings automatically and evenly across several equivalent calendars. Instead of presenting all available calendars to the customer for selection, the system randomly displays a single, preselected calendar.
How it works
When a customer opens the booking page, the system randomly selects one of the configured calendars and presents its available time slots. The customer does not see that several identical capacities exist in the background; from their point of view, they simply book an appointment.
Typical use cases
- Identical resources: A museum has three identical tour rooms, or a coworking space has five equivalent meeting rooms. Customers do not have to choose between them; the allocation happens automatically.
- Equivalent employees: A call center or counseling service has several advisors with identical qualifications. Customers book a "consultation appointment", and the system automatically assigns an available advisor.
- Load balancing: With several parallel capacities (e.g. tennis courts, treatment rooms, vehicles), random distribution ensures even utilization of all resources, instead of popular slots being overbooked and others neglected.
- Simplified customer experience: When the specific assignment does not matter to the customer (e.g. for standardized services), the random function reduces the complexity of the booking form.
Advantages
- Even utilization of all available capacities
- Simplified booking experience (no choice overload)
- Avoids "favoring" individual employees or resources
- Flexible scaling: New calendars can be added without adjusting the frontend
Configuration
In the admin area, the operator defines a group of calendars as a "random calendar". The system then automatically rotates between these calendars on every page view, or uses an algorithm for even distribution based on current utilization.
The random calendar function is ideal for scenarios in which standardization and efficiency matter more than individual preference.