Processing, Finishing, and Buffer Times

To enable processing, finishing, and buffer times for services, you must be an Admin user. Open the Settings app and go to Calendar & Appointments > Scheduling Options.

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Processing & finishing time

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During processing time, the client is occupied, but the service provider can be booked for other services. Processing time is usually followed by finishing time at the end of the service. This is useful in hair salons for color processing.

For example, a Partial Highlight service could have the following settings:

• Duration: 30 minutes. This is the time it takes to apply the color.

• Processing time: 45 minutes. This is the time it takes for the color to develop. The service provider can wait or fit in another appointment. During processing time, the service provider can be booked for other services via online booking.

• Finishing time: 30 minutes. This is the time it takes to wash and blow-dry the hair.

Learn how appointments with processing time are displayed on the calendar.

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Buffer time

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Buffer time can be used if a service requires additional time before or after the service. For example, for massage services, you can use buffer time before the service to prepare the room and after the service to clean the room. Buffer time allows the service provider to be blocked for a longer period of time without changing the duration of the actual service.

Clients will not be able to book appointments via online booking during the buffer times of existing appointments.

Learn how appointments with buffer time are displayed on the calendar.

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Bookings with multiple services

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For bookings with multiple services:

• If a client books two back-to-back services that each have buffer time after the service, the buffer time will be honored if both services are with the same service provider or resource. This means the second service will start when the first service's buffer time ends.

• If a client books two back-to-back services that each have buffer time after the service, the buffer time will not be honored if each service is with a different service provider. This means the second service will start at the same time that the first service ends.

To prevent the second service from starting at the same time the first service ends, you can:

• Remove the buffer time from both services and extend the service durations instead. The service provider can use the built-in time at the end of the service as buffer time.

• Add the same resource requirement to both services. For example, you can create a Buffer Time resource with an unlimited capacity and require it for both services. This will ensure the buffer time is honored.

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Adding processing, finishing, or buffer time to a service

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To add processing, finishing, or buffer time to a service, you must be an Admin user, or you must have the Can manage service settings permission enabled in Staff Member settings.

Open the Services app and select the service. In the Details tab, select Edit.

Enable the Has processing time or Has buffer time toggles. Adjust the processing, finishing, or buffer time as needed and select Save.