If a restaurant wants to open online bookings on two fixed days each month in stages, with each day opening a different booking period, for example:
On the 1st of each month, open bookings from the 16th of the current month to the end of the month
On the 15th of each month, open bookings from the 1st to the 15th of the following month
You can use the scheduling rule Open twice a month for two booking periods and set up two separate rules according to the order of opening. This mode is suitable for restaurants that want to open bookings in stages each month. This mode is different from Daily booking window for the next N days. It does not automatically roll forward new available dates daily. Instead, it opens bookings for the specified range twice each month on the set dates and times.
Setting Up Open Twice a Month for Two Booking Periods
Access and log in Backhouse: https://myinline.com
In the left sidebar, go to Booking > Basic Settings
Under Store / Branch Settings, click the branch you want to modify (If there’s only one branch, click Untitled)
Set the schedule rule:
Scroll down to find Booking window
Make sure Enable a Booking Schedule is on (this toggle is on by default; the system will automatically schedule bookings regularly rather than opening only a single date range)
Switch the scheduling rule to Open twice a month for two booking periods
Set Schedule Opening Time to ◯◯:◯◯: the system will open bookings at this time
Set up the first and second monthly openings:
Set Monthly booking Opening Date: the system will automatically open bookings on this date
Set Reservations can be made from ◯◯ to ◯◯: this defines the period that will be opened for booking
Example, Rule 1: On the 1st of each month, open bookings from the 16th of the current month to the last day of the month
→ If today is Nov 1 at 12:00, the system will automatically open reservations for Nov 16 – Nov 30
Example, Rule 2: On the 15th of each month, open bookings from the 1st to the 15th of the following month
→ If today is Nov 15 at 12:00, the system will automatically open reservations for Dec 1 – Dec 15
Once set up, the text at the top of the page will update automatically. The calendar below will also display the two separate booking periods. Please confirm that the described dates and times match your expectations.
After completing the setup, click Save at the top right corner of the page.
Once set, the system will automatically open bookings on the configured date and time. No additional manual action is required. Additionally, make sure that the iPad App has the regular module enabled and that the corresponding booking time slots and tables are set in the regular module to ensure smooth opening. Please refer to the following guidance for further instructions.
Set How Many Days or Minutes in Advance a Booking is Required
This setting determines whether the restaurant accepts same-day online bookings and the latest time customers must complete their booking before their meal.
On the same page, scroll down to the Latest time the restaurant accepts online reservations section.
Choose one of the following options based on your needs:
Accept same-day reservations (top in the image)
Check Accept, then set the latest time customers must complete their booking as ◯ hours ◯ minutes before the reservation time.
For example, if it is currently 1:00 PM and you set 2 hours before, customers can book for 3:00 PM or later.
Do not accept same-day reservations (bottom in the image)
Check Do Not Accept, then set the latest time customers must complete their booking as ◯ days in advance.
→ For example: if set to 2 days in advance, customers can only book for 2 days later (inclusive) or beyond.The system will automatically roll the booking availability daily
→ For example: if the earliest booking today is Oct 1, it will automatically update to Oct 2 tomorrow)
After making the changes, click Save at the top-right corner of the page.
Once saved, it is recommended to check the Booking Page for customers to confirm that the updates have been applied successfully.
＊Please note:
The minimum booking time limit can be set to 1 minute.
To avoid overlapping between walk-in customers and online bookings, it is generally recommended to set it to at least 10 minutes to allow for operational buffer time.