How to Create a New Booking in Orion's Plan

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for restaurant staff to create manual bookings in Orion's Plan.

Prerequisites

• You must be logged in as a restaurant administrator
• Your restaurant profile must be set up
• Operating hours should be configured

Step-by-Step Instructions

Method 1: Create Booking from Bookings Page

1. Navigate to Pre-orders - From the main dashboard, click on "Pre-orders" in the left sidebar
2. Click "New Booking" Button - Look for the "+ New Booking" or "Create Booking" button
3. Fill in Guest Information - Organizer First Name, Surname, Email Address, Phone Number, Phone Prefix
4. Select Date and Time - Click on the date field and select from calendar, choose from available time slots
5. Enter Party Size - Enter the number of guests, this affects automatic table assignment
6. Select Area (Optional) - Choose dining area if you have multiple areas set up
7. Choose Menu (Optional) - Select a menu if this booking is for a set menu event
8. Set Minimum Spend (Optional) - Enter minimum spend amount if required
9. Configure Deposit (Optional) - Deposit Amount, Currency, Refundable toggle
10. Set Booking Fee (Optional) - Fee Amount and Fee Status
11. Assign Table (Optional) - Manually enter table number, or leave blank for automatic assignment
12. Add Booking Notes (Optional) - Enter any special requests or notes
13. Set Booking Status - Default is "Booked"
14. Save the Booking - Click "Create Booking" or "Save" button

Method 2: Create Booking from Floor Plan

1. Navigate to Floor Plan - Click "Floor Plan" in the left sidebar
2. Select Date - Use the date selector at the top of the floor plan
3. Click on an Available Table
4. Click "Create Booking" Button - Table is pre-selected automatically
5. Fill in Booking Details - Follow steps from Method 1
6. Save the Booking - The booking appears on the floor plan immediately

Method 3: Walk-In Bookings

1. Navigate to Floor Plan - Go to Floor Plan page
2. Click "Walk-In" Button - Opens quick booking form
3. Fill in Minimum Information - Guest Name, Party Size, Phone (optional)
4. Select Table - Choose from available tables or let system auto-assign
5. Mark as "Arrived" - Status automatically set to "Arrived"
6. Save Walk-In - Guest appears on floor plan

After Creating a Booking

Automatic Actions

When you create a booking, the system automatically:

• Sends confirmation email to guest (if email provided)
• Assigns table if left blank (based on party size and availability)
• Updates floor plan occupancy
• Creates guest profile (if new guest)
• Calculates table availability for other bookings

What Guests Receive

• Booking confirmation email with reference number, date, time, party size
• Restaurant address and contact details
• Deposit payment link (if required)
• Pre-order link (if menu assigned)
• Cancellation policy

Editing Bookings

1. Go to floorplan page
2. Click on the booking
3. Click "Edit Booking"
4. Make changes
5. Save - guest receives update notification

Cancelling Bookings

1. Open booking details
2. Click "Cancel Booking"
3. Confirm cancellation
4. Process refund if applicable
5. Guest receives cancellation email

Tips and Best Practices

Guest Information

• Always collect email for confirmations
• Verify phone number format
• Ask about special occasions (birthdays, anniversaries)
• Note VIP guests

Table Assignment

• Let system auto-assign for optimal space usage
• Manually assign for VIP guests or special requests
• Consider accessibility needs
• Group large parties appropriately

Deposits

• Set deposits for high-value bookings
• Make deposits refundable with 48-hour notice
• Clearly communicate deposit policy
• Send payment links promptly

Notes and Comments

• Record all special requests
• Note dietary requirements prominently
• Mark celebration occasions
• Add preferences (window seat, quiet area)

Common Issues and Solutions

"No available time slots"

• Check operating hours are configured
• Verify date is not in the past
• Check if date is marked as closed
• Review capacity settings

Table won't auto-assign

• Ensure floor plan is set up
• Check table capacities match party size
• Verify tables aren't all blocked
• Try manual assignment

Guest not receiving confirmation

• Verify email address is correct
• Check spam/junk folder
• Resend confirmation from booking details
• Provide booking reference manually

Double bookings

• System prevents this automatically
• If it occurs, check for manual overrides
• Review time slot settings
• Contact support if issue persists