Appointment scheduler?

[Sandal Woods]

I need an appointment scheduler, as used in a busy office medical or dental office. Is Gravity Forms the way to go?

I look forward to your feedback - thanks!

Al

[NicktheGeek]

Gravity forms is a great forms tool, and can be adapted to this purpose, but there are several plugins that are specific to appt scheduling, tying into Google Calendar and other such options.

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/...?q=appointment

[Sandal Woods]

Thanks, Nick. One thing I asked for confirmation: How is the appointment tied into an office data base. In other words:

1. Are the appointments automatically entered into a blank spot in the "real" appointment books?
2. Does the system let the User know if the requested time is already booked?
3. Does the system offer alternative times or dates?

I will check out the options shown in the search you provided, and determine which plugin might be best.

Question for developers:
Is Gravity Forms -easily- integrated with appointment data bases, in addition to Freshbooks? Has anyone succeeded doing this?

My thanks to all - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Al

[NicktheGeek]

The answers will be dependent on the plugin you are using and should be asked of the plugin developers.

For gravity forms, if you have the developer level account with them they offer a plugin integrating GF into Freshbooks. As for appointment DB integration and availability feedback, that would require additional customization. It can be done if the appointment DB can be accessed by a server based program, again more details needed, but you would have to write the code to access the DB unless it is part of WordPress. If it is an SQL DB that isn't too difficult, but if it is another format then it depends on the DB for how you would interact with it. Some systems use a proprietary interface that may not be easily accessed via php.

[officeto-go]

I have clients who use Schedulicity and Appointment Plus and GenBook.

[golden]

I find it curious that Schedulicity's site has a free trial, but doesn't mention price...

Anyone know how much it costs? Any good free ones out there?

[sojollynow]

There are several considerations to your decision;

1.) Your appointments are your business...
2.) Monthly reoccurring fees versus a "stand alone plugin."
3.) No matter what method you choose -- it's all about your database, code, server speed, reliability and backup. (Since you can't afford to loose your physical appointment book imagine if your plugin fails or burps. (I wonder what percentage of people even backup their WordPress database(s) regularly?? My point is this type of solution has to be like your telecommunications land line --- 100% reliable and available.
4.) Watch out for other kinds of fees. Some company's charge extra to place your logo. As another example, most company's want to charge you another percentage of each appointment set if want your customers to prepay.

I have a conflict of interest with the third recommendation, as my wife owns the company, so I have listed two other company's for your consideration. Good luck!

Appointment Quest

Time Center

AppointmentJournal.com