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 Main Menu 06/25/2009
   

Creating Schedule Availability

Select "Availability Setup" on the main menu; or from the dropdown menu labeled “Scheduling”, select “Availability Editor”.

Next, select the resource from the Resource dropdown list. This usually corresponds to the specific docket you are creating availability for; i.e., Uniform Motion Calendar, Daily Hearings, etc.

Next, select the date from the date picker (monthly calendar) you want to create a schedule block for.

 

 

Time Settings Section 

You can use the dropdown boxes to select the “Start Time” and “End Time” for this availability block (times can be typed in, as well).  You can also enter break times here.

Select the Time Interval for which you want to allow appointments.

Time Intervals: You must select an interval to save your availability block. If you wish to allocate a specific time interval for each appointment, such as 15-minute hearings, then the Time Interval to select would be 15 minutes, and the Max Appointments per time interval would be set to 1. In other words, this setup would define a specific appointment block for every 15-minute interval within the time span (Start/End times) you define. Click on the "Check" button to ensure your time settings are valid. A green message appears next to Total Available Slots. Example: If your Start/End Times equal 60 minutes, your Time Intervals equal 4, and Max Appointments per Interval equal 1, then Total Available Slots will say "4 appointments allowed". 

Max Appointments per Interval: You must select max appointments per interval to save an availability block.

Total Available Slots: This field automatically populates in green text after clicking on the "Check" button. The "Check" button ensures your time settings are valid.  It indicates the number of appointments you have allowed for based on the combination of Start/End Time Settings, Time Intervals and Max Appointments Per Interval selected.

Example: If you want to set a schedule block as a "Cattle Call", you would set the time interval for the same amount of time as the time span (Start Time - End Time) defined. In other words, If the time span is 60 minutes, then the Time Interval would be 60 minutes. Next, set the Max Appointments per time interval to the number of appointments you wish to allow for the whole block of time.

 

Block Settings Section

Block ID: This is generated once you save the availability block and serves as a confirmation number for the availability. If you create availability but it is lost or deleted, you can call Softworks Solutions to retrieve this block with the Block ID.

Label: You must give your availability block a label in order to save.

Resource: To save, you must select a Resource. A resource is selected by default. Make sure the resource you are creating availability for is selected. This is where you may select your judge’s varying dockets such as Daily or UMC.

Appointment Type: "Hearing" is automatically selected. You may also choose “General”, “Online Meeting”, “Reminder”, or any other type listed.

Appointment Buffer: This is the number of days prior to an appointment up to which an attorney can schedule a hearing on this availability block. The default is set to 7, but you may change it to your preference.

Example: If this is set to 3, the attorney will only see this block until 3 days prior to the hearing. Upon 3 days prior to the schedule date, the block is no longer visible/available.  They cannot schedule against this block in the 3 days prior to the schedule date.

Cancel Buffer: This shows the amount of days before the appointment in which an attorney is allowed to cancel an appointment that is already scheduled on this availability block. The default is set to 3, but you may change it to your preference.

Publicly Available: This is unchecked by default. When this is selected, this allows external users to view this availability block. Example: If this is unchecked, the external users (attorneys) will not see this availability block, but the internal Court staff can.

Permit Scheduling - If this checkbox is checked, then the attorney can schedule in this availability block. Otherwise, it just displays the block for informational purposes but will not allow appointments to be scheduled. This is selected by default.

Show End Time - Provides the ability to show or hide the end time of the availability block. This is used if you want all of the scheduled appointments to arrive at the same time. This is selected by default.

Notification Text Field: The Notification section allows you to provide additional information for this specific schedule block. NOTE: This IS NOT the global message or “Rules and Exceptions” that display on the main scheduling page for the attorneys. If you wish to change the global UMC or DISCOVERY message, see Modifying Resource Profiles.

 

Restrictions Section

Force Consecutive Appointments: (New) If this checkbox is checked, then the block forces the attorney to take the next available time on the list. This is unchecked by default.

Allow Cancelations: When checked, the attorney may cancel the appointment that he or she set. If it is unchecked, they must contact you in order to cancel an appointment. This is unchecked by default.

Require Cancelation Reason: When checked, while in the cancelation menu, the attorney must give a reason for canceling. They may not cancel an appointment without a reason. If you have the “Allow Cancelation” unchecked, there would be no need to have this selected. This is unchecked by default.

Require Trial Type Indicator: Forces the user to select a "Jury" or "Non-Jury" trial type and the estimated number of days for trial. Note: You will receive this information in the confirmation email and on the docket. This is unchecked by default.

Allow Multiple Identical Cases: When checked, this feature allows the attorney to create consecutive appointments for the same case number on the same day. This is unchecked by default.

Scheduling Resource Limit

Allow Telephonic Request

Require Opposing Counsel's Bar Number

Require Document Filing: This feature restricts scheduling of an appointment unless the associated documents are filed along with the scheduling of an appointment. This is unchecked by default.

Require Form Submittal: (New) Select the appropriate form from the list in the dropdown menu. That form will then be placed into the “Selected Forms” list when an attorney's office schedules. The default is set to not require this. Once a form is selected in the dropdown menu, that form is required to schedule. Note: This is only provided as a courtesy, the attorney can still submit their own documents.

Selective Publication: Clicking on the image will generate a pop-up window that includes various “Groups”, either within the Courthouse or Attorneys. If a group is selected, any users who are not a member of that group will NOT be able to view this availability block.  This is not activated by default.

 

Administrative Settings Section

Include Resource in Emails: Provides the ability for the resource, usually the judge, to receive the confirmation emails for this availability block. Note: This is unchecked by default.

Admin Email: This should be your email address. If this is any other email address, please contact Support to change it.

Set as Additional Schedule Template: This will allow you to treat the availability block you are creating as a Template. Once you duplicate a template, it becomes connected to the one that you copied it from. When you edit the template (or Master), it will edit all of its subordinate blocks, which will eliminate the time that it takes to modify all identical availability blocks one at a time. This is unchecked by default.