TimeDriver (DEMO 08), the free, self-service appointment scheduler targeted at sales and service professionals, will open its beta to the public Aug. 25. While TimeDriver can be used to set up ad hoc meetings, it is designed as a systematic way to bring a flow of appointments into Google and Microsoft Outlook calendars.
Users, who work in jobs like sales, human resources, or events management for exampe, would set up rules about times they want appointments booked and create an email message for prospective clients. When recepients of the email message choose the link to book an appointment, a scheduling window, what TimeTrade calls a "wizard," pops up offering a choice of open times.
TimeDriver keeps a user's open time slots current by cross checking a user's rules and their current, online calendar. TimeDriver automatically streams the appointment into the inviter’s calendar and sends an email confirmation to the invitee. Invitees don't need to have a TimeDriver account. People using TimeDriver with Microsoft Outlook on Windows computers need to download a simple "plug-in" software to use it.
Responding to feedback from 2,000 users in a private beta, TimeTrade Systems, Inc. has boosted the AJAX-based application's speed 10-fold, so loading an appointment takes two to three seconds on Windows or Macintosh personal computers, said Marco Peterson, TimeTrade co-founder and CEO.
Other new TimeDriver features are:
- A dashboard showing scheduling activities and availability; email invitations and lists;and direct access from the dashboard to activity and email invitation "wizards."
- Outlook users can send email messages directly from Outlook with an embedded link to schedule a TimeDriver appointment, and have an option of sending the email as any other Outlook email without tracking in TimeDriver or sending and tracking the email through TimeDriver.
- Color coding of TimeDriver appointments in Outlook calendars to distinguish TimeDriver appointments from other commitments and to distinguish whether appointments are face-to-face or phone calls.
- Details for each TimeDriver appointment inserted into the inviter’s Outlook or Google calendar, such as an invitee’s response to a question asked during scheduling.
- TimeDriver also adjusts for all worldwide time zones so inviters and invitees see an appointment in their own time zone.
TimeTrade's marketing targets individuals in hopes they encourage the application's use in their workplace.
One major (undisclosed) insurance company is funding a private pilot of TimeDriver with 2,000 of its 20,000 agents, Peterson said.
IMAGE: TimeDriver "times available wizard"
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