Datetime ver 2.0

The new Date & Time Picker replaces the legacy calendar with a faster, mobile-friendly interface powered by Flatpickr. It introduces 4 specialized modes (Date, Date Range, Time, and Date & Time), granular availability rules, time slots, buffer times, cutoff rules, and complete timezone support.

When you add or edit a Date option, select one of the 4 Datetime Modes based on your business model:

1. Mode 1: Date (Single Date)

1. Set the Datetime Mode to Date.

2. Date Format: Choose how the date is displayed (e.g., YYYY-MM-DD, DD-MM-YYYY, MM-DD-YYYY).

3. Date Restrictions (From / To):

   • Set minimum and maximum selectable dates (No limit, Today, Designated fixed date, or Fixed number of days from today).

4. Disable Days of the Week: Check any recurring days your store is closed (e.g., Saturday and Sunday).

5. Disable Specific Dates & Date Ranges: Block out specific holidays or maintenance dates.

6. Enable Specific Dates (Exception Dates): Re-open specific dates even if they fall on a disabled weekday (e.g., open on a special holiday Sunday).

7. Scheduling Notice & Advance Booking:

   • Minimum scheduling notice: Require customers to order at least N days or months in advance.

   • Book ahead: Restrict bookings to at most N days or months in the future.

2. Mode 2: Date Range

Mode 2 allows customers to pick a start date and an end date on a single calendar.

• Range Length Restrictions:

  • Shortest range (Min length): Minimum number of days required for the rental/booking (e.g., at least 2 days).

  • Longest range (Max length): Maximum number of days allowed (e.g., up to 14 days).

• Disabled Dates Handling: Customers can span a booking across a disabled day/holiday (e.g., a 3-day rental over Sunday), but they cannot start or end their booking on a disabled day.

3. Mode 3: Time (Daily Time Slots)

Mode 3 allows customers to select an available time slot for today:

• Time Format: Choose between 12-hour (AM/PM) or 24-hour format.

• Availability Schedule:

  • Every day: Same operating hours all week (e.g., 09:00 - 18:00).

  • Weekday / Weekend: Separate hours for Monday–Friday and Saturday–Sunday.

  • Per day: Custom hours for each day from Monday to Sunday.

• Session Duration & Split Slots:

  • Fixed sessions: Set session duration (e.g., 30 minutes) to generate discrete booking slots (09:00 - 09:30, 09:30 - 10:00).

  • Free selection: Leave session duration blank to allow customers to pick any minute within open hours.

• Buffer Time: Add rest or preparation time before and after each session (e.g., 15 minutes buffer between appointments).

• Cutoff Time:

  • Same-day cutoff: Stop taking orders for today after a designated time (e.g., after 14:00).

  • Next-day cutoff: Require tomorrow's bookings to be placed before an evening cutoff today (e.g., order before 18:00 for next-day).

4. Mode 4: Date & Time (Full Booking System)

Mode 4 combines all settings from Date and Time:

• Customers first select an eligible date on the calendar.

• Once a date is chosen, available time slots for that specific day will load.

• Days that have no remaining time slots (or past cutoff) are automatically grayed out on the calendar.

Ensure accurate scheduling across different regions:

• Default Timezone: Set the store's primary operational timezone (e.g., America/New_York or Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh).

• Show Timezone Selector: Allow buyers in different timezones to switch the display to their local time.

• Lock Timezone Selector: Display the store timezone as read-only so customers are aware of the exact local appointment time.

Instead of configuring rules on every individual option set, you can set default store-wide rules:

1. Go to Aris Options → Settings → General.

2. Locate the Datetime configuration block:

   • Calendar first day of week: Choose Sunday or Monday.

   • Default hour format: 12-hour or 24-hour.

   • Global buffer time: Default buffer applied to all appointment options.

   • Break times: Store-wide breaks (e.g., lunch break 12:00 - 13:00) that automatically split all daily time slots.

   • Blocked dates & Public holidays: Set store closure days and holidays across all products.

   • Default cutoff time & Default timezone: Store-wide scheduling baselines.

• 4 Datetime Modes: Switch easily between Date, Date Range, Time, and Date & Time.

• Flatpickr Calendar: Faster loading, clean popup interface, and seamless mobile responsiveness.

• Smart Exception Rules: Re-open specific holidays with "Enable specific dates" without altering general rules.

• Automated Session Generator: Set session duration and buffer times without manually typing individual time slots.

• Order Cutoff Protections: Prevent last-minute orders with same-day and next-day cutoff times.

• Global Store Rules: Manage holidays, breaks, and buffer times centrally from App Settings.

Note for Existing Stores: Existing options using the legacy calendar will continue running without disruption. If you like to change the version, please contact us via help@arisify.io