Optimizing Usage Configuration: Hour Intervals and Cross-Location Validation

In this article, you will learn how to set up additional usage restrictions with an hour interval (rolling interval) in the software and optionally activate cross-location validation so that limits reliably apply across multiple studios.

Contents

• Prerequisites
• Open Usage Configuration
• Add and Edit Additional Restrictions
• Understanding Hour Intervals (rolling interval)
• Understanding Calendar Intervals (Days/Months/Years)
• Multiple Restrictions: Limits and Validation
• Activate Cross-Location Validation
• Tips & Troubleshooting

Fast Lane

• Open Settings / Services / Usage Configuration.
• Open a usage configuration (or create a new one).
• Click on + Add Additional Restriction.
• Set Quantity, Interval Value, and Type (e.g., 1 use per 24 hours).
• Optional: Activate Cross-Location Validation if the limit should apply across all studios.
• Click Save.

Prerequisites

You need the appropriate permissions to edit settings in the Services section. If you do not see the buttons or options, you probably lack the necessary permissions.

Open Usage Configuration

1. In the software, open Settings / Services / Usage Configuration.
2. Open an existing usage configuration or create a new one (depending on your use case).

Add and Edit Additional Restrictions

With additional restrictions, you can combine multiple rules within one usage configuration (e.g., a monthly limit plus a minimum gap in hours).

1. Open the usage configuration and go to the Restrictions section.
2. If no additional restrictions exist yet, a heading with an info icon will be displayed.
3. Click on + Add Additional Restriction.
4. Fill in the fields:
   • Quantity: How often the usage is allowed at most (default: 1, maximum: 999).
   • Interval Value: How many hours/days/months/years apply (default: 1; for hours, a practical default is often 24).
   • Type: Choose hours, days, months, or years.
5. Optional: Remove a rule using the X at the end of the row.
6. If you need more rules, click + Add Additional Restriction again.
7. Click Save.

[Screenshot: Dialog/widget "Edit Restrictions" with "+ Add Additional Restriction"]

Understanding Hour Intervals (rolling interval)

If you select hours as the type, a rolling time window (rolling interval) applies. This means: The software checks both backward and forward around the desired appointment.

Example: You set 1 use per 24 hours. Then it checks whether there is already a use within the 24 hours before or the 24 hours after the planned appointment. If yes, further usage is blocked accordingly.

Understanding Calendar Intervals (Days/Months/Years)

For all other types (e.g., days, months, years), the limit is calculated as a calendar interval. The interval follows the calendar and not a rolling time window.

Example (days): 1 use per 1 day applies to the calendar day (typically from 00:00 to 23:59:59).

Multiple Restrictions: Limits and Validation

You can create multiple additional restrictions to combine different rules. Two important points apply:

• Maximum 5 additional restrictions in total.
• Per type (hours, days, months, years), you may only create one rule each.

If you select the same type multiple times (e.g., twice months), you will get a validation message like:

“Please select only one option per type (e.g., hours, days, month, etc.).”

Activate Cross-Location Validation

By default, usage restrictions are checked within each studio. If you want the limit to count across all studios, activate Cross-Location Validation (possibly labeled Cross facility check in the interface).

1. Open the usage configuration and go to the section with additional options.
2. Activate Cross-Location Validation.
3. Click Save.

This is how the option affects usage:

• Without cross-location validation: The limit is checked per studio (usage in Studio A does not affect Studio B).
• With cross-location validation: All usages in all studios are summed and checked against the same limit.

Example: You set a limit of 50 usages. A person already has 50 usages in Studio A. With cross-location validation activated, another usage in Studio B is blocked because the total quota has already been reached.

[Screenshot: Option “Cross-Location Validation (Cross facility check)” in the usage configuration]

Tips & Troubleshooting

• Hour rule applies “unexpectedly”: Remember: hours is a rolling time window. The check happens relative to the appointment, not just within a calendar day.
• Error due to duplicate type: You can only create one rule per type (e.g., not two months). Adjust the existing rule instead of creating a second one.
• You need multiple rules: Combine different types (e.g., months + hours), but stay within the maximum of 5 rules.
• Cross-location behavior does not fit: Check whether Cross-Location Validation is really activated if the limit should apply across multiple studios.