Articles on: DingDoong

How to configure prep time & cut-off time?

Terminology


1. Prep Time

  • Definition: The time required by the merchant to prepare an order before it is ready for delivery or pickup.
  • Purpose: Ensures enough time to process, pack, and prepare the order.
  • Example: A bakery requires 2 hours to bake and package fresh cakes after an order is placed. This 2-hour period is the prep time.


2. Delay Time

  • Definition: The minimum time buffer between order completion (after prep) and the start of the delivery process.
  • Purpose: Allows merchants to account for factors like assigning drivers, delivery loading, and travel time.
  • Example: A florist needs an additional 1 hour after prepping an order to assign a delivery driver and transport the flowers. This is the delay time.


3. Cut-off Time

  • Definition: The latest time during the day when customers can place an order for same-day or next-day delivery.
  • Purpose: Prevents orders from being scheduled too late for the merchant to reasonably fulfill them.
  • Example: A meal delivery service sets a cut-off time of 5 PM for next-day delivery. Orders placed after 5 PM will show delivery slots based on prep time and delay time starting from the following day.


How They Work Together


IMPORTANT LOGIC: When customers place an order, the system calculates the earliest available delivery slot after the cut-off time, based on prep time and delay time.



Example Scenario

  • Merchant Details:
    • Prep Time: 2 hours
    • Delay Time: 1 hour
    • Cut-off Time: 4 PM
  • Order Placed:
    • Time: 3 PM
    • The system calculates:
      • Prep Time (2 hours): 3 PM → 5 PM
      • Delay Time (1 hour): 5 PM → 6 PM
    • Earliest Delivery Slot: 6 PM same day.
  • If Order is Placed After Cut-off (e.g., 5 PM):
  • The system shifts delivery slots to the next day, starting from prep time + delay time after the new day begins.


Scenerio 1: You offer single date schedule type


You only can use prep and delay in day unit (not hour, and minute)



You want to offer same-day schedule
  • Prep time = 0 day => offer same day
  • After cut-off (eg. 5PM) => delay = 1 day => orders after cut-off will only available for next-day schedule


You want to offer next-day or pre-order schedule


  • Prep time = 1 day => tomorrow slot
  • After cut-off (eg. 5pm) => delay = 1 day => orders after 5 PM will only available for slots in next 2 days




Scenerio 2: You offer date with fixed time or date with time range schedule type


You only can use the same unit for prep & delay time (day - day, hour - hour , minutes - minutes)


You want to offer same-day schedule


  • Prep time = 2 hours
  • After cut-off (eg. 5PM) => delay = 6 hours => customers can only see next-day slot


You want to offer next-day schedule


  • Prep = 1 day
  • After cut - off (eg. 5PM) => delay = 1 day => customers can only see slots from 2 days (the order day is counted as 1 day)








Updated on: 01/06/2025

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