A meeting scheduling tool (a.k.a. appointment booking tools or online scheduler) is a software application used for scheduling meeting times and organizing personal itineraries. The application is delivered across the Internet as a web-based application that can be accessed from any digital platform such as a PC, smartphone or PDA. Meeting scheduling tools are designed to function across different time zones and can be integrated with other popular calendaring software such as Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook.
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Components of a Meeting Scheduling Tool
The main components of a meeting scheduling tool consist of an address book, a list of contacts, or potential meeting participants, a conventional calendar interface, and an appointment overview. Similar to conventional scheduling software, a meeting scheduling tool automatically checks the electronic calendar of meeting participants for open time slots, proposes alternative meeting times, schedules meetings, and notifies participants of final meeting times by email.
Meeting Scheduling Tools vs. Conventional Calendaring Software
The advantages of using a meeting scheduling tool rather than conventional calendaring software are several. The web-based design of meeting scheduling tools promotes faster performance across different timezones and provides greater security in terms of crash and recovery. The interfaces of meeting scheduling tools are easier to use compared with conventional calendaring software.
The greatest advantage afforded by a meeting scheduling tool is automation. Meeting scheduling tools automatically update calendars maximizing the coordination of new meeting and appointment times.
Examples of meeting scheduling tools
Leading meeting scheduling tools are: