Next Lane Feature: A Game-Changer for Efficiency
Are you maximizing your bowling center’s potential by utilizing the Next Lane Feature?
The “Next Lane” (or Next Pair) feature serves a dual purpose. It not only helps bowling center staff decide which lane or pair to assign next when lanes are available, but it also predicts when a lane will become available when all lanes are full. This is a significant advantage for centers looking to optimize their lane usage and customer flow, especially during busy times.
When lanes are available, the system suggests which lane to use next based on historical usage patterns. If all lanes are full, it predicts which will be available next, giving the staff a clear picture of customer progress either by game or by time.
How Can the Next Lane Feature Benefit Your Center?
1. Balanced Lane Usage
Every center has those lanes that get used more than others, whether for convenience or habit. Perhaps it’s because they are directly in front of the front desk and staff is wants to be entertained, or maybe there’s a preference to keep customers away from office spaces. However, uneven lane usage can lead to increased wear and tear on specific lanes.
This can be compared to tire maintenance: Just like rotating your tires to prevent uneven wear, the Next Lane feature helps balance the use of your lanes. This extends the life of your equipment and ensures that no one lane is overused while others sit idle.
2. Efficiency in Managing Full Lanes
When all lanes are full, seasoned staff can usually scan the all-lanes screen and estimate how long it will take for the next lane to open up. However, for newer employees or those unfamiliar with the nuances of bowling, this can be overwhelming—especially when customers are waiting.
Instead of manually scanning 20 or more lanes to determine which will open up first, the Next Lane feature does the work for you. It shows not only which lane will be available next but also approximately how much time is left.
This reduces customer wait times and helps staff manage lanes more efficiently during peak hours.
3. Improved Customer Experience
Have you ever had customers request a lane far from a birthday party, or away from noise? With the Next Lane feature, you can easily accommodate these preferences by selecting an available lane that fits their request, while still maintaining a balanced use across the center.
How to Set Up the Next Lane Feature in Conqueror
The Next Lane feature is built into Conqueror and requires minimal setup. By default, it will automatically recommend the next lane based on usage and availability. However, there are some customizable settings for centers that sell by time or game.
In centers where bowling is sold by time, the countdown to lane availability is automatic. For game-based or post-paid bowling, where the system doesn’t know exactly how long a game will take, centers can adjust the estimated time per person per game. The default is set to 10 minutes per person, per game on a single lane, and 8 minutes per person for a pair of lanes. These settings can be found under the “Lane Control” tab in the center’s setup.
Whether you run a busy center or have slower periods, the Next Lane feature is a game-changer. It not only helps you manage lane availability more efficiently but also ensures balanced usage across your lanes, reducing wear and tear. It’s an essential tool that every center can benefit from, especially for those new to the Conqueror system or new employees who may still be learning the ropes.
If you haven’t explored this feature yet, now is the perfect time to dive in. Your staff—and your lanes—will thank you for it!
This blog topic was featured on the Tech Tip Podcast S1_Ep45 Next Lane Feature with guest David Jay. Visit one of the podcast platforms below to listen.
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/59263f76
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5n86dv32
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/3bf29ms8