I know this is similar to an existing idea but I felt it didn't quite cover it from the point of view of a developer. Currently it is possible to modify the calendar entry form in the mail file template and also the reservation form in the resource reservations template. However there is a 'missing' link that many developers are aware of!

 

You SHOULD be able to include additional information fields on the notice that is sent to the rooms and resources database so that, for example, if they require refreshments or a particular room layout, you can provide the user with options in their meeting booking that can then be transferred to the reservation made automatically in the rooms and resources database as a result of the resource being 'invited'. There is an undocumented class built into the Notes client code called NotesCSEventOwnerDocument that seems to be involved, and there doesn't seem to be a direct way that fields you add to a meeting invite can be passed on. Even if you code them onto the 'notice' they are not carried over by the core code that does the processing.

 

Perhaps this could be done by providing an "Extensible Schema" subform a bit like the LDAP extension OR we need the ability to be able to call some kind of AppendItemValue in NotesCSEventOwnerDocument and know that these items will be transferred to the reservation in the rooms and resources database - perhaps by using an agreed field name prefix so the code can identify 'custom' fields. Ideally changes to these fields would also be synchronised :-)

 

The other thing that needs resolving as well is that owners of a resource or room needs to be able to change reservations against that resource or room - even if they weren't the person making the original reservation! You could do this pre-R7 but you can't now that the new server task has been implemented. Lotus don't seem to understand that often it is one or two individuals e.g. reception that have the resposibility to manage rooms and need to be able to make on-the fly- changes such as moving room bookings about on the day to accommodate changes.