Question 1

How does the guest tracking link work?

Accepted Answer

At check-in, a unique token-based URL is generated for each ticket using the generate_ticket_public_link function, producing a branded short link the guest can open in any mobile browser. No app download or login required. The page displays the vehicle's details (plate, make, model, color), a live status timeline showing each stage from checked-in through ready, and a one-tap button to request car by text or link. Status updates are pushed in real time via Supabase Realtime, so the page refreshes automatically without polling. Each link expires 7 days after ticket creation, and a single ticket can only have one active public link at a time. This vehicle ready notification system keeps guests informed at every stage, delivering measurable valet wait time reduction.

Question 2

Are SMS notifications available today?

Accepted Answer

Not yet. SMS delivery via Twilio is currently in development and is the next major feature on the roadmap. Today, guests receive their browser-based tracking link at check-in, and valets receive push notifications via Firebase Cloud Messaging when a retrieval is requested. The notification infrastructure is already built. The database includes notification_events, notification_templates, and notification_logs tables with per-location message customization. Once Twilio integration ships, the full SMS car retrieval service will send automated messages at each status transition (checked in, parked, ready) using those templates. Guests will be able to text to pull their valet request directly from the message. Guest SMS opt-out preferences are already stored and will be respected from day one.

Question 3

What does 'text-to-retrieve' mean?

Accepted Answer

When SMS is available, guests will be able to request car by text, tapping a link in their message to queue their vehicle for retrieval before they even reach the lobby or valet stand. The link opens the same browser-based tracking portal already in use today, where the guest taps one button to trigger the request. This text-to-pull valet approach moves the retrieval request upstream by 2-3 minutes compared to the traditional approach of waiting until the guest is physically present, driving significant valet wait time reduction. Text-to-retrieve will use the same token-based authentication as the existing tracking link, so no login or app is required. The feature is designed to work alongside the vehicle ready notification system and push notification dispatch to valets.

Question 4

How are retrieval requests prioritized?

Accepted Answer

Requests are queued in the order they are received, following a first-in-first-out model by default. Managers can manually adjust priority from the real-time dashboard, for example, bumping a VIP guest to the front of the queue. Smart assignment then routes each request to the nearest available valet via push notification, reducing idle walk time across the lot. The entire valet vehicle retrieval lifecycle (requested, pulling, ready, completed) is tracked with per-stage duration logging in the ticket_status_history table. This data feeds into operational reports, so managers can identify bottlenecks and set realistic retrieval time targets based on actual performance rather than guesswork.

Question 5

What is the average retrieval time?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your operation's lot size and staffing, but ValeKit tracks per-ticket duration from the moment a request is submitted to the moment the vehicle is marked ready. Teams using ValeKit typically target under 3 minutes for standard retrievals, a measurable valet wait time reduction compared to manual radio-based operations. The system records timestamps at each status transition (requested, pulling, ready) so you can measure exactly where time is spent. Location-level statistics aggregate these durations into average, median, and peak retrieval times visible on the admin dashboard. This data helps managers identify whether delays stem from insufficient staffing, lot distance, or specific high-traffic periods that need additional coverage.

The car is ready before the guest reaches the door.

Guest Tracking Link

Real-Time Status Updates

Push Notifications

SMS Notifications

Everything included

On the Roadmap

Common questions

Every arrival captured in seconds

Every vehicle, every zone, every key, accounted for

Every dollar tracked, every transaction receipted

One dashboard for your entire operation

Every arrival. Every departure. Perfected.