AI job booking vs manual dispatch.
Both have a place. This page breaks down when AI booking makes sense, when manual dispatch is better, and how most teams use them together.
It's not automation versus humans.
Good dispatchers know things software doesn't. They know which tech works fastest in which neighborhood. They know when a "simple drain cleaning" is actually a main line problem. That judgment isn't going anywhere.
AI job booking handles the predictable stuff: standard services, clear requests, routine scheduling. Your team stays focused on the calls that actually need them.
How they compare
| Capability | AI Job Booking (Casey) | Manual Dispatch |
|---|---|---|
| Response time | Immediate | Depends who's available |
| Consistency | Same every time | Depends on the dispatcher |
| Handling volume spikes | No problem | Need more staff |
| Weird or complex jobs | Hands off to humans | Handled directly |
| Scheduling judgment calls | Follows your rules | Uses experience |
| Nights and weekends | Always on | On-call or nothing |
| Cost | Predictable | Scales with headcount |
| Flexibility | Within your rules | Can do anything |
When manual dispatch is the right choice
- Jobs that need scoping conversations before booking
- Custom pricing or negotiated quotes
- Schedules that shift daily based on crew availability
- First-time requests you haven't standardized yet
- Situations where experience and gut calls matter
Where AI job booking adds the most value
- High call volume with not enough staff to keep up
- Standard services like drain cleaning, HVAC tune-ups, or inspections
- Leads that come in overnight and wait until morning
- Getting customers scheduled on the first contact
- Freeing up dispatchers for higher-value work
Most teams use both
AI handles the first response: answering quickly, asking the right questions, and booking standard jobs. Your dispatchers step in for anything that needs a real conversation or a judgment call.
You get faster response times without giving up control over the jobs that matter.
Example: AI + manual dispatch together
Lead comes in at 9pm
Customer texts asking about a clogged drain
Casey asks the right questions
Location, access, severity, preferred times
Standard job? Book it
Routine drain cleaning gets scheduled automatically
Complicated? Flag it
Main line issues go to your team for morning review
Dispatcher confirms
Your team reviews and adjusts as needed
Which approach is right for you?
AI Job Booking is a good fit if:
- You run the same services repeatedly
- You get more leads than your team can call back quickly
- You lose jobs because no one answers after 5pm
- Your dispatchers spend too much time on routine calls
Manual dispatch is better if:
- Every job requires a custom quote
- Your schedule changes hour to hour
- You only get a handful of leads per week
- Booking decisions require local knowledge or relationships
"Our dispatchers were drowning in routine drain cleaning calls. Now Casey books those automatically and our team focuses on the bigger jobs that need real scheduling judgment. We went from 45 minutes average response to same-day booking for standard services."
Common questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about AI job booking and manual dispatch.
No. AI job booking handles routine scheduling so dispatchers can focus on jobs that need human judgment. Complex requests, custom pricing, and unusual situations still go to your team.
Want to see how this works for your team?
Learn how Casey handles routine scheduling so your dispatchers can focus on the jobs that need them.