Employee scheduling software helps medium- and large-sized enterprises with complex scheduling needs effectively manage workplace attendance. It is an invaluable tool that saves a great deal of time and resources that would otherwise be spent manually scheduling shifts for dozens of employees.
Features and Advantages of Planning and Scheduling Software
Scheduler software is usually designed to run off a single host computer, or to operate as a Web-based program that uses a terminal server connected to the Internet. Either way, some of the features you’ll find in a comprehensive business scheduling software product include:
- The ability to define shift lengths as needed. Whether you need to overlap or stagger shifts, or if you have unusual shift lengths, you’ll have the ability to exercise custom control.
- Define employee ranks and classifications to ensure that all necessary personnel are scheduled to be on-site at any given time.
- Codify departments, skills, assignments, refusals and employee leave.
- Alerts that disallow double-booking of employees or managers.
- The ability to multi-shift employees, or split their shifts across disparate hours.
- Eliminate unnecessary overtime.
- Instantly find available employees to cover someone if a worker calls in sick. You can also use advanced features to automatically track employee availability.
- Track mutual shift exchanges (i.e., shift trades).
- Automatically monitor staffing levels to ensure that you are never understaffed or overstaffed.
- Automate payroll reports, eliminating the need for cumbersome time cards. Some programs also share features with time clock software to make payroll more efficient.
A schedule software calendar ensures that there is always enough personnel on site. It is particularly helpful in hospitality settings, such as hotels and restaurants, and is also of high value in industrial and manufacturing settings where production continues on a 24-hour basis.
Popular Employee Scheduling Software Programs
The best-reviewed products currently on the market include WhenToWork, Time Tracker, Schedule It, TimeCurve Scheduler, ClockIt, Employee Scheduling Assistant, Schedule24, AceShiftOne, ResSched and Employee Scheduling Partner.
Keep in mind that pricing generally depends on the extent of the features offered. An inexpensive program will probably suit businesses with moderate scheduling needs just fine, but if you run a complex and large-scale operation, investing in a more expensive product with a more complete set of features will be well worth the extra money.