At Smart Data Collective, we often emphasize the biggest trends in the field of big data. We have talked extensively about the application of big data in everything from large-scale marketing to criminal justice reform. However, the benefits of big data can also be extended to simpler, everyday tasks, such as scheduling.
Big Data Offers New Scheduling Solutions
Rostering staff can be a genuine time waster in many ways, but chief among them is simply the unproductive hours associated with rework. As a manager, you have been there before. You have worked on the sixth version of a roster that should take ten minutes. With competing priorities and staff preferences, it’s a challenge a lot of managers needlessly try to manage manually.
A number of companies are starting to use AI to improve scheduling. Deputy was one of the biggest companies to do so last year.
The good news is that artificial intelligence and other big data technology are solving these tedious problems. Rostering software is available to operations of all varieties, and should be on top of every manager’s wishlist in 2019. If you aren’t sold on the solution yet, then here is why rostering software is a valuable asset in 2019.
Automation
The year 2019 is all about making smarter business decisions and finding new ways to make working more efficient. Rostering software is one of the quickest and easiest ways to achieve this. The best scheduling software on the market offers simple solutions that create ways of automating what has traditionally been manual tasks. None of this would be possible without new data technology.
Instead of asking preferences every single week, fortnight or month, staff can input their own preferences. It shouldn’t be more complicated than that. By accessing these types of data points and more, the software can recommend the best skill mix and available staff for any given roster. Not only does this reduce the amount of wasted rework, it means staff can no longer claim to have told you they couldn’t work that day.
Accountability
Big data offers other benefits with rostering software. Rostering software is not only a great way to improve efficiency, but also accountability. The better software solutions on the market allow managers to better audit their staff behaviors. By implementing a rostering software system, you allow your staff to clock in and out using their own device. Not only does this create a new level of accountability, but it allows managers to track staff honesty.
Machine learning has made geo-targeting possible, which is now available in rostering tools as well. Geo-targeting capabilities mean managers can audit when and where their staff clock-in and out. For example, if a staff member were to choose to wait to clock-out until they got home, you will clearly be able to identify this. In 2019, ensuring your business is avoiding unnecessary overpayments can help improve performance and accountability.
Communication
Rostering software isn’t only a tool for keeping an eye on employees or making your life easier, it can help improve the culture as well. Depending on the software solution, it’s a central, easy and quick way to disseminate important communications. Staff are already using the big data platform on a daily basis, so it makes sense to use the platform for important employee communication. For example, sending safety alerts or notifying staff of any upcoming critical jobs. By sending these communications directly to your employee’s device via the rostering software, you open the lines of communication and make it easier for your staff to consume. It can also aid in opening the lines of communication the other way, by letting staff ask questions or interact with each other.
Integration
Rostering software can be critical behind the scenes as well. One of the more frustrating elements of rostering is ensuring an accurate record for payroll purposes. With the right AI software solution that is a problem of the past. Integrating your rostering software into your payroll system means the data is automatically uploaded and updated. This can be a critical win for both the business and your employees. Real-time data-driven updates between the two systems mean employees will be paid correctly and in a timely manner.
Big Data and AI Lead to Powerful New Scheduling Technology
Rostering software has been made available due to advances in big data. It is a crucial asset to any business, so why not enhance and tighten your day to day operations? Whether you are looking to improve front or back end processes, the right scheduling software tool can save you both time and money in 2019.
