This is the second blog in the series that explores the modules inside of Spieker Point’s DECK web application framework. DECK has two different scheduling modules – one for scheduling manpower and equipment (DECK’s Scheduler for Services), and the second for scheduling manufacturing processes. This blog looks at DECK’s Scheduler for Services.

DECK’s Scheduler for Services is targeted at companies who are running multiple customer jobs at once, typically sending people and equipment out to the job site. The challenge these companies are facing is coordinating the right people and equipment to maximize utilization of the company’s resources, while ensuring optimum servicing of the jobs.

Human Resourses

What does it mean to have the right people on the job? DECK’s Scheduler for Services has an HR component in it. It tracks the qualifications and safety training courses (and their expiration dates) for your employees and sub-contractors. It can tie into your existing HR system to retrieve this information, or it can act as the “source of truth”. It tracks safety certificates like Fall Protection, Confined Space Entry, Petroleum Safety, Defensive Driving, H2S Training – any training program needed to keep workers safe. When the training is about to expire, workers can be scheduled out to take the course.

Qualifications, which don’t expire, can be tracked too. Courses, trade certificates, training — any qualification a person can have. When a job comes in requiring qualifications and safety certificates, you quickly see who is able to work that job.

Utilization of Equipment

The staff in the tool crib are able to visualize what equipment needs to be where and when. How quickly do they need to turn it around from one job to another? What jobs are affected if equipment goes down?  Can other pieces of equipment be substituted to ensure the job runs on time? All leading to the maximum utilization of the equipment and tools.

Visualization from Three Angles

DECK Scheduler for Services has 3 different views to allow you to quickly and conveniently do your scheduling.

  • Job View. See all the jobs now and in the future. See how many people and what equipment is required for each job, and where you need more.
  • Worker View.  See all your staff and contractors. View where they’re double booked – or not booked. Make changes to the jobs they’re working on ensuring best utilization rate.
  • Equipment View. See all of your equipment. Understand where it is needed and when. Schedule regular maintenance and turn-around time between jobs.

Keep Employees Informed

Once you lock down the schedule, individual workers can have their schedule sent to the calendar on their smart phone. Information in the calendar can contain things like: customer, team lead (name & contact info), hotel and travel accommodations with reservation and check-in information, etc.

Ask Yourself:

  • What are the implications of not servicing your customers properly? You’ve grown because your customers trust you. You want to continue to provide that same customer experience as you grow. Using DECK’s Scheduler for Services, no job will fall through the cracks.
  • Are you running your staff too thin and experiencing turnover? Optimizing your employees work time for the benefit of the business, and optimizing home time for their family will increases employee satisfaction.
  • How much time to you spend making sure jobs are being staffed with properly qualified employees? With DECK’s Scheduler for Services, this becomes simple.
  • When should you add staff as your business grows? Looking at all of the work coming up in the future gives you excellent visibility on when to start looking for new staff so they’re onboard when the business needs it.

If you would like to read a Case Study about how we implemented DECK’s Scheduler for Services for one of our customers – click here. Or contact us and ask us for a demo of DECK Scheduling.