Frequently Asked Questions

Product FAQStaff Scheduling for Team Leaders and Line Supervisors

FAQ covers common support and usage questions related to Schedule24. Questions of a more technical nature are covered by support.

What is Schedule24?

A software application designed for Windows networks and operating systems. It is primarily aimed at Business Managers who need to deploy staff in the workplace for extended or 24 hour working. It runs on existing office computers and does not require any specialist IT support.

What does Schedule24 do?

It provides all the functions needed to create and publish comprehensive staff schedules. It has additional features to support workplace management including staff record management, assignment scheduling and absence tracking. It also offers Automated Conflict Monitoring (ACM) control to flag issues and problems - a feature normally found on more expensive corporate systems. In addition to standard printing options it is capable of publishing staff schedules via email and to the web.

Why would I use Schedule24?

The role of Team Leader or Line Manager is becoming increasingly more important. This is largely due to a growing awareness by business owners that staff costs consume around 80% of overall business costs; and the realization early intervention is needed to drive out unnecessary costs from the business. A poorly coordinated workforce can generate up to 60% waste before the business suspects there is a problem. Schedule24 enable Team Leaders and Line Managers to coordinate, communicate and control cost effective deployment strategies in the workplace quicker than anyone else.

How easy is Schedule24 to use?

There are two answers to this question. Schedule24 offers a similar shallow learning curve and has the same look and feel of Microsoft® Office software. Users will be familiar and know how to use and navigate around the main features available to them. How easy is staff scheduling as a management skill is another question and depends entirely on the knowledge and experience of the manager. Schedule24 incorporates features that will prevent a new starter avoid common mistakes; and a competent Schedule24 user (about 8 hours keyboard time) is unlikely to be ever surpassed by any experienced manager adopting manual methods.

Can I Email Staff Schedules to people in my team?

Yes. Schedule24 offers an Email Wizard that enables you to set parameters for setting the duration and content of staff scheduling information. Features extend to iCal formats (Google and Outlook) and attaching documents. You need to be connected to the internet to use this facility.

Can I publish Web schedules to the corporate intranet, or my web site?

Yes. Schedule24 offers a Web Wizard that enables you to set parameters for setting the duration and content of the web schedule. Features extend to mapping the standard printing format to web pages to ensure consistent presentation styles. You do not need to be connected to the internet when creating web pages or publishing to a network location, but a connection is required if publishing to a remote web site.

Can staff view my schedules without Schedule24?

Yes. Fully hyper linked staff schedules can be customized and published to the Web using the Schedule24 Web wizard. Staff schedules can then be accessed for viewing by anyone in the organization having access and permission rights.

Does Using Schedule24 actual save me money?

The costs associated with staff scheduling are difficult to define, although the amount of time spent on the scheduling task is easier to measure. A person manually scheduling around 35 staff for a year will cost the business at least $15,000 (these costs increase with more complex scheduling). More difficult to define are costs associated with the consequence of poorly constructed staff schedules (such as workforce stress) or misunderstood schedules. Controlling overtime costs, and less obvious benefits with a coordinated vacation schedule improve efficiency that will generate cost benefits. It is better to talk about maximizing cost benefit (increasing production with the same resources) than actual cash saving that can be entered on the balance sheet.

Does Using Schedule24 actually save me time?

Probably and in three main areas. You will be able to typically scale your scheduling from a few days or a week to cover several months or more at one sitting. The biggest time saver will be analysis and error checking staff schedules, especially where compliance is a requirement (working hour and rest period constraints) - this typically accounts for up to 40% of time. The third area is time taken to format and publish staff schedules throughout the organization, this of course increases in light of correcting errors which can be expensive after publishing.

What kind of businesses use Schedule24?

Schedule24 has been designed to solve the generic staff scheduling problem. Consequently our representative customer base is horizontal spanning retail, healthcare, law enforcement, transport, manufacturing and utility companies. The profile of a typical user points to someone who has some management responsibility or supervisory role and accountable for the day to day operation of the business - in some cases this may include profit and loss accountability. The average team size is around 15 to 20 staff, and while it can be smaller 7 staff teams is the lowest we have come across. The largest team size we have encountered has been 200 for a 24/7 manufacturing company. In almost all cases 24/7 shift work or extended hours was involved and senior management drive for efficiency was a factor.

What business management model does Schedule24 support?

A well defined business unit capable of operating independently allied to a management structure with clear reporting lines is the ideal workplace model to deploy Schedule24. Where there is a less obvious structure and reporting lines are unclear or weak Schedule24 benefits may not be as obvious. It is unlikely Schedule24 would benefit an organization where the business drivers are not understood or unclear.

Does Schedule24 automate the scheduling process?

Up to a point. Defining automation in the context of staff scheduling is notoriously difficult. We offer a shift pattern wizard that will deliver a solution to suit most common 24/7 deployment requirements. Where there is no defined pattern of working, or any rule base available, automation is simply not possible. A competent Schedule24 user can deliver a 12 month schedule for around 35 staff in around 45 minutes; and depending on staff changes spend up to 2 hours a week maintaining it. Where the business rules are capable of being well-defined higher levels of automation are possible and in that case Schedule24 Resource Manager would be the product of choice.

Can I keep track of staff costs with Schedule24?

This feature is outside the scope of Schedule24. It is available in Schedule24 Resource Manager and Schedule24 Duty Management Toolkit - a specialist application for law enforcement agencies.

What kind of business reports do I get with Schedule24?

A standard set of reports are shipped with the product. These include the following categories: Operations; Research; Schedule Formats; Staff Contacts. Additional business reports are available for download. Customized business reports are available for a fee where specified.

Is there a difference between shift patterns and staff schedules?

Yes they are two totally different concepts. Confusion often arises because they are used interchangeably in general discussion when it perhaps doesn't really matter. When it does matter the main difference between a shift pattern and a staff schedule is a staff schedule is allied to calendar dates and named staff. A shift pattern is independent of calendar dates and named staff. A shift pattern contains the sequencing rules to create a staff schedule which is used in the workplace to provide information about when to work - and more importantly when not to work - on a particular date.

Can I evaluate Schedule24 without any obligation?

Yes Shedule24 can be evaluated for 30 days after which time you will need to purchase a licence key to continue working.

What do you really mean by "Lifetime" support for Schedule24?

We mean what we say. When you purchase a Schedule24 licence it is yours to own with no recurring annual fees (but not to do with what you like, for example, reverse engineer and other legal stuff). As long as you have purchased a legitimate copy of the software and you contact us with a problem we will help you resolve it.

Can I install Schedule24 on a networked server?

Schedule24 can be installed on a server over a Citrix network or Terminal Services. This requires a concurrent licence which enables multiple users to access Schedule24 from any computer on the network up to the number of concurrent users licensed.

How much does Schedule24 cost and is there discounts?

You can check out pricing on our web site. Please check with us about volume discounts.

Do you have discounts for Government and non-profit making organizations?

You will need to check with us. There are discounts for Government and other non-profit making organizations. If you are a registered charity there are also discounts.

Where and how do I purchase Schedule24?

You can purchase Schedule24 direct from us. You will find details on our purchase page.

If I want a refund after purchase how do I go about that?

We operate a no quibble 30 day guarantee for purchases on our web site. If for any reason you have activated the software and you go over 30 days please contact us for a refund. This usually involves a simple step of providing us with a removal code and then we will make a refund. If you are unable to supply your removal key then you will need to contact us.