Call Center Scheduling Featured Article
Scheduling Software Helps Improve Supply Chain Processes
Until recently, the use of workforce scheduling software was limited to call centers and some professional networks, but the scenario is changing now. Today, scheduling software is gaining popularity in other areas of businesses.
For example, appointment scheduling software solutions, like those from Appointment-Plus, are helping the manufacturing segment improve productivity.
With industry seeing signs of recovery in 2013, automated shipping scheduling software can play a crucial role in improving efficiency in supply chain, says Appointment-Plus.
The Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation forecasts that industrial production will increase 2.2 percent in 2013, an increase from the 2 percent reported in its 2012 forecast. Further growth rate is expected to increase to 3.6 percent in 2014.
The increased production will result in more activity at docks and bay doors. Automated shipping scheduling software can help companies manage inbound shipment.
The scheduling software eliminates the need for a dispatcher or dock staff to schedule a delivery time over the phone or fax. Instead, it can be carried out by a carrier from any Internet connected device such as laptop, smartphone or tablet.
Automatic scheduling helps companies save detention fees by 75 percent, says Jerry Crawley, supply chain specialist at ThyssenKrupp. This is achieved through accurate record keeping of arrival and departure times. This automated system can also reduce or eliminate overtime salary expenses by scheduling dock staff hours around specific booked deliveries.
Another special feature of the software is that it can automatically send e-mail and text message reminders prior to scheduled delivery times. This reduces late or missed deliveries. The cloud-based scheduling software is accessible from any Internet-connected device, giving instant access to delivery schedules and carrier information from any location.
Finally, the shipping scheduling software also comes with advanced reporting capabilities. It can maintain the delivery data within the system and can run and create reports. Some online scheduling systems also provide analytics functionality, which creates easy-to-read summaries of delivery details.
Edited by Ashley Caputo