PeopleScheduler approaches the staff scheduling problem by translating it into a mathematical model and then using optimization technology to solve it. The PeopleScheduler’s fast optimization engine is capable of generating the computerized schedule within a few minutes for the planner. The complexity of the optimization is handled internally by PeopleScheduler and is totally hidden from the planner. PeopleScheduler provides a very user-friendly, graphical front-end interface for the planner to interact with the system.

Schedule Module: This is the main module where the schedule is being planned and generated. It has an interactive Gantt Chart for working with the schedule. The scheduling constraints and rules for the store are also defined in this module.

Reports Module: This module allows the generation of several reports such as Labor Cost, Crew Assignment, Coverage Chart, Weekly Exception and Unassigned staff.

Administration Module: This module defines the data needed for the scheduling such as staff availability, staffing demand for the station, operations hours, Floor Positioning (Manning) Guide. The Store and Staff details can be edited/created in this module.

Data Wizard Module: This module enables the import of data into PeopleScheduler from other systems (payroll, HR, legacy system, etc) via simple flat file interface.
Benefits of PeopleScheduler

» Generate optimal workforce schedule that deploys employees efficiently to meet service quality level and cost constraint.
» Reduce labor cost by minimizing excess labor.
» Fast scheduling to save you planning time.
» Use it as tactical tool to conduct “what-if” analysis. Highlight staff training/hiring needs.
» Cost-effective web-based IT deployment.

The Interactive Scheduling Process
The main part of scheduling process occurs in this PeopleScheduler interactive Gantt Chart interface. In this GUI, the staffs are listed on the left panel while the schedule is represented in the Gantt Chart to the right. Each colored block with a label represent an activity for the staff whose name appear on the left panel.

There is a time scale at the top of the Gantt Chart to indicate the start and end time of each activity. The zoom in/out feature enables the time scale to be changed easily.

These constraints can be customized at store level and be applicable under specified conditions (based on gender, age or day type). After the policies are configured, the user will then invoke the scheduling engine to create the schedule.

Manipulating the schedule
The Gantt Chart allows the user to make changes to the generated schedule such as extending the duration, inserting new activity, changing the station, deletion of activity, freezing activity. Drag and Drop feature is also available for quicker and more intuitive manipulation of the activity. After these changes are made, the user can still invoke the scheduling engine to re-generate the schedule based on those changes. This re-scheduling ability offers great flexibility in schedule
planning.

Technical Architecture
PeopleScheduler has a web-based, multi-tier architecture to support quick and flexible deployment. It is built on Java technology (JDBC, Servlet) and uses leading optimization components in the scheduling engine. The supported platforms, databases, third party software are as follows: