A: An algorithm is a procedure (a finite set of well-defined instructions) for accomplishing some task which, given an initial state, will terminate in a defined end-state. Simply stated, by following the steps of an algorithm you are guaranteed to find the solution or answer to a problem, if there is one. Vsched uses a a sophisticated algorithm to pair employees with the necessary coverage at different workplace locations.
A: Yes! Vsched has been designed to build an optimal schedule with optimal shift times..We don't believe you should have to create specific shifts. Our algorithm will run through millions of variables to build you an ideal schedule.
A: “Facility” is just a term we use that can be easily applied to routes, services, positions or posts. Vsched Scheduler will be able to customize those terms for you in the very near future. The short answer is, yes, we can schedule your routes using Vsched.
A: Yes! In this case we'd treat your facility as two or more facilities operating at the same location. Only highly trained or senior employees will be allowed to work at one and rookie employees will be allowed to work at the other. This will guarantee the correct mix of employees.
A: Hosted software is accessed through the Internet using a Web browser. This eliminates the need to install software and software updates. With hosted software you get the most updated software version every time you log on. Traditional, or shrink-wrapped, software is physical in nature (CD, floppy, etc.) and is installed on your local machine. Vsched is a hosted application, meaning you can access our software and your account from any computer with an Internet connection and a Web browser.
A: We have built a sophisticated algorithm, based on a large body of mathematical research over the last thirty years, and validated by some of the finest minds in computer science. We've also built a compelling, intuitive interface with a variety of useful features and reports to give you not just an automated scheduling tool, but a whole suite of tools to help maintain and analyze your employee schedules. We're also constantly improving our customer experience by incorporating valuable feedback directly into our product.
A: Not necessarily, but by giving each employee a username and password you can distribute the work of entering employee availability and preference information. There's no more need for your employees to send you paper schedules and preferences which you must manually manipulate or enter into a spreadsheet ,or similar application, to understand employee availability.
A: We have an import feature from comma-separated-values files (which can be exported from any spreadsheet program). Using this feature you can quickly import hundreds of employees who will automatically be emailed usernames and passwords.
A: This is up to you. You must have at least one administrator to build and maintain the schedule. After that you can create as many other administrator or lower-privileged manager users to help maintain the schedule.
A: As with any online system, we have a password reset feature which will e-mail you a new password.
A: Absolutely! You can quickly view coverage holes where you need to add more employees, analyze your overall schedule with reporting features; and add or delete new shifts quickly and easily.
A: Yes. You can build a one week schedule and repeat it for zero or more weeks.
A: Yes. You can still make use of most of the features we offer, including distributing the work of entering employee preferences and availability, viewing detailed reports, and manually maintaining the schedule.
A: At the moment we support a variety of formats to view schedules in and are constantly improving these views. Currently we don't create a view specifically to be printed, but are looking into adding this functionality.
A: Each employee can view his or her own schedule. Managers can view the schedules of specific employees they manage (administrators can set this grouping). Administrators can view any schedule in the system.
A: Yes. An employee can mark a shift as “posted.” Other employees can then browse the available posted shifts and acquire them. Managers and adminstrators can authorize any shift trade.
A: You are free to create as many schedules as you like. You can create schedules within schedules if you like too.
A: Each employee can be assigned a “rank.” Higher ranking employees are given more preference when building schedules. You can tune how important ranking is, so that the highest ranked employee gets almost all their preferences, or you can spread that out so every employee gets some of their ideal schedule.
A: Vsched will not share your data with any third party ever. We do, however, allow access to certain industry partners, using Vsched communication tools, to those of you who opt-in to receive our newsletter and valuable partner offers. To clarify this policy, we will never distribute names of our opt-in users to any third party. Instead, we will mail whatever promotional offer we believe is appropriate and valuable to our opt-in user community. Each Vsched client has a separate database and data is never shared among clients. We may combine aggregate data to build reports which we may use internally to help improve your service. And, while we may also publish those reports to you and other customers, your personal and private data will never be disclosed
A: This is exactly what Vsched supports. Employees enter preferences and availability for one week while managers enter facility coverage demands for one week. We then combine this information to build a schedule which optimizes coverage and preferences.
A: This is something we're working on and will support very soon.