Managing Shifting Workload Needs in Warehousing with ORTEC AI

The Agility Norm: Mastering Workforce Management in Today's Business Environment

In the modern business landscape, workforce management is a complex jigsaw puzzle where demands fluctuate unpredictably, and the full picture of required labor often doesn't come into focus until the last minute. To stay agile and efficient, businesses must have processes and software in place that can respond rapidly to these changes In this article, we will explore the strategies for mastering workforce challenges through phased scheduling, forecasting accuracy, AI optimization, and crafting a reactive model to ensure operational efficiency and market responsiveness.

An article written by Jeroen Vangrunderbeeck, Industry lead Workforce Scheduling Warehouse Operations.

Date15 Jul 2024

aging Shifting Workload Needs in Warehousing with ORTEC AI | ORTEC

The Structured Approach to Workforce Scheduling

Traditionally, shift scheduling and task allocation follow a phased approach. Initially, the availability of employees is determined weeks or even a month in advance, frequently following a recurring pattern. The next phase involves scheduling tasks one day ahead, based on the actual volumes and the confirmed availability of employees. This system, while structured, often falls short in the face of sudden demand shifts.

The Forecasting Edge in Capacity Management

The key to mastering this challenge lies in accurate forecasting. By anticipating expected volumes and translating them into workload requirements per skill, businesses can achieve better capacity management. This is crucial for handling daily fluctuations effectively. A clear understanding of the expected workload is essential to calculate the right mix of staff needed.

Leveraging ORTEC AI for Proactive Workforce Planning

Once forecasted data is available, the ORTEC AI algorithm comes into play. It can pinpoint task and skill-specific shortages and surpluses without the actual assignment of tasks. This proactive approach significantly enhances capacity management by allowing businesses to prepare for various scenarios ahead of time.

Different Planning Horizons, Different Optimization Strategies

It is important to distinguish between different planning horizons, each of which can be optimized. For the upcoming weeks and months, workforce management should focus on scheduling staff availability based on the required number of shifts. For the immediate future—such as the next day or during operations—the objective shifts to optimizing the actual workload with the available capacity. This includes the ability to react swiftly to increasing or decreasing volumes or to adjust schedules due to unforeseen events like employee absences.

The Advantage of Delayed Task Assignments

The innovative aspect of the ORTEC AI algorithm is its ability to delay task assignments, allowing businesses to prioritize capacity management and skill requirements. This intelligent approach simplifies the complex process of labor allocation, ensuring that businesses are not just reactive but also proactive in their workforce management strategies.

Conclusion: A Leap Forward with ORTEC AI

In conclusion, the ORTEC AI algorithm represents a significant leap forward in labor needs assessment and capacity management. By enabling businesses to adjust their workforce in real-time and with foresight, it empowers them to maintain operational efficiency and meet the ever-changing demands of the market with confidence.

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