There are a majority of ways in which customers can request
staff, however the most commonly used way is through telephone
requests. There are two various types of telephone input requests
and these are Simple and Power.
Simple
The simple mode allows quick data entry, and thus the customer
requirements can be met within an instant. For example if an
employee requires staff to speak a certain language then the system
will immediately filter all employees who speak that language. If
particular availability is required the search can then be further
refined. This enables the whole process to be carried out rather
quickly and saves the customer sitting around waiting.
Selecting a shift displays default and most recently used
options; so if a customer is requesting an employee that has
previously worked for them, this is easy to organise and set up.
Multiple or individual dates can be selected as can multiple or
individual shifts. A customer reference, as well as the client
making the request, can be added at this point. Important
information is then automatically generated, such as department
codes, charge and pay rates, and there is also the ability to add
notes.
At this time, the selection is saved and a unique job reference
is generated; the request is then time stamped and the user
entering the request is added.
The shift that has been requested can then be immediately filled
through the use of the pop up availability diary, and if not it
becomes immediately available for another user to process later
on.
Power
The power mode is basically an add-on to the simple method, as
it contains additional features. It contains a lot more employee
information that can be easily linked to the request. There are
actually over 60 additional categories of information, meaning
requirements can be very well met and allowing your agency to be
completely on the ball when fulfilling a customer's needs.
Contract
An individual shift booking or day booking can be repeated, if
for example a customer wants to hire a member of staff for the same
shift every day for a week. These contracts are very easily set up
and enable a start date and end date to be specified, but also the
option for no end date to be added and the contract to continue
until stopped. Contracts can always be further extended past
the original end date, if need be. Details can be added to the
contract via the power entry method, as shown above.
Retrospective
If an employee is self-booking themselves for shifts, the
information will tend to be inputted through a completed time
sheet. This is particularly straightforward and enables new shifts
to be added from the time sheet window in a second if needed.