Saving hours of managers' time
Optimizing work hours, scheduling errors, tracking time-off requests, communicating schedules, and employee accountability are common challenges facing retail store managers. “Preparing and managing schedules with our old system was a nightmare. The manager's desk was cluttered with unanswered scheduling requests with no easy way to respond. We were all tired of it,” said Riva. “We wanted a system that would facilitate quick and complete communications, was simple to use, and could eliminate scheduling conflicts. We have that and more with the Epicor Scheduling+ solution.”
“With our old system we had upwards of four people involved with scheduling and there was a lot of copying, pasting, and chasing around. Two managers now handle the task. For every hour we used to spend, we now spend thirty minutes-half the time. We're saving at least two to three hours a week with Epicor Scheduling+ software,” said Riva. “With easy access to the cloud-based system, our employees enter schedule requests directly into the system. Managers now create schedules two, three, or four weeks in advance, which all but eliminates last-minute coverage issues. The time savings is a notable improvement, allowing more time for customer-focused activities.”
Assigning tasks increases productivity
Epicor Scheduling+ software includes task management built right into each employee's daily work schedule. It's as simple as setting up assigned tasks, which employees are notified of when viewing their schedule or clocking in and out. “We're beginning to set up tasks such as cycle counting at 10 a.m. each morning or assigning the twice-weekly True Value deliveries as a repeat task that can be handled by a person scheduled at that time,” said Riva. “Just like we're solving the scheduling accountability problem, the task feature helps us to monitor task status, alert employees on what still needs to be done, and holds shifts accountable for completion. We think it will reduce labor costs because we can be more efficient during scheduled shifts.”
Gains throughout the operation
“We already see a number of benefits from Epicor Scheduling+ software. We can easily have 600 transactions per day in our busy store and there isn't a lot of downtime. The Hot and Cold Floor Report provides very useful real-time information to ensure we are properly staffed. We can also use the link to our Epicor Eagle software point of sale (POS) data to create other reports and schedule forecasts. Another benefit of the cloud-based Epicor Scheduling+ solution is how our payroll staff can use the detail in the software to reconcile open payroll questions like someone failing to punch out,” said Riva. “Suffice it to say, the time savings, fast communications, reduced errors, checks and balances, and accountability is a long list of benefits. When other retail business owners ask me about Epicor Scheduling+ software, I tell them to do it, don't hesitate. It's going to save them a lot of time, aggravation, and it will make scheduling and employee management a lot easier.”