System Interfacing – The critical need for interfacing across information systems and processes
Introduction
Effective scheduling and resource optimisation is dependent on accessing the right information at the right time. A lack of information or an inability to exploit it will adversely impact business performance. This applies to all sources and types of information drawn from existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and other systems used to communicate with, deploy, administer, and schedule a workforce and associated resources. In complex industries these dependencies are even more important and underscore the critical need for effective interfacing across multiple systems. Fortunately, leading software solutions such as OneView, can assist in meeting these challenges through both standardised and bespoke interfacing cloud-based solutions, which greatly simplify workforce management and related decision making.
The Need for Shared Information
By the very nature of complex industries and the array of challenges faced, information systems have been developed incrementally to support business processes far beyond traditional ERP and HR systems. Such systems can be as varied as the industries involved, but examples include ship management in the maritime sector, building information management in construction and tracking/ evidencing systems in the security sector, to name but a few.
A common challenge in all complex, resource intensive, and regulated industries is the need to schedule staff and associated resources effectively and efficiently. Advanced solutions, such as OneView, have been developed to help management overcome these challenges by delivering workforce and resource optimisation coupled with full regulatory compliance. Whilst these industry specific management information systems help address key challenges, a frequent theme is also the need to work with common information across multiple systems.
With a multi-skilled, diverse workforce operating in a regulated environment, effective resource scheduling requires up to date information covering demand requirements, resource availability and personnel deployments. The complete range of resourcing options need to be properly evaluated along with full cost implications in order to deliver an optimised workforce solution. Once agreed, the schedule needs not only to be communicated to those involved, but must also cover deployment, travel, and other logistical issues before updating payroll and wider HR records. Each of these activities are likely to involve interaction with different systems beyond the core scheduling and optimisation suite.
Optimal scheduling of staff and resources is a challenge in all complex, resource intensive industries.
