With Serviceware Resources 8.4, we are introducing a completely updated, future-proof scheduling module with many new features. One of the biggest improvements is scheduling based on predefined ‘required shifts’. Being able to create a draft schedule without this being immediately visible to all employees is also a major enhancement. In addition, it is now possible to link a location to a shift with which the workplace can already be defined in the scheduled shifts.

In support of the new scheduling module, a completely new section has also been developed in which it can be defined how many employees with a certain function are needed on a certain date, at a certain location, and between what times. These ‘required shifts’, together with a new place to manage the standard shift templates, make up the new ‘Shifts’ module.

Furthermore, additional masterdata sections have been added to support the new scheduling functionalities, and the mobile apps, a number of widgets, and the employee pickers on all of the planning boards have been updated to match the new scheduling possibilities. All of the new modules can be found in the newest section of the application called ‘Code Blue’.

Next to scheduling, improvements were made around the management and planning of sessions (using the PSE). All changes were made in response to direct feedback from our customers. If you use the order and/or appointment widget in your organization, please read §2.3.1 carefully, as it affects the displayed appointment suggestions in the widget.

Finally, a nice number of new features is available in the latest versions of our Android and iPhone apps. Among others, a possibility has been added with which orders can be enriched from within the mobile app, especially for walk-in scenarios. In addition, some improvements have been made for barcode scanning in dynamic forms.