Workforce Automation Boosts Retention, Customer Service – and Lowers Costs
Managing labor in today’s fast-moving supply chain is harder than ever. Businesses must balance labor costs, employee satisfaction and customer service. And traditional labor demand planning falls short in a world of shifting consumer behavior and perpetual disruption.
Luckily, AI has arrived to help. New workforce automation platforms save time and improve how your organization works.
The right platforms connect easily with major warehouse management systems (WMS) and fit into your current setup. Whether you’re managing one site, several or a nationwide network, this system gives you the tools to plan smarter and react faster.
Pairing labor demand planning with labor-on-demand offers scalability and sustainability while managing risk. All key factors in maintaining or increasing profitability.
Smarter Labor Planning Yields Real Results
What makes this labor planning system different is how it uses artificial intelligence to solve real problems. Instead of relying on spreadsheets or guesswork, the system analyzes data and creates accurate staffing plans. That means the right people are in the right place at the right time. Your organization reduces the extra cost of overstaffing or the risk of falling short during busy times.
With this labor demand planning system, companies can:
- Reduce manual planning: The AI takes care of forecasting and scheduling across locations, cutting down on human error and wasted time.
- Boost productivity: Businesses using this software report increased productivity of 5% to 20% thanks to better staffing and performance tracking.
- Improve forecasting and shift planning: The system sees patterns and predicts future labor needs. This creates smarter schedules, which result in fewer last-minute staffing emergencies, reducing costs.
- Get more from your workforce: Managers can plan for events and changing workloads more effectively, boosting employee retention and resource use.
This software is flexible, scalable and ready to grow with your business. It adapts to changes, large or small, while staying easy to use for operations teams and floor managers alike.
What Is Workforce Automation?
Think of workforce automation like a smart assistant for managers. The software doesn’t remove human resources from the equation. Instead, it helps the people in charge of managing them make better decisions, faster.
Imagine a warehouse operations manager juggling staffing across multiple shifts, locations and peak periods. Historically, they spend hours creating rosters, guessing at demand or calling in extra staff at the last minute. Workforce automation tools take that manual effort off their plate. The automated systems forecast demand, suggest optimal staffing levels and build balanced schedules automatically.
Human managers remain in control. But automated processes replace repetitive tasks. The system allows these employees to focus more, using better tools and data. Your managers can manage shifts and track performance all in one system.
A Success Story in Grocery Retail
One national grocery chain saw major improvements after switching to our partner’s AI-powered labor planning system. They were struggling with high labor costs, poor scheduling and rising turnover. Within weeks, the new system made a noticeable difference.
- Lower labor costs: The software’s accurate forecasts allowed them to match staffing with real demand. This cut down on both overstaffing and understaffing, reducing payroll expenses.
- Better operations: With real-time data, managers could respond quickly to workflow issues. They made smarter decisions on the spot, which kept things running smoothly and eliminated bottlenecks.
- Happier employees: The system considered employee preferences and strengths when building schedules. That led to better work-life balance, fairer workloads and more satisfied team members. Follow-up surveys showed that staff felt more valued and appreciated.
- Improved service: Customers noticed, too. Service levels went up, and customer feedback improved. The ability to plan ahead and adjust quickly meant the company could meet demand without sacrificing quality.
Labor-on-Demand Services Extend the Power of Planning
Once a company adopts an AI-driven labor demand planning solution, they need to transform insights into action.
They need to fill their “on-demand zone.” That zone is the difference between your fixed workforce and adjustable, scalable staffing for emergencies, promotions or other disruptions.
Most companies struggle to see where that zone starts and ends. But companies that implement labor demand planning software clearly see their zone.
For those companies, Tompkins Ventures offers another edge. Because our partners offer a powerful labor-on-demand services platform that complements your core workforce.
This platform allows businesses to maintain a stable full-time workforce while flexibly scaling up with qualified, vetted professionals during periods of peak demand. Finally, companies can sufficiently predict labor costs, offer consistent service quality and fully comply with labor standards.
The technology acts as a smart matchmaking engine, matching real-time needs with the right workers, at the right time. Features include:
- AI-powered matching: Artificial intelligence helps select the best-fit employees for each task or shift.
- App-based flexibility: The mobile interface makes it easy to request or fill shifts instantly.
- Smart onboarding: Integrated background checks and custom onboarding workflows ensure workers meet your organization’s standards.
Whatever your labor demand planning needs, our partner’s labor-on-demand technology can help. No longer will seasonal demand spikes, new product launches or unexpected disruptions destroy productivity and profitability.
Companies can fill their on-demand zone with ease.
Let’s Talk About Your Workforce Planning
Organizations that plan and manage labor well work better than those that don’t. And Tompkins Ventures can help you get there.
Our top-tier software partners deliver labor planning and performance tools that drive real results. Whether you’re managing a single site or scaling across your network, we’ll help you find the right solution, the right insights and the right workers.
Ready to take the next step?
Reach out to Tompkins Ventures today to learn how AI-powered labor demand planning and labor-on-demand services can transform your operations. Your managers, employees and bottom line will thank you.
Related Reading
- Finding Your Labor-on-Demand Zone Is Critical
- New Independent Contractor Rules: What You Need to Know
- Scalable, Flexible Labor Solutions That Work
Tompkins Ventures matches your enterprise’s challenges with our network of 1000s of Commercial Partners, Capital Partners and Consulting Partners. Our toolbox is unlimited, as every Tompkins Ventures Partner has decades of experience helping companies address the five major factors for business success: Leadership, Capital, Technology, Supply Chain/Facilities and Procurement. In today’s business environment of continual disruption, even the best companies do not do everything great. Your core competency is your business. Our core competency is selecting the right Partner(s) to work with your executive teams to make good companies great. Business strategy and supply chain expert Dr. James A. Tompkins founded Tompkins Ventures in 2020. Our network is based in the U.S. but operates on all continents except Antarctica.
“I agree with your points, very insightful!”