Software developer Wheatley Associates has launched Assign, its next-generation mobile and field workforce scheduling and productivity software solution.

It replaces Wheatley Associates’ previous generation GRASP software suite.

Assign provides a browser-based appointment booking, work scheduling, operative tracking and mobile communications solution for managing any size field workforce in real-time.

It is applicable to a broad range of markets from the public sector and housing associations through to the utilities, facilities management, engineering services, capital equipment, construction and logistics industries.

Customer service operatives can book jobs directly on to the scheduler with visual prompts of optimal appointment options.

Additionally, Assign can be interfaced to existing call centre systems and most back-office applications. 

Once jobs are booked, Assign’s scheduling algorithm allocates work to maximise the efficiency and productivity of the workforce, using its detailed knowledge of all the available operatives, pre-planned work and existing customer service commitments. 

Work schedules are dispatched directly to operatives’ PDAs either one job at a time or as a sequenced list. 

Operatives use the PDAs to capture data about the job, recording data inputs such as access information, parts used, additional requirements and completion authorisation, thereby reducing errors and minimising back-office overheads. 

By constantly monitoring feedback as jobs progress, Assign can dynamically re-schedule work and re-output jobs to an operative as needed. 

Assign’s integrated mapping display, visualised on any popular web-based map, tracks the location of each operative in relation to the route that has been planned. 

It also features an optional profit and loss reporting module enabling profitability analysis to be undertaken by customer, invoice, month or job.