TREAMLINED SHIFT MANAGEMENT at ICTS
Challenge: To make the transition from a collection of incompatible scheduling systems (many of them manually based) to a single unified system that would enable rapid and efficient staffing while keeping management posted at all times regarding events out in the field.
Solution: Schedule Master by SRL . The system was initially implemented at ICTS UK, and as a result of its success, it is currently in the process of being implemented in the company’s other subsidiaries throughout Europe.
ICTS Europe is a leading service provider in the aviation-security sector. The company, numbering over
10,000 employees, operates in 66 locations across 07 countries. Each station is staffed by a minimum of 20 employees. Staff members in each station are issued assignments on an ad hoc basis by the station manager. Each assignment involves different demands in terms of personnel, clearance requirements, technical skills and availability. Cost considerations are crucial. A given airline may require security personnel for a particular two-hour period only. ICTS, for its part, assures its staff a minimum assignment of four hours, whether they work the entire interval or not. The time difference
is a loss incurred by ICTS, unless it can schedule staff elsewhere to avoid idle periods. This is one reason an effective scheduling system is needed for a labour-intensive company such as ICTS.
Prior to 2005, the company utilised a host of systems, including pen and paper, PC applications such as electronic spreadsheets, and locally-developed computerised systems.
“None of these proved adequate to the needs of the business,” says Shai Meirav, General Manager of the ICTS Europe UK subsidiary.
Employees experienced difficulties mastering the legacy computer systems. These were field-oriented people, not computer-savvy types. The systems offered too many options, were overly complex and generally proved ineffective.
“In 2003, it became apparent that the growing complexity of the company’s operations warranted investment for planning, monitoring, and reporting labour-related issues,” according to Meirav. “There were also increased financial pressures on the bottom line. In order to remain profitable, we needed improved efficiency in manpower utilisation. There were also pressures from shareholders, in terms of timely reporting and accuracy.”
Based on previous dealings with the company, ICTS turned to SRL Group to help develop and implement a solution.
“SRL Group worked closely with management to identify our business and organisational needs and design a suitable system. During this collaboration process, SRL proved to be very responsive to the needs of the company, the changes it was undergoing, and showed itself adept at identifying the needs of the end-users in the field. SRL then tailored the application to serve them.”
“We’re already seeing the benefits in terms of accessibility of information, and receiving updates almost in real time. That enhances our ability to carry out analysis and improves efficiency,” says Meirav.
“With considerable success, the system became operational in the UK in 2005, and a wider implementation throughout Europe is currently in progress.”