BE1025723B1 - A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, SOFTWARE AND METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

An automated and network based work planning system, method and software where the system contains a server and kiosks for use by planners and Users of an organization. The system can allow users to view work schedules, including assigned work services. Users can bid on assigned services to others so that they can be relieved of their services. Shifts offered are only available to other qualified users within the organization. Employers can allow and track changes and ensure that only qualified users are allowed to take an available service.

Description

BE2017 / 0161

A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, SOFTWARE AND METHOD

Technical field

The present invention relates to the management of work schedules, and more particularly to methods and devices for managing and assigning work management.

State of Technology:

Most industries required their staff to agree to work according to specified hours. A group of required working hours on one day is often referred to as a shift work. To produce products or provide services for most of every day, often enough employees are deployed to fill shifts all day long according to their specific abilities.

Employees, on the other hand, often need flexibility in drawing up their work schedules and their personal lives. As such, it is not uncommon for employees to wish to re-arrange their work schedules. This is often done by taking vacation or personal leave. Informally, many organizations also enable employees to exchange their responsibilities with others, which means that employees can be offered tailor-made weeks.

Resume

The object of the present invention is to provide a computerized work management system that enables the user to trade services.

Advantageously employees can make their shift available to all other qualified users within an organization. Users have the option of following shift work and ensuring that only qualified employees can take on an available shift.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method of facilitating work distribution among users within an organization. The method involves presenting a work schedule to a first of the employees, including indicators of work shifts assigned to that employee; receiving input from that employee, an indicator of the desire to make a certain of his / her work teams available to other employees within the

BE2017 / 0161 organization; presenting indicators for the availability of this work shift to other employees within the organization who have sufficient skills to replace the first employee; and receive an offer from one of the other employees to take on this service.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a computer readable medium is provided that stores computer software for a work management system which, when loaded at a computer server in communication with a data network, adjusts the server to offer a work schedule to a first employee , including indicators of work services assigned to the first employee; receive input from the first employee, an indication of the wish to make a certain of his / her work shifts available to other employees within the organization; current indicators of employee availability for one of the work shifts to other users within the organization who have sufficient ability to exchange for the first employee; receive an offer from at least one of the other employees to take on this service.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a work management system is provided which is located in the buildings of an organization. The system comprises a computer data network; a computer server in communication with the data network; a number of kiosks in communication with the data network. The server hosts a database of work schedules for employees. The kiosks are connected to the server. The server can be used to enable an employee to place trading services from one of the kiosks and receive bids from other employees to accept shifted services through the kiosks.

Other aspects and features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following description of specific description of the invention

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Detailed description

As used herein, the terms "employed" and "employee" are intended to extend to contractors and others hired on behalf of an organization or other person. The employer condition is intended in the same way to extend to a person or organization that hires employees

The system can be installed, for example, in a production facility, in an office, in a store, or the like. The system maintains employee work schedules and allows users to check their schedules and possibly change them. Employers supervisors / management can use the system to check work schedules for employees and collect information used in work planning, payroll and other matters. Optionally, the system can be used by employees and supervisors / management to exchange electronic messages associated with the workplace. Advantageously, the system can allow users to work with shifts

An example of the system includes a computer network in communication with user kiosks and a computer server, as an example of an embodiment of the present invention. Network is preferably a private room where data network is linked to a server. This network can for example be an internet protocol, X.25, IPX-compatible or comparable network. The kiosks are adapted to communicate with a server that is an example of the present invention. Optionally, the network can communicate with the public internet. If so, any conventional computer device that is in communication with the internet may be able to communicate with the network server in ways that exemplify the present invention.

The network server preferably comprises a network interface that physically connects the network server to the data networks and a processor coupled to conventional computer memory. For example, the network server may further include input and output peripherals such as a keyboard, display, and mouse. Similarly, the network server may include a peripheral device useful for loading software that is an example of the present invention into its memory for execution from a software-readable medium, such as the medium.

As such, the network server is a conventional file system, preferably controlled and managed by the operating system on general operation of the database server. This file system preference houses the employee database Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) files; and software language, an embodiment of the present invention, as described below. The

BE2017 / 0161 network server provides information contained in this the employee database to request the computer devices.

As will be appreciated, software components embodying such functional blocks can be loaded from the medium and stored in persistent memory on the server. As illustrated, software components are preferably an operating system software; a database engine; an http server application; and integration software, exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, a database is again illustrated. Both data files 28 used by integration software and http server application are illustrated.

Operating system software can be, for example, a Linux operating system software; Microsoft NT active system software or the like. The operating system preferably comprises a TCP / IP stack, whereby the communication of the network server can be connected to the data network. The database engine can be a conventional relational or object-oriented database engine, such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, DB2, Sybase, Pervasive or any other database engine known to those skilled in the art. Database engine thus typically comprises an interface for interaction with operating system software, and other application software, such as an integration software component. In the end, the database engine is used to add, remove and change records in a database. Http pages that are part of these home pages can be implemented using any of the conventional webpage languages such as hypertext mark-up language (HTML), Java, javascript or the like. These pages can be stored in the files. The integration software can act as an interface between database engine and HTTP server applications can process requests made by interconnected computer devices. In this way, integration software can query and update database requests in response to requests received through the network, in response to interaction with web pages presented. Similarly, integration software can process the results of user input and database queries and present results to a database, or to employees via http pages. Http pages that give computers in communication with the system and usually users at the kiosk and with access to and information about work schedules, employment information, announcements and the like. Information can be saved as HTML or similar, the files can be used to make selections and provide information by clicking on icons and hyperlinks and by entering data in information fields of the pages presented at the kiosk. As such are http pages

BE2017 / 0161 usually designed and programmed by or on behalf of the employer. Conveniently, the https pages can be varied as required by the employer.

The network server further preferably stores and executes an electronic mail server or similar application (not illustrated), which is accessible through an HTML interface provided by http server application. For example, a compatible protocol for a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) server application can be stored and executed on the server. Alternatively, integration software may include a message component that allows employees to exchange electronic e-mail messages. Thus equipped, the network server can provide additional e-mail accounts for employees and users of the server. Suitable files that store messages that are sent, received, deleted, and archived can be created on the file system of the server. It will become apparent that this server-side email application can be suitably integrated into the system through integration software.

As noted, the network server is adapted to manage work planning, work allocation and interaction between employees and employers within an organization. In particular, a database can store work schedules for every employee of the organization. With the help of these schemes, managers or supervisors can view the assignment of work and follow users. Users, on the other hand, can view their work schedules and rearrange them with the kiosks in ways that exemplify embodiments of the present invention. Employers and employees can also exchange electronic messages in known ways in a similar way. Http server applications integration software allows remote access to a database through the network using a conventional web browser and conventional web pages presented by the server.

The architecture of the kiosks is not specifically illustrated. However, each of the kiosks may be capable of EXECUT any suitable network-height computing device in communication with the data networks in a suitable HTML browser or similar interface. Most preferably, the kiosk is a conventional desktop computer that includes a processor, network interface, display, and memory. Preferably, the kiosks are suitably encased so that they can be installed in locations that are generally accessible to Users of an organization. Example The kiosks are intended for occasional use by employees to obtain and exchange work-related information. Kiosks can of course be replaced by computer equipment in the workplace of the employees.

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The kiosks can access the network server via the data network. The kiosks as such typically store network-aware operating systems, including protocol stacks such as TCP / IP stack and internet web browsers such as Microsoft Internet Explorer ™., Mozilla ™, Netscape ™ or Opera ™ browsers. In order to limit the use of the kiosks, as intended by an employer, conventional software can be modified so that many of its conventional features are eliminated.

As noted, the network server comprises a database. Database is preferably a relational database. As will become clear, a database contains records for multiple users served by the server.

A user identification is now assigned to each user of the system. A corresponding record is created for the user, including this user ID, and the user's real name. If the user is an employee, a unique employee identification is assigned and stored in the EMP_ID field of the user record in Table 32. This unique ID is used to identify linked records within the remaining tables of a database. A corresponding employee record for this user / employee is created in the employee table. This record is further filled with the name of the employee. As will be clear, a database can be updated by an employer whenever a user / employee joins or leaves an organization, or when a change in circumstances occurs.

Depending on the skills of the employee, one or more records within the employee job table are created for each employee. Each record identifies a specific task within the organization that an identified employee can be entered. The employee is identified by EMP_ID and the task is identified in the JOBJD field. The EMPJD corresponds to the employee identification in the employee table. The JOBJD corresponds to a task within the organization Depending on the nature of the employee's skills, different records can be made. As an employee's skills improve over time, records identifying the employee and his or her acquired skills can be added to an employee's job table.

The role of an employee as a supervisor or subordinate is additionally stored in a table of user roles

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The database can be updated as required by an employer. It may be updated manually, or by appropriate scripting software, not detailed herein, that may optimize or otherwise assign services and the like.

In operation, an employee can view each of the kiosks a work profile. To do this, the employee can use a web browser in the kiosk to establish a session with the network server.

Once authenticated, the network server is aware of the unique ID of the employee, as stored in a database. The network server under the control of integration software and using the employee ID checks for new messages addressed to the specific employee. For example, the integration software can query the e-mail server application that is hosted on the network server to determine if new messages have arrived for the logged-in employee. If this is the case, the employee can be appropriately informed by displaying an HTML page or the like.

Optionally, the network server can prevent broadcasts of shifts that are too close in time or in the distant future. For example, the network server can prevent the transmission of shifts that will occur within 48 hours. Similarly, integration software can restrict the placement of services based on rules defined by the employer. For example, an employer can prevent shifts from being posted on certain days.

In addition to posting services, an employee can see posted shifts from others. In particular, upon log-in to the network server, a user at one of the kiosk may present an indicator that work teams are available for bidding.

As soon as a posted shift has been bid, and the bid has been accepted, the possible trade shift is preferably offered to an authorization supervisor. In particular, for supervisors of posting and employee offering. Emails searching for possible shift can be offered to the supervisors thus identified. These supervisors can be offered with HTML forms in the trade shift approval

As soon as the trade shift is approved with the corresponding shift and associated trade status, the protocol can be updated. If the potential trade shift is not approved, the posting and bidding of employees can be notified, again preferably by e-mail.

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Advantageously if the first possible shift is not approved, the posting employee can then accept no other outstanding bids. Once a trade shift is allowed, the work schedules of posting workers and the successful employee offer are updated to reflect the traded shift are included.

Optionally, prior to the presentation of a possible trade shift to a supervisor, software on the server can report and analyze bidding at work to ensure that no traded shifts are missed; to determine whether an employee has exceeded a maximum amount of work in a certain interval (for example, in a day, week or month); or other evaluations of employee offer. A supervisor, before being asked to approve a trade shift, can be offered with relevant information so that it can be incorporated into a decision whether or not to approve the trade shift.

At the next log-in by the posted employee or the both employee, the network server informs the users of the changed schedule. Again, this can be implemented due to the software that should generate the generation of email messages to the users made available and offered. In order to ensure that the responsibility for the shift made available is programmed correctly, software can wait until the employee is offered to reassign the shift and the notification of the posted employee is notified.

As will be appreciated, while the organization of software are functional blocks, database structure, screens, and http / HTML pages and servers, so clearly defined has been illustrated, one skilled in the art is clear that the delineation between the software blocks and screens, as well as the organization of the hardware according to the intervention is somewhat arbitrary. Numerous other arrangements of hardware, screens and software blocks are possible. For example, the network server can be replaced by a number of servers in communication with each other: a server can be a database system; another http server; and yet another an e-mail application. The database can be replaced by an object-oriented database.

The described embodiments are of course only illustrative and in no way restrictive. These embodiments are susceptible to many modifications of shapes, arrangement of parts, details and work order. Rather, the invention is intended to include modifications within the scope as defined by the claims.

Claims (10)

Conclusions: 1. A computer-implemented method of facilitating work distribution between employees within an organization comprising: presenting a work schedule of a first service, including work shift indicators assigned to the first one of the users; the input received from the first of the employee concerned, indicative of a desire to shift some of these work shifts, is assigned to the first of the employee concerned available to other users within this organization; the presentation of indicators of the availability of said specific one of the assigned work shifts to other users within the organization with sufficient capacity to exchange for the first employee; receive from one of the other employees mentioned an offer to accept the specific one of the shifts assigned. Assigning a specific weight according to a specific formula, taking into account the capacities, availability and already worked hours. Combining different models where overlapping schedules can be implemented in the work schedule. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning said particular services to one of the other services as a result of the offer. The method of claim 2, further comprising approval of assignment prior to assignment of a supervisor. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving an indicator of an acceptance of the offer by the first of the employees. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying employees with sufficient capacity to replace said first employee by querying a database of defined indicators of said first employee compared to the other employees. BE2017 / 0161 The method of claim 5, wherein the indicators are intended solely to offer employees with corresponding job descriptions within the organization. The method of claim 2, wherein said bidding comprises a counter bid. The method of claim 7, wherein counter-offer trade request comprises said particular services for a shift assigned to one of the other users. 9. A computer readable medium on which computer software for a work management system is provided, which when loaded into computer server in connection with a data network, adjusts the server to present a work schedule to a first employee, among which work shift indicators are assigned to said first employee receive input from the first employee, indicates a desire to make a certain one of the work shifts assigned to the first employee available to other users within this organization and the current indicators of the availability of the particular one of the said work shifts to its Users within the organization with sufficient ability to exchange for the first employee to receive from at least one of the other Users an offer to assume that certain one of the shifts are granted. 10. A work management system then located within or at a building of an organization, which system comprises: a computer data network; a computer server is connected to the data net work; multiple kiosks in communication with the data network; relevant server hostings of a database for storing workflows concerning kiosks in connection with the relevant server; relevant server operating to allow an employee to place shifts for trading from one of the kiosks, and receiving bids from other users for the provided shifts by way of assuming the kiosks in question.