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10 Best Workforce Optimization Software for Your Business

Updated: Apr 4

According to research, an average employee wastes about 4.5 hours each week, which equals almost six full work weeks lost annually.


At the same time, the US Bureau of Labor announced a 2.4% decrease in work productivity in the Q2 of 2022. If 2.4% doesn't sound like a lot, you need to know that's the largest annual decline since 1948, when they started tracking workforce productivity.


Thankfully, we're living in 2023 and you don't have to develop elaborate strategies to increase productivity levels. There are workforce optimization software options you can use to save time and money. And isn't that what every employer wants at the end of the day?


In this article, we'll share the ten best workforce optimization tools for different industries.

Image source: Freepik.com


What is workforce optimization software & why do you need it?


Workforce optimization software is used for streamlining scheduling and overall employee management.


It is used in service-based industries such as hospitality and retail but also in logistics, distribution centers, warehouses, etc. Some specialized contact center solutions can be used both for workforce planning and improving customer experience.


The key features to consider are:

  • Employee scheduling

  • Labor forecasting

  • Rule management

  • Employee performance management

  • Time tracking

  • Payroll management

Here are some of the benefits of using workforce optimization software:

  1. Increased productivity and efficiency: workforce optimization software allows you to improve your workforce management by creating more effective workflows and optimal schedules, which leads to increased productivity, better results and less overtime.

  2. Saving time: Choosing workforce optimization software with a high level of automation can save your managers a lot of time otherwise wasted on repetitive tasks. That way, they have more time to solve more complex issues requiring their input.

  3. Improved employee + customer satisfaction: Advanced software solutions allow employees to create and customize their schedules faster than traditional systems. Some apps can also increase employee engagement by making communication quicker and easier. Satisfied employees are more likely to provide better service, which can increase customer satisfaction.

  4. Cutting costs: Workforce optimization software enables you to allocate resources most effectively, remove slack and do more with the same number of employees.

Selection criteria


Here are the main criteria we used when choosing workforce optimization tools:

  1. Automation: We've included software solutions with a high level of automation to help you save time and improve operational efficiency.

  2. User experience: We've included apps that are user-friendly and easy to use both by management and employees.

  3. Advanced features: We've included tools with some advanced features that may help you save time, achieve higher efficiency and replace multiple tools you're currently using.

10 best workforce optimization software options to try


1. Workofo

Workofo is an AI-based workforce optimization software known for accurately forecasting workload and automatically creating optimal schedules, coming with a mobile app for the employees.


However, it's much more than a simple automated scheduling tool because it features powerful AI-based forecasting and optimization engines which consider multiple factors and constraints – from historical data, seasonality, promotions, weather, weeks before/after salary to employee wishes and working speeds, and custom events specific to each location/industry.


Workofo uses advanced workforce planning and optimization algorithms that are constantly being tested and improved.


The platform allows for analyzing your business processes, choosing the most optimal schedules and finding further improvements for the most effective workforce management processes for your business.


As a result, it helps you save from 5% to 15% of your employees' time. You can reduce unnecessary overtime, cut costs and rearrange your resources to boost your employees' efficiency.


You can use it for intra-day planning, to split shifts and batch similar tasks into the same time block, to boost productivity. But it offers much more than other scheduling software solutions.


The system is very flexible and customizable. The first step is analyzing your processes and identifying work rules. It can consider around 80 parameters, from regulations and compliance to your internal operational rules. Then, the algorithms create custom workforce optimization suggestions based on your specific work rules.


It's ideal for medium to larger businesses with multiple locations that want to ensure service quality in all the venues: whether in retail, large restaurant and hotel chains, managing warehouses, distribution, logistics and contact centers.


You can optimize work in different departments or locations based on the competencies required.


Features

  • Precise workflow forecasting

  • Workforce optimization algorithms

  • Advanced rules management

  • Testing and optimizing schedules

  • Splitting shifts

  • Balancing service levels in multiple locations

  • Balancing of hours between different months

Pricing: Available upon request


2. Verint

Image source: G2


Verint offers flexible employee scheduling, coming with a mobile app to create schedules on the go, primarily for customer support and call centers. It facilitates time off requests and shift swaps, and users say it can improve employee efficiency and decrease overtime.


On the other hand, it could also be used for performance management, measuring employee productivity and targeted coaching.


Thanks to real-time adherence, you can compare planned activity to actional tasks done during the day. It provides you with actionable insights to forecast future workloads more accurately.


However, this workforce management software can overwhelm new users and you can’t keep static schedules without manually updating them.


Features

  • Real-time adherence

  • Security intelligence

  • Automated coaching

  • Scheduling appointments

Pricing: Available upon request


3. Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG)

Image source: G2


If you're wondering whether this is the same thing as the Kronos workforce management app, yes, it's the same concept but improved. Ultimate Kronos Group was developed when Kronos merged with Ultimate Software in 2020.

They offer three different workforce optimization tools according to your needs and the number of employees.

  1. UKG Ready: A classic workforce management app with features like employee scheduling, payroll, human resources and talent management.

  2. UKG Dimensions: AI-powered solution customizable to meet your industry needs.

  3. UKG Pro: A complex enterprise workforce management solution for multinational companies and global teams. It has some advanced features like tax calculation, pre-tax deductions and W-2 delivery.

The biggest difference is that more expensive plans offer more automation and integration with other apps.

Unfortunately, to get the most out of this software, you must use it on your desktop because its mobile app lacks many features. If you're looking for something more flexible that you can use from any device, you may want to check other Kronos competitors and alternatives.


Features

  • Real-time scheduling

  • Workforce analytics

  • Tax calculation

  • Onboarding process

  • Staff training and e-learning

Pricing: Available upon request


4. Relex

Image source: G2


Relex is not a typical workforce management app, but it might be worth considering if you work in retail.

It has some essential workforce optimization features, such as planning shifts or predicting workloads, but automation is not the strength of this app.

Instead, here are some other things it could be helpful for:

  • Supply chain management

  • Inventory management

  • Merchandising

  • Reducing operational costs in retail

  • Warehouse management

On the con side, the mobile app is limited because you can't use it on the go, like some other apps.


Features

  • Data-based scheduling

  • Demand forecasting

  • Merchandising optimization

  • Supply chain planning

Pricing: Available upon request


5. Quinyx

Image source: G2


Quinyx is a mobile app that you can use to quickly and easily create and manage employee schedules on the go.


The app offers communication channels where employees can use their mobile devices to arrange shift swapping, being absent, etc.


The best thing about this app is that it can improve employee engagement thanks to a user-friendly interface and initiatives like badges and rewards.


Unfortunately, there are some severe cons if you're in the phase of optimizing your resources and looking for reliable workforce optimization software.


This app is not great at AI-based schedule optimization, employee pooling and doesn't offer intra-day planning, which could be problematic if you have a complex workflow.


Features

  • Labor forecasting

  • Workforce engagement management

  • Effortless team communication

  • Mobile shift scheduling

  • Customizable review forms

  • Employee recognition

Pricing: four different plans based on your needs, pricing available upon request


6. Calabrio

Image source: Capterra


Calabrio, formerly known as Teleopti, is a workforce software primarily used in call centers. Thanks to its advanced voice and text analytics, you can use it for both workforce and customer relationship management.


When you run a contact center, it's essential to be able to forecast busy periods and plan your schedule accordingly. This software is excellent for long-range planning and strategic staffing and uses historical data to improve forecasting.


It's also suitable for remote contact centers as you can set up your virtual contact center wherever, whenever, in minutes. Its recent update also includes advanced features for managing and evaluating remote agents.


Workforce scheduling is one of its strong sides, especially if you have a combination of in-house and remote agents. Everything is based on the drag-and-drop principle, and it allows your employees to create their schedules and trade shifts without managerial input, according to the rules you've previously set in the app.

On the other hand, this software also enables you to create a complete picture of every customer, record customer calls and analyze customer interactions.

On the side of cons, it does not seem to be able to incorporate employee wishes well.


Features

  • Forecasting and planning

  • WFH monitoring and evaluation

  • Self-scheduling

  • Intraday management

  • Advanced speech analytics

Pricing: $468 per year


7. Hotschedules

Source: AppStore


Hotschedules is a simple and easy-to-use scheduling app. It may not have some advanced workforce management features, but it can be a good option when quick and easy scheduling is all you need.


It's used mainly in the hospitality industry for managing complicated schedules when there are a lot of employees.


You can use the app on your mobile, work iPad and even your smartwatch, allowing effortless communication between team members. They can swap or pick up the shifts with only a few taps.


Other features include calendar sync and real-time notifications.


It's a good option both for team communication and one-on-one messaging, as it's much faster than sending emails back and forth.


Features

  • Logbook

  • Labor forecasting

  • Calendar sync