Crew scheduling software is specifically designed to help businesses manage their mobile workforce or employees working on a shift schedule.
If you’re running a construction site, managing an event, or coordinating a team of delivery drivers, this software is indispensable for deploying your staff, as it allows you to assign shifts, track attendance, and keep everyone in the loop no matter where they are.
“I can use any scheduling tool for that,” you might say. Well, not quite! While generic scheduling apps have their place, they just can’t compete with the specialized features and capabilities that crew scheduling software has.
Here are a few examples:
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the leading crew scheduling software options tailored to the needs of different businesses and industries.
Overview
- actiPLANS—for all types of crews.
- PDC A/S—for airline crews.
- Pro Crew Schedule—for construction companies.
- Rentman—for event agencies.
- Velociti Solutions—for transportation companies.
- CrewApp—for mobile workforce.
6 Tools for Flexible Crew Scheduling
actiPLANS—Versatility and Flexibility
actiPLANS is a workforce management tool helping with planning and communication in teams of all kinds.
It allows managers to easily create schedules and allows employees to instantly view their shifts and schedule changes, request PTO, and change their availability.
Key features:
- Visual scheduling and the most straightforward display of the team’s availability.
- Mobile access to keep everyone in the loop.
- Integration with actiTIME for work hours tracking.
actiPLANS is particularly effective for industries such as:
- Hospitality, where shift management and real-time updates are crucial.
- Retail—to handle varying staffing needs based on peak hours.
- Construction—to manage crews across multiple job sites efficiently.
Making a perfect crew schedule with actiPLANS
- Start a free trial.
- Add the needed Work Types or Shift Types.
- Open your team’s schedule.
- Distribute the shifts between team members, avoiding the days when they are unavailable.
“Now the process is simple, electronic, and easy for everyone, and being able to see who is where is fantastic!” — a Capterra user.
PDC A/S Airline Suite—For Those in the Air
PDC Solutions is a company that specializes in providing scheduling software and solutions for various industries. Their software often focuses on workforce management, project scheduling, and resource allocation. PDC’s tools are designed to help organizations optimize their operations, improve efficiency, and manage their resources effectively.
The software typically includes features like:
- Employee scheduling: Tools to create and manage employee schedules efficiently.
- Project management: Features to plan and track project timelines and resources.
- Time tracking: Systems for monitoring employee hours and attendance.
- Reporting and analytics: Insights into workforce performance and resource utilization.
PDC’s Airline Suite is a crew scheduling tool developed specifically for managing cockpit and cabin crew assignments.
It allows you to choose the crew members by qualification and block their hours for selected flights while still taking into account their preferred destinations and non-flying activities.
The standout feature of this tool is its ability to create pairings and pairing series, combining such things as the date range and the availability of a crew member’s favorite hotel.
Key features:
- PDC Flight Time integration for easy schedule synchronization.
- Multiple rule sets for tracking different factors impacting the crew.
- Integration with systems for cosmic radiation to mitigate exposure risks.
PDC Airline Suite is a great system, and we’re really happy with it—especially the custom adjustments we made for our specific needs. The support and training we received were top-notch, far exceeding our experiences with other IT suppliers.” — Palma Kajsdöttir, Operations Manager at Atlantic Airways.
Pro Crew Schedule—Understanding Constructors’ Struggles
Pro Crew Schedule positions itself as an all-in-one suite for field supervisors, contractors, and crew leaders who have to not only manage schedules and hit deadlines but also keep tabs on inventory and equipment status.
It offers feature sets specifically developed for plumbing, HVAC, concrete, and roofing contractors, many of whom are still using the outdated ways to schedule and trade shifts, such as emails, text messages, or telephone calls.
The users especially appreciate the functionality of storing photos as a proof of completed work or fixed issues.
Key features:
- Easy visualization of interconnected shifts.
- Assigning tools and equipment to schedules.
- Site plans and job instructions storing and sharing.
“It makes scheduling very easy and fast. When we started using the program, if cut my scheduling time way down, and now I don’t have to email the crews their schedule.” — a Software Advice user.
Rentman—Balancing Accountability and Fun
Rentman is a scheduling platform designed specifically for the AV and event industry that promises to help its users deliver unforgettable events while efficiently managing crews and equipment.
Rentman lets you create a centralized hub where you can view equipment availability, build schedules, and communicate about these with your team.
It also automatically detects scheduling conflicts and staff and equipment shortages.
Key features:
- Combined staff, equipment, and vehicle scheduling.
- Quotes and estimates generation.
- QR codes for availability tracking.
“I like that the day-to-day running of the company can be completed solely through Rentman. I don’t need added calendars or planners to manage the equipment, crew, and vehicles.” — a Capterra user.
Velociti Solutions—Empowering Passenger Transport
The Omnibus software package by Velociti is a powerful solution intended to maximize operations in transportation.
It uses AI to connect drivers’ schedules to bus and train timetables and produce and what-if scenarios for various occasions.
For example, you may try to predict how your labor costs would change if you amend your contractor agreement or find the best way to organize optimal meal breaks for drivers with regard to both their comfort and compliance.
Key features:
- Goal-setting: You can target your schedules for cutting costs, minimizing overwork, etc.
- Complex schedules creation: Set different scheduling rules for different duty types.
- On-screen comparison of different documents and scenarios.
“Velociti Crew Scheduling solution enables us to build robust and workable crew schedules, which not only saves time and money but also provides a set of duties that are attractive to our team drivers.” — a Velociti Solutions customer.
CrewApp—A Mobile Solution for Mobile Workforce
CrewApp is a fully mobile-based communication and management platform that will connect your entire workforce, from frontline employees to corporate leadership.
It gives you real-time access to all essential work information: tasks, subtasks, additional requirements, and discussions through your phone.
Key features:
- Shift and assignment templates.
- Recurrence setting for rota management.
- Labor optimization features that help increase productivity.
“This is the best app yet to keep in touch, brainstorm, schedule, and keep people in a group informed on what’s happening and what’s next. It not only has painless group/individual text messaging capabilities, but you can also record and send voice messages and even videos! I used it to send a short instructional of myself setting up a rather complicated piece of software, and people were able to replicate the algorithm. You can post schedules, schedules of shifts, etc.” — a G2 user.
Conclusion
Effective crew scheduling software comes in handy in a variety of teams and industries, from construction and healthcare to hospitality and beyond.
While we’ve explored numerous options available on the market, we understand that every organization has unique needs and challenges.
If you didn’t find a solution that perfectly fits your team’s requirements, don’t hesitate to check out actiPLANS. With its robust features, actiPLANS will streamline your scheduling process and ensure your crew is always organized and ready to tackle any task.
Explore our offerings today and discover how they can transform your scheduling experience!
