We are currently experimenting with an online scheduling program, Schedule Express, available at
www.scheduleexpress.com. I really like it, although the monthly charge is very expensive-- $12 per employee per month. The interactive features are outstanding. So far, we have experienced very few bugs that need to be worked around. We have also used a program that was not convenient, but we owned it. We are not yet committed to the online service.
One thing that I have noticed is that these programs are not very useful for developing new schedules and bid schedules. We use ten-hour shifts and love them, but ten-hour shifts greatly complicate scheduling, although they can be more efficient in the long run than eights or twelves. So we needed a way to quickly visualize the possible schedule options.
I have developed two Excel 2007 spreadsheets for shifts up to 24 hours long to make the schedule building process quicker and easier. They are pretty handy, so I would like earn some extra money by selling them. You can download them, and send me a check if you find them useful.
The first is a 60-slot weekly schedule creator available at:
http://www.911serviceanalysis.com/24-Seven/24-Seven_Schedule_Creator_Weekly.xlsx
The second is a 4 week version with up to 32 slots to work on rotation type schedules.
http://www.911serviceanalysis.com/24-Seven/24-Seven_Schedule_Creator_4 week.xlsx
I would not recommend doing rotation schedules if there is sufficient staffing to avoid them, but not everyone is as lucky as we are in our center. Still, our management is considering a rotation so that the six floor supervisors can enjoy a complete weekend once a month, and I was able to come up with a proposal that some of the supervisors find appealing.
I can expand the spreadsheets if you need more slots. Also, I would appreciate any feedback on improving them. Thank you,