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Fine Tuning the Workforce
Workforce Management solutions are advanced systems that are critical in helping retailers effectively manage their workforce. These solutions streamline communications between the retailer and employee and play a critical role in scheduling.
The solutions that comprise workforce management include Time and Attendance, Scheduling, Task Management, Execution Management, Performance Management, and Labor Scheduling. These tools are critical in helping retailers manage processes for recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling, tracking, evaluating and compensating employees.
According to the 2010 RIS Retail Technology Study, 30% of respondents indicated they have future workforce management deployment intentions. Additionally, 18% of retailers plan to start a workforce management initiative this year, while another 12% plan to begin in two years.
Since workforce management initiatives are on the rise, this month's Vendor Landscape focuses on Workforce Management. RIS highlights the major workforce management solution providers and several retailers that have undergone recent workforce management implementations.
Creating Efficiencies
In January 2010, Michaels Stores went live with RedPrairie’s Workforce Management solution in three of its distribution facilities. Michaels uses the solution to help create new efficiencies in distributing more than 37,000 items to more than 1,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada.
Managing Workloads
Books-A-Million uses Retail Execution Management from Reflexis to improve customer service, increase productivity, and control labor costs. "The workload given to stores must be managed upstream in the home office so key tasks are accomplished and the right amount of time is allocated and scheduled for sales and customer interaction," says Dennis Lyons, EVP of store operations, Books-A-Million.
Optimized Supply Chain
QVC added Labor Management solutions from Manhattan Associates at its distribution center in Florence, S.C., and has plans to roll out the solutions in three other domestic DCs. The multi-media giant uses Labor Management, which is part of the Manhattan Scope supply chain process platform, to leverage the spectrum of people, tasks and events across the supply chain.
Cutting Labor Costs
Bob's Stores, a 34-store footwear and apparel retailer, upgraded to version 6.1 of the Kronos Workforce Central suite. Since using Kronos workforce solutions, Bob's Stores have saved 15 percent in total labor costs within six months of implementation. "Managing labor effectively is an important part of our strategy to meet revenue goals," says Kevin Campbell, AVP, store operations, Bob's Stores.
Up-to-Date Records
Anna's Linens uses the Workforce Management 3G suite of products from Cybershift, which includes time and attendance, advanced scheduling and optimization and reporting analytics. "CyberShift's Workforce Management 3G Solution helps us reduce the time and burden of employee scheduling, lower our company's payroll processing costs and ensure our records are up-to-date and compliant with federal and state regulations," said Linda Wendt, VP of human resources, Anna's Linens.
Better Payroll Processes
Sephora, fully deployed Infor Workforce Management Workbrain across its 235 retail stores. "The retail-specific capabilities of our Workbrain solution have enabled us to improve our scheduling and payroll process, enhance the customer experience and better service our customers' needs," says Kathleen Ford, director of store applications, Sephora.
Skilled Consultants
Axsium helps leading retailers across various verticals including specialty retail, grocery and supermarket, large-box discount, and luxury goods implement enterprise WFM solutions. Axsium's retail clients include Coach, La Senza, Safeway, American Eagle, Cabela's, Avon, Duane Reade, Finish Line and others.