Thanks to ever-evolving workforce management technology, the days of creating rosters in an Excel spreadsheet are numbered. Leaders of shift-based workforces have realised the many pitfalls of these longstanding employee management methods, including confusion about shift rostering, a lack of clarity over labour costs, staffing budget blow-outs, time wasted on manual data entry, endless data inaccuracies, and incorrect pay runs.

What if you could create fully costed, compliant rosters based on demand, at the click of a button? Intuitive rostering software makes this entirely possible.

With a plethora of options and features available, it can be difficult to know where to start when choosing the best rostering software solution. To make things easier, we have broken down the benefits of rostering software, which features that every rostering software system should offer, and the challenges you’ll face when selecting the right solution for your business needs.

What are the benefits of using an online rostering system?

Rostering software is more than just a sophisticated spreadsheet. An online rostering system is designed to make managers’ lives easier by speeding up and simplifying the rostering process, communicating the roster effectively, keeping information in a secure central location, and providing full visibility over rostering costs.

An AI-powered online rostering system uses employee profile details, built-in compliance rules and staffing budgets to generate cost-effective and compliant rosters with a single click. Once created, you can publish rosters and instantly notify staff via a staff rostering app or desktop platform so they know exactly where and when they need to be at work.

Rostering software can:

• Automate rosters with built-in AI techniques
• Reduce risk with built-in compliance
• Monitor roster costs against sales results
• Create labour efficiencies business-wide
• Communicate rosters automatically
• Send roster and attendance data straight to payroll
• Ensure seamless data flow throughout your workforce management.

The challenges of choosing the best rostering software

Before we go into detail around which rostering software features to look out for, it’s important to understand that no two businesses are identical and therefore there is no “one size fits all” solution. Take a strategic approach and think about your short- and long-term goals as you decide which rostering software solution is the best fit for your business and industry needs, and which will be able to scale with you, as your business need fluctuate.

For example, rostering software in hospitality needs to be intuitive, user-friendly and scalable to meet ever-changing staffing demand, and rostering software in healthcare needs to help ensure payroll compliance as staff work long and late hours.

Key rostering software features to look out for

The best rostering software choice is usually one like Roubler where all aspects work together in harmony to create an efficient and streamlined workflow for your business. Certain rostering software functions are must-haves to include on your checklist when shopping around.

Easy-to-use interface

An easy-to-use and implement rostering software solution will ensure your team hit the ground running with the right online rostering system. Look out for how much training is involved and how much ongoing support is needed.

Cloud-based SaaS

Cloud-based SaaS rostering software helps save time when creating rosters, eliminate manual data entry and automate the process of sending time and attendance information to payroll. You will also have access to invaluable business intelligence and insights that live on the cloud⁠ – including budgets, timesheet reports, and sales and labour efficiency data – all available at the click of a button.

Smart shift rostering

Make sure your rostering software solution includes smart rostering to help ensure you create the most efficient rosters possible. Powered by machine learning, Roubler’s smart roster tool suggests the right employees for each shift and auto-completes your rosters taking into account availability, location, roles, compliance and labour costs.

Staff rostering app

The best rostering software solution not only provides managers with an intuitive interface to create rosters but also supplies employees with a staff rostering app on which they can view their rosters by day, week or month. A staff rostering app like Roubler’s employee self service app, makes it easy for employees to see exactly when and where they’re working, helping prevent any miscommunication.

Built-in compliance

Your solution should embed compliance checks and measures throughout your roster. With Roubler’s rostering software, the ability to build in legislative changes makes it easy for you to remain compliant. You’ll gain peace of mind when it comes to meeting obligations and paying your team correctly.

All-in-one workforce management

Your rostering software solution should connect to all aspects of your workforce management including payroll, time and attendance and business intelligence. Roubler’s rostering software provides you with the power of one seamless system for all your workforce management needs.

By incorporating everything you need to recruit, onboard, roster, manage and pay your team, Roubler increases efficiency and drives productivity across every aspect of your workforce.

Get in touch with one of Roubler’s workforce management experts to find out how we can help you transform your rostering practices and make the most out of an online rostering system.

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