Faced with volatile demand and outdated manual scheduling processes, a nationwide distributor sought a better way to plan labor and meet strict same-day service level agreements (SLAs). By implementing Veryable’s Workforce Management (WFM) platform, the company achieved a 15% increase in overall efficiency, streamlined operations, and improved employee satisfaction.
A nationwide distributor with strict same-day SLAs faced ongoing challenges in labor planning due to fluctuating demands and outdated manual processes. With operational data scattered across multiple spreadsheets, daily volume was perceived as too unpredictable for proactive planning. As a result, leaders relied on reactive, day-of staffing decisions to maintain service levels. This led to frequent last-minute overtime requests on high- demand days and unproductive task reassignments on slower days—ultimately reducing efficiency and increasing employee frustration from unpredictable schedules.
To achieve their goal of boosting workforce productivity, the distributor partnered with Veryable to implement its Workforce Management (WFM) platform. The platform empowered the team to move from reactive scheduling to data-driven planning through three key capabilities:
•Accurate Demand Forecasting: Veryable’s machine learning engine analyzed historical data, seasonal trends, and day-of-week patterns to forecast daily demand. This provides their operations leaders with clear visibility into upcoming workloads, enabling them to plan staffing needs proactively.
•Automated Labor Planning: WFM transformed forecasts into detailed labor plans based on production standards, automatically calculating headcount requirements by area & shift. The system identified inefficiencies and replaced inefficient manual scheduling with streamlined, data-driven planning.
•Automated VTO/VTI Allocation: Managers leveraged WFM’s mass texting feature to offer Voluntary Time Off (VTO) or Voluntary Time In (VTI) to trained workers. This real-time flexibility allows them to scale while giving employees greater control—boosting engagement and ensuring optimal shift coverage.
“Our managers found the VTO/VTI texting incredibly easy to use. Even employees who were initially hesitant quickly chose to sign up once they saw the convenience of receiving offers ahead of time.”
-Distribution Manager
Veryable’s implementation process is designed for fast-paced operations environments—minimizing disruption while delivering rapid results. Most sites are fully operational within a week, with full-time employees trained on texting features in just minutes.
1. Discovery: Veryable’s Workforce Management team partnered with the distributor to evaluate facility needs, current processes, and operational objectives.
2. Manager Training & Onboarding: Using insights from the Discovery phase, the Veryable team delivered efficient onboarding with training focused on practical application to ensure a smooth transition.
3. Employee Communication: Veryable equipped managers with communication resources to effectively introduce VTO/VTI texting to their teams, driving quick understanding and immediate adoption.
4. User Acceptance Testing: Managers conducted test runs using practice texts to employees, ensuring alignment and a seamless rollout.
5. Continuous Support & Optimization: Veryable offers ongoing support, troubleshooting, and continuous system enhancements to keep WFM aligned with the distributor’s evolving business needs.
By adopting Veryable’s Workforce Management platform, the distributor achieved measurable improvements across multiple facets of their operations.
•15% Overall Efficiency Increase: In February, the team successfully scaled down by proactively offering Voluntary Time Off (VTO) through Text to Schedule, aligning labor with reduced demand. When demand rose in March, they swiftly scaled up by offering Voluntary Time In (VTI) to fill staffing gaps, ensuring optimal coverage and productivity.
•88% Forecast Accuracy: Daily demand forecasts give managers clear visibility into upcoming workloads, enabling proactive staffing decisions that boost efficiency and minimize last-minute changes.
•Time Savings: By eliminating manual reporting and scheduling tasks, managers can spend more time actively leading their teams on the floor. This increased presence improves oversight, enables prompt issue resolution, and drives overall operational performance.
•Higher Employee Satisafaction: Fewer last-minute changes and more predictable schedules have enhanced employee engagement and satisfaction, contributing to higher retention.
The graph shows monthly outbound demand versus units-per-hour (UPH).
•From January to February, UPH increased by 6% even as demand dropped 5%, reflecting improved efficiency.
•Overall, UPH rose 15% in just two months, demonstrating the impact of data-driven workforce management on productivity.
To get answers to your questions and learn more about how our Workforce Management platform can support your operational goals, please contact us.
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