This type of system can effectively eliminate the guesswork from planning of ‘the workforce’ whilst maximising efficiency throughout the entire operation.
How are savings achieved?
By considering the human factor – ‘the workforce’ – which is typically the greatest cost in a terminal (40%-60%), a terminal operator is able to achieve significant savings. For instance, a workforce management system can provide flexibility of the actual workforce where trying to work out staffing levels on any given day and avoiding the under utilisation of equipment are major challenges. These are commonly faced and exacerbated by vessel delays, bad weather and schedule alterations, which can result in unexpected overtime and the deployment of extra staff to deal with the fluctuating workload. Such complexities almost demand a planning tool that can react immediately to changes, allowing better work planning in keeping with workforce rules and regulations. Furthermore, through workforce management systems, terminal operators are able to utilise a system that can empower them to view and understand their staffing needs and workload. They can then plan their staff appropriately to complement/utilise the outputs of a TOS, thereby driving further efficiencies. Therefore, workforce management systems are extremely important for management in terms of gaining visibility and making informed decisions. One such Workforce Management solution is offered by UK company Rostima, Rostima is a global leader in the development and implementation of intelligent Enterprise Workforce Planning and Management Software systems for complex workforce environments, employing experts with a varied background in labour management and optimisation from the maritime, aviation and logistics sectors. It is Rostima’s mission to create competitive advantage for all its clients by delivering to their businesses solutions which enable the effective planning of staff. Rostima’s solutions have been providing benefits to customers employing multi-skilled workforces in 24×7 working environments around the world for many years. In fact, Rostima has been working closely with a number of major terminal operators with a view to providing an Enterprise Workforce Management (EWM) solution that is designed specifically for the unique requirements of the stevedoring industry across the US, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asian Pacific regions. The objective is to enable customers to deliver leaner and more efficient terminal operations. Typically, the implementation of the Rostima solution can result in direct labour cost savings of between 5 and 10%. The Rostima solution can effectively interface into the TOS and other integration points within the terminal’s IT infrastructure. This can lead to greater productivity and efficiencies, particularly with the planning of the workforce to appropriately complement the outputs of the TOS.