This suite is required as a minimum to implement the Microster application & consists of the following integrated components:

AWARD INTERPRETATION

This module references personnel placement and accurately costs labour transactions using table-based payment rules. Each costing element is mapped to the appropriate Pay Element or Code to support payroll transaction export.

Costing elements can also be mapped to a wide variety of General Ledger and Costing matrices as required.

The evolution of Microster has resulted in extraordinary depth of costing rule treatment across any mix of Awards, EBAs, AWAs and Collective Employment Agreements.

The Award Interpreter is configured with reference to the Costing Business Rules Document and provides a consistency of treatment that supports:

  • Automated payroll transaction entry,
  • Lowest Cost treatments,
  • Proactive cost management,
  • Elimination of incorrect personnel payment.

PATTERN ROSTERING

This module supports the efficient configuration and maintenance of roster templates that determine shift/task patterns and rostering rules down to a Cost Centre - Shift - Task basis. Pattern rosters typically rotate and can host any mix of permanent placements and unfilled shifts. Period budgets (hours & dollars) are maintained at this level and advance rosters can be fully costed to provide forecast labour costs for management endorsement. Rosters can also have manning levels edited in advance without changing the base patterns. Roster Rules supported include:

  • Lowest Cost,
  • Teaming,
  • Skills (Task, Shift & auto-skilling),
  • Award Conditions (Period conditions, hours between shifts, clear days, shift lengths etc),
  • Time To Work,
  • Position "Types" and Priority,
  • Preferences,
  • Work History,
  • Consecutive Days,
  • Fatigue,
  • Equity (placement, preference & offer),
  • Availability,
  • Replacement Tasks,
  • Scheduled Leave.

The rules can be sequenced to optimise results when either populating unfilled shifts on the roster and replacing personnel on scheduled leave and/or on unplanned absences, e.g Sick, Bereavement Leave etc.

The Pattern Roster module also supports a “merged roster” model. The “Merged Roster” approach uses a minimum of two rosters attached at a single or multiple Cost Centre level. These are the WORKPATTERN ROSTER, and the OPERATIONAL ROSTER. This methodology supports a more flexible rostering approach, multiskilling outcomes and establishes an appropriate platform to incrementally migrate to more dynamic shift patterns. Roster maintenance is also minimised and any mix of demand-based or preconfigured rosters can be used to build up manning (OPERATIONAL) requirements

A library of Pattern Roster Templates can be easily accessed to support efficient Function Rostering requirements.

A formalised workflow process drives roster generation, costing review, realtime transacting and payroll feed.

SECURITY MODEL

This module supports the efficient configuration and maintenance of Microster Users as Profiles to reference:

 

  • User Elements - Logon, Password, customised menus, email details for alerts, system administrator status etc.
  • Microster Elements - Menus, Forms, Transaction Types, Display Options, Roster Status, Costing details etc,
  • Organisational elements - by defined organisation units & personnel teams.

The security model is applied to all areas of the application and includes comprehensive auditing of transactions, system access & navigation, date element editing and system communications.

WORKFLOW

Workflow is integrated within the Microster application to support appropriate User access levels along the roster timeline. Workflow also includes system alerts and escalation matrices to support processing & communication requirements on a period, day & shift basis.

INTEGRATION SDK

This module supports the efficient configuration and maintenance of Microster import / export with third party applications. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • HR & Payroll Systems,
  • Microsoft Office,
  • Crystal Reports,
  • Attendance Clocking Systems,
  • Workload demand systems.

Integration models include file transfer, APIs, & SQL views & stored procedures to provide required levels of interfacing and/or integration treatment. Microster has been approved by Benchmark Certification ISO9001.

KIOSK-BASED SELF SERVICE

This module is implemented to optimise employee communications and to introduce fully audited kiosk-based transaction processing. A powerful set of Roster Self Service (RSS) Business Rules support the following;

  • Leave Requests,
  • Shift Bids,
  • Swap Shift Requests,
  • Manual Allowance Entry (e.g mileage),
  • Skill Reviews,
  • View/Print Rosters,
  • Unavailability Input,
  • Attendance Clocking,
  • Personnel Communications,
  • Request Status.

The kiosks are typically Touchscreen-driven with optional Fingerscan, I-button or passwording systems to protect employee data.

Rostering Self Service provides employees with fully audited input into the Workforce Management System and streamlines the request/process treatment of scheduled leave, shift swaps etc.

The ability to easily view/print "personnel rosters" supports personnel placement across multiple Cost Centres.