Leveraging technology for a competitive edge
The logistics and distribution sector is a linchpin of the UK economy, ensuring the smooth flow of goods from manufacturers and distributors to consumers. Traditionally, this sector has relied heavily on shift-based temporary staffing to manage fluctuating demands, seasonal peaks, and unforeseen disruptions. However, managing this workforce has often been a complex and costly endeavor. Today, technology opens up opportunities to transform how these temporary staff members are sourced, managed, and optimized, driving significant operational efficiencies and cost savings.
The digital transformation of temp staffing
The advent of advanced digital platforms and applications is revolutionizing the temporary staffing landscape. To meet their staffing needs, most logistics and distribution companies must manage vast networks of agency suppliers, an administrative nightmare.
New technology lets companies manage multiple recruiting agencies with one single, cloud-based platform. The platform provides end-to-end visibility of the entire staffing supply chain, allowing companies to identify their best performers and weed out rogue spending. This gives them better buying power to reduce costs and improve engagement with preferred suppliers.
Automated spend control and compliance risk mitigation
Digital staffing technology provides spend visibility and identifies potential compliance risks across the entire organization. Rates and rules for handling complex rate management can be built into the system. Electronically generated timesheets improve accuracy and transparency, and generate direct cost savings, while automation drives operational efficiencies and indirect cost savings by reducing time-consuming manual administration.
Automation also helps mitigate security and compliance risks. One example is the documentation of EU/UK driving hours compliance. By tracking and documenting daily, weekly, and fortnightly drive time, required breaks, and daily rest times, the system ensures that drivers will not be booked for shifts that would cause them to violate these regulations.
Automation also ensures that all staff are properly vetted and classified according to all applicable laws and regulations as part of the onboarding process. Real-time compliance matching reduces the administrative burden and ensures that shifts are filled quickly and efficiently.
Enhanced workforce management
Digital staffing technology is also enhancing workforce management through sophisticated scheduling software. These tools not only automate the scheduling process but also optimize shift patterns based on worker preferences and business needs. This leads to higher worker satisfaction and retention, as workers can have more control over their schedules.
Additionally, these systems provide real-time visibility into workforce operations. Managers can monitor shift attendance, productivity levels, and performance metrics. This visibility fosters better relationships with agencies and quicker decision-making.
Streamlining administrative processes
Integrating technology in temporary staffing significantly reduces the administrative overhead associated with hiring and managing a temporary workforce. Digital onboarding processes, including automated document verification and compliance checks, speed up the time it takes to bring new workers on board. This is particularly beneficial in the logistics sector, where there is often a need to scale up the workforce rapidly.
Technology has also streamlined payroll and invoicing processes. Automated systems ensure that workers are paid accurately and on time and that invoices are generated and processed efficiently. This not only reduces errors but also enhances financial transparency and accountability.
Cost savings and operational efficiencies
The use of technology in shift-based temporary staffing is driving substantial cost savings for logistics companies. By optimizing staffing levels, companies can reduce overtime costs and minimize the financial impact of having too many or too few workers. Furthermore, the efficiencies gained through automated processes mean lower administrative costs.
Logistics and distribution companies realize operational efficiencies through improved worker productivity. With better matching of skills to tasks, workers are more effective in their roles, leading to faster processing times and fewer errors. This is crucial in a sector where time is money, and delays can have significant financial repercussions.
The future landscape
As technology continues to evolve, its impact on shift-based temporary staffing in the logistics sector will only grow. A fully digitized and centralized model gives better visibility and control of the temp workforce. This makes for happier workers, happier staffing agencies, and happier logistics and distribution clients. Technology is not just changing the landscape of shift-based temporary staffing in the UK's logistics and distribution sector; it is revolutionizing it.
Digital technology from JoinedUp can improve operational efficiency, reduce risk, and increase agility to respond to a complex market.
- Candidates receive instant notifications of the shifts they are being offered.
- Agencies and hiring companies can see workers’ availability in real time and address any gaps.
- Agencies and hiring companies have instant access to spend, hours and overtime.
- Workers know what they will be paid after every shift.
- Agencies have better visibility and control, and workers have a better experience, leading to better worker retention.
By driving operational efficiencies and cost savings, JoinedUp technology enables logistics companies to meet the demands of a fast-paced, ever-changing market while maintaining high service levels and profitability.
To find out how JoinedUp’s shift-based staffing automation tools can help your logistics and delivery operations save costs and increase profitability, contact JoinedUp today.