Biarri, a global provider of mathematically powered web based software, systems and analytical tools today announced a new project to improve the work-life balance of employees of Australia’s leading airport ground handler, Aerocare.

The new project is stage two of the Aerocare Resource Optimisation System (AROS) rollout, which will see AROS produce rosters that are not only efficient but also maximise ‘likeability’ for employees and consider individual preferences.

Biarri Managing Director Ash Nelson said “Already early in its rollout, AROS has drastically reduced the time taken to produce rosters and provided gains for Aerocare in terms of aligning shifts with requirements, even as flight schedules change.”

“This next stage will ensure rosters are better optimised for individual Aerocare staff, enabling things like timely leave approval, automation of shift swaps and taking personal preferences into account.”

“Most unique in this process is the fact that we’re seeing a company making a significant investment in system enhancements that are focused purely on the wellbeing of employees,” Mr Nelson said.

Aerocare CEO Glenn Rutherford said: “We’re looking forward to using this powerful tool which we we expect will improve staff engagement, retention and service.”

“Shift work can be challenging for many reasons, and the ability to make rosters more predictable and better suit individual needs should have a big impact for our staff,” he said.

Features of the new system

Consideration for individual preferences, including:

• Unavailable time to allow for study and other commitments
  • Preferences for working split shifts or not
  • Target number of hours
• An optimisation engine designed to maximise ‘likeability’ of rosters including
  • Maximising the number of consecutive days off
  • Progression from early shifts to late shifts to minimise fatigue
• Automation of shift swap approvals, enabling unlimited shift swaps
• Improved timeliness of annual leave approval
• Ability to improve equity of hours assigned to individuals with similar skills, experience and performance
• Automation of staff notification for every change to their roster
• Better visibility of rosters to supervisors so they can make better decisions about who to call in for additional work
• Improved forecasting of recruitment requirements to avoid periods of staff shortage and oversupply and enable Aerocare to maximise hours allocated to people who want to maximise their earnings.

About Aerocare

Aerocare is the largest ground handler within the Australian and New Zealand region, with 3,000 team members currently servicing 3,200 flights per week and 41,200 passengers per day.

About Biarri

Biarri is an Australian based company that delivers mathematical optimisation and analytics capability through web-based applications around the world to help businesses deliver significant savings and better utilise their resources. With clients across many industries in Aviation, Rail, Transport and Logistics, Data Analytics and Energy, Mining and Infrastructure, Biarri ensures businesses spend less time worrying about IT and instead focus on making smart decisions quickly and easily.