RedPrairie Enhances Workforce Performance System

Supply-chain software maker RedPrairie Corp. on Thursday unveiled new features for its DLx Labor productivity measurement system, including labor demand planning capabilities and an employee report card.

The new features will be included in the DLx Labor 2006.1 product release scheduled for June 15. The system is being demonstrated this week at the RedPrairie user conference RedShift 2006 in Tucson, Ariz.

The latest DLx Labor release includes two-level demand planning comprised of a strategic planning tool and a tactical planning and scheduling tool. The former enables long-term resource planning based on historical patterns, seasonality and demand signals. The latter helps in resource deployment at the start of a day or shift and proactive redeployment during the working day as requirements change, such as the need for special packaging or value-added services.

The demand planning features in DLx uses a rules-based approach to translate demand signals and manufacturing schedules into specific workforce requirements, officials with the Milwaukee, Wis., software maker said.

The new employee report card is a scorecard of worker performance. Besides taking into account performance against job productivity goals, the scorecard also considers other factors, such as indirect time, quality, attendance and safety. All the elements are presented within a single view of worker performance, enabling supervisors to more easily track and better coach workers in all areas effecting the quality and effectiveness of operations, the company said.