In today’s greenhouse environments, it is more important than ever to fully understand your labor force. This includes understanding how they work, why they work, and what elements can be introduced for them to be more productive”, the team with Picas states. For this reason, they have brought together three of its core components. "We do not just want to give a complete solution for tracking labor, but also want to provide the tools that allow growers to fully understand and consume the data they are collecting. This will allow them to quickly identify outliers and correct processes quickly - not waiting until the end of the season", John Stallmer, founder of Picas explains.
Labor
Picas offers various tools offering insights on labor. The system is modular and all components can work independently of each other. "Combining the components of labor tracking, mobile and business intelligence, provides a complete solution. With the horticultural industry being short on labor and the costs of labor rising globally, keeping track of it is of great importance to running a business."
Labor tracking
"The Labor Tracking component interfaces with the time clock system, collecting the hours employees are working. With the use of mobile devices to track quantities, the software allows users to gain an understanding of cost per unit and quantity per hour metrics. This allows them to fully track employee efficiency, time and attendance, run various reports and upload data to payroll packages", the team explains.
"The Labor Tracking component offers a bonus system to reward employees as well."
In addition, the Picas Mobile component provides ways to collect labor data that may not be part of a specific Line function. "In other words, it allows your workforce to use their mobile devices to collect labor information. Since it enables you to use your phone or tablet as a scanner, it's simple and easy to use."
It all comes together...
The third component is Picas BI - short for Business Intelligence. This component takes the labor data and uses it to provide even more insight - intelligence. "The Business Intelligence develops reports and dashboards out of the labor information being collected. This will allow growers to easily see how they are doing against the metrics you are tracking - for example cost per units, quantity per hour or overtime", John shows.
By displaying the intelligence in a customized dashboard, it is easy for management, or even the workforce, to see their current level of productivity.. “One would have the ability to drill into data, and to see employee/daily level metrics. This will allow management to quickly identify outliers and correct processes quickly - not waiting until the end of the season."
For more information:
PICAS
Kari VanderMaas
(616) 785-0745 x 121
www.issol.com