Most scheduling software out there try to do too much. With DigiQuatics, we have aimed to do everything "just right". This holds true for our Scheduling Module.

Whether you have mastered the scheduling module or are still in the process of discovering how much time you can save when using its tools in full-force, taking 10 minutes or less to learn how to auto-assign your staff to open or unassigned shifts will feel like icing on the cake.

First, in order to access the Auto-Schedule feature, you must use the "Shift View" (as opposed to the "Employee View") which can be accessed in the upper right of the Scheduling Module. Then, narrow (filter) the location view from "All locations" to one specific location. (This can be done in the upper left).

Second, the Auto-Schedule is designed to take any published or unpublished open shifts and any unassigned shifts at one location and assign them to your staff based on their availability. So, you must first enter unpublished or published shifts in the "Open Shifts" row, or utilize a Favorite Shift or Schedule Template to populate shifts at the location you are planning to auto-schedule. (We strongly encourage the use of templates! To learn more, watch the tutorial accessible at the bottom of this article).

Finally, you'll note that you can only perform an auto-schedule one week at a time. This is by design, so that the scheduler can easily focus on the auto-schedule results week to week and make edits accordingly. Once everything looks good, simply look for the Publish button to publish all the shifts for that week (and choose at that time whether or not to notify your staff).

This is where sub-requests come in handy, as all staff at that particular location can review the results of the auto-schedule to determine whether or not they will need to request a sub. If your organization actively requires your staff to enter their availabilities, the sub-requests should be few.
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Before shot of our schedule and after shot of our schedule showing the results of the Auto-Scheduler:
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In this example, observe that the software matched as many shifts as possible with our employees that work at this particular location, according to the positions they hold and their availability to work. And that's how auto-scheduling can save you TONS of time!