Mobile App Schedule Adherence Monitoring via GPS Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Employees, especially those with varying work schedules or remote work arrangements, often fail to adhere to their scheduled shifts, making it difficult for employers to monitor their presence and performance, which can lead to missed goals and operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A scheduling adherence system (SAS) that utilizes a mobile application on smartphones or tablets to communicate with a scheduling adherence server, tracking employees' location using GPS and other technologies to ensure they are at the correct work location during their scheduled shifts, and reporting any deviations for compliance monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual monitoring by supervisor is used, then employee presence can be easily detected, but this approach is not feasible for remote work or mobile employees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical visual monitoring system with an electronic automated monitoring system using mobile devices, GPS technology, and server-based tracking. This substitution enables monitoring of employees regardless of their physical location or work arrangement type, resolving the contradiction between detection precision and adaptability across different work scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mobile devices and automated tracking technology as intermediaries between the employee and supervisor. This intermediary system captures and transmits location and activity data automatically, eliminating the need for direct visual supervision while maintaining monitoring effectiveness across diverse work arrangements.
2Reliability
If automated tracking technology is implemented, then employee location can be monitored in real-time, but this increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service monitoring system where employees use their own mobile devices to automatically track and report their location and activity status. The system leverages existing smartphone capabilities (GPS, sensors, communication) rather than requiring specialized tracking equipment, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes multi-functional mobile devices that employees already possess for personal use. These devices serve dual purposes: personal communication and work monitoring. By leveraging the existing multi-functionality of smartphones, the system avoids adding dedicated tracking hardware, thus reducing complexity while ensuring reliable schedule adherence monitoring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively monitors employee adherence to their schedules, enabling timely adjustments and maintaining operational efficiency by providing real-time location tracking and compliance reporting, thus helping employers meet performance objectives.
Implementation Method 1
tracking employees' location using GPS and other technologies
Data Source
AI summary
An employee, such as a call center agent, is monitored for compliance with a work schedule based on their work location. The call center agent's physical location is periodically monitored by a schedule adherence system that includes a mobile device executing a mobile application. Location information associated with that agent is compared with location information when the agent is working during their scheduled shift. A significant deviation from the known location may be reported as a potential deviation from a defined work schedule for that employee. The call center agent can also be monitored prior to the beginning of a shift to determine if the agent will be arriving at work in time to begin their shift as scheduled. Substitute agents may be scheduled and notified in time to fill the position of the late agent.