The right people, right place, right time – with Better Shift

In most airports, shift planning is still done the same way it has been for decades: manual spreadsheets and a reliance on the instincts and insights of a few key planners. It’s time-consuming and prone to breakdown when demand surges or key planners depart. Better Shift takes the ‘best guess’ approach out of the equation, replacing it with an automated process that translates staffing needs into a shift pattern that meets any demand.

Better Shift is simple to use, can be deployed for any department at any time, and integrates seamlessly with your workforce management solution. Automating the rostering process ensures you’ll minimize unnecessary overtime while ensuring your staff receive their preferred shifts more often, improving employee satisfaction and the customer experience.

Better Shift is part of Better Airport® – the world’s leading connected operations platform for airport operators.

Three key benefits for your airport

In-built resilience

Better Shift’s algorithmic approach makes light work of the complexities of shift planning , including Union regulations and other mandated staffing directives. You can rest assured that your rosters will cover fluctuations in short-, medium- and long-term demand as well as seasonal changes. And automated shifts can be easily adjusted when necessary.

Cost-effective automation from Day 1

Having too many people on site harms your bottom line while having too few derails productivity and disrupts the customer experience. Better Shift ensures there are always the right number of people for any job , anywhere in the airport.

Easy to use - throughout the airport

Shift planning is complex and is typically carried out on legacy software or time-consuming spreadsheets. Better Shift is intuitive to use, making planning an accessible experience. And because data from every other Better Airport module flows seamlessly into Better Shift, it can be used to plan rosters in all departments, ensuring cohesive staff planning throughout the airport.

Better Shift FAQ

What is airport shift planning software?

Airport shift planning software turns operational staffing requirements into shifts that cover demand. Better Shift generates shifts around those requirements and the applicable work rules. It also supports overtime, shift extensions, and rostering.

How does demand-based shift planning differ from a fixed shift pattern?

Demand-based shift planning starts with the coverage the operation needs throughout the day, then builds shifts around it. A fixed pattern starts with a repeating schedule, which may not match changing demand. Better Shift generates shifts and rosters to cover the requirements of your operational plan.

Can Better Shift account for labor agreements and break rules?

Better Shift accounts for applicable labor rules, contracts, and break assumptions when generating shifts. Break assumptions help make the shifts realistic. The relevant rules are defined for your airport’s setup and labor regulations.

What information is needed to assess demand-based shift planning?

Bring your operational staffing requirements, workforce availability, employment contracts, and the rules governing shifts and breaks. Identify where current shifts leave gaps in the coverage needed to deliver the operational plan. The project team will confirm the data and rules needed for your setup.

Does Better Shift replace our HR or workforce management system?

Better Shift focuses on generating shifts that cover operational staffing demand. It does not replace your entire HR or workforce management system. For an integration, the project team defines where workforce information is maintained, what data is exchanged, and how approved outputs are handed over.

What is the difference between shift planning and day-of staff deployment?

Better Shift generates shifts to cover operational staffing demand. Better Deployment assigns available people to tasks during those shifts and adjusts assignments as conditions change. Creating suitable shifts and deciding what each person should do during the day are separate planning tasks.

How should an airport evaluate a new shift-planning approach?

Check whether the generated shifts provide the coverage needed to carry out your operational plan, such as the security lane-opening plan. Identify gaps that could contribute to passenger queues or flight delays. Also assess how the workflow reduces manual steps and how planning information passes between your systems.

The Better Airport software suite - get to know us module by module

Better Airport is a cloud-based airport management platform that gives airports of all sizes a simpler way to run core operations. The core modules of the Better Airport suite can be mixed and matched to fit your operational needs.

Click on the modules below to learn more.