MAPS Components

MAPS is a highly configurable and modular software platform. It consists of three core components; Optimizer, Manager and Administrator, along with a series of modules. Please refer to the diagram and description below for more details.

MAPS Optimizer
The Optimizer component allows workforce planners to match operational demand with the supply of suitably skilled resources. Key features include:

• The automatic allocation of people and resources over time.
  
  
• A powerful rules engine to factor in specified workforce-related criteria and circumstances, when posting individuals to assignments and events.
  
  
• The definition and management of organizational structures, hierarchies, posts and units.
  
  
• Planning and modelling over hours, days, weeks, months and even years.
  
  
• The ability to schedule events and commitments.
  

Within the Optimizer component, there are a number of tools included. These have been specifically developed by Allocate Software to meet the requirements of MAPS users involved in workforce planning. The Optimizer tools include:

• Data Analyst - enables users to perform ad-hoc queries and reports against the MAPS database, providing targeted information across the entire organization. With a graphical interface that drills down into increasing levels of detail, Data Analyst is a powerful module for answering specific questions and highlighting trends.
  
  
• Head Hunter - enables workforce planners to find the most suitable people, with a specific set of skills, experience and qualifications for a role or post. MAPS users can determine the specific criteria and weighting, so Head Hunter will only locate and list the best matching candidates.
  
  
• Job Hunter - allows workforce planners to find the optimal role or post that require specific skills, experience and qualifications. MAPS users can tailor the search parameters and weighting, ensuring Job Hunter only returns suitable roles or posts.
  
  
• Force Finder – specific only to the MAPS Defense suite, this decision support tool enables operation planners to identify optimal workforce teams or units, with the necessary competencies to meet operational requirements. Users can determine the specific criteria and weighting, so Force Finder will only find and suggest suitable candidates.
  
  
• Trouble Shooter – this wizard allows MAPS users to find and fix problems such as safe manning compliance, itinerary issues and scheduling clashes. Users choose the Trouble Shooter, enter the time frame and color-code the organization structure. The wizard works out which units have issues and allows the user to jump straight to the problem areas. Context sensitive options allow problems to be fixed directly within Trouble Shooter.

MAPS Manager
The Manager component allows organizations to view and manage information about their workforce. Key features include:

• The Manager component is extremely configurable.
  
  
• It holds key, relevant data on individuals and teams that relates to their capability to perform assignments and roles.
  
  
• It allows senior MAPS users to set up specific workforce rules; managing which type of person may do what, and when, where and with whom they do it with.
  
  
• The data is stored in a SQL Server database; ensuring information can be shared and reused with other human resources and personnel databases.

The Manager tools include:

• Reporting – provides access to a set of pre-configured reports that have been tailored specifically to the individual industry. These reports can be exported out in other formats, ready to import into external analysis software such as Microsoft Excel.

MAPS Administrator
The Administrator component provides console-based tools for system administrators to configure the MAPS suite. The Administrator tools include:

• Security and Authority – managing the individual access rights of user groups and individuals. This ensures administrators can oversee the functions that other MAPS users are able to perform.
  
  
• Replication – sharing data across distributed MAPS databases when a requirement arises to replicate information to another part of an organization.

MAPS Modules
In addition to the three core components of MAPS, the software suite contains a number of modules designed to give users access to tools for quickly performing common tasks. These modules include:

• Communications Center – automates the production of communication resources; from letters of application, interview invitations and reminders, to travel authorizations. Generated from templates, the module provides a complete audit trail of activity.
  
  
• Recruitment Center - oversees the planning of recruitment campaigns. The workflow allows each application to be processed and record its status. Using the module, vacancies can be managed and costed.
  
  
• Training Manager - manages courses, training providers, locations and attendance. The module recommends training to fill skills gaps and on completion, assigns skills to participants’ records. To aid in the planning, adjusting and communication of training events for the year, it also includes an event diary view.
  
  
• Travel Administration - provides automation of travel requests based upon schedules. Generating recommendations for postings based on geographic location and the airfare to a destination, the module is designed to integrate with leading travel booking systems. The fulfilment information is then displayed directly to users within MAPS.
  
  
• Payroll Administration - allows scheduling, personnel and contract information to be extracted from MAPS into a payroll system. The module can produce a number of payroll journals based on the frequency that staff are paid, when they worked, and how much they are due.
  
  
• Employee Online - permits MAPS users with the correct privileges to access their personal details online. The module supports current and future schedules, training events and contact details.