Dynamic Scheduling & Dispatch

Configuration of the PSO integration - datasets, scheduling basic data, and the optimization behaviour (base value vs cost, SLAs, weightings, travel) that governs the Dynamic Scheduling Engine and Appointment Booking Engine.

Visual monitoring and manual intervention through the Dispatch Console (IFS Cloud native Gantt + map) and the Scheduling Workbench (the PSO web UI).

Defining when resources are available - shifts/rotas, breaks, absences, on-call, relocations - and generating the schedule/capacity data PSO needs, with long-range rostering via the Advanced Resource Planner (ARP).

Handling urgent/reactive work inserted into a live plan and reserving capacity to absorb it, using PSO Dynamic/Reactive process types and continuous re-optimisation.

Converts a diagnosed service demand into a resourced, parts-ready appointment on a named technician's day. In IFS Cloud the Work Order is decomposed into Work Tasks carrying competency, tool and duration requirements, parts are reserved against van or site stock, and the work is released to IFS Planning & Scheduling Optimization (PSO) which balances skills, travel, SLA priority and parts readiness. The committed assignment is then dispatched to the technician's mobile device and confirmed to the customer.

Covers the preparedness layer that sits behind live gas emergency response: maintaining the written emergency procedures required of every gas operator, holding liaison with 9-1-1 and public officials, keeping responder training and qualification current, and standing up mutual aid when an event exceeds local capacity. In IFS Cloud this is carried by the emergency plan Document set, Employee Competency/Qualification records, standby Team/Crew structures and PSO configuration that lets schedules absorb emergencies. The process is cyclical: plan, train, drill, respond, review, and feed corrective actions back into the plan.

Allocates emergency and urgent HVAC callouts to the best-placed qualified engineer inside the contracted response window, disrupting the planned maintenance schedule as little as possible. Optimises for first-time fix by matching skills, certifications and parts availability to the fault, not just proximity. Continuously re-optimises the schedule as new emergencies, cancellations and overruns land during the day.

Escalates the utility from normal operations to a storm organisation, quantifies the resource gap, and secures, onboards, houses and costs the additional crews needed to restore service. Incoming mutual-assistance and contractor crews are created as schedulable, qualified resources in IFS Cloud so they can be dispatched and their cost captured for regulatory storm-cost recovery. The process closes with demobilisation, cost reconciliation and an after-action review that updates the playbook.

Turns the released Work Order backlog into a executable workshop plan by matching Work Tasks to qualified technicians and physically suitable bays, gated on parts readiness. IFS Planning and Scheduling Optimization can drive dynamic re-optimisation across the day where volume and volatility justify it. The process protects the two scarce assets in a dealer workshop - certified technician hours and heavy bay capacity - and is where promised turnaround times are won or lost.

Converts a confirmed service order into a bookable installation visit and secures a slot the operator can actually honour. IFS Cloud creates the installation Work Order and its Work Tasks, derives the required skills, duration and parts, and offers PSO-backed appointment slots that respect SLA windows, travel and technician availability. Once booked, the customer is confirmed and given Appointment Assistant tracking so the truck roll is transparent end to end.

Matches the day's field demand - installs, activations and break/fix - against the available technician, crew and contractor supply, then commits and dispatches the optimised schedule. IFS Planning and Scheduling Optimization allocates jobs, sequences routes and balances the plan against SLA and travel objectives, and re-optimises intraday for emergencies, overruns and cancellations. This is the process that determines utilisation, SLA adherence and cost per job across the entire fulfilment estate.