Time Slot Dispatching Sucks.

I first heard the concept of ditching time-slot dispathing on twitter from Rich Jordan. Its a no brainer.

Here's the problem with dispatching as it currently stands:

Let's say you run an HVAC repair business. You tell a customer you are going to arrive from 8-12 for repair. You arrive at 10am in the middle of the window to an agitated customer. To them you are two hours late.

By shifting to just telling customers you will be there a given day with a call 30 minute prior to arrival, you will always be "on time".

Employees can now move schedules around for pressing work like an airline:

On Time,

SMS: "This is your 10am Garon T update: We are still on track to service all of our scheduled clients today. We'll reach out when we're on the way!"

Delayed,

SMS: "Due to increasing demand, we are now offering a $50 credit to reschedule service to tomorrow. Please call..."