CHICAGO — Rite Aid Corp. plans to deploy a cloud-based workforce management system that will be used at all of its nearly 4,700 drug stores.
Retail workforce management technology provider WorkPlace Systems Inc. said Thursday that Rite Aid is adopting WorkPlace OnLine, its cloud-based schedule and attendance management service. The solution is being implemented by WorkPlace Systems and Axsium Group, a workforce management consultancy.
By using a cloud-based workforce management service, Rite Aid will sharpen the visibility, efficiency and control of its pharmacy schedules as well as related data such as labor costs and open shifts at its stores, the technology providers said, adding that the drug chain will improve labor utilization, cut schedule administration time and increase compliance with all schedule-related processes.
Another key benefit expected from the solution is an improved work-life balance for pharmacists, according to WorkPlace Systems and Axsium. The system will enable the use of a portal — available anytime, anywhere — for viewing and confirming schedules, making time-off requests and shift bidding.
"Rite Aid selected WorkPlace based on its expertise on scheduling associates across multiple locations, user friendliness and its rapid implementation strategies," Dave Markley, vice president of financial and labor analysis at Rite Aid, said in a statement.
WorkPlace OnLine is expected to be in place at all Rite Aid stores by March. Because it’s a service accessed through a web browser, the solution can be deployed quickly with reduced up-front expense, and regular system updates and enhancements can be made more easily, WorkPlace Systems noted.
"We are absolutely delighted to be working with Rite Aid," stated James Freshwater, vice president of WorkPlace Systems. "This implementation is another indication of how important cloud workforce management is to retailers looking to quickly improve productivity and efficiency through the all-important visibility and control that WorkPlace OnLine delivers."
Rite Aid is "committed to finding ways to continually grow their business and improve internal processes," according to Bob Clements, senior principal at Axsium, whose other clients with retail pharmacy operations have included Kroger, Ahold and Boots.
"By selecting WorkPlace’s cloud-based workforce management solution, Rite Aid is trail-blazing and setting a course for other retailers," Clements commented. "We are thrilled to be involved in the project and feel that our deep retail and workforce management domain will help to expand the scope of cloud-based solutions."
