STAFF WORK ASSIGNMENT AND ALLOCATION
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- monitoring, by machine-based detection equipment, a retail setting and one or more customers therein;
comparing, by a microprocessor, an activity comprising at least a duration of time spent by the one or more customers within a first portion of the retail setting to a current staff allocation; and
based on the comparison step, determining that adjusting the current staff allocation would place the retail setting in a more ideal state, notifying a resource allocation manager to apply a staffing allocation adjustment.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Correctly staffing retail settings is a challenge. While calendar based staffing decisions, such as increasing staffing for a holiday sale, may provide high-level staffing recommendations. The activities of customers may be monitored to provide a more granular staffing allocation. Customers who, for example, spend a certain duration of time within one portion of the retail setting may be determined to indicate a need for assistance and a staff member of the retail setting allocated to assist the customer or customers within an area with a spike in customer activity. Similarly, customers who indicate a desire to purchase an item requiring certain staff skills (e.g., verify customer identity, complete legal documents, lift heavy items, etc.) may be detected and an appropriate staff member allocated. As a result, the customer may receive assistance from staff members having the required skills to complete their purchase.
8 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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monitoring, by machine-based detection equipment, a retail setting and one or more customers therein; comparing, by a microprocessor, an activity comprising at least a duration of time spent by the one or more customers within a first portion of the retail setting to a current staff allocation; and based on the comparison step, determining that adjusting the current staff allocation would place the retail setting in a more ideal state, notifying a resource allocation manager to apply a staffing allocation adjustment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system, comprising:
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a first sensor; a microprocessor; and a staffing allocation manager; and wherein the first sensor is operable to monitor a first portion of a retail setting and one or more customers therein; wherein the microprocessor is operable to compare an activity comprising at least a duration of time spent by the one or more customers within the first portion of the retail setting to a current staff allocation; and wherein the processor, based on the comparison step, determining that adjusting the current staff allocation would place the retail setting in a more ideal state, notifying the resource allocation manager to apply a staffing allocation adjustment. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A non-transitory computer readable medium with instructions thereon, that when read by a computer, cause the computer to perform:
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monitoring, by machine-based detection equipment, a retail setting and one or more customers therein; comparing, by a microprocessor, an activity comprising at least a duration of time spent by the one or more customers within a first portion of the retail setting to a current staff allocation; and based on the comparison step, determining that adjusting the current staff allocation would place the retail setting in a more ideal state, notifying a resource allocation manager to apply a staffing allocation adjustment. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. The medium of claim 20, wherein the instructions for monitoring at least one customer attribute, further comprise, instructions for determining the identity of one or more customers and wherein the staff attribute is a prior interaction attribute associated with one or more staff members and the one or more customers.
Specification