Latest News Archive
Openreach: Field Optimisation Suite
6 February 2007
Towards the end of November 2006, trials of a piece of software called the Field Optimisation Suite (FOS) took place. This is a suite of resource management components that management claim will better match workloads and resource. Openreach intended to roll-out FOS in April 2007.
An urgent meeting has been requested with management as there are a number of issues concerning the Executive team. These include:
- need for agency on frames,
- changing PWAs,
- the process for managing agility,
- better management of work and the impact on annual leave, and
- the impact on the Field Dynamics Teams and Wider Controls.
We will report on the progress of these enquiries.
More about Field Optimisation Suite
The FOS suite includes:
- Field Reserve – a new component to provide a 'frames appointing capability',
- Field Plan – to put field people in the right Work Manager Preferred Work Areas (PWAs) to deliver the workstack for tomorrow (and beyond),
- Field Forecast – to forecast the intake of jobs in the short term, and to build forecasts for the longer term (including QPB budget builds),
- Field Exchange - to manage engineer loans 'out of area',
- Field People - an enhanced version of our existing Automated Attendance Management system (AAM).
Most engineers have now used AAM for annual leave, sick and overtime booking requirements. BT is now marketing the system externally and as a result some changes will be introduced that will affect the appearance of the system. Leave, sick and overtime will still be booked in the same way as before.
Screen layouts and the menu system have also been changed. You will still access the system in the same way as you always have done although the links and menu options on some access systems will change. BT has issued a briefing explaining these changes.
There are two new features for engineers; The ability to change your overtime volunteer status, and the ability to re volunteer if you have previously cancelled your offer to work overtime on a scheduled day off.
If you have any problems the Attendance Management Units will be on hand to advise should anyone have any difficulties and the RM helpdesk is still available by e mail.