Please see answers to frequently asked questions about the Smart Scheduler in the table below.
Question | Answer |
What is Smart Scheduler? | Smart Scheduler is an AI-powered job optimization feature that automatically assigns unassigned jobs to qualified technicians based on skills, travel time, busines hours, and customer preferences. |
Where do I find Smart Scheduler? | In your Dispatch module, look for the “Run Smart Schedule” button at the bottom of the Unassigned jobs column on the left side.
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Who can use Smart Scheduler? | Users with Dispatcher or Admin permissions can use Smart Scheduler. It is available for Professional and Enterprise tier customers with single-branch operations. |
Is there an additional cost? | No. Smart Scheduler is included in your existing Professional or Enterprise subscription at no additional charge. |
How long does optimization take? | Most optimizations complete in 30–60 seconds. Larger job volumes (500+ jobs) may take up to 5 minutes. |
How many jobs can Smart Scheduler handle at once? | It efficiently optimizes 50+ jobs at a time. Larger volumes are supported, though processing time increases (500+ jobs may take 5+ minutes). |
Does Smart Scheduler work on mobile devices? | No. Smart Scheduler is currently available in the ServiceBridge web application only. Mobile integration is planned for a future release. |
What happens if no job durations are entered? | Jobs without a duration default to 1 hour for optimization. For best results, enter accurate job durations in the Job Duration field. We recommend using Job Templates to avoid manually entering Job Duration repeatedly. |
Can I schedule jobs for past dates? | No. Smart Scheduler cannot optimize schedules for past dates. The button will be disabled if your selected date range includes past dates. |
Does Smart Scheduler replace manual scheduling? | No. It assists with bulk scheduling while preserving your ability to manually adjust assignments. You can preview all changes before applying them. |
What if some jobs can’t be scheduled? | The system will show which jobs could not be scheduled and explain why (e.g., no qualified technician, travel constraints, time window conflicts). You can correct the issue or schedule it manually. |
Can I override Smart Scheduler recommendations? | Yes. You have full control to preview, approve, cancel, or manually adjust assignments. |
Does Smart Scheduler consider technician skills? | Yes. Jobs requiring specific certifications or skills are assigned only to qualified technicians. |
How are customer time windows handled? | Smart Scheduler respects planned arrival windows and customer scheduling preferences when building optimized schedules. |
Why don’t I see the Smart Scheduler button? | The button appears only when unassigned jobs exist for the selected date range. It is also disabled for multi-unit/franchisor accounts and past dates. |
Can I use Smart Scheduler with multiple branches? | Smart Scheduler is designed for single-branch operations. Multi-unit and franchisor accounts have the feature disabled. |
What data should be configured before using Smart Scheduler? | For best results, ensure job durations, technician skills, team start/end locations, and company business hours are properly configured. |
Do I need special training? | No. Smart Scheduler integrates directly into your existing Dispatch workflow with a simple, guided interface. |
What should I do if optimization seems stuck? | Large job volumes may take several minutes. If optimization appears stalled after 10 minutes, refresh your browser and try again with fewer jobs, or contact support. |
Why did some jobs fail to schedule? | Common reasons include missing skills, excessive travel distance, time window conflicts, technician availability, or schedule overlaps. The system provides specific explanations for each job. |
What happens if I navigate away during optimization? | Optimization will continue running, but you may lose visible progress tracking. Return to the Dispatch screen to confirm completion. |
Will Smart Scheduler receive new features? | Yes. Planned enhancements include route visualization, technician working hours, multi-day optimization, and predictive scheduling recommendations. |
Will automatic scheduling without approval be available? | Future releases may include optional auto-scheduling. The current version requires user preview and approval before applying changes. |