What makes Dayshape AI different from typical planning and scheduling software?
Most scheduling tools automate using what’s known as an imperative model. An imperative model follows process steps defined by users, telling the system how to schedule rather than solving for an end result. Think of providing step-by-step directions getting from point A to point B. This lacks flexibility. If an organization needs to change the end result, maybe a schedule which optimizes for practitioner location vs. skill, then changing the how is complex, time-consuming, and disruptive.
Dayshape is different. It operates using a declarative model, which means users define an objective, and Dayshape figures out how best to achieve it. So this would be like providing the end address and letting the sat-nav calculate the best route depending on traffic, speed limits, road closures, etc.
Business rules are low-level logic. Objectives are high-level strategic goals. Taking this strategic approach delivers a world of difference:
Optimal planning
Business rules can generate a schedule that gets the job done, but they can never create an optimal schedule. They typically consider decisions one task at a time and aren’t able to consider the big picture. Dayshape can consider tens of thousands of scheduling options per second as well as your firm’s strategic objectives such as utilization or margin goals. When plans are disrupted, Dayshape can react instantly to maintain the most optimal plan.
Dynamic scheduling
Business rules usually process a task once and make a single decision about where it should be allocated. Dayshape uses real-time information to allow resource managers to adapt to dynamic changes in the organization – for example, an unexpected absence of a team member.
The dynamic scheduling at the heart of Dayshape enables resource and engagement managers to work in partnership with the system, with Dayshape surfacing knock-on implications of scheduling decisions.
Organizational agility
Because business rules define a single approach to creating a schedule, they are fragile and have to be carefully maintained and frequently redefined to cope with business changes. A change in the operating model – for example, deciding to pool team members across geographies – could result in having to rewrite the business rules completely.
Objectives only need to be changed if the strategic aims of the business change. And because objectives are defined in high-level terms, not detailed logic, it’s easy to adjust and define new ones.
Not all automation is created equally
Now we’ve looked at automation models, let’s check out the different types of automation tools available, and how these are used in professional services.
| PSA Software | Professional Services Automation (PSA) software uses basic automation and logic to collate timesheets, send out invoices or populate your client relationship management (CRM) database. |
| Business Rules Engine | By making your logic-driven software more configurable, you can create business rules engines. For example, coding bank statement transactions, based on specific logic-based rules. |
| RPA | Robotic Process Automation (or RPA) connects up your software systems and uses a ‘digital workforce’ to automate the most monotonous, repetitive tasks – in a way where you’d traditionally have needed people to be the glue. |
| Optimization | Combinatorial optimization uses combinatorial techniques (tricky maths, to you and me) to solve optimization problems. For example, Dayshape uses optimization and artificial intelligence (AI) to solve resource planning issues and hurdles. |
| Machine Learning | Machine learning is a field of AI which allows your software to ‘learn’ and evolve its capabilities and accuracy, based on the data it processes. So, for example, the more bank transactions your AI system processes, the better it gets at picking the right cost code and automating this process efficiently. |
| Generative AI | Generative AI uses generative models and training data to create content or summarize information, and can improve productivity throughout the customer journey. The most famous examples of Generative AI are large language models (LLM) such as Chat GPT. Firms should exercise caution if putting sensitive information or IP into a public engine, and be aware they could be using potentially biased or incorrect source information to make content. |
How will AI tools be impacted by the EU Artificial Intelligence Act in 2024?
The EU AI Act is being introduced across the European Union with the intention of keeping AI development on the straight and narrow, protecting people from any potential risks and creating a more trustworthy AI landscape.
While this will shake things up in the world of professional services automation, the effects will vary based on the type of AI tool in question. This is because the Act will classify tools based on their risk level. AI that has more risk with regard to bias or data privacy concerns such as Machine Learning or Generative AI will be subject to more controls and transparency requirements.
So what does this mean for Dayshape customers? Dayshape scheduling is powered by optimization AI, which does not ‘learn’ from previous decisions, nor is it trained on data that could be biased. It is therefore considered to be lower risk than Machine Learning & Generative AI. One measure even for low risk AI is to ensure users know they are interacting with AI, and that AI is contributing to decisions and/or content creation. This is very clear in the Dayshape interface, with the reasons for decisions clearly explained to the user. Dayshape is the only solution that has this unbiased, transparent interface for resource management.
Find out how Dayshape’s unique AI-powered planning and scheduling can boost your business’s agility, profitability, and resilience or schedule a conversation with our team.
About Dayshape
Dayshape is AI-powered resource management and project planning software built specifically for professional services firms. Dayshape helps firms deliver on their top priorities: profitability and growth, outstanding client service, and creating fulfilling careers for their people. Through intelligent automation, Dayshape optimizes your workforce like no other product can, making it easy to ensure your workforce is deployed optimally at all times, no matter how large or complex the scheduling needs are.
With over 50,000 users across 20 countries and four continents, including numerous global top 10 accounting firms, Dayshape is leading the way in resource management software innovation.
