The intelligent, AI-powered Retain alternative
Optimize is the ultimate buzzword on software websites. But it’s the most accurate word to describe what Dayshape does. It’s literally in the name of our technology!
Our combinatorial optimization AI considers the big picture, so you can effectively allocate work, no matter how large or complex the need. If you’re scheduling projects one-by-one, in turn, you’re not making optimal decisions.
Dayshape uniquely combines advanced AI-powered scheduling, real-time engagement financials, and automated budget creation and controls, making us the resource management solution of choice for growing, thriving firms. Take a look at our Dayshape vs Retain comparison.
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Dayshape vs Retain feature comparison
| Dayshape | Retain |
|---|---|
| Combinatorial optimization technology considers all the allocation possibilities and criteria across multiple projects and huge pools of resources | Machine learning technology is used to complement skills-matching scores. It can be prone to learning from poor previous decisions, perpetuating biased decision-making and overworking top performers |
| Find suitable staff for unallocated work across multiple projects at the same time, which is not only faster, it ensures optimal suitability firm wide | Work is matched to a resource project-by-project, one-by-one, in turn; leading to sub-optimal workforce allocation |
| AI provides suitability match information and optimal allocation suggestions for thousands of jobs in seconds | AI provides suitability match information only |
| Proven (10 years+!) AI matching and automation scheduling engine | AI is brand new, unproven, has no automated allocation, and can only suggest matches one job at a time |
| When allocating a job, see the suitability score and drill-down information for all loaded resources on the Gantt automatically | Only the top few matches are shown, limiting resource manager autonomy |
| Build and approve budgets and demand directly in Dayshape supported by automated project controls | Budget creation and approval happens outside of Retain and is imported in, slowing the process down |
| The only solution with real-time engagement economics in the same place as the Gantt, enabling strategic resourcing decisions | Actual-budget variance is only available a report outside of the Gantt, making it harder to make real-time staffing decisions |
| Configurable, automated alerts flag engagements going off-course against performance and quality metrics | Limited built-in performance warnings, alerts, and controls impacting engagement control and governance |
| Resources can suggest changes to their schedules in Dayshape, supporting talent retention | Resources have no autonomy over their own schedules in Retain, and no schedule on the dashboard |
| Configurable, customizable “wallchart” Gantt interface | Configurable, customizable “wallchart” Gantt interface |
| Bulk roll-forward engagements, accounting for weekends & holidays to save time and ensure continuity | Roll-forward is not intelligent, so does not consider weekends or holidays, slowing down forward planning |
| No smoke and mirrors, all features available for all customers with no extra licence costs | Compromise when you choose either Retain Cloud or Retain On-prem – not all features are available in both and some carry add-on costs |
Lead the way with next-level intelligent AI resource management
Find out moreWhy customers choose Dayshape as an alternative to Retain
AI that’s more than just resource matching
- Match and allocate the right work to the right person, across entire projects and teams at the same time, using as much or as little automation as you like.
- Clarity on why were suggestions made, maintaining full control over the allocation decisions.
- Use AI that’s combinatorial optimization, not machine learning. There’s no learning from poor behaviours here!
- Save time, increase and balance utilization, optimally match skills to jobs, and meet performance targets – achieving your goals of profitability, client satisfaction, and talent retention.
Plans change. Adapt to this inevitability with support from real-time engagement economics
- Empower resourcing teams to make profitable decisions by surfacing actuals and predicted engagement performance in the same place as the Gantt.
- See the financial impact of scheduling decisions before confirming any plans or changes.
- Rely on automated email alerts and in-system notifications to keep you informed of project performance risks.
Create budgets and monitor quality with configurable controls
- Build budgets and requests directly in Dayshape (or import from another system); the only resource management solution with this flexible functionality.
- Build configurable approval workflows to save time and deliver consistent engagement quality. Follow governance and quality controls (e.g., ISQM1) by adding restrictions to resources or ensuring sufficient partner coverage.
It’s your data, analyze it your way
- Drill down on anything and everything. Build your own reports in Dayshape and export to data lakes or tools such as Power BI.
- Focus on your job and let Dayshape automatically surface the talent, engagement, and financial reports you need.
Rely on continuous product investment that comes directly from your feedback
- Benefit from our commitment to innovation with new releases every six weeks.
- Experience continuous improvement as we reinvest a significant percentage of our annual turnover into product development.
- Give feedback directly in our Customer Discovery Programme.
