ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd. (NasdaqGS: CKSW), the leading provider of workforce management and service optimisation solutions, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of AiPoint, a company that develops and sells shift planning solutions.
AiPoint’s highly specialised workforce management solutions make advanced shift planning possible for a broad range of companies in retail, telecommunications, transportation and utilities – industries that face the very real challenges of scheduling diverse workforces across multiple shifts and locations, with frequent staffing changes. AiPoint’s software enables simultaneous optimisation of multi‐variable, multi‐need shift scheduling and monitoring, and integrates this crucial data while accounting for personal requests and training and placement considerations.
“Optimised and well‐balanced shift planning is a multi‐million‐dollar decision that occurs every day,” said Dr. Moshe BenBassat, Chairman and CEO of ClickSoftware. “It is extraordinarily challenging at the best of times. Today, volatile customer demand, tighter labour regulations and cost constraints continue to exert pressure on making sure you have the required – and appropriately trained – staff in the right place, at the right time,” he added.
“We are delighted to become part of ClickSoftware, which continues to define the market for workforce and service optimisation,” said Asi Barak, CEO of AiPoint. “We share a common vision: creating business value for service operations through decision support and optimisation technology.”
The acquisition also expands the functionality of ClickSoftware’s ClickRoster solution, which helps field service organisations optimally staff shifts of workers while taking into account applicable rules and regulations; demand coverage; cost; employee working preferences; and the need to balance undesirable shifts‐i.e., weekends, public holidays, etc.‐among appropriate employees.
“Any business that operates 24×7, or more than one daily shift, needs a shift planning and scheduling tool; including health care operations, retail stores, hotels, public safety such as police and fire departments, security personnel, banking, and, of course, field service operations for utility, telecommunications and other industries. Indeed, we see growing demand from our customers and partners for managing and optimising shifts. With the acquisition of Aipoint we are significantly expanding the spectrum of industry verticals and applications we can address. As we continue to execute well towards our 2009 targets, the acquisition of AiPoint adds another layer to our growth platform for 2010 and beyond,” said BenBassat.
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