SD Worx subsidiary Protime acquires AI technology and expands workforce planning capabilities
March 13, 2024
Protime, the Belgian market leader in time registration and employee scheduling, has acquired Sheepblue, AI-based software for workforce planning, developed by the similarly named start-up founded in 2018 and headquartered in Vienna (Austria). The software specialises in shift-based industries that require precise workforce planning capabilities, such as manufacturing or logistics.
With the acquisition, Protime – that already provides AI-based workforce planning software tailored for the retail and hospitality industry – is expanding its workforce planning capabilities and has now automated scheduling and planning software for all types of workers in its portfolio.
Protime is a reference name in time registration in Belgium and the Netherlands and aims to become so in all 26 countries where its parent company, leading European HR solutions provider SD Worx, operates. By fully integrating the AI-based software into its workforce management solution in the coming months, Protime will realise the full potential of this software. The product takes into account legal framework conditions, working time and personnel requirements, optimisation strategies and employee preferences. It includes features for defining specific skills required for scheduling, swapping shifts with colleagues, scheduling resources by the minute, and more.
"Sheepblue is more than just automation; it's about building a smarter, more human-centric approach to workforce scheduling," says Eduard Rameder, Managing Director and CTO at Sheepblue. "We empower businesses to optimise their resources while fostering a positive work environment for their employees. We're excited to join forces with Protime, whose shared values and positive work environment align perfectly with our own. This transition ensures business continuity and positions our valued customers for even greater success. We're grateful for their trust and look forward to this new chapter.”
Protime will integrate the AI tool in its current Workforce management offering and make it available in the coming months for its +5000 Protime customers.
Higher engagement and improved work-life balance
Gille Sebrechts, CEO Protime: “We see a lot of potential in the Workforce Management Software market, estimated to yearly grow with about 10% in Europe. By this acquisition we are further expanding our workforce planning capabilities. A growing number of companies need an integrated workforce management suite including workforce planning. This allows them to forecast more accurately and helps them to limit overstaffing, overtime and scheduling errors, which results in cost savings. Companies can save hours of work through automated scheduling.”
Integrated workforce planning and scheduling automates repetitive tasks and ensures seamless processes across various workforce management functions freeing up managerial bandwidth. Furthermore, accurate and fair scheduling leads to higher employee engagement and improved work-life balance as they value transparency, predictability and flexibility in their work schedules.
Protime welcomes the existing customers to its customer community and ensures business continuity.
To provide seamless product support and continuous development for existing and new customers, a new feature team will be built up. This team will focus on expanding the product with new features aligned with future goals.
About Protime
Founded in 1995, Protime is the market leader in time recording, workforce scheduling and access control. Thanks to a continuous focus on innovation, the company delivers workforce management solutions across a wide range of customers and sectors. For example, Protime has over 5,000 time registration installations in Europe and this at almost 4,700 customers across Europe. Protime has been voted Great Place to Work for 10 years in a row and strives to be a "Once in a lifetime employer". The organisation has about 500 'Protimers' and achieved a turnover of EUR 54.6 million in 2023.
About Sheepblue
Founded in 2018 in Vienna (Austria), Sheepblue is a pioneering AI-based shift scheduling solution that helps companies of all sizes automate workforce planning, streamline operations and improve employee satisfaction. With a strong focus on intelligent automation, compliance, and user-friendliness, Sheepblue is revolutionizing the way businesses manage their most valuable asset – their people.