Right on schedule. While there are no easy wins in IT, some say automated staff scheduling systems come close.

Automated systems can house schedules from different units and facilities in a centralized location, giving managers the visibility they need to more effectively allocate resources. Smart CIOs are leveraging the business intelligence tools in scheduling systems to better anticipate staffing needs based on trends. With Web-based staffing, nurses can control their schedules by viewing openings in other facilities and offering to fill shifts. Many hospitals tie in incentives to encourage "floating" to other hospitals within a system. While some hospitals use scheduling as a stand-alone system, others have found value in linking it to other systems like time and attendance, HR and payroll.