Overview
The Dispatcher is your central command center for managing, scheduling, and assigning work orders to technicians. It provides a visual timeline view of all work orders, allowing you to drag-and-drop tasks, assign resources, and manage your service operations in real-time.The Dispatcher is designed for operational efficiency - schedule technicians, assign tasks, track progress, and ensure every work order is properly resourced and ready for execution.
When to Use the Dispatcher
Use the Dispatcher when:- Scheduling technician assignments for upcoming work orders
- Managing daily work order priorities and timelines
- Assigning resources (technicians, vehicles, tools) to tasks
- Tracking work order status and progress throughout the day
- Reorganizing schedules when priorities change
- Viewing all work orders across your organization in one place
Dispatcher Interface
- Upcoming Work (Left) - List of all work orders with filters
- Timeline View (Right) - Visual schedule showing work orders by time slots
- Control Bar (Top) - Branch selection, view switcher, and add task group
Timeline Views
The Dispatcher offers two viewing modes to match your workflow:Dispatcher View (Timeline Day)
Shows all work orders in a timeline format organized by hour:- 24-hour timeline from 12:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Task groups displayed as rows
- Work order tasks shown as blocks in time slots
- Drag-and-drop capability to reschedule tasks
- Color-coded by work order type
Calendar View (Day View)
Shows work orders in a traditional calendar day format:- Organized by time blocks
- Easier to see overall daily schedule
- Good for high-level planning
Switch between views using the “Dispatcher View” and “Calendar View” buttons in the control bar.
Upcoming Work Panel
The left panel displays all work orders based on your filters:Work Order List
Each work order card shows:| Information | Description |
|---|---|
| Date | Planned or scheduled date for the work order |
| Work Order ID | Unique identifier (e.g., 26-1032) |
| Status | Current status badge (Open, Assigned, Completed, etc.) |
| Customer | Customer name for the work order |
| Type | Work order type (Install, Maintenance, Service, etc.) |
| Priority | Priority level (High, Medium, Low) |
| Address | Service location |
Selecting Work Orders
Click on any work order in the list to:- View full work order details
- Load task groups in the timeline
- Assign resources and schedule tasks
- See all related tasks and assignments
Status Filters
Filter work orders by status using the Status dropdown:| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| All | Shows all work orders regardless of status |
| Open | New work orders not yet assigned (default view) |
| Paused | Work orders temporarily on hold |
| Rejected | Work orders that were declined |
| Assigned | Work orders assigned to technicians but not yet started |
| Accepted | Technicians have accepted their assignments |
| Verification | Work completed, awaiting verification or approval |
| Completed | Finished work orders |
| Paid | Completed and invoiced/paid work orders |
Additional Filters
Click the Filter icon to access more filtering options:Assignment Filter
| Filter | Description |
|---|---|
| All | Show all work orders |
| Assigned | Only work orders with assigned technicians |
| Unassigned | Work orders waiting for technician assignment |
| My Task | Work orders assigned to you (if you’re a technician) |
Type Filter
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| All | Show all work order types |
| Installation | Installation work orders (M- prefix) |
| Maintenance | Maintenance work orders (W- prefix) |
| Delivery | Delivery work orders (L- prefix) |
| Repair | Repair work orders (R- prefix) |
| Conversion | Conversion work orders (U- prefix) |
Combining filters helps you focus on specific work - for example, “Unassigned + Installation” shows only new installations that need technician assignment.
Adding Task Groups
Task groups organize work order tasks into logical categories:Enter Task Group Name
Give the task group a descriptive name (e.g., “Site Preparation”, “Installation Phase 1”)
What are Task Groups?
Task groups help organize complex work orders:Installation Projects
Installation Projects
Break installation into phases: Site Survey, Installation, Testing, Training. Each task group can be assigned to different technicians or scheduled for different time slots.
Maintenance Work
Maintenance Work
Organize by equipment or location: HVAC Units, Electrical Systems, Plumbing. Schedule each group independently based on technician skills.
Multi-Day Projects
Multi-Day Projects
Group tasks by day: Day 1 Tasks, Day 2 Tasks, Final Day. Helps track progress on longer projects.
Team Assignments
Team Assignments
Create groups for different teams: Lead Technician, Assistant, Quality Check. Each team works on their assigned task group.
Managing Task Groups
Once created, you can:- Edit the task group name or color using the pencil icon
- Delete the task group using the trash icon
- Add tasks within the group by clicking time slots
- Reorder task groups by dragging
Task groups appear as rows in the Dispatcher timeline. Each row can contain multiple tasks scheduled at different times.
Scheduling Tasks
Within each task group, you can schedule individual tasks:Creating Tasks
Task Details
When creating or editing a task, you can specify:| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| From / To | Start and end time for the task |
| Resources | Technicians assigned to complete this task |
| Vehicles | Company vehicles needed (service vans, trucks) |
| Tools | Specialized tools required for the work |
| Products | Products to install or deliver (for Installation/Delivery work orders) |
| Assets | Customer equipment being serviced (for Maintenance/Repair work orders) |
| Parts | Replacement parts needed for repairs |
Drag-and-Drop Scheduling
Tasks can be moved easily:- Drag horizontally to change start time
- Drag vertically to move between task groups
- Resize task blocks to adjust duration
Branch Selection
Use the Branch dropdown to filter work orders by location:- Shows only work orders for the selected branch
- Useful for multi-location operations
- Helps dispatchers focus on their region
- Ensures technicians see only relevant assignments
Branch filtering affects both the Timeline View and the Upcoming Work list, showing only work orders associated with the selected branch.
View Controls
Expand/Collapse Schedule
The expand arrows button toggles between:- Normal view - Timeline alongside Upcoming Work panel
- Full screen view - Timeline expands to fill the entire screen
Date Navigation
Navigate through dates using:- Previous button - Go back one day
- Next button - Move forward one day
- Date selector (January 2026) - Jump to any specific date
The Dispatcher always defaults to today’s date when you first open it, ensuring you focus on current day operations.
Creating New Work Orders
From the Dispatcher, you can create new work orders:Workflow: Typical Dispatcher Day
Here’s how a dispatcher typically uses this feature:Tips and Best Practices
Start with Open Status
Start with Open Status
Always begin your day by reviewing the “Open” status filter. These are work orders awaiting assignment and should be prioritized for scheduling.
Use Task Groups for Complex Jobs
Use Task Groups for Complex Jobs
For work orders with multiple phases or requiring different skill sets, create task groups. This makes it easier to assign specialized technicians and track progress through each phase.
Assign Specific Time Slots
Assign Specific Time Slots
Don’t leave tasks without scheduled times. Assigning specific time slots ensures technicians know exactly when to arrive and helps prevent double-booking.
Check Resource Availability
Check Resource Availability
Before assigning technicians, verify they don’t have overlapping tasks. The timeline view shows conflicts when task blocks overlap.
Color-Code Task Groups
Color-Code Task Groups
Use distinctive colors for different task groups. This makes it easy to visually identify work phases at a glance in the timeline.
Filter by Assignment Status
Filter by Assignment Status
Use “Unassigned” filter to quickly find work orders that still need technician assignments. This ensures nothing gets overlooked.
Use Full Screen for Busy Days
Use Full Screen for Busy Days
When managing many work orders simultaneously, expand to full screen mode for better visibility and easier drag-and-drop scheduling.
Assign Vehicles and Tools Early
Assign Vehicles and Tools Early
Add vehicles and tools to tasks during scheduling, not later. This ensures resources are reserved and available when technicians need them.
Common Questions
Why can't I add task groups?
Why can't I add task groups?
The ”+ Add Task Group” button is disabled until you select a work order from the Upcoming Work panel. Click on a work order first, then the button becomes active.
What's the difference between Dispatcher View and Calendar View?
What's the difference between Dispatcher View and Calendar View?
Dispatcher View (Timeline Day) shows task groups as horizontal rows with hourly time slots - best for detailed scheduling. Calendar View shows a traditional day calendar - better for high-level overview.
Can I assign multiple technicians to one task?
Can I assign multiple technicians to one task?
Yes! When creating or editing a task, use the Search button in the Resources section to select multiple technicians. This is common for complex installations requiring a team.
What happens when I drag a task to a different time?
What happens when I drag a task to a different time?
Dragging a task updates its scheduled time. Any assigned technicians receive notifications about the time change. Make sure to check for conflicts with other scheduled tasks.
How do I know if a task has all required resources?
How do I know if a task has all required resources?
Click on any task block in the timeline to view its details. The task editor shows all assigned resources, products, assets, and parts. If sections are empty, resources still need to be added.
Can I see work orders for multiple branches at once?
Can I see work orders for multiple branches at once?
No, the Branch filter shows work orders for one branch at a time. To manage multiple locations, switch between branches using the dropdown. This keeps the view focused and prevents confusion.
What does the 'My Task' filter show?
What does the 'My Task' filter show?
If you’re logged in as a technician (or have technician permissions), “My Task” shows only work orders where you’re assigned. This helps technicians focus on their own schedule.
How do I handle emergency work orders?
How do I handle emergency work orders?
Use the drag-and-drop feature to quickly reschedule existing tasks, making room for urgent work. You can also adjust task durations by resizing blocks to compress the schedule.
Related Documentation
Work Order Wizard
Create new work orders to schedule in the Dispatcher
Resource Dispatcher
Visual resource scheduling focused on technician calendars
Work Orders
Learn about work order management and lifecycle
Technicians
Manage your technician roster and assignments