Overview
The Resource Dispatcher provides a technician-focused scheduling view where you can see each technician’s availability and assigned tasks. Unlike the Dispatcher which focuses on work orders, the Resource Dispatcher focuses on people - showing who is available, when they’re busy, and allowing you to drag-and-drop unassigned tasks directly onto technician calendars.The Resource Dispatcher is designed for resource management - visualize technician workload, balance assignments, and ensure no one is overbooked or idle.
When to Use the Resource Dispatcher
Use the Resource Dispatcher when:- Viewing technician schedules and availability at a glance
- Balancing workload across your technician team
- Assigning unassigned tasks to available technicians
- Managing technician capacity and preventing overbooking
- Seeing which technicians are free for urgent work
- Planning resource allocation for the week or month ahead
Resource Dispatcher Interface
- Calendar Timeline (Left) - Visual schedule showing technicians as rows with their assigned tasks
- Waiting List (Right) - Panel showing unassigned tasks waiting to be assigned to technicians
- Control Bar (Top) - Filters, view options, and tools
Calendar Timeline
The calendar displays each technician as a horizontal row with time slots:Timeline Structure
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Technician Rows | Each row represents one technician with their photo and name |
| Time Slots | Hourly (Day), daily (Week), or monthly (Month) time divisions |
| Task Blocks | Colored blocks showing assigned tasks with duration |
| Empty Slots | Available time where new tasks can be assigned |
Task Block Information
Each task block shows:- Task name or work order description
- Time span (start to end time)
- Color coding by work order type (Installation, Maintenance, etc.)
Timeline Views
Switch between three view modes to match your planning needs:Timeline Day
Shows a single day with hourly time slots:- Best for: Detailed daily scheduling and hour-by-hour planning
- Time scale: 24-hour view from midnight to midnight
- Use when: Managing today’s assignments or planning tomorrow’s schedule
Timeline Week
Shows a full week with daily columns:- Best for: Weekly planning and workload balancing
- Time scale: 7 days with hourly or daily divisions
- Use when: Planning the work week ahead or reviewing weekly capacity
Timeline Month
Shows an entire month:- Best for: Long-term planning and capacity overview
- Time scale: Full month with daily blocks
- Use when: Planning upcoming work or identifying busy/slow periods
Switch views using the “Timeline Day”, “Timeline Week”, and “Timeline Month” buttons in the control bar.
Waiting List
The right panel shows tasks that haven’t been assigned to technicians yet:Task List Display
Each unassigned task shows:| Information | Description |
|---|---|
| Task Name | Description of the work to be done |
| Work Order ID | Associated work order identifier |
| Customer | Customer name for the task |
| Date | Scheduled or planned date |
| Duration | Estimated time to complete |
Assigning Tasks
To assign an unassigned task to a technician:Branch Filter
The Branch dropdown filters technicians and tasks by location:| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| All | Shows all technicians across all branches |
| Specific Branch | Shows only technicians assigned to that branch |
Date Navigation
Control which date range is displayed:Navigation Controls
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Previous | Move back one day/week/month (depending on view) |
| Next | Move forward one day/week/month |
| January 2026 | Date selector - click to jump to any specific date |
| Today | Quickly return to today’s date |
Date Filter Checkbox
Enable “Date Filter” to filter unassigned tasks by date range:- When checked: Only shows unassigned tasks within the currently displayed date range
- When unchecked: Shows all unassigned tasks regardless of date
The date filter helps focus on tasks relevant to the time period you’re scheduling, reducing clutter in the unassigned tasks list.
Search and Tools
Search Box
Filter unassigned tasks by typing:- Customer name
- Work order ID
- Task description
- Location
Excel Export
Export the current schedule to Excel:- Click “Excel Export” button
- Generates spreadsheet with technician assignments
- Includes task details, times, and resource information
- Useful for reporting or printing schedules
Column Chooser
Customize which columns appear in the Waiting List:- Click “Columns” button
- Check/uncheck columns to show/hide
- Drag columns to reorder
Row Height Controls
Adjust the density of the technician rows:| Height | Description |
|---|---|
| Big | Large rows with more spacing - easiest to read |
| Medium | Standard row height - balanced view |
| Small | Compact rows - fit more technicians on screen |
Managing Tasks
Editing Task Details
Click on any task block to open the task editor:Time Settings
Time Settings
From and To fields let you adjust start and end times. Drag the time pickers to schedule exact work hours.
Products
Products
For Installation or Delivery work orders, add products that will be installed or delivered. Search and select from your product catalog.
Assets
Assets
For Maintenance or Repair work orders, add customer assets being serviced. Select equipment from the customer’s asset list.
Checklists
Checklists
Attach checklists that technicians must complete during the task. Ensures standard procedures are followed.
Technicians
Technicians
Add multiple technicians to a task if it requires a team. The task appears on all assigned technicians’ calendars.
Tools
Tools
Specify tools needed for the job. Helps with resource planning and ensures technicians bring the right equipment.
Vehicles
Vehicles
Assign company vehicles if needed (service vans, trucks). Prevents double-booking of vehicles.
Drag-and-Drop Actions
Tasks can be moved and adjusted visually:| Action | How to Do It |
|---|---|
| Assign to Technician | Drag from Waiting List to a technician row |
| Reschedule | Drag task block left/right to different time slot |
| Reassign | Drag task block to a different technician row |
| Adjust Duration | Drag the left or right edge of task block to resize |
| Unassign | Drag task from technician row back to Waiting List |
Adding New Tasks
Create new tasks directly from the Resource Dispatcher:Technician Availability
Visual Indicators
The Resource Dispatcher helps identify availability:Empty Time Slots
White/blank areas indicate technician availability - perfect for scheduling new work
Task Blocks
Colored blocks show scheduled work - avoid overlapping unless technician can multi-task
Full Days
Rows completely filled indicate fully booked technicians - consider other resources
Gaps Between Tasks
Small gaps may indicate travel time or breaks - be mindful when filling these slots
Capacity Planning
Use the Resource Dispatcher to:- Identify overloaded technicians - too many consecutive tasks without breaks
- Find underutilized resources - technicians with large gaps in their schedule
- Balance workload - move tasks from busy technicians to available ones
- Plan for absences - see who’s available when others are off or unavailable
Workflow: Typical Resource Dispatcher Use
Here’s how dispatchers typically use the Resource Dispatcher:Review Technician Calendars
Open Resource Dispatcher and check Timeline Day or Week view to see who’s scheduled
Tips and Best Practices
Use Timeline Week for Planning Ahead
Use Timeline Week for Planning Ahead
The week view is perfect for planning several days in advance. You can see patterns, identify busy days, and balance work across the week.
Color Coding Helps at a Glance
Color Coding Helps at a Glance
Task blocks are color-coded by work order type. Learn the colors to quickly identify installation, maintenance, and repair work.
Don't Overpack Schedules
Don't Overpack Schedules
Leave buffers between tasks for travel time, unexpected delays, or emergencies. A fully packed schedule has no flexibility for urgent work.
Filter by Branch First
Filter by Branch First
If you manage multiple locations, always select the correct branch before scheduling. This ensures you’re assigning local technicians.
Use Search for Urgent Tasks
Use Search for Urgent Tasks
When an urgent task comes in, use the search box to quickly find it in the Waiting List and assign it immediately.
Check Technician Skills
Check Technician Skills
Not all technicians can do all work. Consider certifications, experience, and specializations when assigning tasks.
Export Schedules Daily
Export Schedules Daily
Generate Excel exports at the start of each day and share with field supervisors. They can print or reference schedules offline.
Review Waiting List Daily
Review Waiting List Daily
Make it a habit to clear the Waiting List daily. Tasks left unassigned too long may miss their deadline.
Common Questions
What happens if I drag a task to a time slot that's already occupied?
What happens if I drag a task to a time slot that's already occupied?
The system may prevent overlapping assignments or allow it depending on configuration. If overlap is allowed, both tasks show on the technician’s calendar - but this typically means they’re overbooked and adjustments are needed.
Can I assign one task to multiple technicians?
Can I assign one task to multiple technicians?
Yes! Open the task editor and add multiple technicians in the Technicians section. The task appears on all assigned technicians’ calendars, showing it’s a team effort.
How do I see what tools or products are assigned to a task?
How do I see what tools or products are assigned to a task?
Click on the task block in the calendar. The task editor shows all assigned resources, including tools, vehicles, products, assets, and checklists.
What's the difference between Resource Dispatcher and Dispatcher?
What's the difference between Resource Dispatcher and Dispatcher?
Dispatcher focuses on work orders and task groups - organizing work by job. Resource Dispatcher focuses on people - showing technician availability and making it easy to balance workload.
Can I filter to see only specific technicians?
Can I filter to see only specific technicians?
Currently, the Resource Dispatcher shows all technicians for the selected branch. Use the row height controls to make the view more compact if you have many technicians.
Why don't I see some tasks in the Waiting List?
Why don't I see some tasks in the Waiting List?
If you have Date Filter enabled, only tasks within the displayed date range appear. Uncheck Date Filter to see all unassigned tasks regardless of date.
Can technicians see their own schedules?
Can technicians see their own schedules?
Yes, if you provide them access to the Resource Dispatcher. Alternatively, use the Excel Export feature to generate and share individual schedules.
What happens when I drag a task back to the Waiting List?
What happens when I drag a task back to the Waiting List?
The task becomes unassigned again - removed from the technician’s calendar and returned to the Waiting List. Useful if you need to reassign work.
Related Documentation
Dispatcher
Work order-focused scheduling and task group management
Technicians
Manage your technician roster, skills, and availability
Work Order Wizard
Create work orders that generate tasks for scheduling
Tasks
Understand task lifecycle and management