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ShiftHub — Workforce Scheduling for F&B and Retail SMEs

ClientShiftHub
Year2026
Stack6 technologies
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Business Challenge

Singapore's F&B and retail SMEs typically manage staff schedules through WhatsApp groups and Excel spreadsheets. Managers spend 5-8 hours weekly creating schedules, handling shift swap requests, and calculating hours for payroll. Last-minute absences create crisis situations because there is no system to automatically find replacements. Overtime pay is frequently miscalculated because manual timesheets are inaccurate. A cafe manager we worked with was manually tracking 15 part-time staff across morning, afternoon, and evening shifts — a scheduling puzzle that consumed her Sunday evenings every week.

## Solution Architecture

Solution Architecture

We built a mobile-first web application with Manager Dashboard for shift creation, staff assignment, schedule publishing, attendance approval, and payroll export. Staff App for viewing schedules, requesting shift swaps, clocking in/out, and tracking earnings. Backend with automated scheduling algorithm, overtime calculation engine, and payroll data formatting for integration with accounting software.

### Scheduling Algorithm

The core scheduling engine uses constraint satisfaction to balance business requirements (minimum staff per shift, skill requirements) with staff preferences (availability, preferred hours, maximum weekly hours, fair distribution of weekend shifts). The algorithm processes scheduling requests in under 30 seconds for teams up to 50 staff.

## Key Features

Key Features

Shift scheduling with drag-and-drop interface, auto-assignment based on staff availability and skills, and schedule templates for recurring patterns. Attendance tracking with GPS-verified clock-in/out, photo verification, and real-time attendance dashboard. Shift swap with automated availability matching, manager approval workflow, and schedule auto-update. Overtime calculation with automatic tracking based on Singapore MOM regulations, overtime rate configuration, and payroll-ready CSV export.

## Technology Stack

Technology Stack

Next.js frontend with PWA for mobile installation. Node.js with Express.js backend. PostgreSQL for scheduling data, staff records, and attendance logs. Redis for caching schedules and session management. Docker on VPS with automated backups.

## Results

Results

Platform adopted by 250+ F&B and retail businesses. Manager scheduling time reduced from 5-8 hours/week to 30 minutes/week. Payroll error rate reduced from 12% to under 1%. Staff satisfaction improved — shift swap requests resolved 80% faster. Overtime disputes reduced by 90% through automated calculation.

Technology Stack

Technologies Used

Next.jsNode.jsExpress.jsPostgreSQLRedisDocker
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