| Daniels Desktop |
Overview Daniels Desktop is the successor to the popular Windows Workloading (WWL) software by Daniels Associates. It builds on the Workloading concepts in WWL and introduces some exciting new features that streamline the process of Workloading.Specifications A specification is a re-usable set of tasks and frequencies which can be applied each time you do a new workload. If you find yourself workloading the same types of sites over and over again, setting up a specification will save you having to manually input tasks and frequencies for each new site. Specifications also make it easy to enforce company standards with regard to how cleaning is carried out and how often. Nested areas Now you can divide your sites in any way you see fit by creating areas within areas. For example, you could divide your site into each individual floor, and then sub-divide each floor into bathrooms, offices and hallways. Enhanced reporting with output to Microsoft Word Reports utilise the new nested site structure to provide you with useful statistics at every level of your workload. Reports are output as a Microsoft Word document which you can further edit in any way you wish. Add your own company’s letterhead and fonts, or add extra comments and documentation – the choice is yours. Improved user interface The Daniels Desktop user interface has been improved in many ways. Among them is the ability to open any number of workloads at one time and switch between them. Unified database Daniels Desktop stores all of the tasks, sites and specifications you create in a single unified data file. You can create as many data files as you like, each containing their own set of “master tasks”, sites and specifications. This allows you to customise tasks in one data file without affecting sites in another data file. Additionally exporting your tasks and sites to another computer is made easy – as is backing up your work. There’s only one file to copy! The Daniels Desktop Roadmap In DepthFeatures and TasksDaniels desktop introduces the concept of a Feature to the workloading model. A Feature corresponds to a physical “thing” that requires cleaning or servicing (e.g. Tiled Floor, Carpet Floor, Filing Cabinets, Desks, Elevator Cabs etc). Features replace the unit types found in WWL and provide additional functionality. Building a Site – Spaces and Features When workloading a site, rather than adding tasks directly within an area (or “space”), you input a list of features found in the space. For example; in a typical lobby area, you might add the following features; Reception Desk (1x), Terrazzo Floor (60m2), Trash Can (4x), Ashtray (4x), Vinyl Seat (8x), Wood Table (4x), Elevator Landing (2x). Each feature you add to a site can be quantified. Some features (such as floors) are quantified in square metres, whereas features designed to work with unit-based tasks are quantified as a count. Assigning Tasks to a Feature  Because all tasks are linked with a limited number of features, when you start assigning tasks to the features in your site you now have a smaller list to choose from. Tasks that are not applicable to the feature you are working with are hidden. For example; in the picture at right the user is selecting tasks to be performed on a hospital bed. The only tasks the user sees are tasks related to servicing a hospital bed – nine tasks from a database of several hundred. Specifications Along with the new concept of Features, Specifications allow you to create re-usable “templates” that will automatically add tasks to the sites you workload. A specification is basically a mapping of features to tasks and frequencies. If a Feature is the “what must be cleaned” then a specification is the “how we clean it”. Within the specification each type of feature can be assigned a list of tasks, with various frequencies (i.e. how often the task is performed on that feature each year).  Setting up a Specification – assigning tasks to be performed on each type of Feature found on a site. Workloading a Site Layout out a site has become considerably more powerful in Daniels Desktop. With the ability to nest areas, you can gather statistics for any conceivable part of your site. The final building reports closely follow the layout of spaces (areas) you create. Each space can contain a mix of sub-spaces as well as features. Tasks are allocated to features.  Divide your site into as many “areas” as you like, with multiple levels. Assign a combination of specifications to an area of your site to automatically apply tasks. If you have taken the time to set up some specifications then the process of workloading a site is as simple as listing off the areas within the site and specifying what features are found in the site and their quantities (e.g. the Lobby has 80m2 of Marble Floor, four trash cans, eight vinyl seats, one reception desk etc). The specification that you apply to the space will automatically fill in any tasks that are applicable to those features, along with frequencies.  Tasks and frequencies are set automatically by the specification that you apply. If you want to make a quick adjustment you can edit the site directly. Of course, you can override the specification and “tweak” the tasks and frequencies for the current site only. If you have an unusual (one-off) site then you may ignore the specifications altogether and simply add tasks directly to the site – just like WWL.  Tasks automatically applied from the specification can be removed or have their frequency changed. You may also add extra tasks directly to the site. For unique sites, you may not apply a specification at all – simply add tasks directly to the site in much the same fashion as WWL Getting Results  Daniels Desktop’s main function is to tell you how long servicing a particular site will take. Daniels Desktop provides excellent access to this important information, as well as analysis of where your labor costs are centred.Live Statistics Firstly, you have access to statistics at every level of your site layout while you work. A live “Workloading Statistics” panel will show you total times, productivity and a breakdown of individual tasks for any part of your site – from the entire site, right down to an individual feature. Detailed Reporting When you’re happy with your workload, you can generate detailed reports. The reports output to Microsoft Word, so you can further work the output, adding your own graphics and company style as well as any extra content you desire. 
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