Wireless Web Enabled 24/7 Substitute/Temp Dispatching Technology

19 April 2005

Each day in the US, 5% to 10% of just public school teachers are absent. Many absences are either unplanned or an emergency. Open jobs must be fulfilled, often at the last minute before classes start. Teachers also prefer that their requested substitutes receive first priority. Currently many districts use automated Interactive Voice Response “IVR” systems. IVR systems call one at a time from a computer generated list of substitutes. These systems have specific calling times so that substitutes know they must be available at their home phones to personally accept any job offers.

Substitute Online (patent pending) is the first “pure web architecture”™ ASP product that allows absence information to be distributed immediately and simultaneously to all qualified and available substitutes, on their personalized online web page. No IVR component is involved. Currently substitutes enter their unique logon code from their PC and view a list of jobs that match their qualifications and availability. There is no delay of information as caused by IVR systems, however, substitutes must be at a PC.

Now wireless web enabled technology, using smart phones and other web enabled hand-held devices, allows substitute teachers to be anywhere, any time 24/7 and yet still have access, through substituteonline.com, to all job openings with a mini-browser. Requested substitutes optionally receive an e-mail. All substitutes or temp employees are immediately able to view and accept offered positions for which they are qualified, based on their personal and unique logon code. Substitute Online currently serves over 50,000 teachers and 10,000 substitutes nation wide.

Chuck Bernasconi, Substitute Online president, co-founder and a former teacher and coach, says that the complaint his company receives from substitutes is that “…the jobs go too fast,” especially when there are a number of substitutes that want to work. Bernasconi states “Most of our districts have 100% fill rates every day. Because there are no capital costs, districts pay only a small fee, usually less than $1.00 per absence. Now substitutes can be free to do their lives and not miss job opportunities, especially if they have been requested. It is another reason that IVR or combination IVR systems are quickly becoming obsolete.”

Over 20 years ago, Substitue Online’s parent company, Computer Innovations, developed the first PC based dispatching system to be marketed nationally. Substitute Online has been marketed since 1999 as a pure ASP Internet model and has proven to be both economical, with no hardware costs, and efficient, with immediate and 24/7 job information distribution. The system even provides complete lesson plans or directions so that substitutes/temp employees are fully prepared when arriving to teach or work.

Contact:
Chuck Bernasconi, President
Substitute Online, Inc.
800-735-7063 (PST)
e-mail protected from spam bots

Source: E-Media Wire