Multiple regions

Overview

This first iteration of Multiple Regions introduces the capability for schedulers to allocate jobs from one region to resources in another.

The scheduler can check the availability of resources that are assigned to two or more regions allowing them to allocate jobs across regional borders while also compensating for different time zones.

Secondary Regions

Assign a resource to additional regions

The scheduler can assign additional regions to a resource (in addition to their primary region), via the Resources console.

In the Resources details view is a field named Secondary regions. Click this field to reveal a dropdown menu with all the available regions that can be added.

Regional resources in the scheduling console

Once assigned, a resource will appear in the filtered results for multiple regions.

In the following example, a resource named “Dexter” (who has a primary region of “Brisbane”) has been assigned a second region “Sydney.” Dexter will now be available to receive jobs in both regions.

A filter is applied to the scheduling console to show the Sydney region and its resources.

  1. As Dexter is assigned to two regions (Brisbane and Sydney), he appears “available” in the filtered swimlanes for Sydney.
  2. Dexter’s availability is shown as if he were based in his primary region. Because Sydney is in a different time zone, his availability is automatically adjusted.
  3. Dexter’s first allocated job is calculated from his home address (in his primary region). Travel time is calculated accordingly.

The scheduling console swimlanes displaying a job adjusted for the time zone of a resource.

The scheduling console swimlanes displaying a job adjusted for the time zone of a resource.

In the job details view, the same region filter (“Sydney”) is applied. The resource requirements associated with the job result in only one validated and available resource being displayed—Dexter.

The job details of a job allocated to a resource who is assigned to a secondary region.

The job details of a job allocated to a resource who is assigned to a secondary region.

The job page showing a job allocated to a resource who is assigned to a secondary region.

The job page showing a job allocated to a resource who is assigned to a secondary region.

Temporary Regions

Temporary regions are useful when a resource needs to travel out of their default region for a set period. The scheduler is alerted to their movements when they view the scheduling swimlanes, allowing them to allocate jobs accordingly.

Temporary regions are created in the resource’s profile (under the “Temporary Regions” nav tab).

A new nav tab will appear in the resource console when the temporary regions feature is enabled.

To create a temporary region, click on the Add one text link, or click the Add button.

Creating a temporary region for a resource.

Creating a temporary region for a resource.

To configure a temporary region, perform the following:

  1. In the Select region(s) field, click on Add new region and pick one from the dropdown list (multiple regions may be added if they are within the same time zone).
  2. Set the arrival and departure times (in the temporary region time zone).
  3. Click Create to save the configuration.

Adding a temporary region for a resource.

Adding a temporary region for a resource.

Now that the temporary region has been created, navigate over to the scheduling swimlanes and ensure the region filter is set correctly to display the region that the resource will be temporarily visiting.

The visiting resource will have a small airplane icon attached to their profile picture (avatar). Notice too, the unavailability (labeled “Out of Region”) and availability (the white blocks) in the swimlanes reflect the times that were configured previously in the resource console.

The block labeled “Out of region” reflects the periods the resource is outside of their home region (adjusted to the temporary region’s time zone).

Viewing a temporary resource in the region they are visiting.

Viewing a temporary resource in the region they are visiting.

Adjusting the filters to look at the resource’s home region (here Sydney), the “out of region” period (unavailability) for the resource (Lisa Lund) will be 11:00 am to 4:00 pm due to Sydney’s time zone being one hour different.

Viewing a resource who is assigned temporarily to another region.

Viewing a resource who is assigned temporarily to another region.

There is one other console view where a resource can be identified as having been assigned a temporary region: the Availability console. The resource will be marked with a block of unavailability for the period that they are “out of the region.” A small airplane icon reflects the type of unavailability, i.e., temporary away in another region.