Transforming Operations with Biarri: Partnering with Australian Unity to Redefine Home Care Efficiency
We worked with Alliance Group to build a web based tool that uses quantitative analytics at the core to modernise their approach to meat sales and production planning.
Background
Since 2022, Biarri has worked in partnership with Australian Unityʼs Home Health business to support operational optimisation across their national footprint.
As part of this engagement, Biarri developed a fully customised rostering and scheduling software solution, complete with advanced optimisation algorithms that optimise care worker rosters and visit schedules.
The software and algorithms have been tailored to support the Australian home care industry navigate operational constraints and regulations.
The Challenge
Facing an ever-ageing population and a national shortfall in qualified carers, Australian Unity recognised the need to innovate home care delivery using workforce planning optimisation. Australian Unity traditionally used Procura combined with manual processes to manage all rostering and scheduling but believed that an advanced algorithm-led approach to workforce planning could support efficient delivery of care while delivering:
• Reduce the cost of home visits while maintaining high service quality.
• Improve care worker satisfaction and reduce churn.
• Ensure more reliable service delivery to their clients.
The Solution
The Biarri solution is a cloud-based SaaS application. It consists of two modules, each providing access to an advanced optimisation engine that automates and optimises the rostering and scheduling process. The engines were used to perform a global optimisation for each providerʼs branch. By simultaneously considering all contributing factors, constraints and objectives in concert and prescribing rosters and schedules across all care workers, the platform determines the most efficient routes, the best timing of visits, the best allocation of client visits to care workers, and care worker rosters.
Our SaaS-based optimisation solution consists of two key modules:
Roster-Creation Module:
• Automates master roster generation with detailed schedules for shifts, travel, breaks, and meetings.
• Allocates care workers to clients they are familiar with, balancing quality and cost.
Roster Maintenance Module:
• Dynamically manages daily disruptions like cancellations and staff absences.
• Automatically and optimally prescribes changes to rosters and schedules that balance cost-minimisation with the impact on clients and care workers.
Outcomes for
Australian Unity
Supported by Biarri, Australian Unity transformed the Home Health business through:
• Investing in improving the quality and accuracy of required data
• Integrating Biarri software into the Australian Unity technology stack
• Effective change management
• Implementation of a Biarri roster maintenance engine that maintains the benefits of an optimised roster
Australian Unity is now rolling out roster optimisation across its national footprint. As of March 2024, rolled-out branches have achieved average performance improvements of:
• 15% reduction in the cost to service a home visit.
• 15% reduction in average travel minutes per visit.
• Increase in the number of visits delivered as planned – from 60% to 90%.
How It Works:
The Biarri Path Forward
Biarri begins with a PoV to showcase measurable operational benefits. This phase includes:
• Customising algorithms for your planning needs.
• Baseline analysis to demonstrate efficiency and cost savings.
• Building a business case for full implementation.
Implementation Steps:
1. Proof-of-Value: Configure the optimisation engine and quantify expected benefits.
2. Design: Customise architecture and software to meet organisational needs.
3. Implementation: Deploy the solution in operational environments.
4. Support: Ensure continued alignment with evolving business needs.
The Biarri Difference
• Customised to Home Care Needs: Fully tailored to meet industry regulations and operational constraints.
• Technology That Delivers: Powered by the Biarri Workbench for rapid deployment.
• Proven Expertise: With 15 years of global experience implementing mathematical optimisation, Biarri’s team brings a combination of technical innovation and practical insights.
Start Your Transformation Today
Biarri is here to revolutionise your home care operations. Let’s create efficient, cost-effective solutions tailored to your needs.
Contact Us
David Lynch | +61 428 466 411 | david.lynch@biarri.com
Rav Raniga | +61 415 303 963 | ravind.raniga@biarri.com