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Industry Use Cases by Sector

AutoAllocate is a highly flexible resource allocation engine designed to solve complex assignment problems across any industry. By defining your own Resources, Targets, and Rules, you can automate tasks that previously required hours of manual spreadsheet manipulation.

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AutoAllocate never handles your actual files (like PDFs or Word docs). You simply upload a unique identifier (such as a Script ID, Employee Number, or Parcel Reference) from your spreadsheet. This ensures your sensitive data remains secure and private.

Education & Research​

1. Exam Marking Distribution​

Scenario: A university needs to allocate a list of student exam identifiers to a pool of markers based on subject expertise.

  • Resources: Markers (Identified by Name or Staff ID).
  • Targets: Exam Scripts (Identified by Script ID or Barcode).
  • Attributes:
    • Resource Attribute: Marker Specialism (Text) — e.g., "Quantum Mechanics".
    • Target Attribute: Exam Subject (Text) — e.g., "Quantum Mechanics".
  • Rules (Constraints):
    • Specialism Match: The Resource Attribute (Marker Specialism) must exactly match the Target Attribute (Exam Subject).
    • Capacity Limit: The number of scripts assigned cannot exceed the Marker's Capacity (total scripts they are contracted to mark).

2. Personal Tutor Allocation​

Scenario: Assigning new students to faculty members for pastoral and academic support.

  • Resources: Personal Tutors (Faculty members).
  • Targets: Students (Identified by Student ID).
  • Attributes:
    • Resource Attribute: Department (Text) — e.g., "History".
    • Target Attribute: Degree Programme (Text) — e.g., "History".
  • Rules (Constraints):
    • Programme Match: The Resource Attribute (Department) must match the Target Attribute (Degree Programme).
    • Minimum Load: Ensures every tutor is allocated a minimum number of students (e.g., at least 15) using the "Absolute Value" capacity rule.

Logistics & Transportation​

3. Last-Mile Delivery Optimisation​

Scenario: Matching delivery route identifiers to specific vehicles in a fleet.

  • Resources: Delivery Vehicles (Identified by Registration Number).
  • Targets: Daily Routes (Identified by Route ID).
  • Attributes:
    • Resource Attribute: Has Tail Lift (Text) — "Yes" or "No".
    • Target Attribute: Requires Tail Lift (Text) — "Yes" or "No".
  • Rules (Constraints):
    • Equipment Match: If the Target Attribute is "Yes", it must be matched to a vehicle where the Resource Attribute is also "Yes".
    • Volume Capacity: The cumulative Size of all routes assigned to a vehicle must not exceed that vehicle's Capacity (cubic volume).

4. Specialised Haulage (Chemicals/Fuel)​

Scenario: Allocating hazardous material jobs to drivers with the correct legal certifications.

  • Resources: Drivers (Identified by Employee ID).
  • Targets: Transport Jobs (Identified by Job Reference).
  • Attributes:
    • Resource Attribute: ADR Qualification (Text) — e.g., "Class 3".
    • Target Attribute: Load Type (Text) — e.g., "Class 3".
  • Rules (Constraints):
    • Certification Match: The Resource Attribute (ADR Qualification) must match the Target Attribute (Load Type).
    • 1-to-1 Topology: Use the rule "A resource can only be assigned at most 1 target" for long-haul, single-day jobs.

Healthcare & Social Care​

5. Nursing Shift Assignments​

Scenario: Assigning nursing staff identifiers to specific ward shift references.

  • Resources: Nurses (Identified by Staff ID).
  • Targets: Ward Shifts (Identified by Shift Code).
  • Attributes:
    • Resource Attribute: Clinical Specialism (Text) — e.g., "ICU".
    • Target Attribute: Required Expertise (Text) — e.g., "ICU".
  • Rules (Constraints):
    • Specialism Match: The Resource Attribute (Clinical Specialism) must match the Target Attribute (Required Expertise).
    • Shift Timing: If using Date Range attributes, the Target Attribute (Shift Time) must fall within the Resource Attribute (Nurse Availability).

6. Home Care Scheduling​

Scenario: Matching care worker identifiers to resident visit references.

  • Resources: Care Workers (Identified by Employee ID).
  • Targets: Resident Visits (Identified by Visit ID).
  • Attributes:
    • Resource Attribute: Languages Spoken (Text) — e.g., "Punjabi".
    • Target Attribute: Preferred Language (Text) — e.g., "Punjabi".
  • Rules (Constraints):
    • Language Match: The Resource Attribute must match the Target Attribute to ensure effective communication.
    • Workload Capacity: The total Size (visit duration) must be within the worker's daily Capacity (shift hours).

Professional Services & Consulting​

7. Project Team Staffing​

Scenario: Allocating consultant identifiers to client project codes.

  • Resources: Consultants (Identified by Name or ID).
  • Targets: Client Projects (Identified by Project Code).
  • Attributes:
    • Resource Attribute: Primary Skill (Text) — e.g., "Tax Audit".
    • Target Attribute: Required Skill (Text) — e.g., "Tax Audit".
    • Resource Attribute: Current Client (Text) — e.g., "Bank A".
    • Target Attribute: Competitor (Text) — e.g., "Bank A".
  • Rules (Constraints):
    • Skill Match: The Resource Attribute (Primary Skill) must match the Target Attribute (Required Skill).
    • Conflict of Interest: Use the "Avoid Exact Match" rule to ensure a Consultant where Resource Attribute (Current Client) matches Target Attribute (Competitor) is not allocated.

Public Sector & Non-Profit​

8. Housing Association Repairs​

Scenario: Matching maintenance engineer identifiers to repair ticket numbers.

  • Resources: Maintenance Engineers (Identified by Staff ID).
  • Targets: Repair Tickets (Identified by Ticket Number).
  • Attributes:
    • Resource Attribute: Trade Qualification (Text) — e.g., "Plumber".
    • Target Attribute: Fault Category (Text) — e.g., "Plumber".
  • Rules (Constraints):
    • Trade Match: The Resource Attribute (Trade) must match the Target Attribute (Fault Category).
    • Priority Rule: High-priority tickets are solved first within the daily Capacity (available work hours) of the engineers.

Summary: Modelling Your Problem​

To get the most out of AutoAllocate, remember:

  1. Use Identifiers: Never upload sensitive documents; use unique IDs from your spreadsheet.
  2. Define Attributes Clearly: Distinguish between what the Resource has and what the Target requires.
  3. Apply Logic: Use our Rules Engine to bridge the gap between your Resources and Targets.