Streamlining Cannabis Operations: How Digital Solutions Help

From cultivation to distribution, managing a cannabis operation involves complex operational processes and strict legal compliance requirements. Industry trends have fluctuated recently. Despite healthy growth in new markets, legal cannabis sales slowed or declined in more mature markets. Driven by COVID-19's impact on the economy, cannabis companies consolidated or exited the marketplace after being impacted by layoffs, cash crunches, and increased debt.

One of the reasons remaining players are surviving and thriving is the implementation of workforce management software. In this blog post, we'll explore how a workforce management solution can help cannabis farmers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers improve productivity, compliance, and overall business performance.

Simplifying Scheduling and Timekeeping

Effective scheduling is crucial for any cannabis operation to make sure the right employees are available and productive. A workforce management solution can automate and simplify the scheduling process by considering factors such as employee availability, skill sets, and compliance requirements. New assignments can be digitally dispatched to employees' mobile devices or planned in advance on a digital dashboard. The digital scheduling reduces various costs including unnecessary OT, excessive fuel waste from poor routing, and idle time on the clock.

Many workforce management solutions are also equipped with integrated time clocks, enabling accurate and quick logging of employee hours, breaks, and time off. This streamlines payroll processing and ensures compliance with labor laws, reducing the risk of fines or legal issues.

With real-time visibility into job assignments and timekeeping, managers can make informed decisions, better allocate resources, and readily address staffing gaps.

Enhancing Compliance and Security

Cannabis businesses must adhere to strict regulatory requirements, which can vary across jurisdictions. A comprehensive workforce management solution can help ensure compliance by automating documentation and providing the quick and secure delivery of training forms. Maintaining digital records of employee credentials ensures that only qualified and authorized personnel handle sensitive tasks.

Additionally, some platforms provide robust security features and digital solutions for audit trails. By governing access to digital records, cannabis businesses can safeguard against unauthorized access to sensitive areas, prove that protocols are properly followed, and protect against internal/external threats.

Optimizing Inventory and Supply Chain Management

Digital inventory and supply chain management processes help cannabis businesses meet customer demands while minimizing waste and costs. A workforce management solution can provide digital features (such as barcodes and QR code scanning) which track and monitor inventory.

Integrations with already established inventory systems can also help supervisors gain real-time visibility into stock levels, expiration dates, and product tracking. Accurate inventory data optimizes the supply chain process while reducing stockouts, overstocks, and related financial impacts.

In the ever-evolving and highly regulated cannabis industry, the adoption of a workforce management solution can be a game-changer for businesses aiming to streamline operations, remain compliant, and succeed over the long term. Digital technology can simplify scheduling and timekeeping, strengthen compliance and security, and optimize supply chains and inventory management – helping business achieve better overall outcomes. Workforce management software, such as TeamWherx®, can position cannabis businesses for sustainable growth in the competitive marketplace.