Comparative Analysis of Task Scheduling Applications for Businesses

This report offers a comparative analysis of task scheduling applications, focusing on mobile applications like 10to8, BookSteam, TimeTap, and Acuity Scheduling. It begins with an overview of the digitization of services and the increasing use of applications for management and scheduling. The report then provides website links and explains the main features of each application, detailing the services offered, including free trials and premium plans. It highlights the differences between the applications, focusing on features, integrations, and security measures. The analysis incorporates the Service Dominant Logic (SDL) framework to evaluate how these applications create value and contribute to foundational premises. The report discusses how features contribute to SDL premises and concludes with a value proposition, providing insights into the competitive landscape of task scheduling applications and their relevance for businesses.

Running Head: TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
Task Scheduling Applications
Name of the Student
Name of the Organization
Author Note

1TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
Executive Summary
The purpose of this report is to device a comparative approach for mobile applications using
task-scheduling mechanisms, which are provided by different website applications as well as
software’s in android and iOS platforms. The analysis of mobile applications was done using
Service Dominant Logic strategies applicable to improve the quality of services provided by task
scheduling applications. The entire service structure was analyzed, in terms of service offered as
well as free trials provided for customers to understand working mechanisms of scheduling
applications. The different services provided ranging from project management, task scheduling,
work distribution and other necessary paradigms required for seamless management of project
management related tasks. This report aims to achieve a comparative analysis of three mobile-
based applications for performing scheduling operations.

2TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
Table of Contents
Overview..........................................................................................................................................3
Website Links..................................................................................................................................3
Explanation of Main Features..........................................................................................................4
Details of Service Provided.............................................................................................................5
Difference between the Applications...............................................................................................6
Difference in Main Features............................................................................................................7
Mobile Application Features with Service Dominant Logic (SDL) Framework........................7
Description of SDL and Use of SDL to Guide Product Design..................................................7
Mobile Application Features contributing to Foundational Premises.........................................8
Value Proposition......................................................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................11

3TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
Overview
Digitization of services are adopted by most companies to cope up with the modern trends and
implication of such services to increase ease of doing business. Companies are rapidly increasing
use of application for processes related to management, accounting, and database. This is useful
in multifarious ways, comparatively online scheduling is helpful for keeping a ledger of activities
occurring (Navin et al., 2014). The latest facilities include customers readily able to schedule
tasks and appointments, without human intervention, which is a preferable mode of
communication for the modern generation. Various factors contribute to the rapid success of
such trends, like reduction in overall cost of a company, better quality of customer service
through applications because of which large as well as small businesses are adopting this strategy
of online task scheduling.
Multiple applications are available in the online community like TimeTap, Booksteam, Acuity
Scheduling and 10to8 Scheduler. Each of the scheduler services have common services provided,
however some of the features which are paid in one application, could be a free service on the
other applications (Arya & Verma, 2014). Demo versions can be booked to look for performance
as well as implications based on varied requirements in a company. Task schedulers help to
device a comprehensive and interactive design to schedule tasks and work flow.
Website Links
Three websites, taken into consideration for comparison are:
i. 10to8
https://10to8.com/
ii. BookSteam

4TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
https://booksteam.com/
iii. TimeTap
https://www.timetap.com/
Explanation of Main Features
The mobile applications have different features, where some are similar to one another,
and some differ (Tripathy & Patra, 2014). 10to8 is a mobile computing maintenance and
management application, which has web-based platform, iOS application and Android
application. The main features include call support, online assistance, and automated SMS as
well as email reminders (Khodakarami & Chan, 2014). The clients can book pages and
appointments, and have full access to control the schedule. Auto-generated reminders for staff
members, helps in easier co-ordination amongst each other. There are provisions for live
calendar synchronization, and services available are live booking facilities and has more than
500 integrated application services.
BookSteam on the other hand is an appointment based scheduling service, used by small
and medium scale businesses, which provide a unified booking platform to increase user-base of
a business and decrease the risk of human error. Series of multiple office locations can be
allocated and customized with facilities of online payment, integrated into the service (Zou et al.,
2014). TimeTap is also an automated scheduling application that has provisions of monthly
booking facilities. Businesses, which require scheduling of online appointments, are done with
ease by the help of fluid auto-scheduling calendar service provided by TimeTap. The application

5TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
also has provisions for asking auto-generated questions, based on which an appointment date is
fixed to ease both the business as well as the client.
Details of Service Provided
10to8 is a task scheduling application, which is a free forever software, which has a huge
online presence and makes businesses gain prominence in the virtual marketplace. Clients are
able to book appointments and are notified via email and messaging services on confirmation.
Unlimited numbers of services, group or one to one are provided make this application premium
service provider in task scheduling and time management.
BookSteam has various plans starting with provisional free trials. There are monthly,
quarterly and yearly plans, which include certain premium facilities associated with it. However,
companies use for booking appointment, where six users can avail services after subscribing to
the plans (Paul et al., 2016). The standard plans start at a pricing range of $19.95 per month, for
features, which include management of attendance, auto scheduling, automatic reminder
facilities as well as customizable templates.
TimeTap is also free to use as a trial and include premium plans with monthly rates of
$19.95. Premium facilities include abilities of business to generate customized code for
embedding scheduler applications with required websites and social media accounts (Smith et
al., 2016). Enterprises are able to schedule unlimited number of appointments on a monthly basis
along with checking status and availability of dates with a customized fluid calendar facility.
Difference between the Applications
The scheduling application provide a range of options in paid or free versions of
application based services. 10to8 provides integration of software’s, which include Zapier and

6TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
Google Calendar as well as security encryption of important and sensitive data, hypertext
transfer protocol security for all available, page (Niizawa, 2016). With terms to access control,
multi-factor authentication options are not available; moreover, there is no retention of customer
data after cancellation of services.
BookSteam, on the other hand provides seven integrated software services with premium
services available with the application, some of which are Stripe, PayPal, Google Calendar and
Microsoft Outlook, however there is no provision for encryption of sensitive data (Trainor et al.,
2014). Continuous generation of security alerts for probable security breaches, and provision of
multi-factor authentication options in access control are not provided. Premium services include
retention of customer data, after cancellation of services.
TimeTap has features like appointment management, live automated scheduling, as well
as automatic reminders and automatic notification (Skålén et al., 2015). There is one integration
of software, which is Google Calendar. Security is provided with encryption of sensitive data,
automated generation of report of probable security breaches, however there is no provision for
retention of customer data, once the availed services are cancelled.
Difference in Main Features
10to8, BookSteam and TimeTap are all task-scheduling applications, which provide
various types of client services ranging from integration of software’s, which include from MS
office, MS Excel, however each of them integrate certain features with a different mechanism.
The integration of Google Calendars, which provides live calendar tracking service in 10to8
helps in scheduling time for a task operation, whereas the mechanism for BookSteam and
TimeTap related to Google Calendars, is different. BookSteam on the other hand has booking

7TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
features, and creation of multiple administered office locations in application platform, absent in
the other two. Since, the amount of money charged by applications vary in range, consequently,
the services provided also vary in numbers as well as mechanisms in which they are accessible.
Task scheduling is a vast domain, where small, medium and large organizations uses different
applications based on task requirement (Jacobsson & Roth, 2014). 10to8 is an appointment
scheduling software, which is cloud-based service; on the other hand, BookSteam is an
appointment-scheduling platform, which provide tools required by organizations in project
management. TimeTap, as a task scheduling application, due to the product pricing offers variety
of services ranging from automated generation of code and documents can be uploaded in the
cloud, with real-time updates and activity trackers, which are integrated in a central platform, to
easily access required information and updates on task in hand.
Mobile Application Features with Service Dominant Logic (SDL) Framework
Description of SDL and Use of SDL to Guide Product Design
Service dominant is a framework, which has provision for describing creation of value,
with exchange amongst various actors. The basic concept of Service Dominant (S-D) logic is
application of human competency in order to profit similar tasks using service-for-service
exchange policy (Mele, Colurcio & Russo-Spena, 2014). Primary focus is provided to
application of available resources, necessary patterns for creating value. The process of value
creation is dependent on exchange of available resources amongst multiple participants in order
to create a system, which is accurate in conceptualization, and a dynamically organized system,
through exchange of value added services (Francese et al., 2015). There are formulations of
axioms and foundational premises integrated into eight logical framework for easier
understanding of the core values associated with extension of added services, where the services

8TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
can be marked based on requirements specified for implementing services required by
organizations. The integration of core values of service dominant logical framework provides an
organization the ability to create a robust and interactive framework.
Service dominant logic provides with certain parameters, which include development of a
platform with all required components that use available resources to improve product design
through the entire lifecycle (Sabella et al., 2016). This is a modular designed structure to
establish relation between involved actors and connect with available necessary resources. There
are protocols, for application of resources in design and development of a new product or update
certain aspects of an existing product. Service Dominant Logic framework are used in supply
chains and logistics department of an application to virtually access systems and associated
networks. There is a considerable presence of service dominant framework in product marketing
in information systems field. Software used are implemented with SDL framework to have a
strategic advantage over competitors within the same field. Ecosystem of a service-oriented
software, in creation of value requires adequate resources in co-creating value added service for
the product.
Mobile Application Features contributing to Foundational Premises
The mobile application Acuity Scheduling is dependent on foundational premises (FP)
numbered as FP6, FP7 and FP10. Acuity Scheduling application under FP6, which states that
consumers are co-creators of value, the scheduling applications provide a wide range of services
in the platform ranging from product management, online booking of appointments where, actor
interaction are a part of value adding procedure. Acuity Scheduling is a cloud platform, and
highly responsive to customer feedbacks and constantly updating their services offered based on
customer demand. This in turn will increase revenue for the application as well as create a user

9TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
centric value addition procedure. The application is creating value by connecting like-minded
business by creating the option to make businesses interact with one another (Mir & Pinnington,
2014).Since, this is a social platform for users to interact and share ideas, and active participation
from the organizations viewpoint in addressing necessary changes creates a positive impact.
Value addition is not a paradigm for the customers, however the services offered by
organizations and effective use by consumers creates value for the organization. Acuity
Scheduling is a complete task scheduling application catering to every need of enterprises in
value addition with the quality of services offered.
Task scheduling applications primary concern is regarding the quality of services they
provide. The process of delivering value is not under an organizations domain, but value
proposition is a primary concern for task scheduling applications. The services offered, both free
as trial and premium services provided by the application plays an active role in ensuring high
quality experience. Acuity scheduling is an appointment scheduling software, therefore they
provide calling facilities, grievance-addressing mechanisms to increase user base. The
applications by providing online assistance in task scheduling operations create an interactive
user platform, which has helped a lot in ease of doing business for small, medium and large-scale
enterprises. The integration of a variety of services offered by this application contribute to a lot
in organizational mechanisms, project management, work scheduling and other associated
domains.
Value Proposition
Task scheduling operations are services used by businesses to complete tasks without
human intervention in a virtual ecosystem. The three application 10to8, BookSteam and
TimeTap provide accessible tools used by organizations to conduct operations seamlessly. The

10TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
customers are small, medium and large-scale industries who integrate use of services offered by
these applications to conduct certain tasks seamlessly. 10to8 provides a cloud platform, with
storage facility with premium services. Project managers use BookSteam to assign tasks, update
tasks on a platform accessible by employees, which is beneficial to time management
(Edvardsson et al., 2014). The services offered include data protection, data integrity as well as
security. Some services can only be used with subscription, and millions of enterprises
subscribing to the service proves the necessity of these applications in effective management of
task. Task scheduling applications are value-based services that provide opportunities to
enterprises in sorting necessary elements to manage various types of work.
Applications used in maintaining emails, managing customer feedback, assigning dates
for meetings with integrated services in the platform are highly beneficial for enterprises.
Options to interact with other professionals from the industry creates an opportunity for
businesses to expand in the global market. Storage space provided with data protection helps
enterprises to maintain employee information, a unified database with easily accessible
information’s. Typical customers include freelancers, large-enterprises and medium businesses.
Facilities like calling assistance, online support through chat boxes, video tutorials on enterprise
project management from industry experts and an effective pricing strategy are some of the basic
value addition, task-scheduling applications provide. The reviews provided to change facilities
for these application, provide with a concise idea of enterprises direct association, for
administering use of services to improve quality within the organization. Integrated software’s in
the platform are highly beneficial as well as cost efficient, because most of the services offered
from other applications are paid services, which are available free for customers availing these
task scheduling service, with a monthly or yearly nominal charge, that is comparatively cost

11TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
efficient and beneficial for the organization. Data retention mechanisms available with some of
the services are highly effective, which protects customer data even after cancellation of
services.
References
Arya, L. K., & Verma, A. (2014, March). Workflow scheduling algorithms in cloud
environment-A survey. In 2014 Recent Advances in Engineering and Computational
Sciences (RAECS) (pp. 1-4). IEEE.
Edvardsson, B., Klaus, P., Payne, A., & Frow, P. (2014). Developing superior value
propositions: a strategic marketing imperative. Journal of Service Management.
Francese, R., Gravino, C., Risi, M., Scanniello, G., & Tortora, G. (2015). Using Project-Based-
Learning in a mobile application development course—An experience report. Journal of
Visual Languages & Computing, 31, 196-205.
Jacobsson, M., & Roth, P. (2014). Towards a shift in mindset: partnering projects as engagement
platforms. Construction Management and Economics, 32(5), 419-432.
Khodakarami, F., & Chan, Y. E. (2014). Exploring the role of customer relationship management
(CRM) systems in customer knowledge creation. Information & Management, 51(1), 27-
42.
Mele, C., Colurcio, M., & Russo-Spena, T. (2014). Research traditions of innovation: Goods-
dominant logic, the resource-based approach, and service-dominant logic. Managing
Service Quality, 24(6), 612-642.

12TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
Mir, F. A., & Pinnington, A. H. (2014). Exploring the value of project management: linking
project management performance and project success. International journal of project
management, 32(2), 202-217.
Navin, A. H., Navimipour, N. J., Rahmani, A. M., & Hosseinzadeh, M. (2014). Expert grid: new
type of grid to manage the human resources and study the effectiveness of its task
scheduler. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 39(8), 6175-6188.
Niizawa, D. T. (2016). U.S. Patent Application No. 29/429,878.
Paul, S., Sengupta, S., Mohamedrasheed, A. K., Saxena, A., & Kaulgud, V. (2016). U.S. Patent
No. 9,483,657. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Sabella, D., Vaillant, A., Kuure, P., Rauschenbach, U., & Giust, F. (2016). Mobile-edge
computing architecture: The role of MEC in the Internet of Things. IEEE Consumer
Electronics Magazine, 5(4), 84-91.
Skålén, P., Gummerus, J., Von Koskull, C., & Magnusson, P. R. (2015). Exploring value
propositions and service innovation: a service-dominant logic study. Journal of the
Academy of Marketing Science, 43(2), 137-158.
Smith, B. E., Bezek, S., Potter, J. D., & Twyman, A. R. (2016). U.S. Patent No. 9,298,391.
Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Trainor, K. J., Andzulis, J. M., Rapp, A., & Agnihotri, R. (2014). Social media technology usage
and customer relationship performance: A capabilities-based examination of social CRM.
Journal of Business Research, 67(6), 1201-1208.

13TASK SCHEDULING APPLICATIONS
Tripathy, L., & Patra, R. R. (2014). Scheduling in cloud computing. International Journal on
Cloud Computing: Services and Architecture (IJCCSA), 4(5), 21-7.
Zou, W., Kumaraswamy, M., Chung, J., & Wong, J. (2014). Identifying the critical success
factors for relationship management in PPP projects. International Journal of Project
Management, 32(2), 265-274.