Lightning Bolt vs SimpleStaff

Lightning Bolt schedules physicians and other clinical teams around coverage requirements, provider rules and specialty needs. Its AI and combinatorial optimization process uses staff availability, skills, shift preferences, time-off requests and organizational constraints to build schedules. The maker describes the system as suitable for practices of any size, with no technical limit on providers or locations. Scheduling features include availability management, shift templates, self-scheduling and open-shift management. The web-based product is described as functional on Mac, Windows and Linux; subscribers can view updated schedules on iOS and Android, and the maker offers a native iPhone app. Integrations include ClinConnect and Microsoft Outlook, while PerfectServe says it supports more than 250 integrations overall. The site says certified Epic and Oracle integration depth is confirmed before procurement. Implementation includes a dedicated consultant for data gathering, training and configuration; the typical timeline is 4–6 weeks and may change with administrator availability. Technical support is listed from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time by phone, email or request submission. Pricing is on request, and scheduled individuals are licensed per seat.

SimpleStaff is employee scheduling software and related services for businesses with shift teams. Managers create schedules on the web with drag-and-drop editing, reusable templates, role assignments, and shift publishing. Employees can use the iPhone and Android apps to request time off, update availability, swap shifts, and claim open shifts. Its time clock records clock-in and clock-out timestamps, tracks breaks, verifies location with GPS, and supports timesheet approval. Approved timesheets can be exported for ADP, UKG, Dayforce, or generic CSV; QuickBooks Online and Wagepoint are listed as coming soon. Published shifts can appear in Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook through personal calendar feeds. The staff app is included with every plan, but schedules load live and require an internet connection. The free plan covers 15 team members and one team. Team costs C$19 a month and Pro costs C$29 a month; a 30-day trial is listed. The maker names restaurants, retail, clinics, hotels, gyms, and salons among the industries it serves.