One of the pioneers of this type of software is Perth-based Cube Consulting, which has developed a range of different modules for use in its internet-enabled INX system.

INX was designed specifically to assist in the complex and varying tasks associated with managing people on remote sites.

Cube's three staff management modules are made up of InControl (designed for the management of occupational health and safety), InTuition (skills-people compliance and training management) and InFlight (rosters, travel and accommodation management).

The company is also developing three new modules. Among those is Intellemetrics (a people and teams-based performance management system), InHealth (managing the health assessments process) and InTime (a timesheet tracking and project planning system).

Cube managing director Tony Hampton told MiningNewsPremium.net that while staff management systems already existed when INX was being developed, none had been designed specifically to suit mining.

He said the system needed to be broader than those of other industries, and include mining-specific aspects such as managing flights and accommodation for fly-in fly-out employees.

"Rio Tinto is investing further in these systems, as are companies like Barrick, Thiess, Oxiana and St Barbara Mines," Hampton said.

"Even outside mining, we are getting interest. For example, Westnet Rail has taken it on for managing various aspects of their workforce."

Overall, the INX suite of software comprises modules designed to manage rostering, flight and travel scheduling, accommodation, risk management, health and safety, compliance, procedures, competency, training and security.

"Using workforce management system helps companies to greatly reduce negative incidents such as injuries or equipment damage," Hampton said.

"It results in them strengthening themselves as an employer of choice because their employees get a much better experience in the way they are organised in terms of their rostering, the reliability of their travel to site and the reliability of having the right accommodation when they are onsite.

"It very much helps them to maintain a good understanding of their achievement of training, skills and compliance goals," he said.

"Again, this is mission critical - we do have a skills shortage, so being able to manage and retain those skills in their operation is critical to all heavy industry across Australia right now.

"So this workforce management [capability] targets these things that are right at the centre of the issues of the mining industry."

Hampton said the software can also be used for quality assurance and auditing purposes.

"It keeps all the data around quality management organised, and allows the audit process to take place much more efficiently and with much less distraction," he said.

He said the specialised nature of the mining process was a major reason behind the development of software designed specifically for the management of people in the industry.

"Miners have highly skilled teams working in various remote locations. The environments are hazardous and they need to be able to manage both their employees and contractors equally effectively.

"They want to be an employer of choice and be organised with their people management because they need to attract and keep the right people in their operations," Hampton said.