Managing employee payroll is one of the most expensive recurring costs in most companies. Staff time and attendance directly affects the operations efficiency whilst being the most easily correctable resource drain on your company. Time and attendance software is no longer considered to be a luxury but rather an essential part of successful businesses large and small.
Basic features of a typical time and attendance software package include:
Secure login to a system which electronically files employee details such as leave and absence management. Scheduling functions to ensure that staff is appropriately resourced to changing workplace requirement. All these details will be centrally stored, making the filing and retrieving of vital information quick and easy to manage, and reducing the risk of error.
Apart from these basic features time and attendance software development companies often provide different additional features which may be worth asking about. The most important aspect of modern workforce time management would be whether or not a system allows for accurate tracking of flexible or part-time workers. Additionally does the system allow for 'remote' clocking so that your employees can clock in from multiple branches, from home or even whilst on the road? Ask for a detailed demonstration of the reporting functions of any software you may be reviewing. Reporting by department or project, costing modules and strategic forecasting features aid decision makers by creating accurate overviews of past and projected future activities.
Compliance with federal and state law such as FMLA regulations in the US are also well worth asking about. Time attendance software that already includes such requirements will save you a lot of time in implementing these new technologies.
Time and attendance software also increase effectiveness when it is part of an integrated system. Some support companies will be able to integrate building access control and security features such as Fire Evacuation Systems and visitor control with your TMS (time management systems). This means that your company can manage staff clocking in while managing both daily visitors and special events. With such management systems your company will avoid duplicating information gathering processes whilst serving the needs of your different. HR will be able to manage their payroll, security will be able to monitor visitor activity and division/project heads will be able to monitor absenteeism.
So what are the drawbacks?
A fully integrated time management system will most likely cost more than time management software. Apart from that, different suppliers will provide different features across a range of prices. The best approach to cutting costs in your company is that of weighing up the cost of implementation versus the cost savings in a certain time period. You can waste a lot of time working with amateur companies and fly-by-night software developers. Finding a software company that specialises in time and attendance efficiency and provides tailored solutions is generally considered the best approach in the long run.
Also consider the sales approach of the company involved. Are they pushing for ongoing contracts (many cloud software companies would do this) with little involvement from themselves? Can you purchase a core module with the option to add on more features later? Does the company try to understand your needs and it is flexible in its approach?
