Questions to Ask When Purchasing Time Tracking Software
So, you’ve decided you need a time and attendance system, and most importantly, time tracking software. A preliminary google tells you there’s lots of options, in many different price ranges, so how do you pick the right software for you? What questions do you need to ask before buying?
Step 1 – evaluation
Before you even get into what you want your software to do, you need to have a clear understanding of what you need.
Ask the tough questions to your managers; where are we losing money with labour, what functionality would make your time more worthwhile? Do we have a problem with lateness, overtime or absence?
Once you know what you need, you can begin checking that the system you like fits your needs.
Step 2 – Functionality
Ensuring that you have a person from both sides of a business, management and admin, is vital to choosing Time Tracking software.
A manager might only think of labour benefits, but admin will know the logistics of pay, holiday details and much more. Making sure your new business software can accommodate your organisation’s structure and processes is crucial.
It’s not just about how employees’ clock in, but how their data is stored and displayed, how you can track details such as geolocation while tracking and much more.
For businesses with multiple shifts, do you need a scheduling tool? Or holiday management, so you can see who is already out before approving time off? What about pay rates and overtime rules – can they be applied?
It might seem overwhelming at first, but like hiring a new employee, it’s all about finding the right fit, that can work for and with your company.
Step 3 – Technology
It’s 2021, so unless you have major security concerns or compliance needs, an on-premise solution is out. Cloud-based systems offer you the chance to make your work portable, allowing managers to manage 24/7 from wherever they are.
Infrastructure wise, cloud-based time and attendance software also means no installation, no investment in equipment and upgrades are completed by your Saas provider.
Cloud-based software also offers 99.999% cloud-based availability, so you know you can see your data in real-
time.
Alongside cloud-based software, apps are also a big tool in the current Workforce Management sector, as it enables employees to carry their own clocking device in their hands.
Look for providers that also offer two versions of an app – one for employees and one for managers – so that managers can check clockings, approve holiday and much more on the go without a laptop.
Step 4 – The future
It’s great to get time tracking software that fits your business 100% right now, but it’s also important to think ahead.
Already with the challenges of 2020, we have seen a change in labour needs. Will this system, and company that supplies it, be able to continue to adapt in the future? Although it’s unrealistic to expect a full plan for this, it’s something to consider when making any business investment.
uAttend by Chronologic is cloud-based time and attendance software designed to save you labour costs and manager time. uAttend offers clocking, scheduling, reporting, employee self-service and much more all in one affordable monthly subscription.