Best Time Tracking Software – Four Features to Consider

Compatibility

The software you choose must be compatible with your business model. Start with the number of employees. Each software package offers different platforms based on employee count. They may offer features on a tiered system and limit options available to smaller companies. Look at the features offered for the current size of your company as well as both smaller and larger to account for changes in your business.Next, consider your payroll department. Will the software automatically import into the current payroll system? If not, with which systems does it coordinate? Are you willing to make a change?

Don’t forget to look at your workflow also. Some companies need to track time per project or client for billing purposes. Make sure the time tracking software you select will work within the parameters of your business.

Clocking In Methods

Many options exist for clocking in making. More traditional systems install on a central computer where everyone clocks in and out. With the expansion of the Internet and the ability to pull information from various locations, options have exploded. Some of the options include:

• Accessing a website or intranet site
• Badge scanning
• Biometric scanning
• Number pad
• Phone apps

For companies where every employee has access to a computer, a website or intranet site may be the best and most affordable option. However, if your company has laborers who do not need their own computer, a badge scanner might be more feasible. Some companies must track time worked outside of the office and would need employees to have remote access from their phones. Consider all of these things as you search for a software provider and plan.

Also, assess how user friendly the software appears. Employees may have trouble grasping how to utilize software with a steep learning curve. Managers may spend more trouble teaching employees how to operate the system. If you feel your employees or managers will have difficulty with the new system, ask if the company provides video, online, or in person training.

Levels of Access

Ask yourself who will need access to the time tracking software. What should the system allow them to do?

Employees should be able to clock in and out quickly and view their information with ease The best time tracking software provide employees access to their Vacation, Sick, or PTO time banks, schedules, and time worked. The software might also allow employees to request time off or schedule changes directly from the user interface.

Supervisors and managers may need access to view employees’ time cards and time worked. This information aids them in controlling absenteeism, tardiness, and overtime accumulation. Managers should be able to receive and approve requests for time off, or shift swaps electronically without additional paperwork.

The Payroll department needs access to import timecards into the payroll system, make time corrections, and oversee payment of vacation time.

Go online and read reviews of their products. Often a quick Google search will provide you with the information necessary to determine the quality of their customer relations. Remember the quotes on their website have been pre-approved by them and only show the glowing parts. Dig a little deeper and make sure it holds true.

Whether you are replacing an old system, or implementing one for the first time, make sure you get the best time tracking software available. Doing so will take some diligence and research on your part, but you will be more satisfied with the end result. Your employees, managers, and company will see the benefits of your hard work.