| If you are an owner or manager of a business, you | | | | report writers make it easy to create custom reports |
| know the frustrations that come with trying to keep | | | | or change report options. Database engines based on |
| track of employee time and attendance. There are | | | | the popular SQL computer language will offer some of |
| lots of options available, depending on your needs. If | | | | the best solutions for accessing your timecard data. |
| you would like to move away from mechanical punch | | | | Think of the different ways you may want to use |
| clocks and paper timesheets, then employee time | | | | your timecard data. Since you will already be using |
| clock software may be exactly what you need to help | | | | your time and attendance software to track employee |
| your business simplify payroll processing, ensure | | | | hours for payroll purposes, it would be easy to use the |
| attendance compliance, and manage labor costs. Not | | | | same data for labor cost analysis, job or project |
| all time and attendance software programs are | | | | tracking, and client billing. Different time and attendance |
| created equal, so it is important to find the right time | | | | software programs create different reports, so make |
| tracking system for your business. If a free download | | | | sure to find timeclock software that meets your |
| is available from the vendor, then you should give it a | | | | reporting needs. |
| try. Just make sure that the free version of the | | | | Time Clock Software Usability |
| software has all the same features as the actual | | | | All employee time clock software should be easy to |
| program you will be asked to pay for. When reviewing | | | | use. Even those who will be managing the |
| time and attendance software, make sure you | | | | administrative functions should have no problem |
| consider what features the program has to offer, | | | | learning or navigating the time tracking software. |
| what reports are available within the program, how | | | | Managers must have easy access to employee data |
| user friendly the program is, and whether help is | | | | and the tools to audit it for accuracy. Good timeclock |
| available during and after the review process. | | | | software should be easy to install, with an intuitive |
| Time Clock Software Features | | | | means to configure your time clock settings. Setup |
| Timeclock software should do more than just track | | | | assistants that guide the user through setting up the |
| hours worked. Most businesses can benefit from more | | | | timeclock software for the first time allow you to be |
| than just a replacement of that old mechanical time | | | | up and running quickly. Think of how much time will be |
| clock. Good time and attendance software will track | | | | needed to train your employees on how to use it |
| holiday, vacation, personal, and sick leave accrual. | | | | properly. They will need to know exactly how to punch |
| Better time clock programs will allow you to customize | | | | in and out, print their timecards, and what to do if they |
| your payroll cycle and overtime settings. Professional | | | | miss a punch time. Most timeclock software programs |
| time clock programs can track breaks and lunch | | | | use standard industry graphical user interfaces, and |
| deductions, as well as the different projects your | | | | are flexible enough to accommodate common |
| employees are working on. Make sure you focus on | | | | business rules. |
| reviewing features that you intend to use most often | | | | Time Clock Software Help & Support |
| and do not spend too much time on features that are | | | | Employee time clock software should include a |
| less important to your business. Features that allow | | | | complete built-in help system and technical support via |
| you to manage employees by department or location | | | | email, telephone, or an easy to navigate web site. |
| can increase efficiency and improve office | | | | Beware of timeclock software companies that do not |
| communication. Think of features in terms of making | | | | publish common contact information like a mailing |
| your job as a manager or business owner easier, and | | | | address or telephone number. Software maintenance |
| ultimately making your business or team more | | | | or support programs that provide free upgrades are |
| profitable. | | | | the most cost effective way to ensure you always |
| Time Clock Software Reports | | | | have the latest and best version of your time and |
| The heart of all employee time clock software | | | | attendance software, and priority assistance |
| programs should be to instantly create a timecard | | | | whenever you need it. The best time to test the |
| report of all hours worked, both regular and overtime. | | | | troubleshooting and training resources of the timeclock |
| Some time clock programs will have other useful | | | | software vendor is during the review process, before |
| reports such as attendance reports, labor costing | | | | going live with your new time and attendance system. |
| reports, and leave accrual reports. Timecard reports | | | | Having time tracking software that works effortlessly |
| should be compiled in seconds for payroll processing | | | | and effectively will help keep frustration levels low and |
| or exported directly to your payroll software. Built-in | | | | production levels high. |