Sure, I like puzzles as much as the next person, but trying to decipher illegible or incorrectly
calculated time sheets does not count among my favorite brainteasers. An employee time and attendance system
can help solve this puzzle once and for all.
An employee time and attendance system keeps track of when your employees sign in and out of work. This
information can then be compiled to produce the total hours worked and the amount that the employees
should be paid. More advanced systems can automatically consolidate this information across multiple
locations, track how hours are allocated across projects, and monitor overtime hours.
The time tracking device is at the heart of every employee time and attendance system. There are a variety of data collection
devices available. The most popular tracking devices include magnetic badge card readers and
bar code label badge readers. Both types do have their drawbacks, though. The magnetic strip
on magnetic badges can be damaged fairly easily, which can require the issuing of new cards more
often than other types of badges. And bar code label badges suffer from ease of replication-a
quick trip to the copier can be enough to make a usable copy of the badge.
Employee Time & Attendance - Tips
Supervisor privileges. Giving supervisors the ability
to amend or log in or out for workers directly at the tracking device can be a handy feature.
Manual tracking costs. It has been estimated that companies spend up to an additional
5% in payroll costs if they manually track time.
Another tracking option. Proximity readers do not require actual contact to sign in
and are a more durable, and more expensive, tracking technology to consider.
Choose a reputable vendor. Working with a top-notch time clock software supplier can improve
your results and save you money. Buyerzone can help you
find
time keeping software vendors in your area.
If you prefer, a PIN code can be entered for tracking purposes. In this case, a computer can
be used for tracking the comings and goings of your staff. This can be a single computer dedicated
for that purpose or be available on all computers on a network to allow people can log in and
out of their own computers.
The most advanced employee time and attendance systems consist of devices that can recognize people simply by reading their
hand or fingerprint or retinas. The primary benefit of this system is the authentication it provides.
Since they require the actual person to be present, biometric devices ensure that "buddy punching," where
another person signs in or out for another person, can not happen. You also have the additional
benefit of not having to issue cards, or replace lost ones.
If you have employees who work from a remote location or telecommute, time can be called in
a number of ways. Telephone-based systems allow you to do so via an interactive voice mail system
and Internet-based systems support logging in via computer. For workers who are constantly on
the go, you may want to take a look at tracking time via wireless PDAs.
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Regardless of the device type, the data needs to be downloaded to time tracking software. Ideally,
this software should be compatible with your payroll processing to ensure the seamless transfer
of information. While most time tracking software is typically installed on a computer in your
office, Internet-based time tracking systems can be a reasonable alternative for businesses with
a high-speed connection.
Employee time and attendance systems range in cost from less than a thousand dollars to several thousand
dollars. Factors influencing the price include the number of employees to monitor, the number
of locations to track, and the information reporting requirements.
Which one's right for you? An /personnel/time_tracking/qz_questions_727.jhtmlemployee time and attendance
system vendor can help you puzzle out the right solution for your needs.
