Every year, after the Christmas tree is put away and the clackers stop playing on New Year’s Eve, there is a pause in the celebrations until the loveliest of all holidays arrives and it’s time to express to everyone in your world how much you care. Of course, that’s Valentine’s Day and when it comes to a busy office, one of the best ways to say no with flowers is with an automated time tracking tool.
It sounds silly, but let’s face it, every employee has been faced with the challenge of being in one place and having to go back to another JUST to clock out and that’s…well, annoying. It’s a waste of precious time having to check into the office first thing in the morning just to punch in the clock and then return to the workplace, which was only minutes away from your original destination in the first place. Yuck. That is a waste of time. And a waste of paper is the traditional use of sheets and cards to reflect the work hours of valued employees who may be working multiple jobs on a given day. With little more than your smartphone, cell phone, and a computer, you and your entire staff can check in and out in real time with just a few clicks. Or, if you don’t have Android or iPhone, dialing a number and sending a text sends Cupid into orbit.
Who wouldn’t want to be their Valentine when they find an automated time-tracking tool that offers exceptional customer service, knowledgeable support staff, webinars or other avenues to educate staff, and a system that’s easy to use and operate? Nothing says “loving thoughts” like a time tracking program that makes everyone’s life easier. Research the key components to ensure you get the best option. Consider the high user satisfaction ratings. You need a company with a proven track record, someone who knows what they’re doing and is willing to help you so you can say the same. Are they available 24/7 and 365 days a year? Can they boast 99% or more uptime? And are you willing to customize your time tracker to seamlessly integrate with your existing systems and software? If so, you are dealing with true lovers.
Any company that thinks straight from the heart will offer you a free trial period on all accounts, preferably for 14 days or more. They should also have several plans to choose from at various costs. You will be surprised at the reasonable costs per month for different plans. And make sure ease of use and setup is included and that it integrates with your current system.
Eventually, you’ll have to ask the hard questions, like how’s the data storage? Is it big enough, safe enough? A time tracking program should safeguard your reports, your time entries, your job codes, your custom fields, your employees, and your customers like a heart of gold. Don’t settle for anything less than a daily backup.
