Time clock software, or time and attendance solutions, simply tracks employees’ hours worked. The market has a long history dating back to the late 1800s when the first time clock debuted for tracking factory workers’ hours. Today, time clock software is more than just recording time – it allows employees to manage their sick and vacation leave, managers to schedule employees’ shifts, and executives to view time data to pinpoint labor trends.
Like other software markets, time clock solution vendors provide new features to keep up with the market trends. One feature is mobile functionality, where employees clock in and out via their mobile device. The other feature is biometric time tracking, where a biometric device uses an employee’s facial or other physical recognition when clocking in and out. This feature helps reduce time theft and buddy punching instances.
What are the time clock software market trends going into 2019? We’ve asked four industry experts for their thoughts.
More accurate timesheets through smarter location-based tracking
We’re continuing to see more companies embrace GPS time tracking as a way to automate time and attendance for their teams. Whether it’s businesses with field service teams, a mobile workforce, or even remote companies — they’re all using location to provide a clearer view of work hours.
It’s easy to see why: the time savings are beneficial for everyone. Clocking in and out from anywhere is as easy as pressing a button on your mobile device. Plus, managers don’t need to track down team members throughout the day. As productivity becomes more central to business operations, we are able to predict labor cost trends and operate in a more streamlined way.
What we’ll see in 2019 will be an even smarter use of GPS location, including geofencing. Companies can set up job sites in their location-based time tracking software so that the timer will automatically start and stop when that person’s mobile device enters or leaves the location.
This automation will be crucial for construction companies, property managers, and service companies, to name a few. Any organization with a mobile team will benefit from geofencing.
Dave Nevogt
Co-Founder
Hubstaff
It’s Not Just a Time Clock Anymore!
As a time and attendance professional for over 25 years, I feel like I have seen it all. I can remember the days when the big questions I asked were, “Do you want to insert the card in the front of the clock or on top?” There were benefits to both but very little and subtle.
Nowadays, the questions and answers are so much more important. Multiple meetings and webinars with Human Resources, Supervisors, Finance, IT and even employees are the norm, not the exception. The main reason why? It’s not just a time clock anymore. Companies realize that employee time management touches all aspects of their business now. HR is concerned with compliance. Supervisors want ease of use. Finance wants analytical reporting. IT Managers are making comparison between cloud or on-premise installations, and employees need and want to be informed like never before.
The importance of meeting the requirements not only of the policies of the company but of its people are now of equal value, and that is a good thing!
Robert Maxwell
Business Development Sales
ISGUS
Adaptable, Future-Ready Solutions Will Gain Momentum
The workplace is changing faster than ever before. It’s not enough to deploy a solution that meets your needs in the moment, because the competitive landscape, emerging legislation, and the needs of your employees are all dynamic. Leading organizations must be poised to respond to change as it happens.
As we look to 2019, more enterprise organizations will grow tired of being tied down by inflexible systems. In their place, leading companies will choose a more open, modern platform approach that can grow with them as their needs change.
In addition, they’ll look for more meaningful, relevant applications of next-generation technologies—like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). From automating high-volume tasks so managers can be more productive in the moment, to simplifying and accelerating routine functions so employees can focus on higher priorities, organizations will turn to vendors they trust to help them become more productive and innovative in the coming year.
Mike Morini
CEO
WorkForce Software
Facial Recognition Technology Will Become the Market Standard
Using biometrics to clock time is hardly new at this point, but I’m positive that 2019 can be the year when facial recognition software finally becomes the norm for workforce time-tracking. Fingerprint sensors may prevent buddy punching, but they cannot be considered anything more than a stopgap. They aren’t trusted by employees and, in my experience, they make employees not feel trusted.
I’ve been impressed with the speed at which facial recognition technology has become more reliable, robust, and yet simpler to use. More importantly, it’s becoming part of everyday life, used to unlock smartphones and automatically ‘tag’ photos on social media. Very soon it will feel entirely normal for employees to start their days with a quick glance into the camera, and time-management companies not offering this service could quickly be left behind.
Peter Swaniker
CEO
Ximble