Time and Attendance Blog, Workforce Management Software

ATS TimeWork Time and Attendance is an award-winning workforce management solution that allows organizations to reduce payroll costs, work more productively and compete in today’s global economy. ATS time and attendance provides midsized and large businesses across Canada and North America with the tools to streamline your current business processes, and comply with collective bargaining agreements and labour law regulations. ATS Software as-a-Service (SaaS) gives you the power and functionality of an integrated application that includes the following imbedded modules: benefit accruals, overtime equalization, business intelligence, labour analytics, forecasting, employee scheduling and employee time clocks.

The Power of Web Deployment
ATS SaaS time and attendance deployment takes place in weeks not months or years. ATS intuitive software solution comes with inherent flexibility, power and security all managed and hosted by our state of the art data centre. The ATS SaaS time and attendance is ideally suited for organizations looking to have their system up and running quickly with affordable monthly payments in contrast to huge capital outlay. ATS SaaS time and attendance reduces the need for an internal IT infrastructure and provides a secure, cost-effective alternative for companies currently running critical business applications.

Data Integration
Customers looking to integrate their HRIS, Payroll, Talent Management, CRM and other third-party applications will realize this initiative with the ATS open database structure. For example, payroll can connect important business analytic information directly to operational managers and executives, HR connects key functional departments for better results and sales manager can track and control sales pipelines, resulting in shorter sales cycles, more closed deals, and higher revenues.

Add as You Grow
Our flexible deployment allows you to grow your company without growing IT resources. Add more users without worrying about installation, configuration, and support of additional hardware and software. With ATS SaaS time and attendance, you can extend your mission-critical business applications across Canadian and US regional offices without the need for local IT support or infrastructure.

Training and Support
Your solution is managed by a team of industry veterans with deep expertise in the world of time and attendance management and application hosting. Our ongoing maintenance and upgrades include a fully automated backup and a disaster recovery plan that protects your investment. Our North American network of implementation analyst and support representatives can provide you with on-site training, consulting and implementation assistance to help you realize a rapid return on your investment.

To learn about ATS Time and Attendance Solutions go to our website. You can also join the conversation on our Twitter or LinkedIn page.

CRM, Employee Time Clocks, HR, Payroll, SaaS Time & Attendance, Software-as-a-Service, Talent Management, Time and Attendance, Time and Attendance Canada

Owning a BlackBerry Smart-Phone: Is it a Thing of the Past?

Armchair pundits and analysts alike have had a great deal to say about BlackBerry’s recent smart-phone, the XZ10. Some have predicted its demise due in part, to the amount of time it took to bring out a device comparable to the iPhone, Android, Samsung Galaxy and many others on the market. In the end, the success of Blackberry lies with consumers liking and purchasing its products, not the views of analysts.

Some years ago when BlackBerry launched its smart-phone, the device gave users the ability to send and receive e-mails through the device at a time when this was viewed as revolutionary. At that time, it catered mostly to corporate executives and government users. As time went on, Apple, Google and other companies launched their own smart-phones. Apple was the first to launch its iPhone with great fanfare using ads featuring hip youngsters showing off their phones. In addition to e-mails and texting, you could also browse the web at lightning speed, view various features and download many software applications that BlackBerry phones could not do. All of a sudden the public started taking notice and the line ups to get an iPhone stretched for several blocks. These new smart-phones were now accessible to everyone, not just corporate executives. Some have argued, BlackBerry came across as stuffy and refused to include the younger generation in its ads and that is one of the many reasons it has struggled to gain new users.

BlackBerry has its diehard fans and some have argued that the Z10 is the start of great things to come. Many BlackBerry users also say that they love the product because of its built-in encryption which makes it a better-managed platform than its competitors. Whether you are a BlackBerry fan or not, the consumer always wins when there is competition.

The history of Apple chronicles that it, too, went through a rough patch many years ago, but most its loyal fans stuck with it. Most companies go through a period when they have to find out what made them successful and be able to change with the times.

Companies using a BlackBerry Z10, Ipad, Windows Mobile or other smart-phone device can access the ATS web-based time and attendance software from anywhere. ATS TimeWork time and attendance software features include; tracking of benefit accruals, pay policies, employee shifts; overtime and premium pay codes, statutory holiday tracking, employee self service, job costing and labour analytics. ATS time and attendance is an integrated and scalable application that is designed to meet the most challenging the timekeeping and workforce management needs of any organization.

Kudos to BlackBerry on the launch of its Z10! Their success or lack thereof will be determined by the consumers. That said we wish them continued success.

To learn more, go to our website and download a white paper on the benefits of an automated time and attendance solution.

Apple iPhone, Benefit Accruals, BlackBerry, Employee Self Service, Google, Job Costing, Labour Analytics, Samsung Galaxy, Software Application, Statutory Holidays, Time and Attendance, Time and Attendance Canada, Timekeeping

Time & Attendance and The Cost of Doing Nothing

Every few years your company sets aside some time to review demos and understand the benefits of time and attendance. After a few weeks, you decide not to make a purchase and stay with your current excel and paper tracking time sheet process. Over the years, we at ATS have heard of numerous reasons why some companies do not want to upgrade to a solution can make their lives easier.

Some these reasons include:
“Our current system is old but it works.”
“We have looked at this before and senior management does not want to spend money on a system like this.”
“I am not convinced we can streamline our process if we purchase this system.”

Based on our experience it is often the fear of change that makes companies reluctant to adopt something new. The antiquated method of capturing employee data, although comforting, leads to erroneous mistakes and wastes valuable resources.

ATS time management software is both efficient and affordable. Because of the flexibility of the system, it easily adaptes to any industry and lowers operational costs from the very beginning.

Sometimes being reluctant to implement a software solution that can streamline business processes can be attributed to a number of factors including; limited cash on hand, uncertainty about the current state of the economy and a fear of change. While a delay can sometimes be due to limited resources in difficult times and while this may, on the surface, appear to be a prudent course of action, the cost of doing nothing is costing companies thousands of dollars each year in lost productivity.

Both large and small businesses understand that in order to remain competitive in today’s marketplace, it’s not enough to merely do more with less. It means reviewing all current practices and utilizing resources wisely. One of the most effective tools, to help that cause, is the implementation of an effective time and attendance solution that contains business intelligence and analytic reporting tools to achieve desired profits.

To learn more go to our website and to view a demonstration, contact a software account executive.

ATS Time Management Software, Business Intelligence, Costs, Excel, Productivity, Time and Attendance System Canada, Time Sheet

The List: Some of Strangest Reasons Employees Give for Being Late

We have all shown up late for work at some point in our lives. Whether it was because the car broke down or the pet bird died, the excuses are limitless. So, it was no surprise to see a survey, conducted earlier this year by CareerBuilder, listing some of the reasons citied by employees for being late.

In our experience working with numerous organizations, we too have heard of the excuses given to companies by some of their employees. The top three include:

1) Employee found out halfway on her way to work that she was in her pajamas and returned home to change in work clothes

2) Employee showed up an hour after his start time because he was watching the hockey game which kept him up all night

3) Employee’s car broke down for the 3rd time in a week

While a time and attendance system cannot stop employees from being late, it does capture patterns of attendance. These attendance patterns highlight the number of times an employee was absent and the reason. With one click of the ATS time and attendance system, you can generate real-time metrics and employee data analytics. This information allows companies to visualize and track the optimal key performance indicators that drive its business.

The integrated solution provides quick data access to payroll and other application interfaces. The business analytics module, gives companies a comprehensive view of key labour metrics, reduces compliance risks and gives managers up-to-the minute information on sick time and vacation time all based the criteria of an organization.

If your company is still using paper timesheets, go to our website and download a comprehensive report on the benefits of a time and attendance solution.

Labour Metrics, Paper TimeSheets, Payroll, Time and Attendance System, Vacation

What Value can your Solution Offer Our Company?

Everyday we receive several requests about the ATS Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) software delivery model. The questions we deal with are wide ranging and include: security, benefits, features, deployment and after-sales support. Below is a list of the 5 most common questions our account representatives respond to:

1. Why should our company implement an ATS SaaS time and attendance solution over an on-premises solution?
ATS SaaS Time and Attendance has proven repeatedly to be a successful and lasting solution for organizations of all sizes and types – from the largest multinationals, to small businesses and non-profits. With the ATS SaaS time and attendance you are always using the most current version with the latest innovations available to you. There are no messy upgrades or yearly maintenance fees.

2. Will your system work with the other software applications we have at our company?
Our solution is non propriety and is designed to integrate with other applications including: talent management, customer resource management, payroll, enterprise resources planning (ERP) and human resource information systems (HRIS) platforms.

3. How long does it take to implement your system?
With no software to install on your computers or network, our implementation timeframe is measured in days and weeks – not months or years.

4. Who do I contact for support of our time and attendance system after it has been installed?
After-sales support is at the heart of what we do. Each customer is assigned a dedicated support rep after installation of the system. We believe that our attitude towards uncompromising service is what makes ATS stand head and shoulders above others. We strive to maintain strong retention rates by continuing to provide our customers with exceptionally high levels of service and support.

5. What makes your product unique?
ATS TimeWork is fundamentally sound and was built by software engineers with deep expertise in our industry. Our product has evolved over the years and comes equipped with a variety of modules including: human resources, attendance management, forecasting, vacation planning calendar, employee self-service, incidents and points and absence request.

ATS SaaS Time and Attendance is accessible through any web browser and does not require a large investment. ATS’s true Software-as-a-Service solution architecture provides customers with high flexibility, reliability and lower IT costs.

If you require additional information call at 866.294.2467 or go to our website.

Absence Request, Attendance Management, Employee Self Service, Forecasting, Human Resources Information Systems, Incidents and Points, Payroll, SaaS Time and Attendance, Talent Management

Do You Apply a Coupon-Type Mentality to your Software Purchase?

The theme of a recent call-in show on CBC radio dealt with the wave of small and mid-size businesses that were participating in offering coupons to consumers. In return for handing out coupons, these businesses were told that is was a form of free advertising. There are lots of bargain-hunters looking for the cheapest and best deals and these businesses should not expect customer loyalty. If the business participating in the coupon campaign does not have what the bargain hunters are looking for in terms of price, they will go on to the next company. Price is then the single driving force behind the consumer participating in these coupon deals.

Some of the consumers who called in complained that upon arrival at the participating businesses, the products that they were hoping to scoop up with their coupons were all gone. Others said their coupons were not honoured and they were asked to purchase a higher priced item. Business owners on the other hand, lamented that the bargain-hunters wanted products of greater value and higher price points, but did not want to pay for them.

While companies have been sending out coupons to consumers for many years, companies like Groupon and the TV show “Extreme Couponing” has made it trendy to collect coupons. Janice M. is a contributing blogger to the site “Talking Cents” she recently wrote a piece titled “To Clip or Not to Clip? The Great Coupon Debate.” Here is an excerpt of that blog:

“People love coupons. As you know, if you read my recent grocery challenge update, I am not one of those people. Not only are coupons not necessary for a thrifty lifestyle, but they can even be detrimental to your wallet and your budget. According to Nielson Clearing House (NCH), 78% of consumers report using coupons on a regular basis. This stat alone implies that my stand on coupons is not parallel with the majority. Although plenty of you won’t agree with me, the following are a few reasons why I don’t clip coupons.

More often than not the coupons out there provide a discount on the items that are the priciest. Therefore, you are not getting the best deal on a specific item (i.e. cereal) you are just getting a discounted price on the already higher priced, premium item (i.e. brand name cereal). I’ve seen it first-hand (as I know I’ve mentioned before). I’ve clipped the coupon, gone to the store, and realized that I can get the same item (different brand) at a cheaper price without using a coupon.”

Shopping for consumer items like frozen pizza, ice-cream and chocolate bars with coupons is one thing. When shopping for a time and attendance system the coupon bargain-hunter mentality should not apply. A time and attendance software streamlines payroll, increases productivity and is a long term investment. While it is true that some of the basics might be similar, the manner in which an employee time management application computes data is different. Moreover, implementation and after-sales support should also play a large role when comparing software solutions.

At ATS, we do not sell a one size fits all cloud-based time and attendance system. That’s why we remain committed to offering a broad range of workforce management solutions that give companies flexibility and choice.

To learn more about ATS cloud time and attendance solutions, go to our website.

Cloud Based Time and Attendance, Payroll, SaaS Time and Attendance, Time and Attendance On-Demand

Is the Once Mighty PC on a Downward Spiral?

A recent article by Gartner on how cloud computing is becoming the preferred option for many businesses and consumers caught our eye. Detractors to this report and others like it lament that people, by nature, are slow to change. While this argument holds credence, it’s clear the tide is changing, albeit slowly, towards cloud computing technologies like; hosting music on the cloud and Software-a-Service (SaaS) time and attendance solutions.

The report by Gartner is titled “Personal Cloud Will Replace the Personal Computer as the Center of Users’ Digital Lives by 2014”. In this report, Gartner espouses the virtues of today’s trend in cloud computing. One of the strongest points in this article states the following:

“Today, mobile devices combined with the cloud can fulfill most computing tasks, and any tradeoffs are outweighed in the minds of the user by the convenience and flexibility provided by the mobile devices. The emergence of more-natural user interface experiences is making mobility practical. Touch- and gesture-based user experiences, coupled with speech and contextual awareness, are enabling rich interaction with devices and a much greater level of freedom. At any point in time, and depending on the scenario, any given device will take on the role of the user’s primary device — the one at the center of the user’s constellation of devices.”

ATS’s ability to embrace innovation while simultaneously adapting to changing trends means, customers can deploy a solution without the additional costs associated that’s inherent in client-server installations. ATS SaaS time and attendance is hosted and maintained securely via cloud computing technology at one of our data centres.

To learn about the advantages of deploying a web-based time and attendance solution, contact one of our representatives or go online to view a demo.

Cloud Computing, Hosted Time and Attendance, SaaS Time and Attendance

Does the Lowest Price Meet your Business Requirements?

Today, more than ever, consumers are bombarded with ads that promote low prices on everything from TVs to microwave ovens. The word “value” is used to lure customers into purchasing products that comes with such advertised tags that include; “lowest prices anywhere” or “best price value system”.

We surveyed some of our customers to find out if price was the deciding factor when choosing a vendor for their business automation solution. A sampling of their responses includes the following:

“Price is important to our company. However, our software is used for the calculation of employee hours and processing payroll. We cannot get this wrong, our leadership would prefer I spend a little more to get good service”.

“The system has to meet our needs; that’s key for us”. We can negotiate price with a vendor if we like their product, but we do not put price ahead of our business requirements”.

“We brought in a consultant who got us the cheapest solution on the market. The invoice for his services exceeded the cost of the product. Our CEO tossed the system out after 3 months. It did not meet our needs at the most basic level. We learned a costly lesson, one which this company will not repeat”.

A couple of sentences in an article by Richard Cartwright on the “Garden Center Strategies” blog caught our eye. “We all know the thrill of purchasing an item at a low price only to later be disappointed when the item’s lower quality fails to perform its intended purpose. When the item has to be replaced the money spent was actually wasted, not saved!”

Unlike a TV or microwave oven, Workforce management software is a long term investment that has a direct impact on a company’s payroll process. ATS SaaS time and attendance is a cloud based solution that takes away all the headaches of maintaining a server and an IT department to support it. The software can be accessed through any computer with a web-browser 365 days a year 24/7.

Solution Benefits:

Cloud Based application (No internal IT support required)
Configured to meet any company’s work rule policy including collective bargaining agreements
Export reports to either XLS, HTML or PDF format
New release and enhancements at no additional cost
Can be accessed on smart PDA’s and other mobile devices
Integration with any ERP, Payroll and HRIS Application
Personalized setup and unlimited support from your ATS implementation personnel

The implementation of an ATS SaaS time and attendance solution enables businesses to reap many benefits including: reduced overtime costs, improved employee engagement and low total cost of ownership.

To learn how Canadian businesses are deploying our best-in-class time and attendance solution, go to our website.

Payroll Interface, SaaS Time and Attendance, Web-Based Time and Attendance

Simplicity Works Best

In some of our previous blogs we discussed how something as simple as a time management system is made complicated by industry jargon that confuses the customer. Quite frankly it doesn’t have to be that way. The tracking of employee time through our time and attendance software is a very simple process. However, some people make it seem complicated. Of course, we are not suggesting that you purchase for its simplicity and while ignoring its ability to adapt to your company’s work policies. ATS time and attendance software was designed to meet the most complex needs of an organization and at the same time, can be scaled down. The product is intuitive, user-friendly and has a modern look and feel that utilizes today’s web-based technology concepts.

The advent of automated time management was borne out of changing times. In years past, it was customary for a company with many employees to use paper time sheets or punch clocks to register attendance. Despite advances in technology, some companies still use antiquated methods to track employee time in the 21^st century.

Industry giants like the Canadian Payroll Association, American Payroll Association and the Aberdeen Group have been commissioned on numerous occasions to conduct surveys. The conclusion of these surveys has revealed that it costs businesses using paper based time sheets 1.5% to 10% of gross payroll.

Leading organizations of all sizes are implementing ATS automated workforce management system and as a result, are seeing a significant reduction in payroll and labour costs.

To learn more about our solutions go to our website.

Employee Time Management Software, Time and Attendance On-Demand, Workforce Management Solutions

Access and Manage Employee Data with your Tablet PC

A couple of months ago we signed a customer up with our cloud-based solution. During training she could not hide how excited she was about the prospect of accessing: reports, attendance trends, audit trails and downloading employee hours to her payroll software using her tablet PC.

The challenges of running a business are real, and in our experience, business executives opt for solutions that are commensurate and adaptable to their needs. Our solution provides all the benefits of an employee time management solution without the IT infrastructure requirements (database, server hardware, data backups, security management, system management, service packs and patches, etc.). The

ATS on-demand time and attendance solution does not require installation of any software on your employee workstations or network.

The ATS hosted solution gives you instant access to: real-time labour reports, overtime hours, employee vacation request and labour forecasting all designed to reduce payroll costs.

Employee Vacation Request, Labour Forecasting, On-Demand Time and Attendance, Tablet PC, Web-Based Time Management Solution

Visualize Your Business Adapting To the Changes of This New Economy