On a recent visit to a large metal fabrication company with locations in British Columbia and mid western US, one of ATS software engineers was quite surprised to hear the words “if it’s ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. This was in response to a question she asked regarding the company’s rationale for using a myriad of systems to key and maintain employee data.

In the world of business automation, we often hear these words, from companies, who think that changing their old system will be painful. Initially, it will be painful to invest in a time and attendance for future growth, however, more often than not, the pain comes from having to change the way individuals are accustomed to doing things.

If your company is using paper-based time sheets or worse, some antiquated punch clock that should be in the Smithsonian, here are three valid reasons to toss the proverbial “if it ain’t broke” mantra out of the door forever.

Antiquated system yields error-prone results
The 1980’s punch clock that’s sitting on the wall might have been cool back then but it’s not saving time or money today. Don’t believe it? Just imagine asking the millennials your company hired a few weeks ago to punch in and out with the old technology, and you are sure to get a few rolling of the eyes. And, if you have in excess of 100 employees, just imagine that payroll practitioner having to count the hours, overtime, vacation and other ineligible information on that time card and then, key all that information into some spreadsheet.  You get the picture?

Refusing to adapt to new technologies
Choosing to ignore new technology does not mean that it will go away. In fact, several companies have already moved to a newer data capture technologies. And, in a competitive business landscape, some companies are forced to evaluate and change in order to stay relevant. In all likelihood when your company bought its current time clock it was the latest technology of its time. However, in the last five to seven years –several studies have shown that automating your business will provide a rapid return on investment and streamline operational costs.

Accuracy of data
The problem with older technology lies in its ability to provide accurate and up-to-the-minute data. The problem with older systems is that they often require significant of investment of time and resources to access data-especially when the data is maintain in different systems. Want to see a CFO go bonkers? Tell them it will take you three days to get them the reports they need to complete month-end.

Admittedly, transitioning from an antiquated punch clock system to a new time and attendance solution requires; a corporate mind-shift, investment and above all, a concerted commitment. In the end, however, it will be well worth it for your organization. The desire to continue using and maintaining an old-fashioned system is a time-consuming process.

Interested in learning how to transition to automated time and attendance solution, go to our website.

You might also like these other time and attendance blogs:

The cost of doing nothing

Psychology of change

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