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Feeling Left Behind Because Your Are Using Old Technology?

April 28th, 2016 | Posted by Apex Time Solutions in Cloud Based Time Management Solution | Labour Costs | Software-as-a-Service (saas) Workforce Management Software | Time and Attendance Canada | Workforce Analytics | Workforce Management Software - (Comments Off on Feeling Left Behind Because Your Are Using Old Technology?)

To suggest human beings do not like change or are fearful of the unknown is an understatement. Can you image a business in 2016 handing out Index Cards to its sales reps, (who all travel to the office daily) to make cold calls instead of using a customer relationship management (CRM) software. Sales reps driving to an office to make cold calls in a world with advanced technology? If this sounds like a movie in the era of the 80s, it probably is. Fortunately, a large percentage of businesses are fully aware that cold calling is quickly becoming a thing of the past, and to that end, have deployed technology to help them increase their sales.

Feeling Left Behind Becuase You Are Using Old Technology?

An article commissioned by IBM and featured on Fast Company, titled “Agility and Security without the risk, states in part; “Across countless industries, the race to the cloud is on. Forrester Research recently predicted that the “hypergrowth” cloud market—including applications, platforms, and business services—will reach $191 billion by 2020, an astonishing 20% increase over Forrester’s previous prediction, just three years before. For companies of virtually any size, the promise of a dynamically scalable environment, the ability to deliver services at lower cost, and the agility to develop new apps in hours rather than weeks makes game-changing business sense.”

Cutting costs, increasing productivity might sound like buzz words to some, but for many businesses and their shareholders, its music to their ears. After all, are companies are constructed to make profits. Think about this; the traditional way of accessing business applications have always been very complicated and expensive. The amount and variety of hardware and software required to run them are daunting. You need a whole team of experts to install, configure, test, run, secure, and update them.

The advancement of cloud computing which also encompasses time and attendance is designed to help today’s companies manage cost, remain lean and increase profits. For example, with a cloud-based time and attendance, you eliminate the headaches of having to manage hardware and software—and leave that responsibility to a team with deep industry expertise at Apex Time Solutions. With ATS cloud-based time and attendance: You only pay for what you need, upgrades are automatic, and scaling up or down is easy and, the best part, is that you won’t be left behind the technology curve.

To learn more, go to our website and register for one of ATS weekly webinars. And, get access to its latest cloud-computing technology solutions, you can download a demonstration.

Feeling Left Behind Becasue You Are Using Old Technology?

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Using An Effective Scheduling Solution Will Improve Employee Engagement

April 26th, 2016 | Posted by Apex Time Solutions in Employee Scheduling | Forecasting | Hospitality Industry | Labour cost | Overtime | Retail | Scheduling | Workforce Analytics | Workforce Scheduling Software - (Comments Off on Using An Effective Scheduling Solution Will Improve Employee Engagement)

The latest brouhaha over employees being scheduled for on-call shifts hit a crescendo, a few days ago, revealing a practice that is frowned upon my many workers, many of whom, have cited the effects these on-call shifts are having on workers ability to plan activities outside of work. It’s possible that some of these companies are using a variety of spreadsheets and other manual methods to schedule employees.

If your organization is using an outdated scheduling system, chances are, you could be wasting valuable time and money. ATS Workforce Scheduling system is powerful and robust software that provides broad-based capabilities to help companies better manage their business and their labour force. The ATS Workforce Employee Scheduling targets small, mid-size and large-scale operations in retail, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing and services.

Using An Effective Scheduling Solution Will Improve Employee Engagement

ATS Workforce Scheduler Includes:

Budgeting and Forecasting
ATS budgeting and forecasting module features an independent, definable structure that supports the creation, editing and reporting of business volume and workforce forecasts. With a wide variety of options for defining productivity tasks, standards, drivers and parameters, ATS Budgeting and Forecasting tool provides unprecedented detail and accuracy of workforce requirements.

Eradication of Scheduling Conflicts
ATS Workforce Scheduler allows managers to see details of how a team of workers is scheduled through the day, coupled by the use of an advanced heuristic algorithm that enables companies to meet forecast needs by developing an optimized schedule of employee work assignments. ATS Workforce Scheduler has the distinction of being able to build individual employee shift and job preferences into weekly work schedules. ATS Workforce Scheduler provides real-time employee availability, thus, allowing managers to immediately correct any necessary conflicts, due to overlapping shifts, and overtime. With this unique feature, the software will reduce workforce turnover and increase employee satisfaction.

Ability to Schedule Employees in Real-Time
ATS Workforce Scheduler provides updates in real-time. For example, once a manager has completed their staff schedulers they can send it to their employees through mass updates. Employees, in turn, can view their schedules online from any device that’s connected to the Internet.

Easy to Use Tools
Get the peace of mind you deserve by making sure you have the right people scheduled at the right time and place. With ATS Workforce Scheduler, you can schedule employees by department, shift, or multiple sites. ATS Workforce Scheduler automatically calculates the number of hours each employee is scheduled to work and compares it to the number of hours they wish to work each week.

Reporting Capabilities
ATS Workforce Scheduler creates intuitive analytics that are based on your business and workforce requirements, relevant work and shift rules, and individual employee information.

In conclusion, with a growing number of regional, state and provincial governments clamping down on on-calls shifts, manual spreadsheets will not help your organization. What you need is a robust solution that will reduce time spent on scheduling, save costs, increase productivity and employee engagement.

To see a demonstration of ATS Workforce Scheduling Solution, go to our website. You can also join the conversation on: LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+ or Pinterest.

 

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Software And The Internet Of Things, Is At Its Best, When It Embodies Simplicity

April 19th, 2016 | Posted by Apex Time Solutions in iPad | Payroll | Software-as-a-Service (saas) Workforce Management Software | Time and Attendance Canada | Workforce Management Software - (Comments Off on Software And The Internet Of Things, Is At Its Best, When It Embodies Simplicity)

Software should be simple to use, are words you hear from some software providers and the purveyors of cutting-edge technology, including those who form part of The Internet of Things (IoT) industry. Some companies have the words, “simple or easy-to-use” splashed across the website, but once it is adopted, it is anything but simple. After all, why would any company deploy workforce management software that’s difficult to navigate? Of course, colourful dashboards that excite users is one thing, but having to navigate through several screens to complete a task, can be mind boggling, not mention frustrating.

A recent article authored Hayley Tsukayama for The Washington Post and titled ‘Why Apple and Google are struggling to design simple software’ laments the struggles that behemoths that Google and Apple are undergoing. “Companies like Apple and Google are expanding the scope of what they offer — they aren’t hawking one kind of hardware or one type of software, but rather a combination of both, often with several cloud services thrown in for good measure. Apple is no longer a focused iPod-and-Mac company. So the current version of iTunes has to offer so much more than just a way to get digital music. Google (or Alphabet) is no longer just a search bar on a Web page, it’s a whole ecosystem of information, software programs and an expanding universe of devices. The simple designs of the past products from these companies were never meant to accommodate the range of offerings that are now demanded by consumers.”

Software and The Internet of Things, is at its best, when it embodies Simplicity

The question remains, with the appetite of consumers and businesses evolving can software providers adjust, and at same time, ensure the applications are easy to use? For example, if you are using the latest toothbrush that embodies the Internet of things (IoT) do you have to glance at your phone while you are brushing to ensure you are keeping on track? These and many other questions remain unanswered.

The article continues; “What started as a simple program for buying, storing and downloading music has morphed into a much larger program for TV shows, movies, podcasts, apps, streaming music and device management. At times, it can feel like a building that’s being repeatedly expanded and renovated in a new architectural style every time.”

In conclusion, the Internet of Things (IoT) is here to stay and the same is true for cloud-based workforce management solutions, payroll, ERP and other related business management software. And, while they may be tweaked to adjust toe business and consumer demands, they shown no signs of abating.

Interested in learning more about ATS Cloud-Based Time and Attendance? You can register for this week’s free webinar by going to our website. You can also download a demonstration and see how easy it is to track and management employees hours.

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Your Company’s Policy States It Will Not Deploy A Cloud Solution. Really? But Why?

April 14th, 2016 | Posted by Apex Time Solutions in Business Intelligence | customer relationship management | ERP | Web-Based Time and Attendance | Workforce Analytics - (Comments Off on Your Company’s Policy States It Will Not Deploy A Cloud Solution. Really? But Why?)

It easy to become fearful of the unknown or listen to the naysayers when you are not certain-but let’s face it, the cloud is not your average “Johnny-come-lately” solution. In fact, it has been around for quite sometime despite the forecast of its demise by a few. And, much to the chagrin of the few doubters, it has not only endured, but has also won over the hearts and minds of many businesses executives who previously thought it was a fad.

Jo Bennett, contributor for Gartner, (the research and advisory firm) penned an article titled “Why a No-Cloud Policy Will Become Extinct” The article, states in part; “Businesses initially stepped gingerly toward the cloud, experimenting with low-risk applications. Today, applications for office productivity and CRM are tried and tested, and use cases are constantly developing in a wider sphere of mission-critical areas.”

Your Company’s Policy States It Will Not Deploy A Cloud Solution. Really? But Why?

Security has always been the concern for some businesses (understandably so) when weighing, the pros and cons of a cloud-based versus an on-premise solution. And so, on the topic of security the article continued; “Security concerns are most frequently the reason organizations avoid public cloud services. The reality is that cloud service providers typically have the ability to support more effective security systems and platforms than are practical for most individual businesses.”

ATS best-of-breed cloud-based time and attendance has helped thousands of businesses capture employee data in real-time with award-winning employee time clocks, and data integration capabilities to ERP, Payroll and HR applications. With ATS cloud-based time and attendance you get up-to-the-minute business intelligence, operational excellence and increase agility with a single global application that aligns to your business processes.

To learn more about ATS Cloud-Based Solutions or to read testimonials from some of our customers, or to download a free demonstration, go to our website.

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Are Today’s Manufacturing Companies Embracing Analytics? You Can Bet They Are!

April 12th, 2016 | Posted by Apex Time Solutions in Time and Attendance Solution | Workforce Analytics | Workforce Management Solutions - (Comments Off on Are Today’s Manufacturing Companies Embracing Analytics? You Can Bet They Are!)

Today’s manufacturing companies are faced with increasing competition including, global competition, price wars and rapid consolidation. And because these trends show no signs of abating, manufacturers are embracing analytics to help them streamline operational costs and increase revenue.

Here are three steps manufacturing companies can take to ensure they are making good use of analytics:

Evaluate your Current Analytic Capabilities:  You should use analytics to measure your company’s performance and make strategic business decisions that affect the success of your organization. For example, using an outdated employee time tracking system or paper time-cards will inevitability, inhibit your company’s growth prospects. A modern workforce management solution allows you to use analytics, thus, creating performance benchmarks that will improves your plant floor operations, and workforce productivity.

Are Today’s Manufacturing Companies Embracing Analytics? You Can Bet They Are!

Performance Is Key: Manufacturing companies are in business to make a profit and so, having a defined set of business metrics at your fingertips are the keys to understanding operational excellence. Your metrics should including, plant floor productivity, hours worked by employees versus job costing rates, product quality and overall financial results. With ATS Workforce Management Software for Manufacturing, you have access to intuitive dashboards that displays up-to-the-minute results that includes, employee data capture process, plant floor project costing and data integration.

Adding value through Processes: Manufacturing companies understand the value of lean production, thus, their processes should save time and money while using resources wisely. An example of lean in manufacturing is using an automated time and attendance system as opposed to manual system, which waste time and require more resources.

If you are a manufacturing company who has not deployed lean production throughout your organization, it’s not too late. With ATS Workforce Management Software for Manufacturing, your company can take advantage of real-time analytics- while at the same time, streamline plant-floor operations and saving valuable resources.

Want to learn more? Download a Lean Manufacturing Time and Attendance demonstration.

Are Today’s Manufacturing Companies Embracing Analytics? You Can Bet They Are!

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What’s Keeping Business Executives Up at Night?

April 6th, 2016 | Posted by Apex Time Solutions in Benefit Accruals | Overtime | Payroll | Time and Attendance Solution - (Comments Off on What’s Keeping Business Executives Up at Night?)

Many businesses are unsatisfied with their current time and attendance system, yet feel trapped with a maintenance contract from their existing vendor that inhibits their ability to find something better. Does your business fall into that category? If so, you probably made a considerable investment with both time and money in your current system. And, while the thought of finding a solution that’s better suited to your business might seemed like a daunting task, because you will have to devote resources to the project, you will be better off in the long run. After all, payroll is the largest controllable expense of any organization, one which most business leaders like to keep under control.

What’s Keeping Business Executives Up at Night?

If you are losing sleep over payroll expenses, here are a few things to consider when shopping for a new time and attendance solution:

Keep an open mind when it comes to a cloud-based solution
The evolution of technology and the emergence of the cloud, makes moving to a new time and attendance solution easier than it once was. To put this in proper context; you no longer have to worry about software updates, purchasing a Server on which to house your application or go through the archaic process of having to poll your time clock in order to obtain an overtime report. Your time and attendance should give you the ability to access your data anytime and anywhere and on any device that’s connected to the Internet. Additionally, the time and attendance system you choose should make it easy for your employees to request time off, see how many hours they have worked in any given period and/or communicate with their managers quickly and seamlessly.

Focus on your business requirements
There is nothing wrong in finding out why other businesses in your industry, deployed a cloud-based solution, but do not lose sight of your own business goals and needs. When choosing a system identify how you are planning on growing your business. If you are expecting your organization to add employees and locations over the next year, then it is important to choose a time and attendance solution that does not require a dedicated person to manage it on a day-to-day basis.

Gain insight from organizations that are using the product
Once you begin your search, ask your prospective vendor if you can speak to customers who are currently using their system— ask for customers who are in your industry and those that are not. The purpose here is to find out how flexible this system is, if at all.  Ask the references, how the vendor handled the business requirements? can the solution be accessed through any device? What are the challenges with customer service? These types of questions can help you decide before you announce your engagement to the vendor.

In conclusion; in today’s rapid changing business environment, growth means doing more with less and increasing productivity. Having a solution that evolves with your business should be a deciding factor when choosing a time and attendance solution. And, although, choosing a new time and attendance solution can be an overwhelming process, if you do your due diligence and your focus on your business requirements, finding a solution will be less difficult.

To learn more or to join one of our upcoming webinars, go to our website. And, to reach an account executive by phone, call (866) 294-2467.

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