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Moving to the cloud can be scary prospect if your company has been against it for some time. However, one of the lessons from the current coronavirus pandemic, is that it has forced many businesses to become agile— by adopting hybrid and work from home (WFH) policies which, by extension, encompasses some of today’s cloud computing technologies like; WebEx, Zoom and Microsoft Teams to name a few. And, with many of today’s IT experts on board with cloud computing—it will be much easier to make sure your applications environment is running efficiently and your company is optimizing its benefits.

The primary forms of cloud computing are:

  • Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS): In this scenario, businesses rent servers, storage and networking infrastructure in a cloud environment.
  • Software-as-a-service (SaaS): With SaaS, businesses access the applications they need over the internet and pay for what is required.
  • Platform-as-a-service (PaaS): Organizations access a development platform for building or rolling out proprietary software and services.

Here are 3 ways small and businesses can benefit from cloud computing in 2022:

  1. Application Administration-Small and mid-size companies can take advantage of cloud computing technologies without the need to purchase and maintain their own IT infrastructure, helping to conserve their IT budgets. That’s particularly attractive to businesses that can now access advanced technology previously out of reach.  And, if you are an executive at an organization that produces and uses any type of data set, you will be enamoured with the benefits cloud analytics. Cloud analytics is data collection, tracking and analysis that happens on systems hosted in the cloud, rather than in rather than in on-premises (for example on your company’s server) systems.
  2. Turnkey Provisioning and on-Demand Scalability-Embracing cloud computing will change a lot of things for the better, including costs, security, accessibility, and maintenance. But it doesn’t change your core service level requirements. Businesses should not compromise on their technology needs—delivering on performance, scalability, availability, reliability, and security, all of which when deploying a cloud computing solution.
  3. Growth, Scalability and a Unified Approach From Anywhere-Cloud applications like ATSTimeWorkOnDemand offer powerful capabilities on-demand with near-limitless flexibility. These resources are available as needed for scaling up or scaling down, without any need to purchase, set up or maintain any of your own servers or other resources as your needs shift with growth.

To aid productivity, your organization can use the application to summarize and analyze data quickly for real-time insights. Additionally, cloud computing ATSTimeWorkOnDemand offers ready-to-use programming components that allow developers to build new capabilities into their applications, including innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT).

Cloud computing trends demonstrate how this technology is changing the way businesses operate and how they allocate their IT budgets. Significantly, public cloud users (who share computing resources) no longer have to purchase and maintain hardware and other infrastructure or manage IT upgrades and software patches — that responsibility now falls on their cloud vendors. This leaves businesses and their IT teams able to focus on core business objectives like innovation, new product or service offerings and hiring new talent. It also helps to level the playing field for growing businesses that had been unable to afford the steep price tag of advanced technologies they can now access through a subscription.

As we approach 2022, the adoption of cloud will continue to accelerate as more small and mid-size businesses embrace the advances in cloud computing power, scalability and flexibility that cloud-based systems deliver. In the end, this will provide IT departments with more time to focus on core business objectives like innovation, and other initiatives.

About ATS

ATS offers a broad portfolio of time and attendance solutions that streamlines the collection, calculation, and reporting of employee hours for workforce management and eliminates the manual tasks of payroll preparation, increasing efficiency and reducing errors in corporate payroll departments.

Thousands of organizations across North, Central and South America and Europe- including more than half of the Fortune 500 – use ATS TimeWork OnDemand, Workforce Planning, Employee Scheduling HR and payroll solutions to manage their workforce. ATS cloud services offer rapid deployment, support services, software updates, and enhancements; and consulting and training services.

In the last several years, businesses and the IT world in general, has seen the increasing popularity of cloud computing, easily becoming the 21st century most talked about business application solution.

Cloud services that include; software and hardware have different options and pricing models, which in past, may have caused a few IT managers to be sceptical, about the technology and how it would affect their businesses. And, as a result, this may have also given rise to misconceptions about the realities of cloud computing and the many benefits it offers, including; business agility and cost reductions.

In this blog, we will debunk 5 myths about cloud computing:

Myth#1: All Cloud Software Solutions are the same
Different organizations have different needs and the best HCM cloud applications support those unique characteristics. For example, a food manufacturing company that creates products in small batches have different needs from a similar type of that manufactures the same product over and over.

Yet some businesses still believe that all cloud HCM solutions are the same and none of them are unique enough to suit their specific needs. Manufacturers with little knowledge of modern cloud computing solutions can sometimes get dazzled by buzzwords and perceived complexity. However, the cloud is not a platform that delivers a one-size-fits-all solution. The best cloud HCM providers offer flexibility, a wide variety of cloud-computing based functionality— and are designed by experts, with deep industry knowledge— who would not sell an application that’s loaded with bells and whistles that companies don’t need or would not use.

Myth# 2 – A Cloud Solution is too Expensive
We have heard this before, when in actuality, it will save you money in the long run. With ATS HCM cloud application, companies spend less on IT. Over a three- to five-year period, consider the hardware, software, implementation, customization, training, support and maintenance costs required for on-premise HCM application. It is easier to implement ATS HCM cloud, which doesn’t need large computers or onsite staff to maintain them.

Moving to the cloud means freeing up the extensive IT resources dedicated to the never-ending challenge of keeping the lights on in the server room. The burden of deploying, running, and upgrading systems shifts to ATS. This allows IT managers to become strategic shareholders, while driving innovation.

Myth#3 –It will be harder to Integrate to Third-Party Applications
Some companies still believe the myth that cloud HCM software is difficult to integrate with their existing systems. In fact, integration is much easier than you think. Third-party apps like, ERP, Payroll, Talent Management that is native to the same platform are easy to manage and integrate. They provide end-users with a consistent interface and experience. ATS makes use of the most updated API integration, and so your organization will have relevant, accurate operational data all in one place—in real time.

Myth#4 – An on-premise solution is better and is more secure
ATS Cloud offers the most powerful tools to help ensure top performance for your business. ATS HCM Cloud regularly updates its software to the latest and greatest without interruption to your business. Customers get the most up-to-date software delivered automatically. And all of this comes without having to put your IT staff through time-consuming updates and upgrades. ATS HCM monitors cloud performance 24×7 and scales to address demand.

One of the greatest benefits of using ATS HCM cloud is that your business always runs the latest version of the software. With ATS HCM cloud, you get the earliest access to new features, industry best practices, and competitive innovations. Not only does this keep you on the forefront of your industry, but it also sends security patches that effortlessly keep your system locked down.

Myth# 5 – Cloud Computing Applications are not as Secure
This is a persistent myth about the cloud that it is not secure. The early iteration of the cloud came with some concerns and rightly so. However, these concerns have dissipated with the way cloud applications system are hosted today, some of which includes firewalls, two-factor authentication, advanced encryption, frequent security updates, and detection. Data loss with an on-premise system can be permanent when a system fails. Cloud backup procedures ensures that downtime is not only rare but also temporary. Your data is protected and constantly backed up on the cloud.

Bottom Line:
As more companies deploy cloud applications, and continue to reap the benefits of increased efficiencies, improved productivity and increased profits, perhaps we may finally see some of these myths disappear.

About ATS
ATS offers a broad portfolio of time and attendance solutions that streamlines the collection, calculation, and reporting of employee hours for workforce management and eliminates the manual tasks of payroll preparation, increasing efficiency and reducing errors in corporate payroll departments.

Thousands of organizations across North, Central and South America and Europe- including more than half of the Fortune 500 – use ATS TimeWork OnDemand, Workforce Planning, Employee Scheduling HR and payroll solutions to manage their workforce.

Working from home during COVID-19 pandemic can make seem like you are working all the time. Know how to set boundaries between your work and personal life, as well as avoid professional isolation. And, if your office is closed due to the corona virus pandemic, you might be working from home for the first time.

If you are working from home for the first time and/or just can’t seem to stay focused with the knowledge that your TV and fridge is nearby, consider these tips for maintaining work-life balance and avoiding professional isolation. These tips are from an article by Elizabeth Grace Saunders in Harvard Business Review titled, How to Stay Focused When You’re Working from Home

  1. Establish working hours- It may sound silly, but if you want to have a focused day of work, pretend you’re not working from home. Before I became a time management coach, my schedule was chaotic. I didn’t have a set time that I would be at my computer, and I would often schedule personal appointments or run errands during the day. And since my personal life didn’t have boundaries, my work life didn’t either. When I was home, I would feel guilty for not checking business email at all hours of the day and night. I never felt that I could truly rest.
  2. Structure your day for success- Maximize the effectiveness of your time at home by structuring it differently than a typical workday. For example, if you work from home only one day a week or on occasion, make it a meeting-free day. If you can’t entirely avoid meetings, reserve at least half a day for focused work. Choose a time that works best for you, based on any required meetings and your energy levels.
  3. Set boundaries with others- To make your efforts stick, be clear with the people who might see your work-at-home days as simply days you’re at home. Explain to friends, family, and other acquaintances that the days you’re working remotely aren’t opportunities for non-work-related activities. For example, if you’re home with your spouse, tell them, “I’m planning on being on my computer from 8 AM to 5 PM today. I’m happy to chat at lunch, but other than that I’ll be occupied.” Typically, when you set expectations and stick to them (say, really stopping at 5 PM), people understand your limits instead of assuming you’ll be available. (I also recommend having a place where you’re away from anyone else who might be home, such as an office or bedroom where you can shut the door and be out of sight.)

Bottomline: While some employees have been working remotely for many years and will likely keep their same routine, managers should remember that not every employee actually wants to work from home, a shift that can be stressful for some. However, as organizations increasingly mandate that many employees work from home during this pandemic outbreak, it’s becomes even more important that managers, communicate with their employees as some might be struggling with the change.

About ATS
ATS offers a broad portfolio of time and attendance solutions that streamlines the collection, calculation, and reporting of employee hours for workforce management and eliminates the manual tasks of payroll preparation, increasing efficiency and reducing errors in corporate payroll departments.

To learn more about ATS, go to our website. To download a demo of our time and attendance app or reach us by phone call; 866.294.2467.

The shift to the cloud is here and there’s not stopping it. In fact, the perception of cloud computing applications has changed dramatically over the last several years. In short order, most of our software applications in the foreseeable future, will accessed only through the cloud.

However, solely relying on the technology to facilitate better day to day operations for your business might not yield the results you are expecting. There are, however, several factors involved in the deployment of software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications—that are sometimes overlooked, yet they play a vital role in the overall success within an organization.

There are numerous ways to improve the effectiveness of your cloud deployment. Here are three tips that will help you match your company’s reality vs perception.

Plan Accordingly-The amount of time it takes your workforce to adapt to the new solution might be longer than you think, so provide them with ample notice and do not expect a quick user adoption. Human beings, by nature, do not like change. Changing the habits of people, is no small undertaking. A well thought-out and executed project plan will minimize the change management hiccups, and help you maximize end-user adoption. 

Let the Experts Guide You-Successful time and attendance cloud deployment and training covers not only system-related topics, but also best-practices and business processes. It takes into consideration each function’s unique organization structure processes and training needs.  ATS deep industry expertise guides employees and users alike — at all levels of the organization — through new functions and processes.

Software Deployment is a Journey -ATS TimeWorkOnDemand is a journey, not a destination. Your organization will evolve as you begin to understand the product, and your processes should evolve along with it. On-going and post-live support is critical to your company’s enduring success, and accordingly, you should plan on spending several months fine-tuning your application with incremental changes. Having the resources to make small changes quickly helps drive faster end user adoption and will help to accelerate your return-on-investment (ROI).  

ATS TimeWorkOnDemand is the leading cloud-based time and attendance application that’s used by mid and large enterprises across Canada, the US and other parts of central and south America. ATS TimeWorkOnDemand helps businesses streamline payroll and increase workforce productivity.

ATS provides organizations a complete Workforce Management, HCM Cloud Computing Solution —that drives digital transformation and, improves business agility while meeting both current and future business requirements.

To learn more about ATS TimeWorkOnDemand, go to our website. You can also register for one of our bi-weekly webinars or download a demonstration. And to reach an account executive, call: 866.294.2467.

Small and mid-size companies that use the cloud spend 40 percent less on the need for a fulltime IT person. Deploying a time and attendance solution to the cloud is much faster and don’t need as much of an investment in upgrading infrastructure and as a result, this frees up expenses that would otherwise, be used for upgrading server licenses-thus making more capital available to support business growth.

3 Great Reasons To Move Your Employee Time Tracking To The Cloud

So, if you happen to be one of those companies that are still sitting on the fence, when it comes to embracing the cloud, here are some compelling reasons to take note.

  1. The Cloud is simple to use: A cloud-based time and attendance is easier to implement, and use when compared to the traditional on-premise solutions. With a cloud-based time and attendance– commonly referred to as software-as-a-service (SaaS) – you only pay for what you use. For example, a large hotel chain will have a high number of employees during the summer months, as this tends to be the busiest time of the year for that industry – but during the fall and winter months, those numbers will decrease. A company using ATS TimeWork OnDemand can scale easily, thus paying for only the employees who are working during this slow period.
  1. Mobile: With a application like ATS TimeWork OnDemand employee self-service (ESS),  a company can now give its employees the ability to request time-off, switch shifts and review hours worked at anytime, from anywhere instead of using paper time cards or spreadsheets. In the cloud, employees only need an Internet connection and they can tap into the power of mobility.
  1. Efficient and compliant: A growing body of evidence highlights the efficiencies and return on investment (ROI) that many businesses are experiencing by moving to the cloud.  Companies are required to comply with ever changing payroll and other workforce related rules- a cloud-based time and attendance like ATS TimeWork OnDemand can help businesses keep with these rules and other compliance matters, while driving business growth.

To learn about ATS Cloud-Based Time and Attendance, go to our website. You can download brochures, pre-recorded demonstrations or register for one of our bi-monthly webinars.

Adapting To Change Is Not Easy, But Is Necessary For Growth

January 25th, 2017 | Posted by ATS in Cloud Based Time Management Solution | Cloud Computing | SaaS Time and Attendance | TimeWork OnDemand - (Comments Off on Adapting To Change Is Not Easy, But Is Necessary For Growth)

To grow an organization has to be willing to adapt to change. And, sometimes change is forced upon businesses who believing in charting the same course, regardless of what’s going on around them. In today’s rapidly changing and technology driven world-those who believe in doing what they have always done, can become extinct quickly.

Adapting To Change Is Not Easy, But Is Necessary For Growth

In a recent article titled, ‘Why Innovators Should Study the Rise and Fall of the Venetian Empire’ written for Harvard Business Review, by Piero Formica he succinctly states “The stronger the assumption that the future will function as today does, the greater the gravitational force of the status quo. Organizations set in their ways slow down and never strive for new horizons. They are doomed to wither.”

The power of cloud computing, for example, allows businesses to gain easy access to their company’s data, and at the same time, save them money. And, for the naysayers who are worried that they will end up paying for features that they neither need nor want, ATS cloud time and attendance solution is based on pay-as-you-go.

In fact, most companies already use a variety of cloud computing services without even realizing it—Google Drive, Gmail, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are all cloud-based applications. For all of these services, users are sending their personal data to a cloud-hosted server that stores the information for later access. And as useful as these applications are for personal use, they’re even more valuable for businesses that need to be able to access large amounts of data over a secure, online network connection.

So, if we are so open to sending our personal information through the cloud whether it’s through online banking transactions or using Google every day, why the hesitation when it comes to adopting a time and attendance that’s in the cloud? Here is the most poignant paragraph from Piero Formica’s article and it reads in part;

“If you don’t want to be caught by surprise, you have to recognize that the future will be different from the past. The future is unfathomable, ambiguous, and open to every option. One major move by a competitor, or one new technology, is sometimes all it takes to end an empire. If your current business is like a carefully tended garden, with neat beds and high walls, that’s not enough. The next opportunity (or threat) may lie outside those walls, at the messy intersection of sectors and markets.”

If your current IT resources are forcing you to give all of your attention to software installed on a computer and constant slow network issues when, trying to obtain relevant data then you are not going to be able to concentrate on achieving your business goals. And, that’s no way to run a business.  However, by deploying a cloud time and attendance like ATS, you will have more time to devote towards the aspects of your business that directly affect your bottom line and be able to care of your customers.

To learn more about ATS Cloud Time and Attendance, go to our website. To reach an account executive, call 866.294.2467.

 

There is no denying that ATS Time and Attendance in the cloud is a cost effective way for small, mid-size and even large enterprises to deploy our solution without leaving a strain on their budgets, while allowing them to remain agile, and operate in real-time. Some, however, would suggest that there is only way to deploy a time and attendance solution. We, at ATS, are here to proclaim otherwise.

ATS is a time and attendance is a leader in both on premises and cloud-based applications however, we believe in providing choice to our customers, and that includes, your choice of deployment. So, if the needs of your business operations change and you need a company with deep industry expertise, with a solution that’s scalable and — can accommodate your business requirements, here are some deployment options:

ATS Single-Tenant Deployment-This methodology gives customers greater control over their time and attendance deployment, and system administrative configuration.

ATS Multi-Tenant-A low cost deployment methodology that eradicates software upgrade headaches, provides immense flexibility, scalability, and high performance.

 Hybrid Deployment-In this scenario, some enterprise customers with different locations may want a mix of cloud and on premises. This type of deployment is most common with multi-nationals and/or companies with various locations spread across remote locations and who may have a centralized IT department to support their initiatives.

On Premises Deployment-ATS on premises time and attendance is the traditional deployment methodology that gives you the peace of mind that it accompanies. We provide an option for customers to move from on-premises into the cloud.

So, there you have it. You have choices, and as a leading solution provider, ATS can help you choose the deployment option that works for your business.

To learn more, call 866.294.2467 or go to our website.

Here’s The Straight Talk, Cloud Vs On Premises Deployment

If you are considering a time and attendance solution for your organization, chances are you’re being bombarded with choices. And, having choices is a good thing. But as you explore your options, one of the most important decisions you will need to make is whether to select a cloud-based time and attendance or one that will be installed locally on your server and workstations within your organization.

The basic difference between a solution installed on your server (or as its commonly referred to, “on-premise”) and a cloud time and attendance is clear:  a solution installed on your company’s server is typically managed your IT resource/consultant, while a cloud time and attendance—is provided as a service. This type of deployment brings with it a range of flexibility. For example, cloud time and attendance data is managed centrally by the vendor and is accessed by customers through any web browser (in the Internet “cloud”) including; Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari and Microsoft Edge

Here are some key factors to consider when deciding whether to deploy a cloud time and attendance or one an on-premise.

Cost of Ownership
An on-premise time and attendance usually require large upfront and ongoing investments to purchase and manage the software, hardware, servers, to run it. If, for example your organization does not have internal and/or an experienced IT team that means additional costs that you may not have budgeted for. And, when its time to upgrade, your IT resource has to go through the arduous steps of reinstalling the time and attendance and any customizations that were installed on the previous version.

ATS Time and Attendance in the cloud, initial costs are typically lower, when compared to an on-premise, because the software is configured and deployed using your company’s specific requirements.  ATS hosts and maintains the IT infrastructure, thus, ensuring your system is always running with the latest updates without breaking your previously implemented configurations. And, with a predictable, pay-as-you-go subscription model this can make cash flow management and planning much easier for companies.

Why Time And Attendance In The Cloud?

Deployment
Deploying time and attendance requires careful planning and takes time. ATS time and attendance in the cloud, offers superior advantages when compared to an on-premise deployment. In the world of on-premise deployment a company has to install an IT infrastructure, and additional hardware to maintain the application. With ATS time and attendance in the cloud, it can be deployed across multiple regions, provinces, divisions, subsidiaries and countries thus, avoiding associated costs with those rollouts. When you select ATS time and attendance in the cloud, it usually takes 2-4 months of roll out compared to the12 months it takes to implement an on-premise solution.

Always On, Anywhere Anytime
With ATS time and attendance in the cloud that means you gain instant access to a suite of workforce management tools that your teams need to make more informed decisions. The solution provides real-time data that can be accessed via the Internet anywhere at any time. That means that staff at your company can see accurate information on smart-phones, tablet devices and laptops while they travel or telecommute. And, whether your workforce is located in the same building, different locations, or on the other side of the globe — ATS time and attendance in the cloud deployment means you’re all working in unison.

When it comes to deploying ATS time and attendance in the cloud, you can count on ATS for the experience you expect. This agile deployment methodology is combined with innovative cloud computing technology, and deep domain expertise, working with customers across industries and geographies, to streamline your cloud deployment and speed your time to value.

Every business is unique, so taking the time to consider how different your time and attendance deployment options will affect your company is critical. To learn more about deploying ATS time and attendance in the cloud solution, contact us.

Today’s business executives face a plethora of choices, when shopping for a cloud-based time and attendance and yet, not all cloud solution vendors and/or their deployment methodologies are born equal. ATS TimeWork OnDemand is designed to accommodate robust data capture, adhere to ever changing workforce compliance and complexity, and is equally matched by dependable performance in the cloud.

No Two Cloud Solutions Are Created Equal

 

When faced with a bewildering choice of cloud-based time and attendance vendors, business executives, should look for some of the following:

Scalability
The fact that you are shopping for a cloud solution, probably means you understand there are cost savings with not having to purchase expensive Servers and yearly licenses not to the mention the cost of an IT department or person to manage said Server. So, with this in mind, the chosen solution should be nimble enough to grow with your business and, at the same time allow you to scale down if and when necessary.

Ease-Of-Use
The whole point of deploying a cloud-based time and attendance is that it should not be a burdern your HR and Payroll practitioner. In fact, it should lessen the workload with a set of easy-to-use, dashboards, broad-based capabilities and slew of analytics, at your fingertips, with a goal of improving productivity.

Deployment
Unlike traditional on-premise time and attendance takes time and requires a great deal of planning but ATS TimeWork OnDemand offers significant advantages when you consider its speed of deployment. Since ATS TimeWork requires no additional hardware, this means there is no need to install an IT infrastructure and/or apply Server updates and buy expensive licenses.

Bottom-line, every business is unique, even those that are in the same industry so taking the time to consider the differences in time and attendance cloud solutions and, the options they each one offers will affect your company’s decision. To learn more ATS TimeWork OnDemand and our deployment methodologies, contact us.

To download ATS TimeWork OnDemand demonstration, go to our website. You can also register for one of our bi-weekly webinars.

Improve Efficiency with ATS Award-Winning Time and Attendance Solution

March 1st, 2016 | Posted by Apex Time Solutions in Cloud Time and Attendance | ERP | Payroll | SaaS Time and Attendance | Time and Attendance Blog, Workforce Management Software - (Comments Off on Improve Efficiency with ATS Award-Winning Time and Attendance Solution)

Operating a business in the 21st century requires efficiency across all business processes – time and attendance and payroll included. When the tracking of employee hours is automated and integrated, there’s no need for HR and payroll practitioners to manually gather, input, and reconcile data located in disparate software. You avoid duplicate data entry and potential errors that are costly to the organization and which could also hinder employee productivity.

ATS Time and Attendance is available as Software-As-A-Solution (SaaS), or on-premise, solution. ATS Time and Attendance can be deployed to meet your organizational business requirements without compromising functionality or data integrity. To serve the needs of companies with multi-sites, ATS Time and Attendance configures data fields to reflect the appropriate format based on employee location, collective bargaining agreements (CBA), multiple work and holiday rules, as well as providing location-specific pay compliance with a set of embedded corporate and global standards.

Improve Efficiency with ATS Award-Winning Time and Attendance Solution

Using an ATS Time and Attendance will improve efficiency in three keys areas:

Employee Self-Service
Employees can request time off, manage their own goals and maintain competency profiles. Employers can track absences and hours worked and modify policies and budget from a single interface. ATS Employee Self-Service routes information based on user-defined business rules. ATS Employee Self-Service streamlines processes, remove bottlenecks, and reduce administrative costs.

Payroll, ERP, HR Data Integration
Who wants to key in employee job codes, hours, pay and pay rates from a spreadsheet to multiple software applications? ATS Workforce Management Data Integrator is a comprehensive data integration platform that covers all data integration requirements: from high-volume, high-performance batch loads, to event-driven, trickle-feed integration processes.

Workforce Analytics
With ATS Workforce Analytics, your company has access to real-time analytics to show productivity and profitability by department and per employee. The solution provides users with on-the-spot information, thus, allowing them to take action in the moment. ATS Workforce Analytics takes the guess-work out of the equation.

To download the white paper that contains a list of ten areas of your business that will see an improvement through the use of an ATS Time and Attendance solution, go to our website. To download a pre-recorded demonstration, and to attend a live webcast, register on ATS corporate website. To reach ATS by phone, call 866.294.2467.