Time and Attendance Blog, Workforce Management Software

What Exactly Is Cloud Time And Attendance?

Cloud-based computing (also called Software as a Service, or SaaS) allows users access to software applications that run on shared computing resources (for example, if when you access Google or download your music to your icloud or watch your favourite series on Netflix or Hulu) via the Internet. These computing resources are maintained in remote data centers dedicated to hosting various applications on multiple platforms.

What Exactly Is Cloud Time And Attendance?

ATS TimeWorkOnDemand for instance, is a software- as-a-service (SaaS) application that allows users to access our time and attendance software over the Internet. Accessing ATS TimeWorkOnDemand over the Internet, means that the upfront costs is significantly lower, because computing resources are leased by the month rather than purchased outright and maintained on a Server at your organization.

As we have seen in the last several years, more companies are adopting cloud applications in record numbers. And, the advantage of using the cloud means that small, and medium-size businesses, can access a wide range business applications, at reasonable prices, without having to lay out a huge amount of capital for software and hardware.

Here are some distinct advantages for using a cloud time and attendance, like ATS TimeWork OnDemand

Reduces need for significant internal IT support services because, your company are not managing the software on its Server
Eliminates paying upfront for application software licenses in favor of a monthly fee
Paying only for what you use. For example, if the number of employees you have in the fall and winter goes down, so will your monthly costs
You can access ATS TimeWork OnDemand from any device (Smartphone, tablet or workstation) that has an Internet connection. In addition, you can switch between any device, including Google Android, Windows, Mac, Apple iPad or iPhone and/or Linux Desktop
A fixed monthly rate so your company can use their cash on other business initiatives

ATS TimeWork OnDemand is the preferred time and attendance application for a variety of industries and government entities in Canada, the US, Latin and South America and several fortune 500 companies. ATS TimeWork OnDemand delivers broad-based and adaptable cloud computing technology and complete up-to-the-minute view of your business anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Interested in learning more? You can download free demonstration, or attend a bi-monthly webcast by going to our website. And to see what other companies like yours are saying about ATS TimeWork OnDemand, go to our user community.

Apple iPad, ATS TimeWork OnDemand, Canada, Google Android, Hulu, iCloud, iPhone, Mac, Netflix Linux, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Time and Attendance, Windows

Machine Learning and Analytics Applications Can Accelerate Your Business

Today, on your mobile device, you can order food, pay for movie or concert tickets and even change the temperature on your house thermostat. And, if your phone has the right application installed, you can ask business related questions, specific, to your company, and have the system understand your requests and anticipate your questions based on self-learning. When morphed together, that’s machine learning and analytics, at its core and, that in and of itself, is part of the future.

Machine Learning and Analytics Applications Can Accelerate Your Business

Modern and data-savvy business executives with their eye on achieving operational excellence want, up to the minute information and, also want to ensure that their departmental managers are not tethered to rigid applications. And, with a fully embedded cloud analytic application, like ATS TimeWork OnDemand, your business can achieve these objectives and more, including:

Increase Workforce Productivity: so users can do their job more efficiently
Streamline Labour Costs: ATS TimeWork OnDemand advanced analytics, helps you gain access to real-time information
Open Data Integration Capabilities: This powerful application optimizes and integrates to any business application, whether its; ERP, HR, Talent Management, CRM or payroll insight to inform every decision, when and where it matters, and in context.

In the world of cloud analytics and time and attendance, not all applications, while similar in nature, are designed to accomplish the same objectives.

To learn more, go to our website, where you can also download a demonstration or register for one of our bi-monthly webinars. And to reach an account executive, call; 866.294.2467

Analytics, ATS TimeWork OnDemand, ERP, HR, Machine Learning, Talent Management, Workforce Management

Should We Expect On Demand Movie Theatres? It’s Only A Matter Of Time

June 6th, 2018 | Posted by ATS in Artificial Intelligence | ATS TimeWork OnDemand | Time and Attendance Canada | Time and Attendance Toronto - (Comments Off)

Movie rental stores, fax machines and the reliance on software applications installed on computer or network servers are all fading into distance memories. We now live in a world that cannot live without fast Internet service, intuitive touch-screens to access applications and the use of our smart phones. And most of this has been because of the explosive use of cloud computing and its many benefits.

Should We Expect On Demand Movie Theatres? It’s Only A Matter Of Time

A recent article by Aaron Pressman for Fortune magazine titled Data Sheet—Forget On Demand Movies. It’s Time for On Demand Movie Theaters reads in part;

“Baidu’s iQIYI, a video streaming service sometimes dubbed the Netflix of China, opened a tiny movie theater in the city of Zhongshang in the southern province of Guangdong. Adding a few dozen seats to the theater capacity of the city of about 3 million people sounds like a drop in the bucket.

But the new theater, called Yuke, is actually a series of mini-theaters, each with two to 10 seats, that can be rented by the hour to show any content available from iQIYI’s library. With cushy chairs, Dolby audio, and a screen much larger than a home TV, the on demand Yuke theaters represent a new hybrid way to consume streaming video. iQIYI, which went public in the United States a few months ago, says it plans to bring the Yuke concept to all of China’s major cities.”

Wheter on demand movie theatres becomes a roaring success in a few months, a few years or is given a tepid response by consumers, it’s clear the appetite for all things cloud is becoming the better option for many people.

To learn about ATS TimeWork OnDemand cloud computing platform, go to our website. You can register for our bi-monthly webinar or download a demonstration. And to reach us by phone, call 866.294.2467.

ATS TimeWork OnDemand, Cloud Computing, Software Applications

Adopting A Corporate Cloud Mindset

Change is never easy, especially when it comes to embracing and adopting cloud-based enterprise applications. But today’s executives (including many CIOs) understand that moving to the cloud offers efficiency, speed, and significant savings.

But what really makes cloud-based applications so different than those built and designed to work on traditional Servers with embedded legacy-type architecture?

ATS Time and Attendance in the Cloud is the most powerful, unified solution available today. It redefines how you modernize, collect employee data, innovate, and compete in a face-pace digital world, delivering comprehensive and integrated cloud services that allow your users to cost-effectively build, deploy, and manage workloads seamlessly and—in the cloud.

Adopting A Corporate Cloud Mindset

Here is why companies rely on ATS Time and Attendance in the Cloud:

Complete and Integrated Platform- Businesses need complete technology solutions that reduce complexity. They want robust time and attendance applications that can fully integrate to a multitude and platforms to deliver a seamless experience.

Open Architecture-ATS gives you more options for where and how you access the cloud. You can run ATS TimeWork OnDemand workloads, and connect third-party apps with those from ATS data centre.

ATS Adaptive Choice-ATS helps you realize the value of emerging technologies, including Big Data, machine learning and artificial intelligence. ATS Time and Attendance in the Cloud helps –infuse business and IT operations with adaptive intelligence, intuitive business processes, and with lower operational cost and complexity.

Sensitive Applications and Data-ATS Time and Attendance in the Cloud enables seamless path to the cloud with layers, throughout every aspect, of your cloud adoption. ATS cloud services make leading technologies available everywhere to organizations large and small.

Deployment-With ATS, deployment tool, you can manage apps through the cloud. ATS Time and Attendance in the Cloud is managed by ATS, so that you can take advantage of the agility, innovation and subscription-based pricing, while meeting data-residency requirements.

ATS product developers and solution experts help you accelerate innovation and successful transition to the cloud. From project planning and deployment to connectivity, ATS— provides the support and services needed so you can maximize the value of ATS Time and Attendance in the Cloud solutions for your business.

To learn about ATS Time and Attendance in the Cloud or to view a demonstration, go to our website. You can also register for one of our bi-monthly webinars. To reach us by phone, call 866.294.2467.

Artificial Intelligence, ATS TimeWork OnDemand, CIO, Machine Learning, Time and Attendance

Cloud Computing Predictions For 2018 According To Forrester Research

The benefit of moving business applications to the cloud is no longer up for the debate. And while, there are some companies who still cling to the belief that having software installed on their server is part of a corporate policy, that they are not willing to abandon. However, this attitude towards the cloud, is dwindling as more companies realize that the cloud has become part of everything we do in this digital era.

Cloud Computing Predictions For 2018 According To Forrester Research

In a recently published article titled ‘Predictions 2018: Cloud Computing Accelerates Enterprise Transformation Everywhere’ by Dave Bartoletti for Forrester Research, he writes in part;

“Cloud now permeates all company sizes, industries, and geographies. And all of this innovation isn’t only happening in the big public clouds; exciting new private cloud technology stacks and fresh partnerships between infrastructure vendor stalwarts and upstart cloud-native companies bring the power and energy of elastic, on-demand cloud services to the enterprise data center as well.

In 2018, we’ll pass that magic threshold: Forrester predicts that more than 50% of global enterprises will rely on at least on public cloud platform to drive digital transformation and delight customers. As highlighted in our 2018 cloud predictions, cloud is truly business critical and is now a mainstream enterprise core technology”.

Many of the companies who have migrated to the cloud are reaping several benefits, including: a reduction in IT operating costs, more simplified user workflows across multiple applications, improved employee mobility, having access to real-time workforce analytics, and an increased ability to innovate business operations.

So what if your company happens to part of the few holdouts, who remain unconvinced about the benefits of migrating to the cloud? Our suggestion is to start small and/or ask other businesses who are using the cloud about their experience. Chances are you might be surprised to find out that some of today’s companies who are using cloud-based solutions held similar views to that of your organization.

To learn about ATS TimeWork OnDemand, our best-in-class cloud computing application, go our website, where you can view a demonstration or register for one of our bi-monthly webinars. To reach an account representative, call; 866.294.2467.

ATS TimeWork OnDemand, Cloud Computing, Forrester Research, IT, Workforce Analytics

Biometric Technology Is Shaping The Future Of Time And Attendance

There was a time when biometrics was seen as futuristic and, too intrusive to ever be accepted by the general public. Many of today’s smart phones, tablets and laptops are equipped with biometrics. As part of its security protocols airports around the world, have installed fingerprint readers and voice recognition technologies and Disney World have installed biometrics that enables its visitors to gain access to theme parks.

Biometric Technology Is Shaping The Future Of Time And Attendance

If your company is an early adopter of biometric time and attendance, you are likely the beneficiary of a productive workforce, and at the same time are saving hundreds of dollars on payroll costs.

If you are considering a biometric time and attendance system to enhance your company’s HR process and workflows, here are three types of the most common biometric technologies for recording and tracking employee time.

Hand Geometry: Hand recognition is the most common employee biometric time clock technology. The method uses 3D analysis of the hand for tracking and identification purposes. An individual places their hand (palm down) onto a special plate. A camera takes a picture of it and analyzes the length, width, thickness and surface area of the hand. This recorded biostatistics information is then stored for future use. Companies have used this type of biometrics for attendance tracking and accessing secure entrances.

Facial Recognition: ATS FaceScan Time Clocks, uses algorithms to analyze features. These include the position/size/shape of the eyes, nose, cheekbones and jaw line. Initially, this process was known as 2D facial recognition. The 2D images were typically taken from security cameras that have integrated facial recognition technology. For the best results, face images needed to be looking directly at the camera with enough lighting. After analysis, they could be compared to other face images for identification purposes. Employee Time clocks that use facial recognition are growing in popularity— it’s as simple as snapping a photo; the time clocks are equipped with HD cameras. This type of technology is now readily available on ATS TimeWork OnDemand mobile time tracking apps as well.

Fingerprint Identification:This type of biometrics compares either one or two fingerprints (depending on the type of time clock selected) to determine identification. It analyzes the ridges and valleys patterns on the fingertip for differences. The process involves measuring and comparing employee fingerprints against data stored in the time and attendance system. It is fast and easy to use— the employee simply presses a fingertip against the time clock screen for a moment as part of the clock in/out process. Some laptop computers and smart phones, utilize fingerprint biometrics for authorizations purposes such as logging in and entering website passwords.

Other biometrics include voice authentication, which is the analysis of vocal behavior by matching it to a voice model template (that was previously recorded). Since every voice is unique, the physical characteristics of the speaker’s voice can be measured. Retinal and iris scanning is employed by different industries.

Bottom-line:

Companies deploy biometric time and attendance systems to ensure the person/s clocking in, are who they say they are. Biometric time clocks helps prevent employee time theft, ensures workforce compliance, and helps employers collect accurate time and attendance information. In short, it makes life easier for payroll and HR practitioners.

To arrange a demonstration of ATS TimeWork OnDemand and our array of biometric time clocks, go to our website or call, 866.294.2467.

ATS TimeWork OnDemand, Biometric Time Clocks, Facial Recognition, Fingerprint Identification, Hand Geometry, Payroll, Time and Attendance

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

ATS TimeWork OnDemand, Cloud, Employee Self-Service (ESS), Payroll, Software-as-a-Service

Tracking And Managing Workforce Compliance Is Easier Than You Think

ATS TimeWork OnDemand is a best-of-breed time and attendance solution that helps small, mid-size and large enterprises streamline payroll costs, tackle complex workforce challenges and improve compliance.

Tracking And Managing Workforce Compliance Is Easier Than You Think

A recent article by Kate Tornone for HRDive titled Docking pay for bathroom breaks exceeding 90 seconds ‘absolutely contrary’ to FLSA states in part;

Employers must pay workers for breaks lasting 20 minutes or less, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled (Secretary United States Department of Labor v. American Future Systems, Inc., No. 16-2685 (3rd Cir., Oct. 13, 2017)). The opinion came in a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) suit filed by sales representatives at American Future Systems, doing business as Progressive Business Publications (PBP). The reps were paid only for time spent logged into their computers; any time away that lasted longer than 90 seconds became unpaid.
Federal regulations say that breaks of 20 minutes or less are compensable (see 29 CFR 785.18) but PBP argued that it didn’t provide “breaks;” rather, it maintained an arrangement called “flex time” that allowed workers to go off the clock whenever they wanted, for any reason. The court, however, was not persuaded; that’s an arrangement that “forces employees to choose between such basic necessities as going to the bathroom or getting paid unless the employee can sprint from computer to bathroom, relieve him or herself while there, and then sprint back to his or her computer in less than ninety seconds.” Docking the pay of employees who can’t manage to do that is “absolutely contrary to the FLSA,” the court said.
Ruling in the employees’ favor, the 3rd Circuit upheld a lower court’s summary judgment for them. That court had previously found the employer liable for least $1.75 million in back wages and damages, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The ruling applies in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the Virgin Islands.

There is likely more than meets the eye to this issue which prompted the DOL to intervene, if you are using the honour system and/or some paper-based time sheets to track employee time.

Managing employee schedules, overtime and work hours should not be a complex issue, if you using a solution like ATS TimeWork OnDemand.

Some of the benefits include:

The automation of time tracking and reporting capabilities, while giving employees self-service access to Internet-enabled devices like smartphones and tables.
Transforming human resources tasks from an administrative function to a strategic asset with powerful integration tools to; HRIS, Payroll and ERP.
Improved accrual benefits management- this embedded module gives you the tools to track and monitor employee vacation and other absences, thus eliminating the types of errors that occur in a manual-based environment.

ATS TimeWork OnDemand application is designed to help you grow your business by automating routine tasks and providing power analytic tools to better manage your workforce.

To learn more about ATS TimeWork OnDemand, go to our website. You can also register for a bi-weekly webinar or download a demonstration. To reach an account representative by phone, call: 866.294.2467.

ATS TimeWork OnDemand, Cloud, Employee Schedules, Employee Self Service, HRDive, Internet, Overtime, Smart Phone, United States Department of Labor

What Modern Workforce Management Means For Your Business

Since business runs on talent, growing companies need effective workforce management solutions that work, and work well. Manual calculation of employee hours and spreadsheets can result in costly over or under-staffing and unpaid overtime hours, which in turn, can lead to low staff morale. As a business grows, it demands more effective business automation tools—without adding unnecessary maintenance, deployment time, and cost. Organizations need solutions that speeds up HR processes and systems so they are strong enough to meet workforce needs today, but innovative enough to adapt in the future.

What Modern Workforce Management Means For Your Business

If you have already made workforce adjustments to proactively prepare for the upcoming labour changes by lawmakers across the North American, you might be fine. But, what if you haven’t and you are still scrambling to deploy a time and attendance that can adapt to upcoming employment standards act and other workforce regulations?

Here’s what you can expect from an ATS TimeWork OnDemand Solution

Simplify scheduling tasks with ATS Workforce Planning tool — to create and manage schedules anywhere, from any web-enabled device
Improve staff accountability – easily assign and track job costing projects
Enable employees to request time-off, check vacation balances and banked time, from anytime, anywhere — clock-in/out, and view messages left by management on any mobile device
Reduce labour costs through utilization of ATS Forecasting & Budgeting module so you can gain better control over your business by knowing, at any time if you are running over or under budget
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements through automated alerts— to managers, when overtime or other thresholds are at risk

ATS TimeWork OnDemand gives growing businesses the critical information they need to optimize their workforce. ATS TimeWork OnDemand delivers science infused workforce management— that results in real-time business intelligence designed to— inform decisions and provide a high return on investment.

To learn more, go to our website and download a demonstration, or call 866.294.2467.

ATS TimeWork OnDemand, Business Intelligence, Forecasting & Budgeting, HR, Workforce Planning

The Benefits Of The Cloud Is Undeniable So, Don’t Get Left Behind

The acceptance of the cloud has been growing steadily and that’s in large part to its many benefits, including; flexibility, low financial outlay and scalability. Some companies dip their toe in the water by simply moving core elements of their time and attendance into the cloud, while others are choosing the middle ground of a hybrid cloud environment, which keeps core time and attendance functions on-premise while also utilizing a variety of multi-tenant public cloud systems to manage certain parts of their business.

Some C-suite executives including finance and HR, at times, need convincing when it comes to the cloud, and if their past experiences with a cloud solution, have been less than stellar — asking them to give a cloud-base solution another chance might be an uphill battle.

In a published article for CFO.com titled The Cloud: A Better Expense Model Roy Golding, does a masterful job in espousing the virtues of the cloud and its inherent benefits.

“Cloud asks businesses and their finance leaders to reevaluate some long-held approaches to IT and how it is accounted for. Traditionally, any time an organization wanted to make a significant technology change, the CFO needed to ensure the long-term business model supported the investment. Making heavy capex investments up front — think expensive data-center hardware — always brought with it the risk that the hardware wouldn’t be fully utilized down the road.

The Benefits Of The Cloud Is Undeniable So, Don’t Get Left Behind

In contrast, cloud offers the flexibility to move technology resources and to not be tied into one big investment at the beginning of a new project or business. Software-as-a-service (SaaS), for example, removes the need for businesses to install and run software and applications on their own hardware within their own physical infrastructure, which also removes the associated expenses. In this operating expense model, instead of taking a large cash hit on the P&L statement right away, the company can pay for the service over time as it gradually grows the investment.

In the past, if IT teams needed additional hardware, software, or connectivity resources at certain times of the year — for seasonal reasons, perhaps — the investment to cover that requirement may have resulted in over-provisioning after the busy period ended. And a double hit resulted — the company subsequently owned depreciating technology assets that weren’t being used most of the time. This approach has never been popular with CFOs, but before the arrival of the cloud there was little alternative.”

If your organization is still on the fence about the cloud, you can always start small and grow with it. For example, with ATS TimeWork OnDemand Software-As-A-Service (SaaS) you can easily increase or decrease capacity to cost-effectively handle peak demand. And, because the configuration with ATS TimeWork OnDemand configuration is less complex, you don’t high-value implementation team members thus– helping keep deployment costs down.

The power of the cloud is undeniable so, don’t leave your organization behind. Still not convinced? Find out how ATS TimeWork OnDemand Enterprise Cloud Solutions can deliver the speed and resources necessary to quickly validate and realize solid ROI.

To learn more go to our website. You can register and join the ATS Workforce Analytics team for this week’s webinar, How Businesses Can Use Analytics To Achieve Profitability. And, to speak to an account executive, call: 866.294.2467.

Keep current with ATS:

Follow ATS on Twitter
Join the conversation with ATS on Pinterest
Follow ATS on Google Plus

ATS TimeWork OnDemand, Cloud Computing, HR, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Time and Attendance

What Exactly Is Cloud Time And Attendance?

Machine Learning and Analytics Applications Can Accelerate Your Business

Adopting A Corporate Cloud Mindset

Biometric Technology Is Shaping The Future Of Time And Attendance

What Modern Workforce Management Means For Your Business

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories

Meta