Time and Attendance Blog, Workforce Management Software

Small Businesses Can Reap The Rewards Of The Cloud

The results are in and it’s predicted that by 2020, 78% of small businesses are expected to host their IT environments in the cloud. Is that a staggering? Yes, it is! When you consider that only a few short years ago, many feared anything cloud (and some still do) and likened it to tech boom of the early 2000s.

Gartner estimates states, in part, that by 2020, the “cloud shift,” or for example, moving from the traditional method of installing software on a Server to opting for cloud-enabled solutions, will have a direct and indirect impact on more than $1 trillion in IT spending. And, according to Ed Anderson, Gartner research VP “Cloud-first strategies are the foundation for staying relevant in a fast-paced world,” another quote from his statement, reads “The market for cloud services has grown to such an extent that it is now a notable percentage of total IT spending, helping to create a new generation of start-ups and ‘born in the cloud’ providers.”

Small Businesses Can Reap The Rewards Of The Cloud

So, what kind of benefits can your small business expect to see by adopting a cloud computing solution like ATS TimeWork OnDemand?

Flexibility
One of the better benefits of the cloud is the ability to access employee data files and reports from any workstation or mobile device from any place at any time. Heck! Who wants to do remote desktop or VPN transactions to access a file that’s stuck on Server?

Lower Operational Costs
One of the most obvious benefits of moving adopting a time and attendance that’s in the cloud, is that it provides significant savings. Case in point, with ATS TimeWork OnDemand, you only pay for the services that you use. And, here is the best part you no longer have to pay fees for yearly maintenance of hardware and licenses.

Team Collaboration
Whether you are a CEO, CFO, HR or Payroll executive, can see the same set of reports at the same time, thus, making collaboration easy through the cloud. The ability to review employee information, extrapolated from your data collector, allows departmental managers to make edits and communicate with each other through the intuitive dashboards. Now, that’s what we call efficiency!

So, if your small business wants to take advantage of the many benefits, that the cloud has to offer, go to our website to download a white paper. You can also register online to attend a bi-weekly webinar with topics ranging from, time and attendance, payroll, human capital management, talent management, human resources management and more.

Cloud Computing, Human Capital Management, Human Resources Management, Payroll, Talent Management, Time and Attendance

Here Is Another Reason Why You Should Dump Your Antiquated Solution

In the world of business, increasing employee productivity tops the lists along with sales and return on investment. But how can an organization increase its workforce productivity, when its technology is outdated?

An article by Chris Stokel-Walker for Bloomberg based on a study of companies using older computers and outdated software solutions revealed that; Slow, outdated computers and intermittent internet connections demoralize workers, a survey of 6,000 European workers said. Half of U.K. employees said creaking computers were “restrictive and limiting,” and 38 percent said modern technology would make them more motivated, according to the survey, commissioned by electronics company Sharp.

Clinging on to old technology that’s aging towards obsolescence cannot be good for any business, regardless of its size or stature. If the argument is that you are still running important applications on older servers with old operating systems because “it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality, that will work for a short period. The continued use of outdated technology, especially, can have a negative long term effect on workforce productivity. For example, if your employees are spending too much time with a faulty network connection, or your HR manager is spending an inordinate amount of time manually counting hours from a time sheet, then your technology is inflicting pain on labour costs and productivity.

Here is one of the most poignant piece of the article, and it reads in part; Saurav Dutt, 35, was a member of a London-based IT firm that provides services to law firms. He was making a presentation to potential customers at an exhibition in Manchester. His speaking slot came right after a Google marketing executive—a prime opportunity, he thought. But the system ground to a half—due, Dutt said, to the outdated computers his company was using for its live demonstration.

Here Is Another Reason Why You Should Dump Your Antiquated Solution

In closing, the continued use of an outdated technology will, eventually, get the best of you since it’s difficult to reverse the long-term damage caused by using it.

To learn about ATS cloud computing workforce management solutions, or to download a demonstration, or attend a bi-weekly webinar go to our website. And to reach an account executive call; 866.294.2467.

Bloomberg, Cloud Computing, Google, HR, Workforce Productivity

Not A Fan Of Cloud Computing? Here Are 7 Reasons To Reconsider

If your organization is a believer in having business management software installed on its network as opposed utilizing the cloud, you are not alone. Some companies, for various reasons, like the idea having their software in-house. And, if your company, falls into that category, be assured that ATS offers, a robust, on premise workforce management solution—that’s used by small, mid and fortune500 companies—across every industry.

If, however, you are still wondering what this cloud fuss is all about, here are 7 reasons why you might want to take a peek at some of the benefits:

Not A Fan Of Cloud Computing? Here Are 7 Reasons To Reconsider

Better performance
Because ATS cloud reduces the need for you to install a multitude of unnecessary features, your computer has more free memory to work faster at other things.

You will always have the latest version
By virtue of accessing your own secure ATS time and attendance, company specific app or URL, the latest version of your time and attendance application will always be readily available. And, those updates come without disruption to your business operations.

Flexible costs
ATS cloud computing solution is more flexible than traditional methods. Organizations utilize our subscription-based services – and pay for – server and infrastructure capacity as/when it is needed.

Total and complete independence
Your company can access the ATS time and attendance application from any Smartphone, tablet or computer that’s connected to the Internet 24/7. This means, you are no longer tied to your computer to get what you need.

Sharing with others is now easier
Sharing work, sending reports to other managers or your direct supervisor is so much easier, including the ability to work on an employee online time card at the same time and, see updates and revisions in real-time.

Hardware costs is significantly reduced
When installing software on a company’s server, you have to factor in the cost of maintaining that Server including updates. Software hosted in the cloud does not require that kind of costs-in fact, all you need is a computer with reasonable Internet speed.

Data backup
Because your data are stored securely in the cloud, if you spill coffee on your laptop or lose your smart phone while taking the train to work, your data is still safe.

ATS cloud time and attendance offers your business a degree of agility and path to rapid growth that was simply unattainable in the past. ATS Cloud gives customers a complete, end-to-end cloud solution—a rich and comprehensive platform to—ensure their businesses get the best value for their investment.

Need more reasons to reconsider an ATS cloud solution? Go to our website and you can download the demonstration or register for one for a bi-weekly webinar.

ATS Time and Attendance, Cloud Computing, Smartphone

Breaking Up With Outdated Technology Is Hard To Do

April 4th, 2017 | Posted by ATS in Business Software Automation | Cloud Computing | Time and Attendance Blog, Workforce Management Software - (Comments Off)

There is no denying it, breaking up with a solution that you have become use to is hard to do. You may have spent years working with it and although, you know that it’s not working, you keep using it while clinging on to the old adage “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. As technology continues to evolve so should businesses especially if new tools can help improve productivity of your staff.

So, whether you are tracking employee time, providing service to your customers or purchasing a product, using an outdated system experience, especially, when you know there is a faster-better-easier way.

Breaking Up With Outdated Technology Is Hard To Do

An article written by Marc Posser for Small Biz Technology titled ‘5 Outdated Office Supplies and Their Alternatives’ can be used as a guide for some businesses who still cling to old technology for dear life, hoping, they will prevail in the world of IoT, cloud computing and the digital wave that has sidelined video rental companies, CD music stores and dial up Internet to name a few.

The list of office supplies in the article include:

Fax Machines

“Ever heard of emails? Sending files nowadays is ideally done virtually. Not only are emails more reliable, you are also able to retain the quality of the files that you are sending. However, some clients still prefer to receive documents through a fax machine. If you need to do so, you might want to consider using fax cover sheet templates to make your document more presentable and send it through an online fax service instead so you won’t need to use an actual machine.

CDS and USBs
Apart from occupying physical space and having a high chance of getting lost in your sea of other CDs and USBs, these two storage devices are not the most reliable when it comes to storing large files for a long period of time. Ever opened your USB after a long time and found out that it is corrupted with no way of retrieving your important files? Nowadays, there’s a lot of storage solutions available online such as Google Drive and Dropbox – and they provide a pretty large virtual space, too! The next time you want to store something or share files with someone else, try uploading your files online and just send the link to your colleague. It makes retrieving your files in the future easier as well.

Post-its
Still using actual post-its for reminders and task lists? Why not try online sticky notes that you can access online anytime, anywhere? You can easily cross out tasks done after accomplishing them even when you are using a different computer or device. The best thing? You’ll help save a lot of trees in the process!

Landlines
In today’s evolving business landscape, accomplishing daily tasks sometimes require you to pick up the phone and get in touch with someone from the other side of the globe. While you can still do this using old school landlines, it is sometimes unreliable and can cost you a lot of money.

Manual Clock-In Machine
Do you still use manual clock-in attendance machines that require your employees to put in an actual time card for it to stamp their time-in and time-out? We hope not. This is a tedious method of taking note of your employees’ attendance records as you have to go through each attendance card one by one at the end of each month. As an alternative, you can use time and attendance software which can give you better insight into your team and help you track the days and hours they are working.”

In conclusion;
Many companies have updated parts of their business to the cloud and/or are using cutting-end technologies to help them streamline payroll costs and improve workforce productivity. If you are part of the small minority that likes to hang on to old technology look around and you might be pleasantly surprise to find out that many of your competitors have already upgraded to more advanced technology platforms to help them increase business performance.

Cloud Computing, Dropbox, Google, Internet of Things (IoT), Time and Attendance

Is It Time To Abolish Daylight Savings Time?

Finding any benefit to daylight savings time is like searching for a needle in a haystack. The growing body of evidence that highlights its detrimental effects on human beings and their productivity far outweighs the incoherent argument for those who are in favour of keeping this ineffective ritual.

Is It Time To Abolish Daylight Savings Time?

An article written by Erik Sherman (which cites various studies) for Fortune, titled ‘How Daylight Saving Time Affects Your Health and Productivity’ reads in part;

“There is a productivity loss, according to David Wagner and Christopher Barnes, professors of management at the University of Oregon and University of Washington. Their studies found “workers tend to ‘cyberloaf,'” using computers for non-work purposes, on Mondays after a shift to Daylight Saving. One study, sponsored by a foam and cushion manufacturer, estimated a national productivity loss of nearly $434 million — about $1.65 per person. Wagner and Barnes say we don’t regain lost productivity in the fall when time shifts back. It takes up to 3 weeks for some to hit a normal rhythm, according to a study in the journal Sleep Medicine.”

Getting the general public to embrace and reap the benefits of the digital era and cloud computing was hard but, not as hard as trying to convince those still clinging to the outdated practice of daylight savings time. Change after all, is hard for some but given the fact that the data consistently points to an increase in; car accidents, strokes and loss of productivity-after switching the clocks for daylight savings time — it is only a matter of time before the general public, start to apply pressure to policy makers to eradicate this bi-annual tradition.

So, on Monday morning, if you feel grumpy, groggy and tired, (and with good reason) blame daylight savings time for your woes and take solace in the fact that you are not alone.

Cloud Computing, Daylight Savings Time, Productivity

In The Market For A New Time And Attendance System? Focus On The Fundamentals

You have been charged with the responsibility of purchasing a new time and attendance system for your organization. Naturally, you are immensely excited and you can’t wait to call every vendor in for demonstrations and go through every conceivable feature of the software. But wait a minute? Why do you need to go through a myriad of features that you might never use? This is a common occurrence with many companies especially ones who are in the market for a time and attendance for the first time.

Below is a list of three straightforward strategies and tips that will help you find the right solution for your business:

Make a list of your requirements: Making a list will help you define the scope of your project. Also be very specific about your company’s business requirements. The more specific you can be upfront, the more detailed your vendors can be in their demonstrations and proposals. Chances are, you will likely be awed by the latest technology advancements, during product demonstrations but it is important to keep in mind your corporate culture and how easy the solution is going to be for your users. Very often an IT person is invited, but the very people who are going to be using the system are nowhere to be found.

Think Cloud: Even if your company has no desire to deploy a cloud solution, be open minded and discuss it with your colleagues and senior management. Every company is using a cloud solution today in some way or another. Whether you are using Face Book, Drop Box, or Google these solutions are all in the cloud. And, if your company has mobile workers, a time and attendance that’s based in the cloud, with self-service portals, should be given stronger consideration. Also do not forget about data integration- any time and attendance solution that does not have the ability to integrate with your payroll, HRIS, or ERP is not a solution but another expensive piece of unusable software. In short, move on and do not waste your time with a solution that’s does not fit your business requirements.

Obtain References: This might seem all too obvious, but don’t forget to ask your potential vendor for references. If your potential vendor cannot provide at least three happy customers, they may not have the experience you need. Go to the next vendor on the list.

Too often, people select a time and attendance solution based on price, fancy features, and the latest technology. A solution that’s comprehensive, scalable, and easy-to-use should top your list. In the end, what you need is to find the company that understands your company’s requirements, and whose solution can be designed to fit your specific needs. And, once you find right solution, you will be well on achieving the ROI and long term benefits.

To download a white paper on ‘how to select a time and attendance solution’, go to our website. You can also download a demonstration or register for one our bi-weekly webcasts.

Cloud Computing, Drop Box, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Facebook, Google, Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), Time and Attendance

Digital Era Is Here To Stay, You Can Either Adapt Or Get Run Over

Ready or not, the digital era is here to stay. And, that include; robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and artificial intelligence to name a few. Many organizations have taken an early lead by adopting applications like ATS TimeWork OnDemand and the complementary features like big data that comes with it- to better understand their company’s financial performance and improve decision making.

The rise of cloud computing, artificial intelligence and everything digital has literally upended the traditional way of deploying software applications. For example, organizations had to deploy the solution on a Server, and multiple desktops, go through multiple tests phases and after several months finally go-live. Today’s digital transformation era means there is no software to install or the requirement of an army of IT professionals to manage the application. Instead, companies can expect the deployment of a time and attendance solution to be up and running in a third of the time it would take to deploy a traditional software application.

Digital Era Is Here To Stay, You Can Either Adapt Or Get Run Over

In the early years of cloud computing companies could afford to wait to see if it would take off. This is no longer an option because, in reality, the digital era and everything that encompasses it, has not only taken off-it has left many doubters in its dust.

ATS TimeWork OnDemand, is a dream come true for business executives. It provides business leaders with access to the most critical time and attendance business information from any device, with real-time analytic reporting and 21^st century dashboard functionality, to proactively identify and act on problems, and stay on track.

Today’s generation of workers are impatient and will snub their nose at any application that does not provide a clear path for data integration or is rooted in a dos-based era. In short, they have embraced the digital era and have no desire to look back or cling onto off-the shelf and outdated applications that restrict business growth.

To learn about ATS TimeWork OnDemand, contact a representative at 866.294.2467. And, to participate in one of our webinars or to download a demonstration, go to our website.

Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Time and Attendance, TimeWork OnDemand

CEOs Are Shifting Their Organizations Towards The Cloud

It wasn’t too long ago that getting CEOs to adopt the cloud took a lot of work, and many of these executives who resisted adopting a time and attendance in the cloud had good reasons, some of which included; a general fear of the unknown, privacy and availability of their data to name a few. It’s also noteworthy that some of the initial fear that senior executives had, emanated, from some IT personnel who were not yet comfortable with the idea of having data stored outside of the company’s domain. Eventually, as it became clear that migrating to the cloud offered superior advantages and streamlined costs, many CEOs began to pay attention- and embrace the technology, along with their IT personnel.

CEOs Are Shifting Their Organizations Towards The Cloud

If you are still on the fence about a cloud time and attendance here, are five outstanding benefits that might just change your mind:

Software Updates-Using a time and attendance that’s in the cloud means you no longer have to do software updates and patches. ATS applies updates to the application with no disruption to your daily operations. Your company can spend its time on other important matters, like growing the business.

Access the Application from Anywhere-With ATS TimeWork OnDemand— whether users are on a desktop computer or mobile device, the cloud provides instant access to data anytime, anywhere there is an Internet connection, 24/7 365 days a year.

Reduce Operating Costs –Adopting the cloud, means a company no longer have to worry about software equipment (like a Server), licensing and maintenance fees.

Easy Integration to ERP, Payroll, HR, Talent Management and CRM-ATS TimeWork OnDemand has a built-in integrator that’s compatible to all third-party applications for the purpose of transferring data. So, if you currently key employee hours manually from a spreadsheet into a payroll application, you can breathe a little easier, ATS TimeWork OnDemand makes that a thing of the past.

Cross-Functional Reporting and Business Intelligence-ATS TimeWork OnDemand allows you to align all levels of your organization with up-to-the-minute decision-making reporting. Senior executives, managers, and employees automatically see cross-functional analytics for historical, current, and forward-looking insights. ATS TimeWork OnDemand reporting tools provides financial data for a deeper view into your business.

ATS TimeWork OnDemand provides organizations with a best-of-breed workforce management solution that leverages robust cloud infrastructure technology, to deliver solutions that address specific industry challenges.

To learn more about ATS TimeWork OnDemand, go to our website. You can also register one of our bi-weekly webinars and hear from existing customers how they managed the transition from spreadsheets to cloud computing TimeWork OnDemand.

Analytics, Business Intelligence, Cloud Computing, CRM, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), HR, Payroll, Talent Management, Time and Attendance, TimeWork OnDemand, Workforce Management Software

Is The Demise Of Manufacturing A Reality Or Overblown Rhetoric

Depending on who you talk to, manufacturing has been on the decline for the last 15 years and counting and there is no end in sight. But despite the doom and gloom, The Institute for Supply Management’s report, which is highlighted by Industry Week, begs to differ. And, many of today’s manufacturing companies, especially the ones who came out of the 2009 recession, albeit leaner, in terms of workforce and production process are likely breathing a sigh of relief at this piece of news. Michelle Jamrisko article for Bloomberg on state of manufacturing, states in part;

“Manufacturing expanded in December at the fastest pace in two years, reflecting firmer output and the biggest pickup in orders growth since August 2009. The Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday that its index increased to 54.7, the fourth straight advance, from 53.2 a month earlier. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey called for 53.8. Readings above 50 indicate growth. The ISM’s measure of orders surged 7.2 points, while its gauge of prices paid for materials climbed to the highest level since June 2011.”

Is The Demise Of Manufacturing A Reality Or Overblown Rhetoric

The world of manufacturing is constantly evolving as it has had to keep pace with stiffer competitor and tighter margins. And, so in order to increase profits, many of today’s successful manufacturers have had to embraced cloud computing, robotics and business intelligence thus enabling them, to streamline production flows – and ultimately reduce their costs.

So, as the manufacturing sector continues to evolve here are three trends that will continue to dominate that industry in 2017:

Cloud Computing
Major new technologies especially ones built on the cloud will be take precedence over on premise applications by manufacturers. Deploying a cloud-based solution provides a rapid return on investment, and streamlines payroll costs across an entire supply chain.

Predictive Analytics for Real-Time Decision-Making
Today, unlike several years ago, manufacturers have access to a wide array of analytic and Big Data tools at the push of a button– that can be hugely valuable for business decision-making and process enhancements when used correctly. From budgeting and forecasting to employee production scheduling and benefit accruals – these tools, allow manufacturers to harness data properly and with ease and efficiency.

New Technology and Innovation
Traditional, version-based time and attendance solutions prohibited organizations and their users from sharing freely and collaborating, because the data always resided on a Server and it was incapable of integrating to other applications-thus, creating nightmares for users. Workforce management software built for the cloud is the network of the future. Open-mind manufacturers will continue to move away from Server-based software solutions and instead opt for cloud computing solutions—which is the future of software deployment.

ATS Workforce Management for Manufacturing is industry-built and helps drive business outcomes by engaging your employees, streamlining payroll costs, increasing productivity, and minimizing compliance risk. With ATS Workforce Management for Manufacturing, your business has access to a proven cloud platform that is secure, scalable, and mobile — allowing you to do business when or where you choose to access its power.

To learn about ATS Workforce Management for Manufacturing, go to our website, you can also download a demonstration and see why many of today’s fortune 500 companies choose ATS.

Big Data, Business Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Manufacturing, Robotics, Time and Attendance, Workforce Management Software

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)

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.

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.

Cloud Computing, Facebook, Google Drive, Harvard Business Review, Instagram, Time and Attendance, Twitter

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