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Software-as-a-Service versus On-Premises Installation

October 26th, 2011 | Posted by Apex Time Solutions in Hosted Time and Attendance Solution | Hosted Time and Attendance System | Time and Attendance On-Demand | Web-Based Time and Attendance | Web-Based Time and Attendance Software | Workforce Management Software | Workforce Management Solutions - (0 Comments)

In some of our earlier blogs we highlighted the difference between a legacy time and attendance solution that is installed on a company’s network versus a Software-as-a-Service (Saas) application. Today, many companies offering cloud computing and web-based technology products.

The inspiration behind this blog has to do with a recent conversation one of our support representatives had with a prospective customer. This company had been looking for an employee time tracking software for several months and could not decide on a solution that would meet their needs. While they were enamored with the idea of a hosted time and attendance application, they were concerned about privacy issues and downtime. In our view, these are legitimate concerns and should be discussed before deploying web-based workforce management software.

We recognize that some companies have reasons for choosing a legacy application over a Software-as-a-Service time management system and that’s fine. It should be noted that ATS espouses the virtues of web-based technologies because it quickly adapts to the needs of today’s modern enterprise and is also highly configurable.

Listed below are some differences between a time and attendance software installed on a company’s network or office PC versus accessing the application through an internet browser.

Software-as-a-Service Workforce Management Software:

  • Implementation is quicker because there is no software to install on a company’s network involving your IT department and more than likely the purchase of a new Server
  • There are no additional costs for maintenance agreements and software updates
  • Companies with multiple sites do not need to build remote access to an existing network. All that is required in a remote location is a computer with access to the Internet
  • Mobile workers can record their time and review accrual balances through any smart phone: Apple iPhone®, iPad®, and the iPod® Touch, BlackBerry® and Android Phones
  • Our hosted time and attendance can be deployed at a much smaller cost

Time and Attendance Installed on a Company’s Network:

  • Annual maintenance costs for the software is generally between 15%-20%
  • A company is prepared to undergo a 6 -12 month implementation process, depending on the size of the organization
  • Large out-of-pocket expenses for the initial investment
  • On going maintenance of a company’s network and the resources of an IT person or department to manage the software
  • Costs for software updates or upgrades

The ATS Software-as-a-Service time and attendance solution offers companies the ultimate in flexibility, a quick ROI and low total cost of ownership. However, we suggest a company evaluate and decide what’s best for their business.  For some companies, software installed on their network and managed by their IT personnel is more suited to their organizational structure. For others, their ability to access the software from any web browser without having to upgrade servers aligns with their corporate goals.

You can download a white paper on the difference between an On-Premise versus Software-as-a-Service Workforce Management Solution on our website. To speak to one of our account representatives call us at 1.866.294.2467.

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The Power of Women

October 5th, 2011 | Posted by Apex Time Solutions in Employee Time Tracking | Hosted Time and Attendance System | Time and Attendance On-Demand | Time Management Solutions | Workforce Management Software - (0 Comments)

Study after study is commissioned every year by a plethora of firms and institutions about the role women play in the world of business. These studies all arrive at the same conclusion; the executive branch of today’s workforce should be open to more women. It should be noted that today’s workplace is vastly different from that of 20 years ago. It is also important to recognize that while more women have “broken the glass ceiling” there is room for improvement on that front. 

One of the more recent studies we came across is by the Kauffman Foundation, titled “Untapped Potential for Expanding Women’s Entrepreneurship Holds Promise to Grow the U.S. Economy.” While the title references the US, it could apply to just about any country.

Here is an excerpt of that study:

“Research shows that startup companies – particularly high-growth startups – are the most fruitful source of new U.S. jobs and offer the economy’s best hope for recovery. However, despite the fact that about 46 percent of the workforce and more than 50 percent of college students are female, and that women have risen to top positions in corporate and university hierarchies, they represent only about 35 percent of startup business owners. Their firms also tend to experience less growth and prosperity than do firms started by men.

“Overcoming the Gender Gap: Women Entrepreneurs as Economic Drivers,” a new paper from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, explores the reasons behind lower business startup rates among women and proposes actions that would help to realize the promise of female entrepreneurs in escalating the economy.

“There are plenty of highly qualified women in science and technology – industries from which the majority of high-growth companies are born,” said Lesa Mitchell, Kauffman Foundation vice president, advancing innovation, and the paper’s author. “More women are entering these fields than ever before. However, while women have broken through the glass ceiling, they seem to encounter ‘glass walls’ that keep them from venturing out of big companies or structured academic settings to launch their own firms at the same rate men do.”

Studies like this one from the Kauffman Foundation and others will continue for many years. A diversified workforce with women in senior roles starts with cultural shift. Some corporations have elevated women to senior management roles and have been the beneficiary of growth and profits. In contrast, there others that “like things just the way they are”. Time has a way of catching up to those who abhor positive change.

Our blogs typically focus on the advantages of time and attendance software in an organization. However, we thought it would be a refreshing change to comment on a subject that is of great importance in today’s workforce.

To learn more about Apex Time Solutions, go to our website and to join our weekly workforce management software webinar visit us online.

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If it is broken it should be fixed

September 28th, 2011 | Posted by Apex Time Solutions in Hosted Time and Attendance Software | Hosted Time and Attendance Solution | Hosted Time and Attendance System | Time and Attendance System - (0 Comments)

A few years ago, one of our account representatives received a call from a prospective customer who wanted to upgrade their time and attendance system. Although their product was working, it was no longer supported and the company who they purchased from had sold their interest to another organization. As it turned out, the organization in question was offering an upgrade that was 50% over the customer’s budget.

During her conversation with the company she learned the following:

  • The software was installed on a computer with an outdated operating system that was no longer supported
  • Reports were archaic
  • It took upwards of 4-6 hours each pay period to verify employee records on their time sheets
  • The system was managed by one person who gave reports to supervisors for verification
  • Employee hours were keyed into their payroll software every pay period

Companies looking to upgrade from their legacy system can reap the benefits from an ATS Hosted Time and Attendance System:

Resources

The ATS Hosted Time Management Solution does not require servers, backup software, virus-protection programs, or redundancy utilities. That’s because it’s hosted by us. All that is required is a computer with a web browser. The software can be accessed 24/7, 365 days a year via Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Opera, Firefox or Safari.

Support

Think about it, 10 year old software that sits on a single computer requires the resources of IT personnel. If that software sits on a company’s server (and depending on size of the database) that means dedicated server space and numerous hours of IT helpdesk support just to get the software up and running.

Implementation

The implementation of an ATS Hosted Time and Attendance Solution can be done in a week or less depending on the size of the company. Since we host the software, we also assume responsibility for product maintenance, software upgrades, performance and availability which dramatically lowers your maintenance costs.

Automating your time and labour management with Apex Time Solutions helps minimize compliance risk, frees time to focus on company’s overall objectives and improves employee morale and productivity.

To view a demo of our Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution visit us online. You can also follow us on Twitter or join our weekly webcast on LinkedIn.

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National Payroll Week

September 19th, 2011 | Posted by Apex Time Solutions in Hosted Time and Attendance System | Payroll | Time Management Solutions | Workforce Scheduling Software - (0 Comments)

The National Payroll Week is held each year by one of Canada’s largest and most respected governing bodies The Canadian Payroll Association.

The association describes National Payroll Week with these words: “National Payroll Week (NPW) is the CPA’s largest annual public relations initiative. Now in its 17th year, NPW is designed to recognize the accomplishments of payroll professionals, the payroll community and the Association by building greater awareness of the size and scope of payroll and its impact on business, government and employees across Canada.”

Payroll Professionals from across the country, and in virtually every industry sector, participate in this annual event. The importance of payroll in a company should not be underestimated. After all, everyone who works for a living loves to get paid!

The Canadian Payroll Association goes on the say: “Canada’s 1.5 million employers count on payroll professionals to annually pay:

  • $810 billion in wages and taxable benefits
  • $250 billion in statutory remittances
  • $90 billion in health and retirement benefits
  • While complying with more than 191 federal and provincial regulatory requirements 
  • Payroll is mission-critical. Its size and scope impact business, government and employers across Canada from both a monetary and a business perspective.
  • Payroll professionals are the key communications point for employees and management on salaries and benefits.

Payroll professionals are responsible for paying employees accurately and on time while complying with more than 191 federal and provincial legislative acts”.

When you consider how important payroll professionals are to an organization, giving them all the tools, necessary to do their jobs will optimize the productivity of your company. ATS time and attendance accurately records: time worked, calculates vacation and sick time, and transfers data to your payroll software. Our hosted time and attendance system enables you to prepare your payroll more quickly and accurately, so you can spend more time on other important tasks.

Testimonial:

“Our time and attendance system continues to run smoothly and the ease of use is beyond my expectations. Your Company’s after sales support is both courteous and helpful. The prompt resolution of our problems and concerns keeps our system running smoothly and thus, the management and staff of our organization are extremely satisfied. Not only were we able to abandon the manual practice and move forth with technology, but you were able to customize the use of the software to meet our specific needs.  Please treat this letter as our solid support for your system and the Apex Time Solutions team. If any potential customer is interested in your products and services, I will be more than happy to provide a reference.

C Stone, Finance Manager, Community Health Services

To read more about our time and attendance system go to our website. To participate in our weekly webinar on time and attendance solutions and workforce management software join our LinkedIn group  and to speak one of our account executives, call us at 1.866.294.2467.

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Is Your Current Time and Attendance Meeting Expectations?

September 15th, 2011 | Posted by Apex Time Solutions in Employee Time and Attendance | Employee Time Tracking | Employee Time Tracking Software | Time and Attendance Software - (0 Comments)

Not all time and attendance solutions are created equal.  When shopping for workforce management software, one should not assume that they all look alike. While there may be small similarities in the fundamentals, there are enough differences in the functionality to warrant broadening your search. To quote a line from a TV ad from ING Bank, “Look out for bad apples masquerading as oranges.” Some important factors that should not be overlooked include: project management; service level and the expertise that will be facilitated during and after deployment. If you are merely comparing prices and that’s your only focus, chances you are you will end up with a “bargain basement price” solution that is riddled with problems. We often hear of cases in which a time and attendance solution is shipped to the customer in a box with tutorials, very limited support and at a price they simply could not turn down.

Here are 7 ways to tell if the price was too good to be true:

1)       You have to navigate through several screens to add a new employee

2)       The system requires frequent maintenance and upgrades

3)       Your payroll manager spends a tremendous amount of time manually calculating time cards and responding to employee inquiries

4)       Supervisors cannot produce meaningful reports because of rigid predefined templates

5)       You cannot track your mobile workforce

6)       Response time for support queries exceeds an hour

7)       Managers are frequently entering employee hours in the system

The ATS Workforce Management Software includes the following benefits:

Labour analytics: a variety of employee time clocks to improve job costing, employee and labor tracking

No software to buy: avoid capital expenses of purchasing and maintaining a software license

Invoicing is done on a monthly basis: you only pay for what you use and nothing more

Save time: allow payroll practitioners and HR managers to run payroll and get back to other responsibilities

Reduce manual errors: automatically calculates overtime pay, premiums, absenteeism, statutory holidays and hours worked

Buddy punching: eliminate the practice of employees punching in/out for each other with the use of our biometric time clocks

Absence request: the use of our absence request module allows employees to request personal time off via any web browser. The approval process from managers to employees is instantaneous

The ATS employee time and attendance system (Software-as-a-Service) automates time tracking. Our technical support team provides uncompromising service that is simply unmatched.

To learn more, contact Apex Time Solutions follow us on Twitter and join our LinkedIn group for updates on time and attendance solutions and workforce management software.

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