There are many benefits of using a time clock app for your small business. It is important to have the right tools for every job, and that includes the right software tools.
What Is a Time Clock App and How Does it Work?
To learn what are the benefits of using a time clock app you must understand what it is and how it is used. A time clock app is a time-tracking software that allows employers to schedule their workers’ jobs, tasks, or duties. It allows workers to clock in and out and have their schedules available in real time on their smart phone or computer.
Furthermore, it helps managers to accurately assess labor costs, gives precise time estimates when bidding on jobs, and offers many other benefits.
Due to increased technology, there are many tasks that can be automated. One of the tasks that can be automated is timesheets. Using paper timesheets is time consuming and not completely reliable since it is subject to human error.
Benefits of a Time Clock Software
By using a time tracking app, you will find managing your employees and business will be easier.
Here are some other benefits of using a time clock app:
1. Employee Accountability
One benefit of a time clock app is that it can help with employee accountability by preventing theft and buddy punching. According to research, companies in the U.S. lose billions of dollars each year from time clock theft and buddy punching.
What is buddy punching? Instead of your employees clocking their actual time in or out, they have a co-worker clock in or out for them. It may be because they are running a few minutes late or they forgot to clock out. Stealing time can be a huge loss to any business, but a small business can suffer more. By using a time clock app, your employees will not be able to have a co-worker clock in for them.
2. Increased Productivity
Another benefit of time tracking software is that it simplifies tasks for payroll and timesheets. When you are a small business, it can be difficult for you to have to manage your worker’s time, especially with multiple job sites (e.g., landscaping, janitorial, or construction). There is no more emailing or calling your employees about their schedules. With a good time tracking app, you can schedule and keep track of your employee’s jobs, tasks, locations, etc.
Wondering if your employees made it to their location or not? When using a good time clock app, you can see their location once they clock in on the app with GPS technology. You never have to call the job site or your worker to see where they are. This is another feature that prevents time theft. You will know exactly where your team is by looking at your phone or computer.
Need an Affordable Time Clock App for Your Employees?
3. Task Management Flexibility and Accuracy
A good time tracking app helps you to organize your projects, work, and resources better. You can assign workers to a job, and it helps with project management.
Although managing your labor costs can be difficult as you grow your small business, tracking labor costs are important to your bottom line. Good timekeeping records are important and required for your hourly employees.
Another benefit of a time clock app is that you can know when and where your employees worked. This helps you provide any necessary documentation to your clients and helps to prevent billing errors. Having this knowledge and resource offers you flexibility and accuracy.
4. Compliance
Each year new employment laws come out in different cities and states on timekeeping, labor, and other areas. Some states have strict guidelines for overtime and timekeeping. A benefit of time tracking software is to help you maintain compliance for your business. Some locations have laws about rounding up or down your worker’s time and some have new overtime laws. Do you know what your laws are?
A good time tracking app helps you stay in compliance and ensures you pay your workers accurately.
5. Maximize Return on Investment (ROI)
Another benefit of time clock app is that you know how your workforce is operating. Knowing what jobs or tasks contribute to your bottom line is important and helps your ROI. You also want real-time data and transparency. The ability to keep track of labor costs and overtime hours is a huge benefit and helps you maximize ROI.
These are just some of the ways scheduling and time tracking can boost your profits.
Also, when giving a bid or quote for a job, you will be able to look at past history and reports. This helps you decide where to put different workers for what job. A good time clock app will help you estimate accurate job projects and timelines to provide a great customer experience.
Time Clock App Case Studies
Oscar Jimenez, who owns OJ Handyworks Inc., says that he was relying on his workers to tell him what hours they were working. ezClocker helped him understand how many hours of labor each job was costing.
“My crew could clock in and clock out and not have to worry about tallying their hours,” Oscar says. “Everyone gets paid for the work they’ve done, and I can see who worked when, and whether they were on time. This really helps me keep a close eye on business operations.” Also, ezClocker saved Oscar money. “The monthly fee for ezClocker is pennies on what I was spending to round up all the hours,” he says. “I’ve made it back many times over.”
Allan, the president of Gecko Solutions had difficulties with turnover and maintaining timesheets. He tested several apps and found that ezClocker has the features his company needs.
For instance, he assigns each building they clean a job code and then assigns the employees to that job code. He knows where they will be and what time they should be there. When he used it with the GPS feature, he could see how long his crew was taking to clean. He was able to determine the number of people he needed on the job site, and it helped him save money for his business. Furthermore, he saves more of his time using the app. Therefore, he is able to spend more time with his employees, which helps with turnover.
What are Some of the Best Time Clock Apps?
Finding the best time clock app for your business can be a challenge. There are many options, and you will have to determine what is best for you and your small business.
Make a list and evaluate each pro and con. How does the price and features compare to other apps? What are the pros and cons?
Here are a few options:
ezClocker
With a 4.8/5.0 rating on the App Store no wonder this app is a favorite among small business owners. ezClocker Offers a free trial for 30 days and then it is only $10 a month for up to 15 employees. There are also other options for more than 15 employees. It is simple to use and affordable.
Timesheet Mobile
They also offer a 30-day free trial, and it is $3.49 per employee for unlimited punches plus a $14.99 company subscription. They also offer scheduling services and GPS technology.
QuickBooks Time
Their premium plan is $10 a month for the first 3 months, then it goes to $20. In addition, they charge $8 per user per month. QuickBooks Time also offers a 30-day trial.
Deputy
There is a 31-day trial. They charge $4.90 per user per month. You can use their free service for up to 100 shifts per month.
There are many good time tracking apps. It is important to list the features that are important to you. Also, in case some workers aren’t tech savvy, you may want one that is easy to use as well as being affordable. You want one that gives you the tools you need to run a successful business. Each time clock app has certain features and benefits, so picking one that works great for you and your workers is important.
