In every industry, employees are becoming more mobile. Cell phones, tablets, and smart watches make it easy to get work done anywhere. Internet-enabled devices are affordable and universal. We probably don’t realize how much we rely on them.
Cloud computing expands access to systems that used to be housed on company servers. When business software is in the cloud—you are not limited by geography.
Successful businesses leverage employee tech skills and universal access to keep everyone productive.
Your employees are already using mobile devices to manage their personal lives. Think about it. With our phones, we call an Uber, buy movie tickets, and track our workouts. Our TVs and home security systems are connected to the web. We listen to satellite radio in our cars.
If your company is lagging behind, it’s time to catch up. Mobile workforce management systems have never been more affordable or user-friendly.
What Do Mobile Workers Need?
First, you need to identify your mobile employees. It’s pretty obvious that traveling salespeople and delivery drivers fall under this category. Also, service techs and employees who float from location to location. You may have off-site workers at a satellite office away from the corporate headquarters. Perhaps the remote location is a job site for the duration of the project.
What about the team members that come to your office every day? Many of them are probably working at home periodically. Your employees may also attend trade shows or other events throughout the year.
Bottom line; there are many types of mobile associates. You might not have a staff that is mobile 100% of the time. But you probably have some.
Mobile workforce management software can improve efficiency for any of these logistics. The more tools in your system, the more you can accomplish without connecting to a desktop. Here are 3 must-have features of a mobile workforce management system.
1. Mobile Time Tracking
Punch-in and punch-out is priority one. You can’t pay your team members accurately if you don’t track their hours.
Time tracking provides data for several other critical tools. Intelligent clock features prevent common punching errors. Make sure your mobile WFM has an intelligent clock. They only present logical options. For example, when an employee returns from an unpaid break, they are only given the option to end the break and get back on the clock.
GPS location tracking verifies that the employee is where they say they are when they start their shift. GPS location management can help you avoid costly buddy-punching. It also helps assure you have workers with the necessary qualifications where you need them.
Job coding is a must-have feature. Job tracking matches employee hours to accounts or projects. This simplifies managing multiple clients when each is billed separately. It improves the accuracy of billing and resource allocation.
Employee time and attendance is at the heart of mobile WFM.
2. Scheduling
Mobile scheduling is a game changer. It allows your workforce to check their schedule on their cell phone. They don’t need to visit a specific terminal, call a supervisor, or look on a board in the break room.
Scheduling allows managers to build schedules from templates. Your system should automatically alert employees to schedule changes. It should also let workers submit time off requests. When researching mobile systems, make sure they have the tools you need.
3. Virtual Swap Board
If mobile staff timekeeping and scheduling are in place, you can hit a WFM grand slam. Your mobile WFM software should include a virtual shift swap board.
A centralized online trade board simplifies schedule changes. It gives employees control in managing their schedules.
Employees post shifts they want to trade. They can also bid on open shifts that become available. Managers can monitor and approve all shift trades. There are settings for overtime restriction, coverage gaps, and overstaffing.
Contact CBIZ Time Solutions to learn more about mobile workforce management for your company.
UPGRADE TODAY
CBIZ Time Solutions offers WorkforceHUB, the unified Human Resources portal that makes it easy to optimize the performance of your managers, employees, and organization.
WorkforceHUB includes TimeWorksPlus, TimeSimplicity, TimeWorks Mobile, and ApplicantStack. We’ve just added recruitment, onboarding, benefits enrollment, performance reviews, and employee engagement! WorkforceHUB is created for busy employers like you who need to reduce cost-per-hire, streamline scheduling, automate time tracking, maintain regulatory compliance, and lower labor costs.
How much can you save? Check our CBIZ Time Solutions ROI Calculator.
We can get you up and running with Workforce Management Suite in minutes. Contact us today to schedule a demo.
Recent Comments