Time tracking blog

In this age of technology, the paper time card is still the primary employee tracking method used by most small business owners. Why is this?

Small business owners (and their bookkeepers) know the issues with paper time cards - inaccurate entries, poor penmanship, the hours spent prepping payroll. Why do they tolerate it? They really don’t have a choice. Of course, they can get the old-fashioned punch clock. But they are expensive, only solve part of the problem and are well, old-fashioned! The next logical step is software. Time keeping software is typically bundled into a larger payroll or HR system, or available as a PC/network based application. Because of the price and complexity, they are typically used by larger enterprises. Online software is available, but misses the original simplicity of the clock-in/out function of analog punch clocks. In short, most software packages are too complicated or too expensive for most small business owners.

Enter “Timeclock 2.0″ - an initiative to create a standard for modern time keeping - to go beyond the Timeclock 1.0 world of analog punch clocks and truly make time keeping technology available to anyone by being simple and affordable.

Timeclock 2.0 made possible by a new technology called “Software as a Service” or “SaaS”. In essence, this is a web-based application that allows you to use software through your internet browser rather than download software to your PC. Examples of SaaS companies include Google’s Gmail, Salesforce.com, and Yugma.

The primary benefits to SaaS are:

• Cost savings - most SaaS models have a monthly subscription, rather than an upfront price.
• No upgrades - because the software is web-based, all users are on the same version.
• No network setup - because there is no download of software, any PC (or mobile device) with access can use the software.
• Pricing is typically scalable based on number of users.
• There are usually no contracts or hidden fees.
• Support is typically included in the monthly fees.
• Data is secured and backed-up off site.

“Timeclock 2.0″ follows these same rules, plus some specific time-keeping elements:

• Clock in/out from any authorized PC with web access.
• Clock in/out from a mobile device.
• Manage employees and timesheets for multiple locations.
• Integration to Quickbooks and other payroll packages.

In short, Timeclock 2.0 is the first real reason for small business owners to affordably and efficiently move away from paper timesheets or punch clocks. As such, Timeclock 2.0 should create the same mass adoption as seen with other SaaS applications.

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