Time and Attendance Systems benefits

Time and Attendance Systems benefits

Computer-linked Time and Attendance Systems provide an alternative to traditional mechanical time clock systems and paper-based timesheets, sometimes known as Bundy clocks.

Willard Bundy invented the first time clock in November 1888 and shortly afterwards his brother Harlow opened the Bundy Manufacturing Company and began mass producing time clocks. The company was eventually absorbed into what later became IBM, International Business Machines, the well known computer hardware and services supplier to major commercial companies.

Employees would insert a time card into the machines to stamp, or punch, the card with information. The time cards had areas marked on them so that employees could “punch in” or “punch out” in the correct place. Such were the humble beginnings of Time & Attendance clocking in systems.

The traditional time clock, or punch clock, is replaced with an electronic Time Attendance Recorder and company Employees ‘swipe’ uniquely numbered ID-Badges through the Time Recorder at the beginning and end of work periods. The Time Recorder data is transferred to a PC running a Time & Attendance software application that can automatically create Time Sheets for each Employee. Many software programs can automatically deduct rest breaks of pre-determined times, measure flexible working periods, allow lateness through grace period timings, and much more.

Time and Attendance Systems protect companies from potential payroll fraud, provide secure electronic data and give employees confidence in the accuracy of salary payments. Time Attendance Systems can also allow the tracking and evaluation of performance and work attendance of employees using a dedicated software application. Time and Attendance systems create non-discriminatory measurement conditions for all employees using the system.

The software enables the storage, tracking and organisation of the most important Employee time related information in one place. Everything required to track and monitor Employee direct labour costs can be available on a computer.

In addition, T&A systems allow for the efficient collection of data that can be transferred to a Payroll System. This can save significant time previously spent manually collating and counting work hours at the end of every payroll period, allowing more time for the business at a lower overall cost. Whilst employees may perceive such systems as a ‘big brother’ watching their comings and goings, the fact is that very few managers consider Time and Attendance systems in this light. Their most significant concern is productivity improvements and accuracy in determining business costs whilst maintaining their market competitiveness in ever increasingly difficult economic conditions.

Look for a software application that is easy to implement and learn. Many businesses need basic time attendance and vacation tracking while a more complex operation may require time tracking and job costing by department.

System prices vary depending on the needs of the organisation, with a small business system costing a few hundred dollars and larger systems supporting many complex functions costing several thousands.