Category: Time Management

Optimize Job Standards with Easy Time Tracking Software

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Warehouse managers continuously work to fine-tune job standards, striving to boost efficiency, comply with regulations, and keep up with fast-moving technological and market shifts. This ongoing process is key to improving productivity, ensuring quality, cutting costs, and maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry.

One of the most effective tools for these challenges is time-tracking software like riteTIME, an easy time-tracking software system that automates the collection of time-related data.

Integrating time tracking software into your daily manufacturing operations can transform everyday challenges into real opportunities for growth and performance improvements. This isn’t just about keeping pace with technology—it’s about leveraging it to uncover and correct inefficiencies that you might not even be aware of.

To see how riteTIME can specifically benefit your operations, or to start a free trial, contact riteSOFT today. Our team is ready to assist you in implementing a system that brings out the best in your business environment. Read on to learn more about the benefits of using the best time-tracking software to optimize your job standards.

The Need for Real-Time Job Standard Updates

In the fast-paced manufacturing sector, where technology and market conditions are constantly evolving, keeping job standards up-to-date is crucial. Relying on static job standards can quickly lead to inefficiencies, increasing costs, and reduced productivity.

If current practices on the shop floor don’t align with documented processes, the discrepancy can lead to wasted resources, unnecessary overtime, and production errors. Additionally, sticking to outdated standards might block the adoption of innovative technologies or processes that could significantly enhance productivity.

Practical Benefits of Using Easy Time-Tracking Software in Manufacturing

Streamlined Studies

Introducing time-tracking software into a manufacturing environment significantly alters how time studies are conducted. Traditionally, these studies have relied heavily on manual timer processes, which are not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. By automating the tracking of how much time is spent on the shop floor on jobs and tasks, time-tracking software streamlines these studies, providing a more efficient and accurate assessment of operations.

Increased Accuracy and Availability

The benefits of reducing manual timekeeping and data entry are substantial. First, automating these processes minimizes the risk of human error, which can lead to inaccuracies in data that are critical for making informed operational decisions. Secondly, it saves a considerable amount of time. Employees and managers no longer need to spend hours recording and entering data manually. Automating time tracking and building it into everyday practices allows them to focus on more productive tasks such as payroll and employee scheduling. 

Cost Management and Resource Optimization

Time-tracking software enhances cost management within manufacturing environments by providing clear visibility into how time is spent on the shop floor. This visibility is key to understanding and managing operational costs more effectively because it allows managers to see precisely where time—and consequently money—is being spent.

With riteTIME, manufacturers can track the time spent on various tasks and processes in real time. This detailed view helps identify areas where resources may be underutilized or wasted.

For example, if the software shows that a particular machine or process routinely causes delays or runs longer than necessary, managers can investigate and address these inefficiencies. This might involve recalibrating the machine, retraining staff on its operation, or adjusting workflows to better align with actual production times.

Furthermore, this insight facilitates better resource allocation. By understanding how time is distributed across tasks, managers can optimize the deployment of both human and material resources. This ensures that every element of the production process is as lean as possible, reducing waste and increasing overall efficiency.

Enhanced Operational Visibility

A great quote from The Phoenix Project sums up the need for operational visibility, “We cannot improve the performance of a step in the work we cannot see.” Time tracking software does more than just track time. This technology enhances the visibility of daily operations. Managers can observe in real-time whether production is keeping up with the planned pace, and if not, they can see exactly where the delays are happening. This immediate awareness allows for quick adjustments to ensure that production targets and cost objectives are met.

For example, riteTIME can help identify processes that consistently lag behind others, pinpoint where wasted resources are costing you money, and reveal patterns that suggest a need for retraining or redistributing your workforce. By providing real-time data, riteTIME enables you to make informed decisions quickly—decisions that are based on current, not outdated, information.

This level of insight can lead to smarter operational strategies, such as optimizing workflow, reducing idle time, and better managing labor costs, which in turn can boost productivity and overall performance.

Using Technology for Practical Decision-Making on the Shop Floor

A stressed man at a desk with multiple coworkers around him pointing to a clock, phone, and documents, illustrating the pressure of meeting deadlines in a busy office environment.

The importance of leveraging technology like riteTIME lies in its ease of use and ability to offer a clear, immediate picture of daily operations. Managers can see where delays or bottlenecks are happening as they occur. For example, if a particular machine consistently causes hold-ups, real-time data can help pinpoint this issue, and adjustments can be made to either fix the machine faster or alter production schedules to avoid downtime.

By actively using data from riteTIME, managers can update job standards—that is, the benchmarks for how tasks should be performed and how long they should take—based on current, not outdated, conditions. This is more than just making things leaner; it’s about ensuring the standards are actually useful and reflect what’s truly happening on the floor.

This approach can lead to specific improvements like reducing the time products spend in production, which can decrease costs and increase the ability to meet delivery deadlines. It also helps improve the accuracy of job costing and planning, ensuring that estimates are closer to actual times and costs, which improves budgeting and financial planning.

How does time-tracking software work?

Time tracking software records time spent on tasks, projects, or clients. It captures time digitally, allowing easy tracking and reporting for productivity analysis. Users can start/stop time tracking for various activities to monitor time spent efficiently across different projects or tasks.

Keep Your Job Standards Up to Date

Integrating easy time-tracking software like riteTIME into business operations is essential for maintaining competitiveness in today’s dynamic market. This technology not only streamlines task management and enhances operational visibility but also drives efficient resource utilization and cost-effectiveness. 

As businesses strive to optimize their operational processes and keep up with job standards, the role of technology becomes increasingly critical in managing administrative tasks. With automatic time tracking, riteTIME helps to automate administrative tasks and ensure that no team member wastes time on manual tracking. This allows for accurate billing and frees up focus for more important work, making it the perfect solution for optimizing job standards.

Adopt riteTIME to stay ahead of industry trends and effectively meet evolving market demands. This advanced time tracking software optimizes your management practices, ensuring they are efficient and adaptable to future challenges. Transform your operational efficiency today by exploring what riteTIME can offer. Contact our team for a demo and see how you can revolutionize your productivity and operational standards with the right time-tracking software, giving you more free time to focus on other important tasks.

Top 3 Benefits of Implementing Time-Tracking Software for Real-time Monitoring of Warehouse and Shop Floor Activities

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Top 3 Benefits of Implementing Time-Tracking Software for Real-time Monitoring of Warehouse and Shop Floor Activities

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Real-time monitoring of warehouse activities is crucial for ensuring optimal efficiency and productivity in the fast-paced world of manufacturing and warehouse management. One of the most effective tools for real-time monitoring is time-tracking software, which can provide valuable insights into various aspects of warehouse operations.

By implementing time-tracking software, warehouse managers can gain greater visibility into their operations, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), and make informed decisions to optimize workflows and reduce costs.

Some of those KPIs can be used to track various aspects of warehouse operations, such as picking times, receiving times, and production times. For example, a KPI such as “average time to pick an order” can be tracked using time-tracking software. By monitoring this metric, managers can identify areas for improvement and make changes to streamline operations and reduce picking times.

By using KPIs in conjunction with time-tracking software, warehouse managers can gain a comprehensive understanding of their operations and identify areas for improvement. They can also set benchmarks for performance and monitor progress toward specific goals. Overall, KPIs and automatic time tracking are essential tools for improving warehouse efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing customer satisfaction.

As discussed below, implementing warehouse inventory management systems and time-tracking software is the first step toward measuring those KPIs and reaching your goals. If you’re interested in inventory management systems, contact us to learn how riteSOFT’s time-tracking software can improve your warehouse operations.

1. Identifying Bottlenecks, Inefficiencies, and Areas of Improvement

For context, managers and team members use real-time tracking software to record hours worked for payroll, plus time spent on specific manufacturing and warehouse tasks. Production lapses, increased scrap, and reduced efficiency are key negative consequences of warehousing and manufacturing bottlenecks caused by an understaffed or improperly trained team.

Orders cannot be completed, and customers must wait when order processing teams cannot access inventory information or trust its accuracy. Bottlenecks are a significant source of broken links in warehouse processes. As a result, more downtime not only frustrates managers and warehouse floor team members but reduces their job satisfaction. With today’s labor supply gap, it is crucial to retain existing staff.

Unaddressed bottlenecks can result in lower sales and reduced profits and negatively impact customer satisfaction. Time-tracking software provides real-time data on how long it takes team members to complete specific warehouse and shop floor tasks. Management can use the data collected to identify inefficiencies and make the necessary improvements.

2. Timekeeping and Attendance Tracking

Boost Your Productivity with timekeeping and attendance tracking

Top-rated time-tracking systems provide useful automation features and integrate with your payroll service to assist warehouse managers in managing PTO, tracking, and reporting employee hours.

This core functionality records hours worked–down to the minute in real-time. The data is then used to calculate payroll accurately, manage attendance, and monitor labor costs.

It streamlines payroll processing by automating numerous administrative tasks, effectively eliminating manual time entries and related human errors. A few features every real-time time-tracking software should have to ensure warehouse leaders reap all these benefits include:

  • Full integration with existing HR systems for accurate reporting on employee attendance, hours worked, overtime, holiday pay, payroll, etc.
  • Employee performance dashboards to measure, monitor, and manage team members’ performance.
  • Streamlined functionality for employees to request time off, view hours worked, see task assignments and more.
  • Production supervisor dashboards for scheduling, assigning, and tracking jobs in progress.
  • Automate scheduling where warehouse teams can view assigned working hours and notify team leaders of any scheduling changes.
  • Notifications and alerts to send a reminder when team members fail to check in or out. Managers can also be informed when teams need to catch up on schedule.
  • Track and report hours and minutes spent on specific customer orders or jobs.

It may not be necessary to have all these features; all you need is a system that is a valuable asset to your operation. Provided your time-tracking software can integrate with existing systems, you have a winner to help you keep tabs on everything.

3. Manage Warehouse Production Activities

Benefits of Time-Tracking Software - Logistics, delivery and online order tracking concept

Managing a warehouse takes substantial work and effort. Warehouse inventory management systems and time-tracking software can simplify the job. However, while time tracking is used on the warehouse floor to monitor various activities, including receiving and shipping, a lot more time tracking is done on the shop floor where products are produced.

For example, in a manufacturing setting, the shop floor may be set up in work centers such as cutting, welding, and painting, and operators track their time on a task for a specific job. This information is then used to determine how long it takes to complete each task and identify opportunities for improvement.

By tracking time on the shop floor, managers can improve productivity, reduce waste, and ensure that the delivery of products to customers is on time.

Time-tracking software is an essential tool for managing warehouse and production activities. It helps managers to optimize workflow, maintain sight of the entire supply chain, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency. By identifying areas for improvement, managers can make changes that result in significant cost savings and improved customer satisfaction.

Increase Productivity and Streamline Time Capture With riteSOFT Time-Tracking Software

You have more important things to do other than entering manual timesheets for payroll, correcting errors, and walking around to see what’s happening on your shop floor. Our time-tracking software helps optimize how operators track their time for attendance and time spent on specific jobs or tasks. It reduces manual data entry errors, streamlines timecard approvals, and gives supervisors real-time visibility into the status of specific jobs or orders.

By implementing our warehouse inventory management and time tracking systems, manufacturers can effortlessly manage warehouse activities, optimize staff efficiency, and ultimately boost their bottom line. Contact us today if you’re looking for time-tracking software that puts your managers and team members in control.

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Five Questions to Ask Before Adopting a Time-Clock App

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Five Questions to Ask Before Adopting a Time-Clock App

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Transparency is important. Not only does it often translate to highly productive and effective organizations, but it also builds trust with supervisors and employees. Creating a transparent work environment may be harder for some organizations depending on the industry and the nature of the work. What if your employees work off-site or in multiple locations? Is transparency and visibility between supervisors and employees still possible? If you are asking yourself these questions, a mobile time-clock solution may be the answer. Is it time for your organization to adopt a time-clock app? Here is a list of five questions to consider when deciding if this is the best solution for your company.

Mobile-time clocks create transparency with off-site employees

1. Do you have off-site employees?

If your employees work off-site, mobility is key to gaining transparency in your organization. This is because employees can perform the following functions wherever they are on their own mobile devices:

  • Clock in for day
  • Start a Job
  • Clock out for break
  • See what Job/Task to work on next
  • View their timecard
  • View their PTO
  • Clock out for day

In turn, mobile time-clock apps allow supervisors to gain visibility as well. As a supervisor, you can see what Jobs are being worked on—plus when and where they are happening. With transactional geotracking, supervisors can pull up a map on their mobile device to ensure employees are where they should be when clocked in. Some employees may worry about being tracked when off the clock. It is important to note that with most time-clock apps, geotracking must be activated to function and is only enabled when performing the punch and using the system. Thus, GPS capabilities are no longer active when employees clock out for the day.

2. Are your worksites in multiple locations?

If you have employees all over the city, state, or even country, mobile time-clock apps allow you—as a supervisor—to gain visibility in every location. You can keep track of each employee—no matter where they are located and when they are performing transactions within the system. There’s no need to spend time traveling to each job site or playing phone tag with other supervisors. Easily pull out your mobile device and open the map to be sure everyone is where they need to be.

See where your employees are while they are working off-site

3. Do your employees need access to documentation while working off-site?

Whether it’s blueprints, job travelers, or images, the ability to access documentation while on the job is crucial. Several mobile time-tracking apps allow supervisors and employees to attach any type of documentation they need while off-site. While it’s possible to have paper copies of these materials, they can easily get lost or damaged. Plus, when all documentation is in one system, it creates a more structured organization. This results in increased transparency between employers and employees; everyone is on the same page with the same information needed to complete the Job.

Employees can easily upload documentation with time-tracking apps

4. Do you keep track of employees’ time spent on Jobs?

Compare employee performance based on productivity levels

Many supervisors get job visibility by monitoring employee performance. When employees are working off-site, this gets a bit complicated. When supervisors track time on Jobs, they see exactly how much time employees spend working on Jobs compared to the amount of time they have been clocked in. With mobile time-tracking solutions, like riteTIME, supervisors can even compare employee performance based on productivity levels to better understand where time is being spent. Moreover, mobile time-tracking apps help your front office save time and get more visibility. Once supervisors review, edit, and approve employee time cards, that data can be quickly shared with the front office for payroll processing. There’s no need to spend time tracking down timecards to submit to payroll. This creates more seamless collaboration between off-site and front-office employees.

5. Do you want to improve your employee productivity and keep them accountable?

Mobile time clocks with transaction geotracking not only hold employees accountable but also help increase employee productivity. Maybe your off-site employees are spending too much time on a Task. This can affect your bottom line. Instead of assuming what could be happening, mobile time-clock apps allow supervisors to truly identify potential issues and brainstorm how they can be resolved. Plus, employees will most likely be more motivated to put in great work when they know their time is being tracked.

If you answered ‘yes’ to at least half of these questions, you may want to explore mobile time-clock apps even further. While this option may not be for every organization, it can surely help some gain the transparency they need to increase productivity and efficiency when working off-site. After all, trust between employers and employees is crucial for a successful organization. If you would like to learn how to track time for your off-site team, we’re here to help.

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Want to save time on Job scheduling?

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Want to save time on Job scheduling?
Learn the pros and cons of three common scheduling methods.

  • Maree Smith

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Job scheduling—whether you like it or not—is one of the most important business functions. It should be a simple process for everyone involved; however, supervisors often waste hours and hours of time on it. That’s because the coordination of people and jobs is just the tip of the iceberg. Customer order changes, priority shifts, machine breakdowns, and rework are other important factors to consider when it comes to scheduling jobs in the manufacturing world. So, how can you stop wasting time telling people what to work on and make time for the work that matters? Let’s break down three common scheduling methods.

When thinking about a scheduling method, consider your organization’s needs. Some factors to consider are the size of your business, the number of employees, the complexity of your scheduling needs, the training required, and your budget.

Spreadsheets

Pros

  • Low cost
  • Minimal training
  • Transportable work order

Cons

  • Manual process
  • Time consuming
  • Error prone
  • Slow response times
  • Easy to misplace or lose
  • Requires constant updating and administration 

 

Pros

Spreadsheets may be the best option if your organization is small with rather simple scheduling needs, as they can provide a basic way to schedule employees’ Jobs and Tasks. Microsoft Excel has downloadable free or paid templates to help streamline your scheduling process. Additionally, Microsoft Excel even has forecasting templates with the capability to list the planned finished date and time plus the expected time to complete each Job and Task. You can also import employee and Job data into Excel instead of doing it manually.

Cons

While spreadsheets may be the right option for some organizations, they have quite a few shortcomings. Scheduling Jobs through Excel is a static process without the ability to adjust in real time. What if there is a change in Job priorities, supply chain shortages, or a part doesn’t arrive? These factors greatly affect what the team works on, and supervisors must constantly be editing schedules and sending team members updated versions.

Paper Work Orders

Paper work orders can be a timely and manual process when scheduling employees

Pros

  • Low cost
  • Minimal training
  • Easily transportable
  • Don’t need internet access

Cons

  • Easily lost or damaged
  • Prone to human error
  • Manual process
  • Time consuming

Pros

Paper work orders are commonly used in the maintenance, construction, and manufacturing industries. Supervisors distribute paper work orders and team members rely on their verbal or written instructions to tell them when to work on jobs. This process can be beneficial for organizations with employees working off-site since they are easily transportable. Employees can attach them to a clipboard, tuck them in a folder, or even fold them in their pocket. In addition, paper work orders are great for employees who work off-site in rough environments with limited connection to the internet.

Cons

Paper work orders also have limitations that must be taken into account. To begin, they can be easily lost, damaged, or misfiled. If this happens, employees waste even more time trying to locate them if there are no back-up copies. Next, information can be difficult to interpret. Whether it’s misspellings, poor penmanship, or mislabeling, this greatly affects the accuracy of the Job being performed. Last, paper work orders are often a slow manual process, resulting in hours and hours of wasted time.

Job Scheduling Software

Job scheduling software allows you to easily schedule employees

Pros

  • Easy to use and update
  • Accessible on any device with a browser
  • Automatic work order generation and history log
  • Access to real-time information
  • Capability to adjust Job priorities and assignments

Cons

  • Higher initial cost
  • Training required

Cons

Organizations that have more complex scheduling needs often find that Job scheduling software or a mobile app is the solution for them. While a software solution may have a higher initial cost and requires more initial training compared to the two former options, the return on investment makes it easily justifiable.

Pros

Many job scheduling software solutions—such as riteTIME—allow you to easily schedule employees through drag and drop functionality. With just a click of a mouse, you can schedule—and prioritize—Jobs or Tasks by days, users, or departments. This allows for easy schedule set up, saving you loads of time.

There is no doubt that supervisors must be flexible when production changes arise. Job scheduling software allows you to assign or reassign team members in real time. In turn, you won’t have to waste time editing and resending spreadsheets or paper work orders in order to communicate to your team what to work on and when.

Many scheduling software solutions run on any mobile device with an internet browser. Therefore, team members can see the jobs they’re scheduled for on their mobile devices if there is access to the internet.

When it comes to choosing the best Job scheduling solution for you, think about your distinct business needs. Do your research and keep your organization’s goals in mind. If transitioning to an automated solution and going paperless seems daunting, consider taking baby steps to reach your end goal. One option is to continue to use paper work orders to communicate necessary Job information but use software to schedule and track time on Jobs and tasks. 

Ready to stop wasting time? Consider Job scheduling and time tracking software.

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Is now the time to migrate to Android devices in your warehouse?

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Is now the time to migrate to Android devices in your warehouse?

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Guest Blog Post
Finn Madden, Product Content Specialist • eCommerce/Marketing
Emkat, a Barcodes Group company

Android has industry-leading security features for your warehouse

In a digital world, every organization—big or small—is exposed to the threat of cyber attacks. Regardless of size, cyber security is critical for all organizations and goes beyond protecting networks, devices, and data. This includes assessing hand-held scanning devices used in the warehouse that may be running outdated operating systems. Read on to learn why now is the time to migrate to newer Android devices in your warehouse.

Microsoft ends support of the Windows Mobile operating system

Microsoft’s commitment to enterprise mobile computing is waning. As of December 10, 2019, Windows mobile device users are no longer eligible to receive new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free assisted support options, or online technical content updates from Microsoft for free. This means that Windows devices will still work, but those devices running the last official supported version of Windows 10 Mobile won’t receive any more updates or patches from Microsoft. Without updates or patches, the Windows 10 Mobile device’s security will be at risk.

Outdated operating systems increase security risks

Using outdated mobile operating systems creates cyber security vulnerabilities and compliance risks that can have enormous cost and business implications. If your company still uses Windows Mobile, Windows CE, and Windows Embedded Handheld devices, you must be aware of the risks in your enterprise mobility strategy: security risks, a lack of new Windows device availability, and most importantly, a lack of future operating system innovation.

Windows applications are not forward compatible. This means if you want to remain with Windows, you’ll have to take on the costly, time-consuming process of reprogramming and migrating applications and databases. With Windows devices posing a serious security risk to organizations of all sizes, migrating to a new platform is necessary to avoid cyber attacks. Given this, the industry is switching to Android.

Why switch to Android devices in your warehouse?

Android incorporates industry-leading security features and works with developers and device implementers to keep the Android platform and ecosystem safe. Android is the world’s most popular mobile operating system. It offers a user-friendly, intuitive interface along with many development tools supported by a global developer community. This makes the process of migrating to new solutions such as riteSCAN 8 Mobile Warehouse for SYSPRO much more efficient.

Android has been subject to a rigorous security program. It was designed with multilayered security that can adapt to support an open platform while still protecting all its users. Users can have full control over their own privacy and security through visibility into the permissions requested by each App. Designed with the expectation that cyber attacks would occur, Android security both reduces the chance of these attacks and greatly limits the impact of an attack if one were to occur.  

Future proof your technology investment with Android solutions. Android stands out from the crowd as an open, user friendly operating system while still maintaining vital security controls for mobile platforms and mobile warehouse management software like riteSCAN.

Learn more about Android hand-held devices
Learn more about riteSCAN that runs on the latest handheld devices

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Job and employee scheduling got you down?

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Job and employee scheduling got you down?

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Job and employee scheduling is no easy feat. It requires strong communication on the production floor, transparency between supervisors and team members, and the ability to pivot when production changes arise. And if that’s not enough, all of this must be done in a timely and efficient manner. If you are a supervisor on the production floor, time sheets, job travelers, and spreadsheets may be part of your daily routine. However, paper time sheets could be hurting your business since more mistakes and errors are likely to occur.  

What if you could have one simple system to tell your team what to work on and track time? Learn more about riteTIME’s latest enhancement, visual scheduling.

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How did Hexagon Mining achieve incredible results through riteTIME?

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How did Hexagon Mining achieve incredible results through riteTIME?

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Last week, riteSOFT hosted a webinar in partnership with Umbrella Consulting. The webinar, titled “Why Track Time, Now,” discussed the disruption created by COVID-19; why manufacturers are embracing digital time tracking; and six steps to help you select your next time tracking solution. Most importantly, the webinar highlighted why Hexagon Mining, selected riteSOFT’s riteTIME as their new time tracking solution and the results they have achieved so far. 

riteTIME’s newest customer, Hexagon Mining, has 16 locations around the globe. They manufacture collision avoidance safety devices designed to prevent accidents in the mining industry. The first site implemented with riteTIME was in Tucson, AZ and other new sites will follow soon. 

Hexagon Mining’s Pain Points

Hexagon started vetting time tracking systems after they became overwhelmed with the daunting amount of time they spent collecting time and production data using multiple systems. In fact, Hexagon had one full-time employee whose sole job was to compile data from complex, inefficient spreadsheets to generate reports and then input it into their ERP system. This meant their production data was always several days behind, and they had no visibility into what was happening in real time. This affected their ability to quickly analyze the status of their capacity and production output. This also meant that their job standards were frequently outdated. Not only that, but COVID-19 hit, and the production manager needed the ability to work remotely.  

Reasons for choosing a time tracking solution

“One Easy-to-Use Software System”

After vetting over 50 time tracking solutions, Hexagon discovered that riteTIME was the best fit for their needs. Right after implementing, Hexagon began to instantly see time and production data in real-time using one system that was easy for their operators to use regardless of where they were working. The results? By implementing riteTIME, Hexagon was able to eliminate one full-time data entry position and allocate that employee to another higher value role!  

riteTIME time tracking testimony

How are you Tracking Time on Jobs?

During this live webinar, we asked attendees how they are tracking time on jobs. We received a variety of responses. The majority are either using a paper process or have a time tracking solution but are exploring a new one. How are you tracking time? Is it giving your business the best results? Could your business be getting results like Hexagon Mining? Be sure to watch the webinar recording to learn more about Hexagon’s incredible results and how you can select your next time tracking solution. 

How are you tracking time on jobs today poll question

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How to Select Your Next Time Tracking Solution

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How to Select Your Next Time Tracking Solution

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Want to take your manufacturing operation to the next level? Be more competitive? Streamline your operation? A new time tracking solution may be what you need! Keep reading to learn about the six things to consider when determining what type of time tracking solution is right for you.

Six Steps to Help You Select Your Next Time Tracking Solution

1. Evaluate your processes and identify your pain points

What issues are slowing you down or disrupting your operation? Do you lack job visibility? Are you still tracking time manually or struggling to keep track of paper time sheets? Want to improve employee performance? Now might be the time to upgrade to a more efficient time tracking solution.

ritetime can solve your pain points for easy time tracking

2. Does your business need a diet?

After evaluating your pain points, you might discover that your business needs a “diet” due to the number of time wasters you found.

man working from home with snacks and cat

Here’s a list of common issues that can create big process inefficiencies and negatively impact your bottom line.

  • Duplicate entry of time clock and job punches, production data, and more.
  • Wasted time looking for lost time sheets or reading messy handwriting.
  • Outdated job standards that negatively influence job costing and your ability to compete.
  • A lack of job or employee visibility without walking around your operation.
  • Delayed reporting due to data lags.
  • Incomplete or incorrect information to make smarter business decisions.
  • Paper processes that reduce efficiency.

Taken collectively, all of the above issues can have a dramatic impact on your long-term business success. Read more about determining if your business needs a diet here.

3. Evaluate software options based on your business needs

Think about your pain points and then consider what key features are most important to you. Determine what type of information you want to track; how quickly you want to get started; and think about your budget for the software and mobile devices. You will also need to decide if you want a plug and play solution or a custom solution designed just for you. Evaluate available options against your key buying criteria and prioritize them based on what is a “must have” versus a “nice-to-have.” Use the list below to jump-start your evaluation process.

  1. What information do you need to track as work happens (e.g., Track Labor, Jobs, production data, etc.)?
  2. Are you required to capture time or production data for compliance requirements, specific government contracts, or pending ISO certification?
  3. Do you need real-time visibility of Jobs and employees for improved performance monitoring on-site or off-site?
  4. Do you want supervisor dashboards and reports that you can easily create yourself?
  5. Is ease of use and ongoing maintenance or support important to you? ​
  6. ​What type of devices do you want to use? Do you need mobile capabilities with device flexibility?
  7. How quickly do you want to implement? ​What resources and team members will be needed to successfully implement the software within your organization to meet your timelines?
  8. Do you need a solution that can be self-administered without an expert?​
  9. How important is real-time integration and system compatibility?
  10. What are your budget considerations? (Think about total cost of ownership including: software, hardware, implementation, and support.)

4. Do you require a standard or custom solution?

Another key step in the evaluation process is to determine what type of system you need—a standard, ready-to-use, plug and play software solution or a custom built solution. The advantage to a standard solution is that it is more cost-effective and easier to implement and maintain. On the other hand, custom solutions can be built to your exact needs, but they take longer to implement and are more costly. Standard solutions will typically meet 80% or more of your needs and can often be configured to match your current processes. Do your research. This decision has long-term implications from a maintenance and compatibility perspective.

5. Determine what you want to track with mobile devices

Mobile devices can make time tracking a breeze on-site or off-site. Think about your operation and what you need to track as work happens. Determine what areas of your operation need to track time spent on jobs or tasks or capture production data such as scrap, good quantity, etc. Do you want to:

  • Use touch screen kiosks or tablets to track timeclock punches, job punches, plus work center and production data using the same devices?
  • Scan barcodes or badges to capture job, task, and break punches?
  • Track time for employees working remotely or off-site at a client location?
  • Screen employees for COVID-19?
  • Capture data for job safety audits?
  • Track indirect time such as training, maintenance, and Job setup?

6. Check the features against your key needs

Finally, evaluate the available options based on your most important needs and criteria. Keep in mind what is truly a need versus a want. Some features may be “nice-to-have,” but will they truly be utilized? Will the software be easy for your operators to use on the shop floor? Make sure to consider how easy it is to update the software and your mobile devices on an ongoing basis.

Another important point to consider is integration. Do you need to integrate or share data with another system to eliminate duplicate data entry? If you require integration to another system such as your payroll or ERP system, what are the costs involved? How will the data be exchanged? Is the data exchanged in real time? Additionally, how easy is it to keep your your stationary and mobile devices updated to maintain system compatibility? All of this has an impact on the total cost of ownership which includes the software, hardware, integration, implementation, training, and support costs, as well as future maintenance costs.

Before you make your final purchase decision, find out if you can try out the software before you buy it. This can be a true test of its functionality as well as evaluate the level of support provided by the software vendor.

By following the six steps above, you can pick the right solution that best fits your operation. Time tracking software can help improve efficiency, reduce waste, increase visibility, and help you keep your job standards up-to-date.

Want to sharpen your competitive edge? Contact us today to learn more about time tracking software.

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Why a Time Tracking Solution is right for your business now

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Why a Time Tracking Solution is right for your business now

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You have probably heard the term time tracking thrown around, but what is it really? When is time tracking needed? Are you hitting roadblocks or struggling to reach that next level of efficiency to compete more effectively? Time tracking software can capture time spent on jobs or project tasks in real time—both on-site and off-site. In today’s new world of increased remote work, this may be exactly what you need. Keep reading to see why a time tracking solution might be right for your business today.

Why a Time Tracking Solution is right for your business now

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Keeps employees on track

Is improved efficiency one of your key performance goals for your employees who work on-site or off-site? Employees will be more inclined to remain on task when they are ‘on the clock’ tracking time for a given job or task. Often, a lack of productivity is not due to an employee slacking or taking too many breaks. Rather, it can be that they do not recognize the significance of how much time is spent on a job, or they simply do not know what needs to be done outside of their direct line of sight. Time tracking can allow your employees to take a deeper look into their actual daily output to help them excel in their roles.

You’re struggling to hit that ‘Next Level’

Are you attempting to scale your business to no avail? Often, when you feel stuck, it is a sign that something needs to change. You cannot continue to do the same thing, and expect to yield different results! Improved accuracy and increased insights could be exactly what you need to take your business to the next level.

Your pricing model is built on output

Sometimes, minor discrepancies in pricing and output won’t make or break your business. But often, especially in manufacturing, every minute counts. You need real-time data to compare against your job standards to competitively price your product. Without a clear understanding of how long production actually takes, it can be easy to fall back on outdated ‘job standards’, and result in a loss of revenue. Time tracking can help you quit the guessing game and be confident that your pricing model is right for your business.

Gain instant insight to job status

While it is important to check in on jobs and monitor their status, this often means taking a walk through the shop floor or driving to a job site. With time tracking, you can see the status of any number of jobs from your handheld device or computer. You can compare and monitor progress, determine top performers, and more without needing to physically monitor your employees.

Want to uncover the roadblocks that are holding your business back? Increase visibility and drive efficiency with simple time tracking software. You can click here to begin a 14 day free trial of riteTIME to see if time tracking is right for your business.

Have questions about the blog?

Our sales & implementation specialists are experts in the field and would love to help you. Contact us to learn more!

Want to read more? Check out our latest blog posts!

You have probably heard the term time tracking thrown around, but what is it really? When is time tracking needed? Are you hitting roadblocks or struggling to reach that next level of efficiency to compete more effectively? Time tracking software can capture time spent on jobs or project tasks in real time—both on-site and off-site. In today’s new world of increased remote work, this may be exactly what you need. Keep reading to see why a time tracking solution might be right for your business today.

Why a Time Tracking Solution is right for your business now

Keeps employees on track

Is improved efficiency one of your key performance goals for your employees who work on-site or off-site? Employees will be more inclined to remain on task when they are ‘on the clock’ tracking time for a given job or task. Often, a lack of productivity is not due to an employee slacking or taking too many breaks. Rather, it can be that they do not recognize the significance of how much time is spent on a job, or they simply do not know what needs to be done outside of their direct line of sight. Time tracking can allow your employees to take a deeper look into their actual daily output to help them excel in their roles.

You’re struggling to hit that ‘Next Level’

Are you attempting to scale your business to no avail? Often, when you feel stuck, it is a sign that something needs to change. You cannot continue to do the same thing, and expect to yield different results! Improved accuracy and increased insights could be exactly what you need to take your business to the next level.

Your pricing model is built on output

Sometimes, minor discrepancies in pricing and output won’t make or break your business. But often, especially in manufacturing, every minute counts. You need real-time data to compare against your job standards to competitively price your product. Without a clear understanding of how long production actually takes, it can be easy to fall back on outdated ‘job standards’, and result in a loss of revenue. Time tracking can help you quit the guessing game and be confident that your pricing model is right for your business.

Gain instant insight to job status

While it is important to check in on jobs and monitor their status, this often means taking a walk through the shop floor or driving to a job site. With time tracking, you can see the status of any number of jobs from your handheld device or computer. You can compare and monitor progress, determine top performers, and more without needing to physically monitor your employees.

Want to uncover the roadblocks that are holding your business back? Increase visibility and drive efficiency with simple time tracking software. You can click here to begin a 14 day free trial of riteTIME to see if time tracking is right for your business.

Gain Visibility Into Your Business with riteTIME

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Gain Visibility Into Your Business with riteTIME

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Bruce Hagberg riteSOFT CEO

Bruce Hagberg, CEO

Have you ever felt like you don’t know what’s really happening on your shop floor? As your business grows and margins become tighter, it can be easy to feel like you don’t have a grasp on what it takes to optimize your shop floor processes. You need to take that next step to grow, but you just aren’t sure what’s holding you back? This is where time tracking can make all the difference.

Utilizing a shop floor data and time tracking solution can allow you to gain valuable insights into your business. Unemployment rates are reaching historic lows across many markets. This means new workers are scarce, and it is more important than ever to utilize your current workforce and ensure you are making every resource count. Maximizing efficiency and effectiveness is the goal, and riteTIME is a tool that can provide just that.

Monitor performance at a glance to see where the issues are before they become big problems

When was the last time you had to walk the shop floor, or when you had an idea of where productivity was at through real time project data? Wouldn’t it be great to have access to that information? Visibility is everything. Think of popular transportation services. They allow you to track where your driver is in REAL time. This means you know how far they are from your current location, when to expect them, and any hiccups that may occur along the way. This is how riteTIME works. Without leaving your desk to conduct a walkthrough, you can gain visibility without wasting time. As you work to scale your business and maximize efficiency, these insights are crucial to understanding your workplace.

Stay ahead of the curve and help scale your business with the utilization of riteTIME. Contact us today to learn more!

Have questions about the blog?

Our sales & implementation specialists are experts in the field and would love to help you. Contact us to learn more!

Want to read more? Check out our latest blog posts!