The vast majority of large and medium sized companies use time attendance software to manage their workforce effectively. Even smaller companies where it fits their needs employ time attendance software.

An effective time attendance software system has numerous benefits for a business and for larger businesses it is essential. They provide huge savings in man hours over older systems by minimising absenteeism. They also increase the efficiency of HR and accounts departments by providing centralised access to employee hours.

In companies that operate using flexi time or on shifts time attendance software is invaluable. Automated management of irregular hours saves on organisational efforts while preventing overlaps and gaps in shifts which drain resources.

High quality time attendance software will allow a company to forecast a schedule to see if any conflicts might arise. They may also run "what if" scenarios to see what the consequences of certain unusual situations might be, say for instance if a large number of employees became ill simultaneously.

Biometric integration with time attendance software

Optimal time attendance software should be fully integrated with biometric scanners. The addition of biometrics to a time and attendance system has many benefits.

Using biometrics to clock employees in means employees no longer have to clock in at a central area where time may be wasted queuing. They can sign in at their desks or at a localised sign in point. It also means there is no need to keep track of numerous punch cards or swipe keys that can be easily lost, using up the time of HR and IT that could be better spent elsewhere.

Time attendance software with integrated biometrics capabilities has the added benefit of removing the need for employees to remember passwords to access their work stations. The scanner can be set up to allow access to a terminal rather than inputting a password. Passwords are regularly forgotten and in a large company a lot of IT department time can be consumed by having to reset these passwords.

Security can also be improved with the addition of biometric scanners to time attendance software. The biometric scanners can easily be integrated into a company wide security system. Scanning units at a desktop computer or access terminal can be set up to prevent use by unauthorised personnel where sensitive data or programs may be present.

The biometrics can be used to control access to particular areas, only allowing employees with permission to enter. Certain units are designed to withstand outdoor weather conditions meaning they can be installed at the entrance to a building where staff arrive to prevent anyone who is not an employee from gaining entrance.

Buddy punching is where an employee signs in another employee who is absent, allowing them to be paid for time they have not worked. Time attendance software with integrated biometrics means buddy punching cannot occur. Since the employee needs to be physically present to sign in to work they cannot get paid for time they didn't work.

Biometrics can be used to verify that workers in remote offices or employees who are travelling are at their work station, allowing them to clock in remotely.