Survey findings indicate that growth is still anticipated in the Time and Labor Management solution market. 

A recent survey conducted by Wise Consulting Associates, of Hunt Valley, MD, found that Workforce Management (Time & Attendance) is still a critical issue for many organizations. The survey was conducted for the 24th annual Congress of American Payroll Association, which was held this May in Orlando, FL. Responses were received from organizations ranging in size from several hundred employees to over 10000 employees, with 80% having over 1000 employees.

About 25% of organizations surveyed do not have a Time & Attendance solutions. 9% more are using in-house or spreadsheet based systems. Many HR and Payroll managers are facing pressure for more effective labor costs management and drive efficiencies in their organizations. Also, the survey discovered that 36% of respondents claim that their organization is increasing in size or becoming more complex, requiring a more complicated method for managing time and attendance. The complexity can be a result of merger/acquisition activity, organic growth or labor union influences. 38% of those respondents that have unionized employees are looking for a new time and labor system.

Attendees at the APA Congress found out how the vendor market has responded to this situation; there were over 40 different vendors offering solutions to this complex issue in the Congress exposition hall. Finding the “best” solution from this diverse and complex marketplace is a frightening task, for both large and small organizations. Deploying and implementing those solutions is likewise complex.

Do your homework
Making sense of the potential time and labor management solutions requires careful attention to details. Experts recommend a thorough analysis of requirements prior to choose any vendor. The process of defining detailed requirements up front can save a lot of time while vendor selection process. Creating a short list of vendors is much easier when a company spends the time detailing time keeping processes, overtime requirements and calculations, break periods, shift differentials and union obligations.

Defining the organization’s future needs is also critical to the selection process. While amalgamations and acquisitions may not be predictable, the selection team should focus on the organization’s mission, vision and business plans to identify potential growth or change that could impact the needs from the new time and labor management solution.

“It’s clear from the survey results, and from meeting people at the APA Congress, that time and labor management systems are top of mind for many organizations,” notes Dolan, “but the market has many complex solutions.”

Whether upgrading, replacing or just starting out with a time and labor management solution, meticulous system selection and implementation processes will ensure that companies achieve the planned business objectives.