In recent work culture, overtime, remote work facilities, and travelling are very common. So, keeping track of employee performance and maintaining higher productivity becomes a challenge for organizations.
A workforce management system is the one-stop solution for it. It helps employers to track employee performance easily for better productivity.
It includes advanced features like labor forecasting, employee scheduling, time and attendance tracking, rule and policy management, performance tracking, and payroll tracking, that ensures data accuracy and safety.
In this blog, we will give you an insight into workforce management solutions, their benefits, how to select the best workforce management software, and ensure that it benefits your organization, etc.
What is Workforce Management Software?
Workforce management software is a solution that automates the tasks of workforce management by using technological algorithms. Workforce management includes a variety of functions such as recruitment, training, performance evolution, employee and company benefits productivity, etc.
Proper workforce management software ensures the right number of employees with the right skills in the desired field. It provides accurate information on employee skill and work abilities, productivity, monitoring trends in the workforce, tracking hours worked each day/week, etc., leading to minimized labor costs and higher productivity.
The workforce management solution is an all-in-one stop for companies to streamline their management of employees’ data, operations, and functioning in a click.
What does the Workforce Management Software do?
Often HR managers get confused with the massive amount of data handling and storage data securely. Integrating workforce management software can be a one-stop solution for all.
WFM software ensures error-free data accuracy on maintaining tasks like calculating hours from punches and properly maintaining payroll issues, analysing employee attendance, performance, compensation management and more.
The availability of the software brings entire processes of human resource information system online. So that both the organization and the employee can operate it anytime anywhere. Additionally, by using the software employer can reduce mistakes, save employee time, and can analyse the entire employee performance in detail.
Top 10 Best Workforce Management Software in 2024
Workforce management software is a standalone solution for an organization. It can be implemented as part of an integrated HR management suite as well.
We are curating the best workforce management software that streamlines the entire HR management process. Let’s get into the details.
1. Pocket HRMS
Pocket HRMS is one of the best cloud-based HRMS software that helps businesses manage their HR operations more efficiently.
The software enables high-end AI-based structures, and a user-friendly interface and provides a range of features like facial recognition for managing employee data, payroll, attendance, leave, performance, and more.
It helps the HR department undertake their tasks efficiently without any manual errors, boosting their productivity effectively.
2. Deel
Deel is a global payroll and compliance platform that offers services like automated payroll, benefits administration, tax compliance, and employment contracts.
It is a user-friendly platform with a simple interface that makes easier to manage business in the global workforce.
The company was founded in 2018. The headquarter of the company is in San Francisco, California.
3. Oracle HCM Cloud
Oracle HCM Cloud is a human capital management software platform that provides comprehensive solutions for managing human resources in large and medium-sized businesses.
It offers a range of features and services that enable businesses to manage their workforce more efficiently and effectively, providing better visibility and control over employee activities.
4. Connecteam
Connecteam is a cloud-based employee management software that helps businesses streamline their operations and manage their employees more efficiently.
The key feature of the software is the mobile-fast approach and finger-fast solution. The significant modules of the software are auto-managing tasks, smooth scheduling, quick time tracking, seamless communication, and more.
Moreover, numerous tools allow managers to stay connected with employees and monitor their operations in real-time.
5. ADP workforce
ADP Workforce Now is a cloud-based human resources management system (HRMS) that helps businesses manage their HR operations more efficiently.
One of the main features of the ADP workforce is comprehensive payroll processing. The software provides a range of features for managing employee data, payroll, benefits, time and attendance, and more.
6. SyncHR
SyncHR is a cloud-based human capital management (HCM) software that provides a range of features for managing HR operations. The main key features of SyncHR are eliminating errors and curating and integrating data by using a single and unified database.
The software is designed to automate and streamline HR tasks, such as payroll, benefits administration, time and attendance tracking, and more. The software helps businesses by saving time and reducing errors, and freeing up HR staff to focus on more strategic tasks.
7. Zoho Recruit
Zoho Recruit is a cloud-based applicant tracking system (ATS) with Ai assistance that helps to streamline the entire recruiting and hiring processes.
The software provides a range of features like auto job postings, selecting relevant resumes, scheduling interviews, and more.
The high-end features save HR time can reach a wider pool of candidates and attract high-quality applicants.
8. Homebase
Homebase is a cloud-based software platform that provides tools for managing employee scheduling, time tracking, and team communication. The software is featured to help businesses in the retail and hospitality industries manage their hourly workforce more efficiently.
The main features of Homebase are its employee scheduling capabilities. It has unique features like alerting employees of their upcoming shifts and allowing them to request time off or swap shifts with other employees.
9. Paylocity
Paylocity is a cloud-based human capital management (HCM) software that provides a range of features for managing HR, payroll, time and labour, and benefits administration.
Out of all the features, the most essential one is payroll processing. It automates tax filing, calculates employee earnings, manages employee deductions and contributions, etc.
The software can generate a list of reports like payroll summaries, tax updates and tax reports which can help businesses stay compliant with tax regulations.
10. UZIO
Uzio is a cloud-based HR and payroll software platform that provides comprehensive solutions for organizations mainly for small and medium-sized businesses. It automates the entire HR administrative work and allows businesses to focus on their core operations.
It streamlines the recruitment process through auto administration, swift onboarding, performance management, and time and attendance tracking. These tools help businesses manage their workforce more efficiently and effectively, providing better visibility and control over employee activities and more.
8 Essential Features of the Right Workforce Management Software
Here are some of the most common features that would help you choose the best and top workforce management software for your organization.
➔ Simple Usability
Before integrating any software, it is necessary to think about what can be the user’s expectations. Workforce Management software is a B2C software solution. It has basic user-friendly features like automatic notifications, easy task management features, easy-to-use UI, and database security, which are available on any device.
Employee scheduling, timesheet management, performance management, and compensation management can easily be completed from anywhere, anytime. Super usability features of WFM accelerate the flexible work environment of the workplace.
➔ Easy to Integrate
Workforce management systems can easily be integrated with other system software like absence management software, payroll management software, ESS portal, recruitment management portal, etc. So that organizations can use a single integrated system instead of using multiple software.
The integration features in WFM ensure a greater data accuracy and lessen data error. It can be helpful for temporary onboarding systems, booking platforms, virtual queuing systems, finance systems, and task management systems, compensation management system, etc.
➔ High-end Security
Employee data and all official documents are confidential for everyone. Workforce Management system cloud solution provides high-end security and ensures to safeguard data from any random theft.
WFM software enables the GDPR compliance that is demonstrated by ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 certifications whilst authentication features like single sign-on and more. Single sign-in increases security and reduces password theft and contributes to a better user experience at the login/logout.
➔ Mobile Capabilities
Mobile accessibility is one of the essential features of workforce management solution software. The feature allows employees to log in anytime, anywhere, and from any device or platform.
Using mobile devices is convenient for the organization and also allows scheduling sudden meetings or getting some urgent notifications instantly (using a smartphone or tab) in case a resource calls out. It has become a mandatory aspect of the success of an application in the recent hybrid work culture.
➔ Super Flexibility
Connecting with HR manually for random queries or getting information is a hectic task mainly for remote employees. The workforce management system is a one-time solution for the matter, as this software provides a super flexible atmosphere globally.
Employees can get answers to some random queries or important information through this software even without communicating with the HR panel. The organization can easily cherish the culture of flexible working without negative consequences.
➔ Time & Attendance Management
The workforce management system has unique features like auto time and attendance management capabilities. This feature reduces the mismanagement in counting employees’ attendance sheets and lessens the cost of time theft for every organization.
The Workforce Management solutions have an effective time and attendance tracking capability that ensure the time worked by an employee and the time scheduled. It means, the employee can get paid correctly and on time with additional workflows and get payslips available on payroll system in no time. It also eliminates payroll error and makes an autogenerated payroll for every employee.
Besides, With features like geofencing and selfie technology, Workforce management software can detect the accurate login and log-out time of every employee. If any employee is late from the scheduled time, it is marked as late.
And if any employee doesn’t log in on any day, he is mentioned as absent. Employees can log in and log out through their phones as well. This time and attendance management feature in the WFM software allows managers to maintain a real-time view of staff location.
➔ Auto Scheduling
Workforce Management software has cloud-based features that auto-schedule the meeting by creating a balanced schedule with historical data.
Moreover, with AI-based employee scheduling software, organizations can create a team that would be best fit for the labor needs. The features help you find the best employees based on the required skills, certifications, preferences, and more.
Some features of WFM also allow sending notifications of swapping shifts with co-workers and providing their availability in advance of assignments.
➔ Absence Management
Absence Management system is an identical feature of the workforce management system. Rather than sending on paper leave application, it is more convenient to apply for leave through the absence management portal or online leave management system.
The feature allows the human resource specialists to track the leave trends, whether employees are taking leaves for some random reason or some genuine reasons.
With this absence, management solutions managers can remove the duplicate data, and accept or reject multiple requests at the same time from anywhere, anytime. The data is automatically saved by employees’
Checklist for Buying a Workforce Software
Here is the list of parameters to look for in workforce management software:
- Automated reporting
- Payroll management
- Attendance & shift management
- Cloud support
- Employee Portal
- Ask for a FREE trial
1. Automated Reporting
One-click reporting through workforce software saves the hours and effort of any human resource professional. The reports needed during payroll or meetings are crucial and may include errors if prepared manually.
Look for software that can accurately generate customized reports for employee parameters like attendance, tax, etc. It should collaborate well with the attendance management system, leave management system, etc.
2. Payroll Management
The software must have a payroll solution that can perform monthly employee payroll without any hassle or miscalculation. Online availability makes payroll flexible and HR can perform payoff anytime and from anywhere.
3. Attendance & Shift Management
The system must be capable of tracking employee hours and overtime every day. This ensures accurate payroll calculation. For committing a foolproof payroll make sure the staff management software you choose provides shift scheduling and effective attendance reading.
4. Cloud Support
In today’s date, the cloud availability of your HR software is the prior requirement. Cloud-based human resource management software brings all your organization’s data and activity under one platform – maybe a mobile app!
Data security and backups are some of the best benefits of cloud WFM software.
5. Employee Portal
For better employee experience and workforce handling, a dedicated employee service portal can help bring employees and HR closer. Leave management and query handling become easy with the employee portal.
Employees can apply for leave, check payslips, etc. through the portal.
6. Avail a FREE Trial
Once you get convinced that the features and pricing look ‘ok’, do not forget to avail yourself of your free test demo. Free software trial maybe a week or two could help you pick the best. Test and choose the right software for your base.
Top 7 Benefits of Workforce Management (WFM) Software
The 7 best benefits of workforce management software are:
➔ Improved Efficiency & Productivity
The workforce management software enhances the efficiency of handling the workforce of human resources professionals. The ability to manage the workforce in one place with robust effectiveness can be achieved by robust reporting, quick data access, and reliable time tracking of employees that is obtained by the workforce management solution.
Also, it automates the repetitive workforce management tasks hence saving time for the administrators to focus on other important tasks and improving the productivity of the business.
➔ Quick Processes
It quickens the processes of workforce management processes which include adequate time tracking of employees, enhancing employee engagement, credible reports generation on employees attendance, performances, etc. It is an all-in-one solution that accelerates the processes of workforce management and more.
➔ Easy Management
To ensure easy management of the workforce, workforce management software plays a vital role. It streamlines various tasks associated with workforce management, such as managing compliance with accuracy, time tracking of employees, adequate reporting and generation of data, etc.
➔ Flexible Scheduling
The workforce management solution enables fixing flexible schedules of shifts as per the shift requirement of the employees in the shift management software. You can also set the geo-fencing and geo-tagging boundaries for the employees having multiple tasks at various premises of the company.
➔ Enhanced Employee Engagement
The right workforce management strategy ensures that you are managing entire workforce policies and productivity in a better way.
With in-detailed employee performance reports and attendance tracking options, overall workforce productivity improves. And that leads to more employee engagement and company profit.
➔ Data-driven Decisions
The workforce management solution generates credible data from robust reporting and data. It is an all-in-one place that not only streamlines the HR processes to manage employees but also maintains documentation in an organized way that helps the management and others access it during decision-making.
➔ Compliance and Accuracy
Data accuracy is one of the main purposes of integrating workforce management solutions at the workplace. A proper workforce management solution curbs human error and improves data accuracy at the workplace.
Automated data calculation and data maintenance save time and minimize effort. It ensures data safety and compliance with laws as well. Intelligent compliance alerts ensure that an employee’s data is accurately recorded and saved securely in the database.
Why Should you Use Workforce Management Software?
Let’s have look how workforce management software could be beneficial for your business. And how to choose the best workforce management software for your workplace.
1. Less Paper Work
A workforce management system can significantly reduce the amount of paper-based work in an organization. It digitizes and automates HR and workforce-related processes. With workforce management software physical timesheets can be converted to a cloud database and it reduces the potential for errors or fraud.
Additional WFM can automate the scheduling of employees and the allocation of tasks in the cloud, instead of the paper-based scheduling and tracking systems.
Furthermore, the best workforce management tools can also digitize employee records and HR-related documents, allowing them to be stored and accessed electronically, rather than in physical file cabinets.
2. Improve Recruiting
Selection of the right candidate for the desired field can be challenging for the organization. Wrong candidate selection reduces productivity and company growth as well. Choosing the right workforce management software system is a one-time solution for a better recruitment process.
Workforce Management system enables artificial intelligence and other automation process that significantly reduce the tedious recruiting tasks. A proper automation process helps to manage an assortment of resumes and exclude the unnecessary ones that don’t align with your preferred criteria.
Moreover, WFM with AI-based features assists HRs with lining up the interviews by coordinating time between candidates. It minimizes the candidate overlapping hassles, auto-scheduling meetings between leaders, and makes the onboarding and off-boarding process swifter. A proper workforce Management system mainly streamlines the entire time arrangement process.
3. Streamline Onboarding
From start-ups to large MNCs, every company has realized that onboarding is much tougher than the recruitment process.
Companies with organized onboarding processes lead to employee satisfaction, less turnover, and more company productivity. Proper workforce management software accelerates the entire onboarding process more smoothly.
4. Better Employee Experience
With workforce management software, an employee can easily handle going through their daily task, scheduling meetings, tracking their own attendance and performance reports, calculating payrolls, etc.
Even they don’t have to visit the HRs for queries. The user experience of the entire workforce management software provides a satisfactory result on company business processes and output.
Moreover, it accelerates employee morale and boosts their engagement by boosting transparency across the organization.
5. Enhanced Data Security
Maintaining data security of employee documents and other important data is an essential part of workforce management. In the past, the data was kept in a secure place or within some local area network under strict surveillance.
Innovation of the workforce management software solutions enabled by cloud-based solutions ensures keeping all the data safe and secure which keeps your company running.
6. Eliminate Human Error
Maintaining the entire administrative work manually is time-consuming and increases the chance of human error. It reflects on organization mismanagement and, ultimately the productivity effects.
Integrating workforce management software with enabled, cloud-based platforms and AI/automation reduces the risk of human error, ensures data accuracy every time, and eliminates data entry mistakes using different self-service time reporting tools.
7. Easy Integration with Other Business Software
If a company already has workforce management software it can easily integrate with other digital solutions like its payroll system, invoicing, security, or more for a seamless experience.
Besides, employee recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding, this connectivity makes the other complicated administrative tasks easier by easy integration with other systems such as employee timesheet software, biometric attendance system, etc.
Let’s look at an example: When workforce management software is integrated with payroll processing software, it reduces payroll mishaps.
The audit-ready custom reports make payroll processes easier. Workforce management with enabled payment features ensures instant payment options like shift payments.
End Note
To get a robust workforce management solution that would streamline your workforce management, it is essential for you to compare the software applications avavilable in the market, taks demo of each one and keep a transparent communication with the vendors from whom you are expecting to purchase or subscribe the software. It is essential to keep up with your requirements and expectations on the software to the vendor clearly so that they can help you with the customization.
Also, make a budget plan before getting the best workforce management tools for your organization to ensure no over spents are done on the application purchase and no essential resources are wasted in the process.
