Time And Attendance... Doesn't Stand Alone Anymore

For many years, time & attendance was a simple matter. Workers would simply enter their time cards into a time clock when they arrived at or left their place of employment. This information was used by payroll personnel to determine each worker’s pay. And that was that.

Now, however, the combination of the need for greater productivity and the availability of technology to enhance it have made time & attendance a much more desirable tool. To learn how time & attendance has changed, BSM spoke to representatives of two vendors. Scott Dunn is business unit manager for time & attendance at Northern Computers and Dick Novacek is system sales manager of Acroprint Time Recorder Company.

How Is Time & Attendance Being Used Today?

Both vendors stressed that time & attendance is no longer a stand-alone application. Scott Dunn stressed that time & attendance has become the data collection point for almost every other management system. He specifically mentioned such systems as job costing, work in process, scheduling systems, and attendance tracking for human resources. He added that, as companies become more competitive simply to survive, they increasingly require a detailed and accurate picture of their labor costs. He added that, with the availability of computer networks and with the prices of hardware coming down, even smaller companies can afford the technology.

Software Shifting From Proprietary To Open Databases

Dick Novacek commented on the shift of time & attendance software from proprietary databases to open ones through shifting from traditional DOS to Windows 95 and NT. He remarked that the hardware associated with the systems simply represents differing ways to gather information. For example, end users can choose among key pads, mag stripe readers, proximity readers and biometric applications.

How Can VARs Profit From The Changes?

Dunn urges VARs and systems integrators to sell total solutions, (i.e. to tie together all the management systems required by the client). He adds that, in order to do so effectively, VARs must thoroughly understand the various management systems and how they work together. Once the VARs and systems integrators have this knowledge, Dunn says, they need to approach end users as consultative sellers, not merely package pushers. In other words, VARs truly need to add value to their products by explaining to their customers how the various business management systems can tie together.

Training Important Service For VARs

Novacek agrees, noting that integrators and VARs must offer training to their clients. He adds that, in the past, time & attendance systems tended to be installed and virtually forgotten. However, great opportunities exist currently because, with the advent of Windows 95 and NT and newer hardware, customers often want to upgrade their systems on a regular basis. This, of course, can be a boon to resellers if they keep abreast of new products and applications.

Novacek added a final note of caution to VARs. He advises to be absolutely certain that the hardware and software they install is Year 2000-compliant. By doing so, he adds, VARs and integrators can avoid the hassles which are certain to arise in the near future.