5 Tips for Choosing Workforce Management Software

When you run your own company, you need operations to be as efficient as possible. After all, time is money. A large part of running your business is likely managing your workforce. Luckily, there are a plethora of software applications to help you do so quickly and efficiently. The hard part is choosing the right employee management system. Check out these tips for ensuring you choose the right one for your business.

1. Find One That Helps You Save Time and Money

The key to finding the right workforce management software is ensuring it’s going to save you time and money. If the application doesn’t have all the features you need, you’ll probably find yourself spending more money to purchase additional programs. On the other hand, if the software you choose has too many features without enough support to help you learn how to use it, you’ll be wasting money in the form of time. Look for an application that has the right combination of features, help desk support, knowledgebase articles, and easy-to-follow tutorials to help you truly manage your teams and businesses.

2. Ask Your Staff Members What They Need

Getting the most out of your investment means ensuring it works as well for your staff members as it does for you. Talk to your team about the programs you’re considering from the very beginning. This gives them time to learn more about the software on their own, bring up any issues they see that might hinder their performance, and provide you with feedback about which application they think is best for the company. Remember, an excellent workforce management application isn’t just for making your life easier. Ideally, it also helps you to improve employee morale by creating better communication methods and ensuring they have a voice within the company.

3. Check That Your Company’s Data Will Be Secure

Security should be at the top of your list when it comes to determining which features your company needs the most. The application you choose to help you manage your employees should require two-factor authentication measures to make it harder for cyber criminals to hack into your company’s information. In addition, the company’s data centers should pass an SSAE 16 SOC 1 audit, and the software itself must ensure confidentiality, maintain security, and have strong safety measures in place.

4. Consider Whether the Software Grows With Your Company

Think about your company’s future. Will the software you’re considering still fit a year from now? What about five years from now? You need software that grows (or contracts, if needed) with your company. Maybe you have 10 employees right now, but expect to have 20 a year from now. Will the software easily accommodate the new data? Hopefully, your business grows, but what happens if the opposite happens? Maybe you took on too much too quickly and need to scale back for a big. Can you remove features from the software and pay a lower monthly fee? If not, you might want to find one that scales to your business more easily.

5. Ensure It Has the Right Features

Finally, you need to ensure the employee management software you choose has all the features you need. Perhaps one of the most important ones is its ability to process payroll quickly and accurately. The software should not only free up some of your time but also reduce human error and create a more satisfactory experience for your employees. You should also be able to track compliance and risk features, such as payroll taxes and other IRS needs. An excellent employee management software will also help you onboard new employees, work toward retaining current employees, communicate with them more effectively, and easily track their hours and performance within the company.

Be sure to ask the right questions when determining if a software is right for your company. Ask other users why they chose this particular program, how hard it was to implement the software, and whether they’d choose it again if they could do it ever. Compare several options before making a decision to ensure you truly have enough knowledge on the subject first.