Four reasons for mobile time tracking

In times of crisis, like today, the enthusiasm for mobile time tracking extends to nearly every sector, not just those with teams already on the move at construction sites, object surveillance, or in Facility Management. The demand comes from sectors that send their employees to remote work for health protection reasons. Here, we explore why mobile workforce management through smartphones or tablets ideally supports the post-COVID world of work.

Time-saving with mobile workforce management

Digital time tracking through a human resources management application saves time, not only for employees but also for HR and management. Of course, the application should be user-friendly for all user groups, including those not digitally inclined. Mobile teams, such as those in road construction, building, or civil engineering, can record their team's working hours with a single smartphone or tablet tap and allocate them to cost centers or construction projects. Time corrections, whether done by employees themselves or their supervisors, are just as straightforward.

Practical example: "Mobile City"

The mobile workforce management of the city of Würzburg is a testament to efficiency and enthusiasm. For around 250 employees who change their workplaces, such as the public works department or city cleaning service, daily time tracking, group reservations, and allocations are now standard through smartphones. Another positive side effect: the simple mobile application served the city well during the initial phase of the refugee crisis in emergency offices.

Maintaining oversight

Beyond time efficiency, employee time tracking is a compelling argument, especially in the era of remote work and telecommuting. Entrepreneurs can, for example, see how much time has already been devoted to a project and where the calculation deviates from reality. Whether it's field service, office work, or a single project, site supervisors and facility managers have real-time insights into their employees' start and end times, as well as breaks. Overtime is also displayed in real time on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. Absence requests, such as leave or sickness, can also be made via the mobile application and are visible in real time to site supervisors.

Practical example: "uncompromising service"

The full-service building provider TEREG, for instance, digitally manages the working hours of its approximately 1,700 employees. Time tracking isn't done on paper but, depending on the situation, by phone, on a PC, or on the go via a smartphone. Employees can check their time accounts, request absences, or make time corrections through self-services. Tracking work hours on individual objects is also easily manageable. An interface automatically transfers evaluated work hours to SAP Payroll.

Flexibility in responding

While a digital time tracking and management system frees employees from their workplace, it still doesn't offer the desired flexibility in work time planning. For that, personnel planning software is needed, ideally taking into account data from the time management system and mobile teams' work time preferences. A scheduling proposal based on defined rules, such as the automated scheduling Plan de service, incorporates presences and absences, work time accounts, individual work time models, automatically including work schedules, breaks, and employee preferences. It ensures compliance with laws, tariffs, and company regulations. Thanks to self-services or the mobile application, available work time offers or teams can be selected with a simple click even before planning. If employees have a last-minute change, they can use the "team exchange market," even from their couch.

Motivating employees

Generation Z is considered the first generation of digital natives, and Generation Y now uses smartphones, tablets, and more in all areas of life. The expectations that young workers have for their personal lives also apply to their professional lives. Disappointment arises when a trip can be booked online in minutes, but a leave request takes days to arrive in internal mail.
A leave request via an application or self-service significantly reduces this reaction time. Supervisors immediately receive the request via email, and approval is granted within minutes, all without paperwork or cumbersome forms. In their dashboard, the requester has real-time visibility into current time balances, leaves, and planned or requested vacations. This not only provides transparency for supervisors but also satisfaction for employees.

Practical example: "supporting expansion"

The diversified Zech SE group uses workforce management software for around 7,000 employees. The ATOSS Staff Efficiency Suite meets all the expanding group's requirements for time management and human resources planning. Supervisors and employees benefit from self-services, like request management, time tracking, and time corrections, either via mobile application or web. Teams at construction sites use the mobile application, including cost center tracking. Management appreciates the increased transparency around work hours and relevant analyses.