For employees with a set task list, or those who are paid by the hour, as opposed to a fixed income – some kind of ticketing system, time sheet, or punch-in, punch-out system is ideal to track work and productivity. If work is based on mileage – private truckers, cab drivers and so on, there still needs to be some sort of tracking system. Here are a few popular systems over the years.
Punch Clock
The punch clock, also known as a time clock has been around since the early 1900s in one form or another. Early models were fairly basic, punching or stamping a physical card in accordance with the time on an analog clock, and later digital.
More modern time clocks use a key card or key tag to track when employees enter or leave the office. Further advancements brought in biometrics, using a fingerprint, facial recognition or eye scan. This is more reliable, as employees can’t punch a friend’s card.
Timesheets
Sometimes still hand-written by each employee, but more often computerised, time sheets are used to track working hours as well as time spent on particular tasks. They were initially implemented, and are often still used, to keep an accurate record of hours to be sent to payroll for processing. Computerised time sheets can be put through a payroll system automatically, eliminating a significant amount of manual calculation.
Helpdesk and Ticketing Systems
Programs like Sysaid are often used by I.T. companies. It’s an efficient way for employees throughout a company to report issues to technicians. Reported issues are prioritised by time, or can be marked as urgent, so they can be worked through systematically. It allows technicians and their employers to monitor recurring issues and attend to problems quickly and efficiently.
Some issues with this type of system may be multiple users reporting the same issue, as well as the time it takes to fill out reports before a ticket can be closed.
CMMS Software
This type of maintenance software is similar to helpdesk software, but designed specifically around maintenance and having everything in one easily accessible location. With desktop and mobile versions, it facilitates assigning and completing work orders, reporting problems and a means of accessing asset information while attending a problem (manuals etc.). It also incorporates parts ordering and is designed around multiple locations.
Meters
While sometimes used in delivery vehicles to calculate cost per kilometer, meters are more common in taxi cabs. Different companies operate on different fees. Some charge by time, so whether you’re racing down the freeway or stuck in traffic, you’re paying to be there. Most, however, are connected to the car’s odometer and will charge by distance.
Management applications and systems can make a business far more time and cost efficient. They eliminate the need for a lot of manual input and calculation and in many cases allow access anytime, anywhere, without the need to be in a set location or at a specific computer.
