Tuesday, 24 September 2013
How to Find the Best Time Clock Software for Your Business
Because your company is unique, you'll want to find software that is compatible with your unique needs. The features that sell another company on a time clock software package may not be the features that are right for your company, and it may take some work to find which has the best features for the needs of your business. In addition to features, there are four important considerations in selecting a time clock software:
1. What kind of trial is offered?
2. What kind of technical support is available?
3. Is the provider reputable?
4. What are the costs of the software and support?
Let's consider each:
1. Time Clock Software Trials
Free trials are a great way to get acquainted with new software. They give you an opportunity to explore the features and get a feel for the utility and ease of use of the software. This can be a great way to do side by side comparison of rival time clocks. Some companies only offer limited versions of the software to trial users. The most useful trials give you full access to the software, allowing you to explore everything it will allow you to do.
2. Time Clock Technical Support
Good technical support can spare you hours of frustration and lost time and ensure that you are getting the full benefits of the software you purchase. Because you don't want to be bogged down with technical issues, you'll want to purchase a time clock system that is backed by reliable technical support. When looking for technical support, there are several important factors to consider:
Format: What types of support are offered with the software? Common forms include email, live chat, and phone support. Having live support via chat or telephone can get you real-time solutions and ensure you get minimal frustration and maximum usefulness from your time clock software.
Hours of availability: You'll want to know when support is available and if the hours work for you and your company. If a company's live technical support is only available from nine to five in the Philippines, but you operate in the North America or Europe, the support might not be very compatible with your business.
Availability during trial period: Can you access technical support during the trial period? This access can help you determine whether the technical support is going to meet your needs and can allow you to make an informed decision on the software and support package that you purchase. The trial period is a great time to learn how easy it is to contact technical support, whether you get to talk to an actual person, how timely technical support is in responding to your communications, and how helpful the people are to you. These factors will all make a big difference when you run into questions or issues down the road.
3. Reputation of Time Clock Provider
The legitimacy of a company is important to consider in any kind of purchase. While the internet allows you to compare thousands of options before making a transaction, the ability to purchase remotely comes with certain risks. Among these is the difficulty of distinguishing reputable companies from pop-up companies or scammers.
One determinant of credibility is the length of time a company has been in business. If the company has been around for years, it is likely to be a legitimate company. It is also more likely to have reviews from external sources that support (or detract from) its claims, and these can help you to make an educated buying decision. A company that has sustained success over a long period of time is likely to have the skills and infrastructure to remain a viable company in the future. This means they're more likely to be there to support you and stand behind the time clock software you purchase.
External software reviews come in various forms, ranging from customer reviews to professional reviews. Customer reviews can be found on company websites, personal blogs, and throughout social media. These can give you an indication of the satisfaction of current or past customers with the company, its products, and the customer service it provides. Professional reviews can be found on industry websites or professional review websites. These often review multiple products or services in the same category and can help you compare one company or product to another. Such reviews are a great way to compare time clock features and support plans side by side and determine which software package is best equipped to meet the needs of your business.
4. Time Clock Software and Support Costs
When it all boils down, costs can largely determine which time clock program will meet the needs of your business. You'll need to consider how much you are willing to pay for a time clock software package. The nature, structure, and size of your business will determine the savings you can expect by purchasing an electronic time clock, and this can help you decide on a price that is right for you.
Comparing prices of similar time clocks can help you get a feel for the range of reasonable prices. You should also consider the payment method and structure. Will the purchase require monthly or yearly payments or a one-time fee? Will you be charged per number of computers or number of users? Are there additional fees?
One additional fee that's important to consider is technical support. Support is often available on a per-incident basis, but it can be much less expensive in the long run to have a support plan that will cover all of your needs. You will want to ensure that you have access to good tech support, so you'll want to know what it costs and what the support plan includes.
When you know what features you're looking for and what you are willing to pay, download a free time clock software trial and find out how well the software and technical support will work for your business.
Jonathan McGarry is a marketing and communications specialist for Hawkeye Technology Inc., creator of TimeClick Time Clock Software. TimeClick helps thousands of businesses streamline their payroll process by keeping track of employee hours.
Sunday, 22 September 2013
5 Advantages of Using a Payroll Service
Processing payroll can be a complex and time-consuming task for any small business. The different payroll functions include determining the employee wages, withholding taxes, updating sick and vacation pay and deducting different staff-contributed payments for the benefits.
Mistakes in preparing the payroll can have a negative effect on the business and it is important to make sure that the job is performed accurately. Many businesses choose to outsource this service for a number of good reasons.
- It is cost effective
The cost of hiring the payroll service is quite affordable and you can spend about half of what it would cost to do the job in-house. Paying a salary to a full time payroll manager will translate to more money in the long run. This means that the service is cost effective and you can free your employees to focus on other important functions of the business.
- It is convenient
When you use the outside service, you can benefit from the convenience that allows you to arrange the work with a simple phone call. By simply contacting the firm and giving them details of the salary amounts, hours, deductions and any other necessary information, the firm will process the checks conveniently. You can even update any staff payroll information on the firm's website.
- Enhanced accuracy
The professional services are experienced at their job and you can be guaranteed of accuracy. With the increase in competition, the payroll firms know that they have to provide excellent services in order to maintain your business. The service providers also ensure that they stay up to date with any laws relating to taxes and employee payroll.
- Increased functionality
Many of the payroll companies offer a wide range of additional services such as handling employee retirement plans and providing direct deposits. You can also get functions like provision of management reports. Some will also help in the preparation of W-2 forms; they calculate employee tax obligations and perform other services that the client may need.
- Ensure compliance
The payroll functions include a range of laws and regulations and when you hire the professional service, you can be sure of staying compliant. The firms can help to save you legal fees that accrue when laws are broken. When you use professionals who understand the legal issues, you can have peace of mind from knowing your business is in good hands.
When looking for a payroll company, it is a good idea to carry out research and get recommendations so that you can get the best service.
We provide the best info about payroll services UK. For further details please visit the provided link.
3 Reasons Why You Should Use Managed Payroll Services
Payroll is a very important function in any business and it is usually the most sensitive and time-consuming task of the HR department. The process involves maintaining the collective financial records of the employees in a company.
For any small business owner, the payroll process can be a thankless job that never ends for as soon as you complete the process, it is time to do it again. When something goes wrong during payroll preparation, it can lead to legal issues. There are good reasons to consider using a third party to provide the service.
Avoid the headaches
For a small business owner who is working with a limited budget and resources, managing the payroll can be a real headache. It can be quite expensive to manage the process internally when you think of the high cost of hiring qualified staff. For any small business that is probably working with a limited number of employees, freeing someone to carry out that task can have a negative effect on the business.
Some business owners try to do the job themselves but this can be very difficult if you have several employees. The process can also take up all of your time affecting other areas of the business.
Disgruntled employees
The easiest way to affect productivity negatively is by having angry employees. If you try to administer the payroll function yourself, it can result in errors such as failing to include overtime earnings or someone's holiday pay.
Having dissatisfied workers will affect your business and you need to make sure that you avoid the errors. Sometimes, the issues can be caused by misunderstandings and hiring professional services can help to ensure that this does not happen.
Changing wage laws
One of the best reasons to get managed payroll services is to avoid legal problems or penalties that occur when you fail to comply with the employment and wage laws. The outsourcing services will make direct tax deposits to make sure that this is performed on time.
The reporting and filing for tax returns service provided will help to ensure that you do not have to worry if you are not aware of the latest changes. The service providers make sure that they stay informed to ensure compliance.
There are many companies that provide payroll service and they play an important role in providing small business solutions. You will not have to worry about delays in paying your employees or dealing with complaints about errors.
We provide the best info about managed payroll services. For further details please visit the provided link.
Friday, 20 September 2013
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