Managing labor costs is one of the most daunting tasks of running a business, especially for many startup owners. Using automated timesheets can save time and money. From tracking and paying employee time to dealing with ever-changing labor laws, automated timesheets to track employee hours can be a big help.

This article will discuss the benefits that come from automating your timesheets and how small businesses can get started with automated timesheets. We’ll explore some of the factors to consider for those who want to automate their time-tracking processes. 

By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of why automating timesheets is such a great idea for small businesses. Let’s dive in!

Automate Your Timesheets to Save Time and Money

Automated timesheets can be a great tool to help small business owners save time and money. By tracking employee time spent on tasks, automated timesheets can give detailed insight into how efficiently they are working. This can be helpful when dealing with hourly employees or seasonal staff. It eliminates the need for manual time tracking.

Automated timesheets can also help with payroll management. Instead of manually entering employee hours and calculating paychecks each month, an automated timesheet system can turn payroll into a smooth and programmed monthly payment system. This not only reduces the amount of time needed to process payroll but also keeps the process standardized for consistency across all employees.

Automated timesheets also help businesses save time and money on clerical work such as filing records and generating reports. With an automated system, business owners no longer have to spend time gathering employee information or manually entering data. All of these tasks can now be taken care of swiftly and accurately with just a few clicks.

Below are some of the most notable ways in which automated timesheets can benefit startup companies:

1. Reduce Errors and Improve Accuracy with Online Timesheet Software

Small business owners can reduce errors and improve accuracy with online timesheet software. Implementing a time-tracking system can help prevent errors and keep data accurate, compared to when it’s being tracked manually. This is because automated systems are less prone to human error, which can lead to inaccurate timesheets and payroll calculations.

According to a survey conducted among small business owners, 44% of them struggle with timesheet errors that cause them major headaches. Automated time tracking systems can help reduce the chances of errors happening and also provide the bonus of simplifying the payroll process.

Online timesheet software makes it easy for small business owners to:

• Easily track employee hours worked;
• Generate customized reports quickly;
• Reduce human error when inputting data;
• Automatically calculate overtime correctly; and
• Utilize GPS geofencing for location-based time tracking.

2. Get Real-Time Visibility into Employee Hours and Projects

The benefit of automated timesheets that can’t be emphasized enough is their ability to provide real-time visibility into employee hours and projects. As a small business owner, you need to be able to understand how much time each employee has spent on different tasks and projects so that you can make informed decisions.

With automated timesheets, you have access to detailed data in real-time, which can help you make decisions quickly and accurately. You can:

• Get an accurate picture of your employees’ performance
• Easily identify areas where employees are overworking, and areas where they may need more support
• Identify any discrepancies or inefficiencies in the way your team is working
• Track progress on different projects more effectively
• Quickly identify any areas where extra resources are needed or where tasks may be delayed.

Using timesheet software also helps you track the amount of time employees spend on certain tasks. This information can then be used to implement strategies to optimize workflow and maximize efficiency, benefiting both your business’s bottom line and your team’s morale.

3. Streamline Billing and Invoicing With an Integrated Time Entry System

Small businesses that employ part-time help need to manage complex billing and invoicing systems. With an automated time entry system, such tedious tasks can be made much simpler and more cost-effective.

An automated billing system streamlines the entire process, from invoice creation to issuing refunds. A time management system also reduces manual errors that can lead to missed payments. This makes it easier to track the overall performance of a business.

By automating the process of billing and invoicing, businesses no longer need to worry about managing their books for  shift employees. They won’t have to worry about who is completing what tasks or projects. With an integrated time clock and bookkeeping solution, tasks are handled accordingly without requiring additional manual effort.

4. Cut Down on Time Theft and Improve Productivity

Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to employee time theft, which can cost companies thousands of dollars each year. Automated timesheets and attendance tracking systems can help companies monitor employee productivity and reduce time theft.

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are one of the ways business owners can use them to monitor performance and alert employers if any anomalies occur. AI technology can also be used to customize individual employee schedules. This helps to reduce wasted work time and improve efficiency.

For example, with an automated timesheet system, small business owners can create and customize work schedules for each employee in a matter of moments. Employees get the flexibility to choose shifts according to their availability, while business owners have the benefit of accurate tracking without having to worry about employees entering false information.

Plus, automated timesheets save small businesses both time and money, since they require minimal manual intervention or oversight. With automated timesheets, small business owners can manage their employees’ attendance effortlessly and focus on managing their business instead.

Factors in Choosing the Right Automated Timesheets for Your Business

When it comes to choosing the right automated timesheet for your business, there are several factors you should consider.

Cost

Many time tracking software offers free plans for small businesses with basic features, while more comprehensive products will cost you money. You should look at different products and compare them to find the one that best meets your needs and budget.

Features

Different software offers different features such as GPS tracking, payroll integration, or time tracking on phones. Take a look at what features they provide and decide which ones you really need.

Customization

An automated timesheet should be able to be customized to fit the existing business process. Do some research to see if a particular system can accommodate your specific requirements.

Validation

Automated timesheets can save time compared to paper-based systems, but it’s essential to make sure the data is accurate and valid before using it in reports or calculations. Check that the software has some form of validation before buying it.

Automated Time Entry Systems for Tracking Billable Hours

Small business owners who handle part-time employees know how hard it can be to accurately track billable hours. Thankfully, automated time-tracking software is here to help. Automated time tracking eliminates the need to record how long tasks take manually.

The software works in the background, capturing the amount of time spent on a task and automatically entering it into the system, removing the need for manual input and ensuring accuracy. This can significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to record billable hours, saving small business owners valuable time and money.

Another great thing about automated time tracking tools is that they are incredibly easy to use, the user just needs to choose their task and hit start. The software then does all the work in the background, recording the exact amount of time spent on each task.

This makes it easy for business owners or managers to quickly reference how long tasks took in order to instantly provide clients with accurate invoices or pay employees accordingly.

Overall, automated time-tracking tools make it easier for small business owners to track employee hours more accurately and efficiently than ever before, saving them both time and money in the process.

Cost Savings from an Automated Time and Attendance System

Business owners should consider the savings that can be realized with an automated time and attendance system. Companies can save a favorable amount of their annual payroll expenses by implementing an automated system. Additionally, the cost of processing payroll can be reduced by up to 80%, giving a tremendous boost in cost savings for businesses.

Since an automated timesheet eliminates manual labor and data entry, companies no longer need to worry about errors or miscalculations in their payroll system. This also helps business owners save time and money dealing with payroll complications that often arise due to human error or outdated systems.

Therefore, an automated time and attendance system is a great way to increase the efficiency of operations significantly while still retaining accurate records of employee hours worked. This ultimately saves companies from costly errors and fees associated with incorrect pay calculations or late payments, resulting in tremendous cost savings for small businesses.

Conclusion

Automated timesheets are the answer if you own a small business and struggle to manage time and costs. This time-saving technology undoubtedly offers immense value and convenience for companies that handle hourly employees. It provides easy access to employee hours, streamlines the time management process, and accurately and quickly tracks billable hours. 

With an automated time entry system, you can save time, money, and energy, and ensure that you are using your resources efficiently. Investing in the right online timesheet software is the best way to improve your business’s bottom line.

HR Future Staff Writer