Alternative benefits software is an excellent way to keep track of benefits, maintain records and keep employees informed about the latest offerings. There are a number of alternative benefits software applications including payroll, scheduling and statistical tracking. Alternative benefit management can be a little tricky because there may be no set formula for evaluation as with traditional benefits. This is where software can help.

If you have an alternative benefit plan, there is most likely a software program that will help you manage it better. Once you know which alternative benefits software apps you need, you’ll want to find the best alternative benefit solutions. Using the right alternative benefits software, you’ll be able to:

1. Track and maintain alternative employee benefits more accurately.
2. Evaluate alternate benefit solutions more effectively.
3. Put alternative benefit systems into place that can be measured consistently.
4. Map out strategies for a long-term alternate benefit plan.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Explore software companies and products that offer alternative benefits software

There are plenty of alternative benefits software programs. Your goal is to find the ones that best suit your needs and that best match the alternative employee benefits you offer. You may want to begin by keeping your search narrow and then branching out into broader alternative benefit program offerings.

I recommend: Companies such as Benefit Software, DATAIR and FlexAccounts provide alternate benefit solutions including alternative benefit management software, alternative benefits compensation calculation programs and flex benefits software. Websites such as BenefitsLink.com provide lists of various software products and their providers.

Turn to professionals who can guide you in choosing alternative benefit systems

Turn to professional alternative benefit administrators for guidance in helping you choose the right alternative benefits software solutions.

I recommend: Membership organizations such as the National Association of Alternative Benefit Consultants and the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) can point you toward professionals and resources that can answer your questions.

Get employee input when seeking to change or implement alternative benefit solutions

If you're going to use alternative benefits software, it's a good idea to get feedback from your staffers; if they don't like the program, they won't be motivated to use it.

I recommend: Groups such as the Society for Human Resource Management can provide guidance on employee surveys, as can the National Business Research Institute. Also helpful may be HR-Survey.com and Profile Strategies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask for testimonials. Find out what experiences other companies have had with the alternative benefits software you're considering and find out whether the software company offers support, training free upgrades, etc.
• •  Buy only what you need; avoid unnecessary bells and whistles that will only make the software more complicated than it needs to be. As long as you can upgrade and add on, you don't need to buy everything at once.
• •  Make sure the employees understand how to use the software; don't just install it and expect everyone to train themselves. Even the simplest software requires some training and has a learning curve.