Workforce software can help the human resources department of any business handle the day to day management of payroll, time sheets, employee insurance information, employee files, and other data that needs to be organized. Many workforce management solutions exist, but the most common type is workforce management software. These programs allow HR professionals to organize data into one system for easy access and management.

Most workforce management systems are easy to use. But to be sure your employees get the most out of the program, provide training. Through the software manufacturer, companies can find workforce management software education and training options that include:

1. On-site training for a customized approach.

2. Online courses that teach the basics of any workforce management solution.

3. Tutorials for a self-guided approach to learning workforce systems.

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

Learn to use personnel management software with on-site training options

On-site training for personnel management software gives employees the one-on-one attention they need to learn the features and functions of the software. On-site training can also be customized for your company's particular needs so that employees can train on examples that mimic real data.

I recommend: WorkForce Software offers on-site training opportunities for those who use its workforce software solutions. Infor offers on-site and online training resources for all its titles, including its workforce management software.

Find online training classes that can teach you to use workforce manager software

For convenient way to teach employees how to use workforce manager software, look for companies that offer online courses and other online training opportunities. While online courses are not as customized, they are still convenient. Employees can review the material at any time and refer to their course materials at a later date.

I recommend: Kronos offers online, instructor-led training through its virtual classroom. IEmployee offers many online training options, including data sheets, case studies and weekly webcasts to learn more about using its management software in your HR department.

Get tutorials that teach employees how to use staff management software

To teach employees how to use different types of staff management software, you can also provide them with tutorials. These tutorials are often offered free from the software company and can provide much of the same training you get through on-site or online courses. Tutorials can also be integrated into an in-house training program.

I recommend: ClickSoftware provides a tutorial that guides users through its workforce management software for service organizations. CyberShift offers a unique approach to training by combining hands-on activities with supplemental tutorials and support to train employees on its Workforce Management 3G program.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Employee workforce management software usually comes with a user guide that can help answer questions after the initial training is over.

Modern business methods and processes seem to grow in complexity every day, and employee management is no exception. That's why it's vitally important for every company to have an effective workforce management solution in place to keep its operation running smoothly.

A wide variety of workforce management systems are available to help the small business owner or manager effectively carry out the company's mandate. The workforce management tool that will work best for your company depends on the nature of the company, the number of staff members it employs, your management style and your chosen business strategy.

The following are some business operations that can be efficiently addressed by the appropriate workforce optimization software:

1. HR management and performance appraisals

2. Time and attendance tracking

3. Payroll and benefits administration

4. Project management and planning

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

Learn as much as you can about workforce management systems and how they can help your company

Webinars and webcasts can help you better understand the concept of employee workforce management and the different types of workforce management solutions available. Information from various websites can help guide you in evaluating and choosing a workforce management tool that will address your company's needs.

I recommend: Workforce Software offers a webinar and TechRepublic, a webcast, that can help you better understand some of the trends and myths in employee workforce management. Multichannel Merchant also offers 9 Tips for Evaluating Workforce Management Systems.

Use product-comparison websites to compare employee management software options

Certain websites have taken the work out of searching for workforce management software by compiling all the information you need for comparing the various available products all in one convenient place. These sites generally offer descriptions of similar workforce software products, links to vendor websites and offer demos and other helpful information.

I recommend: Capterra not only allows you to compare various employee management software products, but it also lets you request information from multiple vendors at the same time. Bitpipe.com also provides comparative descriptions of various workforce management solutions.

Visit the websites of various workforce management software providers for further information

Workforce manager software vendors offer a variety of products for handling many different types of company operations. Be sure to visit as many as possible for the in-depth information that the comparative websites can't provide, due to space limitations.

I recommend: Portage Communications, Kronos, IEX and GMT all offer a number of different workforce optimization software products.

Check out web-based personnel management software services for greater convenience

Web-based personnel management software is one product you won't want to overlook when looking for web-based software. Online applications, also called On-Demand or SaaS (Software as a Service), provide many features not available with system- or network-based applications. Both WFM software and data are stored online, relieving you of the responsibility for maintenance, upgrading, updating, troubleshooting and backup functions.

I recommend: Valiant, iEmployee and Halogen provide web-hosted workforce scheduling software, along with various other kinds of online workforce management solutions.

Consider vendors that offer both network- and web-based staff management software for more options

If you aren't certain whether you want WFM software that's administered through your own company network or prefer a hosted online workforce management solution, you may want to go with a company that provides both.

I recommend: Workforce Software offers a fully integrated suite of EmpCenter modules to address various company needs, complete with the option of choosing the network- or web-based version.

Think about going wireless with mobile workforce management software if you're always on the go

Wireless, web-based mobile solutions allow you to handle employee workforce management while in the field, providing greater convenience than location-based systems.

I recommend: Gearworks offers mobile workforce management systems that make your travels easier and less stressful.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take your time choosing your WFM software. View demos, take tours and use free trials. With so many options, you won't want to rush your decision.

Like every other occupation today, work force management has become high tech. With state-of-the-art software that is available, businesses can streamline the HR operations that used to be costly and tedious, and provide improved service to their employees at the same time. The rapidly changing field of work force management has many companies outsourcing functions that used to be handled in-house by trained HR staff. Learn more about the work force management software that could significantly lower your operating costs when you understand the following key terms.

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

Performance appraisals

As professional judgments about the quantity and quality of an individual's work, performance appraisals are strongly rooted tools in human resources management.

I recommend: Archer North's discussion of performance appraisals that today's work force management software provides sets them in historical context, explaining how these judgments are almost inevitable byproducts of human thinking. Find out how software can help you use performance appraisals.

Time and attendance management services

Also known as time tracking or attendance tracking, time and attendance management services refers to the methods companies use to maintain integrity in their payroll systems. Employees who realize that managers are keeping track of the time they are actually on the job tend to become more accountable.

I recommend: Pay Serv Systems explains what a Web-based time and attendance management service is, how it helps a company collect and manage employee time and how it interfaces with other HR programs.

Activity-based costing

A relatively new concept in human resources management, activity-based costing attempts to quantify workers' activities in real dollars, allowing companies to more accurately assess labor cost.

I recommend: Accounting Coach explains how activity-based costing is used when a company wants to attach a dollar value to the activities its workers engage in as they manufacture products. You'll also learn why manufacturers of work force software are adding this feature to their programs.

Outsourcing

When companies engage in outsourcing of human resources functions they are contracting with third parties to assist in hiring, termination and payroll management.

I recommend: Sourcing Mag explains how the outsourcing model is helping businesses in diverse industries. Find out what outsourcing means for HR functions, finance and even insurance-claims processing. You'll also get a peek at some of the fundamental stages of outsourcing.

Payroll and benefits administration

Recording employees' hours, tracking their attendance, enrolling them in company benefits and responding to their questions are the most common tasks related to payroll and benefits administration.

I recommend: HR Xcel explains what's involved in a comprehensive benefits administration service.

Mobile work force management systems

With more and more professionals conducting business outside of the office, mobile work force management systems have become popular. HR managers can pursue more professional development activities without neglecting the needs of their staff.

I recommend: Cisco discusses how mobile work force management systems operate within the context of utility and energy companies.