Work Force Management Software Key Terms

Get acquainted with the most common work force management software key terms

By Michele Vrouvas

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.

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