Timesheet Mobile Maximizes Collaboration And Productivity With Its Workforce Management Solution

Listen to this article

Timesheet Mobile is already well-known and extensively used by businesses around the world for its GPS-enabled time tracking and scheduling solutions. In August this year, Timesheet Mobile launched Project+, a feature that provides greater project and workforce management. To learn more about the new solution and the company’s plans, we interviewed Bob Drainville, President of Timesheet Mobile:

Q: Bob, could you provide our readers with a brief introduction to Timesheet Mobile?

A: Timesheet Mobile provides solutions that help businesses better manage their mobile workforce – particularly for employees who work across different locations or job sites. Using geofencing technology, businesses can create a “virtual boundary” so that workers are reminded to punch in and out of a shift when they are within the designated area. We also have a scheduling feature, which makes it easy for both employers and employees to see what shifts they have coming up. Using our solutions, we give companies the peace of mind that their worker’s hours are captured immediately and accurately, helping to manage business costs and maintain efficiency.

Q: You’ve recently launched Timesheet Mobile Project+; tell us something more?

A: The idea for Project+ stemmed from feedback we received from customers that they wanted to have a central place to better communicate, collaborate and manage tasks across multiple projects. Project+ is available on both iOS and Android devices, and part of the existing Timesheet Mobile solution. There are five main features in Project+, namely:

1. Checklists – Teams can create simple to-do lists, with employees checking them off as each is completed so that everyone is on the same page.

2. Team messaging – Rather than constant phone calls, emails or text messages in a number of different platforms, teammates can message their teams or directly communicate with each other on the app – particularly useful for last minute updates or job changes, for example.

3. Image attachments – Workers can take a photo on their mobile device and upload it within the app – again this helps to facilitate quicker communication from a job site.

4. Comprehensive search – Employees can search and favorite specific messages or projects within the app so that it’s easier to find active jobs and get the most up to date information about the project.

5. Multilingual translations – Messages can be automatically translated into Spanish, German, French to support workers whose primary language is not English.

Recommended: DevSecCon Offers Knowledge And Learning Opportunities For People Working In Development, DevOps And Security

Q: Who are the primary users of Timesheet Mobile and what are some of the key challenges you are helping them solve?

A: Anyone with a significant mobile workforce can use Timesheet Mobile. Our customers are in construction, trades (such as plumbers, electricians, home remodeling), healthcare and transportation, for example.

At the core, we’re helping businesses become more efficient in how they manage their workflows and workforce, ultimately saving them time and money. For example, many businesses are still using paper timesheets, to track hours worked from their employees, which they then need to manually upload into their bookkeeping and payroll system so that they can then process expense reports, client invoices and worker’s pay. There’s no need to be doing this anymore as our system automates the entire process and integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks and other payroll services, saving business owners hours of time each month.

Similarly, by giving businesses a central repository to manage all their conversations, task lists and details relating to multiple projects happening at once, it means that everyone is on the same page and can get the job done quicker and more effectively. There’s no need for phone calls or text messages to co-workers in the morning when a job changes at the last minute. There’s no more ambiguity on what needs to be tackled first at a job site. It’s quite simply making work easier for our customers and their staff.

Q: What trends are you seeing in the market today?

A: Because the pace of technology and business continues to move so rapidly, there are a lot of trends we’re seeing in the market today. The first big trend I’m seeing is that there’s a migration taking place from rudimentary systems to cloud-based solutions. As I mentioned earlier, many businesses are still using paper-based systems or Excel to track hours, schedules and tasks. But even for businesses just starting out, the cloud can save a lot of time and money in the long-term because all the data can be captured so easily and accurately.

The second trend I’m seeing is the need for real-time data from businesses. It’s no longer sufficient to work from information that’s a few weeks or days old. For example, employers need to know well beforehand if someone is approaching overtime pay, so that they can manage schedules and costs. SaaS-based solutions like ours are continuously monitoring labor hour thresholds, employee locations and work schedule compliance, allowing employers to get instant alerts when something is wrong.

The third trend is about the changing nature of the workforce. Many businesses have some combination of hires who are full-time employees and contractors, who may be working across different geographies and time zones. As how we work becomes more flexible and fluid, businesses need to have the right technologies and processes in place that aligns with this evolution.

Recommended: LeaderMES Helps Its Users Implement Digital Tools And Work Concepts Into Their Manufacturing Environment

Q: What are your long-term plans?

A: Since we’ve just launched Project+, in the short term we’ll be continuing to chat with our customers about the new product and how it’s helping their businesses. We prioritize customer feedback and use the insights we gather to help with our R&D efforts.

In the long term, we’re also interested in discussions with potential or current partners or customers to continue to innovate. We see a world with a thriving mobile workforce, and we’re constantly thinking of ways to create practical solutions centered around how we will work today and tomorrow.