Like many other industries, construction has experienced enormous changes with the introduction of the internet and computers. Just twenty years ago, most of the operative processes were done by hand, using pen and paper. But today, professionals working in this industry have to be software-savvy to remain relevant.
Among numerous things that have changed in the last 25 years, the process of time tracking was completely transformed. Despite having fantastic construction time tracking software at their disposal, some businesses still live in the past, preferring a backward punch card system.
The time tracking tools serve several purposes. They’re not only vital for measuring employees’ input, but they also assist us in preventing legal issues. In this article, we’ll talk about the history of time tracking in construction and all the innovations that came with modern tech.
A Brief History Lesson
You’d be shocked to learn that the first attendance systems were used in Ancient Egypt some 3,000 years ago. According to hieroglyphs, their government used time tracking to check if employees were missing and how much rations they should allocate.
However, we had to wait until the 1880s for the invention of a more modern system. Old factories would use punch cards to track when people came to work and when they left. Another 100 years after that, and we now have smart cards and electronic systems to monitor attendance.
Unfortunately, even with smart cards, we didn’t solve some of the basic issues. Employees still used the buddy system to punch in and out, effectively tricking their employers. With the new time tracking software, all of this is a thing of the past.
Modern programs rely on cloud technology and GPS to monitor each person on the site. Employees now use smartphones to instantly check in and out of the site. All the data is sent to a unique system that calculates attendance and paychecks in an instant.
Managing Workforce on the Site
With time attendance software, we solve some of the basic questions related to our employees. The technology reliably shows us when a person reaches a site and determines how long a person is in a certain area. Managers use this software to see if a worker is on a specific task and how they move during the day.
While some people think this type of tracking is unethical, as it interferes with workers’ privacy, experts agree this is the best way to increase efficiency. Time tracking doesn’t only monitor attendance; it shows us how employees spend their days. By using this data, management can improve daily processes and focus on tasks that have a higher impact on revenues.
Modern time tracking technology is much more complex than some people might think. It relies on mobile apps, time stamps, GPS geofencing, and ID confirmation. The best thing yet is that some of the programs don’t even require internet, which makes them ideal for remote construction sites with no connectivity.
Benefits of Time Tracking
There are lots of reasons why you should introduce time tracking software, including:
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Better Resource Allocation
Time tracking software allows management to significantly improve their performance. By having the right information at your disposal, you perform full-scale forecasts showing you how many work hours you’d need to complete a project. Among others, this information is vital for budgeting.
Time tracking software tells you when the project could be finished allowing you to hire additional workers if you’re behind the schedule. In that sense, these programs are not only important for your business but also for keeping stakeholders happy.
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Enhanced Site Security
The construction business has always been notorious for its large number of safety risks. Having a specialized labor force does help, but even that cannot guarantee that you’ll avoid accidents on the site.
With time tracking software, foremen can see if the employees are performing tasks they’re supposed to do. This way, you prevent unauthorized access and involvement of an unspecialized labor force on skill-reliant operations. Time tracking software gives you a breakdown of each employee’s training and past experience, making it crucial for worker allocation.
If someone’s OSHA is close to expiring, a foreman can alert the worker that it’s time to renew their certificates. This helps prevent potential lawsuits.
We also have to mention incident reporting features. For example, before employees finish their shift, you can tell them to fill out incident-related information. That way, if they select the options “I wasn’t hurt at the job site,” they can’t file a claim later on.
These safety reports help managers understand potential threats, helping them increase the overall safety at the construction yard. If many workers are encountering the same problem, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to stop work for a few hours to provide additional training and implement other measures that would prevent mishaps.
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Improved Compliance
Time tracking software is critical for compliance. It ensures you’re working according to the current union agreements and labor regulations. Employers use the software to track overtime, work hours, sick leaves, meal breaks, and other work-related aspects. That way, you can rest assured you’re complying with the current federal statutes.
The software stores all the data in the cloud, providing detailed records to regulatory bodies. Instead of going through your paper documents, something companies did back in the day, now you have all relevant information on your phone.
Time Tracking for Your Business
No matter how much you try, analog systems can never beat digital solutions. With time tracking software, you automate annoying daily processes and ensure there’s nothing amiss. Given that all documents are stored on the cloud, in a digital form, you can easily retrieve them at a moment’s notice.
Easy access is vital not only for your current processes but also for future ones. Use this data to make financial and operative forecasts, enhancing efficiency in the field. Technology is as vital for employees as it is for companies. It increases overall safety on the site by preventing workers from entering dangerous zones.
