Choosing the right workforce management software for your organization can be quite tricky. There are many providers and therefore many options. What do you need and what don't you need? In this blog, we give you some important points to consider when selecting the right software.
The functionality of the software is, of course, one of the most important considerations. It is important to consider what features you need and whether they are available in the software you are considering. Consider features such as employee scheduling, timekeeping and leave registration. Also see if the software can be easily integrated or combined with other systems you use.
As an extension of current or existing functionality, it is also good to know what the vendor's vision is. Where do the future needs of users lie? What are the relevant trends and developments? How will the supplier respond to these?
Perhaps an open door, but it is important that the software be easy to use. This largely determines the success of the software. Employees should be able to get started easily and quickly, and there should be an intuitive interface. It is also important that the software is accessible and can be used on a variety of devices.
The overall look of the software, possibly combined with an app for employees, is also becoming increasingly important. The younger target group in particular wants to work with sleek-looking products. Apps or software with a dated look quickly look unattractive.
Good workforce management software must be reliable and stable. The software should always work properly and not cause crashes or failures. In addition, the software should be updated regularly to fix any problems and keep adding new functionality. Therefore, ask the intended vendor for facts and figures about the availability and stability of the platform.
Security and privacy are important when using software. The software must be secure and ensure that employee data does not fall into the wrong hands. So make sure the software meets the required security and privacy regulations. Independent labels or standards can be useful to quickly assess this. Consider ISO 27001 or other information security labels.
Finally, it is important to look at how the vendor handles implementations and user support. Implementing workforce management software is not a simple job. It requires a lot of attention to existing business processes and your organization is really going to work in a different way. Training and involving employees (key users) is also an important part of this. Therefore, ask the supplier about the approach to implementations and recent experiences with similar projects.
Good user support is also very important. If there are problems or questions, they should be resolved quickly. Does the target vendor have an (in-house) service desk? When are they available? Can you call them, or just email them? If as an organization you want to focus on your own core business, it is important that employees have somewhere to turn with their questions and that they are helped quickly.
While the above individual points are very important, perhaps most important is to choose a vendor and software that has the best fit with your organization. Does the vendor have knowledge and experience in your industry? Where are the most important needs? What are main and secondary issues? Where are the bottlenecks? What do the employees want?
A good supplier brings a lot of knowledge and experience and has a strong advisory role in the entire process. It's really about a partnership with mutual commitment. That is the basis for achieving the desired results.
In short, there are a number of important things to consider when purchasing workforce management software. Make sure the software meets the features you need, is user-friendly, reliable and stable, ensures security and privacy, and that good support is available. But also consider whether the vendor has the knowledge and experience to help your organization achieve its goals. By thinking about this carefully in conversation, make sure you purchase a software package that is a good fit for the needs of your company and employees.
