Workforce management (WFM) optimizes workflow throughout the day. It strategically plans for employees and resources to be in the right place at the right time. The best workplace management software includes scheduling, forecasting, skills management, timekeeping and attendance, intraday management, and employee empowerment.
When you take customer and client satisfaction into account, workforce management solutions increase in complexity.
Ultimately workforce management software ensures you have the right employees at the right time. Ensuring they have the correct skill set is part of WFM too.
The best workforce management software will help your bottom line in the efficiency-driven business and customer service environment.
Table of Contents
What is Workforce Management?
Workforce management is the process of managing employee time, including location and scheduling. Workforce management optimizes employees and workforce planning by ensuring there is never a gap in expertise and skills at any time. Staggering breaks, lunches, and vacations, so workdays never miss a beat.
Workforce management also tracks markers like attendance, forecasted demands, and the rest needed between tasks. The process is more than just time tracking and employee scheduling. It aims to reduce labor costs while optimizing employee experience and job satisfaction.
Why is workforce management software used?
Workforce management software delivers real-time solutions and human capital management. For example, if three members on your team call in sick, good software can stagger remaining team members’ schedules to accommodate for the loss of labor. Plus, it will reduce workforce flow interruptions. Workforce management software provides time management, leave management, absence management, and HR management solutions. The software includes smart artificial intelligence algorithms to track time and attendance and create quick results.
These management systems can be user-friendly and provide employee self-service options for scheduling time off. The decision-making process removes the risk of human error and provides higher automation, ensuring smooth implementation of workday schedules. With workforce management software, you will also have team members with the qualifications you need when you need them.
What you need to look for in workforce management software
The best workforce management software will have good integration with customer relationship management (CRM) software. It can have computer telephony integration (CTI) too. Even with a range of connectivity and uses, the best software will still be user-friendly. A proper workforce management platform will make your work-life balance more manageable. Ideally, it would have a mobile app for both management and employees to make necessary changes.
Why is workforce management software necessary?
Workforce management software is necessary to keep costs down. Gone are the days of sifting through large excel sheets to track employee days off and overtime. Workforce management software automates many payrolls and key work-life balance indicators. Not only will Workforce management software decrease costs, but it will improve efficiency. No longer will anyone have to wait for someone to get back from their break. There will always be an employee ready and qualified to assist with the task at hand. Work-life will become more balanced as workforce management software ensures employees take their breaks at appropriate times throughout the day. Both to maximize performance and meet required local labor legislation requirements.
8 Best Workforce Management Software
BambooHR
What is it?
BambooHR is a human capital management (HCM) solution. It optimizes the workforce early in the hiring and onboarding stages. This HCM solution ensures hired employees obtain the correct information from day one. It also has the capacity for training and communication about compensation.
Included features:
- Organize and maintain employee records
- Mobile app
- Workflows and Approvals
- Reporting and Analytics
Best for
This workforce management software is best for human resourcing and hiring. It would serve mid-sized companies aiming to revamp their hiring process. Plus, those introducing a more established Human Resource department.
Pros
- Great for onboarding new employees
- Easy to plan vacations and see who has booked time off
- Provides all the key and fundamental indicators for success
- Employees have self-service options
Cons
- Lack of updates to the design
- Users cannot recover any lost or unsaved data
- Push notifications
- Can be confusing
Pricing
Pricing is designed to suit your specific needs and is not listed on their website. Please contact them directly for a quote.
SageHR
What is it?
Another HR focus workforce management software, SageHR, was formerly known as CakeHR. It streamlines hiring and employee improvement trackers, allowing you to onboard employees, schedule, approve vacations, and manage expenses.
Included features:
- Automated Scheduling
- Billing and Invoicing
- Activity tracking
- Mobile app
Best for
SageHR is best for small to mid-sized businesses. It helps streamline many HR processes that can seem daunting and costly.
Pros
- Good aesthetics
- Many training modules
- Good accounting interface
- Central location for employee info and progress
Cons
- No warning for extra booked time off
- Login issues
- Mobile app only has basic functionality
Pricing
SageHR starts at $5 and increases depending on your needs. There is a convenient price calculator on their website, and they also offer a free trial to start.
Fastcall
What is it?
Fastcall is the number one CTI software for Salesforce. It is native and designed to work seamlessly with Salesforce, with optimized inbound and outbound calling. Fastcall allows you to have SMS conversations and video calls, share your screen, transcribe voice, and access data in real-time, all while performing workforce management of your team. Easy to use, all functions exist on one platform.
Included features:
- Telephony Integration
- CRM Integration
- Info Management
- Mobile Phone Access
Best for
Fastcall is best for companies using Salesforce as their customer relationship management (CRM) software. When combined, they offer seamless integration. Companies looking for both CTI and CRM solutions can benefit from this combination. Customer success teams significantly benefit from this product. It is also a complete solution for small businesses seeking all their needs met in one product.
Pros
- Good employee and customer management system
- Excellent support when needed
- Easy to set up, use, and learn
- Fully integrated with Salesforce
- Worldwide service
Cons
- Only works in Salesforce
Pricing
Fastcall’s affordable, convenient pricing makes the platform available for businesses small and large looking to enhance their everyday business communications. Try Fastcall free for 14 days with the ability to cancel at any time. Once you’re ready to commit, find packages beginning at just $24/user/mo.
NICE IEX
What is it?
NICE IEX is a workforce management solution that offers accurate forecasting and efficient scheduling. It automates most processes while allowing user interface, showing expected deliverables to enable employees to control their schedule and performance. Employees are free to focus on necessary activities to optimize workflow.
Included features:
- Performance manager
- Analytics
- Time off scheduler
- Mobile access
Best for
Designed to serve small businesses to large enterprises, Nice IEX meets the needs of many organizations, increasing employee satisfaction.
Pros
- Improves Scheduling
- Great forecasting ability
- User friendly
- Customizable
Cons
- Updates can cause issues
- Slow
- Poor CRM integration
- Expensive
Pricing
Prices are not listed on their website. Customers are encouraged to fill out their online form and speak with one of their experts.
Five9
What is it?
Five9 is a predictable and cost-effective solution. This software requires no equipment beyond a computer, internet, and headset and integrates well with all major CRM software. Five9 powers small businesses and large enterprises, successfully serving over 2,000 clients.
Included features:
Best for
Five9 is best for businesses that use CRM services. It is software that aligns well with many CRM interfaces. An affordable solution for both small businesses and large enterprises.
Pros
- CRM integration with all leading providers
- Increases talk time by 300%
- Cloud-based
- Great call quality
Cons
- Poor customer reviews of Salesforce integration
- History of out-of-service dialer
- Unorganized statistical data
Pricing
Five9 does not offer its pricing online; we recommend visiting their website to request a quote that will fit your business’s needs.
Paylocity
What is it?
Paylocity is primarily a payroll tool. It uses workforce management to ensure employee compliance. Time and attendance monitoring is a feature, while HR can train employees appropriately.
Included features:
- All-in-one product
- Payroll
- Reporting
- Mobile access
Best for
Mid-sized companies looking for wrap-around solutions for payroll and HR needs should consider Paylocity, as it is a great solution to fix both issues within an organization.
Pros
- Good hours tracking
- Great for payroll taxes
- Good integration
Cons
- Onboarding features could improve
- Confusing to navigate
- Geared to retail and manufacturing
Pricing
Paylocity does not list its prices online but asks potential customers to reach out for a demo and to discuss their needs.
Ento
What is it?
Ento allows you to automate scheduling and onboarding, monitoring attendance and labor costs, so your company can stay compliant and profitable. No local labor laws are too complex for Ento. This workforce management software allows for excellent management control of employees.
Included features:
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Scheduling
- Messaging
- Payroll Management
Best for
This software is best for mid to large companies. Management of shift workers becomes simple with this software which efficiently manages the hospitality, childcare, retail, and healthcare sectors.
Pros
- Payroll and scheduling integration
- Employee interfaces
Cons
- Weekend, holiday, and other varying rate issues
Pricing
Ento offers three packages: Onboarding & Workflows, Workforce Management, and Demand-driven Rostering. Actual costs are not listed; customers are encouraged to request pricing via their website.
Replicon
What is it?
Replicon prides itself on being a time management software used to capture, analyze, and optimize time. Hiring managers use Replicon to hire suitable employees and streamline payroll.
Included features:
- Reporting
- Mobile Support
- Invoicing abilities
- Administration supports
Best for
All sizes of companies can benefit from this product.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Customizable
- Good troubleshooting
Cons
- Freezes when downloading reports
- Limited vacation booking view
- Customer service can be weak
Pricing
Replicon offers many plan options, including add-ons, and some plans have a free trial. For their TimeBill Plus plan, prices start at $22/user/month, and their TimeBill Quick Start plan costs $60/user/month. Check out their website for more details.
What do you need?
Workforce management software is essential for day-to-day operations and seamless flow. While many options will work, look for integrated products. These products reduce the need for training on multiple platforms and reduce or eliminate lag and communication issues.
Today’s businesses use CRM solutions, CTI solutions, and workforce management solutions to provide stellar service. FastCall is the perfect integrated solution for you. Native to Salesforce, it has seamless integration.
If you are looking for CRM, CTI, and workforce solutions, Fastcall will put your company ahead. Start with the free software trial today.
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