Challenges Facing Courier and Delivery Services

Courier and delivery businesses are facing multiple challenges as a result of this increase in demand, which are made more difficult because of the competitive nature of the industry. Some of the most common challenges include:

• Late or missing deliveries
• Damaged customer goods
• Vehicle maintenance
• Scheduling
• Managing multiple delivery routes
• Remotely managing employees
• Quick task assignment
• Employee reporting and performance reviews

If left unaddressed, these issues can become detrimental to the overall performance of the company and could lead to a significant loss in profits.

How can Tracking Software Help?

Through helping managers organise their business, by allowing them to view where their staff and assets are in real time. Routes and tasks can be assigned, while the status of the delivery is regularly updated on the platform dashboard. Reporting is also a breeze as the most advanced staff management software generate internal reporting which can be viewed at any time by the manager or employer.

These features within the platform solve the issues surrounding the remote management of staff performance and keep an open line of direct and effective communication. This in turn, saves the employer money as well as improving customer satisfaction due to a reduction of late or undelivered packages.

Protecting Your Assets with GPS Tracking

Misused and poorly maintained assets are potentially a drain on resources within any business, resulting in significant money leakage and a loss of staff performance amongst other things. Damages to company property such as vehicles and devices could be easily handled by installing regulatory devices within them. These include:

• GPS devices
• Harsh turning sensors
• Harsh braking sensors
• Speedometer

Today there is technology available that incorporates all these features into a small, easy to install and operate device.

The Impact of Vehicle Tracking

Apart from encouraging employees to treat the company vehicles with care and respect when they are driven, GPS car trackers can help in a number of other ways. Tracking devices that are connected into the vehicle’s electronics can monitor systems such as the fuel level and schedule regular maintenance checks, with reminders sent to the relevant people.

Tracking the performance of the delivery vehicle can also improve the condition of the delivered packages as damaged to goods is directly related to their transportation and handling. That is, these devices work to protect the customer’s assets, making them less prone to damage by impact or rapid movement.

GPS vehicle trackers are a vital tool in helping delivery and courier businesses to make efficiency and good performance a priority, whilst minimising human error, protecting the company’s property and increasing customer satisfaction.

UniGuard has a range of GPS trackers to suit many different needs. Contact our sales team today to find one that suits you.

The post Staff & Asset Tracking Helping Courier & Delivery Service appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

The conditions and general layout of a mine usually makes it quite difficult to be able to manage all employees at once. Whether the workers are in a different section of the mine or there is no direct access to them, it is important to keep an open line of communication between all the teams. One of the factors that determines how safe a mine is, is the ability to immediately inform other workers of a potential hazard that may have arisen. This prevents any accidents from occurring and worst of all, someone getting seriously injured.

However, these hazards can be drastically reduced if routine inspections of the mine’s layout and integrity are scheduled. Frequent inspections of the surrounding environment and detailed reporting are the key to identifying any weaknesses within the mine so that any potential dangers can be immediately dealt with and avoided altogether.

This is where the use of a management and tracking system becomes essential. Since there is limited access to some areas and communication can be rather difficult, it would be particularly useful to be able to see all workers in the mine in real time. If an incident should occur, management would know exactly where each employee is and be able to give the appropriate instructions to lead them all to a safer environment.

Scheduled inspections within the mining area would also be able to be remotely assigned, as well as ensuring their completion. Individual reports could be assigned to specific high-risk areas and different sections of the mine, ensuring a regular and detailed log of conditions and potential hazards. These reports would automatically be updated to the server for future review if needed.

Performance monitoring of employees would be made easier as reporting could be done on the go through the application itself. Monitoring performance is crucial in such an industry. Not only will management ensure employee compliance and that all daily tasks are being completed, but by making sure that all workers are doing their job, the safety of other employees would not be jeopardised.

Heavy machinery and equipment are also important to be logged and monitored. Tracking equipment and being able to easily locate it through a simple search on a phone would be especially useful for employees to gain access to it quicker and more efficiently. A GPS tracker on a piece of machinery would result in less time wasted looking for it in harsh conditions and an increased organisational standard within the mine.

The implementation of such a system in these conditions would drastically improve the safety of the environment for the employees while increasing the efficiency of reporting and open communication between different teams, making it easier for operations managers to assign tasks and routine checks. It improves the standard of organisation when it comes to archiving previous reports and handling equipment and machinery.

At UniGuard we pride ourselves in being able to provide customised solutions for such industries, assessing every detail and what is needed to address it. Our goal is to provide the safest possible environment for all workers within an industry, as well as ensuring that the workplace is performing optimally and up to standard.

Interested in finding out more about how UniGuard can work in your workplace? Contact us today.

The post Increasing Mine Safety Through Management and Tracking Software appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

Managing and maintaining solar farms can be quite a tedious task, considering that their profitability depends on panels performing optimally at all times. There are numerous elements which can affect the performance of these panels, so a high level of attentive care is required around the clock to ensure the maximum level of output consistently.

Effective management of all operations on the solar farm to ensure dependable performance is crucial for a company to guarantee consistent profitability and minimise maintenance and repair costs. There are various operations which need to be individually addressed in order to maintain this standard. These include:

• Equipment inspections
• Panel component maintenance
• Scheduled panel cleaning
• Environmental maintenance
• Security rotations

Technology to help manage all of these simultaneous operations is extremely helpful for companies to be able to coordinate their tasks and increase efficiency. Task assignment software is beneficial for large workforces as they could be remotely instructed to perform scheduled tasks and also be assigned new ones as they go directly through the application.

Through the adoption of this system, regular reporting would also be made easier as it could be uploaded and saved immediately after the task is completed. This method of instant reporting allows management to oversee, in real time, which jobs have been completed as well as have a log of all past operations for referral if needed. Such a feature would also come in handy in the case of any insurance claims for the provision of proof as well as potentially lowering yearly premiums.

The tracking of company assets is also something which should be taken into consideration to ensure their safety and appropriate use. Specific pieces of equipment built for the sole purpose of maintaining a solar farm can be quite expensive and their maintenance and protection is not something which should be taken lightly.

In the case of vehicles, a tracking and monitoring device can be attached to the electrical system, through which the location can be viewed in real time as well as monitoring their status (ex. fuel lines, water levels). This would also prove beneficial to monitor how the vehicles are being treated by employees as these devices have inbuilt harsh acceleration, turning and breaking sensors. Monitoring such usage and reducing their abuse drastically cuts yearly maintenance costs on company vehicles and equipment.

“Investing in an appropriate strategy to manage daily operations is crucial in such an industry. The consistent monitoring and maintenance required to keep profits high is extensive, so it is of utmost importance that a system is adopted to be able to effectively coordinate your workforce as well as protect your valuable assets.”

Contact one of our UniGuard specialists on (02) 9671 7777 or email us for a tailored walkthrough of the UniGuard solution based around your challenges and business needs.

The post Solar Farm Maintenance Tracking appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

The security industry has had its fair share of technological advancement over the past few years. In order to keep up with the demand of this ever-growing industry, certain technologies had to be applied to aid security companies execute their operations more effectively. Staff management software has revolutionised the way security companies operate, providing all the necessary features to be able to execute any appointed task in time and on the fly.

Rotations

Before any of these technologies were introduced to the industry, all planning, mapping and time scheduling had to be done manually. This created many variables which could negatively affect the execution of the job at hand. With staff management software, the rotations and their intervals could be digitally mapped out, providing visual aid to the patrol officers through their phone, as well as their rotation intervals. This not only helps the patrol officer keep up with routine checks but also gives peace of mind to management that all locations are being monitored and are safe.

Reporting

The days of manually reporting incidents or routine checks on pen and paper are way behind us. Software which caters for the security industries allows reporting to be done efficiently through the application itself. These reports can be customised to provide any required detail of a routine check or an accident. The best reporting systems also have photo capturing features as well as digital signatures to ensure the accountability of the patrol officer or security guard. Rotations are also converted into a report which allows the overseer to ensure that the patrols have been done correctly and on time. These reports are automatically uploaded to the server, eliminating the possibility of alterations or getting lost.

Compliance

One of the issues that many companies were facing in the past, is being able to prove if their employees were being compliant with tasks at hand. The features within today’s software allow management to be able to see where their employees are live, as well as their rotational compliance. This is done through a series of checkpoints which have to be scanned by the patrol officer or guard at a specific time in order to prove that the area was checked. These checkpoint scans are then compiled into a report which provides information such as the time the checkpoint was scanned, as well as any missed checkpoints. This level of reporting assures management that their employees are executing their tasks correctly, on time and not deviating from their work which may cause a potential safety hazard.

Efficiency

Staff management software has dramatically improved the efficiency of security guard operations, allowing reporting, task assignment, rotations and general employee compliance to be monitored or set remotely from a centralised computer system. This not only saves the company time and resources, but also enables the management of multiple operations to be handled with ease. This not only benefits the company, saving them both time and money, but also improves customer satisfaction by delivering the best possible service to their clients.

Contact one of our UniGuard specialists on (02) 9671 7777 or email us for a tailored walkthrough of the UniGuard solution based around your challenges and business needs.

The post Security Guard Tour Tracking Software appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

As the holiday season approaches, shopping centres and supermarkets are already gearing up in preparation for the influx of customers fulfilling their seasonal shopping spree. Christmas would not be complete without endless shopping carts, full to the brim, with hearty food and gifts for precious loved ones. Keeping customers’ holiday wishes in mind, these establishments are taking extraordinary measures to ensure that everyone gets to enjoy their holiday season routine, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Technology based staff management solutions have been adopted by many shopping centres and supermarket chains globally to ensure customer safety. These staff management solutions have proven to be a key factor for establishments to be able to efficiently and effectively manage their increased workforce, especially in times like this, when operations have to be monitored and adjusted quickly and without hesitation.

Cleaning and security operations has never been easier to manage remotely with the implementation of staff monitoring and management systems within establishments.

Taking into consideration the increased frequency of cleaning and security rotations lately, as well as general sanitary precautions, management must be able to easily analyse and adjust staff movement on the fly if necessary.

Situations which require quick action include:

• General area sanitisation
• In-store basket and trolley cleaning
• Replenishing hand sanitisation stations
• Slip, trip & fall hazards (ex: food & beverage spills)
• Quick action in case of a breach in social distancing regulations (ex: crowing & queues)
• Contact tracing

“Implementing a customised staff monitoring and management system will not only allow you to execute and assign tasks more efficiently. It enables an establishment to analyse and adjust rotations accordingly, monitor staff compliance, take advantage of an intricate reporting system and make operations as cost effective as possible without compromising staff and customer safety.”

UniGuardX:

• Location Tracking
• Activity Log
• Custom Forms
• Tasks
• Real-Time Alerts
• GPS Bluetooth & NFC
• Request Call-Back

Contact one of our UniGuard specialists on (02) 9671 7777 or email us for a tailored walkthrough of the UniGuard solution based around your challenges and business needs.

The post Shopping Centre Cleaning Rotation Tracking appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

Naturally, there has been a rise in associated criminal activity to go along with this increase in the use of the internet, ranging from individual scammers and hackers, through to criminal gangs and state operators looking to steal secrets. It is little wonder then, that many businesses are starting to become more concerned about the security of their confidential information.  

As a result, many business managers want to know more about the background of the software platforms that they are working with, where and how the data is being stored and the background of the companies that provide these services. Following are some key aspects to look for in a software service provider.

What to Look Out For

Initially, when looking for an application to manage some aspect of their business such as attendance verification, business owners and operator are drawn to the cheapest product on the market. In difficult economic times this can be alluring. The problem with this approach is that cheapest doesn’t always equate to best value, and it doesn’t consider other factors that also need to be taken into account.

When a business has been tasked with collecting and storing confidential information, the most important characteristics to look for include:

• security and accessibility of client data
• level of customer service
• compliance to industry standards and regulations
• recognition within the industry, whether formal or informal word of mouth
• long term commitment to, and reliability within the industry
• company structure and risk
• affiliations with client’s competitors
• and if hardware is involved, location of servicing and turn-around time for repairs.

It’s All in the Clouds

Generally, cloud-based storage of data tends to be the industry standard for web-based services, as these services provide the most cost-efficient method to store information with the highest practical level of security. Better quality cloud storage, with a higher level of security are more expensive to access and therefore increase the cost of any web-based service. Many people are willing to pay extra for this peace of mind.

Another associated concern is where the cloud-based servers are located, because some countries have laws in place that allow their government agencies unimpeded access to any data stored within their jurisdiction. These laws are complicated and vary greatly from country to country adding to the confusion. Just for the record, UniGuard uses the highest quality Google servers in Sydney, Australia.

The Wizard Behind the Curtain

Knowing more about the companies to which services are being outsourced is a critical concern for many business operators. They don’t simply want to know the names and faces of the sales representatives, but also the actual background of the company. This includes information on how long the business has been operating, the size of the business, where it is located and who owns and runs the business. The reality is that businesses come in many forms which have their benefits and drawbacks, with some types of businesses naturally more suited to some tasks than others.

Due to businesses needing to retain data for a number of years for legal reasons, which can vary depending on the jurisdiction, the long-term stability of the company is especially important, and one that people need to be particularly attuned to spotting in the current economic climate.

Dealing with Constant Disruptions

The current fad of disrupter start-ups has flooded the software market with numerous similar looking duplicates of established systems. This has resulted in the crowding of the marketplace for some types of software applications and has caused confusion among potential customers. Although starting a business is perfectly legitimate when someone has a passion for the type of products and services they are offering, many people involved in disrupters have another goal in mind.

By their nature, the intention of disrupters is to take over a particular industry by offering services at prices well below the market rate which established operators can’t compete with. They achieve this by ignoring regulations, underpaying staff and procuring funds from investors eager to make money. Making large sums of easy money is also the intention of the founders of these companies. The goal is to build up the company rapidly and then sell to make a quick and easy profit.

Of course, all this can fall flat. Most of the time they don’t actually fulfill their goals, with the company dissolving leaving many creditors with unpaid debts. This may inspire them to start up another company in a different industry or jurisdiction.

Disrupters are not concerned with the long-term interests of either their customers or investors, and their efforts damage the marketplace for everybody, not just their competitors. Ultimately, the biggest disruption for many businesses is when a service they rely upon is suddenly no longer available, resulting in a loss of clients and reputation.

A good way to avoid the pitfalls of dealing with such a company is to look into the history of a company and then compare them to other companies offering similar services in the industry. Doing so, not only allows you to see if the company is likely to be around for a long time, but also whether they are selling their software at a reasonable price and if the claims they make are true, such as being industry leaders and innovators.

The Competition is Rigged

Sometimes the problem is not so much the stability of the company behind the software platform, but other interests that the company, or one of their principle investors may have. It is becoming increasingly common for companies within a particular industry, for example a security company to invest in a software platform such as a staff attendance app that is commonly used within that industry. This can be done in a number of ways, for example the company;

• can contract a software developer to create some software in-house
• can agree to be the authorised reseller of software platform developed by another, usually international or Chinese company
• invest money and buy shares in a start-up that is developing the software
• buy out the company developing the software and absorb it into their own.

Sometimes a business does this with the intention of keeping the software platform for internal use with the aim of getting an edge over the competition. Unfortunately, software development is costly, and this creates an incentive to onsell the software to other businesses within the industry. Sometimes it is sold to subcontractors for consistency of service, sometimes to other unsuspecting businesses.

When companies sell services like these to other business within their own industry and don’t disclose the real owners of the software or other affiliations, this can create a conflict of interest. The potential risk is that confidential company data is then legally in the possession of other another business in the same industry.

What About UniGuard?

Deltonic Pty Ltd started trading initially in the Australian market as ValuTronics Pty Ltd in 1997. More commonly known as UniGuard, we are one of the few companies that offers employee tracking and verification systems to the Australian market that is not in some way affiliated with any companies that offer security guard or cleaning services either in Australia or other markets like the USA. We are proudly fully privately and independently Australian owed. No other company owns shares in UniGuard, and we are upfront about only offering the products and services displayed on our website.

Would you like to know more about how UniGuard can help your business, click here to find out more?

The post Who Has Access to Your Data? appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

Instead of purchasing an off-the-shelf workforce management software package, another option that is increasing in popularity is contracting a software developer to create a custom-built system for the business. There are many reasons for managers to want to take this approach, as a quality designed system can be an asset to the organisation. A poorly built system, however, can be disastrous.

Something to Call Your Own

Among the many reasons people want to go down this path, one of the significant driving factors is the increasing number of different software systems that businesses are required to use to be able to function in our online world. Business managers understandably want to streamline as many areas of their business as possible for efficiency.

Another factor is the desire to get an edge over the opposition using unique software features and analytics that go above and beyond what other people in the industry have access to.

Where it Can Be Difficult

The difficulty often faced when approaching custom designed software is that most business owners are very experienced in their industry, not in developing software and their understanding of the pitfalls can be somewhat limited. It is naïve to think that all developers who are looking to further their own opportunities are likely to point out all the downsides of this approach and/or any of their own limitations.

The truth is that, on the surface, software is deceptively simple. Even considerably basic apps are complex to write, if a quality result is required. Most people would never consider making other equally complex products, such as for example, their own motor vehicle. Just as a poorly designed car can do a lot of damage, so can poorly designed software.

Streamlining Without Compromising Capability

Another big motivator for creating a custom-built platform is to consolidate numerous different applications into one. Not only does this potentially save costs, but it also means that people are not opening and closing different software applications all day.

The problem with this approach is that software built for different purposes generally require completely different layouts and functionality. It would be like trying to build a vehicle that has both the features of a pushbike and a semi-trailer truck.

Software that incorporates too many diverse features are often unstable and expensive to build, tend not to have unreliable results and are complex to learn and operate. This is why, for example, Microsoft maintains the individuality of their Office Suite programs in preference to amalgamating them all.

Some people in a business may benefit from having two or even three programs rolled into one, but most people in that business will never use these extra features and will find using the software too difficult. There is a reason nobody has successfully marketed a floating, flying car yet. Very few people want all of these vehicles rolled into one.

Then There’s What You Cannot See

Generally, by the time a business owner has decided to go with building their own software, they know all the features they want and don’t want in the application. They base this on what they do and don’t like in other software they have used.

Whilst this approach makes complete sense on the surface, they are often unaware of all the important hidden features that make the software safe, secure and reliable, lending the situation to software design that does not deliver on expectations. This is a major stumbling block for first time software builders.

Finding a good developer is another challenge.  Developers who are used to talking to people at their level about this subject, can seem to talk a different language when they talk to you. A program can be written many ways, and each developer has their own unique knowledge and skill level, they may not know the best coding and simply use what they have always used. The specialised process itself, of software development enables opportunities to cut corners, without detection by the client until it is too late.

Making Sure Today’s Savings Are Not Tomorrow’s Costs

One area where costs can blow out with employee tracking software or any software, is the hardware. This can be costly in several ways.

To keep costs down, a staff tracking app can be designed to work on a limited number of smartphone devices, maybe only certain Android phones for example. The problem with doing this is that it is then harder for the company to save money by getting the staff to use their own phones, as all employees must have exactly the right phones.

The alternative to this is for the company to supply phones, but then run the risk of the phones being repeatedly damaged and destroyed.

Building an app that can work on a range of phones, including both Android and iPhone, and keeping these apps up to date with the latest operating systems, as well as honouring older models becomes awfully expensive very quickly.

As well as keeping up with the latest operating systems, the software may have to be patched to protect against emerging security threats, as well as the ongoing updates that go with software bug fixes. Software bugs will happen no matter how good the developer is. Constant updates to keep up with Windows, IOS or Android changes are necessary.

Keeping the data on a secure server long term is the other big ongoing cost. This is a cost that software companies can minimise for their customers through the economics of scale.  

What Is Your Time Worth?

Ultimately, developing software, is a long, drawn-out complicated process with no guarantees on the quality of the result. It is common for projects to run over time, and over budget, even for experienced software development companies such as UniGuard. Naturally, well designed software with all the functionality that is needed can be more expensive.

For an inexperienced company, the development cost can easily exceed $1 million, for software that ends up being no better, or sometimes ever worse than the ready-made staff tracking software they could have purchased for a fraction of this price. Did I mention maintenance to keep up with changes in operating systems?

Many business owners who have commissioned their own software admit to being disappointed with the product they eventually receive. Unlike ready-made software, it is impossible to try out the software before you commit money to the project. Ultimately a lot of thought must go into good design, and this can only be guided with knowledge and experience.

Another Alternative

An attractive alternative that may not readily come to mind; is getting an established company, such as UniGuard who already have a well-maintained employee tracking software in the market, to offer a solution to you. Contact us today and we will be incredibly happy to show you how.

Would you like to know more about how UniGuard can customise a software package to your needs , click here to find out more?

The post Developing Your Own Custom Software appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

With so many different employee tracking systems in the marketplace today it can be difficult to really know which one is best for your business as there is a confusing array of choices. Products range from cheap but very basic options to systems that offer more functionality at a higher price.

It is common for business owners to be drawn in by flashy marketing and promises of a cheap and easy solution to later become frustrated by a system that constantly has problems and doesn’t work as they thought it would.

With the range of employee tracking software offering a variety of features it can be hard to determine which ones are good value for money, and which ones to completely avoid altogether. With this in mind let’s go through what you are likely to find at different price points in the market.

Cheap and Cheerful

In difficult economic times, budgets are tight, so many business managers see the cheapest employee tracking apps on the market as the obvious choice. The problem with this is that cheap doesn’t always mean good value, and you may not even be getting what you think you’re paying for.

Apart from price the other big selling point of software at the lower end of the market is that it’s simple to use with minimal features. As most managers have little time to learn how to use a new software package, and likely can’t really afford their staff to do the same, this can also be attractive.

Unfortunately, minimal features doesn’t always equate to easy to use, as usability is as much a result of good software design as it is the level of complexity in the tracking software. The best way to assess usability is to take the time to examine the software package through a trial or demo. As time consuming as this might seem, in the long run it is better than wasting time and effort with the wrong software.

Trying out the employee tracking software is also a way of assessing whether or not it is really right for your business. It’s easy to assume that you will only need the features found in the most basic applications, but it’s not until you use the tracking software that you will really know. The few features that come with the software package may not be the ones you need or work in the way you want. Even the cheapest tracking app is a waste of money if it doesn’t actually do what you need it to do.

The truth is, the reason a lot of the lower end employee tracking applications are cheaper is because less effort has been put into building a robust and well-functioning system. Additionally, running costs for the software provider are also lower due to less money being spent on secure data handling and storage, software upgrades that meet continual changes in the technological and security landscape, and ongoing service and support to their customers.

All the Bells and Whistles

Generally, more expensive employee management software comes with a greater list of features, some you may not really need. This will make many business managers question whether it is worth paying more, but it’s important to understand what features make higher end software worth the extra money.

One thing to consider are the features that are not obvious at first glance and you may not even realise that you might need such as reliability, cross-platform compatibility and a high level of data security. Having an employee tracking app that will work on a variety of different phones, particularly both Android and iPhone is important to a lot of businesses. This is because the app can then be downloaded directly to the personal phones of their workforce without the need to buy company phones to go with the tracking app. This is a significant cost saving.

These features are more likely to be built into a well-designed software package than a cheaper, quickly produced product. As good software design takes time and cost more money to build, this tracking software naturally comes to the consumer at a higher price.

The other significant difference with more expensive software systems is the better quality, ongoing service and support. Not only do manufactures and sellers of these systems take the time to make sure the systems that their customers have installed work well, but they also continually update and improve the software so that it stays aligned with current technological advances and industry expectations.

Want to look at the full range of employee tracking software, click here to see a demo of UniGuard in action.

The post Choosing an Employee Tracking App appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

Those who support using mobile phones will tell you that doing so is cheaper and easier, but they often do this just to push their own mobile app forward in the marketplace. Of course, people who sell dedicated hardware say that purpose-built hardware is the better solution.

With all the information going around it can be difficult for managers to know which is the best solution for their business. UniGuard offers both options to the consumer in an integrated system, so we have no incentive to push one solution ahead of the other. This allows for an unbiased opinion on the situation.

Mobile Apps, the Ideal Solution or Is It All Smoke and Mirrors?

On the surface a staff tracking system using mobile apps installed on your workforces’ own phones seems the perfect solution, or at least the simplest and cheapest. This is particularly attractive for businesses who have never used staff tracking before and are looking for an entry level solution. The other positive is that people are more likely to look after their own phone than company equipment.

There are a few unforeseen problems with this approach. Firstly, your workforce needs to have a compatible phone. Older phones and even some newer phones will not work with many tracking applications. Most staff management apps also focus on either Android or iPhone because it is cheaper, easier and faster to develop and maintain software on one platform only.

Even if the staff tracking app is successfully downloaded and working, it may clash with other apps on the phone. This may mean that the tracking app will not work properly, or your workforce will be frustrated with the staff tracking app stopping other apps on their phone from working. This may encourage them to uninstall the tracking app, which may cost you from the loss of attendance data or other reasons. Personnel may also be concerned about their privacy.

Other issues include members making excuses to not use the phone, such as they lost the phone or forgot to charge it. Even when they are willing to use the tracking app, some staff members may use it as an excuse to look at their phones during their shift for non-work reasons.

A lot of these problems can be solved by choosing a well-made staff management software system with good after-market support, and consulting properly with you team about the importance of using the app, explaining the benefits to them and alleviating their concerns about privacy.

How About Using the Staff Tracking App on a Company Phone?

Another potential way of minimising many of the problems associated with staff tracking apps is for the business to supply the phones. This will guarantee that the phone is compatible and that there are no other apps that will clash with the tracking app.

Team members will have less excuses too, as it takes away concerns about privacy, and if the phones are kept at the company premises it ensures they are available and charged at the start of a shift.

Unfortunately, the workforce will have less incentive to care for the phones. Some disgruntled team members may even actively remove the covers and cases, damage or even lose the phones, as this will allow them to avoid working. That said, more durable, and expensive, rugged phones are available.

Is Dedicated Hardware Really the Ugly Duckling?

A bespoke staff management system built around dedicated hardware is initially more expensive to install and not considered fashionable by some people, but it has many advantages over simple phone apps. For businesses who already use one of these systems, it is generally cheaper and easier to keep building on the system in place, than install something new.

One of the biggest advantages is that recorders have been purpose built with the situations that they will be used in mind. This means that the devices are stronger and more durable without software compatibility problems. The functionality of the devices are also limited to the purpose for which they are built, meaning less distraction for team members who may otherwise play with a phone.

Although cost is seen as a disadvantage, the price of the recorders is still comparable to many phones on the market. In the long run, the bespoke staff tracking system may actually be more cost effective as the recorders are more resistant to damage and last longer.

Bespoke staff management systems are also seen as more complicated to set up, but recorders from reputable sellers are supplied with the software preinstalled at no extra cost to the consumer.  Support is also provided. A good staff tracking system is also guaranteed by the manufacturer, who will service and repair the product.

So Ultimately, Which Is the Best?

The truth is that no solution is 100% perfect because for any one system to work in a particular way compromises have to be made in other ways. However, having some knowledge of the difference in staff management systems on the market will help you make the best decision for your business, and help you minimise any problems you may potentially face when using whatever system you chose.

Want to find out more about the most flexible staff tracking system, click here to see a demo of UniGuard in action.

The post Specialised Hardware or Staff Tracking Phone App? appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.

Various factors such as COVID-19 have resulted in an economic downturn, particularly in the retail, hospitality and travel sectors. Business that service these sectors are also being challenged by the changes that have resulted from the downturn.

With this in mind, many business owners and operators are looking for any way possible, not just to make money, but to also save money.

A major cost for many businesses is Public Liability Insurance, with insurance costs rising dramatically in recent years. In fact, insurance companies are now refusing to insure some operators they consider too risky, such as companies that clean shopping centres. Unfortunately, Public Liability Insurance is a necessity for businesses that have interactions with members of the general public.

The reason for the escalating insurance cost is the number of successful claims for injuries due to negligence that have been made against many companies. Some of these payouts have been for significant sums of money. This is an increasing burden for insurance companies and too much for an uninsured company to wear by themselves.

The solution to this problem is detailed in our white paper “The Solution to Cheaper Public Liability Insurance for Cleaning and Building Services”. This paper details the causes for the rising costs and then goes through the steps that can be taken to help your business minimise risks and obtain access to better value Public Liability Insurance.

To get your copy of “The Solution to Cheaper Public Liability Insurance for Cleaning and Building Services” click here.

The post Cheaper Public Liability Insurance – White Paper appeared first on Staff & Asset Tracking with Workforce Management Software by UniGuard.