Manufacturing scheduling software keeps things in order so your production line continues to run at full speed even if a supervisor goes on sick leave or one of the machines suddenly stops working.
You are most likely switching to manufacturing production scheduling software from the inefficient, clunky Excel to gain better visibility into your facility floors and be better able to quote lead times for new work. In this article, we’ll help you find the best manufacturing scheduling software that meets your criteria so your company can go paperless real quick.
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Basic job order scheduling
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Finite capacity production planning
Scoring
Key Features
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Precise GPS time tracking
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Real-time technician scheduling
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Automated timesheet management
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Detailed job costing
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Comprehensive payroll integration
Precise GPS tracking that logs every minute worked
Integrated scheduling for projects and individual tasks
Automatic clock-in through GPS-based geofencing
Track time for both employees and projects in one app
Quickly drag-and-drop task rescheduling
Focused on field service, construction, and property management
Location tracking is needed for GPS-based accuracy
No forever-free plan due to advanced features
Highlights
Managing a production floor requires adapting to the stress of shift changes, last-minute absences, and juggling machine assignments across dozens of workers.
Manufacturing scheduling software–like Workyard–empowers you to stay on top of all these so your company always meets customer demands without machine downtimes (or other issues threatening to put your production behind schedule) eating into your margins.
Workyard’s manufacturing schedule software is built for real-world production environments. It combines a drag-and-drop scheduling calendar with a GPS-verified time clock system that tracks who’s on-site, which station they’re working at, and how long they’ve been there.
Whether you’re covering for a no-show on Line 2 or reassigning temps during a machine outage, Workyard makes it possible to update the schedule and notify workers instantly—right from your tablet or phone.
This setup works especially well for a general contractor or production manager who needs to keep things moving without having to chase down updates or check multiple tools just to see who’s clocked in.
Unlike other scheduling software for manufacturing that focuses only on back-office planning, Workyard connects directly to the floor with real-time updates and photo-verified clock-ins.
The kiosk mode at the entrance ensures that every employee or contractor is accounted for from the moment they arrive. Add in live labor cost tracking, overtime alerts, and shift assignment logs, and you’ve got a manufacturing production scheduling software that gives you clarity, control, and speed—all in one place.
Let’s take a closer look at Workyard’s key features:
Simplify scheduling and deliver on time with Workyard
See How it Works
Real-Time Shift Scheduling Built for Manufacturing
Workyard’s intuitive scheduling software gives you the control you need to manage a dynamic manufacturing floor.
Whether you’re coordinating full-time staff, part-time workers, or temporary contractors, the visual calendar lets you assign shifts, rearrange schedules, and fill staffing gaps in seconds.
Every change made in the scheduler is automatically pushed to your team via the Workyard app or kiosk so no one’s left wondering where they need to be or when.
Eliminate manual scheduling inefficiencies and errors.
If a machine goes down or an operator calls in sick, you can simply drag and drop a new task or reassign a shift in the software. The updated schedule is sent instantly to the affected workers, reducing delays and miscommunication.
Instead of chasing people down on the floor, you’re managing shift assignments with a few taps—keeping production running without the bottlenecks.
What Workyard’s Manufacturing Scheduling Software Offers:
- Drag-and-drop calendar for assigning workers by shift, station, or task
- Real-time mobile and kiosk updates for every schedule change
- Bulk editing and recurring shift creation to simplify repetitive scheduling
- Color-coded tasks to quickly prioritize high-impact work or urgent coverage
- Automatic notifications to workers when they’re reassigned or rescheduled
- Shift visibility across departments or lines to balance workloads plant-wide
Workyard gives managers a centralized, fast-moving tool to schedule, assign, and adjust labor coverage—making it one of the best manufacturing scheduling software options for companies that can’t afford production delays.
See why 50,000+ workers and over 10,000 contractors use Workyard (and why project managers and leaders like you have rated us 4.9 of 5 stars on Capterra). Explore Workyard and start a 14-day free trial today to see how we can speed up your field service and workforce management.
Multi-Line and Multi-Location Visibility to Avoid Scheduling Gaps
Running multiple production lines—or even multiple sites—means you’re constantly juggling staff coverage.
With Workyard’s scheduling software for manufacturing, you get a real-time snapshot of every worker’s schedule across departments or locations. You can view who’s clocked in, who’s scheduled next, and who has gaps that can be filled—all in one interface.
Eliminate manual scheduling inefficiencies and errors.
Say you’re managing two production lines and one is overloaded while the other is running light. With Workyard, you can easily reassign workers from one line to another based on availability or hours worked. That visibility helps prevent unplanned overtime, burnout, and costly underutilization—without needing a spreadsheet or radio call to figure it out.
What You Can Do With Workyard’s Multi-Line Scheduling Tools:
- View schedules across departments or job sites in one shared dashboard
- Filter staff by line, location, or role to rebalance workloads quickly
- Spot open shifts or overlapping assignments in seconds
- Prevent overtime by reassigning workers before thresholds are hit
- Avoid bottlenecks by reacting in real time when delays occur
- Improve efficiency across shifts without overbooking or understaffing
Real-Time Job Updates and Automated Shift Notifications
In a fast-moving manufacturing environment, delays and changes are inevitable—but confusion doesn’t have to be. Workyard sends instant updates to your team the moment a schedule shifts, a task is reassigned, or a new job is added.
Whether you’re running a plastics line or coordinating packaging across shifts, everyone gets the right info at the right time—right on their mobile device or the kiosk screen.
Let’s say a line operator finishes early or a quality issue stalls a machine—you can reassign workers, update the task, and notify your team instantly without chasing people across the floor. With real-time communication built into the app, Workyard reduces missed assignments and wasted time.
How Workyard Helps Manufacturing Teams Stay in Sync:
- Instantly notify workers of shift changes, reassignments, or updates
- Eliminate confusion with real-time alerts sent directly to mobile devices or kiosks
- Include task notes, station numbers, or material details in every assignment
- Keep temps and contractors informed without relying on word-of-mouth updates
- Avoid production slowdowns by reacting quickly to issues as they arise
Centralized Clock-in Kiosk With Cross-Device Flexibility
Workyard’s GPS-enabled time clock app gives you complete visibility into who’s on-site, when they arrived, and how long they’ve been working.
Whether employees use the time clock kiosk at the factory entrance or the mobile app while moving between work zones, every punch-in and punch-out is verified by GPS and logged in real time.
Workyard’s cross-device functionality means your crew can clock in on the kiosk at the start of their shift and clock out from their phone if they’re wrapping up in another area or off-site. You no longer have to rely on paper logs, badge scanners, or unreliable self-reported times.
Flexible time tracking solutions that work for all teams.
For supervisors managing staggered shift changes and multiple production lines, this system makes it easy to confirm attendance, track movement across zones, and ensure compliance—without chasing down missing timecards.
What Workyard’s GPS Time Tracking and Kiosk Offer:
- Clock in on a shared kiosk and clock out on a mobile phone—all synced in one system
- GPS-verified punch-ins and punch-outs tied to actual locations and shift times
- Real-time map view of who’s clocked in, where they are, and how long they’ve been working
- Location-based time logs that tie hours to specific zones, machines, or production tasks
- Time punches that flow directly into payroll, labor costing, and shift reports—no manual work required
Automated Timesheet Management to Eliminate Manual Errors
When you’re managing dozens (or even hundreds) of workers across shifts, machines, and production lines, manual timesheet tracking just doesn’t cut it.
With Workyard’s automated timesheet management, every clock-in, break, and clock-out is logged and compiled into a digital timesheet—backed by GPS and real-time data. This means no more chasing down missing hours, deciphering handwritten notes, or correcting punch clock mistakes before payroll.
Get complete transparency across your whole team.
Each worker’s timesheet updates as they move through their shift. Managers can review and approve hours in bulk, with the confidence that every entry is tied to a specific time, location, and task.
Whether you’re overseeing full-time staff, temporary contractors, or weekend crews, Workyard keeps everything clean, consistent, and compliant—so you can run your operation, not your paperwork.
What Workyard’s Timesheet Management Delivers:
- Automatically generated timesheets using punch clock data and GPS tracking.
- Real-time updates with precise clock-in/out, break, and location logs.
- Bulk-editing and approval tools to speed up admin reviews.
- Error reduction by eliminating manual entry and late submissions.
- Full timesheet history for each employee, stored securely and ready for audits.
Quick and Easy Payroll Integration That Adapts to Complex Shifts
Workyard integrates directly with popular payroll tools like QuickBooks, ADP, and Gusto, giving you a fast, accurate way to process payroll without re-entering time data manually.
Once timesheets are approved, they flow straight into your payroll system—complete with overtime calculations, cost codes, and GPS-verified punch-in/punch-out records.
Whether your workforce includes union labor, salaried supervisors, or hourly temp workers, Workyard simplifies the process and cuts down on errors.
What Workyard’s Payroll Integration Supports:
- Custom data exports and API access for teams with unique payroll setups.
- Accurate pay runs with built-in support for shift differentials and overtime rules.
- Automatic transfer of approved timesheets with project and job codes.
- Time-saving automation that reduces payroll prep hours.
Reviews
At the top of each app review, we feature aggregate user scores. At the time of publication, Workyard had the following ratings:

One anonymous iOS user said Workyard helps to track time accurately…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Using Workyard for time tracking and it’s awesome. I am able to keep track of everywhere I go, it helps especially with job costing!”
Android user Justin S. said the app’s GPS feature helps him remember to clock in…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Works great and very convenient! Love that it reminds me to clock in when on site. Definitely recommend.”
On Capterra, business owner Bryant E. said the app is easy to use…
“Workyard is great.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I use it for tracking my employees time. Scheduling is easy. This app has been wonderful—I’ve used other construction time tracking apps and on the admin side they were all difficult to use besides Workyard.
Pricing
Free Trial?
Workforce Management
$13 / mo. per user (annual) or $16 / mo. per user (monthly)
+ $50 company base fee
Simplify scheduling and deliver on time with Workyard
See How it Works
Scoring

Key Features
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Built-in quoting tied directly to production workflow
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Real-time job status dashboard for shop visibility
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Document management system for job-related files
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Capacity planning based on machine and labor availability
Cloud-based system with remote access for multiple users
Real-time visibility into job progress and shop floor status
Built-in document management for job-specific files and drawings
User interface can be unintuitive for new users
Limited third-party software integrations
Lacks mobile app for on-the-go schedule management
Highlights
Statii is a UK-based manufacturing scheduling software built specifically for small and mid-sized manufacturers that want more structure without the complexity of enterprise systems.
Statii’s scheduling tool is tightly linked to the rest of the system, so changes made here ripple through related modules like quoting and job costing. The software also provides real-time work-in-progress (WIP) visibility through Shop Floor Data Collection (SFDC). This feature lets managers monitor where jobs are in the production process, who’s working on what, and how much time has been logged against each task.
On the flip side, Statii relies on older design conventions, and many users say the interface feels clunky and dated—some forms are hard to fill out, and the search function often requires exact input to return results.
That said, Statii can be a solid choice for job shops or fabrication shops that need visibility into scheduling without the learning curve of more robust manufacturing production scheduling software. Still, for teams that value smoother user experience, mobile flexibility, or time tracking tied directly to labor costs and GPS, there are better-rounded options on the market.
Reviews
Merill R. appreciated the simplicity and remote access of Statii but pointed out its lack of features for tracking downtime, rejections, and health and safety issues.
“An easy to use, entry level MRP/ERP software” ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
“Overall: We are starting to see a benefit with using Statii when processing the same items for customers as we are able to create them as inventory items which we can then adjust to suit their unique requirements.Pros: Statii is a very simple laid out software, and easy to use. It’s online based system allows for easy use in or out of office.
Cons: It doesn’t allow you to easily record downtime/non-profitable jobs ie. logistics, cleaning workshops, etc. I have been advised to create a works order for this and then the members of staff can clock on but not the best solution. You can’t record rejections and reasons why, and issue paperwork to use in reports. Staff need to clock onto their breaks, as opposed to auto clock off/on based upon inputted working hours within the office. When creating delivery notes, no information pulls through onto the delivery note so has to be copied and pasted to show what has been made (information from the specification) There is no way to record health and safety issues (accident reports)”
Pricing
Free Trial?
14 days (no credit card needed)
Subscription Cost
Must contact sales for pricing.
Scoring

Key Features
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Real-time job status and labor hour tracking
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Revision-controlled digital work instructions
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Integrated job costing linked to scheduling
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Cross-module data visibility across departments
Integrated scheduling, inventory, and quality control tools
Detailed job tracking with real-time progress updates
In-system messaging for internal communication
Built-in document control for compliance requirements
No dedicated mobile app
Steep learning curve for new users
Limited customization without vendor assistance
Initial setup and training can be time-consuming
Highlights
ProShop ERP is a web-based, paperless manufacturing scheduling software designed to help small to mid-sized shops keep production running smoothly. It has a drag-and-drop finite capacity scheduling tool that gives schedulers a live view of available capacity, allowing them to shift jobs around in real time without throwing the whole production line off balance.
ProShop also comes with an integrated work instructions. Operators get access to clear, visual instructions that include drawings, photos, and even videos. The system also links scheduling with other critical functions like inventory, quality, and purchasing, so every department is working from the same data.
That said, ProShop isn’t the easiest system to get up and running with. Because it covers so much ground—scheduling, inventory, quality, quoting, purchasing, and more—there’s a lot to learn. For smaller teams, especially those moving off spreadsheets or older legacy systems, the learning curve can feel steep.
The interface is functional but dated, and it may take some handholding from the support team to get everyone comfortable using the system daily.
Another limitation is customization. While the out-of-the-box tools are extensive, making changes to workflows or reports often requires support from the ProShop team. It’s not the most flexible platform for shops that want to tweak every screen to match their process.
There’s also no dedicated mobile app, which limits how accessible the platform is for floor leads or techs who rely on tablets or smartphones to manage their day-to-day work. For manufacturers that need mobile access, this could be a dealbreaker.
Reviews
Andrew W. appreciated ProShop ERP’s floor communication and process visibility but noted challenges with tracking tool costs from internal vending systems.
“Review of Proshop” ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
“Overall: Its been great a significant improvement over old system.Pros: The manufacturing support for the floor. The consolidation of setup information, tools used, process development if programs or anything need changed allows for much better and simpler communication on the floor.
Cons: Tool inventory control from a shop owned vending supply vs ordering tools for a job. We haven’t found the best way to track tools that are already purchased by us in a vending system and associating that cost to jobs on the fly.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
No
Subscription Cost
Must contact sales for pricing.
















Scoring

Key Features
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Gantt chart for production planning
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Built-in material availability checks before scheduling
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Visual load balancing across machines and workstations
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Multi-level bill of materials (BOM) support
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Integrated production calendar with routing steps
Built-in CRM with customer order tracking
Integrated BOM and routing management
Automatic production cost and inventory updates
Custom fields for parts, products, and orders
Limited flexibility in modifying report templates
Steep learning curve for new users
Interface can feel outdated and clunky
Only email-based support on lower plans
Highlights
MRPeasy is a cloud-based manufacturing scheduling software designed for small to mid-sized manufacturers that want to simplify production planning without diving into the deep end of a full ERP system.
MRPeasy’s Gantt chart gives you a clear, visual way to manage and adjust production schedules in real time. Whether you’re dealing with machine downtime or a last-minute job, you can reshuffle your schedule without pulling your hair out.
Beyond scheduling, MRPeasy pulls together the rest of your operations under one roof. You get built-in modules for inventory, procurement, bills of materials, work order management, and even CRM and basic accounting.
However, MRPeasy’s interface feels dated, and navigating between features can sometimes be a hassle. If your team is used to Excel or other lightweight tools, expect a bit of a learning curve—especially when setting up routing steps or multi-level BOMs. The system’s structure is rigid in some areas, and customizing fields or workflows isn’t always straightforward.
Reporting and integration flexibility are also limited. While there are predefined templates, you don’t get a ton of wiggle room to tailor reports to your shop’s exact needs. Integrations exist with popular tools like Xero or QuickBooks, but several users mention hiccups with syncing or needing to use manual workarounds.
Lastly, support is email-only unless you pay for a higher-tier plan, which could be frustrating when something goes wrong mid-shift. MRPeasy gets the job done, but it may take some time and patience to make it fit your operations just right.
Reviews
MRPeasy user Radenko T. appreciated its tailored fit for manufacturers but struggled with limited PDF editing and having to build workarounds for key workflows.
“MRPeasy in a manufacturing start-up” ⭐⭐⭐
“Overall: It’s easy to use and implement for simple use cases. The handbook and online material could be better to support small-sized companies by implementing the solution themselves.Pros: It’s a solution specifically tailored for manufacturing businesses
Cons: We had to implement many work-arounds for some use cases. The pdf-editor gives you only little possibilities to adjust the print-outs, while internal pdfs can’t be edited at all.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
30 days (no credit card needed)
Starter
$49/mo. per user
Professional
$69/mo. per user
Enterprise
$99/mo. per user
Unlimited
$149/mo. per user
Scoring

Key Features
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Visual dashboard for managing production priorities
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Automatic material allocation for sales and MOs
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Drag-and-drop reorder queue for rescheduling
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Inventory tracking linked to manufacturing orders
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Batch and expiry date tracking for materials
Simple drag-and-drop scheduling interface
Built-in inventory and order management tools
Integrates with Shopify, QuickBooks, Xero
Supports multichannel and D2C order workflows
Limited customization of workflows and reports
No native advanced forecasting tools
Relies heavily on third-party integrations
Lacks detailed capacity planning for complex operations
Highlights
Katana’s manufacturing scheduling software gives small and mid-sized manufacturers a live, color-coded view of their entire production pipeline.
Katana’s biggest strength is the visual production planning board, which lets you drag and drop manufacturing orders based on real-time priorities. Every time a new sales order comes in, Katana automatically updates your material requirements and work-in-progress view.
Another strong point is how well the production schedule links with inventory, sales, and purchasing. You can track raw materials, finished goods, and reorder points without jumping between systems.
On the other hand, Katana isn’t the most flexible system once your operations get more complex.
Many users say they’d like more control over customizing reports, tweaking workflows, or creating their own order stages. Right now, you’re mostly working within the system’s built-in structure, which can feel limiting if your processes don’t follow a standard mold. For example, users managing made-to-order workflows or specialized batch jobs might find it hard to tailor the system to fit.
Another thing to keep in mind is Katana’s dependency on third-party apps. It handles core scheduling and inventory management well, but more advanced features—like detailed accounting, CRM, or freight management—need to be brought in through integrations.
The lack of native forecasting and capacity planning tools can also be a deal-breaker for larger teams running multiple shifts or planning months ahead. In short, Katana works best for simpler operations, but starts to show its limits as complexity scales.
Reviews
Hanif M. applauded Katana’s intuitive interface and Excel imports but found the mandatory setup fee high.
“Food Manufacturing ERP system” ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Overall: So far the experience has been very good. I have had a few issues with the initial implementation fee which is mandatory and in my opinion expensive for what you get. I do receive some feedback, but sometimes it takes a while to receive it.Pros: I loved the user interface and the ease of working with the system. The system is very intuitive and with the instructional videos you can pretty much pick up the basics very quickly. I love the way that you can upload information through Excel and the system is flexible with the upload. Also the seamless integration with Quickbooks online is very nice.
Cons: One of the features that is missing, but they are working on it, is sales forecasting by SKU. This would be a great feature to add as it will allow us to add our expected sales for each SKU and have the system forecast demand. Another issue is when you have a price rule for a client in QuickBooks Katana has no way to see this, so when the invoice is pushed to QuickBooks you have to go through each individual line to accept the price rule. Not a game changer, but a bit of a hassle.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
14 days (no credit card needed)
Starter
$199/mo.
Standard
$399/mo.
Professional
$899/mo.
Scoring

Key Features
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Multi-level bill of materials (BOM) support
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Automated reorder points for raw materials
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Production stages linked to inventory tracking
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Work order generation from sales orders
Custom workflows for production and inventory
Built-in material requirements planning module
Barcode scanning for warehouse operations
Multi-location inventory tracking and management
Outdated and clunky user interface
Steep learning curve for new users
Limited reporting without custom development
Syncing issues with QuickBooks at times
Customer support response times vary
Highlights
Fishbowl’s manufacturing scheduling software is designed to bring order to growing operations by combining production planning with inventory control.
Fishbowl’s biggest strength lies in how tightly it links manufacturing orders to real-time inventory activity. You can build multi-level BOMs, convert sales orders into work orders, and automatically deduct materials from stock as they’re used—all from one system.
What makes Fishbowl appealing to mid-sized manufacturers is its set of automated tools that cut down on repetitive planning work. You can set reorder points, track labor and material costs by job, and generate inventory forecasts based on past usage trends.
But despite those strengths, the user experience can be frustrating. The interface feels dated and clunky, and you’ll likely need formal training to get comfortable with even basic tasks. Some users say routine functions—like updating production timelines or adjusting stock—require more steps than they should.
Fishbowl also falls short when it comes to flexibility. Customizing reports or workflows usually requires external help, and the system’s native reporting tools feel limited out of the box. Syncing with QuickBooks is helpful in theory, but some users report delays or duplicates that create more cleanup work than expected.
Reviews
Noah P. appreciated Fishbowl’s smooth data transfer from Boxstorm but missed mobile reorder points and item image carryovers from the original platform.
“Decent software with room for growth” ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Overall: So far I would give it about a seven and a half out of 10Pros: I like the convenience of moving inventory from the main screen. I was a former box storm customer and I was pleased with the easiness of transferring our information over as well. It was quick and efficient.
Cons: Coming from boxstorm, there were a few features that I really appreciate having that Fishbowl does not yet have. One feature is not being able to see reorder points on the mobile app. I wish also that the pictures of the items I transferred over would have been implemented as well.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
No
Subscription Cost
Must contact sales for pricing.
Final Thoughts
Managing production schedules across multiple shifts, machines, and teams is no small feat—especially when you’re juggling tight deadlines, equipment breakdowns, and fluctuating labor availability.
While the manufacturing scheduling software reviewed in this article all offer useful tools for organizing workflows and materials, most are either too rigid, too complex, or built around broader ERP systems that don’t always match the day-to-day realities on the shop floor.
That’s where Workyard comes in. Unlike traditional systems that focus heavily on inventory or job costing, Workyard zeroes in on one of the most common pain points in manufacturing: coordinating your workforce in real time.
With features like drag-and-drop shift scheduling, photo-verified time clock kiosks, mobile-friendly punch-ins, and GPS-verified time tracking, Workyard gives you visibility into who’s working, where they are, and how long they’ve been there—all without chasing down timesheets or double-checking logs.
Whether you’re running a packaging line, managing temporary crews, or adjusting shifts due to last-minute absences, Workyard helps you stay agile and in control.
Our Scoring System Explained
Our 8-part scoring system was created to help you understand the potential value of any software we review simply and fairly.
We created it after reviewing dozens of software products, which we covered in depth, but without providing a direct and simple way for readers to compare products on their merits – without spending a lot of time looking through our articles for the information they needed to make an informed decision.
Every app we review will include Customer Support and Company scores, which we’ll explain in more detail below. Many of the factors reviewed in this article will also be consistent across most (or all) of our software reviews, with some differences:
The 8 factors assessed and their contribution to a product’s overall score may differ slightly from product to product based on various factors, such as the use case we’re reviewing for, the type of business these products are tailored to, and other considerations. However, all reviews will feature an 8-part score, weighted and combined to calculate each product’s overall score.
How We Score Software
All factors in our reviews are scored on a 10-point scale – technically 11 points – from 0-10. However, we only give products a score of 0 if it does not include an essential feature at all, and we try to avoid giving out 0 scores if a product can demonstrate any functionality in line with the specific factor being reviewed.
In general, the 0-10 range translates as:
- 9.0 – 10 – One of the absolute best in its category (amazing).
- 7.5 – 8.9 – Very good, but with some minor issues (very good).
- 6.0 – 7.4 – Mediocre performance with notable shortcomings (average).
- 3.0 – 5.9 – This feature is not ready for prime time (borderline).
- 1.0 – 2.9 – This feature actually makes its product worse (unacceptable).
- 0 – The product doesn’t include this important feature at all.
How We Calculate Overall Scores
The 8 factors reviewed are weighted based on an overall total of 100%:
- Ease of Use: 20%
- Time Tracking Accuracy: 20%
- Scheduling Features: 15%
- Job Tracking: 15%
- Integrations: 10%
- Customer Support: 15%
- Company: 5%
Methodology for Each Factor
Ease of Use
We evaluate a product’s ease of use based on three main considerations:
- How easy is it to set up this app?
- How easy is it for managers to use the backend dashboard?
- How easy is it for frontline workers to use the (mobile) app?
These three considerations cover the main ways you and your team would use the software being reviewed – when you first obtain it, when someone (a manager, executive, team leader, or similar role) needs to use it to manage people, money, data, and other things, and when workers you’re tracking use the app (usually a mobile version of the software designed for frontline and/or field team members) to clock in, clock out, record time worked, or address other day-to-day needs.
Time Tracking Accuracy
Every minute matters when you’re trying to control payroll costs. This factor accounts for various features and common needs in time-tracking apps, such as…
- How accurate or precise is its GPS tracking capability?
- How accurate – and how customizable – is its geofencing feature?
- How accurate is its travel and mileage tracking (if available)?
- Can it automatically clock workers in and out based on the above?
- Can you set and/or restrict rules for clocking in and out?
- Can the app continue tracking workers while offline?
- How easy is its mobile app and/or kiosk for frontline workers?
Scheduling Features
Many construction businesses prefer to manage as many aspects of employee labor activity as possible in a single app, which is why many time-tracking apps also include worker scheduling as a core feature.
When we consider a product’s scheduling features, we look at:
- Its dashboard customizability (daily, weekly, or monthly views).
- Its project-based scheduling and visibility.
- Its real-time updates and notifications for workers.
- Its real-time map views of worker locations for best-fit scheduling.
- Its recurring schedule (copies to subsequent weeks, etc.) functionality.
Job Tracking
This factor helps you understand if the software can also provide insight into specific projects, which is particularly handy when your business deals with many customers or clients who generally need shorter-term work. Effective job tracking typically also includes accurate job costing functionality for construction companies.
We assess several things when calculating a product’s job tracking score:
- Its project-based tracking for multiple projects per day/week/etc.
- Its ability to track multiple / many projects simultaneously.
- Its use of (and your ability to customize) construction cost codes.
- Any built-in job costing views.
- Any integrations for cost coding (QuickBooks etc.)
Integrations
No business can operate on a single app, which is why integrations with other apps and tools are such important aspects of modern business software.
To calculate a product’s integration score, we’ll examine:
- How many native integrations (the simplest connection) does it offer?
- How effective and easy-to-use are its integrations with payroll software?
- Does it have robust data import and export features?
Customer Support
Learning how to use a new app can be frustrating, even if it’s meant to be the most user-friendly app around. That’s why great customer support is so essential when considering which time-tracking app to use.
Customer support scores are calculated based on:
- Live support channels available (phone, email, chat, etc.).
- Live support hours (business hours only, 24/7, etc.).
- The strength of the product’s online help center and/or FAQs.
- What other users say about support in online reviews.
Company
A great company with a highly customer-friendly approach can often make up for shortcomings in their software products – at least up to a point.
When assessing this score, we’ll examine:
- Transparency (easy-to-find pricing, etc.)
- Trial period (duration, feature availability, credit card requirements, etc.).
- Subscription flexibility (contracts, required durations, etc.).
- Ease of cancellation or pausing subscriptions.
- Customer perceptions (online product reviews).
- Website (a minor consideration, but great companies tend to have great websites).
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It typically includes features such as real-time updates, GPS tracking, and automated notifications, which enhance communication and efficiency within the team.
Essential features in technician scheduling software include an intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface, real-time GPS tracking, automated notifications, and integration with other business tools like CRM and payroll systems.
Additionally, robust reporting and analytics capabilities are crucial for monitoring performance and making data-driven decisions. Mobile accessibility is also vital, allowing technicians to update job statuses and access information on the go.
Workyard is the best technician scheduling software with a free trial. It offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to optimize scheduling, track technician locations and hours, manage timesheets, and integrate seamlessly with payroll systems.
Its user-friendly interface and powerful tools make it an excellent choice for businesses looking to improve efficiency and productivity without incurring additional costs.
To get employees to use technician scheduling software, start by involving them in the selection process. Provide thorough training and support to ease the transition and address any concerns.
Highlight the benefits, such as reduced manual work, improved communication, and increased efficiency. Encouraging feedback and continuously improving the user experience will also help in gaining their buy-in and a successful adoption.