7 Best Workforce Management Software Solutions for Small Restaurants

What is Workforce Management Software?

Workforce management software (WFM) is a technological solution for businesses that have a large or small group of employees clocking in and out of the workplace every day. WFM software helps businesses and their human resource departments manage and track employee attendance, along with handling other jobs such as talent management and project management. With workforce management tools, you can automate the process of tracking employee time, performance and attendance while also preventing malpractice and minimizing losses. Additionally, workforce management software can also help organizations forecast future staffing needs and budget for labor costs. This kind of employee management systems typically includes key features such as time clock integration, employee scheduling, leave management, and payroll automation.

Its cloud based workforce management tools will allow you to integrate with other third-party tech tools to manage your business and streamline your operations without hassle. Your employee data will automatically transfer to business management systems, such as HR software and accounting software that carry out a different set of tasks.

Key Features of WFM Software

By automating workflows and communication, WFM software can improve productivity and efficiency while reducing costs. Let's look at some of the key features offered by workforce management software-

• Time tracking- WFM software tracks employee work hours, overtime hours and time-offs. This allows businesses to identify areas where employees don't meet expectations and makes it easier to manage employee schedules.
  

• Attendance tracking- Workforce management systems can also track employee attendance, tardiness, and absenteeism. This helps businesses identify attendance issues, investigate the root cause, and eliminate malpractice.
  

• Leave Management- You can trust your WFM software to keep track of employee vacation days, sick days and all other types of leaves your company provides. This allows businesses to ensure that employees are taking the appropriate amount of time off and will also prevent abuse of the system.
  

• Performance tracking- WFM software can track employee performance data such as sale numbers, call times, and production goals. This allows businesses to identify areas where employees need improvement and recognize top performers.
  

• Employee scheduling- Most workforce planning and management systems come with the additional tool of employee scheduling with which you can create conflict-free work schedules within a few minutes.

• Communication tools- The software also comes with a communication platform for internal communications between team members, the human resources department, and management. This platform can also be used to create leave requests, time-off requests, or approvals.

Workforce Management Software Solution No. 1- Zip Schedules

Zip Schedules is a robust workforce management system that helps businesses create conflict-free schedules and also assists managers with easy employee scheduling and shift schedule delivery. Managers can use its mobile app to create real time shift schedules on the go and make alterations if needed. While employees can create requests for leave and time-off within seconds on the mobile app, managers can manage and approve these requests swiftly.

The Zip Schedules WFM software has been specially designed for restaurant and food service businesses that need quick and efficient communication tools, real time employee scheduling and workforce management solutions, along with information sharing tools. This self service workforce management software also sends real time alerts and notifications to employees and managers about shifts, tasks, and attendance and assists in overall talent management. With these salient features, Zip Schedules promises to reduce absenteeism, streamline employee scheduling systems, improve employee accountability, and reduce labor costs.

Workforce Management Software Solution No. 2- 7Shifts

7Shifts is a customizable restaurant employee scheduling and workforce management solution that works for all formats and sizes of food service establishments, be it a large or small business. You can simplify your workforce management, talent management, and project management needs, cut down the weekly work hours you spend creating employee schedules, and reduce labor costs with this product.

7Shifts' in-built communication platform will give you streamlined communication options for announcements, updates and real time information sharing. Moreover, this WFM software will also help you lower your employee turnover rate with better employee engagement tools and a dashboard to monitor this engagement.

With the 7Shifts software you'll be compliant with local labor laws, as it updates you on these laws and sends you alerts in case your staff violates them. You can also trust the mobile app offered by this workforce management software to remotely manage your employees and managers, check their availability, and oversee their performance.

Workforce Management Software Solution No. 3- Oracle

Oracle HCM Cloud is a complete suite of tools for businesses to manage their human resources, talent management and performance management needs. Business managers can trust Oracle's artificial intelligence to build and execute strategies for efficient workforce management. From local labor law compliance, to providing managers with a robust workforce directory, employee profiles, time attendance information and policy implementation, you can trust the Oracle WFM software with all jobs related to managing your team. Oracle is considered among the top workforce systems that also helps businesses and human resource teams create a rich bank of talent, and makes provisions for recruitment, retention, and hiring.

The Oracle HCM Cloud system promises to improve your business agility, enhance operations, improve employee engagement, cultivate talent, and improve customer service in the process.

Workforce Management Software Solution No. 4- SAP

SAP Success Factors is a workforce planning and management software that provides real time talent management solutions to business managers to help them better plan their operations and goals. This WFM software will work in alignment with your business strategy and improve your workforce planning and implementation. Key features offered by the SAP system improve the efficiency and productivity of the entire workforce.

Using strategic planning, risk analysis and forecasting techniques, SAP will make your workforce planning a streamlined process that works to better your business operations. Moreover, its cloud based mobile app gives business users further flexibility to remotely manage their business.

Workforce Management Software Solution No. 5- Ceridian Dayforce

Ceridian Dayforce is a cloud based HR software that takes care of all the human resource needs of a company, such as workforce management, employee attendance and time tracking, etc. This software is suitable for both, small businesses with fewer than 100 employees, as well as large enterprises handling thousands of workers every day. From payroll management to talent management, tax filing, accounting, performance management and task management, you can trust the Ceridian Dayforce WFM software with most of your workforce planning needs.

Ceridian also creates and manages a bank of employee records, assists with labor law compliance, offers cloud based mobile app access to business users, and generates insightful reports on workforce management.

Workforce Management Software Solution No. 6- ADP Workforce

ADP Workforce is a cloud based workforce management, payroll, and human resources software that businesses can use for time tracking, attendance, talent management and business administration. The ADP workforce management system is a self service solution. Business users can use this WFM software to store employee data and reduce labor costs involved in manual data entry.

The ADP Workforce system promises to streamline your talent management needs, improve employee experience and generate real time insights into your company's workforce planning and management.

Workforce Management Software Solution No. 7- Infor WFM

Infor WFM software is a cloud based workforce management solution that caters to businesses of all shapes and sizes. From labor law compliance, to reducing labor costs and operational costs and improving employee productivity, this software is capable of doing it all. You can use the Infor software for its attendance and time tracking features, employee scheduling tools, and other human resource systems.

The WFM software is easy to use and can be customized according to your specific business needs, while you can use the mobile app to bring greater mobility to your talent management processes.

Buyer's Guide- How to Buy the Right WFM Software

The right workforce management software can be a game-changer for your company, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? Here's our buyer's guide to help you make the best decision for your business.

To start, you need to understand what WFM software is and what it can do for your company. WFM software is a tool that helps businesses manage their employees' work schedules. It can also be used to track and monitor employee productivity, as well as schedule training and development sessions.

Once you have a basic understanding of WFM software, it's time to start evaluating your options. When considering different WFM software platforms, there are several key factors you should keep in mind-

• Ease of use- The platform should be easy to use and intuitive so that employees can adopt it immediately.
• Flexibility- The platform should be flexible enough to accommodate your company's unique needs and requirements.
• Cost- You'll want to consider the cost of the platform before making a decision. Make sure to get an estimate of all associated costs upfront so there are no surprises down the road.