Benefits of Digital Time Tracking in Construction and Trades
Especially in the construction and trades industry, the transition from paper to a digital solution is advantageous – as enhancing efficiency and avoiding errors are crucial here. Companies can easily keep track of their teams’ working hours through digital timesheets, without having to drown in piles of paper. Employees can easily record their working hours themselves, and the payroll department can process them in real-time. This leads to a significant ease of work – particularly during stressful phases of projects.
Another advantage is not only the digital recording of work but also the ability to record vacation requests, absences, or sick notifications with just a few clicks and forward them. This data can then be accessed at any time by HR or the site manager. This means less time spent on planning and organization, allowing the focus to be on the actual project tasks.
Features of a Modern Digital Timesheet
A digital timesheet can do much more than just record working hours. It can be used in various ways and even tailored to specific needs in the construction and trades industry. Here are the key features of Valoon that significantly ease daily operations:
- Real-time Time Tracking: Employees can easily record their working hours on-site via WhatsApp or other messaging apps. This way, no minute is lost.
- Absence Management: Whether it’s vacation, illness, or other absences – these can be entered directly via mobile and clearly presented to the site manager and HR.
- Automated Data Processing: All recorded times are collected and converted into reports. These can then be used immediately for payroll or performance documentation.
- Export in Various Formats: With Valoon, there’s also the option to export the data as an Excel or CSV file. This facilitates integration into existing accounting or project management systems.
- Multilingual Use: Valoon has an integrated translation feature. With this, employees from different language backgrounds can collaborate effortlessly. Everyone can communicate in their native language, and Valoon translates in real-time – minimizing misunderstandings.
- Notifications and Reminders: Automatic reminders ensure that no important information is forgotten.
All these reasons explain why digital time tracking in trades not only saves time but also improves collaboration and streamlines processes.
Why WhatsApp is Perfect for Time Tracking
Using a familiar tool like WhatsApp for time tracking in trades is a real game changer for the construction and trades industry. Utilizing WhatsApp for time tracking is indeed a game changer. Already, 72% of all construction participants use WhatsApp in their daily work – shifting timesheet recording to this platform has several key advantages:
- Minimal Entry Barriers: No additional apps or software are needed, as almost everyone already has WhatsApp installed on their smartphones.
- No Training Required: WhatsApp is straightforward and self-explanatory. Employees can get started immediately since they are already familiar with its use.
- Quick Input via Chat Messages: Instead of conducting complicated processes on their smartphones, working hours, absences, or progress reports can be recorded and sent like a text message thanks to WhatsApp.
- GDPR-Compliant Use: A very important factor for companies – with the integration of the WhatsApp Business API, the highest level of data security is ensured.
- Flexibility for All Team Members: Employees can record data at any time, whether on-site or on the go.
WhatsApp brings digital time tracking in trades exactly to the place where it’s needed: the construction site.
The Future of Time Tracking: Digital and Automated
Digitalization has long become a key factor for the competitiveness of the construction industry and other trades, and capturing working hours is the beginning of a profound transformation. The future of time tracking in trades lies in automation and the use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence. In the future, AI systems will not only automate the entry of time periods, but also make predictions, e.g., about personnel availability or resource planning.
Another promising aspect of digital time tracking in trades is that real-time data is integrated into project management. As time tracking is continuously synchronized with project management and accounting software, site managers gain direct insight into project progress and can make informed decisions immediately. Potential time overruns or budget discrepancies can thus be identified very early on. At the same time, digital time tracking benefits sustainability, as it eliminates paper-based processes and saves resources. This accuracy-boosting and efficient worktime management benefits not only project planning but also gives companies a clear competitive edge.
It is therefore crucial for companies to take the step towards digitalization. Implementing modern technologies like digital time tracking is not only an investment in efficiency and transparency, but also a fundamental building block for future-proof business processes. Companies that engage early with digital solutions are better able to meet the growing demands of the market and adapt flexibly to changes. Digitalization allows for optimizing internal processes, enhancing employee satisfaction through simple and transparent tools, and remaining competitive in the long run.
Try it out and see for yourself. Start now with Valoon and discover how easy time tracking can be. Request a Free Demo or contact us, to learn more. Your efficiency increase begins here – let’s take the next step together!
Want to learn more about time tracking in construction? Take a look here!
