There is a saying in data management that what you get out of something is only as good as what you put into it. In fact, it’s expressed rather more succinctly than that as “rubbish in, rubbish out”. In the age of the computer, it is very easy to compile and even analyse data of all sorts. Often the data is of no interest whatsoever and one sometimes wonders why a little more discretion cannot be used when deciding upon which reports to produce. After all, just because you can do something doesn’t necessarily mean you should do it.
There are some types of information that are extremely useful, though, in the right hands. For example, the Human Resources department of any business will find information about their employees’ time and attendance extremely useful. It is essential when planning workloads and levels of staffing.
Many employers have switched to a flexible time system. There are plenty of good reasons for doing this. The short sighted employer sees flexible time as an unnecessary benefit extended to their staff. However, evidence shows that sick leave is reduced. This is presumably due to the fact that people can use flexi days instead of throwing a ‘sickie’ when they don’t want to use part of their leave entitlement. Similarly, medical appointments are taken in the employees’ time rather than the employers’.
By using a reliable data collection system for time recording, the full benefits of flexible time can be enjoyed. At P and Q International, we have the QTAR time and attendance management software, one of the most flexible time and attendance systems there is.
Data collection software has applications in many other business areas as well including stock systems which will not only keep track of your inventory but also the location of that stock.