Like many other industries, construction business has become more and more reliant on high-tech software with AI . The days of paper employee tracking and drawing by hand are long gone. Nowadays, we use programs to create project schematics, perform various accounting tasks, and measure the construction site.
Payroll management, in particular, has experienced numerous improvements due to this technology. Unlike decades prior, we no longer have to worry about employees stealing company’s resources through notorious buddy system. We can calculate exactly how much a person invests in a project by monitoring their presence at the construction site.
However, for the programs to function as intended, they need to rely on artificial intelligence. When coupled with GPS, big data, and machine learning, attendance is calculated in real time. They store all information on the cloud, so there aren’t any discrepancies.
In this article, we’ll explain the term AI time tracking. After that, we’ll talk about practical examples and how all of this affects our relationships with employees.
What is AI Time Tracking?
Artificial intelligence is integral for streamlining various business operations, including payrolls. AI allows managers to monitor their employees and assess how they spend time at work. Specifically, when it comes to the construction business, AI-driven time tracking software helps foremen analyze entrances and exits to the site.
Unlike the traditional time tracking process, where employees use paper cards to punch in and out, the AI software automatically tracks workers’ presence. It provides a high degree of real-time accuracy, something you couldn’t achieve with prior systems.
Complexity of AI Time Tracking
Perhaps the best thing about this software is that it integrates with various other digital systems. Time tracking programs require GPS, but also smartphone apps and location trackers to maximize their value. While this is really great, it also means you require a hefty initial investment to put things into motion.
Companies place trackers on their vehicles and equipment, allowing them to monitor when and how these machines are used. Whenever someone’s driving a truck out of a site, the supervisor will get notified by receiving an alert on their phone. This makes the tech vital not only for payrolls but also for preventing theft.
Besides machines, AI can also track personnel on the field. Your employees have to wear trackers on their hands or, even better, use smartphones with an app. Out of many solutions on the market, SmartBarrel’s construction time tracking software stands out as perhaps the best product of this type.
Time Tracking and Safety
The software provides valuable data about employees’ time usage. Managers can utilize these insights to change their workflow and improve overall efficiency in the field. As each worker has his own habits, supervisors can use AI time tracking to notice patterns and other issues that reduce daily output.
More than anything, AI programs assist in keeping the employees safe. Modern, progressive companies use concept called geofencing that creates virtual barriers. With these barriers, supervisors on the field determine when a person enters a potentially hazardous area. The tracking software also works for vehicles adjusting their speed while on the field.
Artificial Intelligence and Payrolls
AI is vital for superb construction time management. It provides higher-ups with accurate information, which is especially vital during project planning. Artificial intelligence allows you to optimize daily tasks and allocate resources to tasks where they generate the most value. Among others, these programs address bottlenecks and suggest areas of improvement.
When speaking about payrolls, in particular, AI software is vital for tracking workers’ presence. It clocks in a worker as soon as he enters the site, something that previously required paper cards. As each employee is connected to their phone, there can’t be any shenanigans in the form of time stealing.
Even if your employees aren’t trying to trick you, there might still be some discrepancies. For example, in the past managers struggled to input all this information into sheets. By the time all the clock ins/outs arrived to the accounting department, there might be numerous errors within the sheets.
The entire situation becomes even more troublesome when you consider toilet and lunch breaks. Back in the day, foremen would have to track each employee and take note of their time consumption. This is no longer a thing given that employees can input their designated breaks via apps.
Payroll Calculation
As mentioned, the main thing about AI is the accuracy. The software knows exactly when someone enters a site by relying on geofencing technology. In fact, it monitors the presence of your staff in specific areas, which makes it possible to calculate their involvement in specific tasks.
For example, if an employee is in an area where you lay bricks, he will receive compensation for that particular task. On the other hand, if a person is using a specific piece of equipment or driving a truck, they will get a different rate.
The software also takes into account each person’s contract. This is especially important for each member of the management team, each with a different salary than his colleagues. The software calculates revenues for each one of them, making sure no one is shortchanged.
Technology is valuable when planning and calculating budgets. While you can never set the budget with 100% accuracy, AI ensures your initial projections are as close to the realistic tally as possible.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, despite all the benefits this technology provides, a handful of companies still utilize analog time tracking. They’re too stuck in their old ways, which prevents them from making a big leap forward and modernizing their payroll management. With the power of AI, you can streamline the entire process and ensure there are no stones unturned when calculating employee salaries.
If you haven’t introduced time tracking tools to your daily workflow, we suggest you do it as soon as possible. While this software is rather expensive, the initial investment will pay off for itself.
