It’s not easy to keep tabs on all your employees when you run a solar installation business. Use one of the best time tracking solutions to change that.
With the pace picking up for solar installation businesses, a notepad and pencil no longer meet the mark when it comes to keeping track of the hours your employees work. Time tracking software can help you keep tabs on hours worked, as well as the contracts, invoices, and other data associated with them.
Find out what to expect from good quality time trackers and discover the top options to consider for your business.
Why Choose Time Tracking Software
At its most basic, time tracking software is the digital version of an old-fashioned punch clock. The best solutions, however, go beyond the basics. Instead, they boast features that can help streamline the admin involved in various aspects of running your business.
Most applications can connect to various types of accounting software, the most common of which are for billing and invoicing. Many apps also work with shift schedulers and other interoperable solutions.
All the software solutions for solar installation businesses highlighted below have GPS tracking. This is an important feature for small business owners whose teams do out-of-office work, as you can track attendance and time on location without leaving your office. Some software takes it a step further by requiring your employees to take a selfie when arriving or leaving locations.
Geofencing functionality is another feature of time tracking software. It’s also a good reason to consider using one of these solutions for your business. You can set the geofencing function to clock employees in automatically when they arrive at work locations and to send reminders when they enter or leave a specified location radius.
Without further ado, let’s explore the 6 best time tracking software solutions for solar installation businesses.
#1. Hourly
For solar companies seeking an all-in-one solution
Hourly is one of the top labour-management platforms for trades like solar installation. It was created by construction industry veterans who understand the challenges of keeping track of hourly employees. Hourly automatically collects timecard data from your employees, so you don’t have to..
The app brings together GPS time tracking, payroll, and workers’ comp all in one place, which means you save time and money. Hourly syncs your payroll data with your workers’ comp, so premiums are based on employees’ actual wages and not a guess. This gives you an extremely accurate view of your total labour costs, including payroll, payroll taxes, and worker’s comp. And come audit time, you shouldn’t owe anything more on your workers’ comp policy.. The best features include:
- Employee location tracking
- Real-time task tracking
- Labor and job costing
- GPS alerts and virtual clock-in boundaries
- Manual time entries
- Automatic clock-ins and clock-outs
- Seamless payroll and workers’ compensation integration
#2. Hubstaff
For solar companies that want to monitor employees
Hubstaff regularly makes it into lists of the best software and apps for tracking time, and for good reason. A solution is an attractive option for small businesses.
The app works with Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, and Windows devices, and with Chrome. In addition to GPS and time tracking, Hubstaff can monitor your workers’ internet usage during work hours. The solution’s best features include:
- Time tracking
- GPS tracking
- Screenshots of workers’ devices
- Automated and manual tracking options
- Automated payments
- Reporting, online timesheets, and productivity monitoring
#3. Buddy Punch
For solar companies based in different locations
Buddy Punch is a web-based time tracking software with a customizable interface and functions that can make it easier to manage your employees beyond keeping track of their jobs in the field.
With its locations feature, you can create and add several business sites and locations. This enables multi-location companies to track time by business location.
In addition to GPS tracking, the software lets you set reminders, track employees’ vacation time, and automatically split working hours into regular time, double time, and overtime. The best Buddy Punch features for solar installation businesses include:
- GPS tracking
- Project time tracking
- Job codes
- Optional unique overtime rules per employee
- A calendar for scheduling time off for employees
- Facial recognition, QR code, and other login options
#4. Time Doctor
For solar companies that don’t need additional features
Time Doctor is a great solution to consider for your solar installation business. The software is affordable, and it offers a range of functionalities, such as attendance tracking.
The option is particularly suitable if you have a team or teams of installers, or if you’re looking for a software solution that integrates well with another management platform. The best Time Doctor features include:
- Automatic and manual time tracking
- GPS tracking
- Attendance tracking
- Time breakdowns for clients and projects
- Optional screenshot monitoring
- Client access
- Integration with various management platforms
#5. Homebase
For solar companies looking to create schedules
Homebase is time tracking software that works on any device. You can use the software on a computer, and you and your employees can download a free app for mobile devices.
The software solution’s functionality is impressive, as you can keep track of your workers who are out installing solar panels and other equipment with GPS and keep in touch with them via team messaging. With Homebase, you can take advantage of payroll exports, chat and email support, and even manager training, if required. The best features include:
- Works in offline mode (without an internet connection)
- GPS-based clock-in makes it suitable for off-site workers
- PIN-based login
- You/managers can edit employee times when required
#6. QuickBooks Time
For large solar companies with complex needs
Formerly known as TSheets, QuickBooks Time is another software solution for tracking time that we recommend for solar installation businesses. One of the best things about this option is that individuals and teams can use it.
QuickBooks Time offers crew functionality for managers, GPS tracking, alerts, and PIN-based login. The best features include:
- GPS time tracking software
- Reminders and alerts
- Employee scheduling features
- Employee paid time off tracking
- PIN-based login
Conclusion
After being disrupted by the Covid pandemic, the US’s solar sector is on the rebound.
The US solar industry had a record year in 2020 despite the coronavirus pandemic, with a record 19.2 gigawatts of new capacity, a 43% jump from 2019. The trend is set to continue, as solar installations are expected to quadruple from current levels by 2030.
There’s a good chance your solar installation business is going to grow over the coming years. Use the best time tracking software to scale up with ease.
