Choose the best workforce management software company – 5 things to look for

Comparing workforce management software companies isn’t easy. Every solution seems to promise the world – from handling schedules to reducing absence.

But there’s another angle to consider. One that’s sometimes overlooked.

Functionality is important, but it isn’t all you need. The right company to work with needs to be more than just a software company.

They should also be a partner you can trust.

You need a company you can rely on, to keep your rotas and timesheets optimised and available. Not just during the honeymoon period, when the relationship is new, but every single day and for years to come.

You need one ready to answer your questions, solve your technical issues, and keep your teams happy.

Here are five things to look for as you evaluate workforce management software companies.

1 . They appreciate how busy you are

Plenty of companies out there have built a “comprehensive” set of workforce management tools. It might have every feature you need, from custom shift schedules to analytics tools.

But have they thought about your HR staff and managers on the ground – and most importantly, how busy they are?

Solutions that are too complex, require a lot of training, or just don’t have a user-focused design can hurt your productivity. They might cost more than you expected, too.

When researching companies, look for one that can help you:

• Protect or improve staff productivity – by reducing scheduling admin and getting schedules right every time
• Increase employee happiness – by making teams feel empowered and that work is fairer 
• Get the full value of your investment – if features are complex, nobody will use them and money will be wasted.

If in doubt, ask for a demonstration so you can see how user-friendly each solution is.

2. They’ve got people ready to support you

Even the best rota software has its limitations. We’ve probably all had an experience where you’re trying to do something simple, but the app just won’t let you – either because of an error outside your control, or you just can’t find the right button!

That’s why, sometimes, you need to speak to a real person who knows what’s up.

So, ask each company the important questions:

• “How quickly do you resolve problems when things go wrong?”
• “Who is there to help our teams when they get stuck?”

The best workforce management software companies will offer you more than an FAQ and a slow ticket system. Demand great support for your teams.

3. They’re trusted by other companies you know

The workforce planning software space is full of ambitious start-ups at the moment. They’re all working to offer something game-changing.

Can they deliver everything promised in their flashy websites? One good way to judge is to look at their list of existing customers. If other good organisations trust them, maybe you can too. 

Rotageek is relied on by quite a few leaders in their fields. They include the NHS, food retailer Pret a Manger, mobile network O2, and vehicle breakdown company the RAC.

We couldn’t ask for a better group of customers.

4. Their tools save you money, instead of just costing you money

Yes, workforce planning software is an expense. But the best companies and solutions enable you to reach ROI faster.

Ask workforce management software vendors for proof points on how they’ll help you:

• Reduce labour costs
• Increase sales
• Boost customer experience scores
• Improve employee satisfaction sentiments

And don’t forget to ask by how much!

5. They innovate to help you reach your goals

Workforce management is a job as old as civilisation. It’s a task that demands accuracy, attention to detail, and a systematic approach.

But that doesn’t mean your workforce management tools need to be basic and ancient!

If you can use the latest technologies to gain a competitive edge – why not?

Ask potential vendors how they’re leveraging new approaches like autoscheduling, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to give you more value.

The best companies will be pushing forward, not resting on their laurels.

Have we followed our own advice?

Now we’ve shared our thoughts on what the best workforce management solutions companies look like, we hope you’ll take a look at Rotageek – and see if we live up to our own blueprint!

To the organisations who partner with us, we make these promises:

• Schedule-related admin reduced by up to 80%
• Up to 8% labour spend savings
• Real people to talk to when you need help
• AI that predicts demand and optimises schedules for you

We have a lot more benefits and proof points we can tell you about. If you’d like to know more, speak to a geek now.