The right booking method for every production area

Not every workplace in production has the same requirements. While employees on a production line want to record their working hours as quickly as possible when entering the production area, maintenance teams or shift supervisors often require more flexible options.

• Terminal-based time recording: Stationary terminals are the preferred choice for production areas with a high number of employees. RFID or NFC cards enable contactless bookings within seconds and reduce waiting times during shift changes.
• Mobile time recording: Service technicians, maintenance teams or employees working across multiple sites benefit from mobile booking via smartphone or tablet. Working hours can be documented regardless of location.
• Browser-based time recording: For production planners, supervisors or administrative employees, time recording directly via PC is an ideal solution. Bookings can be conveniently completed in the browser and are immediately available in the system.
• Combination of different booking methods: The greatest strength of modern workforce management solutions lies in their flexibility. With ZEUS®, organizations can use multiple booking methods in parallel and manage them centrally. This ensures that every employee receives the solution that best fits their workplace and daily responsibilities.

Industry 4.0 does not start only at the machine

Digitalization in production does not end with connected machines or automated manufacturing processes. Time recording is also becoming an important part of a modern smart factory. Only when employee, time and production data are combined can organizations gain a complete view of their operational processes.

Modern booking methods provide the foundation for this. Working hours are recorded in real time and are immediately available for shift planning, workforce scheduling and evaluations. This reduces media disruptions, accelerates administrative processes and creates a reliable data basis for operational decisions.

With ZEUS® Workforce Management, different booking methods can be integrated flexibly into existing production processes. Organizations benefit from a solution that adapts to current structures and grows with future requirements.

RFID, NFC or app? Which booking method fits production?

Not every technology is suitable for every working environment. The key factor is understanding the requirements of daily operations and enabling employees to record their working hours as easily as possible.

• RFID: the proven standard for manufacturing companies

RFID cards enable contactless time recording within seconds. Especially in shift operations with many employees, this significantly reduces the time required during shift changes. At the same time, RFID media are robust, durable and easy to integrate into existing access control systems.

• NFC: convenient and versatile

NFC technology offers similar advantages to RFID and can, depending on the organization's strategy, also be used with mobile devices. This creates additional possibilities for areas with changing workplaces or multiple locations.

• Mobile app: ideal for maintenance and plant services

Not every employee starts the working day at a terminal. Maintenance staff, service technicians or technical teams often move between different buildings or facilities. With mobile time recording via ZEUS®, working hours can be documented independently of the location.

• Browser-based booking: perfect for production planning and administration

Production planning, work preparation and HR departments usually do not require stationary terminals. Browser-based time recording provides a convenient way to record and manage working hours directly at the workplace.

Checklist: does your time recording system still meet the requirements of your production environment?

Manufacturing companies are continuously evolving. New production lines, additional shifts or multiple locations also create new challenges for working time recording. With this short checklist, you can assess whether your current booking processes still meet the needs of your organization.

✓ Check your time recording system in just a few minutes

• Are employees regularly delayed by waiting times at the terminal during shift changes?
• Do working hours frequently need to be corrected or added manually?
• Do individual production areas still use paper lists or Excel files?
• Can employees only record their working hours to a limited extent when they are away from the terminal?
• Do managers lack an up to date overview of attendance and shift assignments?
• Are time data recorded multiple times or transferred between different systems?
• Is time recording organized differently at some locations than at others?
• Can new production areas or additional locations only be integrated with considerable effort?
• Are evaluations of working hours or attendance only available with a delay?
• Are your existing booking processes reaching their limits as employee numbers increase?

Evaluation

• 0 to 2 times “Yes”: your time recording system is already well positioned. Nevertheless, it is worth looking into modern booking methods to further simplify processes and prepare for future requirements at an early stage.
• 3 to 5 times “Yes”: there is potential for optimization. Flexible booking methods such as terminals, mobile apps or browser based solutions can accelerate processes and significantly reduce administrative effort.
• More than 5 times “Yes”: your current booking processes are likely already slowing down daily operations. Now is the right time to modernize your time recording system and combine different booking methods in a central solution such as ZEUS® Workforce Management.