Workforce management is a critical component of business performance management in all businesses.
Workforce management is becoming more and more important due to fast-changing market conditions, fluctuating regulations, increased employee turnover, growing pro-union attitudes, and a more diversified and geographically dispersed workforce.
The hospitality industry has a lot of moving parts at its best and organized chaos at its worst. Managers are continuously looking for innovative ways to make their hotel or restaurant work as efficiently as possible.
The production of any organization is dependent on the output of its staff. And what better method to manage personnel effectively than with workforce management solutions?
Workforce management software for hospitality helps make this complicated tax simpler and more efficient.
What is Workforce Management?
Workforce management is most strongly linked with time monitoring and scheduling, but it is much more than that. It encompasses all of the procedures and tools that help you engage and use your workers' time and skills.
Workforce management allows workers and contractors to register and monitor their time in order to set pay codes, seek time off, and arrange timetables. It also assists you in remaining in compliance with labor regulations and union agreements.
7 Best Workforce Management Software For Hospitality Businesses in 2024
Let's double down on the best workforce management software for hospitality businesses to better understand how it's done in the field through digital solutions. Afterward, we'll take a close look at some important aspects of managing workforce in hotel businesses.
1. Xenia - Overall No. 1 Best & Free Hotel Workforce Software
As one of the best solutions for managing hospitality business teams, Xenia comes as a dedicated solution that simplifies scheduling, time tracking, communication, and shift-based teams. Managers can utilize the platform to build timetables in minutes and distribute them via the Xenia mobile app.
The program also compiles all relevant information into a single, user-friendly platform. There's no need to sift through mountains of paper or wait for radio answers; everything you need is there at your fingers.
Business owners can also use the software to create employment SOPs, Checklists, and Work Templates.
With Xenia's customizable digital task tracking, you can empower your frontline staff while also gaining total insight into your operations.
However, what sets this platform apart is its multilocation; multi-unit application. If you're running multiple hotels, you can easily track and monitor all ongoing activities with Xenia; a centralized workforce management tool that completely rids of you requiring additional programs for simultaneous tasks.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Task Management: With Xenia's customizable digital task tracking, you can empower your frontline staff while also gaining total insight into your operations.
- Multi-Location Management: Consolidate compliance, standardized processes, maintenance, and every day operations across all locations into a single site.
- Automate Corrective Actions: Create smart inspections with steps that activate automation when a highlighted response, such as a failed step or a meter log that is out of range, is fulfilled.
- Preventative Maintenance: Xenia assists teams in identifying hazards, resolving problems, tracking expenses, and analyzing the work history of all assets and equipment critical to your business.
Pricing Models and Packages
- Free Forever: Free trial for up to 5 users
- Starter: $99 / month for 15 users
- Premium: $199 / month for 15 users with unlimited access to all the core features
- Custom: Need something tailored to your organization?
User Interface and Ease of Use
- With Xenia, you get the flexibility that you need for smooth operations and unmatched ease of use. Create a single, streamlined location for all of your critical documents. By adjusting to the size of your screen, Xenia ensures a constant and responsive user experience.
Customer Support and Training Options
- Xenia enables you to monitor each employee's training progress with Training Module Creation and Progress Tracking. We are committed to keeping you informed and empowered through live demos, allowing you to explore the latest features, experience product updates firsthand, and engage in interactive Q&A sessions.
For more details, feel free to book a demo today.
Available for up to 5 users
Premium for $99/month for the first 20 users (with free trial period)
Available on iOS, Android and Web
2. Homebase
Homebase is a team management application for hourly, shift-based teams that automates scheduling, time tracking, communication, and payment. Managers may use the platform to build schedules in minutes and distribute them via the Homebase mobile app.
Employees may then get auto-reminders for forthcoming shifts and clock in using their smartphones. Once users begin monitoring time with a GPS-enabled time clock, Homebase transforms their hours into timesheets for payroll.
Business owners can also use the platform to create job descriptions and recruit and train new staff before their first day on the job.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Time-Saving Time Clocks: Homebase transforms any device into a time clock, allowing you to keep track of hours, breaks, and overtime. It also makes payroll preparation a snap.
- Smarter Scheduling: Your schedule is constantly accessible and up to date for your team. You can make changes on the fly, on the bus, or from almost anywhere.
- Team Communication: Send a message and ensure that your team has received it. Know that your personnel are on time, even if you are not there.
Pricing Models and Packages
- Basic: $0 for 1 location up to 20 employees
- Essentials: $20/location/mo
- Plus: $48/location/mo
- All-in-one: $80/location/mo
User Interface and Ease of Use
- Homebase offers a mobile platform that is not only user-friendly but also highly functional, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in every interaction.
Customer Support and Training Options
- N/A
3. NICE
A cloud-based workforce optimization tool called NICE Workforce Management assists managers in creating and maximizing staff schedules.
It has functions like real-time reporting, sophisticated analytics, and forecasting to help you better anticipate staffing requirements and base choices on factual information.
To make sure your employees are consistently well-rested and productive, it also comes with tools for handling timesheets and requests for time off.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Enlighten Actions: Use conversational inquiries and responses to take data-driven action without having to track down an analyst or report.
- Workforce Management: Anticipate business expectations with better, AI-based forecasting and scheduling that maintains SLAs while lowering expenses.
- Performance Management: Meet company objectives and continue to improve by engaging people via personal coaching and gamification.
Pricing Models and Packages
- Contract for pricing
User Interface and Ease of Use
- Built-in ease of use. Artificial intelligence, automated procedures, and a simple interface make life easier for agents and supervisors.
Customer Support and Training Options
- Contact center professionals teach all of their training. It is intended for everyone on your team and the many methods they like to learn.
4. Connecteam
Up next on our best hotel workforce management software list, we've got none other than Connecteam.
It is a mobile-first workforce management and field service software that assists businesses in managing their employees, whether they are working remotely or in the field.
To maintain teams in sync with one another, it has communication tools, task management, and scheduling features.
Advanced features of Connecteam include payroll tools, time and expense reporting, and attendance monitoring. Because of this, it's an excellent tool for small firms that have to oversee teams of workers across borders.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Scheduling & Time Tracking: Easily create & send schedules, accurately track work hours to digital timesheets, and get paid right, time and again.
- Daily Operations: Keep personnel on track with custom forms and checklists and ensure workflow with live field reports.
- Internal Communications: Multiple technologies are available to link every employee and ensure that the relevant information reaches them wherever they are.
Pricing Models and Packages
- Starter Plan ($9.9/user/month)
- Small Office Plan ($15.9/user/month)
- Business Plan ($23.9/user/month)
User Interface and Ease of Use
- Connecteam features a very user-friendly layout, making it simple for both managers and staff to explore and utilize successfully.
Customer Support and Training Options
- Connecteam helps build online training and create content for new and existing employees. Track employee training progress through robust reporting features.
5. Oracle
With its comprehensive worker management solution, Oracle worker Management improves productivity and simplifies corporate procedures.
It has payroll templates, time tracking and scheduling automation, sophisticated analytics, and more.
The ideal use case for Oracle Workforce Management is in larger enterprises that need the most robust and integrated tools for personnel management. For businesses that use all of Oracle's functionality, the additional cost may be justified.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Shift Management: Give managers real-time access to labor demand data and fluctuations to assist them in creating optimum schedules.
- Worker Self-scheduling: Let eligible workers determine which shifts they want to work, pick up, release, or swap with a qualified coworker.
- Scheduling Compliance: Maintain compliance with complicated rules such as fatigue management, seniority equity, and scheduling predictability.
Pricing Models and Packages
- Contact vendor for pricing
User Interface and Ease of Use
- Oracle is a complicated and powerful system that requires a significant investment in hardware, software, licensing, maintenance, and updates. It has a high learning curve and may need extensive training and design to satisfy the hotel's expectations and operations.
Customer Support and Training Options
- Providing on-premises and cloud-based learning management systems by Oracle Digital Learning. All users, regardless of experience, can locate a suitable course in the training library.
6. Skedulo
Skedulo is a workforce management software for hospitality that allows businesses to manage personnel schedules, organize projects, and optimize processes.
The emphasis on mobility is what distinguishes Skedulo from other labor management systems. Skedulo's mobile app provides a comprehensive resource for field staff, allowing them to check appointments and connect with management.
As a result, Skedulo is particularly handy for businesses that often plan repair visits or operate on the road.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Simplify Complex Schedules: Eliminate the pain of manual scheduling, whether you’re managing fieldwork, appointments, or shifts at fixed locations.
- Purpose Built: Regardless of the size of your workforce, their purpose-built solutions will grow with you every step of the way and integrate with the technologies you already know and love.
- Scheduling & Dispatch: The robust scheduling software provided by Skedulo makes it simple to match available and qualified staff to client needs and expectations.
Pricing Models and Packages
- Contact vendor for pricing
User Interface and Ease of Use
- Skedulo's Deskless Productivity Cloud features a mobile app tailored to the demands of mobile professionals. A user-friendly interface, seamless interoperability, automatic scheduling, real-time notifications, and simplified communication all contribute to increased productivity and cooperation throughout the workforce.
Customer Support and Training Options
- As you adapt how you manage your mobile workforce, Skedulo's trained and committed Customer Success team can help. Get direction and assistance during training, implementation, and continuing usage to keep your business competitive.
7. Bitrix24
The next program on our hotel workforce management software list is Bitrix24.
It's an all-in-one online workplace with a mission to change the way people work online.
This platform provides a comprehensive set of communication, CRM, and task management capabilities to guarantee that your whole team is supported, whether they are at work or home.
What distinguishes Bitrix24 from other project management systems is its emphasis on replacing your whole technology stack. Although this seems to be a lofty goal (and it is), they succeed admirably.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Lead Acquisition: Leads can be generated via a variety of methods, such as online forms, live chats, phone calls, or social media, and instantly uploaded to your CRM.
- Lead Management: Use our built-in lead scoring tool to see which prospects your sales reps need to focus on and assign them automatically.
- Sales Automation: Dozens of rules and triggers for sales and marketing automation can save you time and money.
Pricing Models and Packages
- Basic: US$ 43/organization/month / billed annually
- Standard: US$ 87/organization/month / billed annually
- Professional: US$ 175/organization/month / billed annually
- Enterprise: US$ 325/organization/month / billed annually
User Interface and Ease of Use
- Bitrix24 has a minor advantage due to its more user-friendly design and better customizable options. This simplicity of use is especially advantageous for firms seeking a CRM system that their personnel can rapidly embrace, reducing interruption and boosting productivity.
Customer Support and Training Options
- Bitrix24 provides the most effective online customer care software. Bitrix24 is completely free to trial, regardless of the size of your company.
How Does Workforce Management Software For Hospitality Work?
Workforce management brings together different data. Here are some of the regions and data that were gathered.
- Real-time Data Collection: Data on employee performance, staffing levels, and other areas can potentially be used with workforce management software to minimize as much wasted time as possible and more effectively allocate resources.
- Field Service Management (FSM): You could have a field service team, and the staff might not always be able to do their work from the convenience of their own homes or offices.
There are new variables and problems in unfamiliar places. Field service management, or FSM, is a program that helps monitor and dispatch field employees.
It usually includes inventory management, scheduling, vehicle tracking, and even features for client payment and feedback. Note that some businesses consider FSM to be a distinct class of software that exists outside of basic labor management.
- Human Resources Management (HRM): The workforce management system is connected with information from the human resources management system, such as personnel files, including information about contractors and seasonal labor.
- Training Management (TM): Organize, monitor, and document staff training. Besides streamlining staff education on new equipment or procedures, training can additionally be used for compliance and safety reasons.
- Performance Management (PM) and Monitoring: Establish objectives or KPIs with staff members, then monitor their progress. Plan for frequent reviews and solicit input from staff members to maintain employee engagement and enhance tactics. In order to provide new managers and others a better understanding of past performance, PM, and monitoring also maintain records for teams and workers.
Workforce Management Software For Hospitality Solution Components
A typical Workforce management software for hospitality would contain tools for monitoring time and labor, scheduling employees, and controlling absences. Worker management systems can be expanded to incorporate worker health and safety in addition to these essential operations.
Time and Labor
A time management system provides visibility and control over your most expensive and important resource: your employees. It also guarantees that labor regulations and labor union agreements are followed.
Absence Management
An application that allows you to monitor employee absence and comply with worldwide leave requirements. An absence management program allows you to mitigate the repercussions of absenteeism, such as higher expenses and risk, as well as decreased productivity.
Workforce Health and Safety
This tool helps enterprises to handle environmental health and safety events simply and efficiently.
It enhances your company's overall safety by simplifying and automating the whole process, including reporting, recording crucial information, and determining the underlying causes of events.
Bottomline
Choosing the best workforce management software for hospitality for your company might be difficult.
With so many alternatives at your disposal, it's critical to take the time to thoroughly investigate and evaluate each one in order to choose the one that best suits your requirements.
Trying workforce management software for hospitality for yourself is one of the greatest ways to find out whether it's perfect for you. You can try out our labor management tools by creating a free account with Xenia right now.