Case Study

Battels Revitalizes Business with Automated Timekeeping

Serving the Community Battels Hardware and Tool Company was

founded in 1943 in the heart of Whittier,

California. The store specializes in hard-

ware for property management, residen-

tial buildings, municipalities, schools and

water works. They are big in plumbing

and fasteners, stocking everything from

chrome to zinc. Car and motorcycle

enthusiasts are regular shoppers. Battels

also sells woodworking machines and

provides consignment services for the

community. They cut glass, make screens,

and repair woodworking equipment.

The store changed hands in the 1960s

and again recently as it passed from one

generation to the next. A recent financial

review showed that a few process im-

provements could make a big difference

in their ability to continue serving the

community. Switching from manual to

automated timekeeping was one of these

important process improvements.

Moving into the 21st CenturyBattels was inspired to act by the time

savings that automated timekeeping

offered. In their old system, the store

supervisor had to review punch cards

manually. It was too hard to scrutinize

everything. Early employee clock-in and

improper breaks led to unplanned pay

and associated taxes.

Battels made the change to automated

timekeeping in 2017 with the assistance

of their payroll provider. The system

includes a biometric clock that recognizes

individual workers through their finger-

prints. Clock times for each worker are

immediately available for review through

the TimeWorksPlus online portal.

The store supervisor receives a daily re-

port and can immediately coach workers

who are outside their schedule. The CFO

reviews all digital time cards weekly and

makes any necessary adjustments, add-

ing a note of explanation. Employees can

review their digital time card at any time

using their phone or computer.

The control is fantastic according to

Andrew Winans, CFO. Employees know

exactly what is expected of them, super-

visors spot and address problems right

away, and management reviews time

cards whenever they want from wherever

they are. Adjustments are rare because

the rules are clearer.

Retailer maintained its family atmosphere while reducing payroll costs and improving management oversight efficiency, achieving a $13,000 first year savings.

Retailers face stiff competition and narrow margins, making cost control imperative.

Battels keeps inventory costs down through membership in the True Value cooperative,

which provides favorable warehousing services and greater buying power. A financial re-

view showed that Battels could also improve payroll cost control by moving to automated

timekeeping. The company has 15 hourly and 2 salaried employees.

Synopsis• Challenge: Too much time was spent reviewing payroll. Too much money was spent on non-productive time and associated expenses.

• Solution: Biometric time clock and online portal for easy time recording and immediate activity oversight.

• Benefits: Improved oversight efficiency, no more non-productive early clock-in, better break time management, stronger sense of fairness.

Reaping the BenefitsThe savings for Battels is remarkable. In the first year alone they expect to save

$13,000 based on time savings for processing, adjustments, and unintended pay.

Battels has already achieved benefits from the system including:

• Strong control over employee schedules

• Strong control over scheduled breaks

• Strong control over mandated meal breaks

• Daily tabulation of wages to be paid

Automated timekeeping saves significant time for management staff by automating

calculations and rules. Hours are automatically tallied. Breaks are automatically

credited. Meal and break rules in California are quite strict, and the system helps

Battels meet the requirements. Adjustments can now be easily made without

assistance from payroll.

A daily report makes it easy to see if employees are clocking in too early or taking

improper breaks. Employees better understand the rules and follow them more

closely. At the same time, the company can better afford its customer-friendly

policy of flexible clock-out. When an employee is engaged with a customer past end

of shift, the employee is paid for the extra time.

Employees have embraced automated timekeeping. It provides better transpar-

ency, making it immediately clear if they are out of schedule. It ensures fairness,

by enforcing rules across the employee pool. Nobody gets special treatment or

succeeds in cheating the system.

Battels works hard to keep a family atmosphere. They offer incentives that reward

employees for helping the company. That changes the dance a little bit, says

Winans. Savings from payroll cost control makes it easier for the company to afford

bonus programs and other incentives.

SOLUTION — Workforce Management Suite • TimeWorksPlus for integrated time and attendance tracking.

• Mobile access provides employee access and management control.

Contact us today for more information.