Workpuls Teramind ActivTrak Hubstaff DeskTime Time Doctor RescueTime Kickidler Veriato Work Examiner
OVERVIEW
Price $6/user/month $6/user/month $7.20/user/month $7/user/month $7/user/month $9.99/user/month $6/user/month $9.99/user/month $150/licence/year $60/licence (lifetime)
Free trial 7 days 7 days No 14 days 14 days 14 days 30 days 7 days Yes 30 days
Ease of use Very easy Difficult Very easy Easy Easy Very easy Very easy Very easy Very difficult Easy
TRACKING METHODS
Unlimited (tracker working 24/7)
Fixed (defined working hours)
Automatic (when computer is connected to a specified network)
Manual (start/stop)
Project based (track time only on projects)
GENERAL MONITORING FEATURES
Stealth mode
App and website usage
Real-time monitoring
Offline time tracking
Attendance
Activity levels
Keylogger
Geolocation
Remote desktop control
Website/activity blocking
SCREENSHOTS AND RECORDING
Screenshots
Screenshots on demand
Screen recording
PRODUCTIVITY FEATURES
Productivity trends
Websites and apps labeling
Category labeling
Productivity alerts
ADVANCED SECURITY FEATURES
User behavior analytics
Data loss prevention
Advanced file and web monitoring
REPORTING
Productivity reports
Team reports
Timelines
Email reports
Access management
PLATFORMS
Web
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
Mobile app iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android Android
Browser extension Chrome Chrome Chrome
Other Citrix, VMware Chrome OS
OTHER
Support Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Email, online Phone, email, online, in-person Online Phone, email, online Email, online, Viber, Whatsapp Phone, email, online, support ticket Phone, email, online
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Integrations comming soon
API
Deployment cloud, on-premise cloud, on-premise, AWS, Azure cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud on-premise cloud, on-premise on-premise
Kronos Humanity Timeclockplus Tsheets Wheniwork Deputy Replicon Jibble EbilityTimeTracker OnTheClock BeeBole
OVERVIEW
Price(per month)Available upon requestFrom $2 per userAvailable upon requestFrom $6.40 per user+$16Free for up to 75 usersFrom $2.50 per userBasic plan:$30 for 5 users+$5 per additional userFrom $1.50 per employeeFrom $4 per user+$8From $2.20 per user$5.99 per user per month
Free trial30 days14 daysYes14 days14 days14 days30 days30 days,no credit card required
Ease of useDifficultEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyEasy
FEATURES
Timecard management
Scheduling
Shift Trading
Timesheets
Break time management
Real-time tracking
PTO Management
Payroll
Invoicing
Client billing
GPS tracking
Clock out reminders
Alerts
Manual time
PUNCH-IN METHODS
Web app
Mobile app
Time clock device
Time clock kiosk
Facial recognition
Fingerprint scanning
Geofencing
Group punch-in
REPORTING
Visual reports
Email reports
Time rounding
MANAGEMENT
Permissions
Manager approvals
Add time for others
Integrations
PLATFORMS
Web
Android app
iOS app
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
OTHER
SupportPhone and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,chat and onlinePhone and chatEmail and onlineChat and phonePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlineOnline chat and video support in English,French,and Spanish
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Community forum
API

The decision to switch to remote work comes with a host of doubts. Of course, you want to give your team the flexibility. At the same time, you are worried that some teammates might use the WHF time to slack off.

For this reason, understanding how to monitor remote workers has become critical for maintaining productivity and security.

This guide offers detailed steps to follow to ensure a productive and secure remote work environment.

The Necessity of Monitoring Remote Employees

While remote work can enhance work-life balance and potentially boost productivity, it also introduces a set of unique challenges and opportunities.

Here are the advantages of monitoring your remote workers:

  • Distraction Management: Remote work environments are filled with potential distractions, such as household activities, or television, which can steal the focus away from productivity.

  • Productivity Enhancement: Proper monitoring provides the necessary push for employees to utilize their flexible work conditions optimally, thereby improving their output.

  • Control over Flexibility: The comfort that WFH brings may lead to a decline in engagement. Monitoring ensures that the comfort of home does not compromise work discipline.

  • Security Assurance: Remote work setups bring about cybersecurity threats. Monitoring helps in identifying potential security risks and protecting sensitive company data.

Stages of Introducing Remote Workforce Monitoring 

Follow these steps for successful monitoring of remote employees:

1. Implement Monitoring Tools

Selecting and implementing a reliable monitoring tool is the first step.

This tool should fit your organization’s needs and provide insights into work hours, productivity, and security.

Insightful is a popular software that provides a comprehensive suite of features. Its options include automated time tracking, real-time productivity insights, and detailed activity breakdowns.

Thanks to its customizable screenshot capturing, Insightful ensures a transparent and efficient work environment, and distinguishes between productive and idle time. This way it keeps remote teams accountable and optimizes performance.

2. Specify Company Targets

Be vocal about the company’s short and long-term goals. Take time to work out how each department should work towards those goals and lay out your plans for each team.

Establishing clear, quantifiable targets helps monitor employees and keep them focused.

3. Sustain Ongoing Communication

Communication platforms like Slack, Zoom, or Google Meet ensure remote teams’ continuous engagement. Regular check-ins by managers reduce the likelihood of time theft or productivity loss.

Constant communication via direct messages or video calls is a great form of support for employees.

4. Track Work Hours

Monitoring work hours is the elementary method of monitoring remote employees. Time tracking helps in assessing employee engagement and productivity.

Automated timesheet systems can streamline this process, especially for remote teams, including those employees paid hourly or on a contract basis.

5. Monitor Digital Footprints

Utilize tools like Insightful to track app usage and website visits, and take screenshots. Create lists of apps and websites that are considered productive for which team.

This way you’ll learn how employees spend their work time and ensure they are using company resources appropriately.

6. Require Self-Reporting

Provide a way for employees to report to work when working remotely. With a tool such as Insightful, you can allow manual or automatic clock-in.

In addition, encourage employees to submit regular reports to keep track of progress and identify areas for improvement.

7. Support & Resolve Employee Issues

Create a knowledge base by compiling resources like video tutorials or text documents. Make it accessible across the company to help employees troubleshoot potential issues.

You can also set up a system for rapid issue resolution to maintain a smooth workflow for remote employees.

8. Evaluate Performance

Regular performance evaluations are an integral part of your monitoring efforts.

With Insightful, this step can go quite smoothly. This software creates detailed activity and productivity reports that help in acknowledging achievements, addressing issues, and making workload distribution decisions. 

9. Address Payroll & Attendance

Transparent and accurate payroll management, along with reliable attendance tracking, reinforces work discipline.

Rely on a tool such as Insightful to automatically track every minute of an employee’s work day. Then export reports in a click and create detailed invoices for clients.

10. Maintain Privacy & Ethical Standards

Always keep in mind that you should respect the privacy of your employees. You should also avoid micromanagement so as not to make your workers stressed out, distrustful, and lacking in morale.

Conclusion

The uncertainties you have about shifting to remote work are justified. Still, if you rely on appropriate tools and processes, your team can function smoothly. Some employees may even show improved performance.

Throughout the implementation of new tracking methods, always keep in mind that effective monitoring is not about constant surveillance. It's about balancing monitoring with trust, leveraging technology to support and enhance remote work dynamics.

In other words, focus on creating a structure where remote workers can thrive while ensuring they meet all business goals.

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Claim your free 7-Day full feature trial of Insightful today. Insightful’s actionable work insights make your team more productive, efficient and accountable.

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Employee Monitoring

How to Monitor Remote Workers in 10 Easy Steps

Written by
Vanja Savic Petrovic
Published on
April 12, 2024

The decision to switch to remote work comes with a host of doubts. Of course, you want to give your team the flexibility. At the same time, you are worried that some teammates might use the WHF time to slack off.

For this reason, understanding how to monitor remote workers has become critical for maintaining productivity and security.

This guide offers detailed steps to follow to ensure a productive and secure remote work environment.

The Necessity of Monitoring Remote Employees

While remote work can enhance work-life balance and potentially boost productivity, it also introduces a set of unique challenges and opportunities.

Here are the advantages of monitoring your remote workers:

  • Distraction Management: Remote work environments are filled with potential distractions, such as household activities, or television, which can steal the focus away from productivity.

  • Productivity Enhancement: Proper monitoring provides the necessary push for employees to utilize their flexible work conditions optimally, thereby improving their output.

  • Control over Flexibility: The comfort that WFH brings may lead to a decline in engagement. Monitoring ensures that the comfort of home does not compromise work discipline.

  • Security Assurance: Remote work setups bring about cybersecurity threats. Monitoring helps in identifying potential security risks and protecting sensitive company data.

Stages of Introducing Remote Workforce Monitoring 

Follow these steps for successful monitoring of remote employees:

1. Implement Monitoring Tools

Selecting and implementing a reliable monitoring tool is the first step.

This tool should fit your organization’s needs and provide insights into work hours, productivity, and security.

Insightful is a popular software that provides a comprehensive suite of features. Its options include automated time tracking, real-time productivity insights, and detailed activity breakdowns.

Thanks to its customizable screenshot capturing, Insightful ensures a transparent and efficient work environment, and distinguishes between productive and idle time. This way it keeps remote teams accountable and optimizes performance.

2. Specify Company Targets

Be vocal about the company’s short and long-term goals. Take time to work out how each department should work towards those goals and lay out your plans for each team.

Establishing clear, quantifiable targets helps monitor employees and keep them focused.

3. Sustain Ongoing Communication

Communication platforms like Slack, Zoom, or Google Meet ensure remote teams’ continuous engagement. Regular check-ins by managers reduce the likelihood of time theft or productivity loss.

Constant communication via direct messages or video calls is a great form of support for employees.

4. Track Work Hours

Monitoring work hours is the elementary method of monitoring remote employees. Time tracking helps in assessing employee engagement and productivity.

Automated timesheet systems can streamline this process, especially for remote teams, including those employees paid hourly or on a contract basis.

5. Monitor Digital Footprints

Utilize tools like Insightful to track app usage and website visits, and take screenshots. Create lists of apps and websites that are considered productive for which team.

This way you’ll learn how employees spend their work time and ensure they are using company resources appropriately.

6. Require Self-Reporting

Provide a way for employees to report to work when working remotely. With a tool such as Insightful, you can allow manual or automatic clock-in.

In addition, encourage employees to submit regular reports to keep track of progress and identify areas for improvement.

7. Support & Resolve Employee Issues

Create a knowledge base by compiling resources like video tutorials or text documents. Make it accessible across the company to help employees troubleshoot potential issues.

You can also set up a system for rapid issue resolution to maintain a smooth workflow for remote employees.

8. Evaluate Performance

Regular performance evaluations are an integral part of your monitoring efforts.

With Insightful, this step can go quite smoothly. This software creates detailed activity and productivity reports that help in acknowledging achievements, addressing issues, and making workload distribution decisions. 

9. Address Payroll & Attendance

Transparent and accurate payroll management, along with reliable attendance tracking, reinforces work discipline.

Rely on a tool such as Insightful to automatically track every minute of an employee’s work day. Then export reports in a click and create detailed invoices for clients.

10. Maintain Privacy & Ethical Standards

Always keep in mind that you should respect the privacy of your employees. You should also avoid micromanagement so as not to make your workers stressed out, distrustful, and lacking in morale.

Conclusion

The uncertainties you have about shifting to remote work are justified. Still, if you rely on appropriate tools and processes, your team can function smoothly. Some employees may even show improved performance.

Throughout the implementation of new tracking methods, always keep in mind that effective monitoring is not about constant surveillance. It's about balancing monitoring with trust, leveraging technology to support and enhance remote work dynamics.

In other words, focus on creating a structure where remote workers can thrive while ensuring they meet all business goals.

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