How Do I Use TimeForge with ASI Restaurant Manager?

TimeForge integrates with a number of powerful POS systems, including ASI Restaurant Manager. Restaurant Manager, is a powerful and easy to use Point of Sale system, with dealers all over the globe.

To synchronize data between TimeForge and Restaurant Manager, you must first install and configure the TimeForge RM Bridge software on the main Restaurant Manager computer.

The integration software will automatically read and write to your Restaurant Manager POS system when required, and can enforce your TimeForge schedules – stopping employees from clocking in before they are scheduled to work.

Make Sure that the Connector and Translator are Both Running

Make_Sure_that_the_Connector_and_Translator_are_Both_Running.png

Check the Windows task bar, which is the bar that normally runs along the bottom of the computer and contains the Start menu (on the left) and clock (on the right).

You should see icons similar to those shown above. Both of these icons should be displayed, and if they are, then TimeForge is running properly.

Turn on QuickStaffer for Schedule Enforcement

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Make sure to configure QuickStaffer.

1. Run the Station Config. To do so, launch the RM Back Office, then choose “Setup Station Config.”, and choose Station 1.

2. Look for the “Use QuickStaffer Schedule” option, and ensure that this is set to true.

Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each Station you want to use TimeForge with.

Set up Grace Periods for Early Clock In

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Configure the allowable clock in grace period when enforcing the TimeForge schedule.

1. Run the Station Config. To do so, launch the RM Back Office, then choose “Setup Station Config.”, and choose Station 1.

2. Locate the “Grace Period” option, and change this to allow the desired grace period (such as 5 minutes or 10 minutes).

Repeat steps 1 and 2 for any other stations you would like to enforce the schedule with.

Configure Clock In Override Security Levels

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Configure the Security level of the manager providing overrides for employees who are too early.

1. Run the Station Config. To do so, launch the RM Back Office, then choose “Setup Station Config.”, and choose Station 1.

2. Click on “Search Settings”, and look for “unsched“. Find the “Unscheduled Clock in/out” setting, and change this to the security level you would like to require for someone to allow a staff member to clock in, who isn’t on the schedule. For example, 8 might be a good value.

Repeat steps 1 and 2 for any other stations you would like to enforce the schedule with.

Create and Post a Schedule in TimeForge

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Create and post a schedule in TimeForge, so that staff members are notified of upcoming shifts.

This will also allow the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge to synchronize and enforce the schedule.

Synchronize the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge

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TimeForge automatically keeps data between your Restaurant Manager POS system and the live TimeForge server synchronized. This ensures that employees, positions, time cards, schedules, and sales are automatically transferred between the two systems without you needing to do anything.

During heavy activity at your restaurant or hotel, this synchronization is done automatically very often, and during slower periods of activities, it is done less often.

Staff Members Log In to Restaurant Manager

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Before an employee can access the Restaurant Manager POS, they must enter their PIN, swipe a mag card (if configured), or use their fingerprint (if configured).

If they are too early, or are not on the schedule, Restaurant Manager will display the above warning.

Staff Arriving Too Early Will Need Manager Approval to Clock In

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An employee who is not on the schedule will be presented with a screen for a manager override. Additionally, any staff member who shows up prior to the grace period for their shift will also be prompted for a manager override.

Enforcing the schedule will immediately reduce the amount of clock riding that staff members can do, reducing labor costs by 2% – 3% instantly!

Inadequate Security Level

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If the overriding manager that is attempting to clock in the staff member doesn’t have a sufficient security clearance, they will be presented with the above dialog box, and will not be able to clock the employee into Restaurant Manager.

How Do I Configure TimeForge with Restaurant Manager Point of Sale?

TimeForge integrates with a number of powerful POS systems, including Restaurant Manager. ASI Restaurant Manager, is a powerful and easy to use Point of Sale system, with dealers all over the globe.

Integration between TimeForge and Restaurant Manager requires installing the TimeForge RM Bridge software on the main Restaurant Manager computer.

The integration software will read and write to your Restaurant Manager system where necessary, and can enforce your TimeForge schedules – preventing employees from clocking in before they are scheduled to work.

Ensure the Software is Configured Properly

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If the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge was not properly configured to use a Web Service account, you will first need to configure the Web Services.

Configure the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge

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If the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge has not yet been fully configured, make sure to set up the Web Service Username and Password.

These values can be configured on the TimeForge web site, and will allow the software to communicate with TimeForge securely.

Configure the Restaurant Manager POS Integration

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Configure the Restaurant Manager POS side of the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge. Some of the important values on this screen include:

1. Restaurant Manager system location. This is the directory with all of the DBF files, and Restaurant Manager programs, in it. In most cases, the defaults will work for your Restaurant Manager installation.

2. By default, TimeForge uses the time punch (login) values from Restaurant Manager. However, if you would like to circumvent the Restaurant Manager time punches, and would prefer to use the TimeForge Attendance system, then please un-check this option.

Set Up the Translator

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Review the TimeForge-Restaurant Manager Bridge dashboard.

1. The Last Successful Sync Date shows the last date and time that the software was able to read from your RM database.

2. The Last Synchronization shows the last date and time that a synchronization was attempted.

3. The Status shows the status of the last synchronization (it will either be SUCCESSFUL or FAILED).

4. The Next Synchronization shows the date and time of the next scheduled synchronization.

You are all done. TimeForge will synchronize your data based on the needs of your restaurant, and will keep the data in TimeForge and in Restaurant Manager POS communicating properly.

How Do I Automatically Clock-In Employees Based on the Schedule?

TimeForge is a flexible, but simple to use, workforce management platform for service oriented industries (restaurants, retail, c-stores, grocers, hotels, etc…).

TimeForge can help manage the workforce by making labor management simple and intuitive. Staff often forget to clock in, causing business disruption and a loss of profits when managers are disrupted to enter a time entry for the staff.

To help ease the administrative burden of keeping accurate time clock entries for staff members, TimeForge can automatically clock staff in based on the schedule.

For example, a cook might be scheduled at 9:00am, but forget to clock in. TimeForge can automatically clock them in at 9:00am if they have not already done so.

Navigate to the Attendance Options

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Locate the Attendance Options tab inside of TimeForge.

Set up Automatic Clock In

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Locate the option to automatically clock employees in, based on their schedule, and switch the value from No (the default) to Yes.

How Do I Clock Employees In At an Earlier Time, or Out At a Later Time?

TimeForge is a powerful labor management solution for your business. Most hourly wage workers in a business need arrive at work on time – too early will cause payroll problems, and too late will cause customer service disruptions. Four clock in and clock out scenarios will create problems for your business:

1. Arriving before the scheduled in time will reduce business profits, as staff members will arrive at work before they are needed.
2. Arriving after the scheduled in time causes customer service problems, as staff will not be available to service the customer’s needs.

3. Leaving before the scheduled out time can cause similar problems as clocking in late. Customers may not be serviced properly, and other staff may be overworked.
4. Leaving after the scheduled out time will increase payroll costs for the business, decreasing profits.

TimeForge provides multiple technology enhancements that will enforce your labor schedule, ensuring that staff show up on time, and that management know of time entries that affect payroll costs and the bottom line. Enforcing the schedule will reduce your labor costs by 2 – 4% with the click of a button!

Navigate to the Attendance Options

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Locate the Attendance Options link or sub-tab (inside of the Attendance tab).

Enforce the Schedule by the Scheduled Time

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To require that employees clock in and out based on the scheduled time, without providing a grace period, set the options as follows.

Please check your local labor regulations to see which ones are applicable (and legal) for your business.

For clocking in:
1. Leave this option set to Yes, allowing employees to clock in at any time.
2. Switch this option from No, to Yes, requiring that staff members acknowledge that their clock in times will not show the actual clock in time, but will instead show the scheduled start time.
TimeForge will record the scheduled start time (not the real time), unless overridden by a manager.

For clocking out:
1. Leave this option set to Yes, allowing employees to clock out at any time.
2. Switch this option from No, to Yes, requiring that staff members acknowledge that their clock out times will not show the actual clock out time, but will instead show the scheduled end time.
TimeForge will record the scheduled end time (not the real time), unless overridden by a manager.

Example:
Using the above options, a staff member may be scheduled from 9:00am – 3:00pm. If the employee shows up at 8:30am, TimeForge will record a start time of 9:00am (not 8:30am). When leaving, if the staff member leaves after 3:00pm, TimeForge will record an end time of 3:00pm. A manager can override and change the behavior of TimeForge when the staff member clocks in or clocks out.

How Do I Set Up Grace Periods for Clocking In and Out?

TimeForge is a powerful labor management solution for your business. Most hourly wage workers in a business need arrive at work on time – too early will cause payroll problems, and too late will cause customer service disruptions. Four clock in and clock out scenarios will create problems for your business:

1. Arriving before the scheduled in time will reduce business profits, as staff members will arrive at work before they are needed.
2. Arriving after the scheduled in time causes customer service problems, as staff will not be available to service the customer’s needs.

3. Leaving before the scheduled out time can cause similar problems as clocking in late. Customers may not be serviced properly, and other staff may be overworked.
4. Leaving after the scheduled out time will increase payroll costs for the business, decreasing profits.

TimeForge provides multiple technology enhancements that will enforce your labor schedule, ensuring that staff show up on time, and that management know of time entries that affect payroll costs and the bottom line. Enforcing the schedule will reduce your labor costs by 2 – 4% with the click of a button!

Navigate to the Attendance Options

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Locate the Attendance Options link or sub-tab (inside of the Attendance tab).

Enforce the Schedule with Grace Periods

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To require that staff members clock in and out with a grace period, based on their scheduled shift, set the options as follows.

Please check your local labor regulations to see which ones are applicable (and legal) for your business.

For clocking in:
1. Switch this option from Yes, to No, requiring that employees must clock in at a predefined time.
2. Enter an appropriate grace period in minutes. This will allow employees to clock in prior to their shift starting.
Staff members who clock in too early will need a manager to approve their clock in.

For clocking out:
3. Switch this option from Yes, to No, requiring that employees must clock out at a predefined time.
4. Enter an appropriate grace period in minutes. This will allow employees to clock out after their shift ends.
Staff members who clock out too late will need a manager to approve their clock out.

Example:
Using the above options, a staff member who is scheduled from 10:00am – 4:00pm would be allowed to clock in after 9:50am, and must clock out no later than 4:20pm. Earlier than 9:50am or later than 4:20pm will require a manager override.

How Do I Use TimeForge with Micros POS?

TimeForge can integrate with several Point of Sale systems, including Micros RES 4. RES 4 is the point of sale system supplied with many of the Micros 3700 hardware, and is a very popular POS system.

TimeForge integration with Micros involves installing the TimeForge Micros Bridge software on the computer system hosting the Sybase database that powers Micros RES 4.

The TimeForge Micros software will read and write to your Micros system as necessary, and can enforce your TimeForge schedules – preventing employees from riding the clock, clocking in early or clocking out late. Additionally, you can forecast sales and inventory needs using TimeForge and your Micros sales data.

Make Sure that the Connector and Translator are Both Running

make-sure-that-the-connector-and-translator-are-both-running.png

Check the Windows task bar, which is the bar that normally runs along the bottom of the computer and contains the Start menu (on the left) and clock (on the right).

You should see icons similar to those shown above. Both of these icons should be displayed, and if they are, then TimeForge is working properly.

Set Your Attendance Options for Employees who Ride the Clock

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In TimeForge, access the Attendance Options (located in the Attendance tab). You will want to set the grace periods for early clock in, and late clock out.

These settings can be set to values that make sense for your business, though many businesses choose a 5 – 10 minute early clock in, and a 10 – 20 minute late clock out.

Create and Post a Schedule in TimeForge

create-and-post-a-schedule-in-timeforge.png

Create and post a schedule in TimeForge, so that staff members are notified of upcoming shifts.

This will also allow the TimeForge Micros Bridge to synchronize and enforce the schedule.

Synchronize the TimeForge Micros Bridge

synchronize-the-timeforge-micros-bridge.png

TimeForge automatically synchronizes data between your Micros POS system and the live TimeForge server.

This ensures that employees, positions, time cards, schedules, and sales are automatically transferred between the two systems.

During heavy activity at your restaurant, this synchronization is done very often, and during slower periods of activities, it is done less often.

Staff Members Log In to Micros

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Before an employee can access the Micros RES 4 POS, they must clock in.

Enter your PIN, or Swipe Your Mag Card

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The staff member needs to enter their PIN or swipe a mag card to clock in or clock out.

Choose a Job Assignment

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Employees must choose a job assignment or position before clocking in.

Employees Too Early Will Need Manager Approval to Clock In

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Any staff member who is not scheduled will be presented with a screen for a manager override.

Additionally, employees who show up too early, or attempt to clock out too late, will also be prompted for a manager override.

This immediately reduces your labor costs by 2% – 3% instantly!

How Do I Configure TimeForge with Micros Point of Sale?

TimeForge can integrate with several Point of Sale systems, including Micros RES 4. RES 4 is the point of sale system supplied with many of the Micros 3700 hardware, and is a very popular POS system.

TimeForge integration with Micros involves installing the TimeForge Micros Bridge software on the computer system hosting the Sybase database that powers Micros RES 4.

The TimeForge Micros software will read and write to your Micros system as necessary, and can enforce your TimeForge schedules – preventing employees from riding the clock, clocking in early or clocking out late. Additionally, you can forecast sales and inventory needs using TimeForge and your Micros sales data.

Ensure the Software is Configured Properly

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If the TimeForge Micros Bridge was not properly configured to use a Web Service account, you will first need to configure the Web Services.

Configure the TimeForge Micros Bridge

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If the TimeForge Micros Bridge has not yet been fully configured, make sure to set up the Web Service Username and Password.

These values can be configured on the TimeForge web site, and will allow the software to communicate with TimeForge securely.

Configure the Micros POS Integration

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Configure the Dinerware POS side of the TimeForge Micros Bridge. Some of the important values on this screen include:

1. Micros RES 4 Server settings, including the Database Name, Username and Password.

2. Choose how often the software should poll or synchronize with the Micros POS system.

Set Up the Translator

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Review the TimeForge Micros Bridge dashboard.

1. The Last Successful Sync Date shows the last date and time that the software was able to read from your Micros database.

2. The Last Synchronization shows the last date and time that a synchronization was attempted.

3. The Status shows the status of the last synchronization (it will either be SUCCESSFUL or FAILED).

4. The Next Synchronization shows the date and time of the next scheduled synchronization.

You are all done. TimeForge will synchronize your data based on the needs of your restaurant, and will keep the data in TimeForge and in Micros POS communicating properly.

How Do I Use TimeForge Attendance with Dinerware POS?

TimeForge integrates and is able to communicate with several Point of Sale systems to reduce the amount of data entry that you need to perform while managing your labor. One POS system that TimeForge integrates with is Dinerware. Dinerware is a focused and easy-to-use Point of Sale system, with dealers all over the world.

To integrate TimeForge with Dinerware POS, you first need to install the TimeForge Dinerware Bridge software on the Brain computer system.

The TimeForge Dinerware Bridge software will read and write to your Dinerware system as necessary, and can enforce your TimeForge schedules – preventing employees from riding the clock.

In some cases, you may want to use TimeForge Attendance exclusively as a way to track time and attendance at your business. To do this, you can turn off the synchronization of time punch entries from the POS system, and can use the full power of the TimeForge Attendance system, including our fingerprint scanner (to stop buddy punching), and our comprehensive meal and staff break system.

Make Sure that the Connector and Translator are Both Running

make-sure-that-the-connector-and-translator-are-both-running1.png

Check the Windows task bar, which is the bar that normally runs along the bottom of the computer and contains the Start menu (on the left) and clock (on the right).

You should see icons similar to those shown above. Both of these icons should be displayed, and if they are, then the TimeForge Dinerware Bridge is working properly.

Disable the Dinerware Time Punch Synchronization

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1. In the TimeForge Translator, make sure that the “Allow clock in and clock out, regardless of schedule settings” is selected. This will allow your users to clock in and out of Dinerware as necessary – which is important for choosing cash drawers and meal coursing, as well as check printing.

2. In the TimeForge Translator, make sure that the “Use Dinerware Time Punches for TimeForge Attendance” is NOT selected. This option turns off the synchronization of the Dinerware time punches, and instead allows you to use TimeForge Attendance for tracking time.

Synchronize the TimeForge Connector

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To be able to use the software immediately, you will need to force the software to synchronize itself.

You can do this by right-clicking on the Connector, and choosing “Synchronize Now

Require Employees to Clock In and Clock Out at Work

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TimeForge Attendance is very flexible, and could allow your employees to clock in from their cell phones, facebook, or any Internet-enabled computer. However, most businesses will prefer to have staff clock in from restricted computers – such as those provided at their work location.

1. Lock down attendance tracking by limiting clock-in’s and clock-out’s to specific IP’s. To do so, simply click on the button displayed above.

Allow Employees to Clock In and Clock Out

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Employees can now log into TimeForge using their username (usually their email address) and password. Alternatively, if the location is using a compatible fingerprint scanner, staff members can use their fingerprints to log in to TimeForge.

After logging in, they will see a clock in / clock out box on the right-hand side of their screen.

Clocking in and out is now point and click easy!

How Do I Stop Employees from Riding the Clock?

TimeForge is an extensive and powerful time tracking, employee scheduling, and labor management package, and you can begin to see some of TimeForge’s power by clicking on the Attendance tab. Many, but not all, of the time and attendance capabilities occur within the Attendance tab.

With TimeForge, you can add or edit attendance by date or employee, approve payroll for pay periods, export time punches to a third-party payroll company, and run numerous reports to review employee attendance.

TimeForge has a number of additional time card capabilities, including the ability to enforce the schedule and stop employees from riding the clock.

Navigate to the Attendance Tab

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Navigate to the Attendance Options page in the Attendance tab.

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TimeForge includes a number of settings on the Attendance Options page. Four of these options include the ability to restrict employee clock-in’s and clock-out’s based on the schedule.

By default, staff members can clock-in and out at any time. However, by setting the above options [1 - 4], you can make sure that staff members clock in or clock out within a certain grace period. An attempt to clock in or out, outside of the grace periods, will require a manager to allow the employee to clock in or clock out.

1. To enforce clock-in times, make sure to change this value to “No”, from the default of “Yes”.

2. Set a grace period for early clock-in’s, based on the schedule. For example, setting this to 10 will allow a 10 minute early grace period. If a staff member is scheduled to begin work at 10:00am, a 10 minute grace period will allow the employee to clock in at 9:50am.

3. To enforce clock-out times, make sure to change this value to “No”, from the default of “Yes”.

4. Set a grace period for late clock-out’s, based on the schedule. For example, setting this to 20 will allow a 20 minute late grace period. If a staff member is scheduled to end work at 3:00pm, a 10 minute grace period will allow the employee to clock in at 9:50am.

Employee Clock In and Clock Out is Enforced

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With schedule enforcement enabled, and grace periods set up, employees who are too early to clock in, or too late to clock out, are presented with the above screen.

A manager will need to enter their username and password, or use their fingerprint, if you are using the TimeForge Fingerprint scanner.

How Do I Use TimeForge with Dinerware POS?

TimeForge can integrate with several Point of Sale systems, including Dinerware. Dinerware is a wonderful Point of Sale system, with dealers all over the world.

TimeForge integration with Dinerware involves installing the TimeForge Dinerware Bridge software on the Brain computer system.

The software will read and write to your Dinerware system as necessary, and can enforce your TimeForge schedules – preventing employees from riding the clock.

Additionally, you can use the TimeForge Fingerprint scanner with Dinerware to allow biometric clock-in’s and clock-out’s.

Make Sure that the Connector and Translator are Both Running

make-sure-that-the-connector-and-translator-are-both-running.png

Check the Windows task bar, which is the bar that normally runs along the bottom of the computer and contains the Start menu (on the left) and clock (on the right).

You should see icons similar to those shown above. Both of these icons should be displayed, and if they are, then TimeForge is working properly.

Set Your Attendance Options for Riding the Clock

set-your-attendance-options-for-riding-the-clock.png

In TimeForge, access the Attendance Options (located in the Attendance tab). You will want to set the grace periods for early clock in, and late clock out.

These settings can be set to values that make sense for your business, though many businesses choose a 5 – 10 minute early clock in, and a 10 – 20 minute late clock out.

Create and Post a Schedule in TimeForge

create-and-post-a-schedule-in-timeforge.png

Create and post a schedule in TimeForge, so that staff members are notified of upcoming shifts.

This will also allow the TimeForge Dinerware Bridge to synchronize and enforce the schedule.

Synchronize the TimeForge Dinerware

synchronize-the-timeforge-dinerware.png

TimeForge automatically synchronizes data between your Dinerware POS system and the live TimeForge server.

This ensures that employees, positions, time cards, schedules, and sales are automatically transferred between the two systems.

During heavy activity at your restaurant, this synchronization is done very often, and during slower periods of activities, it is done less often.

Staff Members Must Log In to Dinerware

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Before an employee can access the Dinerware POS, they must enter their PIN, or swipe a mag card (if configured).

Employees Too Early or Too Late Will Need Manager Approval to Clock In

employees-too-early-or-too-late-will-need-manager-approval-to-clock-in.png

An employee who is not on the schedule will be presented with a screen for a manager override.

Additionally, employees who show up too early, or attempt to clock out too late, will also be prompted for a manager override.

This will reduce the amount of clock riding that staff members can do, reducing labor costs by 2% – 3% instantly!

heartWhat some of our clients have to say ...

We are one year into it now, well past being enamored with the newness. We are married to TimeForge. It's as essential to us now as any of our management tools today, and we very happy about that.- Steve @ Hermosa Cyclery
We really like the program so far. I know that it is geared towards restaurants, but we are a real estate company and we love it because it is inexpensive and it is so easy to use.- Nicole @ Exit Premier Realty
The Timeforge scheduling system has not only increased our efficiency tremendously; decreased the errors in what is normally an error prone environment; it has also saved us ten times what it costs us each month.- Michael @ Tiara Cafe
I would highly recommend TimeForge to anyone making work schedules. ... What used to take 1-2 hours, now takes 15 minutes. The reports section is comprehensive and useful.- Lawrence Payne @ Mid Pacific Country Club
I've been really pleased with this latest version of TimeForge. I'm really getting familiar with this program and its become a great time saver! Keep up the good work!- Loren @ Fresh Produce
Before using TimeForge, creating a schedule took 2 hours. With TimeForge, it takes less than 10 minutes.- Gail @ Kerr Drug

Quick Contact

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Lubbock, TX 79423

Phone: 1 866 684 7191
Fax: 1 866 684 7191
E-Mail: info@timeforge.com

 

About TimeForge

The best tools available for managing labor in the restaurant, retail, food-service, and hospitality industries. Includes time management, employee scheduling, and other labor management tools.

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