The state of the economy is getting more and more coverage these days. October turned out to be the highest unemployment rate in 26 years with a staggering 10.2%. Small and large businesses alike are now trying to cut costs wherever possible. This is where time and attendance software can come into play. Experts have estimated the average time spent on chasing and manually processing employee’s time sheets is 8 minutes per week. So why not implement a system that will save you money in the long run? Below are some suggestions on how to negotiate with time and attendance software companies, as well as how to find that perfect software system for you.

To find the best software for your company, ask yourself a few questions. Are you looking for a high tech solution? Are you looking for ease and functionality? Do you have many employees out in the field or in remote locations? Once you have answered these questions, you can narrow down your search.

If you are looking for a high tech solution, then biometric meters are definitely the way to go. Biometric time clocks are becoming more popular and it has been reported that one company has seen a savings of $300,000 in their first year of using this technology. When negotiating with these companies, ask if they charge an activation fee or installation fee, these could be hidden costs.

For ease and functionality, time card software, web-based computer login-stations, and touch screens are all viable options. When negotiating with these vendors take into consideration what hardware you will have to supply. Asking the right questions is half the battle. One company might have a considerably lower price than another, but if you have to supply the hardware for the time card systems separately, it might end up being more costly.

Interactive voice response or IVR systems are a great choice for businesses that will have many employees out in the field or in remote office locations. When deciding on the right negotiation tactics for this type of time and attendance system, think of how you would negotiate when buying any kind of phone systems. Plans can range from the most basic to the most complex. Go in with exactly what you need, and don’t let the sales person talk you into a plan you won’t use.

Time and attendance systems can range from complex to very simple solutions. You can save yourself a lot of headache by deciding exactly what system you will need before shopping around. Once you have narrowed down your search, you can negotiate with more ease, and find the perfect system for your company.

Shannon Suetos is a writer based in San Diego, California. She writes extensively for Resource Nation, an online resource that provides expert advice on purchasing and outsourcing decisions for small business owners and entrepreneurs.