Centralised control over access to areas and machinery saves time and money.
Powertech Shared Services has extended the Kronos time and attendance solution across 15 companies in the Powertech group, including Aberdare Cables, Powertech Calidus, Rentech, Sabat, Willard Batteries, Crabtree, Strike and TIS. Powertech is a supplier of electrical and electronic equipment, spread over five operating divisions – cables, transformers, batteries, industrial and system integrators.
The solution was implemented by Bytes Systems Integration, the distributor of Kronos in South Africa.
Proven success
Peter Mason, GM for remuneration and benefits in Powertech’s Shared Services division says. “Our decision to extend Powertech’s implementation of Kronos to these companies was an easy one. It was already working in other divisions, saving not only time, but offering management real-time information on what is happening on the factory floor.”
Julia Gilmour, sales manager, Kronos division, at Bytes Systems Integration, explains that the automated time-tracking software helps reduce the risk of costly payroll errors and inflation. “At Powertech, it is used in conjunction with Morpho fingerprint scanners and integrated into the company’s ERP system from SAP to provide a centralised payroll platform and access control system.”
Each of the 2000 plus blue-collar workers and 300 white-collar workers in the factories gains access to their specific work area through a fingerprint scanner. Kronos logs their time and attendance and provides specific control over who has access to which parts of the factory floor.
Control has also been extended to scanners that control whom may operate machinery. Mason says, “The solution offers us not only a way to track time and attendance across the company, but has elevated our safety and security by ensuring that only competent personnel operate heavy machinery.”
Control across the country
The solution has been deployed nationwide to Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Pietermaritzburg, Pinetown, Middelburg, Mbombela and across Gauteng.
“Information is fed to a central data server and we have found no contention or load problems, says Stuart Wilson, IT infrastructure manager for Powertech Shared Services. “The database server on which Kronos runs is shared with around 20 other databases running on SQL 2005, yet its peak load is only around 25%.”
Mason says one of the major advantages is that the HR department has been freed up to perform core HR functions. “Instead of getting bogged down following up on time and attendance, the HR department can focus on counselling and training, among other HR functions.”
HR administrators sign off electronically on Kronos information on Monday mornings, which allows blue-collar workers to be paid on Wednesdays, two days earlier than before.”
Powertech Shared Services invoices out the use of the Kronos system to its sister companies, allowing each company better control over expenditure.
“The implementation has streamlined our processes, reduced overtime payments and improved the level of information available to management. Bytes’ project management has also been exceptional, with every detail planned – and implemented – as planned,” says Mason.
Fact file
Sector: Industrial
Scale of project: Enterprise, nationwide
Key elements: Kronos and Morpho fingerprint readers
Benefits: Cost-saving in workforce time management, increased HR efficiency, improved safety management
Solution supplier: Kronos time management software linked to Morpho fingerprint readers, Julia Gilmour, Bytes Systems Integration, +27 (0)11 205 7000, julia.gilmour@bytes.co.za
Client details
Company: Powertech Shared Services for group companies
Contact person: Peter Mason
Business sector: Industrial
Tel: +27 (0)11 706 7184
E-mail: pmason@ptss.co.za
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