Workforce management is in constant change. Both the way we work and where we work are very different today than it was even just a few years ago. Organisations are now under pressure to become more adaptable and responsive to their workforce’s needs while also managing costs and staying competitive. This is driving a significant change in workforce management technology, and organisations that embrace these changes are better positioned to succeed.
This article examines five key trends driving this evolution, highlighting the business benefits and their implications for companies of all sizes.
For years, many businesses relied on traditional timeclocks that used key cards or PINs. While simple, these systems came with problems. Cards could be lost or shared, and employees could “buddy punch” for colleagues who were late or absent. These issues can lead to payroll inaccuracies and a lack of trust in the system.
Today, biometric timeclocks have become a new standard for accuracy and security. By using unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial scans, they ensure that the person clocking in is actually the person on record. This is a very effective way to eliminate buddy punching and ensure an honest and accurate recording of work hours.
Beyond accuracy, biometrics offer other important benefits for a modern workforce:
As businesses expand and operate across multiple locations, managing their workforce with disparate, disconnected systems becomes increasingly challenging. This is where the trends of cloud-first and real-time global visibility converge, creating a powerful solution for modern operations.
The workforce management software market is expected to reach $10.7 billion this year, growing to $23.2 billion by 2037. Cloud-based workforce management software is also predicted to account for over 65% of the market by 2037, driven by the need for scalability, remote access, and real-time data access.
Moving to a cloud-based platform relocates a company’s data off-site and into a centralised system that can be accessed from anywhere. This brings significant business benefits:
When timeclocks and workforce data are centralised in the cloud, businesses get real-time global visibility over their workforce. This single, accurate source of truth allows for smarter decision-making. A manager can monitor work hours across multiple locations and make staffing decisions in real-time. Having real-time information also helps with managing absence, sickness, and leave.
There is no doubt that some workplaces benefit from a more flexible and self-service-oriented work experience. Dedicated timeclocks, while robust and secure, are also fixed in location – which isn’t always ideal.
Many businesses want the convenience of a portable system without the security and management risks that come with employees using their personal mobile phones for critical work functions. These organisations are looking for a secure and reliable device to serve as a central timeclock.
This is where solutions like the GT Tablet fit into the trend. It provides the best of both worlds: a large, user-friendly touchscreen interface that offers a modern, intuitive experience while remaining a secure and company-managed device. Employees get the self-service capabilities they want, and the business maintains the control and accuracy it needs from a dedicated timeclock.
As businesses accumulate more data from cloud-based systems, the next step in the industry is AI-powered analytics. The use of AI among HR professionals increased to 72% in 2025, up from 58% in 2024.
AI tools utilise predictive models to assist managers with scheduling, ensuring the right number of personnel are in place to meet customer demand. They can also help with compliance by automatically tracking labour laws and regulations.
However, AI capabilities are still emerging for many organisations. They are only as effective as the data they analyse. This is why having accurate, real-time data from a reliable timeclock is the essential first step.
Businesses that have invested in a solid foundation of data collection are in a significantly better position to leverage these future technologies.
The trends of biometric security, cloud platforms, and real-time visibility are changing how businesses manage their people. These can help organisations build more accurate, efficient, and resilient workforce management systems. By focusing on these core trends, organisations can ensure their technology supports them for years to come, no matter what the future of work brings.