Fantastic timekeeping tool I'd choose again and again!
Updated October 22, 2021
Fantastic timekeeping tool I'd choose again and again!
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Deputy
I implemented Deputy about a year ago at my company to be our solutions provider for timekeeping. Deputy has been a fantastic solution. It prevents buddy punching by utilizing facial recognition software. It allows a few different methods of timekeeping - kiosk mode, remote through mobile apps, and through a desktop computer. We use all three methods and apply different permissions and restrictions by user. You're able to use geofencing to prevent employees from clock-ins and outs outside of approved work areas. It's been a GREAT tool for us that is much more user-friendly than many of its contemporaries.
- Prevent buddy punching.
- Timecard entry.
- Timecard approvals.
- The UI is a little more dated than some of its contemporaries.
- Admins are charged for a license/seat even if they do not submit timecards themselves.
- Time saved.
- Cost savings per license.
- Ease of approval/adjustment process.
- Ease of customizability per user.
We use Rippling as our overall HR management platform and finding an integrated partner was incredibly important to us. We previously used Zenefits timekeeping and Zenefits felt like a scam. It made any adjustments and approvals much more difficult than necessary. We migrated away from Zenefits and swore off any solution they might offer. Rippling recently released their Time & Attendance module. Since we use Rippling so widely, I strongly considered using their services but they were more complicated and had [fewer] features than Deputy, especially in regards to kiosk clock-ins/outs. Their per-user license cost was also higher than Deputy. Tsheets [were] much more expensive and too bulky of a solution for our needs.
Do you think Deputy delivers good value for the price?
Yes
Are you happy with Deputy's feature set?
Yes
Did Deputy live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of Deputy go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy Deputy again?
Yes
Using Deputy
6 - The team members using Deputy are those who are hourly employees. The employees that meet these categorizations within our company are in production and manufacturing and in bookkeeping. We use this to track time for employees whose time fluctuates a bit on a given basis, rather than for employees who have constant, salaried positions.
1 - There is very little involved in actually supporting Deputy. Once we completed initial setup of the integration between Deputy and Rippling, there is virtually no ongoing maintenance. HR set up the policies and structures around how time would be recorded. HR and IT combined set up the program in a matter of a few hours. It is simple enough that nearly anyone with slight technical knowhow could handle it!
- Timekeeping.
- Shift management.
- Payroll.
- Time off management.
- Kiosk-mode timekeeping.
- Facial recognition to prevent buddy punching.
- Geolocation/tagging for timekeeping.
- Time off management.
- Shift scheduling.
- Alerts for anomalies.
Evaluating Deputy and Competitors
Yes - We used Deputy to replace Zenefits. We used Zenefits historically for a number of HR functions but overall it was not a user-friendly product so we started looking for alternatives. Modifying errant timecards was difficult and time consuming with Zenefits and we were unwilling to perpetuate a cycle of wasting time in the approvals process so we began looking for alternatives.
- Price
- Product Features
- Product Usability
Product features were the most important element of my decision-making process. We needed a number of things... Geolocation, geofencing for timecard management, user roles and responsibilities, simple review/approvals process, intelligent notifications, buddy-punching prevention (best accomplished through facial recognition), kiosk mode for timecard entry, mobile accessibility for timecard entry, desktop/mobile capability for timecard entry, review, and approval, and integration with Rippling for Payroll.
If I had it to do again, I think our evaluation and selection process might look largely the same. I had just implemented a new Payroll processing software so first and foremost, we needed a tool that would integrate seamlessly with Rippling, the payroll provider. From there, we worked with Rippling to find certified and recommended partners. I created a list of features and deemed them essential, nice to have, etc. and had a software selection scorecard we utilized in the selection process.
Deputy Implementation
- Implemented in-house
Change management was a small part of the implementation and was well-handled - Change management was incredibly simple for the implementation and introduction of Deputy. Our largest challenge when introducing new technology is always bringing our least tech familiar employees up to speed. We counteracted any fear or frustration by sharing the immense value that would be gained from learning a new tool and sold the employees on the way their time would be better utilized when partnering with the right tool.
- Unfamiliarity with the tool itself.
- Lack of familiarity with defining timekeeping policies.
- Lack of familiarity with Rippling's Payroll integration setup.
Deputy Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Support understands my problem | Slow Initial Response |
No we did not purchase premium support. I was not aware this was an offering for Deputy but the tool is not complicated enough to warrant extra expenditures for support. The place I needed help most was in the initial implementation phase. Support has gotten significantly better over the last few months.
I do not yet have an example of a time when Deputy provided me with exceptional support for their product. Deputy's support team used to be a poor representation of the company and product but I firmly believe they are investing time and resources into remedying this now. I rarely have to reach out to support which is a testament to the type of product Deputy is!
Using Deputy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
- Facial recognition.
- Configured breaktimes/meals.
- Preventing users from using mobile capabilities if they're granted access for kiosk mode.
Yes, but I don't use it