For construction, contracting and field service companies, tracking employee time is a major priority. With teams spread out across multiple job sites, gaining visibility into hours worked and labor costs is critical for core operations like payroll processing, job costing, billing and more. While reviewing time tracking solutions like Buddy Punch, construction companies often find that general-purpose time-tracking solutions are inadequate for the unique needs of builders and contractors. Industry-specific technology designed for construction and fieldwork is required for success.
When evaluating time tracking solutions and reading Buddy Punch reviews, two leading options emerge: Arcoro's ExakTime® and Buddy Punch. Our Buddy Punch review reveals that both platforms aim to solve the challenges of tracking labor. However, while Buddy Punch's software offers generalized timekeeping across industries, ExakTime focuses on providing specialized solutions for builders, contractors and field services.
Before diving deeper into our Buddy Punch review, let's examine how time tracking software works. These solutions allow companies to track employee hours and tasks through digital means rather than paper timesheets. Whether choosing Buddy Punch or alternative solutions, these automated systems provide a centralized way to collect clock in/out data, monitor attendance, calculate pay and gain insights into productivity. Key features to evaluate in any time tracking solution include:
When reviewing time tracking solutions like Buddy Punch, construction and field service businesses must consider their unique operational environment. Work needs to rapidly shift across multiple projects and locations on any given day. Teams and schedules are fluid. And margins are tight. This makes generic time tracking solutions insufficient for construction's decentralized nature.
Unlike basic time clock apps, construction workforces spread across temporary job sites require more than paper timesheets or basic digital solutions. Standard time tracking software and basic punch systems fail to provide oversight of field teams or tie hours back to specific cost codes. That's why many construction firms reading Buddy Punch reviews also evaluate specialized digital time tracking solutions purpose-built for their unique needs.
Innovative time tracking technology solves these issues and provides indispensable benefits:
When evaluating time tracking solutions like Buddy Punch, construction leaders need technology built specifically for their industry. While basic punch systems work for office settings, construction requires purpose-built time tracking systems that deliver robust functionality while remaining easy for employees to adopt.
While reviewing Buddy Punch and other time tracking solutions, it's important to note that ExakTime is a leader in automated time and attendance systems designed specifically for construction and field service. Unlike general time clock solutions, ExakTime by Arcoro has focused exclusively on serving the needs of decentralized workforces for over 20 years.
Key features include:
When comparing ExakTime to Buddy Punch and other time tracking solutions, ExakTime provides the most complete time tracking solution for field teams. Our construction-specific features provide capabilities beyond standard time clock systems.
Our detailed Buddy Punch review reveals it's a general-purpose time and attendance tracking solution. Buddy Punch offers time and attendance tracking for all industries. It provides options for capturing hours worked with web-based software, mobile apps and text messaging. The Buddy Punch system includes options for employee scheduling, payroll and reporting.
Key features include:
Based on our Buddy Punch review, the platform offers general time and attendance tracking but does not have tailored capabilities designed specifically for the construction industry's distinct needs and strict regulatory requirements.
While both Buddy Punch and ExakTime offer easy-to-use time and attendance tracking, there are key differences:
For field-based construction teams, ExakTime provides the most robust solution focused squarely on the needs of decentralized workforces. Buddy Punch, while very capable, is better suited for traditional office-based workforces.
When reviewing time tracking solutions for construction, mobile app capabilities become increasingly critical. Our in-depth Buddy Punch review revealed significant differences in field performance between the two platforms, particularly in construction environments.
While Buddy Punch's mobile interface functions adequately in office settings, it presents notable limitations on construction sites. The app's small touch targets prove challenging to use with work gloves and its standard contrast ratios become difficult to read in bright sunlight. Complex menu structures requiring multiple taps for basic functions can slow down workers, especially during busy morning clock-ins.
In contrast, ExakTime's construction-optimized design features large, prominent buttons specifically designed for gloved operation. Its high-contrast display remains clearly visible even in direct sunlight, while the streamlined interface puts common functions just one tap away. Most importantly for construction sites, ExakTime maintains full functionality offline with automatic syncing when connection returns.
Buddy Punch provides standard time tracking features like basic location tracking, clock in/out functions and general activity logging. However, construction sites often require more specialized capabilities.
ExakTime delivers these construction-essential features, including multiple job site geofencing, project-specific cost code tracking and stamped time entries. The app also integrates equipment tracking and allows for site condition photo documentation - critical features for construction project management and compliance requirements.
When reviewing Buddy Punch and ExakTime, support services become a critical differentiator. While Buddy Punch offers standard support options, ExakTime provides comprehensive construction-focused assistance. Our review shows ExakTime's commitment to customer success goes beyond typical time clock software support.
ExakTime shines when it comes to customer support. ExakTime values each customer and ensuring their success is our top priority. We believe excellent customer service is the key to long-term client relationships. That's why ExakTime offers an exceptional experience that helps customers get the most value from our solutions, including:
Based on our review, ExakTime's construction-focused support team delivers superior service compared to general time tracking vendors. While Buddy Punch provides standard software support, ExakTime's deep construction expertise ensures customers maximize their investment in field team management.
For construction and field service companies, the time tracking solution selected is an important decision with far-reaching impacts. When reviewing time tracking options like Buddy Punch, it's essential to evaluate how each solution addresses industry-specific challenges. While general time clock software may seem adequate, a properly optimized system becomes an indispensable tool for increasing payroll accuracy, improving job cost visibility, maintaining compliance and providing data-driven workforce insights. Our comprehensive Buddy Punch review and industry analysis shows that making an informed choice leads to major gains in critical operations and profitability.
When comparing Buddy Punch to construction-specific solutions, firms should carefully evaluate these key factors:
ExakTime solely focuses on the specialized time tracking needs of the construction industry. We build our solutions specifically for builders, contractors and field service firms. This rigorous industry focus allows us to embed unmatched expertise compared to generic platforms. Our purpose-built approach means we intimately understand your daily realities, from remote teams to regulations. This deep construction specialization delivers significant advantages and better results. When you need proven construction-grade performance, ExakTime's industry-specific solution is unmatched.
ExakTime's rugged time clocks can operate without any internet connection, relying on cellular service to sync data. This maintains constant uptime and accessibility at any remote construction site, regardless of WiFi or data availability. Web-based software is prone to failure on unstable connections. Staying online at poor-service job sites is imperative.
ExakTime utilizes military-grade 256-bit AES data encryption both for data in transit and at rest. This is the same level used by financial institutions to secure transactions. Access controls, complex password requirements and role-based permissions provide additional layers of protection. Our redundant cloud infrastructure prevents outages while allowing remote wipe of data as needed.
ExakTime is built on a cloud-native platform designed to scale up limitlessly as your needs grow, without performance degradation. We can easily support 500+ concurrent field employees across 100+ active projects from within our secure cloud infrastructure. There's no need for you to maintain local servers. And our platform elasticity enables support of your largest projects as your business expands over time.
ExakTime integrates directly with over 40 leading construction payroll platforms. This allows the syncing of hours worked into payroll for processing. Specialized construction software integrations are key.
Look for proven results quantified through metrics from real construction clients. ExakTime delivers guaranteed ROIs across operational efficiency, cost reduction and risk mitigation. From eliminating time theft to optimizing job costing accuracy to avoiding fines, our industry-specific solutions drive rapid returns.
Robust real-time reporting provides complete visibility into field workforce productivity metrics, allowing businesses to identify issues as they arise for rapid response. Advanced analytics is crucial for construction. With ExakTime, you gain access to a comprehensive suite of reports that transform raw data into actionable insights to drive decision-making.
Construction and field service businesses need a time tracking system that balances ease of use with robust functionality. Arcoro's ExakTime delivers on both fronts. Our innovative mobile app and rugged clock system are simple to implement yet powerful in capability. We provide industry-leading solutions at an affordable price point aligned with construction needs. When you require user-friendly innovation tailored for field teams, ExakTime is the superior choice for tons of reasons, including:
By purpose-building its technology for decentralized workforces, ExakTime solves the unique time tracking challenges of construction and field service. Get started with a demo today.
ExakTime specializes in automated workforce management solutions for construction and field service. Key features include rugged time clocks, GPS mobile apps, photo verification, robust reporting, geofencing and over 40 direct integrations with leading construction payroll platforms.
Yes, ExakTime's rugged time clocks are designed to operate fully offline. The clocks store employee punch data locally and sync transactions when they regain cellular service. No WiFi or mobile data connectivity is required for employees to clock in and out.
Absolutely. By automating data collection from the field, ExakTime eliminates the delays and errors inherent in manual time tracking via paper. It provides immediate visibility into field workforce activities rather than waiting for timecards.