Orbital Shift

Orbital Shift is a software company that provides cloud-based workforce management tools centred on employee scheduling and time clock tracking. Because the scheduling software runs in the cloud, customers do not need to install software or purchase hardware, and staff schedules can be generated, posted and viewed from anywhere with an internet connection. Workforce management software of this kind is typically bought by businesses with hourly, shift-based staff, where building rotas, tracking attendance and controlling labour spend can otherwise consume significant manager time.

The scheduling product lets managers create, share, adjust and approve schedules, while employees can swap shifts and submit time off and cover requests through self-service tools. Its time clock software lets employees clock in and out from phones or designated stations, with GPS geofencing for monitoring staff location while on the clock. Managers can review projected time clock hours in real time and receive email or text alerts when an employee has not clocked in for a shift that has already started, and time data can be exported in a variety of formats for payroll. Together these functions link the schedule to actual hours worked, which is where labour cost overruns tend to appear, and the company adds overtime alerts, conflict notifications and clock restrictions aimed at that problem.

Communication tools allow managers to send targeted messages to departments, positions or individual employees via web, email or text, and staff can view daily shift notes when they log in. Employees can access schedules through a device-independent mobile app or a Progressive Web App, and the company offers a 14-day free trial with no card required. Its customers include a community food co-op and a six-location hardware retailer, examples of the shift-based retail and food sectors that this category of software commonly serves.