Another important choice you will have to make when choosing staff scheduling software is: Internet (web based) or PC based software?
With the advent of internet and ever increasing internet connection speeds many software vendors began developing and now offering internet based software. Employee scheduling software is not an exception.
Both Internet and PC based software have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Internet Based Software
Internet based software is almost always sold as a service for a monthly or yearly fee. Essentially, it is a rental program where you will always have to pay a monthly or yearly fee for as long as you use the software. Typically the monthly fee depends on the number of clients or employees being scheduled and it ranges widely between $1 - $12 per client or employee per month. The software and database that it uses reside on the servers of the company that owns it. You access the software through the Internet Browser from your computer. With Internet based software, you do not own the software. You need to have high speed internet connection to use Internet based software.
One of the greatest advantages of Internet based scheduling software is the fact that your information can be accessed from any computer in the world that has internet access and no installation is necessary. Additionally you do not need to worry about data back up since it is taken care of by the company that is running the service.
PC Based Software
PC based software can almost always be purchased. The software and its database that it uses to store information are installed on a local computer. You own a software license and all of the data entered into the system. You do not need internet access to run the software.
Disadvantage of PC based scheduling software is that it can only be used on the computer it is installed on and it requires installation and maintenance. You will also need to worry about backing up your data on a regular basis. If your computers breaks down and needs to be replaced, you will need to re-install the software and restore your data from a backup.