Choosing the right time and attendance system is an important step for businesses that need to accurately track employee hours, manage compliance, and streamline payroll. One of the most recognized names in this space is Kronos. Known for its powerful timekeeping software, attendance tracking, and workforce management solutions, the Kronos time and attendance system has been used by organizations across industries for decades.
Note: Kronos merged with Ultimate Software in 2020 to form UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group). However, many businesses and users still refer to the solution as “Kronos,” which is why we’ll use that term throughout this article.
What is Kronos Time and Attendance System?
Kronos is a company that offers workplace management software and solutions, including time and attendance systems. The cloud-based time and attendance system is designed to automatically and seamlessly track employee time worked, and automatically sync this with other data collected. Other systems Kronos offers include:
- Benefits administration
- Talent acquisition and management
- Onboarding
- HR
- Payroll
Luckily, Kronos time and attendance systems can be integrated with these other offerings to create a unified, all-in-one workforce management platform for your business needs. For instance, when the time and attendance system pulls time and attendance data, it can automatically and accurately integrate this data with payroll, HR, and other back-end systems.
All in all, using Kronos time and attendance can help your company control labor costs, minimize compliance risk, and improve workforce productivity.
What is Kronos Used For?
Kronos is more than just a time and attendance solution. It’s often described as a full Kronos workforce management system. Companies use it for:
- Kronos timekeeping: tracking employee hours accurately in real time
- Kronos attendance management: reducing absenteeism and improving scheduling
- Kronos time tracking software: automating labor cost calculations
- Kronos payroll integration: syncing time data directly with employee paychecks
Because it combines time management, scheduling, and payroll tools, many businesses consider Kronos one of the most comprehensive time clock systems available.
How Can Businesses Access Kronos?
Kronos time and attendance solution can be either cloud-based or web-based. For this reason, businesses using Kronos can access their time tracking system using a variety of methods:
- Time clock (Kronos InTouch): Best for hospitality, retail, and healthcare
- Computer (web-based): Best for office workplaces
- Mobile app (Available in iOS and Android): Best for touchless or on-the-go solutions
- Phone call (interactive voice response): Best for remote employees
Because Kronos offers multiple types of time and attendance systems, conveniently businesses can choose which authentication method they are most comfortable with. Kronos even offers biometric readers with their InTouch offering, if you prefer to add an extra layer of security to your time tracking system. Additionally, businesses can “mix and match” authentication methods so that different employees can choose the method they are most comfortable with.
Kronos also offers two different software suites for businesses depending on their needs – Workforce Dimensions Suite, which is best for industry-specific applications, and the Workforce Ready Suite, which is better for everyday time and attendance as well as human capital management needs.
Whichever system you choose, you simply install the hardware once, and then employees can regularly clock in and clock out seamlessly. Then, your management team can stay on top of time and attendance data by using your integrated back-end Kronos software.
Kronos Time Clock System
For businesses that prefer physical hardware, Kronos offers the Kronos time clock system (also known as the Kronos clocking system). Employees can clock in and out using:
- Kronos InTouch terminals: touchscreen devices with optional biometric readers
- Badge or fob readers: secure options for quick swipes
- Mobile and web-based time clocks: perfect for remote or hybrid teams
These flexible options make Kronos one of the most widely used time clock systems in industries such as healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and hospitality.
Industries That Can Benefit from Kronos
Almost any business that wants to track employee hours worked, time taken off, hours worked on a specific project, and much more can benefit from using a time and attendance system. Typically, industries that use hourly workers and contractors tend to utilize time and attendance systems. Kronos specializes in helping the following industries with time tracking needs:
- Healthcare
- Hospitality
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Government
- Distribution
- Education
- Banking
- Law enforcement
- Nonprofits
- Grocery
- Trucking
- Staffing
By visiting their website, Kronos can help you find a time and attendance solution suited to your specific business and industry needs.
Why Industries Choose Kronos
The Kronos attendance system is designed to fit industries that rely on hourly or shift-based workers. By automating Kronos time tracking and reducing manual entry, companies save time and avoid compliance issues. Many organizations also use Kronos for:
- Kronos time management: ensuring staffing levels match demand in industries like healthcare and hospitality
- Kronos attendance tracking: minimizing absenteeism and late punches in retail and manufacturing
- Kronos scheduling integration: allowing government agencies, schools, and nonprofits to align employee hours with budgets
This flexibility is why Kronos remains a top solution across so many industries.
Key Features of Kronos
Kronos offers most of the key features a business looks for in a time and attendance system. In addition to offering two different software suites depending on the business’s needs and applications, there are additional features that can benefit all companies. Kronos provides a combination of day-to-day time tracking, data automation, and management features:
- Time tracking automation and accuracy
- Remote monitoring using cloud-based technology
- Robust notification system (including tardiness or missed punches)
- Compliance tool
- Employed self-service portal
- Scheduling assistant
- Employee time-off balances calculator
- Interactive Voice Response (IVR) option
- Mobile app option
- Integrations with payroll, HR, and more
How Kronos Time Management Improves Productivity
Beyond basic tracking, Kronos functions as a complete time management system. The platform helps companies reduce errors, improve scheduling, and keep employees engaged. Some of the biggest benefits include:
- Accurate Kronos time tracking: eliminates manual entry and prevents payroll mistakes
- Kronos software compliance tools: reduce the risk of labor law violations
- Integrated Kronos system: connects attendance data with HR, scheduling, and payroll for a single source of truth
By combining automation with workforce insights, Kronos makes it easier for managers to control labor costs and employees to stay on top of their schedules.
Pricing
Although Kronos does not list specific pricing for their software and service on their website (it’s a consultation-based pricing model), there are online resources that can give you a preliminary picture of pricing.
| Monthly base cost | Monthly hardware lease cost | One-time set-up fee |
| Around $40 + $4 per employee Depending on business size and team size | $100-$150 Depending on your chosen hardware | Around $500 Depending on size of business |
Most time and attendance systems and services run on a standard monthly base fee + per-employee pricing model. According to business.com, Kronos time and attendance systems start at $40 per month plus ~$4 per employee. If you want to utilize additional features, such as mobile app, notifications, PTO management, scheduling assistant, and more, there may be additional charges.
Depending on what authentication method you use, there may be additional charges to lease a time clock or biometric reader, this should be about $100-$150 per month.
Also keep in mind that like most time and attendance systems and services, there is a one-time set-up fee. Business.com lists this at around $500 one-time plus $4 per employee to implement the system.
However, these prices depend on the size of your company, number of employees as well as your specific needs and preferences.
Understanding Kronos Pricing Models
Because Kronos uses a consultation-based approach, final costs depend on the size of your workforce, the features you select, and whether you add on payroll or HR modules. In general:
- Kronos time and attendance software starts with a monthly base fee plus a per-employee rate.
- Businesses that add Kronos payroll integration or advanced scheduling tools should expect higher monthly costs.
- Hardware such as Kronos time clocks or biometric devices may be leased for an additional fee.
These variables mean that no two companies pay the exact same amount. For accurate pricing, most businesses request a quote directly from Kronos or compare multiple Kronos system packages to see what best fits their needs.
Related Solutions to Consider
Many businesses looking for time and attendance solutions also explore payroll services. If you’re considering payroll services alongside time tracking, you may want to check out Kronos Payroll Services for a comprehensive solution.
Not sure if payroll services are the right move? Here are 8 reasons why businesses invest in payroll services and a breakdown of how much payroll services cost.
Beyond Kronos, there are other time and attendance options to explore. ADP Time and Attendance and Paychex Payroll offer competitive solutions that may fit your business needs.
Kronos Payroll and Workforce Management
In addition to time and attendance, many companies choose to integrate Kronos payroll for a complete workforce solution. This makes the Kronos system especially powerful because it connects time tracking, scheduling, HR, and payroll in one platform. While some businesses compare Kronos with other providers like ADP or Paychex, those already using Kronos software often find that adding payroll integration saves time and reduces costly errors.
Find the Right Time and Attendance System for Your Business
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