Running a manufacturing operation with over 60 visually impaired employees isn’t just about keeping production moving — it’s about removing barriers so people can succeed. Since 1963, West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind has created stable jobs for the blind community in San Angelo, Texas. Every efficiency gained means more opportunities to employ and empower people who are often left out of the workforce.
But outdated punch clocks and manual reporting were slowing down both people and productivity. Payroll took days, job tracking was incomplete, and the process wasn’t accessible for employees who are blind.
Here’s how one nonprofit cut payroll processing time, streamlined job tracking, and created a more inclusive workplace with TimeClock Plus.
Manual processes that weren’t blind-friendly
For years, the Lighthouse tracked employee time with a manual punch clock — and it showed.
“We were using a punch card system, and that is the opposite of what I would consider to be blind-friendly,” said Joshua Glaze, Special Projects Manager. “Employees came up with convoluted ways of identifying their punch cards. It was time-consuming and created a traffic jam around the punch clock.”
Because 90% of direct employees are visually impaired, the punch card system created daily frustration and slowed down workflows. Payroll administrators also bore the burden. Collecting paper cards, manually entering hours into spreadsheets, and re-entering data into payroll software often took more than a day and a half each cycle.
Job tracking was another obstacle. Employees often changed job codes six to ten times a day, but with no automated way to capture this, managers had to record job code changes by hand. The result: incomplete data, lengthy reporting, and limited visibility into productivity.
“We were looking for a system that was automated, tracked job codes, and streamlined the payroll process,” added Fonda Galindo, Finance & Human Resource Manager.
A trusted system built for accessibility
In 2009, the Lighthouse turned to TimeClock Plus for a system that would automate time tracking, simplify payroll, and be accessible for their employees.
“I was familiar with the TimeClock system and it was the perfect solution for our needs,” said Galindo.
The implementation combined on-premise software with RDTg Proximity Clocks, giving employees a fast, contactless way to clock in and out with personalized badges. Later, the Lighthouse upgraded to TimeClock Plus v7, gaining browser-based access and even greater ease of use for administrators.
“The accessibility through the browser was a functionality we needed,” Glaze explained. “It was easy to access for administrators to use TimeClock Manager.”
A faster, more accessible clock-in process
Instead of paper punch cards, employees now swipe a proximity badge — a process that takes less than a minute for the whole team.
Payroll in hours, not days
With automated time collection, administrators no longer spend days transcribing and checking timesheets. Payroll reports are generated instantly and accurately, minimizing human error and freeing up staff time.
Visibility into labor costs and productivity
Manufacturing managers can now run detailed reports, including Job Code Analysis, to monitor productivity and compare actual labor costs against expectations.
“TimeClock Plus allows us to view labor costs for a project or job code and compare that cost to the expected cost of the project. From there we can make adjustments to who we put on the job or what procedures we take,” said Glaze.
Efficiency that fuels their mission
With TimeClock Plus, West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind has eliminated the inefficiencies of manual processes and gained the data-driven insights needed to stay cost-competitive.
“TimeClock Plus is a big part of what we do. The system helps us do what we have to do to stay in business and to remain cost competitive,” Glaze emphasized.
By simplifying time tracking and job reporting, the organization has been able to focus on what matters most: creating new products, growing the business, and providing more jobs for the blind community in West Texas.
Growing impact, powered by efficiency
For more than 60 years, West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind has been breaking down barriers to employment. With TimeClock Plus in place, the organization has the tools to scale its impact, remain competitive, and continue creating opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.
As Glaze put it: “TimeClock Plus helps us improve our business, in turn allowing us to create new products, grow our business, and create more jobs to employ more people in the blind community of West Texas.”
TCP Software’s employee scheduling and time and attendance solutions are flexible and scalable to accommodate your business and employees as you grow.
From TimeClock Plus, which automates even the most complex payroll calculations and leave management requests, to Humanity Schedule for dynamic employee scheduling that saves you time and money, we have everything you need to meet your organization’s needs, no matter how unique. Plus, with Aladtec, we offer 24/7 public safety scheduling solutions for your hometown heroes.
Ready to learn how TCP Software takes the pain out of employee scheduling and time tracking? Speak with an expert today.
