Tracking time across campuses without hitting speed bumps
When your workforce spans three campuses and includes a mix of faculty, staff, and student workers, tracking time accurately is no small feat. That was the daily reality for Itawamba Community College (ICC). For years, they relied on physical punch clocks and manual paperwork to get the job done.
But as the college grew, so did the complications — from missing punches and payroll errors to long drives just to collect timecards. It was like trying to run a modern operation with a map from 20 years ago. The system couldn’t keep up, and it was slowing everyone down.
That’s when ICC turned to TimeClock Plus — a solution built to match the pace and complexity of their workforce.
The Challenge – Manual systems couldn’t keep up
Before 2017, ICC’s entire timekeeping process ran on punch cards and paper trails. Employees would manually insert timecards into a physical clock that stamped their hours in military time. Then HR had to convert those entries, check for errors, and sort through stacks of paper to make payroll happen.
With around 300 employees working across three campuses — some up to 30 minutes apart — that system quickly became more burden than benefit.
“We have three locations, as much as 30 minutes apart,” said Timothy Senter, Vice President of Human Resources and Administration. “Processing payroll across those distances, especially in bad weather, was a huge challenge.”
And getting the timecards was only the beginning.
Once processed, the paper records were boxed up and stored offsite, turning every audit request into a hunt through storage rooms and file boxes. Pulling time records wasn’t just inconvenient. It was stressful, slow, and risky when accuracy mattered most.
The further ICC grew, the clearer it became: the college needed a better way to track time. One that could match their pace, scale with their team, and finally move them beyond paperwork and weather delays.
The Solution – A single solution that removes timekeeping roadblocks
To replace the patchwork of paper forms and punch clocks, ICC implemented TimeClock Plus, TCP’s automated time and attendance solution. It wasn’t just about moving faster. It was about finally driving on the right road.
What used to feel like navigating with an outdated map — full of detours, delays, and compliance potholes — is now a streamlined system that handles everything from time off requests to payroll reporting in one place.
Today, TimeClock Plus supports more than 325 hourly and student workers across departments and campuses, helping ICC track time accurately without hitting speed bumps every week.
Accurate clock-ins from any device
From office staff using a desktop, to custodial and grounds crews using iPads, to traveling recruiters on their phones — TimeClock Plus allows everyone to clock in and out with ease. The system also includes geofencing to ensure student workers clock in only at approved locations, like designated workspaces instead of residence halls.
“We use TimeClock Plus in a variety of ways to meet the different schedules and positions we have,” Senter said. “It’s really streamlined things for us.”
All entries are automatically converted to standard time, eliminating the need for manual conversion and cutting down on errors. Time data also flows directly into ICC’s Ellucian Banner system, which simplifies payroll and reduces the need for double entry.
Simple, digital leave management
Supervisors now approve time off, edit timesheets, and manage employee schedules all from one digital dashboard. Employees submit requests online, eliminating the confusion of paper-based leave slips.
“It’s just a lot more information at your fingertips,” said Senter. “You can make decisions more efficiently, even while you’re on the phone with a supervisor.”
TimeClock Plus also supports varying work terms — 12, 11, 10, or 9 months — ensuring full coverage throughout the academic year.
Built-in flexibility for change
When ICC made the decision to reclassify all employees to salaried status, the potential for disruption was real. Changes like that can throw operations off track, especially when your timekeeping system isn’t built to adapt.
But with TimeClock Plus, the transition was smooth. The HR team simply updated payroll rules within the platform, and everything kept running without a hitch. No workarounds, no downtime, no chaos.
It was like updating the GPS and staying on the highway — no missed turns, just forward progress.
“It was very beneficial to us to be able to pivot,” Senter said. “I don’t know if we could have done that in the previous manual system.”
The system also accommodates ICC’s complex academic calendar, providing consistency through holidays and seasonal breaks.
Results – Faster payroll, fewer errors, easier audits
ICC no longer stores timecards in boxes or worries about pulling paper records during audits. Historical records are digital, secure, and easy to access. Payroll is faster and more accurate, and compliance is easier to maintain.
“As a state institution, we undergo audits every year,” Senter said. “Having everything digitized helps us minimize the risk of errors and makes the audit process much simpler.”
Audit accuracy is up, compliance is easier, and the HR team can focus more on strategy and supporting the college’s mission rather than tracking down time sheets.
Looking Ahead – A platform ready to grow with ICC
As ICC grows and adapts to meet the changing needs of its students and staff, TimeClock Plus continues to be part of the engine that keeps everything moving. What started as a way to replace paper timecards has become a dependable guide — helping the college stay on course, avoid costly detours, and respond quickly when the road ahead shifts.
It’s not just part of the process anymore. It’s how the process runs.
“It’s really streamlined things for us,” Senter said. “We’re confident we can continue adapting and growing with the support of this system.”
Inspired by this customer story? Your team could see the same impact with the right tools in place.
TCP Software’s employee scheduling and time and attendance solutions have the flexibility and scalability to suit your business and your employees, now and 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.
