Automation Personnel Services (APS) has been a trusted staffing partner since 1990, providing high-quality talent to companies in the energy, heavy industrial, and process plant sectors across nine states, including Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. As APS celebrates its 35th anniversary, its success can be traced back to one core principle: its solid relationships with both clients and employees.
The agency’s Director of Technology, John Nordness, firmly believes that longevity in staffing isn’t just about filling positions—it’s about maintaining strong relationships with both candidates and clients. This people-first approach isn’t just a slogan; it’s embedded in APS’s culture. The agency goes the extra mile—literally—by personally escorting employees to job sites on their first day, introducing them to supervisors, and fostering trust from the start.
But APS quickly recognized that nothing strengthens—or breaks—those relationships more than back-office operations. Transparent billing and fast, accurate payroll aren’t just administrative tasks; they’re the foundation of trust.
As John puts it: “Payroll—both incoming and outgoing—has a major impact on relationships, shaping trust with the employees you put to work and the clients you serve. Inaccurate payroll or billing can be a dealbreaker—if employees aren’t paid correctly, they won’t come back. So, eliminating payroll discrepancies solved 95% of the weekly challenges our agency faced.”
For John, a reliable back-office and transparent reporting system aren’t just operational necessities—they’re what prove an agency’s value and fuel long-term growth. Determined to optimize APS’s back-office and timekeeping tools, he set out to find a solution that would streamline operations and enhance the experience for employees, clients, and internal staff alike.
That search led him to Avionté’s powerful front- and back-office staffing platform, built to streamline every stage of the employment process—from hiring and onboarding to billing and payroll. It also introduced him to Avionté+, the company’s open API program, which enables seamless integration with top-tier third-party technologies.
Among them was Timerack, a leader in cloud-based time and attendance software for staffing agencies, offering advanced time clock hardware and intuitive mobile apps with Pay/Bill and assignment management capabilities. For staffing agencies managing large, diverse workforces, Timerack’s solutions simplify and enhance employee time tracking, making the process more efficient and hassle-free.
By integrating Timerack’s time clocks with Avionté’s complete back-office system, APS significantly increased efficiency, enabling real-time payroll data access and reducing the need for additional headcount to manage the clocks—ultimately saving the company thousands of dollars. With Timerack’s exceptional customer service and focus on the staffing industry, the company was fully supported during implementation and continues to receive prompt assistance when challenges arise.
The result? A smoother, faster, and more transparent payroll and billing process—one that not only enhances efficiency but serves as a true business differentiator in the eyes of both clients and employees.
Before COVID-19, APS operated with minimal technology, relying on paper-based processes to run the business. Talent was plentiful—job seekers would arrive early in the morning, ready to complete a very long paper application just for a chance at work. But times have changed. With shifts in the economy, the rise of gig work, and new technology-driven expectations, the talent pool has become more competitive. To stay ahead, APS had to rethink how it operated and adopt modern tools that would streamline hiring and improve the candidate experience.
The agency originally used another platform for staffing management, but the system quickly became outdated and was unable to scale with its growing needs.
“Our previous software didn’t give us visibility into recruiter or sales activity—only the results. The problem was that it focused on outcomes without tracking the actions that led to them, and we needed a system that provided insight into the entire process.”
John NordnessDirector of Technology, Automation Personnel Services
Recognizing the need for a more robust solution, APS sought a new ATS/CRM platform to enhance onboarding efficiency, along with a strong back-office payroll and billing system for better accuracy and transparency. After evaluating options, they chose Avionté for its comprehensive digital onboarding, advanced reporting, and seamless back-office functionality.
One key solution APS implemented through Avionté was its integration with Timerack’s timekeeping technology—a game-changer for tracking employee attendance, quickly replacing no-shows, and ensuring accurate billing. This solution not only streamlined back-office operations and improved reporting but also strengthened client relationships.
APS had previously relied on a time clock solution that worked well for its needs, simplifying the process of collecting time data and generating accurate pay files. This made managing payroll and tracking employee attendance much easier. However, after the solution was acquired by a large ATS provider, APS began to experience a significant decline in customer service, losing the reliable support they once depended on.
John explained: “All the support got rolled under the new ATS service team. They didn’t have the expertise to handle timekeeping customers. Everyone just assumed timekeeping was as simple as ordering and receiving clocks—but there’s a lot more to it than that. The more we needed, the less help we got, and there was no one to talk to when there was a problem. We also found out we were paying for time clocks that hadn’t been used in a long time.”
So, when APS teamed up with Avionté, they started looking for new timekeeping solutions and discovered Timerack—a fully integrated option within the Avionté+ program.
“When we found out about Avionté’s partnership with a fully integrated time clock system that is built for staffing, it was a eureka moment. An integrated timekeeping system would solve so many problems for us. With the time clocks connected to our main platform, the data is always there when we need it. Instead of relying on someone to manually transfer data between systems, the platforms talk to each other. This means no delays, no missing timesheets, and no chasing down information.”
John NordnessDirector of Technology, Automation Personnel Services
The change with Timerack was immediate. APS didn’t have to rely on manual processes to move timekeeping data around anymore. Real-time data was always available when payroll needed it, enabling the company to operate with a smaller team managing the system, and saving thousands of dollars by avoiding additional hires or pulling staff away from other critical tasks.
John said: “With the added efficiencies, we needed fewer people to manage the clocks. Some team members left due to natural attrition, but because of the streamlined process, we didn’t need to replace them. We even moved one employee to a different role in payroll and billing, saving money while giving our staff more flexibility.”
By enabling employees to access the timekeeping system through their mobile devices, the solution also made it easier for employees to submit their time information directly from their smartphones. Additionally, if an employee doesn’t show up for work, APS is notified immediately and can quickly send a replacement, preventing clients from having to contact the agency to chase down absentees. This not only streamlines operations but also strengthens client relationships.
Equally important, APS was particularly struck by Timerack’s exceptional customer service. Whenever an issue arose, Timerack acted as a true partner, offering fast, hands-on support to resolve challenges quickly. Their support process is seamless—within minutes of sending an email, APS receives near-instant communication confirming that their request is being addressed.
If an issue requires more than a quick fix, Timerack goes above and beyond, offering step-by-step guidance to walk APS or their clients through the necessary processes to resolve. Their team ensures everything runs smoothly, taking the time to address any questions and ensure users feel confident with their tools. This level of responsiveness and commitment has made Timerack a trusted partner for APS, allowing them to focus on operations without worrying about delays or unresolved issues.
“With Avionté and Timerack, we never wait more than a few minutes for a response. If there’s an issue, someone is always ready to hop on a call and walk us through it. It’s very high-touch service when we need it.”
John NordnessDirector of Technology, Automation Personnel Services
Another major perk was the real-time, bi-directional data flow. Originally, the time clocks only provided a pay file. But with Timerack, assignment data could flow into the company’s back-office system, so timekeeping records matched payroll files automatically. This ensured greater accuracy and made audits a breeze.
“Now, we can audit all our data bidirectionally. Having a system of record on both ends makes it easy to track down any issues. No more manually cross-checking timesheets with assignment data—it’s all there, automatically connected,” John said.
Timerack’s commitment to biometric time clocks was also crucial for APS, especially after the previous provider abruptly discontinued this feature without warning. Many of APS’s clients relied on biometric systems for accurate employee identification and attendance tracking, and without this capability, the agency risked losing their trust – and their business. Thankfully, Timerack helped APS maintain this critical capability, safeguarding its client relationships and ensuring continuity in expected service delivery.
As APS embarked on the journey to find a new CRM/ATS, they didn’t just seek upgraded technology—they aimed for a partnership that would elevate their entire operations.
“Clients are looking for better, more accurate, and faster reporting, while employees want easier ways to find and secure jobs. With Avionté and Timerack as our partners, we can streamline the entire workflow—from job searching to onboarding, billing, and payment. The integration between the two systems helps us to enhance the entire experience for everyone involved, and that’s truly a game changer for our agency,” John said.
By using Avionté’s comprehensive platform integrated with Timerack’s embedded timekeeping solution, APS didn’t just get great tech; they aligned themselves with two companies that share a vision for the future of staffing. Both Avionté and Timerack are genuinely invested in helping agency owners like APS thrive, and the team at APS is eager to embrace this transformative journey.
This strategic partnership positions APS for sustained success, ensuring they are ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow while continuing to strengthen the relationships that have been the foundation of its business for over three decades.
According to John, who dedicated significant time to evaluating various tech vendors for his agency’s needs, both Avionté and Timerack stand out from other market options, including some of the industry’s largest competitors, due to their unique qualities: a clear vision for the future and genuine care for the clients they serve.
“The leadership at both Avionté and Timerack have a clear vision for the future of staffing and are committed to evolving their offerings, so I’m on board all the way!”
John NordnessDirector of Technology, Automation Personnel Services
With Avionté’s back-office system seamlessly integrated into Timerack’s advanced time clock solution, APS now enjoys streamlined processes that enable better billing, payroll, and reporting. This powerful combination not only boosts efficiency but also differentiates APS in a competitive market—something their clients are noticing.
“We had one employer who gasped after seeing our latest timekeeping solution; he couldn’t believe his company wasn’t using something similar for their full-time staff,” John said.
Want to see how a modern staffing platform can help your staffing business be more efficient? Schedule a free consultation call today.
