MONITORING SOFTWARE BLOG

If you run a business or organization, then you likely know that it can be difficult in the best of times to keep tabs on everything going on in your business. From errant employees to hectic scheduling, you’re just doing your best. 

Unfortunately, there are some things that do need to be under surveillance, and much of this surveillance is not possible without the help of automation. 

Security threats, like malicious hackers and insider threats, as well as poor employee productivity, risk the health and success of your business. Any of these issues could get into your company and cost your business thousands of dollars. It is therefore important for your business to stay on top of operations through continued computer monitoring. 

SoftActivity is glad to announce the release of new version 12.5 of SoftActivity Monitor, its leading user activity monitoring software that helps teams around the world to improve their employee productivity and protect against insider threats.

This update is recommended to all customers.

What’s new in version 12.5:

• [web console] added the following info into Attendance (also in PDF export and email reports) to help estimate employee productivity level:
  • daily idle time (when a user is logged-in but inactive);
  • idle percentage;
  • number of typed keystrokes;
  • and average hourly keystrokes rate.
• [web console] export of Attendance report: select a standard range of dates, such as last 7 days, etc. instead of just two dates.
• fix: [web console] export of Dashboard to PDF the same number of records as on screen. Previously was always 10.
• fix: [web console] export of Attendance to CSV had incorrect format of date and time for some records.
• fix: sometimes it failed to clean up old logs on the server.
• fix: remote Agent installation via PowerShell script failed.
• fix: updating Agents sometimes required Windows restart in the end.
• improved Powershell scripts to install & uninstall Agent remotely. See agent\install-agent-remotely.ps1 and agent\uninstall-agent-remotely.ps1
• dropped support of Windows Vista for security reasons. Minimum version supported now is Windows 7.
  * if support of Win Vista is needed, we advice to continue using version 12.4
• numerous other improvements and fixes in web console, desktop app and Agent.

SoftActivity releases new version 6.5 of TS Monitor, its leading user monitoring software used by remote teams on their Terminal Servers and Citrix XenApp.

What’s new in version 6.5:

• [web console] added more info into Attendance view and to PDF export and email reports. This helps estimate employee productivity level.
  • daily idle time (when a user is logged-in, but inactive);
  • idle percentage;
  • number of typed keystrokes;
  • average hourly keystrokes rate.
• [web console] export of Attendance report: select a standard range of dates, such as Last 7 days, etc. instead of just two dates.
• fix: [web console] export of Dashboard to PDF the same number of records as on screen. Previously was always 10.
• fix: [web console] export of Attendance to CSV had incorrect format of date and time for some records.
• fix: sometimes failed to clean up old logs on the server, and fill up a lot of drive space.
• the minimum supported OS version is now Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1+, up from v2008
• numerous other improvements and fixes

If you’re like much of the business world and you are managing a remote workforce in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, then you have most likely figured out many of the ins-and-outs of working from home. Remote work is prevalent because of its flexibility and the ability to bring in better employees worldwide. 

Even if your business does not anticipate staying working remotely forever, it’s important to establish processes for remote workers so that business continuity remains in the future. While it comes with many benefits, remote work still can lead to business risks, like insider threats and insufficient productivity levels. 

You hire employees to help your business function. But regularly, they are slacking off at work and not taking your time seriously. When your employees are on the clock, they should be working for your business. Naturally, employees need to take their breaks, but these should be specific times that they are clocking off for a break and taking time away from their computer. They should not be “slacking off” and taking “breaks” when they are supposed to be working!

If you have employees, then you need the ability to monitor their activity. Surveillance systems and cameras can help activity monitoring in a place of business, but what about computer use? You can’t walk around and snoop over their shoulder all day. Besides, even if you did do this, your employees would hide what was on their computer screens. And none of you would get anything done!

As we move into 2021, one year after the COVID-19 pandemic uprooted ordinary life, businesses are still seeking smart ways to survive, grow, and improve. For those businesses that have been able to successfully adapt, there is a need for improved productivity in a new way of working. 

Looking to employee productivity this year requires some strategic planning. Our workplaces look differently than before, and many of your workers have a renewed sense of social and political awareness and in navigating the work-from-home lifestyle. Careful attention should be made to proper productivity planning, employee engagement, setting reasonable (or SMART) goals, and going easy on your employees at times. 

When navigating employee productivity in 2021, here are some things to keep in mind. 

As lovely as your employees are, it’s impossible to completely trust them with your business assets. Your employees are complex individuals, and some days they aren’t as productive as others. This isn’t necessarily their fault; they should be working hard for you… and they might be! But without verifying that this is the case, you are trusting the word of your workers.

Employee activity can be monitored with computer monitoring software. See what your employees are doing during work hours, confirm that they aren’t talking to their friends on social media, and verify that your assets are protected from malicious insiders. 

If you’re not sure if a computer monitoring software is right for you, read on. We’re convinced that our product will help your business improve employee productivity and keep an eye on dangerous insider threats.