Manufacturing & CPG UKG Workforce Technology

Modernizing manufacturing: The power of efficient workforce management

05/20/2025

by Kyle Berry and Caroline Winslow

In today’s manufacturing industry, workforce management goes beyond simply tracking clock-in and clock-out times. From managing intricate labor agreements and complex scheduling patterns to tracking time against projects and maintaining compliance, manufacturers must coordinate a wide range of moving parts with precision. They must do this while facing mounting pressure to do more with less: streamline operations, cut costs, and boost efficiency across multiple teams, plants, and shifts.

For manufacturers, having an efficient workforce management (WFM) system in place isn’t just a convenience—it’s critical to ensuring smooth, compliant operations. These systems help manufacturers manage labor more effectively, make smarter decisions with real-time data, and stay flexible when things change on the floor. With legacy WFM systems falling behind or aging out, manufacturers are taking the opportunity to reevaluate if their current tools still meet the demands of today’s business needs.

To keep pace with evolving operational demands, a leading manufacturing client partnered with Sendero to transition from their legacy system to UKG Pro Workforce Management, modernizing their system and positioning their workforce for long-term success.

Leading Manufacturing Client Implements Efficient Workforce Management System

The Parameters:

The legacy system, Kronos Workforce Central, was nearing end-of-life. As a result, the client needed to introduce a new WFM solution. The main goal was to replicate core functionality while introducing efficiencies and enhancements.

A key consideration during the implementation process was the company’s diverse employee base—including union groups—that had varying needs, including time attestation, biometric clock enrollment, and mobile punching. Additionally, robust project time tracking was needed for employees to charge time to specific projects. Complex scheduling patterns across 160+ work locations also had to be supported. Finally, with ongoing acquisitions, the client required the system to support the seamless onboarding of new hires.

The Process:

Sendero partnered with the client and UKG Professional Services to achieve each of the following milestones.

Migrated configuration from Kronos WFC to UKG WFM, including pay rule configuration, attendance policies, and accrual policies.
Implemented the Activities module to maintain operational visibility through integrated time tracking by project.
Deployed both clock-based and mobile-based workflows, enabling time-off requests, time attestation, and biometric enrollment.
Configured customizable Dataviews to meet legacy reporting requirements and expand analytics capabilities.
Established real-time data integration with UKG Pro.
Replicated and enhanced all legacy integrations for improved performance.

The Outcomes:

The most significant result of the project was the effective transition from the legacy WFM to a modern system with enhanced functionality. Other key results include an improved employee experience through intuitive, self-service tools; enhanced reporting and analytics through customizable Dataviews and improved integrations; and, a scalable and flexible system foundation to support ongoing organizational growth and future acquisitions.

Considerations in Preparation for Implementation

For manufacturers still operating on Kronos Workforce Central or other legacy systems, transitioning to a modern workforce management solution is no longer a question of if—but when. Planning ahead can make all the difference in achieving a smooth, successful upgrade. Below are key factors to consider in preparation:

Assess your current system landscape: Conduct a thorough evaluation of your existing WFM system. Identify what’s working, where the gaps are, and which functionalities are mission-critical for your business. If you’re still on Kronos WFC, start preparing for an upgrade.
Start reviewing and cleaning up your HCM and WFM data: Data cleanup is one of the most time consuming parts of a system transition. Reviewing pay rules, schedules, time-off policies, and employee data ahead of time can reduce rework and complexity during implementation.
Understand business requirements across your organization: Workforce management touches everyone—from corporate leaders to the plant level. Gathering input from all levels ensures the new system supports all user groups effectively.
Think long-term: Choose a solution that not only meets today’s needs but can also scale with your organization’s growth. Consider how the system will support future acquisitions or changes in workforce structure.
Plan early for change management: A new WFM system can shift how employees interact with time tracking, scheduling, and reporting. Develop a clear communication and training strategy that addresses the needs of all employee types.

A strong workforce management system is critical to driving success in manufacturing operations. As a trusted UKG Services Partner, Sendero brings proven implementation experience and expertise to help your organization modernize its WFM strategy—efficiently, effectively, and with confidence.