Timely

Description

Timely is an AI-powered employee scheduling solution designed to streamline operations for shift-based businesses. It addresses the common pain point of time-consuming manual scheduling by leveraging artificial intelligence to create work schedules rapidly. Users can simply describe their scheduling needs in plain English, such as "Schedule all servers Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm, give Sarah Monday off," and Timely's AI will generate a complete week's schedule in seconds. This AI-generated schedule can then be fine-tuned using a drag-and-drop interface.

A key differentiator for Timely is its SMS-first approach to team communication. Once a schedule is published, employees receive their shifts via text message, eliminating the need for app downloads or logins. This ensures that all team members are promptly informed, reducing instances of "I didn't know I was working today." The platform also proactively flags overtime before it impacts payroll, providing a live preview of labor costs and overtime as the schedule is being built. This feature helps businesses avoid unexpected payroll expenses and manage labor budgets more effectively.

Timely is used by over 500 shift-based businesses, with more than 50,000 shifts published monthly. The platform boasts a 4.9/5 average rating, indicating high user satisfaction. It offers a free tier for individuals or small teams of up to five employees, with paid plans scaling to accommodate larger businesses with multiple locations. Integrations with popular payroll and POS systems like Square, Gusto, and QuickBooks are available on paid plans, further simplifying the workflow from scheduling to payroll.

Beyond scheduling and overtime management, Timely aims to reduce no-shows by up to 40% through automatic SMS reminders sent before shifts. Employees can also request time off via text, which the system processes. Managers can expect to save an average of 6+ hours per week on scheduling tasks. The platform is accessible on any device, including desktop, tablet, and phone, ensuring flexibility for managers on the go. Timely's pricing model is a flat monthly fee per tier, with no per-user charges, making it a predictable and cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes.

Timely's Core Features

• AI-powered schedule generation from natural language input

• SMS-first notifications for employees, no app required

• Automatic overtime flagging and live labor cost preview

• Drag-and-drop interface for schedule fine-tuning

• Automatic SMS shift reminders to reduce no-shows

• Employee time-off requests via SMS

• Integrations with payroll and POS systems (Square, Gusto, QuickBooks)

• Cloud-synced schedules accessible on any device

• Free forever plan for up to 5 employees

• Customizable tags, roles, and multi-location support

• Zero scheduling conflicts with visibility of availability and workload

• Payroll preview with real-time labor cost and overtime updates

How to use Timely?

1. 1

   Describe your scheduling needs: Input your requirements in plain English.

2. 2

   AI generates schedule: Timely's AI builds the full week in seconds.

3. 3

   Fine-tune with drag and drop: Adjust shifts as needed.

4. 4

   Publish schedule: Notify your team instantly via SMS.

5. 5

   Employees receive text: No app download or login required.

6. 6

   Monitor overtime and costs: Use the live payroll preview.

7. 7

   Integrate with payroll: Sync hours to systems like Square or QuickBooks.

Timely's Use Cases

• Shift Scheduling
• Overtime Management
• Employee Communication
• Labor Cost Control
• Reduce No-Shows
• Time-Off Requests
• Payroll Integration

FAQ from Timely

• How quickly can I get started with Timely?

  You can start scheduling in 30 seconds with Timely. The free plan is available immediately with no credit card required.

• Do my employees need to download an app to use Timely?

  No, your employees do not need to download an app. Timely sends schedules and notifications directly via SMS text message, which they can read on any phone.

• How does Timely's AI scheduling work?

  You describe your scheduling needs in plain English, and Timely's AI generates a full schedule in seconds, respecting availability, roles, and custom rules. You can then fine-tune it with drag and drop.

• What makes Timely different from other scheduling tools?

  Timely's key differentiators include its SMS-first approach with no app required for employees, AI-powered schedule generation, and proactive overtime flagging with live labor cost previews.

• Can I integrate Timely with my existing tools?

  Yes, paid plans offer integrations with popular tools like Square, Gusto, and QuickBooks for seamless syncing of employee rosters and hours to payroll.

• How does Timely help reduce no-shows?

  Timely sends automatic SMS reminders to employees before their shifts, configurable for 15, 30, or 60 minutes in advance, significantly reducing late arrivals and no-shows.

• What is the pricing model for Timely?

  Timely offers a flat monthly fee per tier, with no per-user charges. A free forever plan is available for small teams, and paid plans scale with features and capacity.

• Can I manage multiple locations with Timely?

  Yes, Timely supports multi-location management. The Pro plan accommodates up to 5 locations, and the Business plan supports up to 20 locations.

• How does Timely flag overtime?

  Timely flags overtime in real-time as you build the schedule. The payroll preview updates live, showing estimated gross wages and overtime hours, preventing surprises on payroll day.

• Is there a free trial for paid plans?

  Yes, Timely offers a free trial for its paid plans, allowing you to experience the full features before committing.