When a computer network is part of your business, you may wonder if you're getting the maximum amount of productivity out of your employees. It's impractical to walk around the office and peer over shoulders, but it's reasonable for you to expect your workers to use machines owned by the company for company business while on the clock. The solution is a workplace computer monitoring software that allows you to check up on the computer habits of every employee in your office.
Step 1
Write a workplace computer activity monitoring policy. Specify what kind of websites and programs are allowed and what kind are not. Set limits for how much time your employees can spend on personal applications such as email and Internet browsing.
Step 2
Inform all employees that you are installing a new workplace computer activity monitoring policy. Send out a copy of the document in a memo and have each employee sign a hard copy stating that they understand and agree to abide by the policy.
Step 3
Check the system requirements of the monitoring software you plan to purchase and compare them to each computer on which it will be installed. The computers must meet or exceed the software requirements to ensure the program will run properly. Your network must also meet a minimum speed requirement to collect and transmit data, depending on the software program.
Step 4
Purchase a software program for monitoring workplace computer usage, such as Activity Monitor, created by Deep Software, Inc. Most software will require you to buy a license for each computer that is being monitored, as well as the computers that perform the monitoring. For example, to monitor 20 employees, you need 21 licenses. One for yourself to monitor them, and one for each employee computer.
Step 5
Install the software on every computer that will be monitored, as well as every computer needed to perform the monitoring.
Step 6
Run the software and ensure the network firewall doesn't block the program by checking to see that all machines are online in your monitoring program. If not, set your firewall to allow the program to send and receive data.
Step 7
Use your monitoring window to see what's on the screens of your employees' computers. Use the logs to determine what websites they visited and for how long, as well as to determine what programs they worked in and for how long. Your software may also allow you to tell how long a computer was idle, meaning no mouse or keyboard input.
Step 8
Address issues that come to your attention through computer monitoring with your employees through a performance review.
Tips and Warnings
- Make employees aware that you have installed monitoring software to prevent feelings of resentment if they find out they have been monitored without their knowledge.
- Some unions and public employers may protect employees from computer monitoring. Make sure you are within your legal rights to monitor computer usage before installing any software.
Things You'll Need
- Computer monitoring software program
References
- Softactivity.com: Activity Monitor - Employee Monitoring Software - Network PC Monitoring Software
- Softactivity.com: Activity Monitor FAQ - Surveillance Software for Computer Monitoring - Network PC Monitoring Software
- Privacyrights.org: Workplace Privacy and Employee Monitoring - Privacy Right Clearinghouse
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