Tell HN: My "remote employee management" startup
I've been working on a startup for the past few weeks to get our MVP out the door. We're ready to let the world know about our product, called HiveDesk.
HiveDesk is a solution for managing outsource/remote workers. The idea actually came from a friend who manages 5 Filipino employees on monthly salary. He was concerned that they weren't being honest about their hours worked, and didn't want to keep paying 10% fees associated with outsource portals like oDesk (who offer time tracking/screenshot capturing software). What he needed was a 3rd party service that let him manage his workers at a cheaper price. Thats where we stepped in.
HiveDesk lets employers oversee and manage remote workers through our client software. The worker installs it and "checks in" to a project whenever they're ready to work. The timer is started and automatically tracks time worked, and screenshot data is submitted every 10 minutes. It helps keep bosses in the loop as to work progress, and keeps contractors honest (no lying about hours worked, or goofing off on your dime).
You can learn more about HiveDesk at http://www.hivedesk.com
What do you think guys? We still have yet to build a proper business model / price points. Opinions and suggestions appreciated. Thanks
* Delete/Edit button for projects created; * SSL option (on/off in account settings); * Mac/Linux client; * Option to turn off the screen capture per project or per user.
May I ask why you need the option to turn off screenshots? We considered this initially, but logic was that screenshot updates was the point of our software and weren't sure why anyone would use our service to turn off screenshots. Thanks
I want to be able to track time without relying on the user to submit it manually. I want a tool that submits automatically with me controlling the idle time and if I want screenshots or not.
After a while when you develop a trust relationship with your remote workers you don't necessarily want to take screenshots all the time and/or for all projects. Screenshots are not always necessary and can, if used all the time, wear down morale.
If you work with a new remote workers on a quick project, sure why not. But when these remote workers becomes part of your company and are working 40+ hours a week for several months, it's overkill.
Also for sensitive projects - I don't necessarily want screenshots published on a 3rd party site and/or be submitted over an unencrypted connection.
I'm tempted to suggest a way for you to pop up a chat window to your employee, what do you think of that?
Auto-uploaded screenshots aren't for everyone, its something that definitely has to be negotiated with the employee of course.
Our competitor oDesk (an outsourcing portal) offers similar software. They offer a chat system within the client (we could too). Its not a priority at the moment because it would probably only add marginal value; employees already communicate with their bosses through skype, MSN, email, etc.
HiveDesk would consider I am not working if I am 5 minutes idle, right? have you considered an additional periodic webcam screenshot ?
We considered periodic webcam screenshots, but we find that to be a bit creepy and overbearing. oDesk does that, but I'm not sure thats something we want to do.