What is WFS Emplive and is it the right workforce management solution for your organisation?

WFS Emplive is a cloud-based Workforce Management (WFM) and time and attendance platform designed to streamline rostering, leave, and award compliance across complex workforces.

As part of the global WorkForce Software suite, Emplive is widely used by Australian organisations seeking to improve workforce visibility, optimise scheduling, and reduce manual processes.

With compliance pressures rising and legacy tools falling short, Emplive offers a scalable option for organisations wanting to gain tighter control over workforce operations and modernise outdated rostering systems.

But is WFS Emplive the right fit for your business model and industry? This page outlines its key features, ideal use cases, and how to assess its suitability with expert support.

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Key features of WFS Emplive

  • Real-time time and attendance tracking
  • Award interpretation and payroll compliance automation
  • Intelligent rostering and workforce scheduling
  • Employee self-service for availability, shift changes, and leave
  • Seamless integration with payroll and ERP platforms
  • Built-in alerts for fatigue management, overtime, and leave liabilities
  • Mobile access and digital timesheets
  • Scalable for multi-site, shift-based, or 24/7 operations

Who is WFS Emplive best suited for?

WFS Emplive is typically a strong fit for:

  • Mid-sized to large organisations with complex or shift-based rosters
  • Industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, retail, and government
  • Operations with compliance requirements under modern awards or enterprise agreements
  • Businesses needing improved visibility and control across workforce operations
  • Teams moving from manual or spreadsheet-based time tracking

Strengths and challenges of WFS Emplive

Where Emplive delivers value:

  • Strong local compliance and award interpretation features
  • Real-time visibility into workforce availability and cost
  • Efficient scheduling with automation to reduce admin
  • Scalable for high-volume or multi-location operations
  • Mobile-first experience for managers and employees

Where it may fall short:

  • May require integration effort to align with payroll or HR platforms
  • Not a full Human Capital Management (HCM) suite – additional systems may be needed for talent, learning, or performance
  • Configuration can be complex without an experienced implementation partner
  • Limited strategic HR features (e.g. succession or career planning)

Alternatives to WFS Emplive

Depending on your goals and operational setup, other platforms to consider include:

  • UKG (Kronos) – for enterprise-grade WFM and HCM integration
  • Deputy – for intuitive, mobile-friendly rostering and time tracking
  • Humanforce – strong in shift-based industries with award compliance needs
  • Elmo or Employment Hero – broader HR platforms with WFM capabilities
  • SAP SuccessFactors Time Tracking – for global enterprises using SAP

Explore these further in our Enterprise Workforce Management Guide.

Planning your WFS Emplive journey

Whether you’re assessing WFS Emplive or reviewing other WFM platforms, SMC can support you from evaluation through to successful implementation.

Expert insights from SMC

At Solution Minds Consulting, we’ve helped organisations across healthcare, logistics, retail, manufacturing, energy, ports, education, and public services assess and implement WFM platforms like Emplive. Our clients often face common pain points: excessive manual rostering, compliance risks, and lack of real-time workforce data.

We take a vendor-neutral, outcome-driven approach to workforce transformation. Whether you’re selecting your first WFM system or replacing an outdated one, we help align your choice with your operations, compliance obligations, and long-term goals.