List of the Top Absence Management Software for DATEV in 2026

ZEP — The new standard for projects. ZEP is the software for Management Consulting, IT Consulting and Engineering: book hours against clients and projects, steer utilization and margins, from the proposal to the invoice. Four product lines cover the path from the first booked project hour to organization-wide control — you start with the line your business needs today and move up as it grows, keeping your data. ZEP Track — Project Time Tracking: your team books hours against clients and projects, budgets and absences sit in one place, and the payroll export is included. ZEP Control — Project Management: plan tasks and capacity and see what a project earns. Revenue, costs and utilization come out of the hours your team has booked. ZEP Operations — Professional Services Automation: the entire project lifecycle in one system — proposal, booked hours, travel expenses, suppliers, invoicing and the export to project-specific financial accounting. ZEP Business — ERP for Professional Services: run the project business across several entities, with internal cost allocation, document management, HR and resource planning included. The AI chat (ZEP Assistant) is included in all four lines at no extra cost, as are all interfaces: ZEP's own REST and SOAP APIs, single sign-on and an unlimited number of third-party integrations. Get to know ZEP in an online presentation or test it free of charge for 30 days. For teams without a project business, ZEP Clock covers working hours, overtime and absences including the payroll export, with travel expense management and HR available as optional add-ons. It is a line of its own — a switch into the project-based lines is not planned. ZEP GmbH, based in Ditzingen near Stuttgart, has been developing software for project-based companies for more than 25 years. Around 3,000 companies run their project business with ZEP. ZEP is developed and hosted in Germany and certified to ISO 27001.

Factorial is one of the top-rated business software solutions for small and midsize companies, purpose-built to streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks, and centralize employee management in the cloud. Recognized for its intuitive interface, powerful functionality, and scalability, Factorial empowers HR teams, finance departments, and managers to work smarter—not harder. With a 4.5/5 rating across trusted platforms, Factorial stands out as a business management software that connects all core functions: HR, time tracking, payroll, recruiting, performance management, training, expenses, and more. It eliminates the need for disconnected tools, offering instead a single platform that integrates seamlessly with your existing workflows and grows with your business. Whether you're creating custom PTO policies, managing complex shift schedules, approving expenses, or running payroll, Factorial ensures every process is accurate, automated, and compliant. And with real-time insights and reports, leadership teams can make confident, data-driven decisions. Backed by more than 13,000 businesses globally, Factorial is the cloud business management software of choice for companies that want to boost productivity, improve employee experience, and gain full visibility into people and operations. If you’re looking for top-rated software for small business management, Factorial delivers everything you need—without the complexity.

Start your path today to achieve expertise in workforce management. Many businesses juggle part-time employees and variable work hours, highlighting the necessity of an effective system. Shiftbase serves as an intuitive software solution for scheduling employees, enabling the development of adaptable long-term schedules. These schedules can take into account anticipated labor expenses, staff turnover, and budgetary limits. Furthermore, it monitors employee availability and absences, guaranteeing that all staff requests are handled smoothly. Once the schedule is finalized, it can be conveniently distributed via email or accessed through a mobile application. Shiftbase allows for the recording of hours worked through various platforms, including computers, mobile apps, or timeclock terminals, providing real-time insights into employee attendance and current wage costs. Additionally, managers can oversee and document employee absences with ease. Employees are empowered to request time off and manage their out-of-office periods through a mobile app compatible with both iPhone and Android. Beyond simply scheduling and time tracking, Shiftbase offers a range of features designed to significantly boost your productivity and operational efficiency! With its robust tools, you can optimize your workforce management practices, allowing you to concentrate on the core aspects of your business that truly matter. Embrace the change and watch your organizational efficiency soar!

Optimize the planning process for both one-time and ongoing training programs while evaluating their effectiveness with minimal administrative burden. Department managers can easily handle employee vacation requests, scrutinize absence trends, and make decisions on leave approvals with just a few clicks. Moreover, it's essential to ensure that the job specifications defined by department leaders align with the capabilities and qualifications of their teams. All relevant employee information can be systematically organized and accessed through a unified digital platform. Additionally, department heads are able to assess team performance through analytical data. As an HR manager, your role encompasses a wide range of duties. Presently, the oversight of daily and monthly training and development activities largely relies on Excel, which frequently falls short in meeting the demands of these tasks. Therefore, it becomes crucial to investigate specialized HR solutions available in the market. You must also evaluate the workload that comes with mandatory training initiatives compared to those aimed at enhancing organizational development, ensuring adherence to regulations and promoting growth. This all-encompassing strategy not only boosts operational efficiency but also cultivates a more motivated and engaged workforce, ultimately benefiting the entire organization.