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ZEP: HR & Payroll software

ZEP is time recording and project management software that tracks working hours, operational tasks, and project expenses.

What is ZEP?

ZEP serves as a web-based platform designed for tracking working hours, managing project time, and handling project-focused enterprise resource planning tasks. Built primarily for service providers and project-driven companies, the software allows tracking work down to exact minute increments while guiding project lifecycles from initial price estimates through to final client billing. Organizations can start with core product tiers such as Clock, Compact, or Professional, which can be expanded using dedicated functional add-ons.

Working hours and project time logs can be recorded through several digital channels, including web browsers on desktop computers, mobile applications for smartphones, and physical check-in hardware terminals. Mobile apps feature offline functionality, saving logged hours, leave applications, and expense documentation locally until a network connection is restored for automatic cloud synchronization.

The platform integrates compliance monitoring tools to assist businesses in adhering to legal employment rules, such as verifying daily maximum work limits, enforcing mandatory break schedules, and calculating rest periods. Infrastructure safety measures feature data hosting within German data facilities, ISO 27001 validation, compliance with European General Data Protection Regulation standards, daily automated data backups, operational disaster recovery protocols, and end-to-end data encryption.

Inside the project management tools, users assign recorded hours to specific clients, main projects, sub-projects, and custom activity types. Managers can review overall project costs, check resource utilization, monitor budget consumption, and generate invoice documents. The software handles specialized billing scenarios, such as retainer agreements, change request tracking, and standardized electronic invoicing formats like ZUGFeRD or XRechnung.

ZEP links into broader corporate IT environments through standard software communication protocols including REST and SOAP interfaces. Built-in integration capabilities allow direct data synchronization with third-party systems for human resources management, customer relationship management, accounting, and single sign-on authentication platforms.

Main category
HR & Payroll
Also listed in
Collaboration & Productivity
Official website
zep.de
Status
Not yet published

ZEP use cases

Mobile Project and Expense Recording for Field Teams

Field staff and remote workers utilize mobile software on iOS or Android devices to record working times against assigned projects and tasks. The mobile tool functions without an active network, storing entries locally until internet connectivity triggers automatic data sync. Remote workers can also submit leave requests for illness or vacation and capture travel expenses by scanning physical receipts and logging meal allowance details within the app interface.

On-Site Attendance Tracking via Hardware Terminals

Organizations seeking physical check-in stations can deploy wall-mounted hardware terminals. Staff log work start and end times using RFID chips or employee cards operating on standard radio frequencies. Upon scanning, the physical terminal instantly displays the worker's updated overtime tally. The hardware sends attendance logs immediately over local wireless or wired networks while utilizing modular components built via 3D printing.

Legal Break and Working Hour Compliance Monitoring

Human resources teams and department supervisors set up automated tracking rules to maintain compliance with statutory labor regulations. The platform tracks daily work totals, mandatory minimum rest intervals, and required break times. Automated alert workflows flag missing clock-in entries or booking errors, while the system computes special pay surcharges for shift or night work based on customizable timeframe rules.

Automated Data Exchange with Accounting and Payroll

Finance departments automate data transfers between recorded work logs and accounting platforms. Invoices and expense postings can be prepared for export into accounting tools like DATEV or Lexware, complete with linked receipt archives. For payroll processing, logged work durations and categorized absence codes sync directly with payroll management services, removing manual entry steps for monthly payroll runs.

End-to-End Project Business Management for Agencies

Service agencies manage client projects within a unified digital workflow. Project leaders generate cost estimates, assign team capacity, track billable and non-billable hours, monitor project budget consumption, and process change requests. As project milestones are reached, logged time entries automatically convert into client invoices, accommodating flexible billing structures such as flat-rate retainer mandates.

Automated Excel Reporting and Scheduled Data Exports

Project managers and financial controllers extract custom data views using standard spreadsheet formats. Users can select specific report columns, adjust field orders, and perform validation checks when importing time records. Background automation tasks can execute daily, weekly, or monthly reports on a recurring schedule, sending encrypted files via email or making them available for secure online download.

Alternatives to ZEP

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ZEP FAQs

Does ZEP support mobile time tracking without an internet connection?

Yes. The ZEP App and ZEP Clock App operate offline on smartphones running iOS or Android. Workers can stamp shift hours, enter project times, file absence notices, and scan travel receipts without an active network connection. The app automatically syncs stored entries back to the main database once web access is restored.

How does ZEP help ensure compliance with statutory labor laws?

ZEP incorporates automated compliance monitoring tools that track mandatory employment rules, including minimum rest intervals, compulsory break durations, and legal maximum working hours per day. System administrators can configure custom break parameters, receive automated notifications for missing clock-out entries, and export audit-compliant time records for regulatory reviews.

What hardware terminal options are available for physical time recording?

ZEP provides proprietary terminals produced through 3D printing that read RFID chips or cards and display current overtime tallies upon clocking in. Requiring a ZEP Clock license or Attendance module, these devices connect through network cables or Wi-Fi. Alternatively, ZEP integrates with third-party hardware from DATAFOX and EasySecure, supporting touchscreens, PIN inputs, fingerprint sensors, facial recognition, and license plate readers.

How does the DATEV integration handle invoices and payroll data?

The DATEV integration exports invoices and expense reports as DATEV XML posting files paired with compressed receipt archives straight into DATEV Online. For payroll management, logged work hours, absence keys, and employee details transfer to DATEV Lohn & Gehalt or LODAS applications using the specialized DATEV Lohnimportdatenservice and Lohnergebnisdatenservice interface options.

Can project times and reports be exported to Excel?

Yes. Almost all data views within ZEP can be downloaded as Excel or CSV files with a single click. Users can select specific columns and reorder fields prior to exporting. Additionally, recurring reports can be scheduled to run automatically in the background on a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule, delivering password-protected ZIP archives by email or inside the ZEP portal.

Does ZEP support importing project time entries from spreadsheets?

Yes. ZEP allows users to import project hours using formatted Excel files. Prior to processing the import, the platform performs automatic validation checks to confirm that referenced projects, tasks, and activities are open for booking, target timeframes are unlocked, and time bookings do not overlap. The import executes only after all validation rules are satisfied.

What single sign-on authentication options does ZEP support?

ZEP supports enterprise single sign-on access across multiple identity standards. Organizations can manage user logins using Google accounts, Microsoft Azure environments, Keycloak open-source identity tools, Okta access platforms, standard OAuth protocols, or centralized LDAP user directories.

How does ZEP calculate surcharges for special working hours?

ZEP features a surcharge engine that automates calculations for non-standard work periods, such as night shifts. System administrators establish customized time windows and rate rules. The software evaluates recorded work logs against these rules, calculating appropriate surcharge amounts automatically for payroll processing.

What modular additions can be added to ZEP product lines?

ZEP provides several bookable add-on modules to extend platform capabilities. Extensions include central tools for managing overtime, absences, and vacation requests, document management featuring structured folders and version control, branch or location tracking, travel expense management, and dedicated accounting export interfaces for platforms like DATEV and Lexware.

Who uses ZEP?

ZEP is built for companies ranging from small startups to large corporate enterprises. The software is specifically tailored for project service providers, consulting businesses, creative agencies, IT service firms, and organizations with field sales or decentralized teams across sectors such as healthcare, retail, construction, manufacturing, and traditional office environments.

  • Startups
  • Large Corporations
  • Project Service Providers
  • Consulting & IT Service Providers
  • Agencies
  • Field Sales & Remote Teams

ZEP pros and cons

Until real users review ZEP, this tab shows what the vendor highlights and the points worth checking — never invented opinions.

What ZEP highlights

  • Modular software architecture offering base tiers (Clock, Compact, Professional) customizable with functional add-on modules
  • Built-in compliance checks for legal break times, maximum daily working limits, and mandatory rest periods
  • Multi-channel time recording supporting web browsers, offline-capable mobile apps, and physical terminals
  • Direct data transfer to accounting systems like DATEV and Lexware alongside automated payroll synchronization
  • Infrastructure hosted in German data centers certified under ISO 27001 with daily automated backups and disaster recovery plans

Points to check before choosing

  • Operating physical check-in terminals requires a ZEP Clock license or the Attendance add-on module for Compact or Professional lines
  • Vendor website does not state storage limits for uploaded document attachments
  • Custom integrations with unlisted third-party software require configuration through REST or SOAP APIs
  • Setting up physical terminals requires local power outlets and wired or wireless internet connectivity

ZEP features

Multi-Platform Time Tracking

Enables employees to log attendance and task durations using desktop web browsers, mobile applications, or hardware terminals. Time records assign directly to clients, primary projects, sub-projects, and designated activity categories, with space for free-text comments to explain completed work.

Mobile Applications for iOS and Android

Delivers mobile software equipped with offline capabilities for remote workers and field sales representatives. Staff can stamp shift times, log project hours, submit absence requests, scan paper receipts for expense claims, and share GPS locations to verify field activities.

Proprietary Hardware Time Terminals

Features physical attendance terminals manufactured using 3D printing processes. Employees record shift starts and stops using RFID chips or physical cards. The hardware displays updated overtime balances right after scanning and connects through wireless or wired networks with optional Power over Ethernet support.

External Terminal Integration

Connects with hardware built by third-party vendors such as DATAFOX and EasySecure. Supported identification options include touchscreens, PIN input pads, RFID card readers, fingerprint sensors, facial recognition, QR code scanners, and vehicle license plate readers for physical access management.

Automated Break and Compliance Controls

Enforces legal labor standards by monitoring mandatory break periods, rest intervals, and maximum daily work hour limits. Automated system workflows detect missing clock-in events or booking errors, helping administrators maintain audit-proof time logs.

Surcharge Calculation Engine

Calculates additional pay surcharges for irregular working schedules, such as night shifts or weekend work. Administrators define custom time windows and rules, allowing the system to analyze logged hours and compute correct surcharge amounts automatically for payroll processing.

Absence and Vacation Management

Centralizes leave requests, sick leave notifications, and holiday scheduling across the enterprise. Department managers gain a real-time overview of staff availability, facilitating streamlined approval workflows and automated deductions from individual vacation balances.

Travel Expense and Receipt Management

Streamlines travel expense reporting by allowing staff to record mileage claims, calculate meal allowances, and upload scanned receipt files. Recorded expenses integrate into client billing structures or export into external accounting systems.

Project ERP and Billing

Manages the complete lifecycle of client projects from initial quote generation through final billing. Includes features for monitoring project budgets, allocating staff resources, managing retainer mandates, documenting change requests, and creating electronic invoices in ZUGFeRD or XRechnung standards.

Excel Data Export and Import

Allows users to output project reports, team matrices, schedule forecasts, and expense logs as Excel or CSV spreadsheets. Supports scheduled background runs with encrypted email delivery and validated data imports that check project availability and schedule overlaps.

DATEV Accounting and Payroll Integration

Transfers invoices, receipts, and expense postings directly to DATEV Online using audit-proof XML file exports. Synchronizes logged working times, absence codes, and personnel master records with DATEV Lohn & Gehalt and LODAS payroll environments.

Document Management

Provides centralized file storage organized with custom folder structures, keywords, and document version control. Organizations store project files, contracts, and internal templates alongside operational project and time data.

Single Sign-On Authentication

Supports corporate identity protocols to manage system access securely. Integrates with identity systems via Google, Microsoft Azure, Keycloak, Okta, standard OAuth protocols, and centralized LDAP directory structures.

Standardized REST and SOAP APIs

Provides direct programmatic access to platform data via REST endpoints and WSDL-described SOAP web services. Enables custom bidirectional data synchronization for creating, searching, updating, and removing time logs, project setups, client profiles, and user accounts.

ZEP pricing

We don't publish prices: they change often and differ by country. Check current plans on ZEP's own pricing page.

ZEP is structured across product lines named ZEP Clock, ZEP Compact, and ZEP Professional. Organizations can expand core features by booking individual add-on modules, such as specialized attendance tracking or accounting connectors. Physical time tracking terminals are available via monthly rental fees.

Free plan
No
Free trial
Yes

ZEP integrations

ZEP integrates with software platforms across human resources, financial accounting, customer relationship management, project tools, and single sign-on identity infrastructure. Data can be imported and exported via standard spreadsheet formats or transferred programmatically using REST and SOAP web services.

  • BambooHR
  • DATEV
  • DATAFOX
  • EasySecure
  • Excel
  • Google
  • HRlab
  • HR Works
  • HubSpot
  • JIRA
  • Keycloak
  • Lexware
  • Linear
  • LDAP
  • memtime
  • Microsoft (Azure)
  • OAuth
  • Okta
  • Personio
  • Pipedrive
  • REST
  • Sage
  • Salesforce
  • SOAP
  • Taxmaro
  • Tidely
  • Zoho People

ZEP support

ZEP offers personal support beginning during the initial evaluation phase, providing onboarding guidance and assistance with data migration from existing tools. Physical hardware terminals ship with installation instructions, and technical documentation is accessible through an online Help Center.

  • Personal Support
  • Onboarding Assistance
  • Data Migration Support
  • Help Center / Documentation

ZEP reviews

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This page was written with AI from 9 pages of zep.de's own website (read on Sep 16, 2026) and checked automatically: no copied wording, no prices, and no figure that isn't on the vendor's site. Nobody on our team has tested ZEP.

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