Managers Cautiously Using Employee "Tracking' Software; Needs Delicate Balance.(INTERNET & TECHNOLOGY)

Byline: J. BONASIA

Bristol West Insurance Group had a problem. Its programmers took longer than expected to write new software for managing auto insurance claims and policies.

Staff completed just 30% of software projects on time, says Kevin Brady, project director for Bristol West. So the company turned to project management software from privately held Automation Centre.

The software helps managers monitor staff progress as they strive to meet project deadlines and budgets. A second, separate type of software helps companies track how their employees use the Web.

The Web tracking and project managing software are examples of products that help companies boost efficiency, but at the same time present challenges in making sure workers don't feel they're being spied on by their managers. …