Step 1: Let's begin setting up your 7shifts Account!

In this article, you'll learn how to configure your Account settings and structure - the essential prep work. The work you do here sets the foundation for your Account and ensures that all reporting is accurate.

For example, when an employee punches in for their shift at Location A, this process relies on three key settings: employee profiles, time clocking, and location/department/role settings. You are laying the groundwork for this now.

Things to Know

To make setup as smooth as possible, here are the things you'll want to have available: 

• You'll need a valid email address and phone number that you have access to. We'll use this address to communicate with you and verify your identity as an Admin or the Account owner (Super Admin).
• Your initial 7shifts setup is best completed on a web browser. Although we have both the web and mobile app available for you to use, we recommend using the web for the account setup process.

Set Up Your Account

1 Build your Account Structure

The Account Structure is the framework of your business in 7shifts. It is crucial to configure this properly as most features rely on these definitions.

• Locations define the physical or logical sites of your business.
• Departments organize your staff into specific areas of the business (e.g., Front of House, Back of House).
• Roles define the specific jobs employees perform (e.g., Server, Line Cook).
• Add billing information to ensure your subscription is active.

• How you add employees will depend on whether you plan to use an integration:

  • Using a POS integration:
    Employees can be imported automatically after connecting your integration. This helps reduce manual setup and keeps your data aligned.
  • Not using an integration:
    Add employees manually or use the Employee Import tool to upload your team in bulk.
     

2 Configure your Account Setup

In this stage, you configure account-wide rules, integrate your tech stack, and invite your team to the platform.

• While Locations and Departments the structural foundation of your account, your Company Settings act as the "control center" for how your team interacts with the platform daily. Company settings apply to all of your Locations and allow you to tailor your account to your specific business needs.  
  • Labor & Overtime rules, within your Company Setting ensures that you stay compliant with your local labour laws and maintain fair scheduling practices.
• Connect your POS integration.
• Invite your team to join 7shifts.
   

4 Set Up your Notifications

Stay informed and responsive with 7shifts Notifications. You'll receive timely communication about schedule changes, shift reminders, and other important updates. While notifications can be sent via email, push, and SMS, we recommend enabling push notifications for the most coverage in the types of notifications you'll receive. At the end of the week, we'll even send you an email summary of all your Locations' performance.
 

If you have multiple 7shifts Accounts (such as  Restaurant A, and Restaurant B), we make it easy for you to connect them so you can sign in using the same credentials across all accounts!
 

6 Download the 7shifts Mobile App

7shifts is a free mobile app that helps you manage your Account on the go:

Next Steps

Once your account structure and settings are in place, you are ready to prepare your leadership team for launch.

• Have your team view the 7shifts Product Video and the 7shifts 101 Guide for Managers to familiarize them with the platform.
• Start scheduling! Use your newly created Locations and Roles to build your first week of shifts.