Quick Answer
The best time and attendance software in Dubai depends on how your workforce is actually set up. Contract and field teams spread across construction sites, facilities, warehouses, and logistics hubs need something different. Truein is built specifically for multi-site and field workforces with face recognition, GPS geofencing, and mobile clock-in features. For office-based or hybrid teams, Bayzat, Zoho People, and greytHR are solid options with WPS-compliant payroll built in. All eight tools on this list support multi-site attendance management and UAE workforce operations to varying degrees.
What You'll Learn
- Why most attendance software breaks down the moment your workforce leaves a fixed office
- Which features actually matter for construction, FM, logistics, and warehouse operations in Dubai
- A side-by-side comparison of 8 time and attendance systems for Dubai businesses
- How to pick the right tool based on your workforce type and site conditions
- A practical implementation checklist for multi-site and contract workforce operations
Dubai's workforce looks nothing like a typical office environment. Construction crews move between sites, FM teams manage multiple properties, and warehouse staff rotate across logistics hubs. Most teams are mobile, contract-heavy, and project-based.
Most attendance software was not built for this. It assumes a fixed location, a biometric device on the wall, and employees reporting to the same site every day. That model works for only a small part of Dubai's workforce.
This guide covers 8 time and attendance systems used by businesses in the UAE, what each one does well, and which workforce type it is best suited for.
What Modern Attendance Systems Need to Handle in Dubai
Dubai does not run on a 9-to-5 office schedule. Construction sites start at 6 AM. FM teams cover properties across multiple emirates in a single shift. Warehouse crews rotate between facilities based on cargo volume. A logistics supervisor might oversee workers at four different locations before noon.
An attendance system built for this environment needs to do more than record clock-ins. It must verify who clocked in and from where, handle shift rotations across sites, manage both contract and permanent workers, and feed accurate data directly into WPS-compliant payroll. It needs to work on mobile devices without requiring biometric hardware installation at every new site.
That is the baseline for UAE operations. Most attendance software still struggles with it.
Why Most Attendance Software Fails Dubai's Contract and Field Workforce
Most time and attendance software is designed for a very specific setup. A fixed office. A biometric device mounted on the wall. Employees reporting to the same location every day.
That setup works well for office environments. Dubai's construction, FM, logistics, and warehousing sectors operate differently. Sites change. Contracts begin and end. Workers move between locations every week. A subcontractor crew on a JLT project this month could be assigned to Dubai South next month.
When a fixed-office system is forced onto a mobile workforce, three things break down.
1. Buddy punching becomes difficult to control
Without face verification tied to a worker's identity and location, employees can clock in for someone not physically on site. On large construction and field teams, those gaps compound quickly.
2. Multi-site visibility disappears
Many systems show who clocked in. Fewer show where the worker clocked in, whether they were inside the approved geofence, or whether attendance matched the assigned shift. For businesses managing projects across Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, that visibility gap becomes an operational problem fast.
3. Payroll and compliance risks increase
Inaccurate attendance records affect payroll calculations, overtime tracking, and contractor billing. Under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, employers must maintain accurate records of working hours. Small errors can become payroll disputes and compliance exposure.
The software is not broken. It is simply designed for a different workforce model.
Key Features to Look for in Attendance Software for UAE Businesses
Not every feature on a product page matters equally. For UAE operations, these are the capabilities worth evaluating before comparing vendors.
Mobile attendance with face verification
There is a difference between a selfie clock-in and actual face recognition. Selfie apps can be spoofed. Real face recognition matches the worker against a stored biometric profile, flags mismatches, and works across shared devices and kiosks without requiring one device per worker.
GPS geofencing tied to clock-ins
GPS tracking tells you where someone was. GPS geofencing controls where attendance can be recorded. For multi-site operations, you want separate boundaries per site that update as locations change.
No dedicated hardware dependency
If deploying at a new site means ordering, shipping, and configuring biometric hardware, the system cannot keep pace with fast-moving contract operations. The right setup runs on existing Android or iOS devices already on site.
Offline attendance support
Connectivity at construction sites and remote facilities is not always reliable. A system that fails without a signal creates record gaps that are difficult to reconcile later. Offline mode with automatic sync is a basic requirement for field operations.
Multi-site workforce management
One centralized dashboard across all sites. The ability to assign workers to locations, monitor attendance by site, and push policy updates without depending on separate site admins.
Leave and shift management
Contract workforces run on rotating shifts, varying rest days, and different leave structures. Handling this across disconnected systems is where payroll errors start.
Payroll and WPS integration
Attendance data should flow directly into payroll and WPS salary processing. Manual exports and spreadsheet reconciliation introduce errors, especially in overtime-heavy operations.
Fast contract worker onboarding
A new crew arrives Monday morning. If onboarding requires hardware setup or central office coordination, operations slow immediately. Bulk enrollment, mobile onboarding, and quick registration are essential for fast-moving project environments
8 Best Time and Attendance Software in Dubai, UAE (2026)
These eight platforms are actively used by businesses in the UAE. Each has been evaluated on workforce use cases, deployment flexibility, attendance capabilities, payroll integration, and UAE suitability.
1. Truein
Truein is designed specifically for contract and multi-site workforce operations. Companies across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the wider UAE use it to manage attendance for field crews, contract workers, and rotating operations across construction, FM, logistics, manufacturing, and retail.
Face recognition attendance
AI-powered face recognition ensures only authorised staff clock in, preventing buddy punching. Workers clock in via mobile phone, shared tablet kiosk, or supervisor-assisted marking.
Site-level GPS geofencing
Workers can only clock in within the geofenced boundary set by the admin. The system can auto clock them out if they leave the boundary.
Offline attendance
Clock-ins store locally when connectivity drops and sync automatically when restored. No gaps in records, no month-end reconciliation.
70+ attendance policies
Configurable policies for attendance, break time, overtime, and leave. Adaptable to business needs and UAE compliance requirements.
Contract worker onboarding in minutes
New workers enrol from a mobile device using a face scan and basic ID. No complicated setup or IT configuration required.
Leave and shift management
Leave requests, approvals, shift schedules, and overtime tracking sit within the same system.
Payroll-ready reports
Truein provides payroll-ready attendance reports and integrates with leading HRMS and payroll platforms to reduce manual data entry.
Best for:
Construction companies, FM firms, logistics and warehousing businesses, staffing agencies, and operations managing contract or rotating field crews across multiple UAE sites.
Where it's less suited:
Organisations looking for a full HRMS with recruitment, performance management, and learning modules.
Pricing:
From $1/user/month + $40/month base price, billed annually. Contact the team for custom pricing.
2. ZKTeco Middle East
ZKTeco is a hardware company first. Its attendance software is built around the hardware ecosystem, and that distinction matters when evaluating it. The company supplies biometric terminals, fingerprint scanners, facial recognition devices, and RFID systems across the UAE and GCC. Its BioTime Cloud platform connects these devices into a centralized attendance management system.
Hardware-first attendance
ZKTeco terminals are built for high-traffic fixed-location environments — factory gates, office entrances, secured facilities. Durable, accurate, and designed for continuous daily use.
BioTime Cloud software
BioTime Cloud brings attendance data from multiple terminals into one dashboard. Businesses can manage shifts, overtime, leave policies, and reports from a single system.
Multi-site terminal sync
Businesses running ZKTeco devices across several fixed sites can monitor attendance across all connected locations in real time.
Best for:
Manufacturing units, corporate offices, hospitals, warehouses, and businesses with permanent sites where hardware installation makes operational sense.
Where it's less suited:
Temporary project sites, mobile teams, and operations that need to deploy attendance quickly without installing hardware at each location.
Pricing:
Contact the team for pricing details. A 90-day free trial of BioTime Cloud is available.
3. Bayzat
Bayzat is a Dubai-built HR and payroll platform, hyperlocalised for the GCC and used by 4,000+ companies across the region. It was designed here for the regulatory and operational reality of UAE businesses — not a global platform adapted for the market.
Attendance and payroll management
Bayzat supports mobile attendance, GPS clock-ins, biometric integrations, shift scheduling, and payroll synchronisation. Managers track attendance patterns, overtime, and late arrivals from one dashboard.
Built for UAE payroll and compliance
WPS-compliant payroll, end-of-service calculations, multi-currency payroll for GCC markets, and EOSB calculations under Article 51 of UAE labour law are all handled natively.
Full HRMS platform
Bayzat covers onboarding, employee records, performance management, expense tracking, insurance management, and HR workflows beyond attendance.
AI-powered reporting
AI reporting and an AI assistant let HR teams query workforce data in plain language and generate reports without manual builds.
Best for:
Office-based and hybrid businesses wanting HR, payroll, attendance, and benefits in one platform. Widely used in retail, healthcare, hospitality, professional services, and real estate.
Where it's less suited:
Businesses managing large field or contract workforces across temporary project sites. Better suited for employees at fixed or semi-fixed locations.
Pricing:
From $5.90/user/month. Pricing varies by contract duration and terms.
4. Darwinbox
Darwinbox is an enterprise HRMS used by 900+ large organisations globally, with a growing footprint across the UAE and GCC. Clients include DIFC, Expo City Dubai, LuLu, SalamAir, and Wio Bank. It is built for large, complex enterprise HR operations.
Attendance and workforce management
Supports mobile attendance, facial recognition, GPS clock-ins, geotagging, voicebot assistance, virtual ID cards, and shift scheduling. Employees can clock in from office, remote, or field locations.
Configurable policy engine
Shift management, overtime rules, leave policies, and attendance configurations handled through a granular engine. One customer reported 100% rostering automation across 4,300+ employees after implementation.
Full HRMS and analytics
Darwinbox covers the complete employee lifecycle: recruitment, onboarding, payroll, performance management, expense claims, and advanced workforce analytics — all in one system.
Best for:
Large enterprises in the UAE and GCC needing a complete HRMS with attendance, payroll, performance management, and workforce analytics — particularly aviation, financial services, government-adjacent, and large retail operations.
Where it's less suited:
Smaller operations or businesses that only need attendance tracking. The platform is designed for complex enterprise HR and may be excessive for simpler requirements.
Pricing:
Custom enterprise pricing. Contact the Darwinbox sales team for a quote.
5. Zoho People
Zoho People is a cloud-based HR and attendance platform known for flexible workflows, transparent pricing, and strong integration with the wider Zoho ecosystem. It is one of the few platforms on this list with publicly listed pricing and a free trial.
Attendance and workforce management
Supports mobile attendance, GPS clock-ins, shift scheduling, overtime tracking, biometric integrations, facial recognition kiosk, and attendance regularisation workflows.
Zoho ecosystem integration
Businesses already using Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, or Zoho Expense can manage HR, attendance, payroll, and operations within one connected ecosystem without manual exports.
GCC payroll compliance
Through Zoho People Plus and Zoho Payroll, businesses in the UAE get WPS-compliant payroll, end-of-service calculations, and pension compliance built in.
Best for:
Growing businesses and mid-market companies in the UAE and GCC that already use the Zoho ecosystem, want transparent per-user pricing, and need a configurable HR and attendance platform without enterprise-level complexity.
Where it's less suited:
Operations requiring offline attendance, rapid contract worker onboarding at field sites, or purpose-built multi-site workforce management.
Pricing:
From $1.25/user/month, billed annually. 30-day free trial available on all paid plans.
6. greytHR
greytHR is a payroll and HR platform widely used by SMEs across the UAE and GCC. Its depth in GCC payroll compliance is the standout. WPS SIF file generation, GPSSA and pension calculations, DEWS, end-of-service gratuity, and GCC-specific overtime rules — all handled natively. Used by 20,000+ companies across UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, KSA, Bahrain, and Oman.
Attendance and shift management
Multi-channel clock-ins via biometric devices, IoT attendance readers, mobile, and web. Configurable shifts, flexible timing rules, and short-leave permissions. Attendance data flows automatically into payroll each cycle.
GCC payroll compliance
WPS SIF file generation, end-of-service calculations, pension and gratuity management, and GCC overtime rules are all built in — not added through workarounds.
150+ HR and payroll reports
Muster rolls, overtime registers, attendance summaries, and compliance reports available out of the box. Attendance, payroll, leave, onboarding, and documents are managed from one platform.
Best for:
SMEs and growing businesses across the UAE and GCC needing reliable payroll, attendance, and HR with strong regional compliance — particularly permanent staff on structured shifts.
Where it's less suited:
Businesses managing highly mobile field or contract workforces across frequently changing project sites.
Pricing:
From $50/month (includes 10 employees), then $2/employee/month. Annual plans available at reduced rates.
7. DigiSME
DigiSME is a UAE-focused HR and attendance platform built for small and growing businesses. Starting at AED 5 per user per month, it brings face recognition attendance, GPS tracking, payroll, and leave management under one roof at an accessible price point.
Attendance and workforce management
Mobile attendance, biometric integrations, facial recognition, GPS clock-ins, shift scheduling, overtime tracking, and leave workflows. Employees manage attendance and leave requests directly from the app.
WPS-compliant payroll
Payroll processing built for UAE labour law — automated salary calculations, deduction handling, and WPS-compliant output.
Simple setup
DigiSME focuses on ease of use and quick onboarding. Suitable for businesses without dedicated IT or HR teams.
Best for:
Small businesses and startups in the UAE looking for an affordable HR and attendance platform with payroll and leave management built in.
Where it's less suited:
Businesses needing advanced integrations, highly configurable workflows, or large-scale multi-site workforce management. DigiSME does not currently offer an API.
Pricing:
From $1.36/employee/month. Free trial available, no credit card required.
8. TrueBays StackHX
TrueBays is a Dubai-based software company, and StackHX is its HR and payroll platform within the broader StackFX ERP ecosystem. If your business needs HR, attendance, payroll, accounting, and business operations on a connected platform from a single UAE vendor, that is where StackHX stands apart. Trusted by 250+ UAE companies.
Attendance and workforce management
Biometric devices, GPS mobile app, RFID systems, shift management, overtime tracking, and geofenced clock-ins. Ramadan timing adjustments are handled automatically — a UAE-specific detail most global platforms require manual configuration for.
WPS payroll and compliance
Attendance data syncs directly into payroll. WPS SIF files generated automatically. Overtime, leave deductions, and allowances pulled from attendance records. End-of-service settlements handled within the same system.
Multi-entity payroll
For businesses operating across JAFZA, mainland UAE, and other free zones — where employment contracts and payroll rules differ by entity — StackHX supports multi-company payroll runs.
ERP integration
StackHX sits within the StackFX ERP ecosystem. Businesses that need HR, payroll, attendance, inventory, accounting, and sales management on one connected platform can run all of it through TrueBays.
Best for:
UAE-based SMEs and mid-market businesses in trading, contracting, manufacturing, logistics, retail, and construction that want HR, attendance, and payroll integrated within or alongside an ERP system, and prefer working with a local Dubai-based vendor.
Where it's less suited:
Businesses needing a standalone attendance tool without ERP requirements, or those seeking a globally recognised platform with a large independent review base.
Pricing:
Contact TrueBays directly for a demo and custom quote. Free demo available.
See How Truein Works for Contract and Multi-site Operations
If you manage contract crews, field teams, or attendance across multiple project sites in the UAE, Truein is built specifically for that environment. Face recognition, GPS geofencing, offline attendance, and mobile onboarding — no hardware installation required at each site.
Book a free demo with your actual site setup to see how it works in practice.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Attendance Software for UAE Businesses (May 2026)
Use this table to compare all eight platforms across the criteria that matter most for UAE workforce operations.
Note: 'Not confirmed' in Offline Attendance reflects that the vendor's published materials do not explicitly confirm offline mode. Pricing reflects publicly available starting rates as of May 2026. Contact vendors directly for current quotes.
How to Choose the Right Attendance Software for Your Business in Dubai
The right system depends on one thing more than anything else: how your workforce is actually structured. Not company size. Not budget. Workforce structure.
You manage construction, FM, or infrastructure projects across multiple sites
Your workforce moves. Sites change. Subcontractors come and go. You cannot install hardware at every location and cannot afford attendance gaps on a large crew.
What you need:
- Hardware-free face recognition
- Site-level GPS geofencing
- Offline attendance with auto sync
- Bulk worker onboarding from a mobile device
- Centralized dashboard across all active sites
Truein is built for this. It is the only platform on this list purpose-built for this specific workforce model.
You manage warehouse or logistics operations with rotating shifts
Your challenge is shift accuracy, not site mobility. Workers rotate across facilities, night shift premiums apply, and overtime calculations need to be correct for WPS payroll every cycle.
What you need:
- Reliable shift management and overtime automation
- Biometric or GPS clock-ins at fixed or semi-fixed facilities
- Direct payroll integration
TrueBays StackHX handles multi-entity UAE payroll well for logistics businesses operating across JAFZA and mainland contracts. ZKTeco works well where permanent hardware installation at warehouse entry points is practical.
You run an office-based or hybrid team in the UAE
Attendance is not your core problem. Payroll compliance, leave management, employee records, and HR admin are. You want one platform that handles all of it.
What you need:
- WPS-compliant payroll
- Leave workflows and shift scheduling
- Employee self-service
- Full HR suite alongside attendance
Bayzat is the most UAE-native option — built in Dubai, hyperlocalised for GCC compliance. Zoho People is the right call if you are already on the Zoho ecosystem or want transparent per-user pricing. greytHR fits SMEs that want proven GCC payroll compliance without enterprise-level cost.
You run a staffing agency or manage contract workers across client sites
You are placing workers at third-party locations with no control over site infrastructure. You need to verify attendance remotely, manage shifts across a rotating roster, and produce payroll-ready reports per client contract.
What you need:
- Mobile-first face recognition with no hardware dependency
- Multi-client site visibility
- Per-site geofence boundaries
- Payroll-ready attendance exports per site or contract
Truein handles this well. Enrol workers quickly, assign them to client sites with individual geofence boundaries, and pull payroll-ready reports per site or per contract.
You are a growing SME looking for affordable HR and attendance software
You do not need enterprise features. You need something that works, that your team can set up without IT support, and that keeps you compliant with UAE labour law.
What you need:
- Simple onboarding and mobile attendance
- WPS payroll and leave management
- UAE labour law compliance
- Affordable monthly pricing
DigiSME is the most affordable entry point at $1.36/employee/month. greytHR's plan covers up to 10 employees with attendance and payroll at $50/month. Zoho People's Professional plan adds attendance at one of the lowest per-user rates available.
You are a large enterprise managing complex HR operations across the GCC
You need workforce analytics, performance management, recruitment, and HR automation — not just attendance. The attendance module is one part of a broader HR transformation.
What you need:
- Full HRMS with configurable workflows
- Deep analytics and AI-powered reporting
- Multi-entity and multi-geography support
- Platform that scales across the GCC
Darwinbox is built for this. It is the only platform on this list with proven enterprise deployments across UAE government-adjacent entities, aviation, financial services, and large retail operations.
How to Implement Attendance Software Across Multiple Sites in the UAE
Getting the software right is only half the work. How you roll it out determines whether it gets used — or becomes another system that site managers work around.
Step 1: Map your sites and workforce types before touching the software
List every active site, the number of workers at each, their contract type, and shift pattern. Identify which sites are permanent, temporary, and likely to change within three months. Your geofence boundaries, attendance policies, and payroll mappings all need to reflect actual operations — not an idealised org chart.
Step 2: Run a pilot on one site before rolling out everywhere
Pick a mid-sized site with a mix of contract and permanent workers. Run the new system in parallel with your existing process for two to four weeks. Do not switch off the old method until the new one has produced at least one clean payroll cycle. Test clock-in accuracy, geofence reliability, offline sync behaviour, and whether site supervisors can manage without calling head office.
Step 3: Onboard workers in batches at site level
Do not bring workers to a central office for enrolment. Take enrollment to the site. For face recognition systems like Truein, enrollment takes a few minutes per worker on a mobile device. Run the session at the start of a shift. Assign each worker to their site, shift pattern, and leave policy during the same session.
Step 4: Configure geofence boundaries carefully
Set boundaries based on the actual physical work area, not just the address. Construction sites and FM properties often have irregular shapes. A boundary too tight generates false failures. One too wide defeats the purpose. For temporary sites, note the project end date and assign an admin responsible for updating or closing the geofence when the project wraps.
Step 5: Train site supervisors, not just HR
Site supervisors handle day-to-day issues — a worker who cannot clock in, a geofence not triggering, a new worker arriving before enrolment. They need to resolve these without escalating every issue to head office. A one-hour briefing with a simple reference sheet covers most scenarios.
Step 6: Map attendance policies to payroll before the first live cycle
Before going live, confirm that overtime rules, break deductions, late mark policies, and leave entitlements are correctly configured and mapped to payroll categories. Run a test payroll calculation using the first week of live data and compare it against the old process. Discrepancies are far easier to fix now than after the first live payroll run.
Step 7: Handle contractor and subcontractor workflows separately
Contract workers on short-term assignments often have different leave entitlements, overtime rules, and payroll categories than permanent staff. Create separate worker groups or policy profiles for contract staff from the start. When a contract ends, the offboarding checklist — final records, leave balance settlement, and roster removal — should follow a defined process.
Step 8: Set a monthly audit cadence
Once live, schedule a monthly check of three things: attendance records with no corresponding shift assignment, workers enrolled at the wrong site, and geofence boundaries not updated to reflect site changes. These are the most common sources of accumulated errors in multi-site systems. Catching them monthly takes under an hour. Catching them at year-end payroll reconciliation takes considerably longer.
Conclusion
There is no single best time and attendance software for Dubai. There is only the right one for how your workforce actually operates.
If your teams are mobile, contract-based, and spread across sites that change by the project, tools built for fixed offices will keep creating gaps. In that environment, hardware-free deployment, offline attendance, site-level geofencing, and fast worker onboarding are not optional extras. For construction, FM, logistics, and warehousing operations across the UAE, they are the baseline.
For office-based and hybrid teams, the decision comes down to payroll compliance depth, ecosystem fit, and how much HR functionality you need beyond attendance. Bayzat, Zoho People, and greytHR each make sense depending on your size, existing tools, and budget.
One thing applies across every workforce type: inaccurate attendance data creates downstream problems. Payroll errors, compliance exposure under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, and contractor billing disputes all trace back to the same root cause. Getting attendance right is not just an HR task. It is an operational one.
If you manage contract or field teams across multiple UAE sites, Truein is built specifically for that environment. A live demo with your actual site setup is the fastest way to see how it works in practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best attendance software for construction companies in Dubai?
Truein is purpose-built for construction and contract workforces. It works without dedicated hardware installation at each site, supports face recognition attendance on shared mobile devices and kiosks, and provides site-level GPS geofencing. New workers can be enrolled in minutes from a mobile device. For construction companies managing subcontractors and rotating crews across multiple project sites, it is the most operationally suitable option on this list.
Which attendance system works without biometric hardware?
Truein, Bayzat, Darwinbox, Zoho People, greytHR, and DigiSME all support mobile-based attendance without requiring dedicated biometric hardware at each location. Truein's face recognition runs on any shared Android or iOS device. ZKTeco and TrueBays StackHX are better suited for environments where hardware installation is practical and preferred.
Is GPS attendance tracking legal in the UAE?
Yes. GPS-based attendance tracking is legally permitted in the UAE, provided it is used for legitimate workforce management purposes and employees are informed about it. UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 requires employers to maintain accurate records of working hours. GPS geofencing for clock-in control is widely used across construction, FM, logistics, and field workforce operations in the UAE. Employers should ensure their usage aligns with their employment contracts and internal HR policies.
Which attendance software supports WPS payroll integration?
All eight platforms on this list support WPS payroll integration to varying degrees. Bayzat, greytHR, and TrueBays StackHX have particularly strong UAE payroll compliance layers, including WPS SIF file generation, end-of-service calculations, and gratuity management built in. Truein provides payroll-ready attendance reports that integrate with leading HRMS and payroll platforms. Zoho People supports WPS and end-of-service processing through Zoho Payroll.
What is the best attendance software for contract workers in the UAE?
Truein is designed specifically for contract workforce management. It supports fast mobile enrolment, face recognition without hardware, site-level geofencing, offline attendance, and payroll-ready reports per site or contract. Staffing agencies and FM operators managing workers across multiple client sites use Truein to maintain attendance visibility without being dependent on client site infrastructure.
Can attendance software work offline at remote construction sites?
Yes, but not all platforms support it. Truein explicitly supports offline attendance — clock-ins are stored locally when connectivity drops and sync automatically when the connection is restored. This is an important capability for construction sites, remote FM properties, and logistics facilities across the UAE where mobile signals can be unreliable. For other platforms on this list, offline support is not confirmed in their published documentation and should be verified directly with the vendor before deployment.
