For years, workforce management in construction has struggled with payroll inefficiencies, time theft, and outdated tracking systems—issues that Denys Drofa tackled with a platform that cuts wasted hours, stops time theft, and finally brings construction workforce management into the modern era. By developing a biometric and AI-driven solution, he directly addressed these inefficiencies and transformed how companies track their teams.
Every week, construction managers watch payroll bloat with inaccurate hours, outdated punch cards, and systems that let time theft slip through the cracks.
Under Denys’s leadership, the company fine-tuned a patented biometric and AI system—one that cuts payroll errors, stops buddy-punching, and makes tracking teams effortless. The result? A scalable platform that eliminates inefficiencies and adapts to construction companies’ needs.
Denys changed the game by making biometric tech and AI work for real crews—accurate tracking, no headaches, and a system teams actually trust.
Professional Recognitions
Denys’ IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) affiliation underscores his global recognition and commitment to advancing technology. As a Senior Member of IEEE, Denys stands among the top professionals shaping the future of technology and innovation.
Beyond SmartBarrel, Denys’s impact extends further into scientific research and academia. As a trusted expert in AI, cybersecurity, and biometric workforce management, he actively contributes to shaping the future of automation.
In April 2024, the Science of Tomorrow: Innovative Approaches and Forecasts conference invited him as a scientific reviewer, where he assessed research on blockchain in crisis management, robotics in education, and AI-driven office solutions. Denys’ technical expertise allowed him to provide valuable guidance on AI decision-making and security protocols, ensuring practical applications for emerging research.
Later, in July 2024, the International Conference on Science, Innovations, and Global Solutions invited him as a lead reviewer, where he focused on cybersecurity vulnerabilities, AI in software testing, and robotics automation in enterprises. Denys’ insights—particularly in AI-driven security frameworks—played a key role in improving research on secure workforce management solutions.
Futurity Research Publishing then appointed Denys as an editorial board member for its international conferences, including the World Conference on Future Innovations and Sustainable Solutions in November 2024. Through this role, he evaluates groundbreaking AI and workforce automation research, ensuring that technological advancements align with scientific rigor and the highest standards.
By merging academic research with real-world applications, Denys ensures that AI-driven workforce automation advances alongside both industry needs and scientific validation. Denys’s academic achievements and industry involvement were a logical progression after he made a significant impact in the workforce automation industry with SmartBarrel.
Denys Drofa: The Visionary Behind SmartBarrel’s Success
Joining SmartBarrel in 2023 as an Senior Software Developer, Denys leveraged his expertise to integrate advanced biometrics and AI, transforming workforce management in the construction sector. His visionary leadership addressed critical challenges like time theft and payroll inefficiencies, setting new industry benchmarks.
SmartBarrel executed a platform shift that modernized systems and infrastructure during his leadership. The system experienced a performance rise of 40% while response times decreased by 25%, all during continuous service availability.
Denys’s leadership has driven SmartBarrel’s financial success, delivering significant value to major clients like Prism Electric, DPR Construction, and Apache Industrial. By overseeing high-impact projects and optimizing operations, he has cemented his reputation as a leader who creates measurable economic impact.
Tackling Time Theft: A Costly Industry Problem
Time theft and payroll inefficiencies have long plagued the construction industry, costing businesses up to 7% of their annual payroll, according to the American Payroll Association. Recognizing the urgent need for innovation, Denys developed a system that integrates biometric verification with AI, ensuring precise payroll data and eliminating practices like buddy-punching.
SmartBarrel’s success in addressing these challenges has earned it industry acclaim, solidifying its reputation as a leader in workforce management solutions. This recognition reflects Denys’ ability to create impactful technologies that redefine operational efficiency.
Impact on the Construction Business: Cost Savings and Data Accuracy
Denys Drofa’s contributions have led to measurable improvements for businesses adopting SmartBarrel. By ensuring accuracy in time tracking and automating data entry, the system reduces payroll errors and enhances compliance with labor laws.
Cost Savings
Denys led SmartBarrel to deliver significant cost savings to its clients, addressing inefficiencies and ensuring precise data tracking.
A notable example is DPR Construction, a prominent industry leader, which benefited from improved scheduling and workforce management through the implementation of SmartBarrel. The system streamlined operations, saving valuable time and resources while enhancing overall productivity on large-scale projects.
Another success story comes from Prism Electric, a top electrical contractor, which experienced a dramatic improvement in payroll accuracy. Within just three months of adopting SmartBarrel’s solution, the company reported a 20% reduction in payroll errors, significantly reducing disputes and fostering trust between employees and management. These results highlight Denys’ commitment to creating practical solutions tailored to the challenges of the construction sector.
Similarly, Apache Industrial witnessed a remarkable transformation in its administrative processes. By eliminating manual inefficiencies, the company achieved a 50% decrease in administrative payroll time. HR teams could focus on strategic initiatives instead of chasing inaccuracies, driving better outcomes for both employees and the organization.
Enhanced Data Accuracy
The use of biometric verification and AI analytics eliminates manual errors and ensures that payroll data aligns with actual hours worked. Denys’ system enhances transparency and accountability, leading to higher employee morale and more reliable workforce management. The insights provided by the AI also allow managers to identify performance trends and address inefficiencies proactively.
Denys’s commitment to advancing workforce automation is evident in his role at international academic conferences, where he assesses and reviews research on AI-driven workforce optimization. Through his expert evaluations, he influences studies on biometric security, AI analytics, and automation in labor-intensive industries, ensuring that new technological advancements meet the highest scientific standards.
Denys Drofa’s Role in Shaping SmartBarrel’s Innovation
Denys developed the core technologies behind SmartBarrel, ensuring the system’s functionality and scalability. As a recognized innovator, Denys’ contributions to the integration of biometrics and AI have set new benchmarks for workforce management, earning industry-wide recognition for innovation and excellence.
His engineering expertise ensured the seamless integration of:
- Biometric Verification: The facial recognition system Denys refined eliminates buddy-punching and enhances site security.
- AI-Powered Analytics: Denys optimized AI tools to provide real-time insights into productivity, allowing managers to make data-driven decisions.
- Scalability and Integration: Denys ensured SmartBarrel could integrate seamlessly with tools like CMiC, making it adaptable to projects of all sizes.
- API Integration: Led the integration of PROCORE and CMIC APIs, enhancing user experience and automating workflows.
- Software Optimization: Reduced software update deployment time by 80% through streamlined processes.
- Leadership and Mentorship: Denys established rigorous code quality standards, reducing bugs by 30%, while mentoring and overseeing the work of engineers, effectively shaping the output of his teams and ensuring excellence in software delivery.
The Results: Transforming Workforce Management
Denys’ leadership has transformed SmartBarrel into a trusted tool for construction businesses. By focusing on real-world challenges, Denys has ensured the system delivers tangible benefits:
1) Operational Efficiency: SmartBarrel automates time tracking and payroll processes, reducing administrative overhead and manual data entry. Designed by Denys Drofa with seamless integration in mind, it works effortlessly with tools like CMiC, enabling managers to focus on strategic decisions, improve project timelines, and reduce costly errors.
2) Actionable Insights: Powered by AI analytics, SmartBarrel delivers clear data on attendance and productivity. Denys optimized these analytics to help managers identify performance trends, enabling timely interventions and smarter decisions that keep projects on track.
3) Improved Morale: Transparency in time tracking fosters trust and accountability among employees. With fairness and clarity at its core, Denys ensured SmartBarrel creates a harmonious workplace, boosting morale and enhancing team productivity.
4) Cost Savings: Developed TimeClock 4.0, a biometric time-tracking device saving clients up to 20% in labor costs, showcasing his ability to deliver impactful innovations.
A Vision for the Future
Denys Drofa’s work extends beyond the present. His vision for SmartBarrel revolves around continuous improvement, ensuring the system adapts to meet the changing needs of the workforce. Under his leadership, SmartBarrel expands beyond construction, with applications in healthcare, logistics, and high-dispatch industries.
Through his leadership in both industry and academia, he drives technological innovation, ensuring that biometric workforce management systems not only improve operational efficiency but also meet the highest standards. Denys’ peer review contributions to AI, cybersecurity, and workforce automation research bridge the gap between cutting-edge advancements and real-world solutions.
As SmartBarrel’s platform states:
“With SmartBarrel’s construction time tracking software, we have a labor-first mentality, and it’s designed to bring the worker and the office together.”
By balancing technological advancement with responsibility, Denys doesn’t just improve workforce automation—he actively shapes the future of AI-driven industries through practical solutions and scientific validation.
