From Contract to Check-Out
in Four Steps

A linear, auditable loop that replaces the jumble of spreadsheets and group texts with institutional operations. Each step feeds the next — no gaps, no manual handoffs, no lost data.

01

The Win

A contract is secured. This becomes a Program — the commercial foundation of everything that follows. The Program defines headcounts, base rates, and travel policies. Every subsequent event, schedule, shift, and assignment traces back to this single source of truth.

This is where most agencies lose money before operations even begin. Without a structured Program, rate changes propagate manually through spreadsheets, travel policies live in someone's inbox, and headcount targets are verbal agreements at best. Popsicle turns the contract into structured data that drives everything downstream.

Define base rates, travel policies, and headcount targets
Single source of truth — every event inherits from its Program
Rate changes cascade automatically to all linked events
Program

Summer Brand Activation Tour 2025

Base Rate

$22.00/hr

Travel Policy

$0.50/km

Headcount Target

45 staff

Events

8 scheduled

Event

Festival Weekend — Day 1

Schedule: Saturday

3 shifts · 15 staff

Schedule: Sunday

2 shifts · 10 staff

02

The Activation

A date and location are locked in as an Event. The Event is broken into Schedules (day-based groupings) and Shifts (time-based windows with role requirements and headcount targets). This is the operational blueprint that takes shape before a single staff member is assigned.

Most agencies try to manage this in spreadsheets — one sheet per event, one tab per day, one row per shift. The moment something changes (and it always does), version control collapses. Popsicle gives you a structured hierarchy where a schedule change propagates instantly, headcount gaps are visible in real time, and nothing falls through the cracks.

Events inherit rates and policies from their Program
Schedules and shifts define who, what, where, and when
Changes propagate instantly — no version-control chaos
03

The Deployment

Staff are assigned to Shifts. Each assignment automatically generates a unique, cryptographically secure URL token that is delivered to the staff member via SMS. No app download, no account creation, no password to forget. One tap to check in, one tap to check out.

This is the step where most competing systems break down. They require field staff to download a mobile app, create an account, and navigate a dashboard — all before they can even check in for their first shift. Popsicle's URL-token approach eliminates every point of friction, achieving near-universal compliance without training.

Secure URL tokens — unique per assignment per shift
SMS delivery with automatic reminders for upcoming shifts
Geofence verification — staff must be on-site to check in
Check-out reminders sent automatically near shift end
SMS to Staff

Staff receives:

Hi Sarah, your shift details:

Event: Festival Weekend
Role: Brand Ambassador
Shift: Sat 9:00 AM — 5:00 PM

Check in: https://pop.so/t/abc123
Check out: https://pop.so/t/abc124

One message. Two taps. Zero friction.

Data Export

CSV ready for accounting:

StaffInOutHrsAmount
S. Chen9:02 AM5:08 PM8.10$178.20
M. Torres8:58 AM5:01 PM8.05$177.10
A. Klim9:15 AM5:10 PM7.92$174.24
Verified check-in data Export CSV
04

The Reconciliation

The system calculates actual hours from verified check-in and check-out timestamps, applies rate overrides and expense adjustments, and aggregates everything into a single exportable report. One click produces pristine CSV data for your accounting team.

This is where the ROI becomes undeniable. Agencies using manual reconciliation typically spend two to three days per event chasing timesheets, verifying hours, and resolving disputes. Popsicle collapses that to minutes. The data is verified at the point of capture, calculations are automatic, and the export is ready before the event venue is even packed up.

Hours calculated from verified check-in/check-out timestamps
Rate overrides and travel expenses applied automatically
One-click CSV export for payroll and invoicing
Dispute-proof audit trail from contract to invoice

Ready to Replace
Spreadsheet Chaos?

Your 14-day trial starts today. See the full loop — from contract to check-out — with your own data.

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