Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Time Tracking & Management Software.

Ratings

Feature Set

The software package offers substantial features to track and manage employees' time including tracking employees' work hours, vacation time, sick leave, overtime and projects. Most useful software packages also provide various reporting options.

Ease of Use

We looked for time tracking and management software that offers intuitive navigation and user-friendly features so anyone would feel comfortable using the program regardless of their computer knowledge.

Ease of Installation

We rated products according to their ease of installation and setup. There shouldn't be any conflicts or errors received during the installation process. We also looked into whether additional downloads or software were required to run the program in its full capacity.

Time Tracking Capabilities

We ranked the software by the quantity and quality of the tracking features including the ability to track employees, projects, expenses, invoices, customers and so on.

Reporting Capabilities

We graded the time tracking and management software according to its capabilities to produce various reports

Time Tracking Features

Employee Hours

The software is capable of tracking your employees—who they are, what hours and days they work, what projects they work on and so on.

Vacation Time

The software tracks the vacation time that your employees accrue and will inform you who and when someone is using their vacation time.

Sick Time

The program tracks the amount of sick time that your employees accrue and will report who and when someone uses sick time.

Holiday Time

You can specify the dates considered holidays and which employees will receive pay for holidays.

Overtime

You can allow or deny overtime pay to your employees and specify what type of pay they will receive for overtime, for example, double, time and a half, regular pay and so on.

Projects/Jobs

The product will track your projects, jobs and to whom you have assigned to each task.

Activities (Presentations, Meetings, etc.)

This software will track other job related activities including presentations, meetings and other activities not considered a project or task.

Track Expenses (Travel, Mileage, etc.)

The software will track all your expenses including travel, vehicle mileage, hotels, food and other work related expenses. This feature works in conjunction with billing and invoicing.

Client Billing Invoices

The software will let you view and keep track of the invoices that you have created with their software.

Time by Minutes

The software can keep track of time worked in minutes without rounding to the nearest hour. Some software will keep track of time either way.

Time by Hours

The software will round to the nearest hour that each person works.

Automatic Time Tracking (Stopwatch)

The software has an integrated stopwatch that will start and stop when employees arrive and leave work.

Manual Time Tracking

The software has an option so work hours can be inserted manually, then the manager can approve or reject any of the hours if they aren't correct.

Reporting Features and Modules

Print Reports

You can print the reports the software creates.

Export Reports

You can export the reports made with the software. The most common format is PDF, but you can also export to Microsoft Excel and more.

Filter Reports

The time tracking and management software will filter out the reports that you want to run by date, person, category and so on.

Available Reports Overall

The total number of reports that the product offers.

Client Reports

Reports dealing with your customers and clients and may include contact and project information.

Employee Reports

Reports that tell managers how many hours each employee is working and include vacation, sick, holiday and overtime.

Expense Reports

Include much of the financial information of the company like invoices, payroll, travel and other expenses.

Project Reports

The software includes reports that cover projects and may contain a summary of projects or even a progress report.

Task Reports

The program creates reports that relate to the progress of specific projects and employees assigned to perform individual tasks.

Time & Attendance

The time tracking software produces reports about employees in regards to their attendance, their hours, how often they are late and so on.

Other Features

Add Notes to Entries/Work Items

You can add notes to your work items, for example, a due date or any detailed instructions.

Assign Work Items to Employees

You can delegate projects to employees through the program.

Create Invoices

The software can generate invoices.

Specify Employee Hourly Rates

You can specify the amount an employee earns for each project they complete and whether they are hourly or salary. This will give a good idea of the overall project cost.

Manage Expenses in Multiple Currencies

The software will track your expenses in multiple currencies for international transactions, travel or business.

Manage Contacts

The program files your client's contact information for quick access.

Mark Project as Billable/Non-Billable

You can specify your project as billable or non-billable, depending on whether it's an internal or external company project.

Web Edition Available

The software comes with a web edition accessible from any location through the Internet.

Muli-Licences Available

You can purchase multiple licenses for the program, to add additional employees and/or logins.

Integrates with Accounting Program

The software will import and export data into an accounting program like Quickbooks, ACCPAC and more.

Import/Export Data

You can import or export data into the program eliminating the need to retype information.

Backup/Restore Data

The software will backup and restore your data incase a problem occurs.

Create Password

You can create a password for all your employees, to protect personal information and to limit access.

Help/Support

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions provide answers to questions and concerns, often manufacturers post them on their website.

Knowledge Base

A collection of data and facts that will help you find answers to questions about the software.

Help Manual/Documentation

A manual or other help documentation that is built into the time tracking and management software.

Email/Online Form

The developer provides an email address or online form so you can submit questions directly to the manufacturer's support team.

Tutorial

Some time tracking software provides tutorials or step-by-step instructions that shows you all the features of the program. It explains every feature in detail and usually provides a visual aid.

Online Updates

The software automatically updates your program when the manufacturer releases updates.

Direct Link to Website

The product provides a direct link to the manufacturer's website from the help menu of the program.

Support Phone Number

The manufacturer provides a toll-free or other phone number to receive technical support.

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