The Timesheet Blog

The time has come for Punch Clocks and the time clock market to be innovated and disrupted.

The Replicon CloudClock is a revolutionary new time clock that is the only 100% cloud connected time clock in the market today. Built on cutting edge hardware and software, the CloudClock brings the power of cloud computing to the everyday time clock. The clocks feature large, full color, multi-touch displays, wireless networking, remote monitoring and real-time integration with the Replicon application cloud.

Why spend $$$ on complex biometric clocks to prevent buddy punching and time theft?

We understand that businesses should not have to make a trade-off between time theft and paying for expensive biometric hardware. So, we included photo-based audit trails and optional face recognition as part of our standard Clock. All employee clock-ins will be documented and easily reviewed and audited by supervisors and managers.

Why spend $$$ on expensive maintenance contracts, especially when you have to call for service?

We understand that you want to run your business and not worry about maintenance of clocks. The time clocks should just work. Our clocks do just that and more. Our clocks are monitored remotely by our administrators in our data centers so when problems come up, we know about it before you do. We can also fix the clocks remotely, eliminating down-time.

Businesses, big and small, deserve more than a “standard” clock with run-of-the-mill software and service. The Replicon CloudClock brings advanced technology, great user experience and simple pricing in one affordable package.

Check out the Replicon CloudClock today and let us know what you think.
http://www.replicon.com/cloudclock.aspx

Time Clock

As consumers, we’ve been subjected to innovation at a break-neck pace in nearly every aspect of our lives: computers, phones, shopping, travel, entertainment. Today we don’t think twice about whipping out our phones to search and navigate to the nearest restaurant, while listening to music that is streamed live to our ears. Yet, there are some areas and products where innovation has not happened in any significant way: the Innovation Dead Zones. The humble time clock or punch clock is one such Innovation Dead Zone. The time clock has seen little innovation in the three or so decades that electronic devices were used to keep track of employee time.

Take a look at your punch clock. Now look at your iPhone. Look back at your punch clock.

I’m willing to bet that your time clock is ugly, hard to customize and a hassle to maintain yet your time clock cost 5 to 15 times more than your phone for a fraction of the functionality. The clock is treated like a household appliance. When it breaks (and it does), you have to call for service person and pay for maintenance. Why do you have to buy a new clock to get new features? Why do you have to get multiple clocks to track different employee types?

Innovation dead zones are often created by a combination of two factors: large profits for producers and lack of demand from consumers. In the case of punch clocks, the well established clock vendors today make a killing by charging high prices for simplistic hardware and primitive software. Businesses who use time clocks, and are the consumers in this case, don’t have the time to demand and push for better products from vendors. Therefore there is no incentive for vendors to innovate and bring creative solutions to the market.

At Replicon, we strongly believe our products, while sophisticated and technologically advanced, should be wrapped in elegant design. We want to create business solutions: hardware and software that combine ease of use, innovation and elegance in ways you commonly associate with products from Apple or Google.

We know our customers deserve more than the market provides today. Time Clocks and Time & Attendance software do not need to be in an innovation dead zone anymore.

We have a lot of exciting products coming to the market in the next few months. Stay Tuned.

It’s a signature day: The beta version of Replicon Timesheet for iPhone* is now available in the Apple App Store. If you have an existing SaaS-based version of Replicon’s Web TimeSheet software, you can download the app and start using it. Don’t have a Replicon account yet? That’s not a problem—the app works with trial versions of our software as well. You can sign up for a Free 14-day trial here.

Replicon Timesheet for iPhone makes it easier than ever to enter project time and related expense information. You can do it from anywhere your iPhone works. Just launch the app, enter your project data, and it instantly syncs with your main instance of Web TimeSheet. You can even take pictures of your receipts and upload them on-the-spot.

Top features:
– Track time against projects, including billing details
– Create expense sheets–Take photos of receipts and upload them
– Review approval status of timesheets and expenses
– Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Encryption
– Real-time synchronization
– 24/7 Support

The Replicon Timesheet app for iPhone is FREE.
Download it now at the Apple App Store.

*The Replicon Timesheet app is currently available only for iPhone.

Our goal is to help you get quick time-to-value from our Replicon solutions. The experts on our Implementation Services team are expert at helping you get the most from our time tracking software.

We offer three implementation packages that can be tailored to your unique requirements. Whether you need minimal pointers in the right direction, additional guidance, or comprehensive assistance with a complex implementation, we’re prepared to help.

Our three main packages are:

Replicon Quick Start
We get you “kick-started” so you have the tools to implement Replicon yourself.

Replicon Guided
A project manager guides you through the implementation process, which follows a proven 6-step methodology. Report setup and integration with other applications is included.

Replicon Custom
This is our highest level of implementation services, for customers with complex needs requiring face-to-face interaction.

We also understand that your business changes as it grows; people come and go and you want newcomers to get the most from our solutions. To ensure this, we offer additional training packages beyond the ones included in your initial implementation. Administrators and end-users can be trained either online or in-person according to your needs.

Interested in learning more?

Contact Sales:
Email: sales@replicon.com
Toll-Free Phone:
North America: 1-877-662-2519
Outside North America: +800 6622 5192

Sometimes, Web TimeSheet’s standard report/export fields don’t account for the exact information you need for viewing profitability. At Replicon, we took care to include fields that are standard across most industries. However, only you can define formulas that are specific to the way you do business. For example, the calculation you use to determine your gross profit margin might be different than the calculation used at another company.

In Web TimeSheet reports, you make your own rules. With the Custom Columns feature, you can define a field that includes the formula of your choice. These are fairly simple to create and there is a help section to walk you through it. You can use numeric, text, and date operators and functions to see exactly what’s going on with any aspect of your projects.

Once you create a formula, you can make it part of any of your predefined Web TimeSheet reports. The calculation can be integrated so that it is performed automatically – you don’t have to add the custom column again every time you run that particular report. On the other hand, you don’t have to apply the customized field to every version of a report if you just need to use the function for a one-time look at some project details.

The Custom Column feature is available in Web TimeSheet version 8.7 and higher. Are you currently using an older version of Web TimeSheet software that is installed on your local server? Consider switching to our Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) version so we can always ensure that you are being given the latest upgrades. All maintenance and updates are provided free of charge as part of our Software as a Service model. Give our SaaS version a try with a free trial.

What formulas are you planning to use with our Custom Columns feature? Let us know in the comments. Stay up to date with the latest developments by following our Twitter feed and keep connected with us on LinkedIn.

The 16th century poet, John Donne, is famous for authoring the phrase “No man is an island, entire of itself.” At Replicon, we know that no software application can offer truly useful solutions if it is isolated from our clients’ other information systems. Without adequate integration capabilities, even the best software product in the world has only limited value. Manual re-entry of data and clumsy exporting/re-importing processes are the equivalent of having to load all your data onto a rickety log raft to get it off the “island” of one software application and transfer it to another. That’s no way to do business; these outdated methods are slow, inefficient, and error prone.

Move to the Mainland

That’s why we are constantly developing new ways to help our customers connect Replicon’s Time Tracking Solutions with other applications. Our latest improvement is one of the most exciting we’ve rolled out to date. RepliConnect API is available for free to all our Web TimeSheet customers.

Did we mention this powerful new tool is completely free of charge? Effective time tracking has never been this simple or affordable.

Why You Should Use RepliConnect API

This Application Programming Interface can be used to connect Web TimeSheet with ANY other software that uses an open API. Here are just a few examples of top software brands that can be integrated with Replicon’s time tracking products more easily than ever before using RepliConnect:

• Microsoft Project
• PeopleSoft
• QuickBooks
• Ceridian

Imagine automating the transfer of employee time tracking information from your timesheets to third party payroll, accounting, and benefits management applications with no more double entries or lost/missing data. Communication isn’t just one way, either. You can set up bi-directional communication to sync data in real time. This ensures that your reporting from EVERY connected system is up to date. The RepliConnect API upgrade isn’t only popular with end users. It’s a huge benefit for IT departments tasked with integrating multiple applications as well. We just made their job much simpler.

How To Get Connected

This API is already included with your timesheet software – you just have to turn it on. With SaaS customers, a quick call to our office will get the job done. For hosted versions, check the “enable” box for this tool in your System Preferences page in Web TimeSheet. For additional information, be sure to watch this short video: RepliConnect API – Web TimeSheet Integration made Easy.


Not a Replicon customer yet? Come give our time tracking solutions a test drive free of charge. You can start using our hassle-free web-based software as a service (SaaS) right away and enjoy it for the full trial period with no obligation. Of course, once you start integrating Web TimeSheet with your other applications, we know you’ll be hooked on how easy it is to manage all your data!


Which software applications will you connect next using our RepliConnect API? Let us know in the comments. Stay in touch with us on Twitter and LinkedIn to hear about what we’ve got planned for our next upgrade.

In Web TimeSheet, you manage several types of confidential data including project pricing, client information, and payroll records. You need to control who sees this private information. Fortunately, our Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products are specifically designed to keep your data secure. It will be safe from prying eyes while giving the appropriate amount of access to the users you select.

Here’s how it works:

Secure Browser Connections
The Web TimeSheet host server features Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. That means all the information sent between your computers and our host server will be encrypted. This keeps your confidential data safe from external parties.

Customizable Permissions
Every action a user can take in the Web TimeSheet system requires permission. This includes viewing or modifying data, running reports, entering time worked, creating a project, etc. You get to decide who can do what. Use our standard role-based permissions profiles to quickly assign access to each user in your organization. You can fine tune these profiles to restrict or add more capabilities if necessary.

Hierarchy Filtering
Hierarchy filtering prevents users from viewing or editing data outside their own department. A single mouse click allows you to activate this option and ensure confidential information is only accessed on a “need to know” basis.

Password Restrictions
Your overall data security is increased when you use complex passwords and change them regularly. Web TimeSheet helps you follow best practices in this area. You can decide how complex user passwords must be and when they will expire.

Idle User Session Timeout
Use our automatic timeout feature to choose how long Web TimeSheet can be left idle before the system automatically logs the user off. If a user forgets to sign out before leaving their workstation at the end of a session, the amount of time their private data is accessible to unauthorized users will be limited.

Do you have questions about additional steps you can take to increase your level of security? Ask us in the comments section. Also, remember to connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn to keep up with our latest announcements.

As your SaaS vendor, we take full responsibility for continuously upgrading all our products. We’ve just finished improving Web TimeSheet version 8.11.1 to make it even more user-friendly. Check out these new features!

Increased Employee Visibility into Time-Off Requests

As a manager, it’s no fun telling an employee he can’t take a vacation because someone else has already asked for that week off. Now, employees can collaborate in scheduling their time-off. In addition to viewing approved time-off for coworkers, Managers have the option to grant permission for team members to see requests that are still awaiting approval. That way, they have the opportunity to work out their conflicting requests and come up with a plan that satisfies everyone.

Keep Your Work Weeks Straight

Do you need to limit the number of hours employees work each week to stay in compliance with labor laws in your area? Set up a “weekly” Web Timesheet validation rule to automatically monitor hours worked. Base this on your organization’s definition of a work week for each individual’s profile. That way, if you use a monthly timesheet you don’t have to worry about employees surpassing their permitted hours.

In the past, this error might not be caught immediately. This could happen if the excess hours were worked during the final days of a partial week at the end of a month. Payroll would have to manually check timesheets to catch this problem. Now, you can set up Web TimeSheet to validate full work weeks even if they are split between two different months.

See Who Needs To Approve Timesheets Next

Several new fields are available in the Timesheet Status Details report. For example, you can now include the name of the next approver scheduled to review a timesheet. This person appears in the “Waiting Approver Name” column. You can see the previous approver(s) who have already done their job listed under the “Approver Name” column.

Check out the complete documentation on this latest version of Web TimeSheet for more.

Do you have suggestions for further improvements? We are always eager to hear your ideas. Talk to us in the comments. Track our latest developments on Twitter; network with us on LinkedIn; and sign up for a free trial.

At Replicon, our philosophy of constant innovation has paid off once again for our customers.  We are excited to introduce the newest addition to our Web TimeSheet family of products – Web Schedule.  This employee scheduling software module makes creating, updating, and communicating work schedules as painless as possible.

Why Employees Like Web Schedule

With Web Schedule, your employees have access to real-time updates to their individual schedules.  This eliminates confusion about last minute changes.  When you integrate this employee scheduling software with Web TimeSheet, employees can instantly populate their timesheet using the data from their published schedule.  Then, they can simply make changes to indicate any discrepancies (such as additional time or missed time) each day.

Why Managers Like Web Schedule

Managers tasked with managing schedules and approving timesheets can do this much more quickly now.  Any discrepancies are listed and described at the top of the timesheet approval page.  Errors can be corrected before the final timesheet is sent to payroll.  Actual failure to adhere to the schedule can be addressed while the incident is still fresh.  Managers can also pull historical reports to identify a pattern of time & attendance issues.

Why Companies Like Web Schedule

Besides the obvious benefits of saving time and optimizing labour cost through effective scheduling, you get access to a free trial.  Try Web Schedule with your existing access to Web Timesheet or sign up to sample both of these products together.

Watch this quick video to see our Web Schedule software in action.

Are you using this software on a trial basis right now?  We would love to hear your first impressions.  Talk to us in the comments.  Also, feel free to join us via LinkedIn and Twitter to stay fully connected.

Some time back, we came across a couple of tweets about getting automatically logged out of Web TimeSheet:

Well, that day’s here – in fact, it’s been some time now since we’ve included this option!

We’d like to thank Dave and Mentha for bringing up this issue and today we’re going to see how to avoid getting automatically logged out.

But before we jump in, here’s something to note:  Timesheet data can be as confidential and as critical as financial statements.  Most companies don’t want timesheets created, modified, or deleted by anyone other than the timesheet owner.  While you can limit such activities through system permissions, the permissions alone will not prevent an unauthorized user from taking action while signed in with someone else’s credentials.  To avoid such problems, we recommend setting a session timeout in Replicon Web TimeSheet.  The session timeout will automatically log out the current user after a set timeframe, thus protecting the user’s timesheet information from unauthorized access in the event they’re called away from their desk.

If you need to turn off – or at least modify – the automatic logout setting, you can do so in Web TimeSheet version 8.7 and higher.

To modify your logout settings, you must have administrator access.  Go to the Administration tab and click on System > System Preferences in your left menu.  Look for the setting “Idle user session timeout (minutes)”.  You can enter a different logout timeframe, or choose the “Never automatically log out” option to never be logged out again.  Make sure you save your settings when you’re done!

Idle User Session Timeout

[Click on image to view full screenshot]

Hope this helps!

Please feel free to post comments or queries you may have about this feature.