Tips for Choosing Time Tracking Software
Posted by AdrianRocker on March 17th, 2014
Time is money for everyone irrespective of whether you are a freelancer, an entrepreneur running a small-sized business, owner of a medium-sized firm or part of a huge organization. Ensuring that time is utilized productively is a primary concern while working and it is with the intention of helping with this aspect that the concept of timekeeping software came into being. Ever since its introduction, it has enjoyed global acceptance across all types of industries simply courtesy of its ability to measure productivity and efficiency of the employee in question. With a time tracking software, wastage of time is one of the problems that have been overcome.
Acquiring timekeeping software is a process which appears to be quite easy when looked over on the Internet but unfortunately there is more to this process than what meets the eye. While a casual search would reveal the presence of several packages, a buyer might as well bear the fact in mind that not of them are born equal and are distinct in terms of their characteristics. This implies that time tracking software required by a freelancer would differ in terms of functional aspects than one desired by a big organization. Hence, identifying your need and extent of work is the first point that needs to be ascertained prior to investing in this software package.
Where crowd sourcing projects are concerned, priority should be accorded to buying timekeeping software that encompasses a wide area, meaning not just cities but countries and continents. Such a device would cater for different time zones around the world too so that when a freelancer in India has submitted his work, it is in conformity with the deadline set by the employer who might be based in Europe, USA or Australia. Likewise, a global time tracking software must also be easily accessible in different parts of the world so that documents and information pertaining to a project uploaded by the client is duly received by the freelancer.
In addition to these broad requisites, large companies can look for some more attributes in timekeeping software that would enable them to function efficiently and manage their employees effectively. These assume the form of invoicing, tracking time and pricing policy as outlined by the company. Invoicing could be hourly or based arrear-based and depends on the understanding between the employer and employee while price levied by the platform that has provided the time tracking software is usually charged on a monthly basis. Because this package could range from being really simple to extremely complicated, awareness is a must.
Comparatively, the freelancer is most often a sole proprietor or part of a small team and hence his criterion for selecting timekeeping software is totally disparate. Given that such workers generally operate on a desktop from within the confines of home, a cloud-based package works best in their favor since it does not require any additional installation for being accessed. Flexibility is also a concern since the time tracking software is meant to echo the choice of its user but the most pertinent factor is value for money owing to the fact that freelancers work on a budget and detest paying anything extra.
For entrepreneurs who strictly follow the edict of time being money acquiring time tracking software features high on the agenda but how many people are actually confident to go shopping for it? Indulging in some background research prior to venturing out would throw light on attributes of timekeeping software that the buyer should look out for in order to get a product which is good value for money.
