Time-tracking software
Time tracking software is a software that allows to maintain the time tracking process on a computer.
Types of time tracking software
Timesheet software software - allows to enter time spent performing different tasks while working.
Time tracking/recording software - automatically records activities performed on a computer.
Time tracking software can be:
- Standalone - used only to record timesheets, and generate reports
- Integrated into accounting system - where timesheet data is directly fed into company accounts
- Integrated into billing system - used to generate invoices, especially used by contractors and professionals such as lawyers
- Integrated into project management systems - timesheet data is used in project management software to graph the effort being spent on each project or task.
- Integrated into payroll system - timesheet data is used in payroll software to pay employees based on their time worked.
Timesheet software
Timesheet software is an accounting software used to maintain timesheets. This was the very first wave of the time tracking software when computers came to many offices. The idea is to replace all heavy paperwork and get more organized. Timesheet software allows entering time spent performing different tasks while working.
If using in companies, employees enter their time, which after can be approved or rejected by supervisors or project managers.
If using by freelancers, this software allows creating reports for clients to explain how the time was spent.
Increasingly timesheet software is web based, making deployment much easier.
Time tracking/recording software
Time tracking/recording software automates time tracking process by recording what activities, when and for how long are performed on a computer. This was the second wave of the time tracking software. The idea is to get the actual picture about computer usage. Automatic time tracking/recording software shows applications, documents, games, websites usage.
If using in companies, this software allows monitoring employees' productivity by recording computers and Internet usage. Also it can be used to help to complete timesheets.
If using by freelancers, this software helps to create reports for clients (like timesheets and invoices) or to prove work.
Note: information in this article is based on the current time tracking market research.