Don't Waste a Single Second...Time Reporting System Selection

As a service business, our inventory is our time. We multi-task like maniacs and can work on over a dozen client requests in a single day. Each.

After trying a number of different timekeeping tools, from QuickBooks' Timer to email, spreadsheets, and paper, we quickly grew frustrated with inadequate, overcomplicated, unmanageable solutions. We couldn't keep up. It was time for a system selection.

To ensure we picked the right system, we set an overall goal: quick, accurate time reporting that feeds into our billing system.

Next, we identified several key decision points:

• Ease of use, to minimize the administrative hassle
• Remote access, to allow time entry from outside the office
• Workflow, to notify users of outstanding timesheets, approvals, etc.
• Reporting, so we can monitor timesheet status
• Integration with QuickBooks, to streamline our billing process and reduce/eliminate redundant data entry
• Reasonable cost, to keep expenses down as we grow.

We decided that a reasonable selection process would include 6-10 products, with a detailed review of 2-4 programs. QuickBooks helpfully lists all compatible products in their marketplace, so we were able to get a good list in just a few hours of online research.

How'd we do? Check back for our next post...