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March 14, 2012
Time Clock MTS for Mechanics and Auto Repair Companies
You've probably noticed over the last month or so that we've been writing about the sorts of companies that use our employee time clock system, including Gyms, Childcare Centers, Optometrists, and Schools. Continuing on in this theme today I thought I'd examine our sales database to look for automotive related businesses that use our software. It turns out that about 125 different companies from this business sector use Time Clock MTS. This includes auto service companies, auto sales companies, smash and body repair companies, and tire and auto care companies.
When you consider the method which these types companies employ their staff it's no real surprise that a low cost and easy to use time clock system like ours has proved to be popular. Automotive companies generally employee their mechanics and technicians on an hourly basis, they will typically offer some sort of overtime scheme, and depending on state awards may have to offer and track both sick and vacation accruals for those employees. Time Clock MTS can meet all of these needs and provides very low on-going costs and can complete eliminate mechanical time clocks or paper based timesheets. If it sounds like Time Clock MTS is what you're looking for why not download the free 30 day trial!.
Posted by at 12:46 PM | Comments (0)
Time Clock MTS Version 3.3.4 Released
Time Clock MTS version 3.3.4 has just been uploaded. This update includes two minor changes to the Reports->Export Data->Data Export Formats screen. There's a new setting called "Single Employee Entry" for Aggregate Data Exports. When checked aggregate exports will produce a single entry for each rate code for each employee over the export time period. When not checked an entry is produced for each day during the export time period. The second change allows users to have a multiple line header.
Posted by at 12:40 PM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2012
How to Move Time Clock MTS to a New Computer
Probably one of the most common questions I get asked is how to relocate Time Clock MTS to a new computer. This might be because a computer is being upgraded or perhaps because a computer has failed (or even been stolen). There's some information you need to collect before you undertake this process.
- Determine where your employee time clock database is. By default this is on the same computer that Time Clock MTS and is here: C:\Program Data\Time Clock MTS\Database\timeclock.mdb. If your old computer is running Windows XP then the file is here: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Time Clock MTS\Database\timeclock.mdb. In either case you'll need to Show Hidden Files and Folders to see the folder where your database is.
- You may have moved the database to your network in which case you will need to locate the file using the System Options screen.
- If you were using MySQL or SQL Server as a backend database then note down the database connection details on the System Options screen.
- You'll need your Time Clock MTS registration code. This was emailed to you when you purchased Time Clock MTS or can be retrieved using our Registration Recovery page.
- You'll need a copy of the Time Clock MTS installation file. This can be downloaded from our website or you may have made a copy of the installation file when you purchased the software.
Once you've gathered all that information here's the steps you need to go through to move Time Clock MTS to a new computer.
- Install Time Clock MTS on the new computer using the installation files.
- Run Time Clock MTS on the new computer and register it with your registration codes using the Help->Registration Details screen. Note that if you purchased Time Clock MTS prior to November 2012 your registration codes will not work with the software on our website and you'll need to purchase an upgrade to the latest version. Contact us for upgrade pricing information.
- If your old Time Clock MTS database location was on your old computer in the default location then go to step 4. If your old Time Clock MTS database was on your network then go to step 5. If your old Time Clock MTS installation was using SQL Server or MySQL as a backend database go to step 6.
- Close down Time Clock MTS and copy the timeclock.mdb file from the old PC to the new PC into the folder c:\Program Data\Time Clock MTS\Database. Overwrite the file that is there. Re-start Time Clock MTS and you should see your old data. You're now finished moving Time Clock MTS to a new computer.
- Run Time Clock MTS on the new computer, log in as the administrator and go to the Tools->Options->System Options screen. Click the Change button and navigate to your Time Clock MTS database which is stored on your network. Click OK to save the change and you'll now see your old data. You're now finished moving Time Clock MTS to a new computer.
- Run Time Clock MTS on the new computer, log in as the administrator and go to the Tools->Options->System Options screen. Enter the SQL Server/MySQL database connection details and click the Test Connection button and confirm that the details are correct. Change the Database Type dropdown to the correct database type and click OK to confirm the change and you'll now see your old data. You're now finished moving Time Clock MTS to a new computer.
As always, if you have any problems please contact us for further help.
Posted by at 12:45 PM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2012
Using Time Clock MTS with Two Different Databases
We've had an interesting question from a Time Clock MTS user who uses the software with two different databases to track two distinct departments in their workplace. The user asked if there was an easier way to have the Time Clock MTS administrator program connect easily to the two different databases with out having to make use of the Change button on the System Options screen. It turns out there is an easier way. Here's what we suggested (these instructions will not work on Windows XP).
1. On the Time Clock MTS administrator program make two copies of the file:
c:\Program Data\Time Clock MTS\timeclock.ini
And call them timeclock_location1.ini and timeclock_location2.ini
2. Open up both of these files in Windows Notepad and change the setting DatabaseLoc in each file to the path to your two Time Clock MTS databases.
3. Save both files.
4. Create a batch file and enter the following commands into it.
copy "c:\Program Data\Time Clock MTS\timeclock_location1.ini" "c:\Program Data\Time Clock MTS\timeclock.ini"
"c:\Program Files (x86)\Time Clock MTS\timeclockmts.exe"
Save the batch file as "timeclockmts_database1.bat".
Note: If you're not running a 64 bit version of Windows use the path c:\Program Files\Time Clock MTS\ rather than c:\Program Files (x86)\Time Clock MTS\timeclockmts.exe.
5. Create another batch file and enter the following commands into it.
copy "c:\Program Data\Time Clock MTS\timeclock_location2.ini" "c:\Program Data\Time Clock MTS\timeclock.ini"
"c:\Program Files (x86)\Time Clock MTS\timeclockmts.exe"
Save the batch file as "timeclockmts_database2.bat".
Note: If you're not running a 64 bit version of Windows use the path c:\Program Files\Time Clock MTS\ rather than c:\Program Files (x86)\Time Clock MTS\timeclockmts.exe.
6. Create a Shortcut to both batch files on your Windows desktop. Call one "Time Clock MTS Database1" and the other "Time Clock MTS Database2".
7. All you need to do to open up Time Clock MTS connected to either of the two databases is double click on the appropriate shortcut.
These instructions require more advanced computer knowledge than Time Clock MTS usually requires of it's users but it's a complex setup required by very few. If you're unclear about anything in this article just Contact Us and we'll try to help you out.
Posted by at 10:32 AM | Comments (0)
March 9, 2012
Fingerprint Clocking In System
Good employers are always looking for ways in which to simplify the equipment equipment and processes used in a business as well as saving cost. Recording employee attendance data is one area in which there are real cost savings and efficiency gains to be realized. The advent of low cost biometric finger scanning has proven very useful in simplifying both the processes and equipment required for a robust employee time clock system.
A fingerprint clocking in system can help your business in more ways than one. Once the workers are clocking in and out using their fingerprints, there won't be any need for ID badges and other security badges. Depending on the number of employees in the business, you will save money on the materials needed to make these badges each year, not to mention the cost of replacing them if they get lost or damaged.
If you're worried about buddy punching in the workplace, a fingerprint clocking in system is a great way to completely eliminate this. As the employees need to clock in and out using their fingerprints, they will only ever be able to clock themselves in and out, rather than other employees. It will also stop unauthorized people entering the workplace, as they won't be able to get in without fingerprints that are recognized.
Security is taken very seriously in any business, and if you're hoping to eliminate payroll fraud and buddy punching among your employees, you might want to consider fingerprint scanners which can be used alongside Time Clock MTS. The only fingerprint scanners which will work are Digital Persona 4000/4500 USB scanners, and these can be easily plugged into your computers. The combination of fingerprint scanners and Time Clock MTS will give you the ideal biometric time clock station for your business.
Posted by at 8:09 AM | Comments (0)
March 6, 2012
Time Clock Software for Childcare Centers
It comes as a surprise to us when we look at the types of businesses that are using Time Clock MTS. It's a common misconception that time and attendance tools are only required if the company is a large one with hundreds or even thousands of employees. Contrary to popular belief, a good time clock system will come in handy for a huge variety of companies, both small and large. After some in-depth research into the different users of Time Clock MTS, it was discovered that about 150 different childcare and daycare centres use Time Clock MTS.
Of course, the time clock software can be used for tracking the employees' hours worked, overtime and vacations. However, the most interesting thing is the fact that you can also use the system to keep track of the parents and children entering the centre. Because you have a list of the children inside the centre, it will be very easy to make sure that everybody is safe in the event of a fire or other emergency. If parents clock their children in and out themselves, it will save time for other employees, thus helping the centre to run more efficiently.
It can be difficult to find quality time clock software for childcare centres, but Time Clock MTS can help provide you with the perfect system, just as it has for 150 other centres.
Posted by at 7:25 AM | Comments (0)
March 5, 2012
Time Clock MTS Version 3.3.3 Released
Some interesting requests from users of our time clock software over the last few weeks have lead to many of the changes in Version 3.3.3 of the software which has just been uploaded. Here's the details of the changes made to this version.
- Added a header setting to the Export Data system. This allows a fixed header row to be defined for exported data sets.
- Fixed a problem where the main application window disappeared after doing a large data export.
- Hours on aggregate data exports are now formatted correctly.
- Disabled employees are now displayed at the bottom of most employee lists.
- Disabling an employee no longer requires a complex confirmation process.
- The Daily Hours Report now only runs up to the actual selected report end date rather than the end of the week that the report end date is in.
- Added a new "clock out" button to the Edit Times screen. This allows the time clock administrator to either clock out the selected employee or clock out all employees that are currently clocked in.
- Changed some of the database connection settings to make the connection more reliable.
Posted by at 12:17 PM | Comments (0)
Time Clock Software for Gyms
With over 8,000 companies now using Time Clock MTS to track the attendance data of employees, it's clear to see that Time Clock MTS is being used in many different industries. Apart from the traditional businesses with hundreds of employees to keep track of, other companies have started using the time clock system in order to find an easier way to stay organized.
Out of all the Time Clock MTS users, 50 or so of them are gyms and other fitness clubs. The software is useful for these types of clubs and centers, even if there aren't many employees. As well as keeping track of the employees, members of the gym are able to be added to the system. This will enable any gym to save member data and easily access it whenever it's needed. Gym members can also be clocked in and out, just like the employees, which helps to calculate the total time each member spends in the gym over a certain time period.
Time clock software for gyms has proven to be very helpful to many users already, and Time Clock MTS might be the ideal tool to use for your gym or fitness center.
Posted by at 12:11 PM | Comments (0)
