“How long will it take us to get completely trained?” I was asked recently.

“That would depend completely on your definition of ‘completely’,” I replied.

The challenge with enterprise products like TimeControl is that they can be configured to be so many different things for so many different people.  The strength of TimeControl is its flexibility.  This allows TimeControl to be a multi-purpose timesheet serving the needs of many different perspectives within the organization.  It can be used for time and attendance, time and billing, project management tracking, earned value, government compliance for R&D tax credits or the DCAA.  And all this from the same interface at the same time.

Yet not every organization is created the same.  Not every organization requires the same types of functions or tracking.  Even when two clients have a similar product to like to like SAP or MS Project, those products are not configured identically either.  So each implementation of TimeControl is often unique. Oh there are common elements but there are many elements that are different and not everyone even uses the same functionality.

What we’ve discovered here at HMS when we apply this challenge to training is that training is best done in layers.  The first layer or phase occurs during the original implementation.  If our technical staff assist with the implementation, we train the administration staff as we make decisions together on how to configure the system.  This has a high degree of success but does it mean that these administrators are “completely” trained?

If your definition is, “The administrators should be able to operate TimeControl in accordance with the configuration and existing processes we have defined at the time of implementation.” then the answer is Yes. 

But, let the company advance for 6 months or a year even and we find that the level of maturity in the use of TimeControl in the organization is now such that the types of questions the client would ask have evolved.  Now there are questions on functionality that would have never been asked during the original implementation because the questions are now able to be understood or because the organization itself has evolved to have new timesheet requirements.

This isn’t unique to TimeControl.  We’ve seen similar phenomena when we look at project scheduling tools like Primavera, Open Plan or Microsoft Project Server.

Our view is that training should be an ongoing investment.  Do a little less on the first day than you’d expected.  Let that training soak in; be absorbed; be implemented in practice.  Then having a trainer come back or do another remote session for a few hours.  Use that to advance your own knowledge but also to advance the capabilities used of the software.  As new administrators come on board over time, they’ll naturally just take up training that is regularly scheduled. 

Doing training in phases or layers ultimately gives the best return on investment.

For those of you who keep up with my firm and our timesheet system, HMS has just released TimeControl version 6.4 for new and existing clients. This version extends on the long-standing success of the TimeControl timesheet system with another new wave of enhanced and new functionality. Since its initial release in 1994, TimeControl has been one of the most recognized timesheet systems for organizations who need a single timesheet interface to fulfill the multiple requirements of payroll, human resources, project management and finance.

Enhancements in this version include the following:

All new Project Manager Validation!
We’ve completely redesigned the way that Project Manager Validation works in TimeControl 6.4. The all-new multi-browser, multi-device interface allows project managers to highly individual line items that they approve or reject and TimeControl can now be configured to only transfer to a project management the approved items. This extension of TimeControl’s remarkable Matrix Approval Process for Labor actuals will make life even easier for project managers and organizational managers alike!

Not only can this view be used for approvals but project managers can move directly from the PM Validation view to do an adjustment on any timesheet line that they have rights to adjust and do the adjustment instantly. Plus Project Managers can update the ETC (Estimate to Complete) right on the screen before sending the data over to a project management system like Microsoft Project, Project Server, Primavera or Open Plan.

Direct Link to SharePoint task items
We’ve had integration with SharePoint almost since its release to the market but now TimeControl goes even further with a new ability to automatically load charge items from SharePoint task or project task lists just like we do with project management tools like Microsoft Project and Primavera.

Grouping by financial period
Aside from the all new cross-tab reports, we’ve made other reporting improvements. While you’ve always been able to sort and select along a financial period, it’s been harder to do sub-totals and grouping in reports by year, quarter and month.
Not anymore
TimeControl 6.4 adds date categorization fields to every line item including all historical data to allow you to do grouping and sub-totaling of any TimeControl report by these financial periods.

My Assignments view
We’ve added an all new view in the MyAccounts area that lets users see what tasks they’ve been assigned to right from their own screen. It allows users to look forward in TimeControl to what’s coming their way. Not only can users see this view, they can report on it or save it as an Excel or PDF file.

Expense Dialog view
Entering expenses in your TimeControl timesheet have gotten even easier as we’ve now created a new Expense dialog view that shows expenses in a form as well as a grid.

Cross-tab reports
We’ve created some brand new report types that we think will be super popular with both the accounting and project personnel. Cross tab reports let you put financial periods (Quarters, months, Weeks) as columns at the top of the report and projects and tasks as rows. It’s just the thing to show trends in labor being spent over time in any category that interests you.

Improvements in TimeControlMobile
We’ve been busy with TimeControlMobile also. The updates in TimeControlMobile 6.4 includes the ability to update your (ETC) Estimate to Complete right on your smartphone. We’ve also added support for user defined fields on the timesheet. We’ve taken the opportunity to reorganize some of the data on the mobile screens so it is easier to view and update on your iPhone, Blackberry, Android or Windows Mobile 7 devices.

And lots, lots more…
There’s so much more that just won’t fit into our announcement. We’re confident that both existing and new users will love this new version.

TimeControl 6.4 is available immediately. TimeControl customers with existing current support contracts can download the new version from the Support/Updates area of the TimeControl website at no charge. TimeControlOnline customers will be notified in advance before we update our online Timesheet as a Service environment.

For more information about TimeControl, monitor the TimeControl blog at blog.timecontrol.org, the TimeControl website at www.timecontrol.com. For information about TimeControlOnline, our hosted timesheet subscription service in the cloud, go to www.timecontrol.net.
For any other questions contact HMS Software at info@hmssoftware.ca.

Microsoft has published another article on its TechNet site.  This looks at a popular topic in project management circles these days, dashboards.

With the new capabilities of EPM tools like Microsoft’s Project Server or the Oracle BI tools now linked to Primavera, there is a hunger for pretty dashboards that show arrows going up, circles going down and triangles pointing in every direction.  This article talks about what you need to know in creating project management dashboards, some pitfalls that are often overlooked when people create these displays and some of the core principles you’ll need to adopt to make dashboards a useful experience.

Now it’s flattering enough to be on the Project Server 2010 page

You can find the article on the Project Server 2010 page of TechNet but this article was deemed interesting enough that TechNet is highlighting it on the front page of TechNet at technet.microsoft.com. That’s quite remarkably flattering and kinda cool to think that the millions of people who go to TechNet every day will see it.

Microsoft doesn’t do it every year but next year they will once again be holding a conference for Microsoft Project.  This usually signals that Microsoft has a new version to show us and, yes, it’s fairly certain we’ll be hearing all about Project version 15 when the conference rolls around.

The conference is March 19-22, 2012 in Phoenix.

For registration information go to: www.msprojectconference.com

Oh, and will I be there?  You bet.

TimeControl has opened an office in the cloud with TimeControlOnline! HMS Software’s popular timesheet is now available both for on-premises purchase and now in a hosted subscription model.

TimeControlOnline™, culminates a development initiative that HMS began in 2007.  This Timesheet as a Service (TaaS) model lets clients who are interested in a hosted timesheet service start with TimeControl instantly.  With the product already installed and running, there is no delay while internal IT resources are marshaled to install, configure, secure and move the system into product.  Clients can focus on the use of the system rather than the technical infrastructure that supports it.

The new hosted service brings a remarkable set of features and benefits of TimeControl to the online subscription model. TimeControl and TimeControlOnline include functionality for time and attendance, time and billing, project-tracking, linking to project management tools, vacation approvals and even a mobile interface all in the same package. With TimeControlOnline, there is no hardware to purchase, nothing to install, nothing to maintain and nothing else to purchase. Everything is included in one competitive subscription price.

Unlike many timesheet services on the market today, HMS has elected to make all functionality included in the basic system and not make clients decide on purchasing module after module.  This all-in-one model seems best suited to both license purchases and online subscriptions. Clients of either TimeControl or TimeControlOnline have all the functionality of the system available to them and can decide what elements are appropriate for their particular use.

More information is available on the new TimeControlOnline site at: www.timecontrol.net.
For those who’d like to try TimeControl, a free hosted trial site is available at freetrial.timecontrol.com.

It’s always interesting to talk to others in the project management space.  An article I did for Project Times called the Real Time Project Management Myth prompted a call from the Project Management Insights Blog Lewis Lin over there had some questions for me about Real Time Project Management and.  You can read the interview on Project Management Insights Blog at:6 Questions with Chris Vandersluis, Founder of HMS Software. If you’re not keen to hear more about me, there are lots of other interesting interviews there also!

ANNOUNCING: Announcing The Release Of Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Microsoft Project and Project Server 2010

Microsoft has announced the release of Service Pack 1 for Microsoft Project and Project Server.

You can find details on the enhancement for this service pack at: Announcing Service Pack 1 for Microsoft Project & Project Server 2010.

Microsoft recommends that you read the guidance below and the information on the service pack prior to installing:

• Description of Project 2010 SP1 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2460052
• Description of Project Server 2010 SP1 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2460047
• How to deploy Microsoft Project and Project Server 2010 SP1 Deploy Service Pack 1 for Project Server 2010.

Microsoft is also strongly recommending deploying the June 2011 Cumulative update for Project and Project Server when you install the SP1 update.

• Project 2010 June 2011 Cumulative Update: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2536590
• SharePoint and Project Server June 2011 Cumulative Update: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2536600
• How to deploy Project Server Cumulative Updates: Updates for Project Server 2010

For more information go to the official Microsoft announcement at: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/project/archive/2011/05/16/project-2010-sp1.aspx

HMS has released TimeControl 6.2 for both new and existing clients.

This version continues the 6th evolution of one of the world’s most popular timesheet systems. Since its initial release in 1984, TimeControl has been one of the most recognized timesheet systems for organizations who need a single timesheet interface to fulfill the multiple requirements of payroll, human resources, project management and finance.

Enhancements in TimeControl 6 new features, enhanced functionality and feature updates including the following:

TimeControl Mobile™
TimeControl Mobile is designed to work on popular smartphones like the Blackberry and iPhone. This is a web application that works with TimeControl as an extension of your existing implementation. As a mobile web-application there’s nothing to install. The user simply points their smartphone browser to the new /mobile directory of their TimeControl implementation and they are directed to an interface specifically created for the mobile device.

TimeControl Mobile includes functionality for adding, editing and deleting a timesheet, adding, editing and deleting timesheet lines. Even changing values for user defined fields is supported.

Just like the full web-based TimeControl, users who have pre-loading turned on or have defined personal pre-loaded charges will see them appear automatically in TimeControl Mobile when they create a new timesheet. This makes adding data very easy in the mobile device.If your TimeControl implementation is tied to a project management system like Microsoft Project or Primavera, your assignments could automatically appear when you create a new timesheet so you can update your activity hours in the field.

TimeControl Mobile works in both Portrait and Landscape mode. When the user flips their device from one orientation to the other, TimeControl immediately resizes the screen to take advantage of whatever space is available.

We’ve tried TimeControl Mobile on iPhones, Blackberry’s, Android and Windows 7 Mobile devices. Whatever your smartphone, there’s a good chance that TimeControl Mobile will work on it.

Filter details in Report headers
TimeControl now allows an option where the report headers will show the details of the filter you’ve selected. This means that selecting a date range or a particular range of data will be apparent from the values in the filter thus making it easier to ensure you’re looking at the right report data.

Improved table performance
We’ve made some huge improvements in table performance some of which have improved some table functions by as much as 500%!

Improved customized branding
TimeControl has allowed the client to insert their own image into the TimeControl login screen for some time. Now we’ve enhanced the ability for customized branding by providing a new image in the header of each TimeControl page.

Improved links with Microsoft Project Server
We’ve improved our TimeControl to Project Server link to take advantage of some of Project Server 2010′s capabilities. Now enterprise fields can be put into the charge code definition when linking and TimeControl will support the transfer of Sub-projects.

And lots, lots more…
There are improvements and other minor enhancements across the system including in logs, reporting fonts, the timesheet list, the timesheet interface and drop down field descriptions.

TimeControl 6.2 is available immediately. TimeControl customers with existing current support contracts can download the new version from the Support/Updates area of the TimeControl website.